Menu Plan Pantry Challenge - Week 23

There is a great burden lifted off of of ones shoulders when there is no pressure of "deal chasing."

Don't get me wrong, I still love a great deal, I am still a bargain hunter and a Coupon Queen; but, since this pantry challenge began at the beginning of the year, I have not been doing that much shopping.

My good friend Operina says that's how she saves so much money, by staying out of the stores.  What an incredibly simple and powerful truth!

If I get the freebie at the store, great, if I miss it, no big deal.  My family has plenty and enough to share - that's what I have learned from this challenge.

I am so thankful for Engineer suggesting I try out this revolutionary idea called The Grocery Game when we moved back Stateside.  I am so thankful for the information that so many people are willing to share either on-line or in person about how to maximize savings.  But now, after beginning this journey really steadily in September of 2008, I had accumulated enough products and knowledge that we have been able to eat from what we have in house for 22 weeks and are still full steam ahead for week 23.

I would encourage you to survey what you have on hand and really think about how long it will take your family to consume it.  I had no idea that I had accumulated as much as I did and in future, I will be more careful about my purchasing decisions.  Even though it has been nice to only grab bananas and grapes at the store.  :)

Here's what we will be eating this week:

Sunday - Roast, Rice & Boozy Mushrooms, and Steamed Carrots
Monday - Turkey Salad Bake, Stewed Apples & Cranberries, Salad (carried over from last week)
Tuesday - Vegetable Beef Stew w/Sweet Potato Cornbread
Wednesday - BBQ Sausages, Greens, & Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Thursday - Spanakopita & Greek Salad
Friday - Date Night
Saturday - Leftovers

This is part of Menu Plan Monday.