Feb. eat out of the fridge/freezer/pantry challenge

[tinkarooni]

I have been lurking around here. This is a very interesting thread but one that I can't join. I usually have three full freezers. One full size one in my kitchen which is not very full. Than I have two in my basement, an upright and a chest freezer. I do a LOT of gardening so about halfway through the year (January) I combined my two downstairs to one and I just keep fighting the battle of using up what we have. I couldn't possibly post my list but I go down tot he freezer every two weeks and make my menu while standing with the freezer door open. The key for me is to keep it organized. Veggies all in the baskets, meat in this bin. I have even put some cardboard boxes in there to help organize so everything doesn't fall over.

I wanted to stop in and make a suggestion. In December when I cleaned out the pantry I found way too much canned goods etc. I took a couple of big boxes to the local food bank. It was a good tax deduction and they were so thankful, apparently the food banks are very low on food right now. So if you have 15 boxes of mac and cheese that you go for free with a double coupon you could consider donating it. We had some things that we couldn't possible use up before it all expired.

I've picked up some great throw together meal ideas from you all. Thanks.

 

[stahshee]

I have been lurking around here. This is a very interesting thread but one that I can't join. I usually have three full freezers. One full size one in my kitchen which is not very full. Than I have two in my basement, an upright and a chest freezer. I do a LOT of gardening so about halfway through the year (January) I combined my two downstairs to one and I just keep fighting the battle of using up what we have. I couldn't possibly post my list but I go down tot he freezer every two weeks and make my menu while standing with the freezer door open. The key for me is to keep it organized. Veggies all in the baskets, meat in this bin. I have even put some cardboard boxes in there to help organize so everything doesn't fall over.

I wanted to stop in and make a suggestion. In December when I cleaned out the pantry I found way too much canned goods etc. I took a couple of big boxes to the local food bank. It was a good tax deduction and they were so thankful, apparently the food banks are very low on food right now. So if you have 15 boxes of mac and cheese that you go for free with a double coupon you could consider donating it. We had some things that we couldn't possible use up before it all expired.

I've picked up some great throw together meal ideas from you all. Thanks.

I was thinking about doing that .. I was going to wait until March and the do that. I have way to much ziti and gram crackers that are going to expire soon. after I clean out the pantry I am going to evaulate my shopping habbits. I buy so much that I really do not use, just cause it was a great deal

 

[reginaastralis]

2-12 - Today we had pizza. I made it with the pizza crust and sauce I bought last night. I added chicken sausgae (which is SO good), spinanch and mozzarella cheese. My daughter ate a ton of it and some cheese sticks. Of course, most of this was picked up last night at the store ... but I used up the sausage, spinanch and cheese which were all sitting in my house.

Looking through the freezer for the sausage though ... I might even be able to eat out of the pantry/freezer NEXT month. Now that's scary!

 

[mjantz]

2/12- cheesy chicken with pasta & misc veggies. DH had green beans and DS & I had corn. DD isn't feeling good so she had soup with frozen green beans thrown in.

I don't know what tomorrow will be. I was planning on a breakfast sausage/hashbrowns scramble sort of thing (no eggs/we're allergic) but since I have a sick kid we might do something different.

 

[luv2nascar]

I take my stockpiling pretty serious. We still have a pantry full, shelves in the garage full, frig and freezer full. OYYYYY. Problem always becomes wanting to eat what you have. It always seems we are hungry for something we don't have.

2/12 That said it snowed today so I ran to store on my lunch break. Always a mistake. $5 bucks at wendy's and $33 at grocery store. We had zero lunch meat so I got american cheese, swiss cheese, ham, turkey, cottonelle wipes, pull ups, plastic cups, meatloaf mix, mashed potatoes, and a newspaper.
Oh well we'll have a better day tomorrow.

I forgot to say I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. We did have a can of corn and a can of green beans from pantry. We do have enough leftovers for two lunches also. DH did have leftover chicken soup for lunch. and we finished banana cupcake I made on Sunday.

 

[Swimnoid]

Well, I am going to run out of meat from the freezer by next week so the challenge will be finding sales meat and then still using what is in the pantry to make meals. That will be interesting. I will still have a bunch of fish but DH wont eat that (hence why it is still in the freezer ) so I'll be using that for lunches. By the end of the month though, the cupboards should be pretty bare and I can get all new stuff!!

Tonight will be salmon from the freezer (DH will eat that with an upturned nose) stuffed baked potatoes and salad.

 

[momto1]

I still have a long, long way to go to make a dent in my stockpile. The good news is that I didn't go to the store this week to stock up on some great sales. So, I save money and didn't add to the already large stockpile.

Today - lunch is a can of soup with the end of the hummus and pita and grapes. They will be done today!

Tonight - either Chili Corn Dog Pie using canned chili, hot dogs and corn muffin mix. Or pork chops, pesto pasta, and asparagus. Everything is from the freezer or pantry.

I need to menu plan for the remainder of the month focusing on what is on hand and trying not to make a meal that I have to buy something for.
Lori

 

[stahshee]

well I rearranged my cubbard today due to I have more room.. I found 2 more jars of jelly .. I will bring that to the food pantry.

it was a snow day so I was really able to get some food out of the freezer, cubbard, and fridge

we had pancakes out of the cubbard(now I am down to about 2 boxes)
we also had ham on the rolls (finished the kiser rolls)
along with 2 cucumbers I found in the fridge
snacks I am trying to push the bagels. I have about 3 more packs in the main fridge
dinner ...ziti with meat balls that I found in the freezer. Some spagetti sauce...
when I found the meat balls I also found more of my homemade dinner rolls

Today we have way to much bread

I have not had to buy anything all week... this weekend I prob will have to buy milk...but wait yes I have 2 frozen half gallons that I got for free (we do a milk club)

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Okay it is getting a bit slim around here and 17 days to go..

Tonight my daughter has a double header at basketball so we are going to clean out the freezer...

Chicken fingers - $4.00 (store bought, restaurant quality)
French Fries $1.00 (frozen baked with seasoning)
Can of Corn $.35
Dipping Sauces $.50
Milk (I mention because we usually have water) $1.00
Fresh Fruit if they are still hungry (already budgeted)
$6.85 for family of 4 and there will be no leftovers...

I am going to post for tomorrow also because I have it out and defrosting..

2 small boneless sirloins that will be grilled (sliced thin to stretch the meal)
Onions and mushrooms sauteed in a steak sauce for garnish
Baked potatoes w/ butter, green onion and sour cream.
Green Beans
Homemade rolls... Well I was going to add up the cost but its a birthday meal and they shouldn't have a price tag on it. But I must let you know that all the items were already in the house and I am going to forego any cake or store bought dessert and make up jello/with mandarin oranges from the cupboard.

I am sure it is much cheaper than going out and I am proud of this

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I haven't posted in a few days. Been busy and under the weather. Migrane x5 days now. I HATE NE weather. Only lived here my whole life and still can't get used to it.

02/01 -0- All meals from home
02/02 -0- All meals from home
02/03 3.50 Mc.D's (within eat out budget) $1.38 CVS (within Misc budget)
02/04 -0- All meals from home
02/05 9.38 DD desided after 13 yrs. she now loves PBJ. and had to have it for lunch today. And DH informed me you can only have it on white bread.So much for "eating out of the fridge" this month. (still within budget)
02/06 -0- All meals from home
02/07 -0- All meals from home
02/08 17.00 @ McD's. I was in bed with migrane and DH desided Fish from McD's was better than the free fish in the freezer. Everything else came from home.
02/09 -0- $32.00 wings eat out. But, had a $50 gc
02/10 -0- All meals from home
02/11 -0- All meals from home
02/12 -0- All meals from home
We seem to be doing well, but, still haven't made a dent in the pantry or the freezer.

 

[delmar411]

Looking through the freezer for the sausage though ... I might even be able to eat out of the pantry/freezer NEXT month. Now that's scary!

We'll be able to go another month I'm sure. It's taken me a week to eat 2 meals worth since no one has been eating much. I've even been eating the dreaded leftovers!

 

[delmar411]

we're still chugging along. DH keeps setting me back though w/ bringing home the extras from work. He brought home 4 half chickens last night and told me this morning there was a surprise in the fridge for me. UGH! I still have a 1/4 of a chicken from a few days ago when he brought home 2 halves! I'm not sure how much he thinks these kids eat but he can't bring home anymore new food! LOL

 

[luv2nascar]

2/13 breakfast sandwich at work $1.75 free coffee at work
packed lunch from home sandwich
Dinner was orange stir fry chicken
everything was on hand for this - brown rice
2 frozen chicken breasts from freezer and found about dozen small frozen shrimp. Onion, carrot, found can of water chestnut in pantry.
spice from pantry, soy sauce, oj, cornstarch, water, and oyster sauce.
Have a lunch portion left over too.

 

[jwann]

Today was freezing cold here!
We ate soup and crackers from the pantry.
I also made choc. chip cookies and rice krispy treats with ingredients I had in the pantry.

 

[solferino]

My best friend and I were talking about challenging each other NOT to go out and buy more food, but to eat only what we already have on hand in the fridge, freezer and pantry. This would be for the month of February.

Of course, you are allowed to pick up perishables like milk, bread, produce, etc. But nothing else!

I really don't think this is going to be hard for me since my freezer is packed with chicken and ground beef and turkey. I also counted 9 cans of spaghetti sauce in the pantry!

I am just interested to see how little I will spend on groceries this month.

Anyone wanna try it too?

We raise our own chicken for meat and recently split a cow with DH's parents, we didn't do it to save money, but because I like knowing where my meat comes from. All that aside, with the rise in gasoline prices, it seems that even though I'm no longer buying meat I'm still spending the same amount of money when I was buying it for produce, dairy and bread that is being purchased now. It's maddening!

 

[mjantz]

I did have to go to the store today but it was for perishables. I got sliced apples, Country Crock, cheese & popcicles (DD insisted)

Dinner 2/13 was chicken nuggets & french fries with apples for the kids. DH had leftover cheesy chicken from last night & I still haven't eaten anything (which I really need to fix).

Tomorrow will probably be sausage & hashbrowns mixed together with fruit on the side. Friday I'm considering 'Redneck Chipotle' (make your own burritos [chicken taco meat, rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, onion, etc]). I've got some corn tortillas so someone could have tostadas too if they wanted.

You guys have given me so much motivation!

 

[Swimnoid]

Friday I'm considering 'Redneck Chipotle' (make your own burritos [chicken taco meat, rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, onion, etc]). I've got some corn tortillas so someone could have tostadas too if they wanted.

You guys have given me so much motivation!

That's what I'm having Friday too!

 

[momto1]

Last night I stopped at the store for Pork Roast at 78 cents per pound - I got 2 - and pork chops at 99 cents per pound. I didn't really need either but the price was too good to pass up. So...in the freezer they went.

Today - lunch will be a sandwich, baby carrots with ranch dip leftover from who knows when, newly opened box of wheat thins leftover from Christmas.

Tonight - we will go out to eat for Valentine's Day using a gc.

Back on track tomorrow.
Lori

 

[delmar411]

last night was faux mac n cheese. I tried to remember how to make a cream sauce then added in shredded cheese....it was yellowish at least!

Just very flour-ish tasting...

I added in some hunks of velvetta but I'm not sure if that will improve the leftovers. and more milk too. Never used velvetta before so I'm not 100% sure if that tastes like cheese or what.

 

[stahshee]

Well tonight I am going to make home made meat balls in gravy .. with the rest of my fresh poatoes along with more of my home made dinner rolls I also have some fresh tomatoes to eat.. along with some oranges that NEED to be eaten..

Just to let you guys know I have gained 3 lbs with the challange and I blame it on the cream cheese and bagles .. I still have more bagles to get rid of in my freezer and I AM NOT BUYING CREAM CHEESE...(because I can not controll my self ) I think I will be makeing Pizza bagles..