Once-A-Month Cooking: An idea for a busy family

I decided it was about time to begin blogging again. Gees. I can't believe that all this time has passed since my last entry. I have actually kept an almost daily journal for years and years, but now with this new fangled thing of blogging, it may be a good time to do this also. Where does one begin? I think I will begin with my New Years Resolution: Once a Month Cooking.

Over time, I have grown less fond of cooking, and more fond of doing nothing but watching the news when dinner time comes around. To counter this new stage of "Lazy", I went online and ordered the book "Once-A-Month Cooking" by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg. Years ago when the children were young, Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program interviewed these two ladies as they discussed their reason behind this book. I did not adopt the program because it seemed that it required much more money up front than we were able to put out on needed supplies. In retrospect, and now that I have put up three months worth of entrees, I can see that putting up just one month would have been attainable. Furthermore, over time I have noticed I am spending much less money at the grocery store: fewer trips mean less wasteful spending on impulsive buys...especially when Davy is the shopper. There is no keeping Davy away from the donuts and cookies!

Once-A-Month Cooking is a foolproof method of getting dinner on the table that's perfect for anyone who doesn't always want to cook, but who wishes they had something prepared and ready to go. Now this begs several questions: How can someone cook a whole month's worth of meals, especially on a limited budget? What to do about extra freezer containers/casserole dishes required? And how does this benefit the family?

*Chapters are set up in 2 and 4 week Entree plan selections*

There is no need to cook up a whole month ahead because the book also offers two week entree plans. This helps to soften the up front cost of preparing ahead for a month.

*Clear instructions for pre-cook day preparations*

a) Equipment needed
b) Grocery shopping list for selected Entree plans (money saving buying trips are discussed).
c) Freezer containers required
d) Cooking and assembly order and labeling
e) Menu ideas to compliment entrees
f) Serving suggestions

*Creative ideas for freezing entrees are offered so that casserole dishes are not used for freezer storage.*

*Benefits for the family*

Flexibility, and quick home cooked meals to name only a few. Entertaining is a snap with less time cooking, more time visiting! Increased quality family time around the table, healthy leftovers (we always have some), are two advantages to this program I appreciate.

I have now used up a month of entrees. So far, every meal we have eaten has been relished! I give this program a 4 out of 5 Star rating. The only thing that would have made this a perfect five star is if I didn't have to cook up anything at all. And unfortunately, these two fine authors have no program for Once-A-Month dishwashing...

I ordered my book off of Amazon.com for $13.99, plus shipping and handling. The cost is modest, and the benefits unmeasurable.