The Great Freezer Clean-out!
I debated on putting this on the board side, but since it's all about food, and there are already a few on the boards about that, here it is... And I don't know where I would put it on the other side.... BS6-7 maybe, because that's the step we're on, but really, it's more about life than BSs.
Water Cooler maybe.... It's about budgeting sure, more because of the pantry aspect. I save a lot that way. Buying in bulk. But like everything else it comes with it's own set of "rules". You HAVE to rotate your "stock".... even if it's free, if you won't use it before it spoils, it doesn't save you anything.... You have to have some kind of system to keep it organized, otherwise lots gets lost and then spoils, and then it costs you..... And although it's not a rule, it's a good idea to go through everything every now and again... And for me that time is now.
Pantry rotation time!
Once a year, I take a look at my freezer and decide that it's time to do a clean out. THIS is that time!! We rotate always, but there's usually something that gets pushed back to the back, or lost in the bottom somewhere, so this is the time to discover all those items and put them to use before they go bad.
The goal.... cook from the freezer and pantry for the month of January. Buy as little as possible. I would like to be able to see the shelves of the freezer by the end of the month. AND reorganize the pantry, which is always easier when it's emptier. =0)
What will have to be purchased....
Dairy... milk, sour cream maybe, yogurt maybe, OJ for sure....that should be it.
Produce.... potatoes, onions, celery maybe, bananas, maybe apples....
Frozen.... maybe a few veg, but hopefully not
Meat.... nothing
Pet food.... well yeah, they don't eat out of the freezer!
Breads.... maybe, we'll see.
Snacks.... have to do an inventory and see if I have the stuff to make granola, otherwise granola/breakfast bars....
I think that's it.
Now... what do I need to do?
1. Inventory. I already have a rough idea, but it wouldn't hurt.
2. Browse my cookbooks for specific cuts of meat.
3. Make a meal plan (list) of 30 meals.
4. Shop for those necessary items that don't stay in the pantry. (above list)
5. Plan second trip to the grocery mid-month.
6. Plan for a time to take stuff OUT of freezer each day. (I know it sounds weird, but if I don't pull Wednesday's meal out on Monday, it doesn't get cooked on Wednesday. I plan two days out. And if I don't figure out a time of day to do it, it sometimes gets lost in the day to day stuff.)
7. Just DO IT. =0)
What do I need to use up specifically? Beans, I purchased a whole lot of dried beans last year, and I am not using them as frequently as I thought I would. (cans are just so easy!) Need to use up some of those. Meat, my DH wants to be a big meat eater, so I buy for his big meat eating desires, but then when it comes to cooking, I prefer a "meat as a flavoring" style, so don't cook nearly as much as I thought I would. Pasta... We haven't been eating as many pasta dishes as we normally do, and I didn't adjust my shopping quickly enough, so I have a surplus of pasta.
I need to figure out how our suppers have changed.... the amounts, now that the boys have moved out and are only home for meals once every couple of weeks, and the two older girls are not eating at home as much either..... the type, my girls do not consume as much of the high starchy things, nor as much meat as the boys did.... hmmmm... gotta do more thinking on that.
I figure between now and the new year, I will be pulling the bits and bobs out. You know, one single pizza, or fish patty, single person leftovers, or a couple of this or that. Should make for some interesting meals. =0)
Anyone want to join me in the insanity?!? *L*
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