This month, we’re shopping our kitchen in order to use up what we have so we can save money and clear kitchen clutter.
Here we go with Day 27 of the Pantry Challenge!
Want to save this post?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!
I spent the day quarantining just in case what I had yesterday was contagious. It may be overkill but better than six other people getting sick. I hope to leave my room tomorrow.
What We Ate
Breakfast – Cinnamon toast and yogurt.
Lunch – Miss 17 cooked me a beef patty and a baked potato.
Dinner – One of the boys picked up Costco frozen entrees and made us dinner.
How did Day 27 go for you?
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
Karen, there IS a lot to do. I’m so glad you are there to support your daughter and grandchildren and that they can be with you for now. It’s great hearing how supportive her job and neighbors have been. It is really humbling to be on the receiving end of kindness. Your daughter, since she wore scrubs, is in a helping profession as was I. We are used to being the helper and not the “helpee”. Tell her to accept any offers of assistance with the grace with which it is given. I tear up now, 20+ years later, remembering the kindnesses shown us. So many people wanted to “do something” for us.
We were so thankful that we weren’t home, we weren’t asleep and that our pets were all outside. Ours scattered before returning home as well. So yes, in the midst of loss there is gratitude as things could have been so much worse. Despite the sadness, only “things” were lost.
I’m glad she has good insurance and that they and other groups have been responsive. It took a long 18 months for our house to be rebuilt, and the insurance settlement went on past that. It can definitely feel impossible at times, at least to me. But just taking it day by day is helpful. Is there anything I can help with from afar? Blessings and strength for you all.
Kathy in Denmark
I hope you have fully recovered soon, Jessica!
Dinners from the past days were as follows:
Day 22: Veggie soup and bread. I had made the soup Sunday, and only had to heat it up.
Day 23: Snacky dinner made with different items from the freezer, all storebought! We had jalapeño poppers, gyosa, samosas and spring rolls. I also made a ciabata pizza with the LO bread. It was definitely not the healthiest dinner, but it was fun on a Friday night 🙂
Day 24: Various leftovers, inkluding soup and refried beans served with tortillas. I had a little bread left, which I fried in olive oil and served with the soup. I also served some panini bread, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, so everyone could help themselves.
Day 25: WW pasta and tomato sauce with veggies. Grana padano to grate over when serving.
Day 26: LO pasta and sauce from the day before in the form of baked pasta. Garlic bread on the side. If I can see there is enough for another meal, I mix up the sauce and the pasta and pour it into an oven safe dish before putting it in the fridge. For some reason my family then think it is an entirely different meal and are very excited LOL
Day 27: Make your own sandwiches with both panini bread (bought) and HM sandwich bread. I made egg salad and also put out the usual salad fixings, fresh mozzarella and avocado.
The avocados are still beautiful and we are very much enjoying them, as well as the oranges. I have frozen some of the avocados in slices. I am sure I can use them for guacamole, but will test if they are also good in salads when thawed.
Heather M
A snacky dinner like Friday’s can be such a treat! And, isn’t it the best when they can’t even tell is basically leftovers just repackaged!
Heather from Sacramento
B- coffee and Greek yogurt with peaches and HM granola
L- meatball sandwich with chips (meeting at a restaurant)
D- salad with spring greens, walnuts, cheddar cheese, avocado and vinaigrette with pork tri tip.
I bought a bunch of avocados and I’m going to try freezing them.
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
1/27/26
Jessica, I’m glad you are feeling better and that illness hasn’t spread to your family.
Karen, how is your family if by chance you see this? I have thought of you all frequently.
B: toast and coffee. ? for DH
L: DH had the last piece of the Torn Hawaiian pizza to go with the corn chowder. I finished up the chowder and had a peanut butter banana sandwich.
D: used the last 2 boneless chicken breasts to make a baked version of chicken Parmesan using the last of my (commercial) bread crumbs, cheese from fridge and LO pasta sauce. We ate it over an opened box of ziti noodles. I wasn’t able to empty it, but made some headway. Veggies are pretty scarce these days. I used part of the remaining cabbage with dinner, leaving enough for slaw for future meals. Definitely needing to be creative these last days!
Karen J
Hey Lynn (and others), Thank you for thinking of us. As you know having gone through a fire yourself, it’s a lot. We had clothes for the two youngest as they often spend the night. My daughter, a single mom, had just the scrubs she wore to work that morning. The cat that had run away was found and has joined the rest of the zoo here. My daughter has a good homeowners policy, thank goodness. For the time being everyone is staying with us as we all decided it was best especially for the youngest ones’ mental health. The kids have transportation to their school due to a federal law for displaced and homeless children. Red Cross has given out vouchers and insurance has sent emergency monies. The best they’ve said on her house is 9 to 12 months to have it fixed. We are just so thankful that no one was hurt. Everyone has been amazing -especially my daughter’s work and her neighbors. We are crowded, there’s lots of emotion and tons to do however we will carry on! Look forward to a positive update at Pantry Challenge 2027!