CLM Hen House

daredheaded1 · Joined: 15 May 2025 Posts: 131 Location: PA

Have any of you ladies tried the Once a Month Cooking? I was thinking about it because (due to MS) by the time I'm supposed to be cooking dinner I'm so exhausted. I'd like to try something where I can be feeding my family healthy dinners each night...not just when I'm feeling good. I have a good upright freezer that I can utilize.

I'd love some ideas. Is there a specific cookbook any of you have tried & love? Do you have ideas of your own?

Thanks!
Stacey
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"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."

siscosmom · Joined: 21 Mar 2026 Posts: 206 Location: West Virginia

I've tried this and liked it! I used the cookbook written by two Christian ladies for once a month cooking. (Don't know if I'm allowed to post the name?) Anyway, I found that twice-a-month cooking is easier. Any less than that and I run to the store for fresh fruits and veggies and end up buying other things, too.

The book gave LOTS of great ideas and recipes, but my family has their own favorites that work better for us. I've found that simply making extra (2 meatloaves at once instead of one) and freezing it works well, too. If I find a great sale on onions or peppers, I chop or slice them and freeze in bags.

We don't have an extra freezer but I've never needed the space, even with the twice a month cooking plan. I buy ground chuck in bulk, then divide it up: make raw patties for hamburgers and freeze with layers of wax paper in-between, make and freeze chili, and brown some to freeze in a baggie for tacos or casseroles. You can do the same thing with a ham. Slice some for sandwiches, cube some for other dishes, etc. and freeze it.

You don't have to cook everything, then freeze it to cook again later. For example, frozen and reheated potatoes get really soggy & so does mac&cheese and most pasta dishes. The cooking plan mostly helps you prepare what you can in advance. It's a real energy and pain saver if you have health issues. The only thing is, you have to remember to thaw your food in advance! If you want more info, feel free to PM me. If I typed everything, this post would be longer than Santa's Christmas list!

Rebekah