Yesterday, I posted an article on saving time and money through freezer cooking. That may seem like a strange post for The Practical Disciple. It’s not like cooking ranks up there with prayer and scripture reading, but good stewardship of time and money does. I am also posting these freezer posts because I find that there is a distinct need to help people with the raw chaotic order of their lives in order to attend to spiritual necessities like spiritual disciplines. All that said, here is a word to those of you yesterday who may have felt a bit left out because 1) you don’t have freezer or 2) You are single or have a small household and casserole cooking just isn’t very realistic.
TO THOSE WITH SMALL FREEZERS
1) Bulk shop for non-perishables. The beauty of freezer cooking is batch producing what you need done so you radically reduce shopping, prepping, clean-up and time spent on decisions around all of those things. You can apply that same spirit to non-perishables and have some of the same benefits.
2) Freezer cook but just on a much smaller scale. Nothing says you have to do a dozen meals at once. Just think of the time you would save if you even just did a double batch of something from time to time. Two days ago, I needed to brown a pound of ground beef. I instead browned two and then packaged and froze one. I won’t need to do it the next time.
3) Focus on soups, stews, and chili. When you place them in a one gallon bag and freeze them flat they take amazingly little space, reheat well, and are healthy.
4) Consider buying a small chest freezer. You can get a decent size one brand new for $150 or less. You can find them for even less in the classified ads. Put the word out that you are looking for one. An older person who is downsizing might give you one for free or very reasonable. If you use it wisely, it will pay for itself easily.
TO SINGLES AND SMALL FAMILIES
1) Consider making a casserole recipe but dividing it into smaller servings, perhaps, even individual servings.
2) Partner up with someone. Considering having a cooking day and sharing a meal once a week or once every couple weeks with someone else. I found in college that sometimes cooking for one is much harder than cooking for four.
I welcome other suggestions. Blessings to you as you strive for greater stewardship and a more peaceful life.