National Frozen Food Month is drawing to a (quiet) close. This past month, stores got in on the fun by offering discounts on select frozen food brands.

Some people may squish their noses at the thought of eating something packaged and frozen, but honestly, with the advancements made over the past couple of years, I figure it was time to come out and give a positive shout out to brands who want to assist people in their busy lives.

I must start off with a disclaimer. I can cook. I can cook rather well. All throughout high school and college, cooking was a delight. It was something I experimented with as I had little money to eat out all the time, and I was battling a few health conditions that required me to monitor closely what I was eating. So yes, I can do more than boil hot dogs and microwave ramen.

Fast forward to now when life is hectic with the responsibilities of being an adult. Now, there are many people (especially those with families), who make the time to cook dinner. Being a family of one, means I have the luxury of not worrying about what everyone else wants to eat. If I want to eat the same thing every day — I can. However, cooking is not pleasurable. It's not something that brings me joy like it used to. Something that was a delightful hobby has become more like a chore. Unfortunately, you can't stop eating so something must be done! I could eat out or get takeout, but that's a HUGE budget buster. And as much as I love eating at Korean restaurants, I consider it an enjoyable experience I don't want to do all the time (less it take away the "fun" factor).

So if I don't want to cook and I don't want to eat out, what's left? Hitting up the frozen aisles.

My favorite place to go for food is Target. If Whole Foods or Trader Joe's were closer, I'd go there as I know they have a diverse amount of options that are healthy. But even as I glance down the Target frozen section, I see options that are both healthy and fulfilling. From steamable frozen vegetables to to-go breakfast cups and full entrees based on global cuisines, there's no longer a lack of choices.

The biggest gripes I've heard about frozen entrees is about the nutritional content. I'll agree that there are terrible entrees out there with more than 1,000 mg of sodium. Yikes! Thankfully, some brands are noting people's shifting values to wanting more nutritious options, and that's why I want to give praise to those brands who provide healthy and convenient options. I also want to address how to shop smartly when purchasing frozen food items. I'll do all of this in part two

For now, I wanted to address frozen foods and why some people may like to have them as part of their diet. For example, the beloved burrito. Yes, if you purchase the ingredients individually to make your own burritos, you'll save a lot of money. People talk about the cost factor; it's cheaper to make food from scratch. However, making food from scratch can lead to food waste unless you're diligent about using up the ingredients. If I bought the ingredients to make my own burritos, I'd eat one burrito ... maybe two, then I'd not touch the rest of the ingredients because I don't want to eat burritos anymore. Tortillas wraps don't come in individual portions, for example. I also don't want to eat burritos all the time or make quesadillas or lunch wraps with them. This can apply to other food items, of course. As a result, my good intentions end up wasting a lot of food; and I feel guilty about it.

My favorite frozen burritos are from Amy's Kitchen and Sweet Earth Foods. Both companies tout vegetarian-friendly, healthy versions of these favorite staples. For instance, the Sweet Earth Santa Cruz Burrito is 350 calories and loaded with fiber, vitamin A, and calcium. On the downside, it has 600 mg of sodium and 11 grams of fat. But you can manage this by keeping your other meals low in sodium and fat. When I don't have time to prepare something, I opt for one of their options.

I've determined, based on my eating habits, dietary needs, and budget, that it's cost-effective to introduce frozen food options — steamable broccoli, heck yes! Delicious and near instant. Sometimes I crave lasagna but don't want to make lasagna (nor want all the leftovers) so I can choose a frozen option instead. Sometimes a single serving is all I need and want.

Yes, I could batch cook once a week or once a month. I've also tried that. I've also determined it's also a food waster, and simply, I don't want to put in the effort. Food is important. Health is important. Yes, yes, I agree, but it's time to look at frozen food options as an alternative for those who prefer them. This is an introduction to frozen foods. Next time, I'll explore the best and worst brands, what to look out for, and dish out tips I've learned through experimenting with frozen foods. See you then!