Hi, there!

Welcome to Make-Ahead Mummy! Your go-to resource for meal prep ideas that ensure you always have delicious homemade dishes within reach. Meal prepping doesn’t have to be rigid — my method helps you keep things flexible, with plenty of variety and options for whatever you’re craving.

Hi, I’m Anna! I think about food almost as much as I think about my kids—and that’s a LOT!

Before having kids, my cooking routine was simple: I’d whip up dinner each night, and any leftovers would be lunch for the next day. But with two kids under 2 and a husband working long hours, that routine fell to pieces. What used to be my daily joy turned into daily stress.

I’d heard about batch cooking and freezer meals, but I’d never really looked into it myself. I didn’t know what would be in my freezer other than maybe…lasagna? Not exactly my idea of an exciting meal.

Then, one day, I made a huge batch of cookie dough and had no choice but to freeze it. A friend dropped by a few days later, and with only 15 minutes’ notice, I popped that frozen dough into the oven and served fresh-baked cookies. I felt like a queen! I could celebrate with my friend without neglecting my kids (let’s be real: without this cookie hack, my toddler would have been in front of the TV the whole time, and I’d feel guilty about it). The quality was perfect, my kitchen wasn’t a mess, and I had discovered the trifecta of low-stress home-cooked treats: delicious, top-quality, no dishes. I was hooked.

So, I started devouring all the books I could find about batch cooking and freezer meals (The Batch Lady! Thriving Home!). Soon, I was waking up to a hot, crispy English muffin loaded with creamy scrambled eggs, bacon, oozy cheese, and sweet BBQ sauce—and no dishes. I felt amazing, my energy was steady, and breakfast was satisfying instead of a sugar crash waiting to happen.

Learning to make ahead meals, snacks, desserts, and “hero ingredients” has changed everything for us. Now, we always have a variety of homemade options ready to go, keeping us on track with our health and budget goals. No more expensive delivery because there’s always something yummier in the freezer, ready in minutes.

The biggest secret to staying on track with balanced diet? Having sweet treats ready to go, not just savoury ones! It sounds counterintuitive, but having sweet options actually helps me make healthier choices. When I have homemade treats waiting, I’m less likely to reach for something processed or overly addictive. In my freezer, I keep a range of treats from healthier to indulgent—muffins, bliss balls, cupcakes, and cookies. I even have treats with different “prep times.” Sometimes I’ll just bake a few cookies from dough balls, and sometimes I’ll grab a pre-baked cookie for instant satisfaction. That slight delay can really curb a craving.

I hope this inspires you to free up your mental load, pack your freezer with homemade goodness, and have your cake—and eat it, too!

These were my own reservations before I deep-dived into the meal prep world:

I’m worried the food won’t taste good after being frozen

• wrong! Baked goods taste just as moist and fresh. You just need to know how to freeze it properly but it is super simple. Basically, just cling-wrap and place into a thick freezer ziplock bag (the IKEA ones are excellent). Freeze the same day you cook for best results. You can use this for special occasion cakes – party prep instantly becomes less stressful!
• Even breakfast foods like scrambled eggs reheat beautifully from frozen – trust me, I’m a perfectionist 😆

I don’t like to plan too many meals in advance as I don’t know what I’m craving

• Meal prep is flexible, this is not a rigid system. I used to buy groceries on Mondays and Thursdays as I could only think 3-4 days max, but now I just order whenever we need fresh ingredients (milk/bread/fruit) and I have inspiration to try a new dish.
• Simply make a regular or double portion, and put some aside in the freezer for the next time you crave it. It’s amazing how quickly the stash grows like this! You’ll be surprised

I’m overwhelmed at the concept of batch cooking large volumes

• that’s because it takes a lot of mental energy to multi-task prepare meals! Just working out what meals cook well together (similar ingredients, using different appliances in the kitchen for simultaneous cooking) is exhausting when you are struggling to just think of one thing to make in the short window of time both kids are happy.
• my system is low-stress and make as you go. Start small and you’ll be surprised how quickly you become stocked up and organised with delicious options.

Is Make Ahead system just for families?

• definitely not! Making food for one person is so challenging – this way, you can make a regular portion and have 3 meals waiting in the freezer for whenever you crave it. No more eating the same meal for days on end.