I confess that while I'm determined to enjoy the holidays my mind is already slipping off to 2025. I plan to do a Pantry/Freezer challenge in January, which is what I do most years. For me that doesn't mean I won't do any shopping at all, but I do try to use what I have and only shop if I find things on deep clearance or really good sales. I generally try to use those as restock items, not as food for the month, though I do sometimes buy produce during the month.
But while I'm thinking ahead a little, I'm not forgetting that I'm in the middle of the holidays and that I mean to enjoy this brief season before we dive headlong into a New Year and all that that entails. So far, it's been rather restful, very peaceful and I like it!
I plan to keep my meals simple, as I've done in the past week. By simple, I mean nothing fussy and too hands on, just good old tried and true foods. Nothing fancy.
Spaghetti with Meat Balls, Garlic Toast. John asked me for this weeks ago. I have sauce in the freezer, will make meatballs. I may double the meatballs and put a few in the freezer. We may have a salad or roasted broccoli as a side.
Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches, Slaw, Chips. The barbecue is in the freezer. See a theme occurring here? I have a small portion of green cabbage, but I also have carrots and red cabbage, so I can likely piece out enough to make a two-serving portion of slaw.
Turkey and Rice soup. I have broth in the fridge and turkey in the freezer. Since I am committed to having soup once a week from now until warmer weather returns, it makes sense to use what I have.
4 comments:
It is ever so much better to enjoy any time of year and not stress out about it. There is enough going on in our world to add anything else to our days.
I was certain I had a partial bag of frozen mixed veg and took the small freezer in the garage apart, trying to find it. Apparently they had been used at some point, but I found all kinds of things I didn't know we had. The Farmer has a habit of digging through to find something and then dumping it all back. Bless his heart. I used small plastic baskets to sort and store like items. One would not shop in a store where everything was a jumble. The upshot is that we do not need to buy any chicken, hamburger or other cuts of beef for a very long time. We have been abundantly blessed. And I didn't even get to the big freezer. Would this count as a freezer challenge? Fresh items will be purchased as this is not gardening season...ha!
We have had heavy rain this morning, and lamplight is required as the house is dark and gloomy.
I’m going to join you in your pantry/freezer challenge; although, for me, it’s mostly a freezer challenge! Plus, I’m going to be home alone for a week during January so it’s a good chance for me to simply make do with what’s around. Like you, I’ll have to get some fresh produce and dairy. I’m thinking I’m even going to ignore the sales or I’ll never make a dent in my freezer space.
Yes, it counts as a freezer challenge! My goal is always to get to the things that are buried deep under the newer purchases and use them up.
I know that baskets eat up a little of the space in the freezer, but I've never once been tempted to stop using them since I discovered I could keep things organized in such a way I could get to what I wanted!
I am not a stoic sort of person. If it's cloudy and dark, the lights go on! I very much need light during the day or I get super gloomy. I love all the windows in our house because even dark days usually provide some light.
Casey, whatever works for you! I'm happy to have others join in. I have done this for years now. I find it's a great way to use up things that have been sitting a bit longer and to help me assess what we aren't as prone to use.
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