If we all lived in a perfect world, we would plan out our meals in advance, shop for fresh, local and organic ingredients as we needed them, and always prepare delicious, wholesome meals for ourselves and our families – and have plenty of time to thoroughly enjoy the process!
But, in reality, our lives rarely resemble this “perfect” scenario. We may have the best of intentions and truly want to eat healthy, nutritious food every day, but the demands of family, work, school, community responsibilities, and financial and time constraints may leave us feeling like we’ve come up short in attaining our health and wellness goals. But, rather than throwing your hands up into the air and thinking it’s simply impossible, we at Tommy’s have a simple “life hack” that will place healthy meals within your reach. Put your freezer to work!
When you utilize the power of your freezer to preserve food, you not only cut down on food waste, but you also make meal preparation much easier. Here are a few suggestions from us about what to store in your freezer:
Sustainably sourced frozen fish
If you visit your local fish market, or simply head to the fish and seafood section of your favorite grocery store, you’ll see a large selection of frozen fish choices. Take the time to look for sustainably sourced seafood and don’t hesitate to ask if there are any local or regionally sourced options. Opt for buying frozen seafood without sauces or breaded toppings – that way you aren’t getting any unhealthy fats, calories or ingredients that might contain GMOs (genetically modified ingredients). Looking for suggestions about which Tommy’s vegetables medley pair perfect with fish? Read our blog post on the topic!
Bread
When it’s properly wrapped, bread freezes very well and tastes great after toasting or reheating. Whether it’s a loaf of sourdough, baguettes, pita or flatbread, or whole grain bagels, it’s quick and easy to grab a serving from the freezer and quickly reheat for a sandwich, snack or breakfast on the go.
FIND GREAT BREAD RECIPES & MORE ON SIMPLY RECIPES
Homemade stock
Whether your prefer vegetable or meat-based stock, keeping some in your freezer makes dinner preparation quick and easy. Stock adds a delicious boost of flavor to rice, pasta, soups or stir fries. When you make your own stock, you can easily cut out a great deal of the salt that is frequently found in store-bought, canned varieties. Additionally, you can experiment with different protein, vegetables and herb combinations to create a broth that is truly unique!
Stews and Soups
Soups and stews are super easy to freeze and can be portioned out over many lunches or dinners. Invest in a week’s worth of high quality freezer containers and a healthy and hearty meal is just a few minutes away. When you make your own soups and stews, you can reduce or eliminate ingredients like salt, dairy, or artificial preservatives, and instead, focus on the veggies, protein and seasonings that you love to eat!
OUT OF FROZEN SOUP? TRY NO-COOK CHILLED SOUPS FROM SERIOUS EATS
Colorful berries and fruit
Frozen fruit, and especially frozen berries, are super handy for a variety of meal, snack, and dessert choices. Add them to muffins, cookies, oatmeal, smoothies, ice cream or yogurt… the possibilities are almost endless and provide a healthy way to ease hunger and cravings for sweet treats.
Vegetables
Keeping your freezer stocked with frozen vegetables is a convenient way to make sure you’re getting the recommended daily serving of vegetables every day. Add frozen veggies into soup, stir-fries, pasta sauces… serve as a side dish or even as the main course! The key thing to remember with frozen vegetables is not to overcook them – that way you get the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients. When you purchase Tommy’s Superfoods frozen vegetable medleys, our cooking directions are clearly marked, easy to follow, and result in the absolute best taste.
RECIPES THAT USE TOMMY’S SUPERFOODS FROZEN VEGETABLES
So what are you waiting for? Take a look at your freezer and make a plan for putting it to work in helping YOU make the best meals possible. When you store the right kinds of foods in your freezer, healthy meals become easier to create – even when you’re running short on time.
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