Sunday, August 19, 2012

Grateful!!

This is one of those weeks were the check book is practically empty, the fridge is pretty empty and the freezer prospects aren't that reassuring either.

I was just about to completely panic.

Then I went to church today, heard a wonderful message, fellowshipped with some great people and I took a deep breath found my center and things don't look that hateful after all. PTL!!!

Before church I was thinking to myself omgosh I don't know how we are going to make it through this week.

Then I came home, took a good long look at what we have on hand and thought, huh! why am I worried?, I just have to get a little creative and this is cake!! Why I was worried in the first place I don't know. It will take a little work but we will be completely fine and dh gets paid on friday and I will be able to grocery shop then so...panic?? GONE!!!

I think the fear of a low checkbook is what started my panic. But having the pantry is more than going to make this ok!! Its far what it should be, way far like pluto kind of far from what it should be but there is enough to get us through this little hiccup and for that I am grateful!!!

I might not have a vast assortment of meats to work with but I can get creative and make some pretty great meals with what we do have and dh gets paid on Friday so crisis averted!!

Just concretes the idea of stocked pantry for me!! Of course mine needs help, as in I need to be better stocked, better prepared but I'm getting there and am grateful for what we do have available to use!!

How bout you?? Do you have a stocked pantry?? What's your favorite thing to stock?? Whats your go to meal when money is tight???

5 comments:

  1. I do not have a stocked pantry...at all. This is something I'm working on - I'm only in the planning stages now because I've tried this once before and ended up buying stuff I thought I would need or use, only to have them still on the shelf years later, still looking for creative ways to use them.

    I don't grow enough (yet) to stock up from my own supply, and local 'farmers markets' in my area are not a place to find bargains (it's more like the prices are double the prices of grocery stores). I've tried couponing, but found myself buying a lot of convenience foods that were not healthy and were things I wouldn't normally buy but did because I had a coupon.

    With all that said, my goals are to cut down my trips to the store to 2x a month (besides milk, eggs and bread), keep stock of things we use all the time (which were hopefully bought at the lowest price possible), and always have items on hand to for 2 weeks worth of meals. Oh boy, I’m not sure I’ll ever have a plan that can accomplish all of these goals!

    I only have one fridge and one freezer - this makes stocking up on fridge and freezer foods a little difficult.

    I've never canned anything, but your blog has given me inspiration to try. I'm going to ask for canning supplies for my birthday this year and give it a go with store bought produce, bought on sale. All with hopes that next year my own garden will be producing enough for me to can something!

    Wow, that was a long answer! Sorry, I got a little carried away there!

    As far as when money is tight, my go to meal is chili. The last time I made it, I calculated it cost $5.75 to feed five us and have leftovers for chili nachos later that week. My rule is all of our dinners cost $10 or less. The only time we go over is holidays and birthday weeks (where the kids get to pick a full week of meals when it's their birthday).

    For the chili, I use the McCormick's seasoning package (ok, ok, I'm pretty embarrassed about this, but I have not been able to find a homemade blend that comes out as good as the packet!) and follow the directions but I only use 1/2 lb of ground beef and three cans of beans instead of two. I also double the amount of tomatoes they call for and add some additional chili spices (chili powder, cumin, etc..) to make up for the additional tomatoes. I serve it over white rice, with sour cream and shredded cheese and corn muffins. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s quick and easy a crowd pleaser in my house!

    Another long-winded answer - I'm on a roll! Sorry! = )

    I wish you the best of luck getting through the week. Who knows, you may end up with a new favorite recipe with one of your creative ideas from this week!! I hope you do!

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  2. We always have food of some kind, and a fairly well-stocked pantry. I can get panicky, though, when I have certain dishes in mind and have few or none of the ingredients on hand. It seems like there's nothing there, but in reality, there's always something here to be cooked.

    This is the second time today I've been asked what's my go to meal when either money or time is tight. In those cases, I tend to make breakfast for supper. Shane will make ramen noodles with eggs cooked in them. Not the healthiest, but if fills us up when we need something quick, easy and/or cheap.

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  3. I'm glad you realized you had food. God is good. One of my go to meals when funds are low is something involving dried beans. I always have different varieties on hand. They are inexpensive and very healthy. Enjoy your day and God bless.

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  4. I do breakfast for supper or make a soup of some kind. Of course you know the man of this house refuses vegetarian meals, just like yours. There MUST BE MEAT! So my soups are usually chili, chicken and rice or the kale soup you gave me the recipe for.

    My pantry is kind of stocked right now, but not really. I just canned 28 quarts of green beans, so it looks like there's lots of food but it's mostly beans. :)

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  5. Tiffani!! Ha are fellas are so much alike that way!! Silly Carnivores!! LOL I love that Kale soup but Cookie won't eat it!! Way to go on the green beans!!!

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