tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post3210774443522727320..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: Organising my freezerMeanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-6876786166992782632014-07-21T11:34:56.455+01:002014-07-21T11:34:56.455+01:00Love your freezer, you are so organized! I have re...Love your freezer, you are so organized! I have really been trying to save/stretch food and other items as much as I can since our scare last fall. You have given me many many ideas to help me along my long road, one of these days I keep telling myself I will be out if debt! Take care and keep the good ideas coming :Dcountry lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062018110749960921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-62756196906688115262013-01-10T11:09:53.746+00:002013-01-10T11:09:53.746+00:00I have to hold my hand up and say I am a meal plan...I have to hold my hand up and say I am a meal planner because it works for me. And what works for you is the plan you should go with because I hate the thought of food being thrown away.Colette McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383068332228040704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-77907708012839900632013-01-08T17:54:21.769+00:002013-01-08T17:54:21.769+00:00Do you think you could also show a picture of your...Do you think you could also show a picture of your food cupboards as I find it fascinating what other people have!!FrugalatChristmastimeFrugalalwaysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-31009944630583167302013-01-08T14:04:49.833+00:002013-01-08T14:04:49.833+00:00Hi,
I just wanted to let Kearnygirl know that you ...Hi,<br />I just wanted to let Kearnygirl know that you can get frozen Califlower Cheese in the U.S. Green Giant is the brand name. I used to buy it when ever it would go on sale. It's o.k., but I always threw in a little extra cheese. I also want to tell quinn what a good idea that is about the frozen yogert cup. I pack yogert in my lunch everyday, but frozen sounds divine. Ironically, Ilona I just got done organising the freezer (and fridge/pantry lol!) too. Looks like I'll be going shopping tomorrow. :)Montridge2uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08056671557737774614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-11783423400392253882013-01-08T12:10:39.957+00:002013-01-08T12:10:39.957+00:00Nice post, Ilona! I love your friendly tone, makes...Nice post, Ilona! I love your friendly tone, makes me feel like we're sitting and having a chat over tea :o) I like to clean out and organize my freezer this time of year as well. It's a good time as the garden surplus has dwindled to a good point and since I am also planning my garden at this time, it helps me to know what I'll need to plant more or less of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-46014048576530494542013-01-08T09:53:57.639+00:002013-01-08T09:53:57.639+00:00Interesting point Jane. I cook everything from fro...Interesting point Jane. I cook everything from frozen, but not sure you could do that with meat. I look at cooking instructions on the back of packets, and if it says defrost at room temperature, I don't buy it, for the same reason as you state. I put frozen salmon under the grill, and cook slowly so it cooks evenly throughout. I've never been ill after eating it. I put home made stew in the microwave, making sure it is piping hot. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51218678683789670632013-01-08T09:07:38.748+00:002013-01-08T09:07:38.748+00:00You are very organised with your freezer and I am ...You are very organised with your freezer and I am indeed impressed Illona. I have tried for several years to get the best out of the freezer but unfortunately I think I don't have the right temperament. You see I often defrost something for the following days main meal and then when it comes to it... I really don't fancy what I've defrosted and I end up cooking something else, the defrosted meal goes into the fridge and often is still there several days later when I finally put it in the bin! Very bad I know. Perhaps I need to think a lot more carefully about what I am going to freeze in the first place.Jane Le Galloudechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00517114561049964427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-675700760253685332013-01-08T08:18:45.993+00:002013-01-08T08:18:45.993+00:00Good idea quinn, I will do that when I start walki...Good idea quinn, I will do that when I start walking again.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-34481695335417535032013-01-08T08:16:14.212+00:002013-01-08T08:16:14.212+00:00Hi HF. No I don't buy ice cream for the same r...Hi HF. No I don't buy ice cream for the same reason I don't buy cakes. I would scoff the lot in one go, pig that I am. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-15296154649532254632013-01-08T08:13:47.214+00:002013-01-08T08:13:47.214+00:00Hello Maureen, thank you for your comment. I was b...Hello Maureen, thank you for your comment. I was born in Staffordshire, but I can't remember eating oatcakes as a child. I agree, they are yummy, with almost anything on. I sometimes spread lemon curd on.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-31949648103247460632013-01-08T08:10:52.848+00:002013-01-08T08:10:52.848+00:00Hello Donna, welcome. I haven't been to Irelan...Hello Donna, welcome. I haven't been to Ireland, but I have heard that food prices are pretty high there. It must be difficult to stretch the pennies.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-61291636601856918422013-01-08T08:07:18.405+00:002013-01-08T08:07:18.405+00:00Hello Jess. My mistake, yes, cheese and spring oni...Hello Jess. My mistake, yes, cheese and spring onion bakes. I don't read every ingredient label on every packet, bag, or box. I like the taste of these, and an ocassional one in a year is not going to kill me. I agree, there are too many additives in all processed food.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-39908918148858027402013-01-08T08:02:44.355+00:002013-01-08T08:02:44.355+00:00Hello WP. I ride it sometimes, for pleasure, not b...Hello WP. I ride it sometimes, for pleasure, not because I have to.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-89311861473910240882013-01-08T05:21:24.108+00:002013-01-08T05:21:24.108+00:00Hey there, new blog reader here. I just came back ...Hey there, new blog reader here. I just came back from a trip to Ireland (I live in the US) and was shocked at how high food prices were. I came home wondering how indeed anyone "over there" made it work. Thrugh hard work like you are doing I suppose. I'll be back for sure (to your blog)Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-15785021385581073102013-01-07T22:38:08.369+00:002013-01-07T22:38:08.369+00:00Aren't the "cheese and broccoli bakes&quo...Aren't the "cheese and broccoli bakes" the cheese and spring onion ones? Looks like it on the photo. I looked at these this week in Tesco but didn't get them, they're horrendously high in "bad" fats. I think the total fat content was 13 g just for one bake. Too many other additives in there too, usually the problem with convenience packaged food. <br /><br />Your freezer is much tidier than mine!Jessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-58017044639937316462013-01-07T22:21:03.820+00:002013-01-07T22:21:03.820+00:00Hello Ilona. I'm a long time reader of your bl...Hello Ilona. I'm a long time reader of your blog, maybe 4 years? The first thing I do when I switch on the laptop is read your blog. I absolutely love what you have to say and have learned so much from you. Thank you. I used to live in Staffordshire and the usual way to eat oatcakes is put cheese on them, pop them under the grill, roll them up and eat! They are gorgeous. You can add rashers too but I like them with just cheese and a dollop of tomato ketchup.Thanks again for such a grand blog. Kindest regards Maureen in Kerry, Ireland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-27613822981161595272013-01-07T21:49:08.762+00:002013-01-07T21:49:08.762+00:00I notice you've a photo of you on a bike. I&#...I notice you've a photo of you on a bike. I'd be interested in knowing a bit of how the bicycle fits into your lifestyle.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05329316422830050639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-60477175901289966992013-01-07T20:12:55.971+00:002013-01-07T20:12:55.971+00:00Hello Ilona from Housefairy
Good to see that we bo...Hello Ilona from Housefairy<br />Good to see that we both do forward planning with food.<br />I had my husband joking to son about my antics... see what she has done now!<br />Over the last 2 days, I have made 3 lists on my cut up cereal box strips.<br />Dinners in freezer. Menu and shopping list.<br />The menu list is not in any order, it is just to tell me I have 7 dinners at least for the week.<br />So off I went today to do the food shop for the week. Spent £43.20 for 2 adults, son was a separate bill as he comes and goes as he works.<br />Daughter is on holiday.<br />I thought that was good, due to planning and some of the frozen food will go into other weeks - bought as on offer.<br /><br />Wile I was doing my planning I was emptying the cupboards also to see what sauces and things will go with dinners. Checking on dates. Glad to say nothing was out of date this time.<br /><br />I have 1 x 5 drawer freezer that gets filled. We eat from it till there is space for more. No need for 2 freezers.<br /><br />I need to use the fruit in the freezer here too! we have blackberries and rhubarb from the garden.<br /><br />I see you have no ice cream in your freezer? we nearly always have a small tub of vanilla.<br /><br />No batch cooking this week. Like you, Ilona I cook several portions at once depending what is on offer.<br /><br />We are both set now on the food front <br /><br />Take careAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-86203840599791874952013-01-07T20:10:55.515+00:002013-01-07T20:10:55.515+00:00Well, aren`t you the organised one! Stafforshire o...Well, aren`t you the organised one! Stafforshire oatcakes sound great. I have a recipe from the Hairy Bikers but haven`t gotten round to using it yet as it needs some yeast and some time to rise. I`ve made some oaty pancakes once and filled them with creme fraich and hot berry fruits for breakfast. That`s alot quicker and tastes great, too. Your frozen stock of items make great meal basics. I`m going to re-organise my freezers in February, when we have plought through most things. I`m planning to do alot more bulk cooking and freezing this coming year. Stepson is moving out end of January, and then we shall be able to cook what we like and I will be able to re-stock freezers with meal portions that will just suit the two of us. I`m getting quite exited about the new beginning with my freezer. Time to put my thinking cap on and come up with cheap and nutricious meals that will freeze well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114653674812242486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-851337122615002562013-01-07T16:59:22.656+00:002013-01-07T16:59:22.656+00:00...and i just love Staffordshire Oatcakes!
Ruth x...and i just love Staffordshire Oatcakes!<br />Ruth xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-52741112588735377122013-01-07T16:58:18.927+00:002013-01-07T16:58:18.927+00:00Very interesting and a great idea to cut the cauli...Very interesting and a great idea to cut the cauliflower cheese in half and bulk out with veg. Will definitely try that if i see (reasonably healthy!) ready meals at a good price<br />Ruth xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-32703034100528083222013-01-07T16:53:44.357+00:002013-01-07T16:53:44.357+00:00I portion up meals as well, and I also menu plan t...I portion up meals as well, and I also menu plan to make sure that Mr O has a decent hot meal every day; he works an evening shift so has his main meal at lunchtime whilst I like to 'forage' in the freezer at tea time. So, from my plan I know what he will be eating and therefore what I will need to replace when the items have gone from the freezer. Today he had home made meat & onion pie with some left over veggies from yesterday (daughter and son-in-law were here for tea) and tomorrow he will eat the last portion of belly pork with the rest of the left over veggies (brocolli, parsnips, carrot & swede mashed, brussel sprouts and roast potatoes). No waste this week! I also need to go and retrieve some of my frozen things from my mother's spare freezer and then we have more supplies to call on. It's also a good idea if you are catering for more than one person to construct a list of dishes that everyone likes eg, cottage pie, curry, spag bol, liver & onions etc, so that you are never having to rack your brains what to cook. But for a single person, that would be going over the top, and you eat very healthily!Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16147299200960914730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-91307771771067672942013-01-07T16:48:33.785+00:002013-01-07T16:48:33.785+00:00I have a list of what is in the freezer and every ...I have a list of what is in the freezer and every morning we decide what we would like for our evening meal, this then gets deleted off the list (it is on email so easy to change). As and when I put something new in the freezer this gets added to the list. It is quite surprising how many meals there are in there when it doesn't look like much at all! It's almost like going to a restaurant with a long menu.... except I have to cook it myself lolKate Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325725955137255316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-83499897840211393982013-01-07T16:11:32.217+00:002013-01-07T16:11:32.217+00:00Awesome post Illona, you've been a great inspi...Awesome post Illona, you've been a great inspiration to me. I'm loving your casual, carefree approach as you enjoy these years beyond work for money. I'm in a single person household also, with a persnickity, opinionnated cat, Ebony. She was a 3 previous owners 5 yr old when I adopted her. Didn't take long to see why she kept needed a new place. But I've come to terms with "her" way of being, and we suit each other just fine. She's 11 now and doing very well indeed. Looks like a black watermelon with a tail and ears :- )<br />I've been working on not wasting anything and figuring out new ways to use up odds and ends of food. I've been good at doing it with fabric, but the food scene is new territory. Happy to say I'm getting good at it! Thanks for all the inspiration and good cheer. Hugs, FinnFinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17677133672404343036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-65168169377542290112013-01-07T15:03:07.103+00:002013-01-07T15:03:07.103+00:00I dont plan a menu out for weeks at a time, that w...I dont plan a menu out for weeks at a time, that would be boring for me also but like you I have food frozen, never have to throw anything away. After dinner every night I decide what I am going to have for dinner the following night. I bake bread a couple of times a week and have porridge every morning so breakfasts and lunches seem to sort themselves out and stay very simple.<br />After years of doing this you become a real expert, right ?<br />Cauliflower cheese is a very British thing but you can get cheesy veggies frozen here but none of the supermarkets here have yellow stickers or extreme sell offs on any regular basis. Most of the unsold food goes to food banks and pantries or salvage stores. Our loss leaders and sales are usually quite good though and Aldi s is amazing for a limited range of fresh veg and dairy.lizziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345707661431587475noreply@blogger.com