Looking for any pointers on time saving tips,cooking methods, and storing ideas.
I've been at the 6 meal a day thing for years, I spend 2 days/week preparing my meals and freezing them so they are ready. Any info you can share may be helpful for oldies & newbies. Basically I measure out 4-5 days of each meal cook and freeze in individual bags.
I'm trying to be green and not use so many baggies. Has anyone tried the ziploc or reynolds vaccuum bag sealers? Is there any good plastic wear for freezing items?
I recently tried slow cooking some meals and that works well-any tips on that?
Or anything not to do/try?

Great question Leslie. I look forward to hearing if anyone has any great replies. I am in the same predicament and any time savers will be much appreciated. Especially during the summer where I would rather spend my time doing fun things outside, not stuck in a kitchen prepping foods.

Hey guys....I have used the ziploc vaccum bags. They are great, I can buy in bulk, seperate and refreeze. I even do berries that way. I also use the rubbermaid plastic containers. I use the ones with 2 sections, put rice and meat in one and veggies in the other. They stack great and go from freezer to microwave. I have a steamer that is three tiers. I put a weeks worth of white pot. on bottom, sweet pot. on 2nd level and rice on top. Set for 40 minutes and go do whatever. It's a super time saver. It's also a healthier way to cook. I also use each tier for rice and spice each level differently to mix up the taste. You can use about 3 seperate ramikins on each level with rice already measured. Tastes great everytime. A tupperware microwave steamer is great too.

i cant stand to cook multiple day meals guess im lucky with personal training business or just love to cook. the most i cook for a day is breakfast the nmake lunch and pack a pudding of muscle provider and oats and macadamia nut oil

for the arnold weekend i cooked six meals to bring with me up there. it was torture but it looked so organized and sanitary in their matching cheap walmart plastic containers.

quote:

Originally posted by JoeDaniels:
i cant stand to cook multiple day meals guess im lucky with personal training business or just love to cook. the most i cook for a day is breakfast the nmake lunch and pack a pudding of muscle provider and oats and macadamia nut oil

for the arnold weekend i cooked six meals to bring with me up there. it was torture but it looked so organized and sanitary in their matching cheap walmart plastic containers.

HAHAA wal-mart........ I know that my diet i don't see too much flexibility in the cooking. Maybe I'm just not caring enough to get creative

Leslie,

Here is my routine, its quick.

Sunday I cook my 7 beef patties I need for the week while answering emails. Takes 20 mins tops. Then I cook 14 turkey patties I need for the week. I broil them on a large oven sheet with a pan under it for the grease. Put patties in baggies and freeze.

Each morning I cook my eggs, oats and blueberries, never pre-prepare them ahead of time.

While eggs are cooking I weigh potato and I put in Ziploc steamer for 6 mins. Then I weigh out my rice (I use uncle bens that is already cooked and heat it up at work). I put oats in a baggy that I eat with meal 3 and cook them later at work. Weigh my only protein shake.

ABout then my eggs are done, I cook my oats, eat and Im ready to head out the door.

Its all of about 20 mins tops each morning.

Id NEVER have the patience or time to cook 5 days worth of all meals. Nor the capacity to store them all properly in my fridge in containers.

exactly takes up too much space my lady likes the fridge clean. now if she can only get me to keep the house free of my clutter.....

Good info, but it really doesnt take up that much room in the fridge. I pre-cook most of my meals b/c most week days I'm gone from 7am -8pm atleast. This allows me to relax somewhat in the evenings.
Shar is the 3 tier steamer the one for pasta?
Sounds good where can I find it?

quote:

Originally posted by HealthNut:
Good info, but it really doesnt take up that much room in the fridge. I pre-cook most of my meals b/c most week days I'm gone from 7am -8pm atleast. This allows me to relax somewhat in the evenings.
Shar is the 3 tier steamer the one for pasta?
Sounds good where can I find it?

Yeah Im gone from 8am to 8pm too. I still cook the meals in the morning, just not the meats. I couldnt devote 2-3 hrs to food prep at one time, id go nuts.

You can get the steamers at Meijer, Target, I'm not sure about Wal-mart. As far as pasta, I've never tried it. These you can put meat, veggies anything in it. The potatos actually come out moist, not dry like a baked potatoe. You can get them in different sizes as well. They range anywhere from $30 to $70 depending on brand and size. They are so great, I usually turn the timer on and go to work,gym,run errands, when I get back all it's all done then I package it up. So the only real time it takes it to clean the pot. and put them in the steamer it's enough for the week. I will see if I can send you a link.

Thanks-I'll check into today.
Also, I peel my sweet potatoes and don't always pre-cook them. They stay fine in a rubbermaid in fridge, unlike the whites, they don't turn brown.

Send the link if you can Shar, I'd be interested in that steamer too.

I checked out target. They have a 2 tier steamer for 29.99, the 3 tier you can order online see link:
http://www.target.com/gp/searc...=sr_bx_1_6&x=14&y=13

Several steamers:
http://www.bizrate.com/ricecoo...-3+tier+steamer.html

Stainless steel steamer:
http://www.cooking.com/product...rodde.asp?SKU=767713

Robbi, looks like it would be helpful. It must be a girl thing or OCD..I'm pretty OCD about the whole contest prep in general.

Hey Robbi..Walmart also has several. They are really great.
I agree Leslie...I'm OCD x 2 about everything...lol.

http://www.walmart.com/cservice/writeReview.do
Ratings and Reviews
4.6 out of 5
(7 Customer Ratings)

$34.96
Deni 3-Tier Food Steamer, White

Thanks Shar, you have given me a few choices and that is much appreciated. I will check them out and get one on order.

BTW, OCD has to be a character trait I think in order to be a physique competitor. That and addictive personalities. I have both. LOL.

LOL....I know what you mean. My doctor even told me I was addicted to exercise....lol. I tell people that I have to really be careful with new things because of my addictive personality. It's a good thing that I don't drink....I would be a lush...lol.

I bought the 2-tier steamer at Target- b/c I didn't have to order it. I've used it once, and I think I will like it. Pretty cool to just throw everything in and walk away. Thanks Shar-good idea! You guys might want to try it too.