Once A Month Cooking: Steps to Success

Once A Month Cooking is a great way to organize your family's meals and it's a real time saver for busy moms, too. I have put together some steps that should help you successfully and easily implement the Once A Month Cooking (OAMC) method in your family.

Step 1: Plan

• Find a babysitter for the kids. If you have an older daughter who would be helpful in the kitchen, ask her to stay and help.
• Find recipes for you menu. Take an inventory of your freezer to see what you already have. Look through your recipe book for tried and true recipes. Ask your family for suggestions. Check out www.onceamonthmom.com for already prepared menu ideas.
• Write out your menu. The Freezer Cooking Manual by 30-day Gourmet has worksheets to make out your menu. http://lifeasmom.com/2010/04/freezer-cooking-planning-a-detailed-approach.html/freezer-cooking-master-plan has free printable worksheets to write out your menu.
• Prepare your grocery list. The Freezer Cooking Manual by 30-day Gourmet has a wonderful spreadsheet to assist in making out a grocery list.

Step 2: Prepare

• Shop. Make sure you purchase everything you will need. Enlist your children's help to grocery shop.
• Make sure you purchase all the freezer bags and freezer containers you will need.
• Prep your food. Get everything ready to throw together the day before you will be cooking.

Step 3: Cook

• Order your recipes to best utilize your space, equipment and time. Start with a recipe that will be using the stove top. While that is cooking start a recipe that will be using the oven. Follow that with a recipe that is ready to be assembled and put into freezer bags.

Step 4: Freeze

• Place food into freezer containers or bags.
• Express as much air as possible from the containers before sealing. Seal.
• Next label, date and include reheating instructions right on the container.
• Freeze as quickly as possible to prevent food borne illnesses.

Step 5: Enjoy!

• Each night check your menu to see what meals are scheduled for the next day.
• Take those meals out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
• Cook meals according to the cooking instructions.
• Place all leftovers in the refrigerator. If you have a lot of leftovers, have a leftover night when you use all the leftover food in your fridge.
• Do not refreeze leftovers!!!!