Saving Time & $ in the Kithchen

Since having baby #2 I find it incredibly difficult to prepare dinner or do anything for that matter. I feel like I am constantly nursing, pumping, helping my toddler potty train, cleaning diapers, picking up toys, washing dishes, etc, etc. After seven weeks I have figured out that when husband is home on the weekends and can help with the kids I can brew up big batches of food that can be frozen and taken out throughout the week that makes my life a lot easier. Casseroles, meatloafs, crockpot meals, etc. Not only has this made my life easier, it is saving money which totally agrees with my get out of debt Dave Ramsey Plan.

#1 - McCafe Iced Mocha

When McDonalds came out with the Iced Mocha and I got a little addicted, but paying $3 for an iced coffee is a little ridiculous. So I tried a few recipes I found by using google and come up with my own. It's pretty simple.





The Cool Brew coffee is about $7 at Rouses (makes 15-30 drinks depending on how strong you make your drinks) If I don't have any cool brew (and no espresso machine) just use your coffee maker. Use 4 cups or less of water and then fill up the filter with a lot grinds so it makes very strong coffee and store your "espresso" in the fridge.

My recipe:
1-2 ounces of cool brew
about 2 tbsp of nestle chocolate syrup
then fill it up the container with milk (1-2cups)
Throw in a few cubes of ice and shake .

This recipe can be altered as you like depending on how strong and/or sweet you like your drinks. I think whole milk tastes the best, but use skim milk because it's less fattening. I use old Gatorade bottles because I like to recycle/reuse and they are the perfect size. But you can put it in a glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup if you want. But if your just taking it on the go in a hurry, you'll want something that you can shake because the chocolate syrup settles to the bottom.

If you want an even simpler recipe just mix your espresso with chocolate milk - enjoy. Once you figure out a recipe you like you can even make it by the gallon. just make sure it doesn't sit in the fridge too long...it is good until the expiration date of the milk.



#2 - Meatloaf/Meatballs
This one is mostly to save time. Evan loves meatloaf. Sometimes when I can't get him to eat anything meatloaf or meatballs will do the trick. But who has time to sit and wait an hour or more for the meatloaf to cook...especially if you didn't get around to starting dinner until like 7pm. I read this trick in a magazine. Prepare the meatloaf as usual but then instead of putting it in a loaf pan, put one serving size in each hole in a large muffin pan , like this



It will cook in 30 minutes or less and it's already "cut" into individual serving sizes.



#3 Frozen Cookie Dough

Alright, I came up with this idea while baking a few too many dozen milk makin cookies. I had a recipe that yielded 4 dozen and then I baked them all and stored them in an airtight container. Well by the time I got to the end of the batch they didn't taste so great. So how could I get a fresh baked cookie when ever I want one without pulling out all these ingredients and making a big ole mess in the kitchen?

I thought I'd just roll up the dough and freeze it. But then I thought about how those frozen cookies at the store are so convenient..... take it, break it , and bake it! So I figured it out! One sandwich size bag will fit enough dough for one dozen (tablespoon size) cookies. If you made three dozen, get out your sandwich bags, divide the dough in three and put each section into the bags. Flatten them out and get out all the air. Use the dull side of a butterknife to press the lines and divide it into 12. Lay on flat/as flat as possible surface in freezer.

So go ahead and double that recipe and freeze it for later. (or pull out a few chunks to put in your ice cream!)









#4 Cherry Pitter
I had a bunch of cherries and needed to do something with them before they went bad. I had a recipe for cherry pie, cherry cobbler, & cherry crisp in my good ole Homes & Gardens Cookbook. I had no idea how to pit a cherry and found this website. It works perfectly except next time I'll need a better straw...I think I'll save my straw next time I get a cherry limeade at Sonic.

Here is the next thing I want to try. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It would be awesome to have fresh baked bread everyday and I think this site had a recipe for wheat bread too.
So do any of you have any ideas to share with me?