i don't know where you all live but here in chicago area we have these places that you can mkae meals ahead and go home and freeze them pretty pricey but saved alot of time. I learned alot though. Use freezer bags to freeze foods. don't defost meats to refreeze just make up the sauces and freeze in another bag to freeze. label your stuff and how to cook.
I stared to do this a home much easier. I bough the book don't panic dinner is in the freezer, big help. easy recipes. Look on the net also for recipes. I fyou take one day you can make up alot of recipes.

I've been interested in doing that type of cooking for a while now but haven't gotten around to it (I haven't decided what recipes would work for us). They have a shop like that around here but I doubt I'll get the chance to go. I'm going to check out that book

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Amanda
Mommy to Zack & Emily

I LOVE the book Don't Panic Dinner's in the Freezer. I also like Cheap. Fast. Good. (I think the author is Mills???) I really like the idea of buying on sale and making up a bunch of meals and putting them in the freezer. Like when Chicken is on sale I can bread a whole bunch with a Parmesan crust (it only takes a few minutes more to do 20 than to do 5) and then I freeze them individually. It's SO handy!

I went to a Super Suppers party once (a friend wanted the meals but didn't have time to go!) so I went in her place and made her meals for her. I think they have a really good idea, but around here 6 meals costs around $110. That's like $18 per meal and they really only feed four, usually you have to add the side dish/vegetables.

I Have been freezer cooking for almost a year and a half. I have learned some things the hard way. I tried a big cooking day the first time and almost threw in the towel. Now I mainly cook by mini sessions meaning that I may cook up 10 lbs of hamburg to make meals and in a couple of weeks when chicken is on sale I will make up chicken dinners.

I learned alot with the 30 day gourmet cookbook. They also have a website and newsletter which is wonderful. I was not a fan of the frozen assests cookbook. I found that the recipes were repeated alot and not my family's taste. I now take my meals that we liked and learned how to freezer cook them. What works for one family may not work for yours. However, the most time saving tips for my family are precooked diced chicken in 2 c portions (I can throw something together with food from the pantry), 2 c of cooked ground hamburg, sloppy joes already made (just the meat), meatballs, salisbury steak.

The most info I have learned has been from the yahoo group ay friendly freezer. Ask questions (no matter how silly you think it is) and so many people will answer it.
HTH

This fall I went to Dream Dinners and made up meals like you are talking about. My family enjoyed the meals and it was a relief to have something in the freezer to take out to cook BUT the downside of course is the price and the fact you have to take the meal out to defrost. I do have to say the quality of the food was excellent. I have several friends that swear by this. I have been trying to decide if I should go back and stock my freezer up again. The cost is what gets me but it is still cheaper than going out to eat.

I have always wanted to try one of these places. I was thinking I could go once and then make the recipes myself from then on.

I have wanted to try this, but the cost dissuaded me. I receive a coupon for a discount in a new home package and wonder if it is worth it.