when I was single mom I did this too, I bought in bulk when the support check came and would brown 10#'s up and bag it in 1/2# servings..yes, I weighed it all....I did the same with a large pot roast, a large hen, and some round steak...then I could stir fry, tacos, hamburger helper, you name it...really was a life saver...not sure why we just don't do it that way all the time...really saves money because you are not tempted to go out when you can make a good meal in less than 30 minutes!

I learned veggie prep while working at the base galley...I don't do it any more because only 2 of us here and I can not eat but 1oz of veggies at a meal, so that is like 3 brussel sprouts..hehehe
I just steam what we need each night!

Ok ladies, I'm sitting here reading this and my mouth is watering!! What is Machaca beef and how do you make it?:)

Yummm....I can smell it here :!: :!:

I bet your house smells good! SO cold here too!!!!!!!

I am going to post the recipe in the recipe section..stay tuned...

Thank you!

Wow! I like this idea will have to give it a try! Aside from not liking to cook ( I used to enjoy it now I am just tired of it) I really do not like having to figure out everyday what I am going to make for dinner. Asking DH what he wants for dinner does not even help the answer is always the same " I don't care" then when I tell him what I am going to make he says that isn't what he feels like having, but can he tell me what he feels like......NO.

HAHAH..this is so familiar...so, no more wondering...and if I am not hungry, he can make something for himself.
I have a lapband, so eating is not always a priority for me...and I am getting where I hate the thought of cooking just for him..you know, MR. I don't care...well, now "I" don't care and he can make do....
cooking this way means he has choices, and if I am cooking it lightens my time spent in there every day...I know I have to stop working at 4:30 to have dinner done by 5...if I am going to need to ADD, I usually prep things at my lunch break so they are ready to go at 4:30! and If I have a meeting that night, I leave him a note and he fixes it himself...

here is the link to the machaca beef recipes

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-111131-1.htm

and here is the cream of mushroom/barley soup

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-102086-1.htm

Wow! I'm coming to your house! I'm only a couple of hours from you. I'm tired of the cold weather too but it's keeping me inside so maybe I'll doing some sewing. I even wore capris yesterday - and it was cold! I just keep thinking it might get warm again.