Frozen Food for Optimal Health and Savings

By Donna Stark

Did you know that March is National Frozen Food Month? I am so happy to see that frozen food is being put in the spotlight because it has definitely come a long way from those salty TV dinners and neon-colored ice pops I grew up on as a kid. These days, we are seeing a surge in meal planning and homemade dinners filling our freezers, and that's a good thing. In addition to saving time and money, many people are also starting to realize how flavorful those frozen foods remain to be once they are pulled out and consumed. So how are you going to celebrate National Frozen Food Month? Maybe with a little bit of freezing?

Frozen Food Is the Way to Go

There are no rules stating that frozen food can only be pressed chicken in the shape of dinosaurs or leftover lima beans that nobody wants to eat. You can freeze just about anything, and if you are new to this game, here are some tips!

• Buy in bulk - Head to your nearest warehouse store and buy your most-used ingredients, such as butter, bread, fruit, vegetables, and meat in bulk. Use what you want right away and freeze the rest for later.
• Homemade smoothie blends - Smoothies are a great way to add extra nutrition in your diet, but their cost can certainly add up if you are stopping to get one at your favorite smoothie shop every day. So save your money and make your own unique blends with your favorite fruit, sweet vegetables, and leafy greens. Toss the ingredients into a single-serve freezer bag and freeze until you are ready to use them.
• Easy dinners - Avoid the greasy burgers, fries, and soda! If you know you are going to have a busy day tomorrow, pull out one of the frozen dinners you made ahead of time and thaw in your refrigerator overnight. There's no better feeling than knowing a home cooked meal is sitting at your house, waiting to be heated up after a long day at work.
• Save those herbs - It's the worst when you buy a bunch of fresh herbs, use only a teaspoon of them for a recipe, and then watch the rest rot while sitting in the refrigerator. You may as well be throwing your money away, but you can avoid all of that from happening! Grab an ice cube tray and freeze what is left over in olive oil. You won't believe how easy it is to use and how flavorful it will make your next recipe.

March to Your Freezer

March may be Nation Frozen Food Month, but you should be freezing throughout the entire year for maximum savings and optimal health! So what are you waiting for? Make some plans to stock up your freezer today!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C.