Since our 11 day challenge has come and gone (BTW we did OK on it. I realize I never updated it. I am the worst about that.), I decided it was time to get the pantry cleaned out so we are now doing a "30 day eat out of your pantry" challenge. Basically, I am going to do my best to only shop for what is absolutely necessary and instead of stocking more food that will be overlooked, we will be eating from what we have. It won't all be uber healthy, but it will get rid of some things and allow me more space to start stocking up healthier options. This is technically day 3 for this challenge, but I am just now finding the time to post! I will try to post some of the recipes we try as well.
The Challenge: Eat mostly out of our pantry and freezer stockpile. Shop only for fresh fruit/veggies, dairy, bread and the hubs weekly lunch supplies.
The Rules: Besides shopping only for the above each week, we will not be eating out at all the rest of the month except for the two special occasions that happen this month. We went out Sunday for Mother's Day and will go out again next week for our 10 year wedding anniversary.
The Budget: $200 for the entire month. This includes a $50 order to Azure plus gives us a little wiggle room.
The Goal: To not only use up what we have neglected or forgotten in the pantry and the freezer but to also teach the kids good stewardship of the resources we have been blessed with. We will be no doubt be getting creative as the month goes on, so it will be a chance for us to work together to find unique alternatives for the foods we have. We will also be working on a month long menu plan.
The Challenge: Eat mostly out of our pantry and freezer stockpile. Shop only for fresh fruit/veggies, dairy, bread and the hubs weekly lunch supplies.
The Rules: Besides shopping only for the above each week, we will not be eating out at all the rest of the month except for the two special occasions that happen this month. We went out Sunday for Mother's Day and will go out again next week for our 10 year wedding anniversary.
The Budget: $200 for the entire month. This includes a $50 order to Azure plus gives us a little wiggle room.
The Goal: To not only use up what we have neglected or forgotten in the pantry and the freezer but to also teach the kids good stewardship of the resources we have been blessed with. We will be no doubt be getting creative as the month goes on, so it will be a chance for us to work together to find unique alternatives for the foods we have. We will also be working on a month long menu plan.
I plan on keeping a list of the things we used up so that we can have a visual of all of the things we were letting just sit and expire.
Picture Credit
6 comments:
This is such a great idea. I have wanted to do this several times but the problem is that our pantry is full of stuff that we don' t want to eat. I really need to take a trip to the food bank to donate it all and start over. (I do a lot of gas deals and though we may save money with the purchases, we don't always want to eat it.)
Another thing you mentioned is that it won't always be that healthy. We have a lot of pumpkin in the freezer that my daughter froze from our garden last year, but I keep hesitating because the only thing we like to do with that is make pumpkin bread and that isn't the greatest thing for us.
I may just join you on this challenge :) I'm curious to see how it goes for you.
Great idea! We did something like this the last few weeks we were in our home before our cross-country move. I didn't set a budget for the food we did purchase though, great tips.
I went back and forth about whether we should donate and start over. For the most part I have been weeding out the bad stuff. Or rather not replacing it. So far I just can't justify not eating it so I do my best with what we have.
A good rule to follow on the treats (pumpkin bread) is to only eat what you are willing to make from scratch so if you want pumpkin bread go ahead and make it! For me at least, the idea of making something from scratch and having to clean up the mess after, keeps me from over doing the "junk" too much. I am sure though that if you look you could find a healthy version of the bread. Maybe swap flours and sugars to healthier alternatives. Again, just do what you can to make it as healthy as you can and I think you will be fine :)
I would love for you to join me! It is always easier when you have support!
Hi again :) I just added you to my blog roll as a reminder to check back here to see how your pantry challenge is doing.
I have a teen daughter who will bake anything she loves to do it but it is just not great for our health. I was thinking that maybe we could make the bread and give it to our neighbors. I always want to do things like that, maybe now is the time to start.
I think another benefit of this challenge is fun. I think the kids will think it's really fun to clean out as a family whether we are giving the food away or eating it ourselves.
We will have to find an awesome pumpkin bread recipe if we want to give them away - so there will have to be a lot of taste testing, lol.
Thanks so much for the great idea. If I do join you I'll let you know.
Such a great idea!
Won't be starting this immediately, but with the upcoming paycheck when I make out our next projected menu list. My sweet daughter like to do "inventory" and it's time to clean out that pantry! I know there are a few things in the freezer we could use up, but for the most part it's God's provision of meat for the year.
Looking forward to your recipes!
WOW! Can't wait to see how this goes! Visiting from wlw.
Post a Comment