Chill MAMAs

Next Month's Meals

2011-02-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

Great meeting for our new group - Welcome Sonya and Liz!!

Here's our next menu for Feb/March:

Kat: Cheesy Chicken Bundles & Mustard Oregano Chops

Kameo: Apple Cranberry Pork Loin & Sesame Soy Sirloin

Kris: Royal Thai Thighs & BBQ Beef

Sonya: Mango Cranberry Chicken & Roadhouse Taco Filling

Liz: Honey Glazed Chicken & Rose City Teriyaki

Shawnee: Bruschetta Chicken Bake & Garlic Studded Pork Loin

We're looking at the first or second week in March - send me your choice of evenings!!

Swap Day!

2011-01-31T05:58:00.000-08:00

First swap for our new group is this Thursday, February 3 at 7pm - Rolling Hills Community Church.

Here's the line-up:

Kat: Orange Teriyaki Chicken, Flank Steak in Soy Marinade

Kris: Chicken Souvlaki and Asian Steaks

Kameo: Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Liz: Sweet Asian Chicken and Margarita Pork Chops

Sonya: Chicken Mirabella and Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Shawnee: Pecan Crusted Chicken Strips and 3-Packet Pot Roast

(only one S&S meatballs so let me know who's changing)

November's Menu

2010-11-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know we're cooking so far.

Shawnee: Mini Cheddar Meatloaves, BBQ Chicken
Patricia: Taco Soup, Chicken/Broccoli/Rice Casserole
Kat: Chilada Bake and Orange Teriyaki Chicken
Kameo:
Kris:
Carey: We'll miss you!!

It's Swapping Time

2010-10-31T14:32:00.001-07:00

How does the time slip away? It's already Halloween and we're getting ready to swap again next week! Our group seems to be going through some growing pains and may change and re-work itself. And that's okay. Things need to be flexible if they're going to continue to bless your family!

Meal Directions:

Some of our meal directions are rubbing off of the packages, especially a problem if they're not from the Fix, Freeze, Feast book. Let's post the cooking directions here!

Basil Crusted Pork Roast

Baking Directions:
Thaw thoroughly. Bake on a rack at 325° F for three hours or until done to taste. Drippings make a delicious gravy.

Serving Suggestion:
Baked Potatoes and Applesauce

Per Serving (excluding oil since using a rack): 246 Calories; 14g Fat (53.0% calories from fat); 24g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 75mg Cholesterol; 70mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 3 Lean Meat; 1 Fat

Happy Birthday!

2010-05-31T21:55:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful friend Shawnee celebrated her birthday Sunday. We all love her and appreciate everything she does!

April 2010 Menu

2010-04-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

Check out all those delicious meals and such cute ladies, too! =) Kameo's son took our picture for us.

April Menu Selections

Kameo: Shrimp Curry and An's Pork Chops

Kat: Orange Teriyaki Chicken and Party Enchiladas

Pat: Pecan Crusted Chicken Strips and Honey & Spice Pork Kebobs

Carey: Chicken Cordon Bleu and Crunchy Pork Chops

Kris: Asian Steaks and Ziti Bake

Shawnee: Grilled Steak Mojito and Lemon Feta Chicken

We're swapping on the last Thursday of the month, the 29th , at 7:00 pm. Bring your cookbooks and we'll decide on May's menu, too. Let's talk about summer while we're at it.

February Swap

2010-02-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

February, the month of LOVE, goes so fast! Here's what we have planned for next week's Supper Swap:

Carey: Beef & Bean Burritos and Party Enchiladas

Kameo:

Kat: Asian Chicken and Peppered Flank Steak

Kris:

Patricia: Crockpot Taco Soup and Cheesy Chicken Bundles

Shawnee: Rolled Flank Steak and Crockpot Taco Chicken

Happy New Year - January Supper Swap

2010-01-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry for neglecting this poor supper swapping blog! We Chill MAMAs swap differently in the winter .... in November, we swapped one meal and one appetizer/dessert to keep costs down. Then, we did not swap in December, both to save money AND because everyone's at so many parties and such so not cooking home meals as much.

January is back to a routine! I'm getting ready to send out reminder emails for our swap on the Last Thursday, so January 28. Put on your thinking caps for your two favorite meals to swap. It will be so lovely to see everyone again.

I'll probably make something from my new slow cooker cookbook, "Make It Fast, Cook It Slow" by Stephanie O'Dea. Her book deal came from her blog, http://crockpot365.blogspot.com, where she made and posted a slow cooker recipe EVERY DAY in 2008. The site is still active, but I personally like having a book to flip through. Plus the book has pork recipes where her website didn't really. As a bonus, she modifies her meals to be Gluten Free and lists the how-tos in every recipe. YUMM!! Let me know if you've tried this keeper.

October 29 Swap

2009-11-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

What's on the menu for October??

Carey: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Pinwheel Flank Steak
Kameo: Rose City Teriyaki Flank Steak, Teriyaki Chicken
Kat: Taco Soup, Peppered Flank Steak
Kris: Crockpot BBQ Beef, Spinach Lasagna Rolls (minus feta)
Patricia: Three Packet Pot Roast, Cheesy Chicken Bites
Shawnee: Beef Enchilada Bake, Stromboli

Swapping Next Thursday, 10/29

2009-10-21T06:48:00.001-07:00

Thanks so much for coming over last week, Mamas. I had a great time, and loved everything you brought. I know we ate a little late but thanks, Carey, for the veggie tray for an appetizer that tided us over, and Kameo's virgin Pina Colada-tasting slushies were yummy, as was the home-made wheat bread. Kat, your discipline encourages us and those warm Hawaiian Rolls were delish. Patricia, so glad you're experimenting with all things pumpkin this week and graced us with two desserts. Kris, sorry you had a tough time making it, but perfect timing for drinks and the home canned goodies.

Sorry we went a little over timewise and Kameo/Kat had to leave. The remaining four of us finished up our food discussion that night, reviewed as many of the recipes as we could remember, and talked a bit more about how the swap's been going.

We did also agree to try to remember to keep the food equitable - plan on spending at least $100 per month and that's buying meat from at Costco prices or on the loss leader super-sale-price at the grocery stores.

As a group, we still need to talk about December ... month off or desserts/appetizers again?

A couple of other food requests:

not too many "sweet" meats
no or light onions (leave on the side if possible)
soups (unless a meaty entree-type) should include a side dish or bread, unless we're going for a soup month and everyone makes one

If you have anything else at add, please feel free to reply all.

This group has been a real blessing for our family. I hope for yours, too. Send me menu choices by Friday so everyone can shop/prep this weekend and see you at RHCC, 7pm, to swap next week.

Hugs-
Shawnee

September 09 Supper Swap

2009-09-22T19:57:00.001-07:00

Don't last month's meals look yummy??? There's a lot of love in those bags!

SEPTEMBER MEALS:

Patricia: Chicken Parmigiana and Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Shawnee: Crockpot Beef Stroganoff and Lil' Cheddar Meatloaves
Kris: Baked Ziti and Asian Flank Steak
Kameo: Chili and Honey Pork Kebobs
Kat: Baked Macaraoni & Cheese, and Sweet Chicken
Carey: Cinco Layer Bake, Molasses Rum Pork Rib, and last month's Buttermilk Chicken

We're back in the nursery area since AWANAs is in session again. See you at 7pm!!!

August's Meals

2009-08-25T16:42:00.001-07:00

Here's the lineup for 7:15 pm this Thursday -- AT CHURCH near the Cafe:

Patricia:
Beef Stir Fry
Wild Rice & Chicken Soup

Carey (delivering to church):
Buttermilk Chicken
Beef/Bean Burritos

Shawnee:
Herb Crusted Pork Chops
Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs

Kris:
Teriyaki Chicken
Souvlaki Chicken

Phae:
Chili Chilada Bake
Feta & Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Kameo:
An's Pork Chops
Cheese Steak Sandwiches

August Swap

2009-08-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies! Wow, the last Thursday of August is almost here!! We had talked about keeping our same "last Thursday" schedule. If so, that would mean doing a meal exchange next Thursday?

Everyone interested? Kameo, you had talked about your sister (I think is who you mentioned) would take Kat's place since she's not available. We can meet in our new place if you all are still interested.

Email or comment below if you ARE or are NOT wanting to swap next week and, if YES, what you'll bring. I've sent you my new address.

June's Menu

2009-06-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

Lots of yummy stuff planned for our swap on the last Thursday in June:

Patricia:
Divine Crockpot Chicken
Souvlaki Marinated Chicken Skewers

Kameo:
Turkish Pork Loin Chops
Veggie Lasagna

Kris:
Cranberry Pork Roast
Asian Flank Steak

Kat:
Basil Grilled Chicken
Goulash

Carey:
Cheesy Chicken Bites
Beef Chimichangas

Shawnee:
Molasses Rum Chicken
Pineapple Lemon Chicken

May 09 Menu - Swap Date 5/28/09

2009-05-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

SENT VIA EMAIL TO ALL MY MEMBERS

Hi Ladies ---

I have a horrible confession to make. I've been searching for DAYS for our meal plan for next week's swap, in order to post it on the Chill MAMAs blog, and I CANNOT find it anywhere!!! Can you please send me what you're making asap and I'll post. (And what I'm making this weekend......?!??!)

Kat:
Sweet Asian Chicken
Basil Balsamic Chops

Kameo:
Urban Chicken
Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Patricia:
3-Packet Pot Roast
Chicken Manicotti

Kris:
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Crockpot BBQ Beef

Shawnee:
Cam's Ribs
Cheese and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Carey:
Taco Soup
Chicken

April Menu - Swap Date April 30

2009-04-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies -- I forgot to post what everyone's cooking!! Here you go .... we're swapping on the last Thursday of the month again, so 4/30 at RHCC.

Kat:
Chicken Stroganoff (Dinners Ready P 146)
Broccoli & Chicken Bake (Dinners Ready P199)

Kameo:
Chicken Curry (FFF Page 26)
Carribean Pork Tenderloin (FFF P188)

Patricia:
Sweet and Sour Pork (Super Suppers P56)
Parmesan Chicken (Super Suppers P79)

Kris:
Carribean Pork Over Rice (Dream Dinners P167)
Sake and Soy Marinated Salmon (Dream Dinners P212)

Shawnee:
Mustard Oregano Chops (FFF)
Crockpot Taco Chicken ( Personal)

Carey:
Beef and Bean Burritos (FFF P76)
Teriyaki Chicken (FFF P59)

Cooler on Wheels

2009-04-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

One of your best friends in Supper Swapping has to be a cooler on wheels. Now that spring is here, BBQ and camping items are in the stores. I found rolling coolers at my Costco for $29.99 (or MAYBE $39.99). Several years ago, I found my favorite cooler at Target -- it's hot pink and I feel so stylish toting that darlin' full of food. I also own several of these blue ones from my freezer meal business and these were a life-saver.

I will tell you that I also own one with a split-top and I really don't like as much as I thought I would.

I highly recommend some sort of wheeled cooler for everyone in your group. You'd be surprised at how heavy 12 frozen meals are and LOTS of backs will be saved with this one investment!

March Baking Directions

2009-03-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

Here are directions for the non-FFF recipes:

Adobo Pork Chops (unlabeled bag): Defrost. Once defrosted, place chops in bag with marinade and place in a shallow dish. Marinate in the refrigerator 2-24 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Drain chops, discarding marinade. For a charcoal grill, grill chops on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 8-11 minutes or until chops are slightly pink in center and juices run clear. turning over once halfway through grilling. For a gas grill, preheat grill and reduce heat to medium. Place chops on a grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (unlabeled foil pan): Defrost. Preheat the oven to 350. Pour the milk into the baking dish. Bake, covered with aluminum foil, for 1-1/2 hours or until the cheese begins to bubble.

Bruschetta Chicken Bake: Defrost; preheat oven to 400, uncover and bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in middle. Serve with veggies or salad.

This is Swapping Week!

2009-03-23T09:05:00.001-07:00

Hi ladies! Hope you've been busy little bees, because we meet this Thursday night at 7:00 PM to swap out our meals. The church WILL be open - however, since there's no AWANAs, let's meet in the cafe area since there are all those tables we can set out our food on.

BRING WITH YOU ideas on what you want to cook for next month so our planning time will go super fast. Kameo - I have a Fix, Freeze, Feast cookbook for you, too, so please bring $10.

Hope you're planning a fun Spring Break, and I'll see you soon!!
Shawnee

Welcome KATU Viewers!

2009-03-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Chill MAMAs* (Make Ahead Meal Artists) are six mothers who meet monthly to swap frozen meals that we make at home using tasty recipes from Fix, Freeze, Feast and other once a month/freezer cooking cookbooks.

We save money (it only costs us between $90 - $120 for 12 meals) by following savvy shopping techniques, plus making multiples of a recipe allows us to take advantage of warehouse-sized packaging so we waste fewer ingredients. We save time both while assembling the meals (12 meals takes less than 2 hours this way) and also when we prepare and serve the meals to our families (all the time consuming and messy prep work is already done - we just cook/heat and eat).

While our families are different sizes and have different tastes, we've managed to work through these differences to the benefit of our pocketbooks and our families' schedules.

If you have a group of friends who are interested in becoming MAMAs* and starting your own dinner swap group, send an email to Shawnee for information about scheduling a Supper Swapping Secrets seminar. You can also visit Kati and Lindsay's Fix, Freeze, Feast website here.

If you heard about the MAMAs group from KATU, please take a minute and leave a comment below and tell us how YOU save time and money in the kitchen.

March 26, 2009 Menu

2009-03-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

Here's a reminder of what everyone is bringing to our next exchange on March 26, 7:00 pm at Rolling Hills Nursery:

Carey - Chicken Cordon Bleu (p24 FFF), Blackjack Steak (p96 FFF)
Kat - Bacon Cheddar Quiche (p36 Super Suppers 2), Lasagna (Kat's)
Patricia - Crockpot Beef Stroganoff (Shawnee's), Sweet Chicken (p80 Girlfriends on the Go)
Shawnee - Bruschetta Chicken Bake (p67 SS2), Rosemary Merlot Steaks (Shawnee)
Kris - Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole (Dream Dinners), Adobo Pork Chops (Kris')
Kameo - Party Enchiladas (p70 FFF), Sesame Soy Sirloin (p100 FFF)

Don't forget to watch/DVR/TiVo the KATU 11pm news on Friday night March 13 - our group's interview should be a part of their special report about freezer cooking!

-Shawnee

February 2009 Menu

2009-01-31T14:55:00.000-08:00

MAMAs, please leave comments about previous months' meals on those posts and I'll publish the summaries on the sidebar instead of the polls (which were hard to set up). Also, remember to visit the blog; that's where you'll find out the menu and when we're meeting. AND, I'd love if it you guys wanted to post, too. Or set up your own blog, too, and I can add your link to the sidebar, too.

February Menu so far, to be exchanged the last Thursday of February 7:00 pm at Rolling Hills Nursery:

Carey - Cinco Layer Bake, Sticky Drunk Pig on a Stick
Kat - Ritzy Chicken, An's Pork Chops (light ginger)
Patricia - Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs, Baked Potato Chowder
Shawnee - Cherry Skillet Chicken, Cam's Ribs
Kris - Rose City Teriyaki Steak, Baked Ziti
Kameo - Ginger Beef, Apple Cranberry Pork

-Shawnee

January 2009 Menu

2009-01-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

Don't forget, we're meeting Thursday night at RHCC, 6:45pm back in the nursery. Here's the menu:

Shawnee - Cranberry Pork Roast, and Tex Mex Steak Burritos

Patricia - Basil-Balsamic Chops and Sticky Ribs

Kris - Meatloaf and Thai Beef

Kate - Sweet Asian Chicken and Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Carey - Beef Fajitas and Teriyaki Chicken

PLEASE bring your Fix, Freeze, Feast cookbook along with any other cookbook you'd like to use to plan our February exchange. AND, we have room for one more participant ... bring suggestions.

ALSO, be prepared since a reporter and camera man will be there, too, for a portion of the evening. FUN!!

I'm having trouble keeping up with the "polls" on the right. Let's start leaving entree comments on the menu posting. Thanks!!

November Photos

2008-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of photos from our November exchange. I always forget to take the pictures, so part of them have already been separated into coolers. It's quite amazing to see all 70+ meals on the tables!!

Meals for December

2008-11-16T20:42:00.001-08:00

Hi Mamas! Here's what we decided on for December, one entree and one less expensive item. Laurie, let us know if you want to join us after all. We'll be meeting at the RHCC church nursery on December 11 around 7pm for the quick swap-a-roo. Come prepare with your ideas for January or send to everyone in an email ahead of time so we can keep the 11th super quick!

Patricia - Breakfast Egg Casserole
Mango Cranberry Chicken p36
Carey - Chicken Parmigiana p28
Chicken Noodle Soup
Kat - Cheesy Chilada Bake p78
Cheese Bites p193
Kris - Festive Potatoes
Apple Cranberry Pork Loin p129
Shawnee - Ponderoasta
Stuffed French Toast Bake

Sunday, December 7th is when we're scheduled to bake cookies and volunteer for the Doernbecher Holiday Cookie Bake, from 11 am to 3pm. This sounds like so much fun, and a great way to get a lot of baking done in a short amount of time. The kids will LOVE to decorate all those cookies we'll be bringing home!!

November's Meals

2008-10-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks for having us over, Kris. Here's a list of the meals the final four of us decided that night. If you want to change, just give a shout out. (Nobody volunteered to make everyone Thanksgiving dinner?!!? What's with that??)

We talked about possibly skipping December .. what do you all think?? I was also thinking maybe instead of meals that appetizers or desserts might be a fun change for Christmas time.

And, what do you think about testing inexpensive dishes on our own so we can do frugal meals the month of January? I know that's always a budget-stretching time of year for us.

Kat: Cinco Layer Bake (p. 62)
Salisbury Meatballs (p. 90)

Patricia: Chicken Cordon Bleu (p.24 )
Sesame Soy Sirloin (p. 100)

Kris: Chicken Ala King (p. 64)
Spaghetti Bake (own)

Carey : Party Enchiladas (p. 70)
Steak Skewers (p. 102)

Shawnee: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts (own)
Honey and Spice Pork Kabobs (p. 39)

Laurie: Peanut Satay (p. 54)
Ginger Beef (p. 105)

Rating the Meals

2008-10-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

I just added polls where you can rate the meals. We talked about a simple 3-level rating just so we can decide whether or not to use the recipe in the future. The categories are:

3 - Yummy, a swap keeper
2 - OK but not a favorite
1 - Let's not use again

Let me know what you think. And vote! September's meal polls will be up through the end of December, but rate as you use them.

Shawnee

PS - If you're having trouble remembering to defrost, try this: Take three meals out of the freezer on Sunday and place in the refrigerator in a plastic bowl. It helps!

October Supper Swap

2008-09-26T20:53:00.002-07:00

Hope you are all are enjoying your meals. I know we are!!

We are each again making six meals of one chicken recipe, and six of one other-meat recipe and will bring them frozen to our next swap gathering on ~~Tuesday~~ FRIDAY, October 17 - 7pm ~~again~~ at ~~Patricia's~~ Kris' home (Kris, we need directions). Thanks for offering, Kat and Patricia -- maybe next time!

Kat:
Mustard Oregano Chops (p. 150)
Honey Glazed Thighs (p. 56)

Patricia:
Cashew Chicken Stir Fry (p. )
Chili with Marie Calendar Cornbread Mix (p. 94)

Kris:
Molasses Rum Chicken (p. 37)
Baked Potato Chowder with Bread Mix (p. 167)

Carey (Hope is home!):
Mini Chicken Potpies (p. 68)
Beef Fajitas (p. 98)

Shawnee:
Urban Garlic Chicken (p. 72)
Mozzarella Meatballs (p. 88)

Laurie:
Tex Mex Chicken Fingers (p.)
Beef and Bean Burritos (p. 76)

September Supper Swap

2008-09-26T20:53:00.001-07:00

A few of the gals from my cooking class and I got together and decided to form a supper swap group, where we all make multiple meals at home and then bring them together frozen and swap them out. Thought you all might like to have a peek on what's happening with us.

Thanks for coordinating a great meeting, Patricia. Here's what we all agreed to make for our first swap, using the Fix Freeze Feast cookbook. Laurie (who was absent), let us know if you would like to substitute anything for our meal choices.

We all are making six meals of one chicken recipe, and six of one other-meat recipe and will bring them frozen to our next swap gathering on Tuesday, September 16 - 7pm at Patricia's home. We talked about making it a simple potluck but watch for specifics and directions soon.

Kat:
Chicken Broccoli Bake (p. 22)
Sweet and Sour Meatballs (p. 92)

Patricia:
Pecan Crusted Chicken Strips (p. 138)
Margarita Pork Chops (p. 118)

Kris:
Honey Mustard and Bacon Chicken Breasts (own recipe)
Baked Ziti (dream dinner cookbook)

Carey (soon to be a mommy again! Hope will be delivered around 9/19 in Alaska):
Chicken Parmigiana (p. 28)
4B's Flank Steaks (p. 98)

Shawnee:
Sweet Asian Chicken (p. 46)
Cam's Ribs (p. 124)

Laurie:
Teriyaki Chicken (p. 59)
Ginger Beef (p. 105)

Don't forget to try to snap some pictures of the process, and think up a cute name for our group. I'd like to start our own blog where we can post fun stuff!