Freezer Meals for the New Year (Round #3)

It's that time of year again in our house, time for some freezer meals! In the last year, we have tried to change a lot about what we eat in our home. Our goal has been to cut out as much processed food as possible and focus on eating whole fresh foods. Do we do this all the time? Nope. Do we eat 100% clean? Nope. I read a blog not too long ago that talked about eating clean 85% of the time and I loved that, because it's unrealistic for our family to think we are going to eat 100% fresh/not processed food for a few reasons… finances, access to fresh foods, and being social (community group, potlucks, church, etc). 

Here's a few recipes that we are trying this time! The only ones we've tried before are the Taco Chicken Bowls, Zucchini Chicken Alfredo (our fav), and Chili. The other recipes are newbies, so don't kill me if they're not your favorite! We can try them together ;) I'll post reviews on this blogpost once we've gotten through all the new recipes! 
**Updates, reviews are up at the bottom of each recipe! 

The thing I try to remember is that you can substitute things to make almost anything with whole/fresh foods! I substituted all the canned foods (tomatoes, etc) for fresh and diced it myself! Anything you can't buy fresh or frozen that you have to buy canned (like beans), buy organic! I also made a batch of homemade salsa for any recipes that needed that! 

I doubled most of these (except the curry because I wanted to make sure we like it first) and we have 13 freezer meals now! It took me an hour and 35 minutes to finish prepping 13 meals. Totally worth it y'all! :) Enjoy! 

Citrus Chicken (for the grill)

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-citrus-grilled-chicken/

My review: This was delicious!! Trevor doesn't normally love "citrus" flavored things but even he loved this! :) 

Thai Chicken Massaman Curry 

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-slow-cooker-thai-chicken-massaman-curry/ 

My review: This was also great! I only made one because I wasn't sure how it would come out. We liked it! It's probably not a meal we would make regularly but it was nice to try something new! I didn't make the slaw part because hubby is not into slaw, so I bet it would be even better with that added! 

Fiesta Chicken Soup

http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/09/slow-cooker-fiesta-chicken-soup/

My review: I thought this was decent but Trevor LOVED it! He constantly asks for me to make this one now! It has a nice little kick too (which is probably why I don't LOVE it like he does, because I'm a wimp ;)) 

Zucchini Alfredo Sauce (with chicken)

http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2014/05/diet-crockpot-recipe-alfredo-sauce.html

My review: This is a staple in our house now! We never make regular alfredo anymore and Trevor & Landon both love it! :) It's a super healthy meal with great taste! 

Taco Chicken Bowls

http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/07/taco-chicken-bowls/

My review: Another staple in our house! We love this meal too! 

Chili 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/its-chili-by-george/

My review: This is a great chile! Hubs is pretty picky about chile and he likes this one!

Beef Fajitas

1 lb round steak (sliced into strips)

Bell peppers

Onions

Add any veggies you like in your fajitas and season it once in the skillet! I just thaw it out the night before and dump it in the skillet a few minutes before dinner :) 

My review: Fajitas are fajitas! You either like them or you don't! I love them, Trevor not so much…so I make them every once in a while. He did enjoy the beef more than the chicken though since we eat chicken ALL THE TIME. ;)