Day 9: With all the running around...What's for Dinner?

     I think for many of us, dinner becomes an issue very often when you are running short of time but this is especially the case around the Holiday Times. I do not know whether people drive crazier, are out more or what but it seems it takes longer to get home. Sometimes by the time you do you feel like you're done for the day. Except, you have to figure out dinner and for those of us who are trying to eat better, eating out is not always an option.

     I admire all my fellow bloggers who at this point, have gotten good about navigating menus at restaurants. I know there are choices out there but for me, but I try to avoid eating out as much as I can. I feel like I have not reached a point where my old habits won't take over, and  overeating is something that I relate to eating out because it is one of my triggers. The savings from not eating out much is just an added bonus ha!

     Because I want to avoid the eating out dilemma, I try to always have something that is going in the trusty crockpot in the morning or something that will quick to cook. It takes just a bit of planning and a lot of determination. With the chilly nights, I love eating soups. I have been such a fan of my crockpot ever since I was introduced to it. Stews and Soups are my go to meals during the Holiday Time. Last year, inspired by Pinterest I did the whole freezer cooking and it worked out pretty well. This year, I have not been as good about having the pre packed bags. However, as long as you have cut up meats in the freezer (unless you're vegetarian), frozen vegetables and some sort of liquid , you are set!
 So here are some ideas for quick meals:

     1- Keep your meats portioned out in the freezer. I have packs of stew beef, chicken breasts, pork chops and even sausage bagged up. I can throw whichever one into the crockpot while I am eating breakfast, add a few servings of frozen veggies of my choice, some veggie or chicken stock (homemade when I have it), crank up it up and come home to a yummy smelling house and a nice hot meal for your tummy. Cut up some fruit for dessert and you've got it done!

     2- Be friends with George Foreman. I love mine, I got it for real cheap on clearance several years ago. The detachable plates make for easy clean up and is as close as I can get to grilling when its cold out. Whenever I buy chicken breasts, I bag them up in portions ( I cook for two) along with some quick marinade and dried herbs. That way the night before, I can put them in the fridge to thaw out. As they thaw up they marinate and then I  cook them right on the George . If I don't want to deal with George, I can either throw them into a pan or in our little convection oven to bake.

     3- Keep ready made sides in your fridge. I cut up squash and onions and bag them up. I also love onions, pepper and corn mixed together. I make baggies and throw them frozen in a pan. As it thaws out, the liquid helps it steam and cook. If you eat rice, you can also bag steamed rice in portioned out baggies that heat up in a jiffy. It sure beats those meals in a box! I have also frozen pre cooked pasta (a little undercooked) portions just fine and throw them in the pot with some yummy sauce to thaw out and be ready.

 These are just some of the things I do so that I can stay on track with my eating no matter what the rush is like. Sometimes it would be easier to just stop by and grab something quick but It would not be the best for me at this stage. So What is your quick go to  meal??