Freezer cooking and I go way back. My sister first introduced it to me when my kids were very young and I was dealing with some health problems. In many ways freezing cooking saved me during those years, or at least they helped me survive and still feed my family well.
When I felt well I would cook, and when I had bad days and was not up to cooking, I would have plenty of food in the freezer. This allowed me to serve my family healthy, home cooked meals on days I would not have been able to.
Having meals in the freezer, made up ahead, also allowed me to help others in ways I would not have been able to. I almost always had a meal in the freezer that I could give to someone in need of one.
There were many days that I was too sick, I was actually the one probably needing a meal, but pulling one out of the freeze took no work at all and gave me the ability to help others when I otherwise would not have been able to.
I can easily say I love freezer cooking and still keep some meals in the freezer for those crazy days.
I will say though that my freezer cooking days were 1990’s style. They were good and my family enjoyed them, but some of the recipes scream 1996, just keeping it real.
My friend Jessica from Life As Mom though has written a cookbook full of make ahead and freezer friendly meals that fit life in 2012. If you have never tried freezer cooking, or are looking for new freezer cooking inspiration, Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook
is the book for you.
These recipes are free of canned cream of whatever soup. They include a lot of fresh ingredients and ideas for add ons at serving time.
There is even a gluten free list and a meatless chapter. As the title says, these are not your mother’s freezer recipes. This is freezer food updated for our busy schedules, but keeping with the theme of healthy type food.
And I love the cooking plans that Jessica shares in the book. The plans allow you to focus on the time you have. Freezer cooking does not have to take all day. Jessica shows you how to do it with just a few hours here and there.
There are about 200 recipes in this cookbook, so there are plenty of recipes and ideas that your family will love. Jessica has six kids ranging from young kids to teenagers, so she knows about feeding and pleasing everyone in the family. This book has recipes your whole family will enjoy.
And the good news is that I have one copy of Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook to giveaway to one of you.
To enter all you have to do is leave me a comment.
- Giveaway ends Tuesday September 18, 2012 at 6 pm.
- One entry per person
- For more information about my giveaways please see my giveaway policy.
- If you are reading this by email you must click through to this post to leave a comment. Replying to this email does not count as an entry.
Giveaway ended. Dineen won: I would love to have a freezer cooking resource that doesn’t fall back on canned soups and has gluten free options.
Super Cookbook Theme! I would Love to win a copy!
I’ve been looking for new freezer recipes. This sound great!
I have never been able to dive into make ahead freezer meals because it sounded overwhelming to cook all day. I’m super interested to read that it doesn’t have to be that way!
This sounds like it would make my life so much easier with a 9 month old!
Would love to check this book out!!
That cookbook sounds great!
Would love a copy to get me started on meal prepping.
I would love to win this, it would help so much with a busy toddler under foot!
I love the idea of freezer meals and have been searching for them on pinterest lately. This sounds like a wonderful resource!
Would love to add this cookbook to my collection.
This looks like a great cookbook! would love to check it out 😉
This cookbook would add another level to my cooking. Hope I win it.
I would love to try healthy freezer meals!
I love freezer cooking. Would love to win this cookbook.
I have an older cookbook I used to use before going gluten free. Many of the freezer meals could not be converted to gluten free. Would love to win this one. Also love the idea of spending a few hours here and there.
thanks for the giveaway! the cookbook sounds great
Would love to win this, i need some more inspiration in my freezer cooking adventures
love freezer meals 🙂
My husband is getting tired of frozen boxed dinners when I have to work evenings. Maybe he can help cook.
I love the idea of freezer cooking made healthier – this sounds wonderful!
So excited about this book! I will have to check it out. Love freezer cooking.
i recently joined your weblist and luv it – its filled with lots of great recipes and family ideas.. thanks every so much
this looks AMAZING!
thank you so much!
-gabby
I love to cook for the freezer!
This sounds like a great book to have on hand for getting dinner on the table that much quicker!
Thanks for a chance to win one.
I am trying to do more freezer cooking. Hubs is helping me find different recipes so we get out of the usual rut but still enjoy the go to favorites. I agree that healthier freezer cooking is a great idea.
I love that it doesn’t contain any recipes w/ canned soup! It sounds wonderful
I am such a fan of freezer cooking! I love cooking a meal and then sitting down to eat it right away too, but with 3 kids age 4 and under some nights it just isn’t possible. My freezer is my best friend!
I’d love to win this cookbook…always looking for new recipes.
I would love to start trying to do freezer meals that was not bought at the store. 🙂
Sounds like a great idea for a cookbook.
This sounds great! Love the fact that it is not based on canned soups. No more taking the time to convert, she has already done the work.
I LOVE freezer cooking! It is wonderful to pull something out of the freezer for a quick meal on a busy evening! Thank you for this giveaway opportunity!
With four young children to feed and a crazy schedule to maintain, I could really use this book!
Lynn,
Thank you so much for offering this to your readers! I would love some updated freezer cooking ideas.
Sounds great !
I would love a copy of this!
This sounds very helpful for busy families – would like to do more freezer cooking!
I am trying to get organized meal plan wise and would love to have some freezer meals to be able to give loved ones meals when needed. Sometimes life is crazy and making an extra meal just doesn’t happen!
I’d love to win!
I love cookbooks and this sounds like a great addition to my collection. Thanks for the chance.
Lynn:
I was a stay-at-home mom with 2 children while I was also attending college, so I made a lot of freezer meals to assist my husband when he had to “cook” dinner for the kids. I always look forward to finding new exciting ideas for dinner!
I would love to have this cookbook! I rarely know what meals will freeze well or how to prepare them once frozen. And those meatballs look FABULOUS!
I would love to win a copy of this!
I would love to have this cookbook! Thanks for the opportunity!
What a great giveaway! I’ve started doing some freezer cooking but need fresh ideas & recipes. Would love to win this!
Love that there’s no gross canned of whatever soups in this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love freezing meals for later in the week – sounds like a perfect cookbook!
Nothing better than having a freezer full of meals. Would love to try some new recipes.
I would love to win a copy of this cookbook.
Perfect timing. Getting ready for the arrival of a few friend’s babies and would love to have some new ideas for food for them.
This is a perfect cookbook for me!
I feel like I’m always behind the curve on stuff – freezer cooking included. I am just now learning about this time and sanity saving feature and would LOVE to win this book – what a great help it would be! Thanks for the opportunity.
This would be great to have, I’m a freezing-cooking newbie! Thanks.
I am just learning how to make/use freezer meals for my family and I am loving it!
I have been keeping my eye out for this cookbook’s release! Winning one would be SUPER!
I’ve been thinking about freezer cooking and prepping meals in advanced to save time during the work week… This would be the perfect starting point!
This cookbook looks FABULOUS! I LOVE having food in the freezer for those days I’m gone more than I’m home to get things ready for dinner. I would LOVE to win this. I just recently found your website and I’ve already printed off a dozen of your recipes. You are awesome! Love the menu plans. Love the wholesomeness of your meals. I’ll be a frequent visitor!!!
I love that you have meals in the freezer for your family and others. Being able to give a yummy lasagna that a family having a tough time can just pop in the oven is wonderful!
What memories of freezer cooking. Never really think about it, but what a great option.
Love freezer cook, could use some new and fresh ideas.
I’d love to win this cookbook, especially with baby #3 on the way!!
I love the idea of this, but haven’t really tried it out yet. I’m sure it would come in handy with 5 kids, and a gazillion activities all overlapping! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win this cookbook!
Just started freezer cooking and looking for more ideas!
I would love to win this cookbook! I’m new to freezer cooking and could use all the help I can get.
This looks like an awesome cookbook!
I think I could really put this book to good use! Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to win. We have after school activities at least 3 nights a week right now.
Would love this!
I have to be the breadwinner in my family due to my husbands health. I never seam to be ahead of the game when it comes to cooking all the meals. This would SO help me on a Saturday or Sunday to cook up a lot for the future weeks. I have a huge deep freeze someone gave us I just love it. Thank you.
I’d love this, thanks!
I would love to win this book. It would help me get my family of 6 a little more organized when it comes to meals! LOVE YOUR WEBSITE TOO!
I’ve been wanting to learn how to freeze meals ahead of time. This book would be a perfect start!
I have been looking for receipes that i can make ahead and freeze to make dinner prepartion easier and ensure a well balanced meal
That cookbook looks great! I’d love to win it.. 🙂
I love following Jessica’s blog and am so excited she now has a book released! Thanks for the chance to win
Great cookbook! I would love to win a copy to add to my cookbook collection!
I can’t wait to read this!
I’m a long time follower of her blog and would love to win her new book!
super excited for this cookbook!! 🙂
This would be great to see and use since I have a large family.
Freezer cooking was how I “nested” when I was pregnant with my now-3 year old daughter. Would love to win!
I am planning on returning to work and have made headway in making room in the freezer, now we just need some inspiration!
Thank you so much for the chance to win. 🙂
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
With three little kids and another on the way, I would love to try out some of the recipes in this book!
This looks like a great cookbook! I am always looking for meal ideas for the freezer
I am expecting my first child and have had some health problems in the third trimester. Freezer cooking has saved our family from way too many drive throughs. Thank you for all your great ideas!
As a busy mom and teacher who is trying to feed my family real food, I would love a copy of this cookbook!
i love freezer cooking 🙂 thanks for the giveaway.
This sounds like a great cookbook. Lately, I have really been trying to utilize my freezer and it sounds like this cookbook is exactly what I need!
I’m a working wife and am always looking for freezer recipes.
I’m sure there’s more to freezer cooking than just pre-cooked ground beef and chicken! I would love a copy of this book.
I would love this cookbook, it’s one of my goals to start cooking ahead once a month to save money and time during the busy week! Thank you for the opportunity and great giveaway.
Jessica’s recipes look fantastic on the screen, but most importantly they taste good too. I love her healthy spinach veggie dip.
I have always been intrigued by make ahead meals and with a new baby on the way this would be a perfect time to try it out!
I love freezer cooking. Now just need to do more of it. I’m kind of sporadic. Thanks for the chance. Love your site. You had me at homemade taco sauce! 🙂
Go FishMama! I’ve been waiting for this cookbook to come out and would looooove to win a copy.