I've still been doing the Pantry Challenge that I started at the beginning of the month. I thought you might like an update!
We've been doing great! The only eating out we did was when my Dad visited and to take my BIL out for his birthday (though we used a gift card to cover most of that!). I will say that *drinking* out - hey, I'm talking coffee drinks people - was not forbidden! I have done very well using all my Christmas coffee gift cards and coupons to cover most of my lattes though - 1 or 2 a week.
For the most part, we've only purchased dairy products and produce at the grocery store. There have only been a couple of small exceptions. We've definitely saved money on the groceries this month! I force myself to make substitutions in a recipe if necessary and I have had to save some recipes for next month.
Ah, but how have we been eating? Could be scary depending on what's in your pantry and freezer! Well we were very well-stocked to begin with so I wasn't too worried. To be perfectly honest, we've been eating much better this month!! That's because I know that I can't use eating out or grabbing a quick grocery store meal as a back up, so I must plan a meal and prepare it.
Here are a few of the yummy things I've been able to make this month from the pantry/freezer:
Lace Cookies (recipe from Knit1Kids4)
Doesn't look like we've been suffering too much, does it? I even made Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip cookies and froze half the batter for future chocolate chip cookie "emergencies" - LOL!
There have been other great recipes that we've been able to try - those will be posted soon on my other blog. Almost all of my dinners fall into the "healthy" category as we're trying to watch those calories - which is why they're all posted on my other blog - but they are all delicious, loved by our family, and have often been served to company!
One of the ways we save a few dollars during the pantry challenge is by having hubs make me flavored lattes just like Starbucks! I was going to post his directions/tips right here for you, but I think it will be better as a separate post. So up next - how to make your own flavored lattes at home - on the cheap! :)
How are you doing on the Pantry Challenge? Have you tried a pantry challenge before? Link up your updates and see how others are doing at Money Saving Mom!
Have a marvelous Monday!
Great job my friend. I raid the pantry all the time and the meals are usually hits.
ReplyDeleteBig the pasta is always the first to go size hugs to you!
Have a fabulous day my friend.
Looks like a successful challenge:-)
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteJust curious, I know you are doing weight watchers, so were you stocked up with certain foods for your diet or did you make low cal foods using what you had in your pantry? or just portion control? I know with pasta I have to watch a little bit. Sometimes you don't realize how little pasta you can have.. any way I do enjoy both your blogs.
blessings.
Erika
Erika - the nice thing about a lot of the newer WW recipes is that they use lean meats, beans, whole wheat pasta, lots of veggies, and basics like chicken broth, milk, butter and seasonings. I was allowing myself to buy produce and dairy during the challenge but I had all the other things on hand. And of course portion control is big which helps stretch meals a little farther at the same time. Hope that helps! :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried this challenge... I think I am a little intimidated by it. :-) I have SOME stuff stocked up, but I always seem to have this HUGE shopping list at the end of every week, can't see how I would survive. Maybe I should do a mini test run, like a 1 week pantry challenge. I think I could manage that. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to do some of these recipes. WOW I will have to find out what this pantry challenge thingy is LOL.... and get in on it!
ReplyDeleteI saw SAVE and then MONEY radar on..... let's go... :)