🌞 Summer Stock-Up Week 3: Comfort Food Classics that Embrace You Back 🤗

Hey there, beautiful THM mamas! 💖

Let’s get real for a moment. Last week, I was on top of my meal prep game, feeling all organized and ready to conquer the week. But then, Tuesday hit, and—well, you know how life can throw you a curveball. Some weekends, I’m all about efficiency, while others leave me scrambling.

Enter the familiar 5 PM rush. ⏰ Again.

That’s precisely why Week 3 is all about focusing on the game-changers—those simple prep strategies that lay the groundwork for stress-free evenings. ✨

This Week’s Stock-Up: A Gift to Your Future Self 🎁

We’re loading up on two essentials that will make your future self want to give you a big bear hug. 🐻 You choose what fits best into your current lifestyle:

• Brown Rice: Cook and freeze in perfect portions 🍚 or
• A Pantry Full of Ready to Cook Rice🥫
• Homemade Seasoning Blend: Made from onions, celery, and bell peppers 🧅🌶️🥬—or
• Pre-packaged Store-bought Blend: A convenient option for busy days

With these powerhouse staples, we’re whipping up two family-favorite meals that everyone looks forward to:

1. Red Beans & Rice (THM E) – A comforting classic that supports your health goals. 🍽️
2. BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos (THM S) – Because sometimes dinner just needs to feel like a warm hug. 🌮❤️

The Secret Sauce: Smart Prep Work 🔑

After years of navigating meal prep and plenty of trial and error, I’ve realized that the small steps make a monumental difference.

• Cooked Rice in the Freezer? Total game changer. 🔥
• Chopped Veggies Ready to Go? You’re a dinner hero. 🦸‍♀️

Sure, it might not seem glamorous, but it’s the key to turning a 45-minute ordeal into a quick 15-minute victory. 🎉

Pantry Power: Brown Rice That Delivers 💪

I used to be that person who started cooking rice at 6 PM and was left wondering, “Why is dinner not ready until 7:30?”

Here’s my new approach:

1. Cook a BIG Batch: Aim for 4-6 cups of brown rice. 🍚
2. Cool It Off: Spread out on a baking sheet to cool completely. ❄️
3. Portion It Out: Divide into 1-2 cup freezer bags. 🥡
4. Label It: Seriously, this makes a difference! 🏷️

Pro Tip: Frozen rice reheats in just about 2 minutes! ⏳ Your future Tuesday self will thank you.

Freezer Gold: The Holy Trinity Blend 🍲

This might just be my best-kept secret. Instead of reaching for pre-packaged frozen vegetables, create your own blend using:

• 2-3 diced onions 🧅
• 2-3 diced bell peppers (any color) 🌈
• 3-4 stalks of diced celery 🥬

The Process:

1. Put on your favorite playlist or podcast. 🎶
2. Chop everything at once (yes, it’s a bit tedious, but you’re doing it ONCE). ✂️
3. Mix it all together. 🥣
4. Portion into 1-cup bags and freeze. ❄️

The Payoff: You can toss a bag of this blend into any soup, stew, or skillet dish straight from the freezer, creating a flavorful base every time. Store-bought options are great too; this is just your chance to have a homemade alternative! 🏡

Recipe #1: Red Beans & Rice (THM E) 🍛

Get the full recipe here →

This meal seems like it took all day to prepare, but with your advance prep, it comes together in about 20 minutes! ⏱️ My kids can’t get enough of it, which is saying a lot for an E meal!

Why This Works:

• Your frozen rice just needs reheating. 🔥
• The frozen veggie blend goes straight into the pot. 🍲
• It’s made with pantry staples. 🥫
• Hearty enough for everyone to feel satisfied. 👍
• Can be made in a pot or crockpot—easy peasy! 😌

Recipe #2: BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos (THM S) 🌮

Get the full recipe here →

This is what I call “set it and forget it” perfection. 🔥 Toss the pork in the crockpot and, by dinnertime, you’ll have restaurant-quality pulled pork ready to enjoy! 🤩

Why My Family Loves This:

• Indulgent flavor (hello, BBQ sauce! 🍖).
• Customizable for everyone’s taste. 🍽️
• Great with low-carb tortillas, small corn tortillas, or even lettuce wraps. 🥬🌮
• Leftovers are phenomenal in salads, quesadillas, stuffed potatoes, or even breakfast eggs. 🍳

Stock-Up Strategy: Make a double batch or quadruple batch and freeze most of the shredded pork. 🥡 This way, taco night is always just around the corner! I like to freeze the pork uncooked in batches, giving you flexibility in your meal planning. 🗓️

This Week’s Action Plan 📝

Before You Shop:

•  Check your freezer space (you’re about to fill it up!) ❄️
• Create your grocery list 📋

This Week’s Prep:

• Cook and freeze 4-6 cups of brown rice in portions. 🍚 Or buy plenty to stock your pantry with
• Make or buy 3-4 bags of your homemade seasoning blend. 🥬 Or make your own
•  Purchase pork loins for the pulled pork. 🐖
•  Plan to double or quadruple both recipes for ultimate freezer stocking. 💪

Bonus Points:

•  Try the seasoning blend in a morning omelet. 🍳
•  Use leftover pulled pork in a loaded salad. 🥗
•  Turn frozen rice + seasoning blend into a quick stir-fry. 🍜

Real Talk: Why This Actually Works 🎤

I know meal prep can feel overwhelming—I’ve been there plenty of times. But the key is not to prep 47 different meals; we’re preparing smart building blocks that create real meals on busy weeknights. 🏃‍♀️💨

With cooked rice in the freezer and pre-chopped vegetables ready to go, you’re starting at 50% completion every night, making dinner faster and far less stressful. 🕊️

That’s the true magic behind the Summer Stock-Up series. We’re not just filling your freezer—we’re restoring your sanity with every smart prep decision. 🙌

Ready to supercharge your meal prep? Let’s do this! 💥

Drop a comment below and let me know which recipe you’re trying first. I love hearing from you and can’t wait to see how these recipes work for your family! 💬

Follow Along:

• Facebook for daily encouragement 📱
• YouTube for video walkthroughs 🎥

Your future self is going to be SO grateful for the prep work you’re investing today. Trust me! 💯