first ski weekend reminds me of why I make meals ahead

The ski season is here! The native Southern Californian in me hasn't quite embraced the cold, yet this year. But I'm getting there, and recalling that this means an even bigger need for make-ahead meals.

First up-- protein-packed breakfasts at the ready {because the truth is, getting everyone out the door is always kind of nutty...}.

This first ski weekend I made a double batch of my go-to veggie frittata recipe with broccoli rabe, kale and a blend of Parmesan, mozzarella and Gouda. I also roasted colorful new potatoes ahead of time and made sure we had some Applegate chicken sausages on hand. I did this on Friday, and packed everything in my favorite freezer-friendly packaging, which also happens to be microwave safe {b/c it's aluminum}. Breakfast took about 10 minutes to get from fridge to the table, including reheating everything, so that made for a delicious, protein-packed start to the ski day… with minimal effort from yours truly. Somehow my coffee still managed to get cold. Ski weekends are a work in progress...

Other make-ahead, protein-rich breakfast recipes I recall being hits last year…. these hash brown/sausage/egg cups -- but I'll have to modify it for our now vegetarian tween. 

By request from our local supermarket, I created a gluten-free baked French Toast recipe last year, which I'll probably add back into to our winter repertoire. 

And there was the Herb-Walnut Frittata which I loved. 

Chilaquiles are always a hit-- and are conveniently vegetarian. Handy, since I always have to keep that in mind these days. This would be easy to whip up on a Friday and reheat it weekend mornings.

And then, of course, there's our favorite Protein Pancakes which will likely be on an every other week rotation b/c my kids love them so, and they reheat beautifully. 

For a grab-and-go option, I plan to keep these Nothin' But granola cookies on hand. 

As the ski season ramps up, my goal for the next month or so, is to test a few new recipes and get all of my favorite make-ahead breakfasts in one place, along with shopping lists, packaging recs, etc-- just like my make-ahead entree ebook-- so I have an easy go-to tool to keep my winter ski weekends organized and enjoyable (aka, sane). I'll let you know when that's available for download.

OK, so on the back end, we typically roll in from a day on the mountain pretty beat, pretty cold, and really just wanting to just relax by the fire.

Which is why it's imperative that I have a stash of made-ahead meals at the ready, so I can relax and put my feet up too. If you haven't already downloaded my ebook that walks you through a dozen freezer-friendly family meals, do it now and thank me later. It's what keeps me sane in the meal dept.

Last night, we gave a new broccoli mac and cheese recipe of mine a test-run.

Recipe testing is difficult, but someone has to do it {ha!}… that's the broccoli mac and cheese you see there made with rice noodles, with some VT farm stand maple-oat bread lathered in Kerrygold butter, and an arugula salad with maple-dijon vinaigrette that we test drove last night. And, according to our 7-year-old, those are "very special" napkin designs, created for each of us. {Um, ok? Too tired to question table setting skills...} 

So, here's to being organized and not being the family who needs to shell out $73.13 for meat lasagna at the base of the mountain!! Seriously. Want your own copy of my make-ahead meal program? Click here for the instant download.  {Yes, if you're doing the math, that makes the ebook w/ all of my secrets for successfully stocking your freezer w/ a month's worth of family meals less than 1/7 the price of one family-size meat lasagna. Crazy!} Want the scoop on what the instantly downloadable ebook includes, click here for the Q and A. 

Alrighty, I'm heading back into our kitchen these next couple of weeks to recipe test a round two of ahhmazing recipes. Here's to hoping I can get a Second Edition of freezer-friendly recipes together soon. Stay tuned! 

P.S. If there's a type of recipe you'd really like to see in the Second Edition of Stock Your Freezer in a Snap, leave a comment below. I'm right in the midst of laying out my recipe testing schedule, so if there's something you'd really like included, let's see if I can help you out.

3 Easy Family Dinner Ideas… For Days When I'd Rather Spend My Afternoon Walking vs. Cooking

I've been so focused on taking better care of myself that I haven't set aside time to write here in a few weeks. I won't lie, there is some angst that I'm not keeping up with this blog enough; that I should be posting more. But I've decided that sporadic posts are ok. It's my best effort in this moment.

That said, I came up with a few quick and EASY dinners these past few weeks, that are worth sharing. And I found myself with a few open hours today, so it's time for a new post. These recipes are for days when a lot of cooking isn't the priority, but nourishing my family still is key. So, pour yourself a glass of something delicious and let's spend a few minutes together giving you some ideas for the busy week ahead!

Easy Dinner #1 - Mediterranean Chicken

This was inspired by a recent trip to our local Whole Foods. They have this gorgeous antipasto bar, and as I whizzed through the market, I knew I was short on time to cook that afternoon/evening. So, I loaded a medium deli container with a combination of {layers, top to bottom since I know they're a little hard to see in this pic} capers, roasted garlic, roasted tomatoes and pitted kalamata olives. The other two ingredients I bought were a package of organic chicken tenders and a 15 oz jar of fire roasted crushed tomatoes. That's it. Those three ingredients.

Then, when we got home from after-school activities I preheated the oven to 350, and placed the chicken in a roasting pan, placed the contents of the antipasto tub on top, poured the crushed tomatoes on top of that, gave it all a stir, and into the oven it went until the chicken was cooked through {about 15-20 minutes, depending upon the size of your chicken pieces}. And while the kitchen was filling with these amazing aromas, the kids did homework, and I went upstairs and worked out.

Super easy, crowd pleasing dinner.

Easy Dinner #2 - Tomato-Quinoa Soup with Grilled Cheese

I have one vegetarian child, which means a few nights a week we all enjoy a veggie-based meal. And on a chilly Fall evening, really, what's better than tomato soup and grilled cheese? You can get fancy with your grilled cheese and add pesto, or you can just use good bread and some good cheese and go simple. But if I go simple on the grilled cheese, I try to make sure we're getting a protein boost another way. Easiest way I've found? Simply add a scoop of cooked quinoa to everyone's bowl of tomato soup. Usually this meal comes about when I have some leftover quinoa in the fridge. But if the request comes another night, I always have these packets in my pantry. {Oh, and I get lots of questions about my tomato soup… it's store-bought. The bowl above is Trader Joe's-brand Creamy Tomato Soup. My other favorite brand to keep on hand in my pantry is Pacific.} 

Easy Dinner #3 - Veggie Curry

Another crazy day of afternoon chauffeuring… another plant-based meal needed…. one that'll please the whole family… and can be made in mere minutes? I keep a stash of Maya Kaimal Simmer Sauces on hand in my pantry.  

On the above night, I didn't make it to the supermarket as planned after one of my children ended up home sick from school, so I had to come up with dinner from a pretty measly selection of ingredients. Normally, I like to make a veggie curry with all sorts of colors and textures, but this go round I had:

• Extra-firm tofu
• new potatoes
• a can of chickpeas
• a jar of Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce

I cubed the tofu and cut the new potatoes in half and roasted them on a olive oil drizzled baking sheet, at 350, just until they had a crispy edge {about 12 minutes}. Then I popped the tofu, potatoes, rinsed and drained chickpeas and the jar of simmer sauce into a sauté pan until everything was warmed through. The result? Awesome. Everyone loved it.

So, when I am not hauling something out of my homemade freezer stash, I'm figuring out ways to get dinner on the table quickly easy and healthfully so I have enough time to take good care of myself without compromising mealtimes around here.
 

And it's working. I'm thrilled to share that by making more of an effort to move daily, and connecting with friends for walks a few times/week, I have lost 9 lbs in 9 weeks (!!!) in that friendly weight-loss challenge my friends and I embarked on. Want a kick in the pants too? See the small product that made a difference in my fitness journey. I truly cannot say enough good things about how something so simple has inspired me to re prioritize how I spend my days.

Here's to us all figuring the dinner gig out, and taking even better care of ourselves along the way.

Alrighty, so if a bit of time passes before the next blog post you'll know I'm just getting my skinny on, walking around town with friends… so be sure to wave if we pass each other.

Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links that help run the full plate blog. Thank you for helping to keep this blog going!

another rave review… and more bonus hours to relish

Shhh… it's been quieter than normal around here because I've been doing a little digital detox while I am treating myself to round two of Dr. Hyman's 10 Day Detox {if you're curious about my first experience, click here}. But, I just had to pop on to share a recent rave review of my Stock Your Freezer in a Snap Program.

Trust me when I say that having a stocked freezer is the key to happiness when spring sports roll around. Last night, after a back-to-back school baseball game, then a town baseball team practice {and a wildly exciting tour of various playgrounds for my younger child}, I put some of our frozen "Power Pesto" into play. The kids had decadent Power Pesto Grilled Cheeses and my husband and I had {detox-friendly} baked cod {which I defrosted before heading out to the games} with a nice thick crust of this pesto. Both baked while homework was getting done and I was restoring order to the laundry room {not the sexiest use of my "bonus hour", but a necessary one}. Anyway, delish. And it sure beats take-out.

Want to learn how to make a big batch and freeze it too? I walk you, step-by-step, through shopping, cooking, freezing and thawing nourishing meals, like this Power Pesto, in my Stock Your Freezer in a Snap Program.

For a limited time, my Stock Your Freezer in a Snap Program is being offered at 50% off, to encourage even more moms to give it a try! Click here to find out more, and to order the instantly downloadable program that wins rave reviews.

P.S. No, that's not cod. That's Chicken with a Pesto Crust. In my haste to fold something like 14 loads of laundry, I forgot to take a photo of our Pesto Crusted Cod. But, the next time we make it {since it will definitely stay in the spring rotation being so easy and delicious} I'll try to remember to snap a pic for you all.

ahh, those "bonus hours". bliss, i tell you.

photo credit:  Real Mom Nutrition

OK, so I am not the only one who swoons when dinner is figured out simply by opening my freezer door. Check out what Real Mom Nutrition had to say about my "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program.

Oh, and she's giving away a copy too, so head over there and see if this is your lucky week!

SPRING SALE on Stock Your Freezer in a Snap!

Last weekend, we piled the family into the car and took off for another family skiing adventure. And after a day of trying to keep up with my kids {double black glades? no thank you-- mom will meet you at the bottom}, I got to put my feet up, enjoy a glass of wine by the fire and play a board game with my family {...instead of making dinner!}. Smells of dinner filled the condo, and I didn't have to lift a finger. OK, I did turn the oven on, and take the lid off the container.

Yet another reminder of the complete awesomeness that is my Stock Your Freezer in a Snap program.

As a special Spring treat to all of my readers, I am offering the instantly downloadable ebook program at 50% off for a limited time. Here's the scoop on the program, and what it includes.

So, snap one up for yourself, and feel free to tell all of your friends who might also crave "bonus hours"!

Cheers, from my kitchen to yours! - Eila

spread the joy of a freezer stocked with in a snap!

I am beyond thrilled that so many families will be stocking their freezers and sitting down to family dinners in the new year. {But really, it's the collective number of "bonus hours" that will be enjoyed across the country that make this busy mom smile!}

For those that may have missed the exciting announcement, the 2-for-1 offer runs through December 31st, 2013! You can spread the joy to a friend, relative, co-worker… anyone who you know wants to sit down to family dinners in the New Year, but needs a plan that includes simple family-friendly recipes, done-for-you shopping lists, and an easy-to-follow plan. Click here for all of the details. 

Cheers to the happiest of holidays, and freezers overflowing with deliciousness!  - Eila

the gift of a stocked freezer! {two-for-one special holiday offer}

Wondering what thoughtful gift you could give that would truly bring joy and ease into someones busy life?

I recently stopped by a friend's home who is doing the "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program, and she excitedly showed off her stocked freezer.

Later that same day, another friend texted me this photo of her freezer jam-packed with deliciousness.

Which got me to thinking, as I restocked my own freezer with a few of our all-time favorite recipes... In this time of giving, wouldn't it be nice to give a friend, relative or co-worker  the know-how to stock their freezer with nourishing, delicious meals? So, I am offering a very special holiday promotion to my Full Plate blog readers: for every person who purchases the "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program {$49.99} between now and December 31st, 2013, you will have the chance to give an instant download of the same easy-to-follow cook ahead program to one friend, co-worker, or family member as well!

This two-for-one special is guaranteed to make your life easier, and bring a tremendous amount of joy into someone else's busy life!

The fine print: upon receipt of payment, you will be sent a link, from SendOwl, to download the complete program {which includes: done-for-you shopping lists, helpful packaging information, simple recipes laid out in manageable cooking days, and a set of my tried-and-true personal chef recipes that freeze beautifully-- more info on the recipes can be found here}. I will then reach out to you, within 48 hours, for the email address of your friend, relative or co-worker, and have a complimentary download sent to them, entitled "Gift Download of the 'Stock Your Freezer in a Snap' program". You will also receive an email, from me, which will describe the program, which you can either print out and wrap, or email to your gift recipient, so they know the download is from you!

So if you have been on the fence, now is the time to purchase the program and look forward to a New Year of nourishing, delicious family dinners... even on the busiest of days. Happy Holidays!!

calm, delicious night? thank you, freezer!

There is really nothing better than having meals at the ready, particularly as the holiday season ramps up and I'd rather enjoy a glass of wine by the fire, or some simple downtime to look at Christmas cards, versus frantically try to get a family dinner ready when we roll home and it's cold and dark.

So, I'd like to encourage even more of you busy parents to stock your own freezers in a snap.

Because you are cooking ahead, you aren't cooking all the time.  A little cooking here and there, some tried and true recipe and some know-how about how to freeze meals successfully and you'll be enjoying nourishing, delicious family dinners {and a "bonus hour" while they cook!!}. 

I do this stocking of my freezer once during the Fall, and then fill in with a re-stock of a few recipes here and there, and then I do a big restock of meals once more during the winter. I know that there is always a homemade meal on hand, which takes the stress out of mealtime.

Sound like something you would like to try, either now or after the holidays? This self-paced program is just $49.99, and you will receive an email {from SendOwl} with instant access.

For all of the nitty gritty on the Stock Your Freezer in a Snap program, click here. Cheers to "bonus hours" and to feeding our families well, even on the busiest of days!!

Holiday Feast in a Snap - A Simple Make Ahead Plan is here!

It's here! Let the "bonus hours" rack up!! After many, many requests, I finally found enough time to sit down and write-up my annual plan for a {sane} Thanksgiving feast. {Because it didn't do you any good if it was all in my head, now did it?} I know that you're thinking: "A calm, planned-for-me Thanksgiving cooking plan?! Sign me up!"

I love Thanksgiving. And part of the reason is because I get a lot of my shopping and cooking done ahead of time. No one wants a stressed out mom or hostess. 

So, if the thought of hosting the feast overwhelms you, or you're picturing a Thanksgiving spent captive in your kitchen, then my instantly downloadable booklet is for you. 

Or maybe you're wondering what delicious sides you can make ahead of time and bring to Aunt Melba's as your offering? Pick one from my plan that is sure to please! I've got you covered with  plenty of simple recipe ideas, each with its own done-for-you shopping list. 

This instantly downloadable program will take you through everything from brining your turkey to making {the best} homemade gravy...

simple cranberry sauce to

more unique, but equally easy {and crowd pleasing}, side dishes like savory roasted apples and

a super-healthy, cranberry-pecan quinoa salad with orange vinaigrette.

And since someone always wants decadent potatoes, I teach you how to make my favorite potato and root veggie gratin

alongside my healthier maple mashed sweet potatoes.

And, of course, a nice green veggie to round the meal out-- your choice of two of my favorites that are simple to make-- shredded Brussels sprouts or green beans in a mustard vinaigrette.

The booklet {which will come to you as an instant download from SendOwl} includes:

• done-for-you shopping lists for the entire feast, as well as individual shopping lists for each recipe {which people say is probably the most valuable part of this program... talk about a time-saver!}
• a done-for-you list of pantry items {so you can stock up ahead of time... like now, before the holiday grocery marketing rush!}
• a done-for-you list of my go-to cooking equipment {plus each recipe details the cooking equipment and baking dishes you'll need, so you're totally organized}
• a step-by-step, day-by-day, cooking plan leading up to the feast {to keep overwhelm in check! repeat after me: "I will be a guest at the feast too this year"}
• a simple cooking/reheating plan for the day of the feast {so you get to relax and enjoy the holiday too-- remember, no frazzled mom/hostess this go round!}
• and, a set of my all-time favorite holiday recipes {culled down from binders and binders of ideas to a doable # of family favorites: dry turkey brine, homemade gravy, simple stuffing, port-apricot cranberry sauce, maple mashed sweet potatoes, potato and root vegetable gratin, cranberry-pecan quinoa salad, savory roasted apples, and shaved Brussels sprouts or green beans with mustard vinaigrette}

 

P.S. Once Thanksgiving is so stress-free, you might also like to check out the "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program, which helps you feed your family well on the busiest of {non-holiday} days. Cheers to "bonus hours"... even around the holidays!