The Great Pantry Challenge-Day One

Dorina at http://health-full.blogspot.com/ has decided to challenge us all to eat from the pantry for the rest of the month. We were already going to do this so why not blog about it?

My husabnd and I read, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and ever since we have been really serious about budgeting, living on less than we make and paying off ALL our debt. I looked at the numbers the other night and in the 4 months that we have been doing this we have saved a lot of money. All of our saved money has been going towards paying off our van(only debt besides the house). By couponing, budgeting, and limiting ourselves on dining out we will have our van paid off by the end of November making us DEBT FREE besides our house. We are so excited to accomplish this goal we made and now onto the next.

When it comes to groceries we used to spend about $250.00 a month and now by cooking in season, buying what's on sale with coupons and stockpiling we are able to spend about $160.00 a month on food, sometimes less. I really enjoy being able to save because I work so hard to do this it causes me to enjoy cooking more. In the past I would dread cooking a meal because I never meal planned and it's just hard for me to think of something to make at the last minute. I now plan our meals. It's not only simple and less stressful but even fun. Since I enjoy it more that means we do not have to eat out all the time so more savings to pay off that van of ours.

Now about the challenge...I do need to buy one gallon of milk before I start but then it's ON! My last shopping trip was on 10/20 and I bought mostly produce to get us through the week. My plan is to eat all of the fresh fruit and veggies first and then onto the frozen and canned stuff. I just hate to waste food.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

Today 10/23/2009
White Chicken Chili leftovers with salad. I boiled a whole chicken and shredded up the meat so I am able to get at least three meals out of this one little birdy that was only $.69 a pound.

Saturday 10/24/2009
Breakfast-Homemade waffles with white sauce and bananas
Lunch-Ham, veggies and cheese tortilla wraps and yogurt with homemade jam
Dinner-Chicken Enchilada Casserole, mexican rice and salad

Sunday 10/25/2009
Breakfast-Cereal with bananas
Lunch-Left over casserole and salad
Dinner-Carissa's family b-day celebration ends at 5pm so something easy and quick is needed. Probably Chicken dish that I previously froze with salad.

I will continue the rest of my meal plans once I figure it out. Have fun being creative and using what you have. AnnMarie