Eat From The Pantry (Freezer) Challenge

On December 30, 2009 by Tricia

When Crystal from Money Saving Mom tweeted that she and Jessica from Life As Mom were hosting a Eat from the Pantry Challenge I knew I was all in. A few months ago I wrote about my freezer inventory and how it has gotten out of control. Too bad it has only gotten worse since then! OY! I horded meals like a mama bear storing up for a long winter for her bear cubs. Hubby wanted to eat meals, I said “We must wait!” Can someone please tell me why I felt this necessary? Now we have to eat like savages the next few weeks so that I can clear my freezer in time for February’s cooking day. So I have decided to join Crystal and Jessica and participate in the Eat from the Pantry Challenge. My goal is to only spend $15 a week at the grocery store. This money will go to purchase fresh fruits, milk, yogurt and bread. Here is what I have planned for our meals in January. (If I don’t do this I will stray completely).

January’s Meal Plan

1. Dinner at my parent’s house in celebration of Christmas (we are dragging it out this year)
2. Lunch – leftovers /Dinner – Turkey Noodle Soup, Bread
3. Lunch – Carlyn’s Chili (September Menu)/Dinner – Meal being brought to us by friends
4. Out to dinner for family birthdays
5. Meal being brought to us by friends
6. Chicken Parmigiana (February Menu), easy garlic bread, peas
7. Meal being brought to us by friends
8. Pasta Bar, salad
9. A meal using pantry items and cooked ground beef from freezer
10. Lunch – Burritos (April Menu), Mexican rice, corn/Dinner – Meal being brought to us by friends
11. Lunch – leftovers /Dinner – Meal being brought to us by friends
12. Meal being brought to us by friends
13. Deconstructed Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts (September Menu), rice, fruit
14. Dinner with Church Family
15. OAMM’s Mom’s Spaghetti Sauce, vegetable, wheat bread
16. Sausage Biscuits & Gravy, fruit smoothies
17. leftovers
18. Lunch –  Turkey Noodle Soup, Bread/Dinner – Pork Tenderloin recipe (still looking for a new one to try), vegetable and mashed potatoes
19. Lunch – leftovers /Dinner – Meal being brought to us by friends
20. Chicken Parmigiana (February Menu), easy garlic bread, peas
21. Meal being brought to us by friends
22. Burritos (April Menu), Mexican rice, tortilla chips
23. Meal being brought to us by friends
24. Try new recipe using sausage
25. Lunch –  Tacos /Dinner – Carlyn’s Chili (September Menu)
26. Lunch –  leftovers/Dinner – Beef Stew, dinner rolls, salad
27. Burritos (April Menu),
28. Dinner with Church Family
29. Pork Tenderloin recipe (still looking for a new one to try)
30. Deconstructed Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts (September Menu),
31. Jody’s (Turkey) & Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, corn
32. Lunch –  /Dinner – Pasta Bar

Are you participating too?