Here is the final video in my kitchen tour series! In case you missed it I’ve already shared a tour of my fridge, pantry and kitchen (drawers, etc.). As you’ll see in this video we actually have an extra freezer that we use pretty regularly. When I first read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan (the book that inspired me to cut out all processed food) he said if you have the space then get an extra freezer.
And oh boy was he right – between the locally raised meat from our farmer’s market (that’s sold frozen), and the 100% whole-wheat 5-ingredient bread I like to stock up on when I’m in that part of town, and the homemade convenience food I frequently make (including chicken stock, soups, muffins, waffles, etc.) it has been so worth it to have this extra freezer space. And that’s because when you find a good source for something like humanely raised meat or real bread it makes sense to stock up when you have the chance! It also goes without saying – I usually have a minor freak out when there’s a big storm and we lose power!! LOL Enjoy the tour…
Guest Post: Clean Cuisine Cottage Pie (A British Food Makeover)
Hello….the glass hinge wide mouth jars in the freezer..what brand are they and what size..that is exactly what I need to store all my new whole grain flours and can’t find it anywhere online…thank you sooo much for sharing, love the ideas and how much they are helping me provide good food to my family :)
Hello Mary. You can find links to many of Lisa’s favorite containers here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/11/16/moths-invaded-our-pantrybugs-like-real-food-too/ and here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/.
Just curios on the details about your second freezer … size, brand, etc.
Thanks.
Like another reader, I’m also curious about whether or not some nutrients are destroyed when flour is frozen. I read somewhere that they were, but can’t remember where.
Wow…you are so organized! I have freezer envy! ;) Thanks for the inspiration!
We are migrating to real food. My dilemma is that we are an urban family living in 1100 sq feet. Any suggestions on storage for us. I would love to have an extra freezer but not sure how to balance that with 2 kids and a cat sharing our space.
Hi Amber. You can find freezers small enough to fit under counters. You might also consider any extra closet space or garage space. Here is a whole host of ideas that might help you make the most of a tiny kitchen space: https://www.google.com/search?q=storage+in+a+small+kitchen&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb.
~Amy
I am buying a Chest Freezer (will be my second one) I am getting 150-250 allowance to fill said freezer what would you suggest I fill it with( what would you buy to fill it).
Thank you
Hi Hannah. This will help guide you: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/02/real-food-tips-21-essentials-for-freezer-pantry-fridge/. ~Amy
Thank you for the tour!! May I ask where you get all of your glass storage jars?
I also have a question about the white whole wheat flour. I noticed that the 2lb. Bag of organic white whole wheat flour has the 100% whole grain stamp, King Arthur brand on but the 5lb. Bag that is not organic but says 100% white whole wheat only has the whole grain stamp on it. Why is that? I believe you use the organic.
Hi Lucinda. You can find Lisa’s large jars in this post: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/11/16/moths-invaded-our-pantrybugs-like-real-food-too/ and her mason jars here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/. Hmm, I’m not certain about the difference between the two bags but here is a link to the Whole Grain Council all about White Whole Wheat: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/whole-white-wheat-faq. ~Amy
Lisa, I think it’s so great that you did this! I think a visual really helps people. I, myself, have um…. 3 freezers…. yeah. Well we usually buy half a cow at a time, plus I make all my broth and like to have lots of that on hand and then there’s the chicken, ham, bacon, made ahead meals, etc and whatever else because we buy it when it’s available and cost effective. There are times the third freezer is a little on the bare side but not often.
When defrosting items from your freezer, do you transfer directly to the fridge or let thaw on the counter for a bit? I’m finding that my jarred soups take at least 48 hours to thaw, so not sure if you encounter the same.
Also, I love the blog and cookbook. I’ve transformed the eating of my entire household (including a cousin who moved in after leaving the airforce that HATED vegetables but is starting to change), and we are all eating real food 90% of the time, which is a realistic goal for our lifestyle. I’ve lost 18 pounds too!!
Hi Liz. So glad you love the blog and book and congrats on making the switch! I do find that larger jars can take a while to thaw. You can have them on the counter for a bit but I am always fearful of unsafe temperatures. ~Amy
I have loved watching your kitchen tours! And I absolutely love your cookbook! I noticed that you had hamburger buns in your freezer. I haven’t had any luck finding a real food brand of these. I called Great Harvest and they don’t make any here locally. Is there a store bought brand I can use? Or a recipe for them? Thanks so much!!
Jennifer, I came across this a few weeks ago. Make your own hot dog buns, sandwhich rolls, etc. http://realfoodandrealfitness.com/2013/09/30-minute-whole-wheat-sandwich-buns/
I love that freezer. Can you tell me what type it is? It looks like the perfect size for me. Thanks so much!
Hi Lisa!
Love your freezer tour! Where do you order the lovely large glass mason jars that you store flour and dry chickpeas in your mud room freezer? I need these! Thanks so much!
Allie
Hi Allie. You can find them in this post: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/11/16/moths-invaded-our-pantrybugs-like-real-food-too/. ~Amy
We have the extra freezer too, and it helps SO much with stocking up. I got some great ideas from you – I have never thought about freezing flours. And the individual soups are a great idea. Also garden seeds! Pure genius. Thanks for sharing. :)
I didn’t know you could put flours in the freezer.
How do you use them when you need them?
Hi Vanessa. Just pull out the quantity you need and use it. Some will say you need to bring them to room temperature but I’ve not found that to be true. ~Amy
I’m interested in learning more about freezing soup. If you have a helpful resource, please share. Wondering if some types freeze better than others, etc. I like how you froze them in little individual jars for the kids to take to school. Your kids must have access to a microwave at school, very nice. Smart mom making them decide on their lunches the night before, makes those mornings go much smoother. Appreciate you Lisa!!!
Hi there. Nope, no microwave…just good thermal containers. This will help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/08/14/real-food-tips-10-recipes-to-freeze-for-school-lunches-which-makes-packing-a-breeze/ and additionally, http://www.thekitchn.com/freezer-meals-5-simple-tips-for-freezing-any-soup-177405. ~Amy
I do the same, and probably got the idea from Lisa. Soup is thawed out in refrigerator over night, as Lisa mentioned, and then I heat up and pour into insulated containers. Stays warm for the kids lunches. Great solution for a chilly day!
I had no idea you could freeze glass jars. Don’t they break?
Thanks for confirming what I’ve been wanting to do for a while. We just moved so finding money and space hopefully soon!
I was thinking this similar thing last night. Trying to figure out how to keep on track and keep the processed foods out! Then I realized that the problem was that I didn’t have the space to store everything like in the fridge/freezer. I’m so glad your e-mail came today and confirming that was a key reason to help cut out the processed foods. Time to save and go shopping for another fridge. Right now in my small freezer are pumpkin muffins, broth, fudge pops, mini pita pizza, whole wheat pancakes, and tomato bisque thanks to your cookbook. Makes preparing breakfast and lunches a snap. Thanks Lisa!
I have only recently begun using whole wheat flour so it is still at room temperature. I see you have them stored in glass Ball jars. Do you have any difficulty opening the frozen jars and then resealing them to put back in the freezer? I would think that the gasket/ring would be too stiff.
Hi Lorraine. No, the rings have not been a problem. ~Amy
I always thought that glass shouldn’t be in the freezer?
Have you ever had any problems with glass?