the freezer challenge: week 2



 

of course i started a challenge during what feels like one of the busiest months of the year. two craft shows, a new job, graduations, parties, set aside time for self portraits (kidding!), and little things in between. 


but of course, my freezer still stays packed.
here are the contents:

animal protein-
4 packages of deer hamburger
2 lamb livers
1 package of ground lamb
1 package of deer sausage
1 package of frozen deer meatballs
1 package of lamb ribs
1 package of bacon
1 ham hock
1 package of beef stock bones
1 chopped sirloin
20 15! lb. chicken breast
1 frozen bag of acorn squash & sausage stuffing

meal ready-
freezer bag full of frozen ice cube sized basil
freezer bag full of frozen ice cube sized pesto
freezer bag of swiss chard
frozen tomato soup (serving size 2)
2 bags of hot peppers (for salsa making)
freezer bag of skinned tomatoes
box of morningstar veggie burgers

fruit-
2 gallons of strawberries
3 ripe bananas
freezer bag of black cherries
dole brand bag full of mango, pineapple and strawberries
2 jars of peach conserve
1 gallon of blueberries
small tub of homemade cookie dough


this week, we prepared fruit smoothies for breakfast most mornings. a handful of frozen blueberries, strawberries, mango & banana makes for a delicious meal. we also managed to eat 5 lb. of chicken & seasoned it with our frozen pesto & a bit of olive oil from {this} recipe. i must say, this challenge is fairly difficult. we regularly prepare vegetarian meals & rarely eat meat. it's been difficult to find restaurants & groups of friends who share in the same eating choices of only ethically-raised meats so we've slowly adapted to a vegetarian diet. i purchased the meat currently in our freezer in an effort to stretch myself. thankfully, this challenge has definitely helped us save money & be a little more resourceful with what we already have. if you have any favorite meat meals, please share!

natalie's freezer fruit smoothie
serves 2

1 1/2 cups frozen fruit: strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, banana
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 soy or coconut milk

blend in blender on high for 1 to 2 minutes, making sure fruit is fully shredded & mixed well. serve in glass mason jar & enjoy!

love,
natalie

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

i'm not much of a meat eater either but every once in a while, if i have some chicken in the freezer, i like to make an altered version of chicken parmesan. cook the chicken breast on the grill or stovetop and make a sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil and red chili flakes. put the chicken in a baking dish and cover with sauce and a tiny bit of parmesan cheese and bake in the oven till the cheese is melted. it's a pretty healthy and light recipe for when i'm in the mood for meat! good luck with your challenge!

Jess said...

you are SO cute in those glasses with that high bun - gotta kiss you up! I don't know that much about making chicken... I'm a backsliding vegetarian right now, but when I purchased chicken last week it was the good kind. I got thighs (my fave) and cooked them in the pan with honey and balsamic vinegar - yum! or nigella's (I think) buttermilk chicken is to die for.

Anonymous said...

Hello Natalie,
I've followed your blog for a couple of years now, but recently forgot it, due to a change of computers. Anyway, this Sunday I noticed there was some element missing to give me the proper Sunday feeling, and then I remembered you. I always read your blog on Sundays.
I just wanted to tell you I love your writing and photography, and I find your life projects so inspiring.
Now I'll go and invite someone I do not know well for tea and scones.
I hope your Sunday is a good one.

:)

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