I have done a combo of batch cooking all at once and every once and awhile. Unfortunately not everything does well re-heated. Surprisingly rice does really well re-heated, frozen, etc. I have also found that casseroles are the easiest to re-heat. I really love the foil pans at the Dollar Tree. You get 2 for $1 to really help save cleanup time during the week.
Most recently though, I have switched to only doing a few batch meals a week. For example, if I am making home made macaroni and cheese, I do a double batch and freeze half. Eventually I start accumulating meals in the freezer for those nights when you just don't feel like cooking. I have found this to be the most efficient with my time.
I just started about a month ago. It's going well so far, but I'm not one to freeze meals, so I tend to batch cook on Sundays and eat it through the week, which I guess is more meal planning. But, sometimes I do get bored by the end of the week. I just haven't figured out the best way to freeze food without getting freezer burn
YES all the time! I winds up being a combination of my emergency meals [like meatloaf, or meatballs - last night I had no time to make dinner, nuked a pack of meatballs and tossed it on some baguette with sauce and the kids thought I was fabulous] and partially prepared things
I don't set aside an entire afternoon to make a month's worth of meals, but I do do batch cooking. I'll make a huge pot of soup and freeze two-thirds of it, or make an extra casserole and freeze one. We usually have three for dinner, and we're not going to eat an entire lasagna at one sitting, so leftovers go in the freezer. I'll cook a chicken and have meat for soup or casseroles later in the week. Then, when schedules are tight, dinner's done.
I have been a handyman and now plumber for over 27 years. I am concerned that the advice above will cause tenants and homeowners trouble in the near and long term future. Primarily, I take issue with the coat hanger, caustic soda, and the hot boiling water methods.
1) i have seen my share of broken p-traps as a result of overzealous coat hangering.
2) caustic soda can blind .... especially if one tries it in conjunction with baking soda and vinegar or even coke and mentos... a gas bubble can develop and blow back caustic soda ... google warnings for liquid plumbr or draino and see the potential injuries that can result. such chemicals can also cause damage to pipes ... corroding them or at least making them weaker for some future coat hanger to puncture. Leaks in the wall are far worse in terms of damage and overall hazard (mold, dryrot, structural issues) than those you can see and easily get to.
3) the boiling water "trick" is actually one of the worst. warm water or hot tap water is ok.. but boiling hot water can damage the seals on drain pipes in the wall as they expand... again, the damage you can't see/the leaks you caused that you can't see are arguably worse than the clog you tried to fix... There is good reason why cookbooks tell you to run the cold water into the sink when draining pasta water that was just boiling on the range top. PLUS... there is a wax ring that tends to melt or leak after someone tries to use boiling hot water to clear a toilet. The subfloor will begin to suffer water damage, warp, mold/mildew, create an uneven base for the toilet in the future so more leaks occur, and anyone in the floor below will now become your worst enemy. It's irresponsible to pour hot boiling water down a drain or toilet... PERIOD.
OMG - it is as if you have been to my house ! How did you know ? Once I start looking through my old magazines, I find something I want to read and keep it. Now I will tear out the article and recycle the rest. So hard to give away clothes that, if I saw them in the store today, I would buy. Now if something does not look GREAT on me - I will get rid of it.
We keep a small garden and can about 35 quarts of tomato sauce a year. I love that it's not full of sugar, is chunky, and I can put as much chopped peppers and basil in I like. Another favorite is apple butter. And watermelon rind pickles.
Good article, if we would really examine why we use some products we would see we don't need them. I find no need for shampoo, deodorant, mouth wash, shaving my legs and just about all household cleaning products including dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Buy whole foods skip almost all process foods and you will be healthier and save lots of money. Keep your body, mind, home healthy and be content.
Many single purpose or single use items: E.g., bread maker and other "magic" kitchen items (electric can opener/knife, garlic crusher, onion chopper, etc), bottled water, most single-portion packaging (coffee tabs, ketchup, butter, jam, cereal etc.).
I find that buying quality used often beats buying crap new (tools, sports/musical/entertainment equipment, etc.).
Also: Before I buy something, I deliberate whether I need it enough to justify it potentially collecting dust in the attic/basement and eventually outliving me buried in some landfill.
I have a problem with bar soap: it makes a mess of the shower. I use herbal shampoo (it's cheaper and just as good as shower gel) and my shower stays cleaner longer without all the residual soap scum.
Financial success to me is being debt free, and having a savings to fall back on if needed. Looking ahead for your retirement and knowing you will be okay!
I don't do batch cooking but I can see how it's a good idea.
Yes, I do batch cooking. I make homemade pot pies which I can freeze for several meals. I also make soup, chili, lasagna, and my own TV dinners.
I have done a combo of batch cooking all at once and every once and awhile. Unfortunately not everything does well re-heated. Surprisingly rice does really well re-heated, frozen, etc. I have also found that casseroles are the easiest to re-heat. I really love the foil pans at the Dollar Tree. You get 2 for $1 to really help save cleanup time during the week.
Most recently though, I have switched to only doing a few batch meals a week. For example, if I am making home made macaroni and cheese, I do a double batch and freeze half. Eventually I start accumulating meals in the freezer for those nights when you just don't feel like cooking. I have found this to be the most efficient with my time.
I just started about a month ago. It's going well so far, but I'm not one to freeze meals, so I tend to batch cook on Sundays and eat it through the week, which I guess is more meal planning. But, sometimes I do get bored by the end of the week. I just haven't figured out the best way to freeze food without getting freezer burn
YES all the time! I winds up being a combination of my emergency meals [like meatloaf, or meatballs - last night I had no time to make dinner, nuked a pack of meatballs and tossed it on some baguette with sauce and the kids thought I was fabulous] and partially prepared things
Some things are to messy or to much hassle to make in small batches, so freezer building is my answer
I like oats but hate oatmeal - I pour a bunch over my cold cereal and milk, sweeten with honey -works for me
Yes I try to because I cook for my parents too. Hardest part is finding the storage in fridge or freezer
I don't set aside an entire afternoon to make a month's worth of meals, but I do do batch cooking. I'll make a huge pot of soup and freeze two-thirds of it, or make an extra casserole and freeze one. We usually have three for dinner, and we're not going to eat an entire lasagna at one sitting, so leftovers go in the freezer. I'll cook a chicken and have meat for soup or casseroles later in the week. Then, when schedules are tight, dinner's done.
I have been a handyman and now plumber for over 27 years. I am concerned that the advice above will cause tenants and homeowners trouble in the near and long term future. Primarily, I take issue with the coat hanger, caustic soda, and the hot boiling water methods.
1) i have seen my share of broken p-traps as a result of overzealous coat hangering.
2) caustic soda can blind .... especially if one tries it in conjunction with baking soda and vinegar or even coke and mentos... a gas bubble can develop and blow back caustic soda ... google warnings for liquid plumbr or draino and see the potential injuries that can result. such chemicals can also cause damage to pipes ... corroding them or at least making them weaker for some future coat hanger to puncture. Leaks in the wall are far worse in terms of damage and overall hazard (mold, dryrot, structural issues) than those you can see and easily get to.
3) the boiling water "trick" is actually one of the worst. warm water or hot tap water is ok.. but boiling hot water can damage the seals on drain pipes in the wall as they expand... again, the damage you can't see/the leaks you caused that you can't see are arguably worse than the clog you tried to fix... There is good reason why cookbooks tell you to run the cold water into the sink when draining pasta water that was just boiling on the range top. PLUS... there is a wax ring that tends to melt or leak after someone tries to use boiling hot water to clear a toilet. The subfloor will begin to suffer water damage, warp, mold/mildew, create an uneven base for the toilet in the future so more leaks occur, and anyone in the floor below will now become your worst enemy. It's irresponsible to pour hot boiling water down a drain or toilet... PERIOD.
Just say you are going to get an Rx filled, open access for Rx is required, then get combo meal!
financial success means not having to worry about money and having freedom.
It means not worrying about money
OMG - it is as if you have been to my house ! How did you know ? Once I start looking through my old magazines, I find something I want to read and keep it. Now I will tear out the article and recycle the rest. So hard to give away clothes that, if I saw them in the store today, I would buy. Now if something does not look GREAT on me - I will get rid of it.
Yes I love animals.. I have 6 little dogs myself .. Their my children and I love'm all as my real kids
Financial success to me means being able to afford all my bills and daily necessities with ease.
I would love to pet set! I have a great live of all animals.
financial freedom means being able to pay for what you want without worrying about every last dollar
Remember; A pet is like having a lifetime dependent child and you are the one responsible.
We keep a small garden and can about 35 quarts of tomato sauce a year. I love that it's not full of sugar, is chunky, and I can put as much chopped peppers and basil in I like. Another favorite is apple butter. And watermelon rind pickles.
Good article, if we would really examine why we use some products we would see we don't need them. I find no need for shampoo, deodorant, mouth wash, shaving my legs and just about all household cleaning products including dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Buy whole foods skip almost all process foods and you will be healthier and save lots of money. Keep your body, mind, home healthy and be content.
Many single purpose or single use items: E.g., bread maker and other "magic" kitchen items (electric can opener/knife, garlic crusher, onion chopper, etc), bottled water, most single-portion packaging (coffee tabs, ketchup, butter, jam, cereal etc.).
I find that buying quality used often beats buying crap new (tools, sports/musical/entertainment equipment, etc.).
Also: Before I buy something, I deliberate whether I need it enough to justify it potentially collecting dust in the attic/basement and eventually outliving me buried in some landfill.
I have a problem with bar soap: it makes a mess of the shower. I use herbal shampoo (it's cheaper and just as good as shower gel) and my shower stays cleaner longer without all the residual soap scum.
I think gas oil prices should be lowered for your waking citizens
Financial success to me is being debt free, and having a savings to fall back on if needed. Looking ahead for your retirement and knowing you will be okay!