mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Nov 1, 2012 18:59:56 GMT -5
I have had trouble sticking to this because my mother wants to eat out.
It's her money she's wasting.
And my waist.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Nov 10, 2012 16:01:27 GMT -5
I'm doing a "clean out the pantry" day today and throwing a LOT of stuff away because it's just too old But! I'll have more room for things I know we will use and I learned the hard way what not to stock up on (because we may have gone through a spell of eating a lot of it, but then we just didn't). I do a LOT more scratch cooking than I was and some of the stuff just didn't appeal to me anymore. I have a much better idea of what I need to stock up on now, and some things I've decided to store in the freezer instead of on the shelf, simply because I don't use it fast enough. Things I know to keep in stock are peanut butter, different types of flour, rolled oats, sugar, honey, etc. Things I've gone away from--boxed mixes (do a lot more scratch cooking/baking now that DS is old enough to help with the "chore" parts), canned soups (only keep a few on stock for DS to heat a quick meal if I have to work late, but found easy recipes for the soups I really like). Most meals for the last couple weeks have been put together from things in the pantry and freezer, so I'll keep doing that. Last night I went to make spaghetti from stuff I had on hand, but decided to do beef stroganoff instead, since I had sour cream in the fridge (not something I keep on hand, but will buy if there is a good sale). Tonight will be homemade mac and cheese (trying a new recipe) and I'll toss either ground beef or hotdogs in it to make it a full meal. Later this weekend will be stuffing topped with chicken and cream of crap soup, and then I may make potato soup since I have everything for that on hand already. ETA: I bought celery for hamburger chowder and I'm going to chop that up and freeze it for future soups, etc, before it goes bad. It's another one of those things I just don't use often, but it would be nice to have on hand.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Nov 10, 2012 16:58:36 GMT -5
I, too, have been finding LOTS of expired stuff in the pantry...stuff I just don't eat much anymore (Hamburger Helper, etc.) and other stuff I guess I just way over bought (condiments, box mixes, etc.) I paid little or nothing for most of it, but it still makes me crazy to waste so much food! I need a better way to store what I have, know what's there, and a plan to use it, I guess...
I'm making the chicken and Stove Top bake tonight. I had chicken thawed out and couldn't decide what I wanted to make, something that took little effort. I had everything on hand, and modified it just a bit (added frozen broccoli, and some shredded cheese). It's an easy, tasty meal and reheats well. Being single, I eat lots and lots of leftovers...
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Wisconsin Beth
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No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Nov 14, 2012 9:17:08 GMT -5
I cleared a counter (a tiny one.) Tossed a bunch of bags of old cereal (we give the kids baggies of Cheerios or whatever) and stale crackers. I left a bunch of DH's specialty foods there - raw carob powder, organic brown sugar, some kind of coconut flakes. He wants to start baking gluten free stuff so he's glad to see what he's got on hand. I've got 2 cupboards of food storage to sort though yet. And I want to redo the spice/regular baking/snacks cupboard again. There's got to be a better way to organize that last one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 9:59:52 GMT -5
I know I am late to the "what to do with chicken thighs" question but my go-to is Chicken Cacciatore over egg noodles. We used Rachel Ray's recipe last time & the beef stock really did give it a slow cooked taste (I barely used any red pepper flake because of the kiddos). I also used regular old white mushrooms instead of portobellos. www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/quick-chicken-cacciatore-recipe/index.html
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moosmommy
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Post by moosmommy on Nov 30, 2012 0:06:51 GMT -5
I am going to get back at this I have been slacking. So my goal this weekend is to see what I have in my house and make some meal plans from there.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Nov 30, 2012 18:32:36 GMT -5
I have also been slacking and am going to do this seriously. I want to get some room cleaned out of the freezer and pantry before Christmas when my kids come home.
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moosmommy
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Post by moosmommy on Dec 3, 2012 14:50:29 GMT -5
I did go to the grocery store this weekend because there were some drinks and perishables that I needed. However, I also made dinner Sunday and used three items that have been sitting in the pantry. I was able to make my list of what we had in the house before making the trip to the grocery store so there were several items I bought that will specifically be used to complete meals we already have the majority of the items.
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moosmommy
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Post by moosmommy on Dec 14, 2012 9:42:20 GMT -5
So this week has kind of went bust. I have barely cooked and meals this week. We mostly just snacked. I did order the kids pizza Monday and they have been eating on that. My DH brought in subs last night. Need to get back on creating some meals and cleaning out pantry. I did last weekend make homemade tomato dill soup. It turned out nice.
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Wisconsin Beth
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No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Dec 14, 2012 11:18:13 GMT -5
I made an awesome pot roast yesterday, in the crock pot.
ETA - but I don't think much of any of it came from the pantry.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Dec 14, 2012 17:29:20 GMT -5
I am tossing everything that is expired, suspicious, enhealthy or unclaimed before the move- so we will be starting with an essentially clean slate. Can't wait!
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Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Dec 16, 2012 0:19:59 GMT -5
You go MizBear!
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 5, 2013 20:23:26 GMT -5
One of my goals this year was to empty my pantry and freezer before I bought anymore food. Tonight I almost caved and bought a frozen entree for supper. Instead I came home and dug out a container of chicken soup I had in the freezer.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Jan 5, 2013 20:28:40 GMT -5
The other night I wanted to get rid of more stuff, so I made dinner with frozen potato wedges, a can of kidney beans, and half a can of nacho cheese soup (did not dilute it like you would for soup). I thought I had a little frozen cooked beef left to toss on top, but I didn't (I should cook some up this weekend...) It didn't turn out too bad. Not something I'd eat every day, but not bad for just tossing crap into a baking dish.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 5, 2013 20:41:38 GMT -5
I feel challenged to see if I can not buy any food except eggs, milk, fruit and veggies until all the other food is gone.
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moosmommy
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Post by moosmommy on Jan 6, 2013 11:16:50 GMT -5
I am trying to go the whole month and only spend $100 on any food I need. So far its day 6 and I have only gotten a gallon of milk. So $4 spent not so bad so far. But need to get some salad mix.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Jan 6, 2013 11:23:39 GMT -5
Last night's lazy just-bake-a-chicken-breast for dinner turned into a "clean out part of the refrigerator" dinner. I started with just 3 chicken breasts, put them in a pan and closed the oven. Realized I forgot to season them so put a tuscan seasoning on them. Then, going through the fridge I saw I had mushrooms I needed to use up (I don't care for them but DS really likes them). So, when it was almost done, I put mushrooms on his. But then mine looked plain. So, I went to the cheese drawer and sliced some Lake County cheese really thin. But then I noticed that there were just a few small cubes of white cheddar and pepper cheese (like pepper-jack cheese). So, I crumbled those up and put them on top too. Then I saw that the ham was close to expiration, so on went a couple thin slices. In the end, it was a lot like chicken cordon bleu. And it was easy.
When I went to pour out the drippings before putting the mushrooms on I realized they would make a good chicken broth. So I drained that into a glass dish and after I skim the fat off of it this morning I'll put it in the freezer.
We each had one, I'll slice up the other one and use it for sandwiches (or, maybe I'll use it for chicken alfredo...)
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redruby
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Post by redruby on Jan 6, 2013 20:42:57 GMT -5
I'm trying to see what I can clean out myself. I had some tortillas I needed to use, I had hotdogs and no buns. I wrapped each hotdog in a tortilla, covered them in chili and cheese and baked. Good dish.
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 6, 2013 20:46:37 GMT -5
Sometimes I feel as if I might be eating out of the pantry/freezer for months. I have so much stuff but I guess at least I won't be spending money for food.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jan 6, 2013 21:17:43 GMT -5
I will be doing a challenge this week since DH is going to be out of town for three days. Its easier to eat up random bits of food for some reason when he is gone. I need to clean out the big freezer. The little one is almost empty.
So this week I will just be buying milk for DD and some food for the babysitter (can't make her suffer like the rest of us, LOL!).
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 9, 2013 19:42:18 GMT -5
Today I broke down and bought 2 frozen pizzas while they were on sale. And some flour and baking ingredients so I can get back on track with baking and cleaning out my freezer/pantry.
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moosmommy
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Post by moosmommy on Jan 9, 2013 19:55:25 GMT -5
Made stew today used some corn I froze last summer and canned tomatoes that hubby's mamma gave me.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Jan 9, 2013 20:01:40 GMT -5
I'm going to join the pantry challenge. We did overbuy stuff to get ready for the holidays, & never went thru as much food as expected, even with DD home from college for a couple weeks. So, except for getting fresh fruit & veggies, milk & bread, we're gonna see how far our pantry can take us.
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redruby
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Post by redruby on Jan 11, 2013 18:32:25 GMT -5
I am doing this challenge, and having a smaller budget for groceries this month. I had some cabbage that needed to get used and I made slaw for hotdogs tonight.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Jan 13, 2013 13:22:22 GMT -5
I'm using up the last of my cream of crap soups before I try to start making my own. So, just threw together dinner for tonight or tomorrow night, freeing up room in the freezer AND the pantry.
A layer of homemade frozen cubed potatoes, "layer" of frozen, pre-cooked ground beef (I try to go light on the meat, so not a full layer), a sprinkling of frozen chopped peppers (from my parent's garden), and a can each of cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and evaporated milk seasoned with garlic powder and onion powder, mixed together and poured on top.
It's not the healthiest meal, but we don't eat it that often (and, it's adapted from tater tot casserole, so it *is* at least a little healthier than the original recipe). It should make enough that I'll have leftovers for a couple days as well.
This is my first real test to see how the home frozen potatoes work out (they were from my future-BIL's garden). If they work like store bought, that's one less thing I have to buy. It does take a little time to prepare them (peel, cube, boil for a couple minutes), but it would be worth it since they're free and home grown. Next time I might not bother peeling them.
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dogmom
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Post by dogmom on Jan 13, 2013 16:08:33 GMT -5
I was just going through our pantry (actually just a set of cabinets) What a hot mess. All items are in date codes (yea), but, I really would like to put together some decent dinners or lunches. I'm not picky, DH is. He's not huge on pasta, (which I have too much of), but likes rice. He's a meat and potato type guy. No gravy or sauce, NO boxed hamburger helper, instant potatoes.... He's not huge on onion or garlic. I think I can, over the next couple months use up most of what we have. But, what do you guys, I think Apple posted a few items that probably don't go to waste, stock up on and use? Peanut butter, sure. Crackers, yes. Cereal, yep, some canned veggies, olives, pickles, diced tomatoes, tuna, and...thanks!
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grits
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Post by grits on Jan 13, 2013 16:32:48 GMT -5
I have been doing this the last week or two. If I don't go shop for groceries, I tend to sock the money away in the savings.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jan 13, 2013 16:55:38 GMT -5
I am making ALL meals this week from stuff on hand. Trying to not spend any money at the grocery store for the rest of the month. I will need milk, bread, and probably eggs, but will try to get them at Rite Aid or CVS with rewards. Pork chops with sautéed onion, green and red peppers with a homemade BBQ/sweet and sour type sauce with egg noodles and fresh roasted Brussels sprouts. Enough for 2 meals. Ham and cheese quiche with leftover ham steak Spaghetti w/meat sauce Tacos or taco salad (need to use the other half of the ground beef) Liver & Onions (may push this to next week, will have plenty of leftovers from the rest of my meals this week) Made a pot of Weight Watchers veggie soup today. That will be lunches this week, with a salad and/or sandwich/or leftovers.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Jan 13, 2013 19:26:36 GMT -5
Well, the beef I like (10/90 ground sirloin and 7/93 ground beef) is BOGO free at Safeway (so basically $2.50 a pound) so I'm stocking back up on that--good thing too, I was out of pre-cooked ground beef after making that last dinner. So, I'll be back to pre-cooking most of that and restocking the freezer. Half gallon of coconut milk was discounted to $1, and got half gallons of milk and orange juice for $1, so I'll have to make room for those too.
But, this is why I do it, so I can take advantage of the good deals and not buy the stuff full price (I never buy coconut milk full price, but it's a nice change for smoothies when I find it cheap).
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moosmommy
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Post by moosmommy on Jan 21, 2013 23:08:01 GMT -5
Used a family pack of chicken this weekend and made two whole dinners for $4. Chicken on sale and everything else came from the pantry and freezer.
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