I have done this type of thing in the past, as I work through the evenings and don't have time to cook at dinner time. I've taken a whole weekend several times and done nothing but cook, had my oven, toaster oven, slow cooker, grill, electric frying pan, stove, wok all going at once, LOL. But once I was done the big freezer in the basement would be full of ready to heat and eat meals that would last the 2 of us 2-3 months!
It saved on money, helped me control my diet and plan meals, and gave me LOADS of extra time during the week, not having to cook or shop as much.
I hope to do this again very soon, but need to get the rest of my house and life a little more under control before I do.

Yes, purplejade, I have thought of doing it for more than once a month too. I mean as long as you are making such a mess, why not go for broke! LOL! Most things will keep for at least three months in the freezer anyway. I am thinking of trying to do "Once a Quarter Cooking" and see if I can just do it every three months! But it would be harder in the summer as we barbeque a lot and go camping, etc.

Brenda

I'd even be thrilled with once a week cooking, anything just to jump-start some sort of dinner time routine. There's a forum on the Garden Web dedicated to this very topic.

What cookbooks would you ladies recommend? There's one on FlyLady's website called "Saving Dinner." Have any of you used that book? If so, what did you think?

Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Once A Week Cooking

I'm lucky to get that 5 lb. of ground beef cooked and frozen! LOL I would love to do this since I work such odd hours. It would be so easy for the family. Now that my son is out so much it's getting harder to plan meals. I'm thinking individual meals frozen, or freeze small portion sizes. Just grab one and thaw.

I have in the past - but not for awhile. I worked pretty well when it was just me, and I was cooking for the dogs, but then I (DH and I) started wanting to eat healthier - less carbs, more fresh produce, so it was just easier to cook daily again. I kind of got tired of "frozen foods" too...but I like cooking well enough that I don't get tired of it during the week either (there are perks to not having kids to feed). ;-)

Good luck though - it does really save time during the week when you take that day to get everything ready! :-)

Jamie, that is something I am struggling with. I am really into a "health kick" which hopefully will last. So I will do more with rice, couscous, etc. and less pastas, though I still will do some pastas. I might experiment with the new "low carb" pastas and see how those work.

I always add a salad, fresh fruit or veggie to most meals too. I enjoy cooking when I WANT to cook, but when it becomes enslaving, which is where I am at cooking for five of us every day, it loses it's charm. I will save the "creative cooking" for when company is coming! My family just gets the everyday crap! LOL!

Brenda