Hello all - hope this finds you well. It is a gloomy yet warmer morning here. It was about 50*F when I got up! Not going up a lot, but hey, it is January, so that will work for me. I doubt we see much sun either. Yesterday was beautiful.
Today I get back to business - I have had my rest and my quiet. Now, I am not going to go gangbusters, but it is going to be busier for me.
I have craft projects to complete, more cleaning I want to do, and my big thing is PANTRY/FREEZER use. I have a lot of many items, and I need to use them. Not sure what I am waiting for.
Bur having it, and not continually using the oldest, doesn't do us a bit of good.
In my opinion if we have to throw items away for whatever reason, it is exactly the same as throwing cash in the trash can. You wouldn't do that would you?
The pantry/freezer is like a savings account to me. You deposit more than you use, and there is always an emergency fund on hand!
Keeping ourselves out of the store a little more, is not a bad thing. Yes, you may miss a deal this week - but if you didn't know about it, well, I do not consider that a loss. It will all work out, and you find the deals you are meant to find.
If you mess up and spend and spend - don't give up! Just get back up and start again. That advice applies to ALL money matters.
Just don't waste what you have on hand. Many articles say that the average American throws out more than $25 - $50 worth of food a month. I would bet it is much more!!!!!
Also remember 'BEST IF USED BY" does not mean expired!!!!!! Most items are good for long after that date - loooong after!
You don't have to have fancy ingredients to have good tasting meals. You can perk up food in an abundance of ways. Herbs, spices, mixing up ingredients - just by getting a little creative.
That is a simple meal of red beans and rice, all seasoned up and cut up a little smoked sausage - and my cornbread. It was perfectly wonderful and very filling. My cost - probably less than a couple dollars and there was food left for another meal.
Heck you can do the same thing with peanut butter and/or jelly. Peanut butter and marshmallows and nuke for a few seconds! Lots of ways to save a little and use what you have.
If you start using what you have and shopping less, it is a win-win. You don't WASTE and you can get creative and have fun with food. AND you save dollars - which can be used for something else or even SAVED! There is a concept!!! LOL
If you are like me - I can't walk out of a store for less than $50+. I can go for just a couple things - then find stuff that "I just can't live without". Well, I have decided I can live without all the extra crap and in the process, the savings account/checking account gets tad bigger (for another use). If you stay out of store a good 2 or 3 weeks a month - well that is $100-$150++ extra you didn't know you could have!
Just some things to think about. You do not go without, you use what you have, and you make good food. How is that not a WIN???
Have fun with your food.
I will probably be doing several foodie posts in coming weeks - it is just fun to learn new ideas and figure out how NOT to waste!
Have a bountiful and tasty day!
I challenged myself one yr to use up all the protein in the freezer before buying more. It took 6 mos. There were purchases for the 2 holiday events in that time period. Shop at home first & plan a menu around what's already there. It's time to defrost the chest freezer in preparation for a chicken delivery. I wonder what treasures I will find?
ReplyDeleteI don't want to use it all up - but most assuredly the oldest ALWAYS. I will continue to replace after a point - I mean how much does one person need? I have a holiday gathering still on the 18th and have everything here, for my menu. Kind of nice.
DeleteIt sounds like you are working on the refresh as well. Hope you find some good treasures!
I look forward to your foodie posts. Always inspiring. I try to do the same thing using up odds and ends. The downside is if I hit on a real winner I may never be able to duplicate it again. Lol.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I do an inventory so I know what I have to utilize.
Or I'll gather a bin in the freezer and the pantry and make sure I use those items first. Or if I decide I want to fix a certain dish and dont have everything, I decide what I can sub and still be about the same. Sometimes its even better the new way.
Thanks. LOL - yep, that can be a problem. Glen used to say - fix that again - and I would be "umm, maybe!"
DeleteI do an inventory every time I sort the upright - and that goes to the forgetful memory very quickly.
I like the bin idea. Subs are always good - and no waste and creative vibes.
I just pulled a few banana muffins from the freezer. These were made from 3 bananas that go too soft on the counter and were tossed in the freezer. Gosh, does that make them recycled muffins??? ;-) And they are sooo filling! Next up? Finish off that carton of cottage cheese that's been open for awhile. A chocolate protein smoothie is up next.
ReplyDeleteRecycled muffins - love it! I would say so.
DeleteI would probably make lasagna if I had cottage cheese or maybe some other baked dish. I just can't handle the taste in unbaked form! LOL Enjoy the smoothie.
Elle-- We make protein cheesecake with cottage cheese. It's a really good high protein snack or dessert. Here's the recipe.
DeleteProtein Cheese cake
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 egg
1 TBSP yogurt
1 scoop of any kind of protein powder
1/2 tsp vanilla or lemon extract
Put all into food processor or blender and process until smooth. Pour into greased mug or similar sized ramekin and bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate until firm. Makes 1 medium sized serving or 2 small servings.
I sometimes add some blueberries or a tsp of chocolate chips before putting in the oven.
Cookie
Thanks for that cheesecake idea, it sounds great! I don't ever have Protein Powder, so I'd have to figure out some substitute - shoot, I don't even know what is *in* protein powder! :D I'll figure out something.
DeleteYes, use up all the bits and pieces. Today there was a serving of cooked spinach: mixed in a small cube of cream cheese and some parmesan, nuked until nice and hot. Mmmm. :) That with some sauteed sweet potato just hit the spot. A handful of nuts for more protein as "afters".
MaryB
Mary I bet that potato was tasty. Great idea.
DeleteYes, Cookie - thanks - I could do cottage cheese like that!
Mary B- I use powdered whey protein. Where I live it's available in the supplements section of different grocery stores. I haven't done this but maybe one or two TBSP of flour might work. Cookie
DeleteYay to more foodie posts! One of my goals is to eat some of the older packages in the freezer. I found two packages of cube steak whilst looking for the elusive meatballs in sauce.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely gloomy, dark, think it's time to go to bed. ha! When we had chickens they would go to bed when it was like this.
Yup, when you go into the store for a couple things, several other things are saying, "Pick me, pick me!" Think I will pull out some chicken to go on top of a salad for lunch. Need to eat more salads!
Off to run some errands...
You found MONEY! Cube steak is expensive anymore - I sure do like it, but don't buy it often.
DeleteIt IS gloomy!
Yes mam, the 'pick me' or 'I need that' hits every time for me. My answer, just stay away - I have plenty!
I love your foodie posts too. I'm pretty good with finding and using up little bits. Hubby not so much. Says he like leftovers but hmm, I don't really think so. I never realized just how picky he is.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think some say they like them - but are just being nice! I can eat anything over again, and I sure love to remake things. I was blessed with one that was not the least bit picky! That would make it tough.
DeleteI am right there with you trying to manage my overabundance of stored food items, while buying the minimum ( produce mainly). I am also trying to be very mindful of cooking only what we will eat at a single meal but still being careful to incorporate any leftovers in future meals.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of folks are opening eyes now that things cost more. I can usually keep produce a decent amount of time. I think more and more people are using the mindset that we need to really watch our resources and we need to mind our pennies. I love it.
DeleteI sometimes think I’d like it if I was more creative with food. I’m such a plain, boring eater and have been that way all my life. If I have leftovers of anything, I eat them as is. But I like seeing your creations! (I don’t have a lot of food to use up, but I have more bottles and containers of cleaning products - many from mom - that some things I’ll never have to buy in my lifetime, I think.)
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with eating leftovers as they are. I just love food, and flavors.
DeleteEverything counts in the pantry in my opinion - including all the cleaning stuff. That is a huge savings and will keep you well supplied.
I would like to do an audit of my food stores so that I know exactly what I have. I do keep a rolling list, but sometimes things don't get crossed off it and there is nothing worse than planning a meal around an item and then finding that I have run out of it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are successful. I never am. I try and try to keep an inventory, and like you said, things get forgotten to be marked - so I am never successful. Good luck - if you find a good system, let us know!
DeleteOh Cheryl this is so true. Sissie and I are on the same wavelength. We are doing inventories and using what we have. No trips to the grocer for that one thing that turns into 10 things. It is great to stock up on sales but eventually you have to eat it.
ReplyDeleteOne thing never ends up one thing. You are so right. Just substitute. Yep, stock up is wonderful and I highly recommend everyone do it - but we have to USE it too!
DeleteI spent today planning and prepping some meals, using up only what we have in the house. Yesterday it was potato soup, salad with homemade Ranch dressing, homemade biscuits and Christmas cookies. Today, I made 2 small Shepherds’ Pies (4 servings each) and 5 Chipotle beef (home canned) chimichangas. This means I don’t have to make dinner for the rest of the week! It also gives us great leftovers for lunches! And no trip to store OR take out food! It feels good to know that we have plenty of food in our pantry and freezer to see us through this winter and beyond!
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence says it all to me. Yes mam, it feels so good. I made potato soup too this week - great minds!
DeleteI love that a little prep and finesse allows you eat all week. That is wonderful.
I made it almost three weeks between grocery shops during December and the beginning of January. With the freezer mistake I have managed to go through all the meat in there and will be mixing the meat from there in with my bits and bobs in the fridge and fridge freezer. I really have lots of food, so I am going to try for another three weeks before shopping again. Could be interesting for sure.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That is great that you managed so long. It is amazing how much food we can accumulate. I don't want mine empty by any means - but lower yes.
DeleteGood luck with your next challenge.
your meal and dessert both look delicious! I have a full pantry and I really need to make a meal plan and use up stuff somewhat
ReplyDeleteIt really does make a difference at the grocery store. Much less shopping. No reason to have it, if you don't use some of it.
DeleteThanks.
In the pantry where all the cans and boxes are, I can see just about everything that is there. With the freezers, not so much. Things get pushed to the back and I forget what is there. So yesterday I pulled out some leftover pulled pork and chicken thighs. Last night we had the chicken thighs and today we will have pulled pork sandwiches. What a blessing to have so much!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It is nice to find those forgotten things and USE them, instead of having to throw them out. Yes mam, we are so very blessed.
DeleteKeeping a neat freezer is a never-ending battle for me.