Alternatively, you might consider a vacuum packaging system. The company that makes system promotes its bags as boil-in bags as well as freezer containers. Vacuum removal of air extends storage life of frozen foods. I found one such system under $40.00 at DmartStores. Replacements bags are about $16.00 for three, 66-bag, rolls.

Don't forget to label bags and store them flat while freezing for easy stacking.

4. Eat what you've grown in your garden.

Food you've grown yourself feeds your body and your spirit. Even smallest patio has room for a few pots of tomatoes and spicy peppers, and watching plants mature and produce fruits and vegetables is something to look forward to every day. Freeze excess produce.

5. Share frozen meals with a friend.

Trade frozen meals with a friend (whom you have prequalified as a good, or at least acceptable cook). You'll both benefit from a change in diet.

6. Eat out!

But don't eat alone. While working as a veteran road warrior, I spent many weeks away from friends and family. I often ate in fine restaurants, but it was never same as eating with a pleasant companion. So take initiative -- invite a friend out for lunch or dinner.

Remember, cooking for one is not problem. Loneliness and living in memories are, but you can move away from them and toward enjoying meals again.

When another brainstorm hit, I was nearly floored by myself in full admiration and will accept any and all nominations for Mother of Year or Saint. When girls were watching one of their educational videos (it was either about dolphins or Scooby-Doo, I can’t quite recall), I brought in a bowl of cooled broccoli, which I had earlier steamed, decorated with sweet mandarin slices. I may have been in throes of my cuisine artistry course or perhaps it was simply some kind of fit, but food looked pretty and girls loved their snack in front of TV. And statute in my house has been amended accordingly: you may eat as much as you want while watching tube, as long as it’s vegetable or fruit, steamed or in its natural state.

As a final bid for sainthood, let me bare my soul and confess to one last prevarication: Shepherd’s Pie I made last week? The one with green potatoes on top? They weren’t green potatoes, hon. They were regular old mashed potatoes with chopped spinach!

Gotcha!

Stephanie Olsen, published writer, homeschooling mother of two and ESL teacher currently residing in Europe, is also owner of the expatriate site, Family Life Abroad ~ http://www.familylifeabroad.com ~ where you'll find humorous and informative articles by experienced expatriates on all aspects of living abroad, with lots of links and travel tips.