Pre-holiday pantry challenge

[tinkarooni]

I'm so proud of myself tonight! I arrived home a little late and just wasn't feeling the dinner thing. The dishwasher was not unloaded from yesterday (since my husband is at home most of the day the culprit was easy to ID in my opinion!) and for some reason there were 10 glasses half filled with water on the kitchen counter. NOT inspiring.

He offered to take me out somewhere but I was too tired to even think where I'd want to go. So, since rice was already in the rice cooker (with dumplings steaming in the basket) I decided to stick with the plan and make a stir-fry. It was so cool - I used up the last bit of a cabbage, a bag of frozen from the garden snow peas from the spring, the last two carrots, half an onion that's been sitting in the fridge, a can of bamboo shoots from the pantry and half a green bell pepper that I'd have to get to really soon anyway. I also opened up a can of mandarin oranges for more color to the meal. It wasn't the greatest dinner ever but it was responsible and cheap and I was so glad that I didn't give in to temptation!

Tomorrow: my SIL is coming over with my nephew. I think I'll make baked ziti (pasta, sauce, onions, garlic and cheese are already in the pantry/fridge) with peas and onions (freezer) and maybe a fruit salad (also from the freezer).

It feels good to do this! I'm going to try to keep going until at least the end of this month with very minimal purchases. I will need some eggs and veggies soon, and always with milk and o.j. but hopefully we can keep things to a minimum as we head into December.

I here ya. We've been decluttering the basement (translation throwing away anything not nailed down) and last night even frozen dinners seemed too hard. DH was pushing for Pizza but that would have cost $20.00. I dragged my sorry butt downstairs, picked out an array of frozen things to nuke and called it an "International Fiesta" Frozen pasta, burrittos, pizza and a bag of broccoli. Silly but saved me $20.00 and made a little more space in the freezer.

 

[charming23]

Last night's stir fry was yummy and used up most of the veggies left from sunday. We have some cucumber sticks and radishes left that my mom plans on eating with her lunch today.

For breakfast I had some Cheerios that I bought yesterday. We were out and cherrios are big in our house. With the sale and coupons I got two big boxes for $1 a piece.

Lunch is left overs. I am planning on pork bbq sandwich and mom wants the left over stir fry.

Dinner is mini meatloafs with buttered noodles and parmesean zucchini slices.

 

[tinkarooni]

I see that OP has reached her goal....Congratulations!

So I have personally set a goal to keep going with this until at least the 2nd week of December. Our grocery store (Giant Eagle) does food perks so I have 20% off my food purchase up to $300 to use. I am planning on using it that week for my next big food shopping.

Is anybody with me to keep going?

 

[Padme]

We had chicken tacos last night that used up a couple of chicken breasts, taco seasoning (which I won't be buying anymore, I've found making my own tastes better and is better for us) and a taco shell kit from the pantry. we did run get some lettuce and salsa but that will get me some more meals too.

Tonight is left over night. I figure I cooked three nights in a row so we can eat up leftovers for a day.

Would you mind sharing your recipe for your taco seasoning? We go thru tons of those little packets in our house and I would love a healthier option.

Thanks!!

 

[keenercam]

I see that OP has reached her goal....Congratulations!

So I have personally set a goal to keep going with this until at least the 2nd week of December. Our grocery store (Giant Eagle) does food perks so I have 20% off my food purchase up to $300 to use. I am planning on using it that week for my next big food shopping.

Is anybody with me to keep going?

I am with you to keep going. I am not going to stockpile ANYTHING that I have in the house. I will have to shop next week because DH and I will be gone for 9 days on vacation and I want there to be plenty of options for easy meals for the kids to make, but I want to continue to use up what we have in the freezer and the cupboards.

DS has a meeting at school tonight and I have to pick him up at 9, so I think I will occupy myself between work and then with taking an inventory and making up index cards with meal ideas. I'll also figure out what we have that I can make and put in the freezer for DD21, our housesitter, and DS16 to make while we are gone.

I also intend to follow the lead of PP and inventory all my Christmas wrapping supplies to make sure I dont' buy anything we don't need.

Thanks so much to everyone here for being such an inspiration.

 

[acename]

Would you mind sharing your recipe for your taco seasoning? We go thru tons of those little packets in our house and I would love a healthier option.

Thanks!!

I got this from an email that I get from FlyLady. My husband didn't notice the difference.

Taco Seasoning:

1 cup dried minced onion
1/3 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
4 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon oregano
4 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder

Then just store it in an airtight container. I use a tablespoon or so per pound of meat.

 

[tinkarooni]

We also have been purging other areas besides the freezer and pantry. We've been cleaning the basement and I have found tons of wrapping paper. Paper products, plates napkins etc. I brought all the paper products up and we have been using them. Some are leftover from my kids in pre-school (they're now 9 and 11!) DD gets a kick out of picking what napkins to use when she sets the table, last night was Valentines. We usually use cloth napkins so this is easier for me too while I'm digging my way thru the basement.

I also went through the bathroom supplies and will use up all those old shower gels, samples of shampoo and soaps. We have a whole pile of Mickey soap to use up. This is really getting to be fun! And I am saving big $$$.

 

[acename]

Tonight we're having chili. I'll use up some beans, ground turkey and tomatoes and tomato juice. I'm actually getting some room in my freezer now yahoo!

 

[Swimnoid]

Tonight using up frozen shrimp and fake crab for seafood enchiladas. Adding a can of refried beans from pantry.

 

[stahshee]

I am doing a turkey with home made apple sauce, home made rolls, that I am takeing out of the freezer. Home made stuffing from all the left over rolls. Also some yellow squash that I bought last week

lunch was grilled cheese and , cucumbers (that I finialy get to use)

 

[stahshee]

I also want to keep going. . I would like to lay off the food shopping so I can buy Christmas presents. I have 2 deep freezers to use also

I do have to admit Im still shopping.. This week I bought 5.05 worth of food.. Great coupons and a great sale

 

[Irin997]

Hey guys! I haven't updated in a while because I've been very busy BUT I have been sticking to the challenge! There is room in my freezer AND I feel great about not wasting food I already have by buying food I don't need yet. KWIM?

Anyway, tonight we have soccer practice and don't get home until about 7:15 or later - and it's the LAST soccer practice of the season! I'm having leftover frozen tortellini with the freezer red sauce I found and I'm making DD8 a grilled cheese and some green beans. I tell you what, both DD and I love green beans, but I seriously don't think I can buy them again from BJ's. We've been eating green beans at least 2-3 times per week for months now. Finally down to the last big bag.

Might make pork chops tomorrow....with green beans....

 

[kristinw3girls]

Cleaning out my paper products in the basement too! Guess what I found? 200 napkins from my wedding in 1993 My DH and girls got a kick out of using them! Now if I can just find something to do with all of the matches (embossed too!)!!! 16 years later, and still good!

 

[charming23]

I too have been using this theory in other areas. I recently cleaned out our linen closet and took stock of everything we have so I know and am not buying more (like body wash, we have 8 bottles ) So I am trying to use all that up first.

Next I am going to tackle the basement . I do not think anyone has organized down there in years. Who knows what I will find.

 

[momto1]

Yep, I want to keep up with the challenge, too. I could probably go until Easter I am embarressed to say.

I am going to go and do some stock up for the Christmas Day buffer later this week or first of next week - things like cream cheese, crackers, cranberries to freeze, etc. The prices are good and I have some coupons to use so...

Tonight - the guys are having leftovers. I have a meetnig at work where dinner is provided.

Lunch was leftovers and a salad. I really didn't want to cook last night but we needed the leftovers! Otherwise, no lunch today or supper for guys tonight!
Lori

 

[stahshee]

ok we had the turkey.. Tomm I have enough for sandwhich and some for dinner.. Friday will be homemade Turkey soup and I will be getting rid of the canned veggies also

 

[smiller]

I broke down and bought some groceries at the Aldi today - mostly special purchases which were deeply discounted, so I got a great price on everything!

My goal is to always have every meal include one item from the freezer or pantry. Eventually, I'll have to use it all up! Plus, I won't buy something just cuz I'm out of it - I'll wait until I need it, or until I find a fantastic sale.

One thing I'll always buy - appetizer food. It's amazing how much $$$ I can save by having my girlfriends over for "Cocktail Friday" instead of going out to a restaurant. Just pop a few appies in the oven, mix up dip & crackers, etc. So I will continue to keep these types of food in stock!

I should take a good inventory of not only the food, but the toiletries and paper products around my house. I'm constantly meaning to purge - this exploration mission might be the best start!

Lunch: homemade chicken noodle soup from the freezer
Dinner: chicken & bok choy stir fry

 

[tinkarooni]

I too have been using this theory in other areas. I recently cleaned out our linen closet and took stock of everything we have so I know and am not buying more (like body wash, we have 8 bottles ) So I am trying to use all that up first.

Next I am going to tackle the basement . I do not think anyone has organized down there in years. Who knows what I will find.

Oh my gosh. I just came up from the basement. Finally finished. I can't believe the stuff I found down there. From now I am really thinking before I bring anything into this house. No more stuff for us. I'm tired of storing it, cleaning it and moving it. I'm going to follow the one in one out rule from here on in. Good Luck with your basement!

 

[neatokimmo]

We had more of the rotisserie chicken, peas and fried potatoes with onions tonight. I should be able to finish up the chicken in my lunch Friday. The spaghetti is going into the freezer, we'll deal with that next month

I'm getting ready to make a chicken casserole for tomorrow, the kind with stove top and soup in it. I'm also going to use up a ton of potatoes, onions and peas for a side dish.

I am all for going on. I want to have room for, I don't know, ice maybe? in my freezer

 

[neatokimmo]

For those cleaning your basements, I feel your pain. I've been going through tons of stuff trying to determine what actually has value.

And don't get me started on bath stuff. I am trying to use up sample sizes of everything first, those little packs everywhere are a pain.