<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}" data-doc-rid="4xib2f881075f9a7442f280a014ed36f8275d">As you guys know I am all about planning your week and month out to make life easier. Even in those times when life gets in the way, it's always nice to have a high-level plan that you can fall back on.  It may change, but at least you have a tentative guide.  <span class="EOP"> </span></p>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}">Now, I don't believe in meal planning where you have the same thing every week on a specific night. Some people live by that, and if you are one of them do your thing...but it just didn't work for me.  As I always say your plan is uniquely yours so you don't have to do the same thing everyone else does. Do what is good for you and your family.</p>

<h1 data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}">Freezer Meals to the Rescue</h1>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}">Instead of meal planning for the week, I found that freezer meals were the better route to go for me and my family. I now recommend it to those who want an alternative to traditional meal planning.  The reason I recommend freezer meals for stressed out and overwhelmed families is because it helps to save you time and money and keeps you from getting bored with what you are eating. It takes the guesswork out of food preparation when life is just too hectic and it keeps you from eating out every day. Taking two hours on a weekend sets you up for success and is easy too. I also recommend making this a family event, giving everyone a job in the process.</p>

<h1 class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}"><span class="EOP">Freezer Cooking Works for All Households</span></h1>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7057 alignleft" src="http://thehappinessbucket.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Freezer-and-Meal-Planning-200x300.png" alt="Freezer and Meal Planning | The Happiness Bucket" width="200" height="300" />When I recommend to people that they should make freezer meals to help on their organizing journey, I usually get the same excuses, that it's too much work or I'm single or it's just me and my husband. It doesn't matter how many people there are in your family, freezer cooking can help you. You just have to do it on a less frequent or smaller scale. You will be amazed at just how easy it is.</p>

<h1 class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}"><span class="EOP">Freezer Cooking is not Complicated</span></h1>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}">As I mentioned earlier, I don't freezer cook constantly. In fact, I started out just doubling up a recipe that I was already cooking. So for example, when cooking the lasagna for me and my husband when we were first married, I'd make the recipe that serves 4 - 6, but I'd build it in smaller containers. That way I could cook the one we were going to eat and freeze the small containers. Now, I double the recipe and do the same thing. This will yield us a number of freezer lasagna's and it doesn't create any additional mess. It just requires me to spend a little more time prepping for dinner that night.</p>

<h1 class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}"><span class="EOP">The Benefits of Freezer Cooking</span></h1>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}">The beauty and benefits of freezer cooking are that each meal can last from 1 - 3 months, depending on what it is. It saves you time during the week and it saves you money because you are buying in bulk or taking advantage of sales. Ultimately, it allows you to save time and allows others in the family to help with food preparation and cooking. I mean who can't turn on the oven and pop in a pan or even turn on the crockpot and dump in a bag?</p>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}">In my next post, I will share my personal process for freezer cooking. I hope you are finding this series helpful.</p>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}"><span class="EOP"> </span></p>
<p class="zw-paragraph" data-textformat="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;text&quot;}"><span class="EOP"> </span></p>