This post brought to you by American Frozen Foods Institute and the Frozen Food Roundtable. All opinions are 100% mine.
Angeline's father's parents moved to Northern Florida when she was just about four years old, and ever since, she's made the trek up there to visit them several times a year. Chris and I have come to look forward to this time for ourselves and once she is safely there, it's like P A R T Y T I M E! in the Quillen household. What do I mean by "party time?" Oh you know, totally insane stuff like not doing laundry for days at a time, not having to cook three meals a day, having the bathroom all to myself during the day. You know, the usual stuff that parents find thrilling.
Let's get back to that not cooking part. It's not that I don't cook at all - I just don't cook as much. I take as many shortcuts as I can, and I love having a freezer full of good food that I can quickly cook up without a lot of hassle. The same goes for breakfast and lunch; when Angeline is at her grandparents, I go for the simplest meals possible for myself during the day: like waffles for breakfast. Yum!
There are so many different options in the freezer aisle that can make your life easier, not just while the kids are off at grandma's, but year-round! One of the major benefits of frozen foods is that brands like General Mills, Hillshire, Kellogg’s, and Nestle have you covered for all of your quick, easy and delicious breakfast needs.
Breakfast and Brunch are those difficult meals because who really wants to slave over a hot stove first thing in the morning? Grabbing frozen breakfast options from the freezer not only makes breakfast easier for me, but it also means that my daughter can very easily make her own breakfast if she doesn't like what I am eating, or if she wakes up late and misses breakfast. Simply popping some waffles, pancakes or toaster pastries in the toaster is so much easier than making a whole new meal on the stove top, and is more fun than eating cold cereal all of the time!
We always have a ton of frozen foods in the freezer; between having frozen fruits and veggies on hand to plenty of meal options, it just makes life so much easier! On those days when I haven't planned anything for dinner, I can usually find something to make after a quick glance in the freezer.
One of the many benefits of frozen foods is that it is fresh food, just frozen! Frozen food is made from real recipes with real ingredients, and the freezing naturally pauses the freshness of these foods so that all of those delicious flavors are suspended until you are ready to cook them up and enjoy them!
There are so many advantages to having a nice stock of frozen meal options in the freezer! You can try so many different kinds of cuisine without having to learn how to make them - for instance, I recently bought a Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers in Beef Teriyaki. Now, I have never made a Teriyaki anything in my life, but this was a great way for me to try one out without having to learn how to cook it myself.
Then there's the benefit of being able to quickly grab a meal to take with you on the way to work - skip the fast food drive through on your lunch hour and just head to the office freezer and pick up your delicious lunch! After a few minutes in the microwave or oven (if your office has an oven), sit down and relax with your lunch while everyone else is stuck in traffic coming back from the fast food chains!
Last but not least is my favorite meal of the day: dessert!
One of the best things about frozen meals is that most of their offerings come in single serving sizes, which means that they are perfect for when you don't need to feed the whole family, or if you are single. They're also perfect when it comes time for dessert, and no one else wants a nice slice of Key Lime pie but you!
I don't know why anyone would not want a slice of Edwards Key Lime pie, because it's pretty delicious - but you never know.
By the way, if you're wondering why a girl who only lives 45 minutes away from the Florida Keys - and has a Key Lime tree hanging over her fence in the backyard - actually buys Edwards Key Lime Pie, it's because they are really that good! When we have family parties, someone always brings a whole Edwards Key Lime Pie, and it's usually the first dessert to be demolished!
What kind of frozen foods do you keep stocked in your freezer? Do you feel that there is more work involved with fresh vs frozen meal solutions? I would love to hear any of your tips and tricks for easier meals with frozen foods!
Alison
I'm all about the frozen waffles and pancakes for the boys! Helps things in the morning. But I want a slice of one of those pies!
Colleen
I'm all about the not cooking and can only imagine a home alone LOL.
Ty
My kids love frozen waffles so I literally have to keep my freezer stocked with them.
Mitch
And now a days many things are flash frozen, this keeping mostly all their nutrition! That is what i care about. Plus being able to prepare dinner in 10 minutes if necessary!
thanks,
Mitch
Shannon Gosney
I don't think that frozen foods are anything like they used to be when I was a kid. I still prefer fresh, but don't mind frozen every now and then.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs
I prefer fresh but it goes bad so quickly. Our freezer is stocked with gluten-free bread, meat, veggies, and ice cream 🙂
Debbie L.
Healthy Choice Greek Yogurt is delicious! It is my dessert of choice!
Kay Adeola
I love cooking but I admit I have a lot of frozen foods in the freezer,sometimes it is just easier and quicker to throw something together when busy.I love frozen deserts but have never tried Key lime pie.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
Our freezer is packed with many of those same things. They save me tons of time - especially on school nights.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets
Me too!
Janel (A Mom's Take)
Just for my own sanity, we have plenty of frozen pancakes and waffles on hand in our freezer. I really love frozen pizza, so that's what I have in my freezer all the time.
Betsy Mitchell
We have more frozen waffles than necessary but they always get eaten. They are our favorite snack!
Tracey
I try to keep a good mix of fresh and frozen. I don't think it's realistic to not have any frozen items...it would be too time consuming and things would spoil before I got to eat them.
Jaime
I buy meat in bulk and freeze it. It saves so much money! We also keep frozen pizza and waffles on hand (and breakfast biscuits for my husband.) They are great for quick meals.
Felicia
We definitely rely upon frozen food here and there. I have a new way to make hash browns using frozen tater tots that I'm going to try out this week!
Deb
Oh ...those single serve pie slices are dangerous. My freezer mostly has bags of farm fresh fruits and veggies. In my defense, the freezer is super small and I dont even think a frozen pizza would fit.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama
We use frozen veggies and waffles all the time. I also buy meat in bulk so we can use our freezer to stretch our dollar!
Dawn
I make use of my freezer frequently. I'm always grabbing something out of it to cook for the family, whether it's a prepared dish or just ingredients for something I'm making myself.
Amber Conaway
Frozen meals make breakfast/lunch/dinner SO much easier! With school starting soon Eggo's will definitely be on my grocery list!
Pam
We have frozen pie for dessert when I have to cook for my dad. Everyone likes it and it is so easy!
Chrystal @ YUM eating
Chocolate chip waffles??? Oh! Looks good. I love those single serving pies.
Tami
My freezer is filled with frozen meals. A few weeks ago, I found Green Giant Brocolli and Cheese sauce meals at the grocery and I'm already in love. 🙂
Shell
Frozen foods are such a help for those times when you do want to cook. Have you seen the s'mores waffles? They are awesome!
Beth@FrugalFroggie
We keep some frozen foods in our house. Eggo pancakes, chicken patties. Chicken Voila. Having those quick easy meals helps when you are short on time.
Carly Anderson
Those chocolate waffles look SO good! I love how you paired them with fruit! I know that frozen foods make our meal times a lot easier, too!
Theresa
We do a lot of frozen items throughout the school year. Breakfasts are so simple when you can just whip a waffle out of the freezer to heat and eat, so you can get out the door faster!
Amanda
Yes! Frozen food makes my life much easier! That pie looks yummy too!
cam | bibs and baubles
I want t try the frozen pies. Those look really good!
Mommy2jam
This looks really good and I like the idea with freezer food. Being a mom on the go this is so important and with the pie, I like it especially if you are on a diet. Great with portion control.
Maria Oller
ok Eggos and Edward's pie are staples on my kitchen I love their chocolate pie and my kids would kill me if there are nor Eggos for breakfast
Rosey
My son likes frozen pancakes, lol. It still makes me laugh, though they are a lot faster than mixing a batch up fresh when it's a rushed morning. 🙂
Laura
I like to make meals in bulk and freeze the leftovers to eat later. Being a busy mom of three I like to cut corners where I can. I totally want to try those freezer pies. The Key Lime looks delicious.
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty
One of my favorite parts of having an extra freezer in our house is the ability to stock up on those great frozen finds for when I'm in a lazy mood! Sometimes you just don't want to cook!
Krystal
I definitely have a stockpile of frozen veggies and meals! I used to love those waffles
Christie
Those Edwards Pie slices are dangerously good! I love having a few frozen options on hand for back to school
Carly from The Puzzled Palate
Oh my goodness- I used to eat Eggos all the time! Since we are GF now, I have to avoid them:(
Lori
My girls love waffles for breakfast! It helps to have these on hand for those crazy mornings.
Tonia
Some days 'm all about the quick and easy. When I have a very bust week frozen foods comes in handy.
Lisa
Waffles, pizza, and single serving sizes of mac n cheese are always in the freezer. Especially when the kids out of school for the summer.
Dawn
My daughter loves Toaster Strudels! She would probably eat them for every meal if I let her!
Toni
I have to admit, I am very partial to frozen foods LOL. They are so easy to make!
Cyndi @ MrsWrightWrites
I especially love frozen food for breakfast. It's sooo much faster.
Brandy
I haven't ever heard nor seen this yet, they sound like a great thing to have around for those quick dinner or breakfast days! You know, the days I do not feel up to cooking for the kiddos.
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest
Chocolate Chip Eggo's sound amazing right now. I love the Pecan Pie singles that Edwards has, delicious.
Danielle @ We Have It All
Frozen foods really saves me. We stock up on fruit, fish and chicken and microwavable things for the kids.
Emily
Oh no! Don't tell my husband they sell Key Lime pie via the slice!! That is pretty awesome!
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
I always keep a few frozen meals in the fridge for lunch at work when I don't have leftovers or time to make something. I also keep frozen veggies. I always buy them and something comes up, they go bad and I end up having to throw them away.