Rachel Tiemeyer is a cookbook author and co-editor of Thriving Home (thrivinghome.org), a top-ranking site for healthy, freezable recipes. She and pal Polly Conner started their site in 2012 as a way to help families thrive at home, especially when it comes to getting a delicious meal on the table. After freezer cooking for their families for nearly a decade, they now jokingly refer to themselves as "freezer meal evangelists".
Rachel and Polly released their first cookbook, From Freezer to Table, in Fall 2017. In 2020, they released their second, From Freezer to Cooker, that focuses on slow cooker and Instant Pot freezer meal recipes made with whole foods. Their newest product is 1 Hour Freezer Prep, a library of prep sessions to help families make 6 meals in just 1 hour (1HourFreezerPrep.com).
Rachel and her husband, Nathan, have three children and live in Columbia, Missouri.
This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe takes just 18 minutes from start to finish, dirties only one pot, and tastes creamy and delicious! Plus, it’s made with all real food ingredients. It was 5:30 p.m. and my kids were starving. I was finishing up a work project and hadn’t even given dinner a thought […]
Cinnamon Tortilla Rolls only require 4 ingredients, are easy enough for kids to make, and they really do taste like mini cinnamon rolls. Yum! Why We Love Tortilla Cinnamon Rolls This is one of those snacks that we–both the kids themselves and I–have been making for years. You can thank my 1st grader son, Ben, […]
Want a high protein, low carb, on-the-go breakfast option that will keep you satisfied all morning? Cheddar Chive Egg Bites are the perfect solution for a healthy breakfast on busy weekdays. Make this simple recipe ahead of time over the weekend and then enjoy them all week long. Why I Love This Egg Bites Recipe […]
This easy Chocolate Covered Cherry smoothie recipe tastes like a chocolate shake but is chock full of nutrition thanks to spinach, dark cherries, almond butter, cocoa powder.
Want to eat more fruits and vegetables each day? We do too. That’s why we love smoothies, but they take a lot of time and thought to prepare every day. So my friend, Polly, and I tested out a smoothie subscription service. Here’s our honest SmoothieBox review. Affiliate links included, but all thoughts and opinions […]
Imagine a cross between brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Using basic ingredients in any kitchen and a recipe that’s easy enough for kids to make, Blondie Brownies make the perfect afternoon snack to enjoy and then share with others. School was out recently…again. So, what do you do with the kids? Make a treat, of […]
These delicious leftover rotisserie chicken recipes utilize one of the cheapest and healthiest store-bought shortcuts! We’ll help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to a rotisserie chicken. Affiliate links included. Last weekend, I bought two large rotisserie chickens from our local Hy-Vee grocery store for $6.99 each. Out of those […]
This fast and easy cheese sauce for broccoli completely transforms this cruciferous veggie, leaving my family always asking for more! It also works as a delicious cheese sauce for baked potatoes, pasta, or even chicken. Best of all, NO VELVEETA! Why Make Homemade Cheese Sauce Wow. Just wow. This real cheese sauce for broccoli is […]
Quinoa Tabbouleh is one of my favorite light summer lunches or side dishes for dinner. Meal prep this Mediterranean-inspired salad on the weekend and eat on it all week long. A delicious way to use up produce and eat your veggies! Why Make Quinoa Tabbouleh A friend and I have lately been lamenting/joking about how […]
Pizza Quesadillas are filling snack or light meal that parents can feel good about feeding their kids. This tasty pizza snack comes together fast and can be customized so easily! Finding healthy snacks that my kids will be excited about is a continual struggle in my home. While Homemade Popcorn and Powerball Cookies are great […]
Although a while back, I swore off a Pinterest birthday party for my kids, here I am. I found a pocket of creative time this past year and dove head-first into my 7-year-old son’s request for a Science Birthday party. I won’t lie. The research and preparation took a long time. That’s because I wanted […]
This creamy, comforting Crockpot Mexican Chicken makes for a delicious, healthy, and EASY meal. Serve over brown rice with your favorite Mexican toppings. Freezer meal instructions included, so you can double the batch and have another later. Desperately trying not to go to the store again, last night’s dinner was another “use up what’s in […]
Say hello to one of our easiest recipes: Chicken Parmesan Sliders. Throw a few ingredients into the crockpot (or Instant Pot), and you’ll have a family-favorite dinner for a busy night. Bonus: Freezing instructions included! Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Hy-Vee (Columbia). “I need more recipes like this in my life,” I told […]
Chocolate Baked Oatmeal tastes and looks like dessert…but it’s actually a fairly healthy breakfast (or lunch or dinner or snack). This recipe is a fan favorite! My kids and I developed this recipe many years ago, after testing several versions of this original one I made. My kids ask for this oatmeal all the time. I […]
Wondering how to grill asparagus? Use this simple, grilled asparagus recipe that yields crispy, slightly charred and perfectly seasoned asparagus. In less than 10 minutes, you can serve up one of nature’s healthiest foods to your family all summer long. Is Asparagus Good for You? Let’s start with some good news! This veggie is a […]
Instant Pot freezer meals. This is what we do! Not only have we published an entire cookbook of Instant Pot recipes, but we have tested and re-tested hundreds of these recipes over the years. We have narrowed down the “best of the best” Instant Pot chicken recipes, so you don’t waste your time on any mediocre recipes […]
Mom and cookbook author shares her honest review of ButcherBox to help you decide if it’s worth it and how to get the best deal.
These chicken and steak fajitas make a great go-to weeknight dinner that tastes like restaurant quality. They’re quick to assemble, easily customized to your taste preferences, and a meal that all ages enjoy. What Is a Fajita? Let’s start with the basics: what exactly IS a fajita? It may surprise you to know that the […]
As published cookbook authors and freezer cooking experts, we can assure you that you’re in the right place for the answer to “Can you freeze chicken and dumplings?” The short answer: You can freeze chicken and dumplings, but be sure to use our pro tips to make sure it comes out tasting just like a […]
If you’re wondering, “Can I make Chicken and Dumplings in the Instant Pot?”, the answer is absolutely yes! Our Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a one-pot wonder made with real food ingredients and turns out tender and mouthwatering every time. This Instant Pot Chicken and Dumpling recipe comes from our cookbook, From Freezer […]
Chicken and Dumplings in the crock pot? Yes! It can be done! This classic comfort food will fill your home with delicious smells as it simmers for hours in the slow cooker. This easy Crock Pot Chicken and Dumpling recipe comes from our cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker, and was good enough to make national […]
This Parmesan Balsamic Vinaigrette is my default homemade dressing and has been for years. It’s a deeply flavorful yet versatile salad dressing that our entire family loves. Why to Make Your Own Salad Dressing? Have you ever picked up and read the back of the salad dressing bottles in the grocery story? Let me tell […]
A little creamy, a hint of spicy, and 100% delicious, this homemade southwest ranch dressing takes minutes to throw together and is super versatile.
Prepare to be transported to a warm summer day as you enjoy our Strawberry Avocado Salad. Tangy feta cheese, toasted sliced almonds, sweet strawberries, fresh pineapple, and creamy avocado pair well with the sweet and tangy balsamic dressing.
