My DD is lactose intolerant and no convienance food is without some sort of dairy. I buy her the morning star "chicken" nuggets (vegetarian) and the vegtarian corn dogs as well. She really loves pasta, but all of my italian recipes from growing up have some sort of cheese or cream in them.

I'm going back to school on Monday and won't have a lot of time to prepare dinner before class. I'm trying to get some meals made up in advance to freeze so my Mom (babysitter) and I can just heat/cook and serve.

Any suggestions?? remember no milk, cream, sour cream, cream cheese, CHEESE, yogurt, or dairy of any kind.

are you vegetarian also?(just wanna make sure as to what I'm looking for...no dairy AND no meat???)

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thank you for asking that! I should have been more specific. Not really. DD and I just don't eat a lot of meat but aren't strict about it. Chicken is about all, unless i get a good deal on natural meat.

I found a couple recipes last night but don't own a crockpot currently. I think I convinced DH that we should get one. Do you have a brand you reccommend?

Tia. I appreciate any help!

I have 2 Rivals(one round and one oval-both in chrome)and the new one that is for traveling(the lid hooks to it)

I love all 3 ...I would suggest getting the new one if there's any chance of you taking it to picnics or anything.

I've always had good luck with the Rivals...no matter what you get...check the LID...there's a new one out...when I saw it,it was oval and a beautiful design but the lids didn't fit right.

Defiantely get one...they spoil ya!!!

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My Mom calls this Lebonese Stew. It freezes great, you can make large quantities at a time & all you have to do for prep is make some rice & heat it up for dinner:

I make as much as a Quadruple batch at one time...

1lb Any inexpensive steak cut, cubed
1 small onion
1lb can Tomato Sauce
1 can Green Beans (Drained)
Garlic Salt or powder
Onion Salt or powder
Pepper

Chop & brown onion, add meat to skillet and brown. Salt and pepper to taste (I like to lay it on very thick for this recipe, but you can start light & adjust later with the sauce). Add just enough water to cover and simmer covered for about 30 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, simmer to reduce (can be as little as 30 minutes to 1 hour, just do it to your taste). Add garlic salt or powder, onion salt or powder & pepper to taste. When the sauce is just how you like it, add the green beans and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve over rice with garlic bread, it's a family favorite!
*sometimes I leave the green beans out of the recipe, freeze and add them when I am heating it to serve*

This freezes great! Could be made vegetarian, just use a veggie boullion as your base, and start with the tomato sauce. I would add more beans.

Here are some Dairy free kids favorites from the freezer aisle:
Tyson Dino Nuggets
Disney Mickey Mouse Frozen hamburger patties
Van's Wheat free waffles

Great Snacks:
anything "Enjoy Life" Brand-they have cookies, bagels, cereals....
Quacker Kettle cooked Rice crisps

Easy Butter alternative:
Fleischman's Light has no butter or soy & is most likely at your grocery store

Check the Food Allergy & Anapylaxis Networks website for many great ideas & support.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network

Good Luck!

*Sorry, wrote all this before you posted about the red meat. It might be good with chicken too, I've never tried it.!*

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"Children are the most important Natural Resource"

chicken burritos would freeze well...

just do them with cooked chicken,refried beans,green or red enchilada sauce.

there are some spaghetti recipes listed under main dish items-(I also know what ya mean about authentic Ital. recipes with the cream sauce-but typically you should be able to just omit it)

here's a frezzer spaghetti sauce rec:

4 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pepper, chopped
1/2 c vegetable oil
16 c chopped tomatoes
2 Tbs dried oregano
2 Tbs dried basil
1/4 c chopped parsley
1/4 c white sugar
2 Tbs salt
3/4 tsp pepper
2 (6oz can tomato paste )

In a slow cooker saute together the onion, garlic, green pepper, and vegetable oil. Cook until onion is transparent.
Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano, basil, parsley, sugar, salt, and ground black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 hours on low heat. Stir frequently.
Let sauce cool. Pour sauce into quart size freezer containers. Store in freezer.
When ready to use sauce, stir in cans of tomato paste.

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You may find it helpful just to freeze the main dish of a meal, too. I double cook a lot of main dishes and then freeze the second batch for future use. Pork chops can be baked with fr. onion soup poured on top...and then frozen. You just thaw and heat up. Chicken is easy to bake with BBQ sauce or with italian dressing and a cut up onion and then freeze as well. I know I have others..but the kids are running wild behind me. Let me look and get back to you on this..if you are interested in this type of freezer dishes!!

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Difinately also consider the crock pot idea....lots of women who work will tell ya they're great..walk in and it's hot and ready to serve that's the easiest,fastest and most conv thing-browse through the crockpot section for recipes here to...there's tons there.

(also I believe on the swanson can,maybe could even find it on their site)you can make mashed potatoes with chicken broth.

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Yes! Thank you for the ideas. DD has a sensitive stomach, so it's been tough to find GOOD recipes that don't bother her tummy.

I'm hoping to get my DH involved in cooking on Monday nights when I'm in class. He hates cooking on the weekends since that's what he does all week, but I know if I wasn't around - he could get some good stuff cooked up for me!

Thank you EVERYONE for all the ideas, any and all are appreciated. Even those with red meat, I can use for occasions where we do buy it.

I'm going to get a crockpot this weekend, hopefully!!!! Never thought I'd be so excited over a crockpot.

Thank you again!!

A few things that I have in my freezer that really help .... all these recipes have no dairy

- Homemade chicken nuggets
- Soup/chili
- Salisbury steak patties
- Meatballs
- Chicken Pot pie
- Also some breakfast foods would be good too to make mornings easier .... like muffins, waffles/pancakes (I bet you could use soy milk instead of regular milk), egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos

If you want any recipes let me know .... unfortunately my waffle/pancake recipe has dairy in it since my youngest is allergic to eggs.