Meals That Freeze Well for Friend on Bedrest

Hi S.,

Have you heard of THe Freezer Cooking Manual From 30 Day Gourmet by Nanci Slagle?

It is an excellent resource and very user friendly.

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I freeze casseroles every month. The ones that freeze best are with noodles or biscuits on top. Or since she is a vegetarian meatloaf and potatoes might be a good option for her. That way she can still eat the potatoes. Mashed potatoes and party potatoes freeze well.

Another vegetarian option for a freezer casserole:
layer cheese stuffed ravoli (already cooked), cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce and mozeralla cheese. My family loves it and it is so easy to make, freeze and heat up.

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I have found that anything is a sauce or gravy freeze great in a large freezer ziploc bag. I used a book called "Don't Panic; Dinner is in the Freezer." I love it!!!

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Fun things to do on bedrest.
1. Loom knitting - Knifty Knitter looms can be found at Walmart and JoAnns. Free patterns can be found on the internet. There is a lot to create beyond hats. I've made a toddler sweater, mittens, gloves, and a blanket.
2. Movie subscription to Netflix or Blockbuster.
3. Books and magazines. My friends created a book and magazine exchange. They would bring me their books and magazines that they had finished. I'd return the books and recycle the magazines.
4. Coloring books and books for her children. Also children's movies. Cuddle time is the BEST!!!
5. Scrapbooking is another great hobby to begin.

You are such a great friend for doing this. I was on bedrest with my last child for about the same amount of time as your friend. I wish her (and her baby) the best!

does she eat tuna?
9x13 pan bake 350* till golden brown about 30 min.

3small cans tuna drained
2 cups frozen or 1 can peas drained
crushed chips, any flavor
1 can cream mushroom soup or any creamed soup will work
mix with 1/2 can of milk
layer the tuna, peas, crushed chips on top and pour soup over top.....bake and enjoy!

C.L.

lasagna in single serve throw away pans! awesome!

I am expecting twins any day now and some people brought over freezer meals for us...

Anything tomato based really freezes well...my fave is chili as well as chix noodle soup

goulosh freezes very well, and tastes the same re-cooked.

brown 1 lb hambuger
(you could either make your own sauce or take the quick route like I do...)
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups elbow maccaroni (cooked)
after you add the noodles, add 1 can tomatoe paste...

this will serve about 6-7 people, so it would make probably couple of meals for the husband and kids. just put it two containers to freeze it. it can be microwaved.

How about a veggie lasagna, chili, chicken alfredo. Almost any hitng can freeze

My favorite freezable meal is lasagna. It is so versatile since you can make it with or without meat.

As far as a care package goes, I guess it depends on what your friend likes to do. Michael's has lots of craft kits and things like that if she is into crafts. Half price books is a good way to get her some books cheaply if she is into reading. My favorite thing when I was on bed rest for 6 months was my family got me hooked up with the internet in my bedroom so I could be online during my illness.

It's not a meal item but it is vegetarian. I made a lot of Guacamole because Avacadoes were on sale and froze them, add lemon juice or the pit and it won't brown so much.
Good luck to your friend,
S.
mom with a successful home business

You are very kind to help out.

As for the food:

Soup! I love soup. It freezes well. It can be very healthy. It warms you up on these frigid days. Filing and easy to digest.

Pasta freeze well too.

Meatloaf. It can be fantastic. I usually make two when I make it and freeze one.

Care package: Magazines, books, books on tape, videos (netflix?), music, does she have an interest in learning a language? may be a good time to do this.

Lentil soup is great and healthy and freezes well. Cook together: lentils, onions, garlic, celery, carrots or sweet potatoes, and vegetable broth. I also add a teaspoon of Patak's Madras Curry Paste (found at Cub) for the spice/seasoning. It is very easy. I cook for up to an hour and usually make it more into a thick soup.

I have always had good luck with Social or Let's Dish. You could go in on it with another friend....Then she could have a bunch of things...

Otherwise Lasagna is always a good idea.