My 'Pantry' adventure began with the stomach flu ravaging it's way through our family. It's kind of hard to get excited about the food thing when everyone's puking. Clearly, even though it was only the first day of the 'challenge', I was going to have to make some revisions.
I had planned to have fried chicken on Friday night, but everyone was sick so I postponed that meal. I can't remember what we had that night, frankly. By Saturday, about half of the family wanted something light to eat, so in the midst of laundering pukey sheets and giving herbs, I just decided to throw the Applesauce Chicken in the crockpot, to be sure I would have some dinner ready that night. Let me tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The chicken just fell apart, yummo!
Sunday, I made the chili as planned, by now the fam was eating, cautiously, and we all held it down.
Today, being Monday, we have out-of-town company, which I wasn't thinking about when I made the menu plan. What the heck, I've already wrecked the first three days of the plan, let's wreck another one. Tonight, I was going to make Four-Cheese casserole, but changed it to fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I just felt that our company would enjoy that more. I fried up about #8-9 of chicken, enough to freeze for another meal.
One thing I did to use up some pantry excess was use up 5 cans of chunk chicken I bought over a year ago at Sam's. I haven't known what to do with it, frankly. We aren't big chicken salad kind of people, but I whipped some up anyway and made sandwiches along with soup (more pantry stuff).
I am already running out of milk and a couple of obscure things like cellophane so my first grocery trip may need to occur tomorrow. My goal is no more than 3 times this month and spend no more than $500. I may get extra milk tomorrow and freeze it so that I don't get caught off guard. We drink about 6-7 gallons per week. I'll keep you posted as to what I buy and spend.
Have YOU made any plans for feeding your clan this month? Are you going to clip coupons more this year? What's up, talk to me!
Said
I have planned to join this challenge. However, it might just be a little different for me. My cabinets, fridge, and freezer are nearly bare! We've been using things up from our stock for the last few months. lol
I suppose my first task will be to do an inventory and see what I actually do have.
Said
Sounds like a good place to start. Keep us all posted as to your progress and success.
Nice to hear from you!
Kelly
Said
I guess you could say I'm doing the pantry challenge. I'm going to eat from the pantry this month and when it runs out keep my grocery bill at $75 a week. Looking at my pantry I think I have 1 1/2 weeks worth of groceries. Let's hope I can be creative so my family stays happy. :)
Said
I don't have an extra fridge/freezer nor a large pantry area, but with a family of 5, its doable, I just can't stock up nor freeze meals as I have very limited freezer space. But, menu planning is really key and I'm inconsistent there. I need to really beef that up this year as well as utilize coupons which I don't do (the money I have not saved using coupons on diapers and such will make you weep!) I love hearing tips and menu plans from others even though some I can't do (like freezing milk or prepared meals). I am a huge fan of my crockpot as I work full time from home and can utilize my lunch time to prep a quick meal.
Said
Hi!
I have posted a month of meals in the kitchen. Menu planning makes such a difference in my life! I do plan to cut more coupons for CVS and Walgreens deals. I've saved so much money on diapers and toothpaste and these such things in the past. We shop mostly at Aldis and a grocery outlet where coupons arent taken. The other thing I've done is subscribe to refundcents.com again.
As the mother of 5 always hungry boys I have to be prepared!
warmly,
Taryn