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Frozen vegetables are convenient, and fast. They make the perfect filler for a forgotten vegetable, or for added variation to your meals. They are also a perfect time management strategy when your plan has gone awry (as many of our plans do) and you need a quick alternative to slicing, dicing, and sauteing veggies.
Mother Guilt and Microwaveable Vegetables
I used to feel terribly guilty about giving my family using frozen vegetables. After all, what kind of wife and mother can’t take the time to chop up fresh broccoli and saute it in a pan? Well, this mother for starters and tons of other mothers, working in an office, at home, or raising a family (and those with an honest dislike of the kitchen). At the end of some days its either frozen or none at all. So frozen often wins.
Alternating Between Fresh and Frozen
I try to make it a point to at least give the kids fresh vegetables once a week. For me, that means buying something in bulk, either carrots, broccoli, corn, or whatever looks good at the market. I cut it all up in one sitting, and cook it all at one time, then put the rest in the fridge. Food doesnt last long in my house, so 2-3 heads of broccoli will last me about three days, so the other three days I can make frozen veggies and we go out once a week to eat. My personal favorite are the SteamFresh frozen vegetables by Birds Eye that you can stick in the microwave and theyre done in about 4 minutes. They don’t make organic food yet, but it is only a matter of time.
Buying Organic Frozen Food to Lessen the Guilt
I admit that even though I try helplessly to calm my mom guilt of not always having fresh veggies at the table, it is never fully gone. However, buying organic frozen vegetables definitely helps with that. Amys Kitchen makes a fantastic array of organic frozen foods for those days where you need more than just vegetables. You can order online, or search for a store with their store locater tool. For those that shop at Safeway, their O Organics line has frozen vegetables that are awesome, and easy to make.
Do you ever experience mom guilt about your family’s meals? How do you deal with it? I would love to hear some suggestions and strategies that work for you.
Amys blah, blah, blogging says
I wish I could use Amy’s products, but they are just too pricey for my budget. 🙁
I never have mom guilt because of using frozen vegetables. In fact, almost all the vegetables I use are frozen. They are very healthy and I like how full of flavor and crunchy they are. It’s the canned ones I have issue with. However, I figure as long as there are vegetables on the table (not covered in cheese or a cream sauce!), I’m doing pretty good. Now…if I could only get the kids to eat them…
Kimberly says
I love to use frozen veggies too. And one more tip…when I buy a bunch of cilantro or parsley, I often don’t use it all before it gets brown and yucky. I started rough chopping it and putting it in an old ice cube tray. Add water, freeze, then pop the “herb cubes” into a freezer bag. Fresh cilantro and parsley whenever! (The thawed herbs are best used IN a recipe as opposed to in a garnish).
Deedee says
I agree with the previous comment! We eat a very healthy, mainly wholefoods diet in our house with almost no processed foods at all. I was driving myself insane trying to do it all fresh when I discovered that due to the ‘food miles’ that most ‘fresh’ foods have to travel, the frozen are actually healthier for us anyway!!
My Mom guilt was finally buying ready grated cheese to make things quicker for me. Then my Mom pointed out that since I was not using ‘convienence’ foods anymore, ready grated cheese was my ‘convienence’ item that made homemade meals easier and quicker! So, I listened to my Mom like a good girl and stopped feeling guilty about it! LOL!
Janice says
Great point! We often use ready grated cheese too to save time. Only problem is that it goes moldy faster I find and of course it costs more. But still, I OFTEN choose it!
Francisco Bacon says
Hi- my understanding is that many frozen vegetables are actually healthier than the ‘fresh’ non-frozen ones. The thinking is that as they are flash frozen moments after harvest, they maintain higher levels of nutrients. As Im a very busy dad with three kids, I like to think this is true!
Janice says
Ohhh – I LIKE that point of view! Heading to buy some more frozen veggies! 🙂