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 15 of the Pantry Challenge!
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Today was a dreaded Costco day. For the last couple years, we’ve switched our allegiance to Costco Business which has zero crowds, ample parking, and almost all the same things as a consumer Costco.
Unfortunately, they don’t have an optical department. Or $1.50 hot dogs.
FishChick17 was in dire need of replacement glasses, so we went, braving the parking lot and the crowds. I grabbed our basics: eggs, yogurt, and a few other things.
We may have also gotten lunch for the two of us for less than $4. Costco pizza is often her birthday dinner request.
I ended up spending more than I would at Costco business, in part because the prices are better at CB! But also, they don’t sell wine or good jam there, either.
They had the huge jars of Bonne Maman for just $10! The small jar is $7 at Walmart. (I splurged at Christmas so I know.)
I also did a Walmart pickup on the way back home, mostly cleaning supplies and some Valentine’s items.
Bryan was home sick today so I made one of his comfort foods for dinner: Quick Minestrone. I had some sausage pasta sauce from last month in the freezer that was a perfect soup starter!
What We Ate
Breakfast – I did a repeat of my blueberries, yogurt, and granola. So good!
Lunch – A mostly fend-for-yourself kind of deal for the guys at home. Hot dog and pizza for those of us at Costco.
Dinner – Minestrone, clearance rolls from the freezer.
How did your Day 15 go?
Kathy in Denmark
Day 15:
B: Rye porridge for DD2, oats and milk for DH, chia pudding for DD1 and me
L: Packed lunch for the kids, DH eats at work, Hummus and pita chips for me, followed by rice and a little roast from the freezer I cooked in a pan
D: Vegetarian lasagna, HM sourdough focaccia and cabbage salad.
I made a large lasagna with the vegetarian bolognese sauce I made earlier in the week. We ate half and will have the other half another day, I was out of lettuce, but made a quick cabbage salad with finely sliced red cabbage, red onion, crumbled feta and chopped nuts. Dressed it with vinaigrette.
We also have bread left. I made half the dough into focaccia and the other half into rolls, so we still have quite a bit left 🙂
Allie from Ontario
Today is my birthday & my morning present was…more snow. I seem to say something about it every day but we are certainly getting our fill this year. I shoveled all the walkways/decks yesterday & now it looks like I didn’t do anything! I got all my dinner prep done early knowing that I would be outside for the afternoon and then some friends came over for a “birthday eve” drink. We had a great visit and I was super happy everything was ready to go when they left 🙂
What we ate on Jan 16
Brunch: I had a little scoop of steel cut oats/apple butter early & then my smoothie before I ventured outside. T had yogurt & a cottage roll sandwich and took a banana along for the drive to hockey.
Dinner: I made house favourite mini meatloaves with a tangy glaze, roasted garlic mashed potatoes & frozen peas. As planned, there is 1 meatloaf leftover to split for lunch today + some potatoes & peas for each of us.
And… TASTY! I grew up in Bell’s Corners (off Moodie Drive). We moved to Vancouver Island in 1979.
Kathy in Denmark
Happy Birthday, Allie!
Heather M
Happy birthday, Allie!!! I hope today has been a wonderful day!
Maureen
Happy belated birthday!! I hope that you’ve been having a fantastic birthday weekend!
Heather from Sacramento
B- coffee and I finished off the last of the Greek yogurt. I was really enjoying it with the peaches and HM granola.
L- I had tortellini soup AGAIN. Ugh I am tired of it but I haven’t had the energy to cook so I have been pulling from the freezer and I don’t have much precooked food in there.
D- my Dad was feeling better today so he invited me to dinner at the last minute. We went to the brewery and I had a French dip sandwich with macaroni and cheese and a side salad.
Roberta in SoCal
Well, I had very good intentions of joining the PC this year, but life had other plans. I’m the administrator of my aunt’s estate–which is in probate (ugh!)–and the lawyers have let me know that I need to liquidate all of the random tangible goods. I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment, so I will have to opt out of the PC this year. Just trying to keep my head above water and food of some kind in everyone’s stomachs. Perhaps next year will work out.
Best wishes to everyone!
Jessica Fisher
I’m so sorry for your loss, Roberta. I know your time spent on this is truly a gift to your aunt and the family. What a reminder to carry less physical stuff in the here and now. Sending speedy thoughts.
Roberta in SoCal
Thanks, Jessica.
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
Roberta, that is a huge task and responsibility on top of the loss of your aunt. Just try to take it a step at a time. I’m sure you will make good decisions honoring your aunt. We will see you same time, next year. Sending you strength and good thoughts.
Karen J
Jessica, we love Bonne Maman jam! My son gave me the 12 day jam advent calendar as an early Christmas gift. It had an apple butter and a honey in it, plus ten different jams. Perfect size for toast or a bagel.
Day 15
breakfast-skipped
lunch-small portion of the last of the shrimp pasta
dinner-I have season tickets to the theater with a girlfriend. It was showing 9 to 5 at our matinee performance. So good-the Dolly Parton actress had the best voice (actually all of them) Afterwards we met up with other friends at a waterfront restaurant and had their sunset special which is a fixed price three course meal. I usually bring my husband home the leftovers, but not this time!
Laura T in NH
Plugging along here in cold and snowy NH. At least the sun is shining! My challenge has been mostly about using up the random odds and ends and turning one thing we’re tired of into something more enticing. Feeding teens can be weird, a bit like toddlers actually, but just bigger quantities ? I don’t think my spending will be any less than usual – we eat a lot of fresh produce which is very expensive here through the winter months, but I’m feeling optimistic about cleaning out some of the nooks and crannies of the freezer and pantry.
Jessica, I LOVE one dish meals but agree with you 100% that it needs to include ample veggies to ‘count’. Sheet pans, casseroles and pasta dishes are usually winners around here, and cooking the pasta right in the pot is an awesome method for both cheese-based or tomato-based sauces, less so with broth-y dishes, imo. We also use some of the casserole or saucy dishes to make into burritos or sandwiches, which is fun.
Diinaus
today was an odd day fend for your self kind of day.
I used up a tea bag, kids made brunch of toasted cheese and bread. the also opened a new bottle of chutney . they ate up some of the high protein chock chip cookies i made earlier in the week. dinner was the last pk of speciality sausages with rice and frozen mix veg. Leftovers will go into the freezer for a soup base next week.
Its still ironic to hear about your snow. here in central Queensland Australia where I’m located we have had heavy rain and puddles every where . humidity is at almost 100% most days and dew point has been 24. washing and mowing have been almost impossible for the last week ( we don’t own an electric dryer as we get sunny days and a good breeze 90% of the year so we line dry our clothes the old fashioned way) . At present I have clothing horses door frames and coat hangers full. I thought I’d got on top of the washing before the rain hit until the kids decided to finally clean out their rooms…..
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
Diinaus, your weather “down under” certainly varies from what most of us are experiencing right now! So interesting. One thing we have in common? I like to dry my clothes the “old fashioned way “ as well! I love how clothes smell when dried outside.
Heather M
I just lost the update I had typed! I praised all of you for by our amazing challenge work. Bragged a bit about the glorious perfect San Diego weather we’ve had all week, lamenting the cold we go back to. And felt bad for all of the snow you all are dealing with. Now I’ll try to update the food the past 3 days:
Jan 13: breakfast- toast with PB and lingonberry jam; late lunch outside at our favorite sandwich spot- I had tub o’tuna, L had turkey club, mom had turkado; dinner I finished that sandwich plus my panini from Monday, L and Mom had the last 2 steaks they needed cooking up from Sunday plus snacky things
Jan 14: no breakfast as we hurried off to a Dr appt for mom- L walked by Torrey pines golf course while we were at the appt, as it was right next to it; ran a few errands and then mom treated us to to lunch at Urban Plates- I had 3 sides- Caesar salad, Mac and cheese, and Parmesan mushrooms; mom did same first 2 as me plus hummus and pita; L had seared Ahi with same mushrooms and roasted potatoes; dinner we picked up Jack in the Box (we weirdly love their tacos and don’t have it in the East), mom ate her leftover lunch sandwich from em the day prior
Jan 15: breakfast toast with PB and guava marmalade; very late lunch we picked up our favorite Mexican takeout and I had chicken taquitos w/guac and rice and beans on the side & L had chicken and beef tacos(no idea mom); dinner we were full, mom made herself some veg and rice and orange chicken from the freezer- super fast stuff she cooked up in like 7-8 minutes.
Our days are dwindling here; trying to get through some things here with mom. These last few days will be interesting. Each time I leave now I wonder if it’s the last I’ll see her in person. Sigh.
Diinaus
I hear you on time with family. Its hard saying good bye as folks age and wondering if you will see them this side of heaven. Im glad to hear your making the most of your time together.
Heather M
Thanks so much, Diinaus. It is very bittersweet.
Tasty
Glad you’re making the most of your time with your mom – and enjoy the good weather!
Heather M
Thanks, Tasty! We definitely enjoyed the gorgeous weather, too!
Karen J
Heather, Sounds like you are having a wonderful family visit with lots of good food (and weather).
I cooked fresh tuna for the first time this year. It had been caught the day before. A totally different taste than the canned stuff.
Heather M
Thanks, Karen. It was a really good trip. I’m so pleased you cooked tuna! It really is quite different from canned Almost hard to believe it’s the same fish!
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
Heather, I know how you feel. My mother will be 95 next month. Every time I leave or end a call, I have the same thoughts. We just need to maximize and enjoy the time provided, and it sounds like you are doing just that.
Heather M
Thanks, Lynn. You know, too. So many of us do. It’s just weird.
Allie from Ontario
Heather, I am so happy that you are getting this special time with your mom. I spent most of 2021/2022 flying back & forth to the west coast to help care for my mom, 1st while in the hospital then after we moved her home to hospital bed in her living room. We lost her in August of 2022 and I am forever grateful for all the time I had with her in that last year.
Heather M
Thanks so much Allie. I’m so grateful I have the resources to be able to visit when I can. There will be way fewer regrets one day. I appreciate so much hearing from you and others who have had to deal with it already.
Kathryn M
B – iced coffee, last pumpkin muffin
L – tacos, fajita veggies, guacamole&chips
Snack – cranberry scone
D – nothing – wasn’t hungry
Maureen
DD was home from school because of a snow day (icy roads). Her scheduled orthodontic appointment got moved to noon with the snow day, so we decided to grab lunch out between that and errands. So, for dinner we had a bunch of leftovers from the fridge (including turning a pizza dough ball into breadsticks). Now there’s only a few leftovers left in there. We did hit 2 grocery stores, but didn’t get much…a few things for college daughter, some candy for a birthday gift, a little fruit and veg, and a chuck roast on sale for Friday night pot roast when son and his fiancee come over for dinner. We aren’t all home for a couple of meals this weekend, so we’ll see what ends up getting eaten. But, then I am going through the freezers to make a plan for the coming week. It’s going to be very cold, so if nothing else I’m sure I can find some soups, etc. in there.
Allie from Ontario
Well…as promised it did snow ALL day yesterday but it is very fluffy so today’s outside work won’t be to bad…and the sun might peek through today! AND note to Tasty…according to a teacher friend “down south” in the board, you guys got hit harder than we did – good luck with it!
What we ate on Jan 15
Brunch: T had yogurt & a cottage roll sandwich and I finished the last of the turkey soup from the night before. I put out some cheese & crackers for us to pick at (why so many open boxes crackers?? sigh…).
Dinner: I made a Thai green curry using a 6 oz pork loin chop that I cubed + a good handful each of cauliflower florets & chickpeas. Lots of little bits, pieces, spoonfuls etc from the fridge & freezers went in and we ate it with some naan also from the freezer.
NO leftovers!
I am seeing room appear in various freezers (yes…I do have a lot of freezers here!) but am just as happy to see so many small things being used up to good effect. Also, I set aside a cardboard flat to gather all the various sized mason jars that are being emptied during the challenge. They come from the canning cupboard, fridge, dry pantry & freezers and I am really happy to see that box filling up. Once full everyone will go to their proper boxes and I will start filling the flat again.
Tasty
Fortunately Allie, now that we live in a condo, we are no longer responsible fofr snow clearing (or grass cutting in the summer) but the company who do the snow clearing were here 3 times yesterday – about 6.30 am, again around noon and then later shortly after 3 – glad it wasn’t me doing it.
Heather M
You are really doing well with this challenge!! I’m impressed. Also, you probably don’t want to know about the glorious weather we’ve been enjoying this week in San Diego…… (just about to post here and will mention it lol)