The Pantry Challenge...It's Simple!

About a year ago, I read America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, And Cashing in on Your Dreams by Annette Economides and her husband Steven Economides.  They are a modern day Amy Dacyczyn from the 1990's Tightwad Gazette series of books.

Although I did not learn anything new about saving money, one strategy they used was to go food shopping once a month.  Their theory was, if you shop, you will buy.

As a person who loves her fresh fruit and veggies, and so does my family, I could not live like this.  I  am blessed to have a produce outlet less than a mile from home, where I can get fresh fruits and vegetables for significantly less than at a grocery store-even a loss leader.

And milk, while it can be frozen from what I have read, is not something I am interested in freezing.

But as a practitioner of stockpiling, i.e., I bulk buy sales as they cycle, I always have plenty in the house.  There are weeks I buy nothing but fresh fruit and milk and challenge myself to eat only from the freezer and pantry.

So this week I am challenging myself again.

My menu started Sunday with breaded chicken breasts, rice cooked in broth, and frozen peas.  Tonight is meatballs that were frozen from my last double batch.  Tuesday is beef stew, cubed leftover London Broil that will be cooked in the crock pot with veggies.  Wednesday will be fish-salmon patties and trout that my husband caught on his fishing trip last month.  Thursday I will serve pasta with fresh vegetables. 

Friday will not be our traditional Sabbath chicken, but pizza or chicken nuggets.  My husband and I are attending a service at our synagogue celebrating members of eighteen years or more.  My kids are staying home.  I will even be speaking on the bimah before the congregation!

Can you take part in the pantry challenge this week or next?  What will you serve?