When Life Gives You Craziness, Respond by Making…

{Imagine a countertop with 10 gallon size baggies. If you’re curious, they look like this.}

In order to prepare for all the craziness that will become my life in the next 4 weeks, I’ve decided to take the stress out of at least 1 area of my life…dinner. Between the contracts, earnest money checks, meetings, inspections, bubble wrap and packing tape, there’s the last week of VBS so the boys can spend every last minute with their favorite friends. And there’s the good-byes with our friends and church family. And our family.

And there’s the actual moving out of the house. And the cleaning of the empty house.

Plus there’s a weekend trip to Los Angeles for a training. Followed by a weekend trip to New York for BlogHer.

Then we move.

Crazy times ahead, friends.

C~R~A~Z~Y

In an attempt to maintain some level of sanity (although I feel like there is very little left in there), I made up some slow cooker packs. These are mostly for the guys to enjoy while I’m away. Plus I made 2 “stir-fry” packs to make while I’m home.

Simplify.

I know myself well enough to know that I’d be way too tempted to just go out for dinner, order a pizza or bring in take-out. But I also know that we are pinching every single penny that we have to make this move possible. I pulled out many of these ingredients from the pantry and freezer (because cleaning out the pantry is crucial at this point!), then bought the rest of what we needed. So now we’ve saved both time and money on dinner. Oh, and sanity too. (That’s most important at this point!)

I spent an hour yesterday morning making up 10 packs for the freezer…8 for the slow cooker, 2 to stir-fry. With each of these, I dumped all the ingredients in a gallon size ziploc. To cook, I will thaw partially, then slow cook on low for 8 hours. For the stir-fry packs, I will thaw partially, then stir-fry and serve over rice.

Chicken Stir-Fry

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 4 cups frozen stir-fry veggies
• 2 tsp Sesame oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce

Beef Stir-Fry

• 3/4 lb stir-fry beef
• 4 cups frozen stir-fry veggies
• 2 tsp Sesame oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce

Beef Curry (2 packs)

• Used this recipe with 3/4 lb stir-fry beef, instead of chicken thighs

Chicken Curry (2 packs)

• Used this recipe with chicken breasts, instead of thighs
• Note: This is one of my boys’ all-time favorite meals!

Black Bean, Corn, Salsa Chicken (2 packs)

• 2 chicken breasts
• 15 oz can corn, drained
• 15 oz can black beans, drained
• 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper

Italian Beef and Potatoes

• 3/4 lb stir-fry beef
• 2 cups baby carrotis
• 2 cups red potatoes, quartered
• 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp minced onion
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Italian Chicken and Potatoes

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 cups baby carrots
• 2 cups red potatoes, quartered
• 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp minced onion
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

And the moment I finished, I felt like I got about 1/4 of my sanity back. Because now I don’t have to worry about dinner. Now I can use that 1/4 of my sanity to make sure all the paperwork is in line for the move, make sure my children have clothes on before we leave the house for VBS, and make sure that we get to all of our last doctor and speech/OT therapy appointments before we head south.

If you think about it, say a prayer for our family as we make this transition! Thanks friends!