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Consolidated Articles and Pantry Update

I haven't been posting recently, and instead have been putting things on my Facebook page, but I figured it was time to consolidate here. Not only for the benefit of the no one reading this, but for my benefit when I want to go back and reference later.

First, an update on my pantry challenge:
Due to some sales and BBQs in the past few weeks, we have added a few more things to our pantry, but we have been doing REALLY great eating meals from what we have! I actually used some of the things that have been sitting in my freezer for ... forever... and feeding my family in a healthful and frugal way always makes me feel great!

Here are a few articles and links that I've posted over the past couple of weeks on my Facebook that you may or may not have seen:

How To Get A Job By Thinking Outside Of The Box
Yes Yes, another employment article. I just really love these, though, and find it useful to stir up ideas about job hunting.

Zero Waste Lunches: How to Make Your Own Executive Style Supply Kit | Wise Bread

I really dig a lot of the products in this article!

Hungry Girl "Egg Mug" Meals
I AM a big fan of the egg mug - been doin' it for years!

College Student Eating Survival Guide (Until Spring Break) | Wise Bread

You may or may not find some of these ideas off-putting, but they are truly good ideas for desperate eaters!

8 ways to find and keep a temporary job

This is a great article. Read and absorb! Indeed, the job I have had for 8+ years now started out as a temp job.

Hungry Girl posts a couple of awesome snack ideas!

I really like #2 and #3 snack/meal ideas!

Pantry Challenge Week/Month

I recommend taking the "pantry challenge" - go through your cabinets, freezer, fridge and see what you can make for meals without shopping!

My husband and I went through our cabinets, freezer, fridge, and other misc shelves and detailed (in spreadsheet format) all of the food we have that could be used to make dinners and some lunches for the next few weeks. Here's what we came up with:

1. Pasta with Sauce (carrots or applesauce on the side) x 3
2. Bean & Rice Tacos (with small amount of chicken for my son's taco) - turns out we got 2 meals out of this!
3. Tuna Melts (carrots or applesauce on the side)
4. BLT on Bagels (carrots or applesauce on the side)
5. Egg Beater Omelets w/Hashed Browns
6. Elbow Mac w/Franks in Cream of Mushroom "Soup-Sauce" (carrots or applesauce on the side)
7. Steak Tacos w/ Beans and Rice
8. Pancakes with cinnamon applesauce on the side (or other "breakfast for dinner" option such as Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal)
9. Beef w/Mushroom Gravy & Egg Noodles w/ Butter x2 (carrots or applesauce on the side)
10. Spaghetti w/ Clam Sauce
11. Hamburger Helper w/ Peas and Mushrooms (and the hamburger, of course)
12. Baked Beans w/ Hot Dogs
13. Mix and Match night: Pizza Slice, Chicken Soup, Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, Cheeseburger Boca Burger(s)

The only thing we'll need to go to the store for is 1 can of mushroom gravy, and the weekly staples like cheese, bread, milk, and chocolate milk. I'll also need to pick up lettuce and tomatoes last minute for the BLTs so they don't go bad beforehand.

That's 17 meals!

For lunches, I discovered things like:

• Frozen Muffins
• Canned Pears
• Pineapple Cups
• Pudding
• Raisins
• Frosted Shredded Wheat (used as lunch snacks)
• (2) Boca Burgers

That's not including the staple lunch items like carrots and cheese sandwiches.

I also have lots left on my list of foods that will not be used in these meals, so I can plan meals around those items and not have to pick up a full complement of groceries for probably an entire month.