Eat From The Pantry Challenge Update

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:

Crunchy Party Mix

Spicy Taco Soup

Chicken With Mushrooms and White Wine

 

Chicken-Tortellini Soup

 

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!

Beginnings

I begin things all year long, not just in January.  But so many things start up in January and things are much calmer than November and December - so it's a good time to start new things.

I've decided to join the Eat From The Pantry Challenge hosted by Money Saving Mom and Life As Mom.  We just went to the grocery store and Costco the other day.  Hubs mentioned that we should try to watch our pennies for a couple months and I mentioned this challenge.  He said, "DO IT!"  So I am - LOL!  I am blessed with a hubs that doesn't mind what we have for dinner (or breakfast or lunch) just as long as I come up with something!

I had originally thought about doing the challenge for a week.  I think that we have plenty of food in the pantry and freezer that we can go the whole month of January!  So here is my plan:

  ~ Only buy dairy products and produce as needed in January (and stretch them further).
  ~ Plan meals using what we have and make substitutions in recipes if necessary.
  ~ Try to avoid eating out with the following exceptions:  Dad will visit and we'll eat out a few times; We will take BIL out for his birthday.

That's it!  I'll try to post weekly about how it's going.  I don't have all my meals planned out, but I know there are lots of options.  I might not be able to try many new recipes this month as they might require ingredients I don't have.  I do believe this won't even affect my ability to do Chocolate Fridays (I already have a couple things ready to go for January anyway)!

If you decide to join the challenge - head over to Money Saving Mom and link up your post!  You don't even have to do the challenge for the whole month.

I'm starting a couple of other things too.  Why not, right?!  I am going to try to keep up with Fresh Year, Fresh Start at Run the Earth, Watch the Sky.  This week I'll be working on getting up early again to have my quiet time with the Lord first thing in the morning.

And I have joined Ten in 2010 at Recipe Girl to focus on getting healthy during the first 10 weeks of 2010.  I've posted about that on my other blog: Stop Eating All The Chocolates.  If you're interested in weight loss struggles, healthy recipes, or just trying to counteract chocolate calories - LOL - you can check it out.

I think that's all I'm beginning - this week anyway!  :)  Lord willing, my Dad will be here to visit this week so I'll be busy.  I hope all of you have a fantastic week!

I'm linking this up to Your Life, Your Blog at Real Life - stop there to link up your favorite post for last week and read some other good posts!

What new things are you beginning?