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January 2008 pantry challenge - Page 14

post #261 of 277
1/23/08 at 11:41pm
Tonight we're having homemade bread (assuming I get around to making it), sweetcorn, peas and carrots.

This slightly unusual dinner is the result of me suggesting a new 'rule'--one night I decide what we're having for dinner, the next night DH does. My brain isn't functioning very well of late and I was getting thoroughly sick of asking DH ten times every day 'What shall we have for dinner?', only to be told 'I don't know... hang on...' and then silence. So today, after some prodding, he came up with this menu. I'm happy!

Some more of the bread can go with him tomorrow to work, along with cheese, home-grown tomatoes and some leftover pineapple. He can make himself a yummy toasted sandwich in the grill in the tearoom!

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post #262 of 277
1/24/08 at 1:13pm
Well, I went shopping, but I'm pretty pleased. We were down to near bare bones...seriously. And I planned the shopping around sales, coupons, etc. I spent 90.63 dollars, but saved 76+ dollars between sales/coupons/double coupons/instant rebates (our store does this thing where, if you buy X amount of this item, or X dollars of this combo of items, you get X dollars off instantly - and you can still do coupons and sales on those items ). I got 42 dollars worth of meat for 20 bucks (BOGO on angus roasts : and chicken AND I had a coupon for the chicken - very occassionally, they run those around here).

So, I guess a 90 dollar shopping trip drops me out of the pantry challenge, but, I'm still feeling pretty happy about it - and we should be pretty set for another couple of weeks, at least, and set for meat for the month.
post #263 of 277
1/24/08 at 5:03pm
So the cash system is a go. Its Jan 24th and I used my cc once not realizing I didnt grab the cash beforehand but my total for the month- $295.91. That included a huge sale on chicken today when I shopped and 3 lbs of ricotta cheese to make a huge vat of stuffed mannicotties.

For December, it was closer to $500. And yes, I cooked several things for the holiday etc but I think it was using plastic. Just to make sure, I am checking Nov spending:closer to $600 so yes, even though again I bought stuff for that holiday etc too, too much.

Also, we have our beef supply for a long long while but we still buy pork and chicken, seafood but that should also make a small dent.

I made a dent so far in the pantry but I still have a few meals I can make and still have a good source in the pantry. The beginning of the month was good for using up loose ends and I have a small credit card balence to pay when due this month! I also still have $80 left in the grocery envelope which can carry into next month if I do not use it. DH has a few private patients he sees at their homes. They pay him by check $300 a month to treat them. So he cashes these and we put them in the grocery envelope. To start the system, I added $200 cash from xmas money we received to jumpstart and DH came up w the idea for cashing the extra money.

I think in order to do this system, I have to budget my grocery budget. Such as a percentage to keeping up the pantry, a percentage to the staples we eat each and everyday, and a percentage to stocking up on things. For instance, my 2 girls eat raisons a lot. They dont ever seem to go on sale. So when they do, I can have it within the budget to buy 3 or 4 of them and put them in the pantry.
post #264 of 277
1/24/08 at 10:43pm
We were gone most of the day, but tonight I am using up two bananas from the freezer to make banana bread for the neighbors. I also used up the remainder of a bag of organic flour. This weekend we will be needing some more staples, but the pantry has come a long way since the beginning of the month!
post #265 of 277
1/24/08 at 11:10pm
Oops forgot to post- made beef chili last night w my new beef, peppers from the freezer, beans from pantry, stock, oyester crackers from the pantry, and the slatines dessert AGAIN!! Love it!
post #266 of 277
1/24/08 at 11:18pm
You guys are very inspiring. I've been "playing along at home" but just haven't posted this month. I'm anxious to jump on board with posting in next February's thread. I've been having a blast coming up with new ideas and seeing my pantry through a new set of eyes.
post #267 of 277
1/25/08 at 2:52pm
nak
OT, my sister's having her baby today. I'm so excited!
Plugging along here. Had to buy some soy milk, potatoes, and apples yesterday, about $15.
Just pulled some lemon poppy muffins out of the oven. Made oat bran muffins earlier in the week, used up my oat bran. Ate one of 2 bags of black beans with veg sausage from the freezer, kids ate 1 of 2 pot pies from the freezer.
For next month, I really need to get some basics, olive oil, etc. So I'lll be doing a Costco trip, but still doing the challenge to clear out the pantry and freezer of my lesser used items.
post #268 of 277
1/25/08 at 4:05pm
I've done pretty well this month but next month I'll be full on with trying to just use what I have in the freezer. Other than having to buy eggs & milk I haven't had to grocery shop all week!
post #269 of 277
1/26/08 at 5:29pm
Bumping this thread...

DH used up a box of cereal at breakfast today. I used up the rest of my powdered sugar (leftover from holiday baking) to make Mississippi Mud cake for a party tonight.

We still have two bottles of organic ketchup to use. What recipes use a lot of ketchup? I'm thinking maybe Sloppy Joes?
post #270 of 277
1/26/08 at 7:53pm
[QUOTE=Nicole!;10391877
We still have two bottles of organic ketchup to use. What recipes use a lot of ketchup? I'm thinking maybe Sloppy Joes?[/QUOTE]

*Meatloaf
*Chili
*Tropical Kielbasa (2 Cups of ketchup, 1 C brown sugar, 2lb sliced kielbasa, 1 20oz can pineapple chunks. Mix all together - crockpot on low for 4-5 hours. Your sugar will go through the roof!)
*Crock Pot Pork Chops
*Baked Beans
post #271 of 277
1/27/08 at 1:26am
I'm glad to see a thread for this. This is my usual January tradition. Especially after DH sees the credit card bills after Christmas. :

Oh well. He's much happier now that he sees me using up food in the lazy susans and freezer!

Since starting my personal pantry challenge we've had shepherd's pie (actually I baked 3 and froze 2 for a later date), layered supper (a casserole with potatoes, carrots, onions, red or green peppers, ground beef, tomato sauce and cheese), spaghetti, chili and a pasta bean casserole. :

Hey, they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and it seems to be true around here!
post #272 of 277
1/27/08 at 2:31am
Well, we faultered a bit during the past week but then on Thursday I got my new refrigerator (woohoo!) and it is *smaller* than my old one - yikes! So, I am very well aquainted with everything in there (and tossed some old condiments and things I knew I wouldn't ever use or didn't want to.....) now. The pantry still needs the same treatment, though I have been trying to use stuff.

Our budget is tight until the end of the month (because of said appliance purchase!) so I am sticking to the plan this week. I buy eggs and milk weekly regardless and fill in produce, but I think we can get though until payday with nothing to buy except maybe greens.

I'll be in for Feb - still tons of grains and other things in the pantry to use.
post #273 of 277
1/27/08 at 9:52pm
Thread Starter 
FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING....
how is everyone doing?? I am going to continue through February with only purchasing produce and perishables. We have lots of pasta and tuna left along with boxed potatoes and such....

In march i will restart my grocery game
post #274 of 277
1/28/08 at 2:37pm
I did a big shop yesterday at Costco. I go with my mom and it was a convenient time. Spent quite a bit, but we'll use it all. So I'm definitely in for next month! We should only have to buy fruit, soy milk, and yoghurt.
Good news is I have almost emptied my freezer from my pre-baby cooking marathon.
post #275 of 277
1/28/08 at 3:28pm
Good news. I used up some of my CREAM CHEESE. I had 3 slabs, and now I have 1. I made Fruit Dip for a work party. (Had to shop for some of the fruit.)

It was basically 2 8 oz packages of cream cheese (room temp), 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp+ of vanilla, a couple of pinches of cinnamon and milk to bring it to the right consistency (maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup). It was a big hit.

DH is really on the "clean out the freezer" kick with me after yesterday. So, hopefully we can make progress. He made a chicken (we have 4 more) for dinner last night, but it wasn't done in time for a reasonable dinner hour. Oh, well. It will be dinner tonight.
post #276 of 277
1/31/08 at 8:02pm
Bumping this and glad to see this forum getting so much traffic!

How did everyone do??
post #277 of 277
1/31/08 at 10:01pm
Thread Starter 
We Did Well.. Playing Again In Feb

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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Frugality & Finances › January 2008 pantry challenge