We always use hot water from the tap, but here it's quite hot.
We package our ground beef (bought in bulk on sale) in freezer bags of 1lb each. We flatten the beef to fill the bag so that not only does it push out all the air, but it stores easier and thaws in no time. My Mom taught me that trick.
I semi-thaw my chicken breasts in the microwave (30 seconds each side), then cut into large cubes. Easier to cut mostly frozen. Then I stir-fry the cubes and cut them in half again with my spatula about halfway through so that the inside gets done. Easy for chicken and rice, chicken Caesar salad or chicken pot pie.
I cook my beef roasts from frozen in my Crock Pot.