Hello all - happy Tuesday. I hope all are well this morning. It is a very chilly morning here, in the 30's. So far it has not gotten to freezing here! YAY! I hate seeing all the buds freeze after things start really growing. The first moments of sunrise were really something to see this morning. It was like a giant hug in the sky. The sky turned pink in all directions! Granted it was brightest in the East - but the pink spread 360 degrees. Just so pretty.
Now that the holiday is over, it is time to get back to normal and back to doing all things frugal again.
Here is my question or challenge to all.
Can or could you go all week cooking meals using ONLY what you have on hand? How about the next two weeks? I know many of us do this most weeks and it is a usual thing - but there are so many who shop every week or very often. Now I not talking about those runs in to see what clearance we can find - I am talking staying out of the stores completely!
CAN YOU?
So there you go - my little challenge to you all. Use only what is in your pantries and your freezers to fix all meals this week and hopefully next week.
WHY you ask? I say why not! It will save you money you can use for something else or save, it is being mindful of what you have so that nothing goes unused, and it is good practice!
Practice for what?
Well, if you shop every week and only keep enough provisions on hand to last just the week or two - you may be very sorry one day. If deliveries can't get to stores - they will be empty in a couple days. PERIOD!
If grid would go down - there will be no transactions - as there will be no way to sell or record those transactions, without reverting to pen and paper and cash! (also would affect deliveries)
If supplies are in short supply, you need to be prepared at home.
If YOU have an emergency - such as loss of job, illness, or natural disaster - $ will be tight and you will need to rely on why you have.
There are many reasons to keep supplies on hand for the 'just in case' scenario.
It is just a smart move to at least give this a trial run. Use what you have ONLY for a good week - hopefully two and see what you can come up with. Get creative. Not only is this smart to try, but it can also be fun. If you have kiddos at home - get them involved too.
This is pretty much normal for me, and several others that read here. I love my special deals I find, but I often stay out of stores for weeks. I always have enough milk, eggs, and even fresh goods to last for a good while. I can keep fresh produce a long while with a little prep. Once summer gets here, it will be even better, with my own 'grow'ceries. I learn to substitute things as well.
So, what do you think? Can you do it? Willing to try?
I hope many give it a try and play along - then you can report back each week on how well it went. You can find holes in your inventory and figure out where you need to step it up.
Have fun!
Have a super day and be blessed and bless others.
I always have enough to go 2-3 weeks if needed. Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh fruit and eggs are what doesn't stretch. We are still eating last year's CSA veggies that I froze. I bought fresh cauliflower and mushrooms 3w ago because I wanted fresh and oh did we enjoy those.
ReplyDeleteSo can I? Yes. Will I? Not this time. I have to pick up my farm fresh eggs today (every 2 weeks), and we're out of fruit and I don't want to go without for a full week.
It is great that you are still stretching out last years CSA produce. Fresh does taste good.
DeleteThat is the thing - you CAN! You chose not to and that is a choice to add more. You can do it as you have enough to get you through - and that is a good thing. It is good to have extra.
I could go quite a while without needing anything. This is a good challenge though. A stocked pantry saves not only money but time and makes things easier for me.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should investigate their area too and see if you have farmers, dairy farms or ranchers that sell. It's often cheaper than the grocery stores and definitely healthier and tastier.
Yes and yes. It sure can save time and money.
DeleteYou are so correct that everyone needs resources to have food that isn't 'store' bought. Those are generally small businesses and our using them, helps support a family.
I do buy beef from a nearby rancher, salmon from a family that makes their living fishing in Alaska for their fishing season so about 6m/year, eggs from a family farm and I have a CSA. I assure you that it is much more costly than the stores AND the nutrition and freshness is worth every penny.
DeleteElle I love that you have those resources. So wonderful to be helping other families. Yes, they are worth it - but not all folks can afford the cost financially. One just needs to do the research and see what they can find close to them. Health has no price tag - agreed - but some still have to watch the pocketbook.
Delete100% understand. I replied because I have never found farm fresh food cheaper than the store's full price and I though that was Lori's intent-perhaps I misread it. For decades, we couldn't afford farmer's market so I truly appreciate our Blessings.
DeleteElle, eggs here are cheaper than the store along with buying bulk meat from farmers. Every area is different. We are in a rural area.
DeleteI wouldn't have a problem with this. In fact, the food prepared in the past 2 wks was from the stock on hand (even a company meal) - roast chicken, pea soup, roast pork, roasted veg (potatoes, sweet potato, carrots, onion), berry crisp (rhubarb, blueberries, strawberries), quesadilla (chicken, peppers, mushrooms, cheese). I appreciate that there's only my palate to please but I think I could do this even with more mouths to feed. The quesadilla filling will be transformed into a pasta dish today. I'm making zucchini muffins w/ the zucchini that was frozen last fall.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! You should be proud of that. I can cook a big meal for a crowd often if I choose. It would just take a little thawing. I am like you and basically only have to satisfy my tastes, and that makes it easy. Some days I just don't want to cook.
DeleteAll the food you have fixed sounds wonderful to me. Good going, keep it up!
Yep, I do this all the time. My shopping is usually for bargain groceries. I made split pea soup yesterday with everything I already had. I also prepped beans & some vegs for big dinner salads for the next few days. I got one of those big tubs of spring greens for 99 cents a week ago and it's still fine. Well covered it will last over a week. If I don't use it all before it wilts (though unlikely) I'll use it to make stock.
ReplyDeleteThe only fresh thing I'd desire is produce. But I only buy from the bargain bin so I can go without if I need to. Not a fan of canned or frozen but do keep some of that on hand for when I want to stay out of the store.
YAY! Glad to hear it. It sounds like you shop like I do. Anymore there is no 'real' shopping runs - just going to look for deals. I get my produce marked down as well. Great minds!!!!
DeleteIt sure pays to know how to keep things and stretch them in various ways.
Excellent challenge! I was rooting around in the freezer in the house refrigerator and found all kinds of things stuffed in there. Hmmm, think we'll start there! Found two all beef sausages/wieners and that will be good with sauerkraut for lunch. Citrus and onions are on the Costco list but other than that, we are pretty well set. Yes, eager for grow-ceries!
ReplyDeleteDebating about going out to run limbs and such through the shredder. The sun is pretty but I imagine that is just a teaser...ha!
Good for you! I have been doing the same. I found a pack of chops that have probably been in the freezer well long enough. They will go in the crockpot with some vegs maybe and cook up nice and tender. A for sure this week. I will be using leftovers from today into making another meal completely.
DeleteI just came in - once you start moving, it feels great.
Theoretically I'm sure I could go at least two weeks with whats on hand. I regularly draw up lists of possibilities and can get a couple weeks without being to creative or out of norms. Add a third week and meals will be let's say interesting.
ReplyDeleteInteresting can be good too!! I love coming up with new creations. Good for you. It is so nice to have the option to just stay home and save a little$.
DeleteOther than needing to get milk (I have severe osteoporosis and need the calcium) and perhaps some fresh fruit (need to build up my canned stock), I could perhaps last close to a month with what I have on hand. I only shop every two weeks and have managed to build up a protein store, and a fairly good and well stocked pantry.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I love my milk. I usually have enough for a good two weeks.
DeleteGood for you - it sure is nice to have the extra supplies on hand. Weather and all sorts of things can keep us home - so best to be prepared.
I could do 2 weeks, and tend to shop sales unless I am out of something. In Canada our prices and taxes are higher, we do not get the deals you mention. I use different grocery stores (5 on our Main Street of town within 10 minutes) and Costco. Occasionally I go farther to get specific items. I am so thankful for a big freezer.
ReplyDeleteGood for you on shopping sales. It just amazes me how much more expensive things are there. I am very thankful to find the deals I do find.
DeleteNice to have many choices in places to shop.
That freezer can be a wonderful gift. Out freezers and pantries sure are a blessing to help us stock up.
First, I want to thank everyone who expressed condolences in the passing of my husband last month. Your kindness will always be remembered.
ReplyDeleteI do have a deep pantry and with what's on hand doing a month or so is not out of the question. I enjoy getting creative and making new meals out of what's on hand. I do use the Debbie Meyer Green bags for produce storage, and they really do extend the life of fruits and vegetables for weeks. They're reuseable up to 9 ties per bag. Cookie
Hi Cookie - so very glad to see you post. You have been missed, but it is very understandable. I hope you are doing well. Always know you are loved!
DeleteHaving a deep pantry is just such a benefit. I wish everyone would understand that. You know I have never tried the green bags, but I hear good things about them. May have to get myself some. Thanks for that info.
Glad to have you back. Take care.
No, I could not, and the reason for that is my grandson eats a lot of fresh fruit, and I like my fresh veg. Since these items only are available locally for a short time in the year (and most fresh fruit is rarely), and as a result, are trucked in to us, I usually shop once a week to fill the crispers.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I certainly could manage for at least a week or two on what is in the pantry and freezer.
Fresh is best - but sometimes I have had canned or frozen instead. I am glad you can do it. I just hope nothing happens to stop you from being able to shop like that. I just want to be prepared (in case).
DeleteI know tons of people keep only a couple weeks of food on hand, but I would just feel anxious.
I live a 20 minute walk from a large shopping strip that has several grocery stores so I shop every few days for fresh food. I find that means I waste less, and it is a nice round walk in the fresh air to pick up a few items.
ReplyDeleteHowever I do have a well stocked pantry and freezer. I could easily go for 6 months eating out of it fairly healthily, and even if I lost electricity I could eat cold beans, cereals, packet milk etc from the pantry.
Good exercise is a plus. So glad to see you say that you have a well stocked pantry and freezer as well. That is a relief. It just really makes me worry for people that don't keep much in the house. I do like fresh and I do like my deals, but like you I could go a very long time of what I have here.
DeleteI can go quite a while with canned and frozen, but I'd be in trouble without fresh fruit and veggies. At my age (80s) that stuff is more important for my insides than it used to be. Also, the milk I buy here is not good for 2 weeks. ... and I do not like sour milk, nor do I enjoy dried milk. I can substitute Almond Milk, but it's not the same, and it's very expensive.
ReplyDeleteI did cope during that wretched hurricane in 2024. There was no electricity, so no refrigeration and half my freezer stuff spoiled before I could eat it. All I drank was bottled water as the tap water was not potable. It was not fun, but it was a challenge and can be done. :)
It's really tiresome to do all washing and bathing in a bowl of water, and all the cooking over a candle. Gets old fast. ;)
MaryB
BUT you survived and you know you can make it through about anything! Not a good experience but a beneficial one for learning.
DeleteI am glad you keep canned and frozen as well. That makes me feel better for you. My frig keeps milk so very cold and fresh. I store on the bottom shelf at the back.
You sure learned a lot during that time - as did many people.
I could, with a great deal of inventiveness and ignoring any type of nutritional value, probably go three to four weeks, but the meals would be pretty poor. Still, good to know I could do so in an emergency. Take care, Louise
ReplyDeleteYou better get some nutritious food in that house girl. Add some veggie or canned fruit, and protein to add value to those cheaper type meals.
DeleteSure having something so that one would not starve is wonderful, but you need some good stuff too.
I know you keep busy all the time but start adding some good things to that pantry!
I could do it, but you already knew that. LOL Having only one weeks worth of groceries in my home would be like living on the edge to me and I don't like that feeling.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both. I would just be in a state of panic and filled with anxiety. I have to know I will be ok for the long haul.
DeleteI could last several months. It would not be exactly what we wanted each day, but it would keep us fed
ReplyDeleteI could go at least a month and probably much more….would miss fresh produce and milk but could manage. But, during these uncertain scary times, I do not want to eat down my pantry since I think there will be uncertain food times ahead. I do rotate but not trusting what this administration is doing. Thinking worse times and access to food to come. I want to keep a very deep pantry right now.
ReplyDelete