Beyond Freezer Meals: A Smarter Way to Prep Fresh, Flexible Dinners | Crystal Schmidt (Bonus Episode)

In this episode, Diane sits down with cookbook author and gardener Crystal Schmidt to talk about her approach to meal prep, outlined in her book Freeze Fresh Meal Prep. Instead of relying on fully pre-made freezer meals, Crystal introduces the concept of “meal starters” - prepping the fresh components of a dish ahead of time and freezing them, then finishing the meal later with pantry staples. We talk about how this method helps reduce food waste, simplify weeknight cooking, and make the most of seasonal produce. Crystal shares practical tips for getting started, including how to choose what to freeze, which vegetables need blanching, and what actually holds up well in the freezer. She also offers ideas like freezing cookie dough for easy treats and using what you already have on hand to build a system that feels sustainable. This conversation is a helpful guide for anyone looking to make home cooking more flexible, efficient, and aligned with real life.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelCrystal's Resource: Merlin Bird AppConnect with Crystal:Instagram | Youtube | WebsiteBook: Freeze Fresh Meal Prep: 160 Meal Starters and Make-Ahead Dishes for the FreezerAbout Crystal|Crystal Schmidt is the bestselling author of Freeze Fresh, and creator of Whole-Fed Homestead. With a passion for good food, she inspires others to grow their own produce, create delicious meals, and preserve fresh ingredients.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MINIMALIST* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy