Anyone that has come into contact with me in the last couple weeks or so has been bored to tears might have heard me mention my latest adventure.
While down yonder at Blissdom during our rocking night out at The New Orleans Manor, my IRLBBFF (in real life bloggy BFF) Shannan opened my eyes to a whole new wonderful world of FRU-“gals”: MommySnacks; Stretching A Buck, $5 Dollar Dinners, Once A Month Moms (if I have forgotten any of you, it’s certainly not because I lack love love love for you, it’s because my brain has the retention skills of a lima bean…yum…lima beans…I’m hungry…)
Where was I? Ah, yes Once A Month Mom…
As I posted in my earlier love letter to Tricia and Cortney, I was giving their system a try this past weekend with my sister-in-law, Lorraine. I’m happy to report that I’m just as excited about Once A Month Mom Cooking today as I was last week before actually doing it!
The beauty of this approach is Tricia’s step-by-step instruction sheets that keep you focused and on track. Like I told my husband (who by the way helped immensely on the big cooking day! Thanks hon!), anyone can find some recipes and make a grocery list (believe me, I’ve done it hundreds of time only to have the food go bad and the canned goods collect dust). But the instructions on what to do and when to do it are invaluable. Even for a complete novice cook, it’s easy enough to follow and execute. Don’t get me wrong – it’s work. The instruction sheet has no magical powers (darn!), but this sheet makes it doable.
Lorraine and I got started around 9:30am on Saturday and we had everything bagged and tagged by 5:00pm (just in time for girl’s night out!!). You definitely need to do this project with a partner. Without Lorraine, I would have easily lost focus and gotten bored and given up. Your buddy keeps you motivated and it’s always nice to have an extra set of eyes and an extra brain to double check yourself.
We spent approximately $240 for all the meals – I think about 80 meals total (40 for each family: approximately 15 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 15 dinners). So you can’t beat the savings in time and money. Bonus: I cleaned out my freezer with my stockpile of chicken breasts and ground beef that was wasting away, and got to take a peek in that spice cabinet that had cobwebs on it.
Photo courtesy of MommyWriter
But for me the proof is in the pudding…and the OAM meals do not disappoint. Lorraine’s family had the Taco Soup last night and it was a huge hit. Our family had the Banana Muffins for breakfast yesterday. They were so good I didn’t even get to eat all of mine because P stole it! (Toddlers are selfish, selfish creatures.) Last night we had the Baked Chicken Burgers – yum yum yum, love the crunch of the celery – and all we had to do was pop ‘em in the oven for 20 minutes! This morning, we sat down to a FAMILY BREAKFAST on a TUESDAY before we scurried off to work and preschool. Homemade blueberry waffles no less!
The other day I was thinking about my own childhood and how central good food is in my memories. My Grandma’s Chicken & Dumplings and the smell of the turkey cooking when we’d arrive on Thanksgiving…my Mom’s meatloaf and all those sweets she whipped up when she had the time. Special times were always bookmarked by special dishes made by special people. And I want P’s memories to include a least a couple delicious things *I* make for her. I don’t want those special dishes to be made by the special people at McDonald’s all the time, you know?
I’ll keep you posted as we go along this month trying all the meals out, if they taste half as good as they smelled while we were cooking on Saturday, we’re gonna be in great shape. For busy moms and dads out there that don’t always have the time or the inspiration to make tasty, homemade meals each day, this might be right up your alley. The March Menu is up and it looks outstanding. We are hoping to cook on the 29th!
19 comments
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March 4, 2009 at 8:56 am
Poppy Buxom
Wow. I’m in awe.
March 4, 2009 at 9:02 am
dextraordinaire
Okay you really have me excited now-must see if my sister or someone else is interested to do this with me. I thought I might try to tackle it myself, but I see that it probably wouldn’t be the best idea.
March 4, 2009 at 9:03 am
Kate
Amy – you are an incredible mom. Your love for your family is limitless, and you also know how to have a rockin’ time.
I wanna be like you when I grow up 🙂
PS – When am I coming over for dinner?!!
March 4, 2009 at 9:03 am
Angela
Congrats on your first OAMC session! Those chicken sandwiches are addictive!
March 4, 2009 at 9:24 am
Jenny from Mommin' It Up!
YOU have impressed the socks off of me! Great job! Thank God Tricia’s OCD, right?? ha ha. My husband and I are going to try this at the end of the month and I can’t wait!
March 4, 2009 at 9:26 am
Jenny from Mommin' It Up!
Oh and P is soo cute!!
March 4, 2009 at 9:33 am
Kelley
Who are you and what have you done with my college friend Amy?
Seriously though, I agree. Freezer cooking (as I call it) is such a time saver. I’m proud of you for taking on this new adventure. Before you know it, it will be time to cook again!
March 4, 2009 at 9:39 am
tricia (Once A Month Mom)
Amy- thanks so much for helping us get the word out! I’m glad your enjoying your meals! Now I’m hungry for breakfast! Guess I’ll go get some muffins. What a great pic of your daughter!
March 4, 2009 at 9:45 am
Mrs. CPA
Since the recent developments in my household, I might better get my ass in gear over this. And my sister, the woman who lives in the drive thru, could be my partner. While Tim watches all the kids. I bet he’ll love that!
March 4, 2009 at 11:55 am
psychmamma
I’ve always thought that this sounded like a great idea, but haven’t ever tried it. Wish that we lived closer so that we could hook up for some cooking! All those recipes sound delicious.
LOVE the picture of P!
March 4, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits
You are a machine. Now you’ve got me thinking I need to do the March menu!
March 4, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.net
Impressive stuff, girl! Those are some great pics too! I need to find myself a OAM buddy!!! And, instead of eating the muffin, you can just kiss the remnants off of P’s face – too cute!!!
March 5, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Marianne
Amy, you did a great job!! Looks yummilicious!
I still think you should film a testimonial for Tricia & Cortney @ OnceAMonthMom.com!
Take care!
March 5, 2009 at 10:00 pm
sandy toe
A song always makes things better.
sandy toe
March 8, 2009 at 9:37 am
CanCan (Mom Most Traveled)
Wow, I’m totally inspired!
I have “thought” about doing this for years, but I think you are right, I definitely need a partner!
You make it look so fun 🙂
March 20, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Marcy
Wow…very impressive!! I am slowly warming up to the idea of trying this out for myself…b/c we have been making a few too many trips through the McD’s drive through lately!
April 3, 2009 at 7:04 am
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