Lost in Space and Time While Wrapped in Tinsel and Covered in Glitter…

So I’ve been off-line for a while now from my blog and I want to be more consistent but sometimes things get in the way.  Little things like, well, life.  I have been sick with a massive Fibro flare that keeps on giving and only now recuperating from that. I finally made it back to work and had to get “caught up” with all I had missed.  The next weekend we went to Cleveland, TN to visit my parents and of course my brother, sister-in-law and sister. Then there was the Thanksgiving Holiday/my birthday (that the entire nation celebrates J) and then the crazed kick-off of the Christmas season. 

No, I don’t “do” Black Friday.  I’ve only gone shopping on Black Friday once in my entire life and hope and pray I never have a mental relapse that induces me to try it again. So far, so good.

But I absolutely LOVE Christmas.  I love the idea that many people come together for a few weeks and focus on others. I love the colors.  I love the decorations.  I love the music.  I love the classic TV shows. I love buying presents for others and adopting children from the angel tree.  I especially love trees.  Each year I put up 7 – 9 Christmas trees inside and outside my house.  I have lots of decorations and each tree has its own color/theme.  I love watching it come together and tweaking it a bit from the previous year. Sometime I decorate a tree in my office too.

This year I’m struggling though.  It isn’t that I don’t still love Christmas and my trees, I do but with my energy waning I find it hard to put up so much stuff as much as I love it all.  So, I’m simplifying my Christmas. My simplification may not match what you would call simplification but it is a HUGE step for me.  I’ve reduced my number of indoor trees to 4 - actually 3 and a half because one is only 3 feet tall.  I’m not even sure if I’m putting up any outside trees.  This is a massive step for me.  I just don’t have the energy for it all.  The problem with putting up the decorations is you have to take them back down again and pack it all up. 

Last year after Christmas I started this process by culling through some of my décor and giving it away to Goodwill.  I’m refining what I want to keep and what I can live without. I’m sharing by donating and I’m helping a good organization – Goodwill. So what made the cut and what didn’t?

Well, apparently last year (much to my surprise this year) I determined I no longer needed my bows for my living room tree, living room garland and dining room chandelier because they were nowhere to be found this year.   So I did go out and buy some new ribbon and made new bows which will be carefully packed for next year. My living room tree is a favorite because it incorporates all the annual ornaments Ben and I have bought together for the last 27 Christmases together. I love the Lennox China annual ornaments and tend to add one of those each year although some of the annual ornaments are Wedgewood or Mikasa if I found something I couldn’t resist.  This year I added a new tree skirt as well that I made this evening with leftover fabric scraps of toile, burlap and some fringe trim I purchased.

Because we are travelling at some point during the Christmas season to Kansas City, MO to help our daughters, Amanda and Kaitlyn, move back home temporarily we will be gone for 3 – 4 days so we have decided to forego the live tree in our upstairs family room. With no way to water it for up to 4 days, we were afraid it wouldn’t make it.  That was a tough one for me.  I love the smell of a fresh tree. Instead of the red and green décor in there incorporating every ornament the girls ever made, I’ve gone with white, silver and green.  It is peaceful and lovely.  At first, I wasn’t happy with my mantel initially but with some adjustments, I’m a lot happier with how it has turned out.

Next, I headed into the large guest room (aka the room formerly known as Kaitlyn’s) and put up a smaller 6 foot white tree with French blue accents, silver and pearls. The skirt is a white Battenberg lace bed spread.  I love how this tree goes with the room and the only “new” addition to this tree from last year is the pearls that I would normally put on the tree in my bedroom. New rule, I will never buy a pre-lit tree again.  Eventually those lights will go out and can’t be repaired and then each wire, bulb and clip will have to be removed.  One at a time.  Painfully slow even with a wire cutter. Ask me how I know.  SIGH…

Then I went to the smaller guest room (aka the room formerly known as Amanda’s) and put up the 4 foot tall white tree with pink, brown and gold ornaments.   It is a fun little tree with the brown glittery birds.  I feel like it “needs” something else but haven’t figured that out yet.  Just like my life, a work in progress.  J

I have also put up a tree in the downstairs family room and decorated the stairs.  I used all my red and green decorations there as I hate to not have them out.  The memory of each ornament that was made by the girls when they were small makes them so precious to me.  If my house was on fire and if I could, I would grab the cats, my photos, the girl’s keepsake boxes from their childhoods and the ornaments they made me. Do you have those ornaments too?  Made with popsicle sticks and painted macaroni that no one but a mother would love?  Remember making those for your mother too? Simply precious!

I’ve got to finish this process because the entire house is covered in glitter right now and fake tree needles of various colors.  Yesterday at dinner, I noticed Ben had red glitter on his cheek and last night the black cat had fake snow on her – either that or a serious case of dandruff.  Lol.

I know 4 (3 ½) trees isn’t exactly the simple life but it is a step in the right direction.  Hope your Thanksgiving holiday/my birthday celebration was as peaceful as mine and your Christmas will be Merry and Bright. I hope you've enjoyed my few trees as much as I do.

Take care of yourself and your families.

Chelle

Flare ups and Missing Cars...

Yesterday I wore jeans, a t-shirt and a sweater.  No, I haven’t run out of ideas to blog about and am now telling you what I wore.  Stay with me here…until yesterday for a week I’ve worn nothing but pajamas and I’ve been stuck in the bed unable to walk.  I had the first Fibromyalgia Flare this past week that I’ve had in a long time. What does a flare-up feel like? The best description I can come up with is an electrical storm inside your body. You know what it feels like when you hit your funnybone and it isn’t funny? Well imagine that magnified and all over your body. I wore nothing but soft pajamas because even clothing or a blanket can feel painful to the touch – like a straightjacket tightening on my muscles.

Day after day of lying in the bed in pain and one excruciating afternoon of going to the doctor knowing that he couldn’t do anything but knowing I needed a note for work. It took Ben, a nurse and a cane and a wheelchair to get me in and out of the car that day.  My doc agreed with my diagnosis and sent me home to bed after offering me mega pain killers which I declined as I think he suspected I would.

What caused this flare?  Well my pain triggers traditionally are stress, poor sleeping patterns, chemicals, and weather changes but who knows specifically what triggered this episode or any episode. Perhaps a delayed response to the injections for my hip? So does this mean my organic lifestyle is failing me? I don’t think so because this flare lasted a week. Yes, this is only day 2 of wearing jeans and I’m on my cane again something I haven’t used in almost a year but it only lasted one week and not months as it has in the past.  I think that proves I’m doing something right.

So here I am a week later, still hurting but nothing like before and wearing jeans - quite the accomplishment. So what does one do all week while lying in bed staring at the ceiling?  Well for me it was sleeping for the most part.  I followed my cat’s example and slept more hours than I was awake. When I was awake, I spent a lot of time reading on my Kindle, occasionally checking work email on my iPhone and on one particular morning talking on the phone with a police detective from Kansas City when he called to inform me that Kaitlyn’s car was stolen.

That day wasn’t the best on the stress meter but that was out of my control.  Fortunately, the car was found and so was the criminal.  Unfortunately, we have to pay to repair the damage done to the car. Fortunately, it was minimal since unfortunately this guy was a pro at stealing cars and yes, we are pressing charges.

I also stared at the ceiling. A lot.  Boring perhaps but about all I could handle most of the time. When I did read, I did some research on herbs and treatments and will continue to do so. I’m still a believer in my organic lifestyle and I’m still a believer in herbal treatments and cures.  I used them throughout this week and I think it helped.

I’m not completely well yet but I’m working on it and hey, I can wear jeans again.

Take care of yourselves and your families.

Chelle

Fibro Flare, Doogie Howser, MD and Orange Cleaner

Well this has been quite a week.  I went to my orthopedic doctor on Monday afternoon and he says he wants to send me to a surgeon and before I could get my head wrapped around the idea of seeing a surgeon, he just happened to have an opening on Tuesday.  So on Tuesday afternoon I go to see the orthopedic surgeon. 

I think his name should be changed to Doogie Howser, MD.  He looked 12 or maybe I’m just getting really old.  Lol.  Anyway, he gave me another set of injections and is sending me onto physical therapy.  I’m really glad he is taking a conservative approach and allowing me to try to do some things for myself.  So, I’ll do the PT for 6 weeks and then we can see from there.

I’m really happy my doctor sent me to the surgeon he did (even if he is 12 lol) because the surgeon really listened to me, examined me carefully and helped me and he finally gave me a good diagnosis. Even more importantly he actually understood how my fibromyalgia interacts with my treatments as he knows an injection of any sort triggers a flare up for me. It’s so helpful to have a doctor who understands without me having to explain and who can offer suggestions and help to alleviate some of my problems. Unfortunately, he was right and I did have a flare up this week.  It makes for a tough week.

When I was able to get back to work on Wednesday, it seemed like the day flew by and with school and work, I made it through another week. I wanted to drive to Cleveland, TN this weekend and spend time with my parents but my hip hadn’t healed up enough to drive myself. So instead this weekend is my cooking weekend and I spent part of Saturday going to Trader Joes and Publix to get groceries for a month.  The effort to do that really wore me out so that pretty much was all I was able to do on Saturday.

This morning I got up and started putting a few meals together for the next month.  I’m trying some new recipes and I’ll let you know what I think of them as we make them and eat them.  I still have some more meals to make. I can’t do it all in one day as I just can’t stand that long. An hour is about my max limit of time standing. Wimpy but true. 

Finally today I finished my citrus all-purpose cleaner I started two weeks ago.  It actually takes two weeks to make this cleaner.  So here’s the “recipe.”

Citrus Cleaner

Take a quart jar and fill with orange peels.  Fill to the top with white vinegar.  Seal and let sit for two weeks in a dark cabinet.

Two weeks later, pour the vinegar into a spray bottle.  I added about 5 drops of sweet orange essential oil for a stronger scent and 5 drops tea tree oil as an antibacterial. 

Use the cleaner on nearly any surface except for granite or marble.  I cleaned my countertops and stove top this morning and the smell was great and it did a great job.  Love when something works out like this so I give it 5 out of 5.

As you can see below the white vinegar is definitely not white anymore and is now a lovely orange from the orange peels.

Take care of yourself and your families.

Chelle

Preparation and Emergencies Simplified

With Hurricane Sandy taking aim at the Northeast today, the news is filled with information regarding emergency preparation. We had pretty intense wind last night as a result of Sandy and already 65 people lost their lives in the Caribbean. It’s a serious storm not because of wind but because of size, a full moon which increases tide size and a storm from the west combining with Sandy to make it felt from the coast to the Ohio Valley.  My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been or will be affected.

I’m not a survivalist or a doomsday prepper and I don’t play one on television (although I do get a kick out of watching the show Doomsday Preppers on National Geographic as their thought processes intrigue and frustrate me.) I do, however, believe in being prepared for the unexpected.  Proverbs 21:20 tells us “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp their down.”  The entire story of Joseph (of the coat of many colors fame) was one of preparing for a seven year drought and ultimately saving the nation of Israel who would have starved had not their Egyptian neighbors been ready thanks to Joseph.

It is interesting to me that so many people do not have even basic supplies and rush out and clear store shelves when a storm like Hurricane Sandy arrives and even more expect others such as the Red Cross or FEMA or other government organizations to take care of them.  Why wait until the last moment to find what you need when it is too late or prices are being gouged? How do we know we can get to emergency help or that they can get to us?  It is far wiser to be prepared.  My family faced this issue a few years back with an ice storm that left our home out of power for 7 days in a bitterly cold December.  We couldn’t get out and no one could get to us. Without formally preparing we fared pretty well because we have a few basic things in place that helped us to manage.

Emergencies happen everywhere - tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, electrical storms, excessive heat or cold, snow, and earthquakes. I truly mean they can happen anywhere.  The only earthquake I have ever been in was in southwestern Ohio – not exactly where you think of as an earthquake zone! I mean, we aren’t talking California here.  Then there are volcanoes (and not just in Hawaii), dust storms, tsunamis, etc. So plan ahead and prepare wisely.

First, have alternatives to electricity.  That may mean a generator; that may mean coolers to replace your refrigerator.  That may also mean alternative heat sources such as kerosene or wood for the fireplace.  One of our wedding gifts many years ago was a pair of kerosene lamps which have been so wonderful through the years with routine power outages from storms. I love candles and always have a store of them around for decorative and practical purposes.  We have two fireplaces and a kerosene heater. Ben seems to love collecting flashlights so we have a store of them and replacement bulbs and batteries to keep them going.

Next have an alternative way to cook.  We heated soups on the kerosene heater and had a gas grill with extra gas. Simple to prepare meals make the process easier.  A gas stove doesn’t go out as frequently as an electric.

Finally, water is essential.  We now store water for emergencies.  Recommendations are that you have a gallon of water per person per day.  During our ice storm, our water stayed on and was thankfully still heated due to our gas water heater. We loved having hot showers even if we took them by candlelight!  We are now better prepared with water stores for just in case moments.  The cabinet over our refrigerator which we never use is the perfect place to hold several gallons of water. Find an out of way place and put up stores of water for your family. If you can, store up extra for neighbors and extended family.

Normally FEMA tells us to have enough supplies to get through the first 72 hours.  With Hurricane Sandy they are telling New Yorkers to have at least a week’s supply.  I think a month supply makes even more sense. I rotate my supplies through my normal cooking process so it stays fresh and water get recycled through our many camping trips to stay fresh. My “stockpile” of dry goods continues to be built as well.  An extra pack of beans, rice, pasta or canned meat a week doesn’t add a lot to the bottom line of your grocery bill but can make the difference when an emergency arises.  In this economy, that emergency could be a loss of income from losing a job as well. Think about not having to worry about feeding your family for a month or three after losing a job.

As I explained before on an earlier blogpost, I use inexpensive plastic and glass containers to store dry goods to keep out bugs since I live in the hot and humid bug friendly south. I keep all my baking goods and mixes in containers like this as well. Rotation of goods is important as well for freshness. 

This year we took an additional step of purchasing 72 hour disaster backpacks for our girls to keep them going in the case of an emergency in Kansas City. After seeing the horrifying pictures from Joplin, MO, we wanted them to have a chance at survival. Hopefully, we will be able to get to them by the time their emergency backpacks supplies run out. These backpacks include MRE’s (meals ready to eat), water, first aid kit, emergency blankets and ponchos, flashlights and batteries, a hand cranked weather radio and we added other odds and ends such as emergency candles, sterno stove, etc. to make their survival a possibility.  We provided each of them with a two person backpack so they can take care of their boyfriends as well. These packs take up little space and are easily stored in a closet in their apartments and can be grabbed when needed. They give their Dad and me some peace of mind.

This weekend I purchased a new fishing tackle box and filled it with first aid items, organizing it and labeling where needed. With this small box  I can handle minor emergencies as they arise.  Ben and I have both had first aid training and CPR training through the Red Cross. Everyone should be able to administer basic first aid and CPR.  I plan on adding another case for additional items as refills for the main case and additional supplies.  Of course, I have my apothecary of herbs to go to for emergencies as well.

I used one of theclear plastic boxes that came with the tackle box and created a battery organizer.  We had several batteries but in a variety of locations so I gathered them all up and centralized them into one location.  I can see at a glance how many batteries I have and how many I need to get.

Obviously, there are many other actions you can take to prepare for an emergency than what is listed here.  A little preparation can make the difference into surviving an emergency or not. Below are some government links to emergency information.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/

http://www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide

http://www.fema.gov/protecting-our-communities

Some non-governmental links via my Pinterest habit! These and other links can be found on my firmly tongue in cheek Pinterest Board “When Zombies Attack!” Feel free to follow me on Pinterest. I can be found under user name SeachellesMinis:  http://pinterest.com/seachellesminis/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/01/stocking-up-the-printable-list/

http://lifedesigncraft.blogspot.ca/2012/01/emergency-preparedness-for-couples.html

http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/emergency-preparedness/

http://www.prep-blog.com/2012/07/10/the-20-dollar-20-day-emergency-food-kit/

http://orgjunkie.com/2011/10/emergency-preparedness-kit.html

"Witch Doctor" Michelle

It’s that time of year when I intentionally add spiders and dead leaves to my décor so what better time than now to talk about your neighborhood, friendly witch doctor – me!  J  

My good friend, Sandy, refers to me as the witch doctor and my husband and daughters do too.  Sandy rides with me at lunch and I routinely stop in at Garners Natural Life store here in Greenville, SC (it is there or the Wiccan store here in Greenville and Garners keeps regular business hours! J)  to pick up bulk herbs or as Sandy calls them my witch doctoring supplies.  Lol.  I don’t mind being called the witch doctor, but I think the question remains for some as to why I go that route.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m a big proponent of modern medicine.  I worked for many years in doctors’ offices both at a pediatrician’s office and at a dermatologist’s office.  My oldest daughter would not be alive and well today were it not for a great team of doctors at Duke University Hospital. 

I’ve also seen the other side of medicine as a long-term misdiagnosed patient and as a medical malpractice paralegal.  I know there are risks involved in the medical world some known and some unknown. I’ve been a patient in hospitals and received excellent care and I've also received some not so great care.  I think the world of my family doctor and other specialists I go to – so why the witch doctor component of my life?

Mainly because I understand how the system works.  Modern medicine knows a lot about our bodies and how they work.  They know how medications and treatments interact with our bodies as well but they don’t know everything.  Most of those miracle drugs everyone depends upon come from plant originally.  Big pharmaceutical companies take those plants and then “chemicalize” the components to make their medicines.  I like to think I’m skipping the middle man. J

Another question I am asked is how do I know my herbal treatments are safe?  That’s a great question and here’s the thing, I don’t always but I research, I ask questions and I talk to herbalists and my family doctor. I could try something and then have an allergic reaction because I haven't used that herb before or I just developed an allergy. That can also happen with a new prescription as well.  I do know when I read the inserts that come with my big pharma meds they aren’t 100% safe either even when taken properly.  Why?  Because there are side effects.  In other words, there’s always a risk.

I’m an especially weird one (Yeah, yeah.  I know, you already knew that, right? Lol.) and often have opposite reactions to pharma meds such as if they are supposed to make you sleepy I’m hyped up, and so on. I find I don’t have those responses to herbal options.  Why?  I have NO idea.

I also like the idea of taking care of myself for minor things.  I mean, if I’m having a heart attack or stroke, you can bet I’m heading to the Emergency room.  But if I’m having a headache or a sore throat, I like handling that myself with herbal cures and common sense.

If you decide to go the witch doctor route too there are some things you need to know.  First, let your medical doctor know what herbal supplements you take so that he/she can plan accordingly for your medications to avoid interactions.  Just because they are natural doesn’t mean they don’t interact. Next, find an herbalist and visit them.  Buy some good books and research for yourself.  Or search things on the internet but be careful where you get your information from.  I like the University of Maryland Medical Center website www.umm.edu which has lots of articles regarding alternative medicine and herbal usage.  To find a qualified herbalist in your area www.americanherbalistsguild.com/fundamentals  is the site to head to and for a naturopathic physician, www.naturopathic.org is the place to go.

So, what does this witch doctor keep on hand and what books do I recommend?  Since I’m a modern witch doctor, all of my books are on my Kindle. J  I like Heal With Essential Oil by Rebecca Park Totilo, Homemade Health and Beauty by Sandra Calixto, and A Green Witch’s Formulary by Deborah J. Martin.  No, I don’t believe in the “magical” portion of her book of Ms. Martin’s book but the first part has some great herbal medicinal recipes and you get knowledge where you can.  The Foxfire series of books have some great herbal recipes as well.

For my family apothecary, I keep small amounts of herbs in small Mason jars, labeled clearly and I have a notebook with all my recipes and doses. I like to keep the following on hand at all times:

·         Lavender (of course!)

·         Vitamin E oil

·         Beeswax

·         Arnica montana tablets

·         Slippery Elm

·         Dried Elderberries

·         Echinacea

·         Comfrey

·         Bloodroot

·         Calendula flowers

·         Rosehips

·         Lemon Balm

·         Hyssop

·         Yarrow

·         White Willow Bark, chips

·         Raspberry Leaf

·         Green Clay

·         Citric Acid

·         Licorice Sticks

·         White Sage

·         Marshmallow Root

·         Feverfew

·         Peppermint

·         German Chamomile

·         Cinnamon Sticks

·         Dead Sea Salt

·         Reusable Cotton bags

·         Metal tea infuser

·         Natural Grapeseed oil

·         Lavender essential oil

·         Eucalyptus essential oil

·         Lemongrass essential oil

·         Lemon essential oil

·         Clary Sage essential oil

·         Chamomile Roman essential oil

·         Sweet Orange essential oil

·         Rosemary essential oil

·         Peppermint essential oil

·         Tea Tree essential oil

·         doTERRA Deep Blue essential oil blend

·         Apple Cider Vinegar

So what do I do with all these goodies? Well, it depends on the issue.

Let’s say I have a headache. I would make a tea and rub my temples with Lavender Oil.  Here is my headache tea recipe: 

Headache Tea 

2 parts Lemon balm

1 part Feverfew

1 part Lavender

Sometimes my witch doctoring is for beauty reasons.  I have dry skin so I make a clay mask for my skin.  Here is my mask recipe:

Dry Skin Mask

 1 part clay

2 parts water

Add powdered Comfrey, Ginger and Slippery Elm.  Grind with a mortar and pestle until blended well.  Leave mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. 

If I have a cut, I would apply Yarrow to stop the bleeding and to disinfect. Chamomile makes a good tea for colic or nerves or to help you sleep. Red Raspberry Leaf is a wonderful tonic herb to aid and regulate women's reproductive system, high in iron; helpful in times of sickness and fever. Arnica is great for reducing bruising.  Vitamin E oil for reducing scarring.

So how about you?  Are you a witch doctor too?  J If so, email me at lavenderatthegate@gmail.com or comment below to share your recipes that are helpful to you and your family. 

Take care of yourself and your family!

~Chelle

Simplifying Cooking

I work full time.  My husband, Ben, works full time. Full time for both of us means way more than 40 hours a week.  We have tons of other things we do as well like I attend school full time, we have hobbies, etc. and occasionally we get crazy and do things like laundry and housework.  In the past, we dealt with our seriously busy schedules by going out to eat.  Pricey but convenient. 

                                     

In the last month or so we’ve tried another option and that is crock pot or slow cooker cooking.  Stick with me here, I get it, all those cooking for a month cookbooks requires a day of prep and pre-cooking and who has that kind of time?  Not to mention the recipes are high in fat, sodium, etc.  I wanted to see if I could make this work for us portion wise (since there are only two of us), health wise (since we try to avoid processed and sodium filled foods), convenience wise (since we have limited time) and taste wise since well, we like tasty food.  J

The answer to these concerns is yes, crock pot cooking can help with simplifying your cooking routine. To get started I need recipes and for that I went to Pinterest (yes, I have a Pinterest problem and no, I don’t want help.  Lol.) I found some minimal prep recipes I knew I could adapt to organic and healthy choices. Here are links to the basic recipes:  http://www.ringaroundtherosies.net/2012/02/freezer-cooking.html  and here: http://lovingmynest.com/learning-activities/cooking/freezer-crock-pot-recipes/

The recipes are great already because they take minimal prep time, can be frozen into portions of your choosing and are ready when you get home from work.  Of the recipes given, I have personally made and eaten the following and enjoyed them all. Sausage and Peppers, Teriyaki Chicken, Savory Chicken, Lazy Day Stew (last night’s dinner!), Pork and Veggies, Creamy Farmhouse Chicken and Garden Soup, and my own Lasagna, chicken enchiladas and meatloaf recipes.

How I adapted them is ridiculously easy.  I used organic vegetables, organic whole grain rice or pasta, organic, low sodium broth and/or sauce, and organic or grain fed or free range meat and eggs. I increased the amount of vegetables and decreased the amount of meat.  I trimmed extra fat off of meat as well. I bagged these meals up into portions for two people, got a smaller crockpot and some of the most amazing inventions of ALL time - CROCKPOT LINERS!!! Seriously! No scrubbing the crockpot!  Love this! J When I get home in the evenings all I have to add is a fresh salad or some more veggies. Super, super simple.

I also did not spend a day cooking and prepping.  If the recipe states it has to be pre-cooked, I don’t make it.  What can I say, cooking before you cook seems like a time waster to me!

Here was my plan, I made a grocery list and Ben and I went to the store, he picked up half the list and I grabbed the other half.  Remember, a lack of time is our enemy.  If you can’t trust hubby to stick to the list then it is best to go alone! We had two grocery carts full and spent around $240 including our freezer bags. Yikes.  Remember, none of this food was processed.  We came home and I assembled one meal and froze the portions in gallon size freezer bags (laid down flat with as much air out of it as possible) except for one meal for the next day. The next morning, put in a liner and the meal contents and turn on low. That night after dinner, I assembled another meal or two and repeated every night until I had made all the meals and froze the extra portions.  Within a few days, I had stocked my freezer AND we had prepared meals every night when we came in from work. Except to buy milk, bread and a few fresh veggies, I have not been back to the grocery store since and I have spent less than $100 on food since the initial shopping tour.  That was almost 6 weeks ago and my freezer is still fully stocked.  On the weekends I have been grilling fish, etc. that we already had in the freezer and using that stock up as well. 

$330 for two people for about 6 weeks may seem pricey to some but compared to what we were spending eating out, let’s just say it feels like I’ve gotten a raise.  I’ve also gained more time in the evenings. I’m spending less time prepping food and no time at a restaurant waiting on food.  Our food is healthier, cleaner and tasty. Each night before I go to bed, we discuss what we want and lay it out in the refrigerator to be put in the crockpot the next morning.

Best of all, for our marriage sake, we’ve spent no time asking the most frustrating question of all when you are tired from a long day of work - what do you want to eat? I don’t know.  What do you want to eat?  Maybe that’s just us but at the end of the day we can’t answer this question.  Lol.

With my own recipes, I included a couple of casseroles and some meatloaf made with organic ground turkey.  These get laid out the night before too and then popped into the oven by whoever gets home first – usually Ben due to the traffic I have to fight on the way home.  With our oven there is a wonderful feature – an option for convection cooking so even casseroles are done faster. Yay!

This isn’t for everyone especially if you don’t like soft vegetables, everything mixed together, etc. but it surely has helped us to simplify cooking and eating healthy. Not to mention the benefits to the budget and our time. I'm on the lookout for new recipes for our next batch of meals so if you have any easy crockpot/freezer meals to share, email me at Lavenderatthegate@gmail.com or post a comment below.

I hope this helps your budget and time as well.

Take care of yourself and your families!

~Chelle