Yes, it's that time of the month...when the food budget is gone and we are "inventive" mode aka...simple, use what you got mode. I will admit to overspending this month to buy milk and medication (sinus infections, bronchitis and ticks got us this month.) But here are some pictures of what we have:
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| Whole Wheat and White Flour with Vinegar |
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| Canned Applesauce and Tomatoes with homemade granola, raisins, beer, spritzer, and wine |
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| Pear Butter, Dried tomatoes and Peppers, Dried herbs and lemons, Dilly Beans and jellies |
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| Eggs |
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| Green Tomatoes |
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| Rice, pasta, beans, quinoa, one can tuna, and a can of Pumpkin. I think I see some marinades and PB as well. |
So here are some of my meal ideas...
Breakfasts:
Yogurt and Granola (not too inventive, but it's something that not everyone in the house typically will choose from their free will...) Fruit????
Pear Butter Muffins
Toast and Eggs (need to make bread) I think we may have some frozen berries to go with it!
Lunches:
Peanut butter and raisins on apple slices, Milk
Peanut Butter and Jelly (again with the bread I should make...) Applesauce on the side
Dinner:
Pasta with tomato sauce
Beef Veggie soup
MEAT (1/4 of a cow is in the freezer) maybe with some spiced up pumpkin and dilly beans
When I started writing this, I could hardly think of something to make tomorrow, but now that I took pictures, took stock, and thought about it, we have lots of things to nourish our family. It just is back to basics.
We are so fortunate for what we have. We have the ability to be picky. We have the ability to choose what we want to eat. It takes moments like this to realize how truly blessed we are.
I am almost embarrassed to publish this with my original thinking that the cupboards are bare, when there are people out there who do not have the makings of one balanced meal.
I bet we could go another 1-2 weeks on what is here.
I'm also thankful I have a food order to be picked up on Saturday (then I can really get cooking!)
I think I also need to start monthly meal planning. That would make us that much more efficient.
Then I could share with all of you the family meal plans, and maybe you could share with me as well?
What do you think...
What are you cooking...
If you have your own blog, put a link to what you're cooking, or leave a comment...
Or not...your choice.
I think you came up with some great ideas to use what you have in the pantry.
ReplyDeleteLately, with my husband unemployed, we have been on a very tight food budget. In the past, if I wanted to cook a particular meal for dinner and we were out of an ingredient or two, I would run to the store. I would also run to the store halfway through the week to pick up extra fruit, yogurt, and things like that that the kids snack on regularly.
But now, I've learned to be more creative and do what you are doing: look at what is in the house and try to figure out what I can do with it. I find it's actually fun to "scrounge" this way and see what I can come up with. And I know I'm saving money doing this, and using up bits of this and that in the back of the cupboard that probably wouldn't get used otherwise!
I'm begining to find scrounging fun...you might try reading "America's cheapest family gets you on the right track" I found it very helpful.
ReplyDeletedef post your ideas! It is tight for us lately and it is amazing what you can make if have to. It is hard to not be depressed but you have the right idea. At least there is a meal three times a day. It is more than what others have.
ReplyDeleteThat's what we keep telling ourselves. Every time W. has a little setback with his body, we keep saying it could be worse...Every time we see a child who is in a wheelchair, or needs feeding tubes, we remember that in compairison, W.'s issues are minor.
ReplyDelete