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 22 of the Pantry Challenge!
Today was a full day of food-related activity!
First, I did the grocery run to three stores. Sprouts for the killer price on eggs – it’s still $4.79 for an 18-pack! I bought four packs, but loaded them more securely in the car this time. See last week’s egg-cident.
After that, I decided to take a chance on Ralphs, even though it was already pushing 9 am, what would be too late to find good clearance stuff on a weekday, but being Sunday, I gave it a go. I found clearance meats, bread, and produce as well as sale grapefruits and regularly priced bananas and almond milk.
Then it was a quick trip to ALDI for produce, milk, beans, and bread. I know I can cook dried beans, but I also know that I need to be realistic with so many cooks in the kitchen.
Here’s what we spent:
- Sprouts $19
- Ralphs $58
- ALDI $86
- month so far $338
Our total January to date is $491
I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen prepping a variety of things and cleaning up general messes, so I never got to my bookkeeping to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I’ll be sure to get that before the end of the month, but so far so good!
What We Ate
Breakfast – leftover “breakfast for dinner” from last night as well as the Bao my daughter made for Lunar New Year and the bagels I found on clearance.
Lunch – Bryan grilled spicy Italian sausages while I roasted veg in the oven and cooked quinoa on the stove top.
Dinner – I wanted to make Tater Tot Casserole, but the girls (who don’t ever remember having it) and Bryan (who does) all vetoed that idea. So, I made a vegetable soup and a chili as well as heated the sourdough I bought on clearance today.
All in all, it was a good day!
How was your day 22?
Krista Matheson
B bagel with cream cheese, not sure what hubs had
L mini pizza from freezer, pineapple, popcorn
D the last 2 sweet potatoes, roasted and a can of chili to go on top
Jennifer
We got tons of snow yesterday so it was nice to be by the fire after a coffee date and a trip to Costco. Spent around $80 on produce, honey, milk, bacon and tea bags.
B – muffins from the freezer or toast and yogurt
L – I had a smoothie, dh had frozen fish tenders and fruit, not sure what ds ate
D – I made the pork tenderloins I had thawed on Saturday. Tried a new recipe and it was delicious! I also had roasted potatoes and sliced up a pepper.
We are coming to the end of the hogs that my boys hunted last January. Small roasts and tenderloins are all that’s left I think. Unless a pack or 2 of ground sausage got buried in the freezer.
Lisa S
What? No tater tot casserole? I love them all. My favs are chicken pot pie version and my chili version which is just filling the 9×13 half way up with favorite chili, sprinkle on the bag of tots and cook to tot bag directions, after done, sprinkle with cheddar and melt in oven for a couple minutes. voila, serve with fav chili toppings. My youngest doesn’t love tots either (or chili), but gets out voted sometimes. We snacked all morning on veggie plates, LOs, and cereal, then had early dinner of loaded baked potatoes to finish off some taco meat, and chicken corn chowder to finish off some cubed chicken from the night before.
Jessica Fisher
I have never heard of a chili version. I think I can get them on side with that one! Will try it later this week to see. Next Sunday is Bryan’s bday so I’m not going to try it then. lol
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
Lisa, your chili version does sound tasty, and a one dish main which is always great. Thanks for sharing.
ZC from MA
B: a slice of toast with almond butter, blueberries and coffee
L: green beans, potatoes and chicken, brown rice
D: chicken and potatoes, noodles
S: an apple, muesli with yogurt
I did quite a bit of meal-prep today as well–I have a pretty busy week ahead at work and having pre-cooked meals on hand just makes things easier. My produce/meat inventory is mostly used up. I think one more shopping trip this weekend (mostly for Feb) will conclude my grocery shopping this month.