Comments on: Menu Planning and the Pantry Principle http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/ Saving money and getting out of debt from a Christian SAHM perspective Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:55:23 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Penny Copperwyre http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13259 Penny Copperwyre Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:49:55 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13259 @Jonathan My husband and I almost eat entirely local food. Meaning, that I can, freeze or dry vegetables to eat in the winter. I can without using salt or sugar. Through out the harvest season, we attend the local livestock auction which offers seasonal veggies. I have a bunch of acorn and butternut squash in my basement. What I'm getting at is that the pantry principle doesn't necessarily mean that you purchase overly processed food. It's very smart that you shop on a seasonal basis; not only is it cheaper, but it's also environmentally sound practice. @Jonathan
My husband and I almost eat entirely local food. Meaning, that I can, freeze or dry vegetables to eat in the winter. I can without using salt or sugar. Through out the harvest season, we attend the local livestock auction which offers seasonal veggies. I have a bunch of acorn and butternut squash in my basement. What I’m getting at is that the pantry principle doesn’t necessarily mean that you purchase overly processed food.
It’s very smart that you shop on a seasonal basis; not only is it cheaper, but it’s also environmentally sound practice.

]]> By: Jonathan@friends&money http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13253 Jonathan@friends&money Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:35:35 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13253 I think that planning meals based on what is on offer is a great idea in principle however in reality those things that are usually on offer are normally high in salt or sugar content. We try and plan our meals on a seasonal basis and find out what the seasonal food is around a specific time of the year and then create menus around these specific types of food. I do agree though that the key to frugal living is to plan meals rather than impulse eating I think that planning meals based on what is on offer is a great idea in principle however in reality those things that are usually on offer are normally high in salt or sugar content. We try and plan our meals on a seasonal basis and find out what the seasonal food is around a specific time of the year and then create menus around these specific types of food. I do agree though that the key to frugal living is to plan meals rather than impulse eating

]]> By: AnnieJ http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13251 AnnieJ Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:28:49 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13251 "In bulk" doesn't have to mean giant containers at the warehouse store, but if you have the space for it, that's the best way to save money, especially for things like flour, sugar, rice, beans, canned goods, oil, chocolate chips, oatmeal, bagged onions and potatoes, and even some fresh veggies if you can use them up in soups and casseroles. “In bulk” doesn’t have to mean giant containers at the warehouse store, but if you have the space for it, that’s the best way to save money, especially for things like flour, sugar, rice, beans, canned goods, oil, chocolate chips, oatmeal, bagged onions and potatoes, and even some fresh veggies if you can use them up in soups and casseroles.

]]> By: Robin http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13243 Robin Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:32:14 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13243 Pantry staples are definitely what gets me through. I definitely plan weekly meals, but sometimes my plans don't necessarily fit with life. I keep good canned stuff on hand. For instance, canned clams for a quick pasta with clam sauce or diced tomatoes for quick tomato sauce arborio rice for risotto beans and rice boxed soups- I usually have cheese and can make quick grilled cheese and tomato soup canned salmon for either salmon salad or salmon burgers In the freezer is always leftovers individual portions of soups I've made or other leftovers I try to keep a running inventory of extra meals I can make so that I plan about 4 or 5 meals a week, then use the pantry (or freezer) for the other 3 or 4. I could definitely improve on my coupon usage though. That's next! Pantry staples are definitely what gets me through. I definitely plan weekly meals, but sometimes my plans don’t necessarily fit with life. I keep good canned stuff on hand. For instance,
canned clams for a quick pasta with clam sauce or
diced tomatoes for quick tomato sauce
arborio rice for risotto
beans and rice
boxed soups- I usually have cheese and can make quick grilled cheese and tomato soup
canned salmon for either salmon salad or salmon burgers
In the freezer is always leftovers individual portions of soups I’ve made or other leftovers

I try to keep a running inventory of extra meals I can make so that I plan about 4 or 5 meals a week, then use the pantry (or freezer) for the other 3 or 4.
I could definitely improve on my coupon usage though. That’s next!

]]> By: Vanessa http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13228 Vanessa Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:33:34 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13228 @ Connie: I have solved that problem by simply not buying what I call "mindless snacking" and "crave" foods. Mindless snacking foods are the kind that you would never think to eat except when they are right in front of you. As in "Mmmmm...those chips look good" never mind the fact that you just finished a filling dinner. Crave foods are the ones that you feel you really, really must have, even without the stimulation of seeing them in you pantry (I often feel this way about oreos and milk). I just don't by them, and the desire for mindless snacking foods disappear. The crave foods are harder, though, but I manage. Essentially, everything in my kitchen requires some sort of preparation, and nothing comes in individual sizes. The only exception is fresh fruits/veggies and individual fruit, applesauce and yogurt. All of these are tasty enough that my kids will eat them if they are hungry, but not so much that they will eat them just because they are there. If they are hungry enough to go through the trouble of making a sandwich or heating up a can of soup, I am not going to worry about their weight (especially since these options are much healthier than snack foods). @ Connie:

I have solved that problem by simply not buying what I call “mindless snacking” and “crave” foods. Mindless snacking foods are the kind that you would never think to eat except when they are right in front of you. As in “Mmmmm…those chips look good” never mind the fact that you just finished a filling dinner. Crave foods are the ones that you feel you really, really must have, even without the stimulation of seeing them in you pantry (I often feel this way about oreos and milk). I just don’t by them, and the desire for mindless snacking foods disappear. The crave foods are harder, though, but I manage. Essentially, everything in my kitchen requires some sort of preparation, and nothing comes in individual sizes. The only exception is fresh fruits/veggies and individual fruit, applesauce and yogurt. All of these are tasty enough that my kids will eat them if they are hungry, but not so much that they will eat them just because they are there. If they are hungry enough to go through the trouble of making a sandwich or heating up a can of soup, I am not going to worry about their weight (especially since these options are much healthier than snack foods).

]]> By: Valerie Deneen http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13223 Valerie Deneen Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:13:18 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13223 Hi! I just found your blog, and it looks great. Keeping a pantry well-stocked is crucial to our menu planning and staying within our food budget. Thanks for the post! Valerie Frugal Family Fun Blog Good times on a budget! http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com Hi! I just found your blog, and it looks great. Keeping a pantry well-stocked is crucial to our menu planning and staying within our food budget. Thanks for the post!

Valerie
Frugal Family Fun Blog
Good times on a budget!
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com

]]> By: marci http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13222 marci Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:52:38 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13222 I almost always ONLY buy food on great sales or with great coupons. Rarely will I buy anything not on sale. And then I just stock the cupboards with everything and anything. I always eat from what's on hand and in the freezer and in the garden - so I know I am always eating at rock bottom prices and very often at FREE (except storage) prices. I really like knowing that a meal is 100% free or home produced! I loosely plan meals a week at a time, allowing for lots of leftovers. I also freeze meals for taking to work for lunches or for quick dinners - about twice a month I'll do that - as the mood strikes! Soups, stews, and stirfries are very economical in my book also! I almost always ONLY buy food on great sales or with great coupons. Rarely will I buy anything not on sale. And then I just stock the cupboards with everything and anything.

I always eat from what’s on hand and in the freezer and in the garden – so I know I am always eating at rock bottom prices and very often at FREE (except storage) prices. I really like knowing that a meal is 100% free or home produced!

I loosely plan meals a week at a time, allowing for lots of leftovers. I also freeze meals for taking to work for lunches or for quick dinners – about twice a month I’ll do that – as the mood strikes! Soups, stews, and stirfries are very economical in my book also!

]]> By: Penny Copperwyre http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13220 Penny Copperwyre Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:43:13 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13220 Wow, you folks are really organized! I never use coupons because I get my food from a salvage store, in bulk from the Amish or the butcher shop, none of which take coupons. I"ll have to try the recipes inside the cupboard. That's genius! Wow, you folks are really organized! I never use coupons because I get my food from a salvage store, in bulk from the Amish or the butcher shop, none of which take coupons. I”ll have to try the recipes inside the cupboard. That’s genius!

]]> By: Sheri Davis http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13218 Sheri Davis Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:06:39 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13218 I also plan my meals on Sundays and I enter them in outlook and my MSN calendar. Then I set it to repeat on the same day every 3 months. )For example the 1st Monday every 3rd month.) This has allowed me not to repeat meals too often and eventually you will have a whole year of menu's in your calendar. It's very easy to change the date and move the meal to another one if need be. I love this method and it maked life so much easier! I also glued a 12x12 piece of corkboard to the inside of my kitchen cabinet door closest to my stove. I put my recipes in plastic sheet protectors in a binder so I just hang up the one I need for today and it is easily visible yet out of the "splatter" zone. Just a couple tips that work for me I thought I would share! I also plan my meals on Sundays and I enter them in outlook and my MSN calendar. Then I set it to repeat on the same day every 3 months. )For example the 1st Monday every 3rd month.) This has allowed me not to repeat meals too often and eventually you will have a whole year of menu’s in your calendar. It’s very easy to change the date and move the meal to another one if need be. I love this method and it maked life so much easier! I also glued a 12×12 piece of corkboard to the inside of my kitchen cabinet door closest to my stove. I put my recipes in plastic sheet protectors in a binder so I just hang up the one I need for today and it is easily visible yet out of the “splatter” zone. Just a couple tips that work for me I thought I would share!

]]> By: Connie Walsh http://beingfrugal.net/2008/12/08/menu-planning-and-the-pantry-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-13217 Connie Walsh Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:29:47 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1248#comment-13217 Hi: Yep,keep my pantry well stocked with the basics...get a tonne on sale. Unfortunately, it backfires a bit. My teens will see all the stocked up food and decide to snack (eat more)...they are getting pudgy. Need to think this through a bit more. Blessings Hi:

Yep,keep my pantry well stocked with the basics…get a tonne on sale. Unfortunately, it backfires a bit. My teens will see all the stocked up food and decide to snack (eat more)…they are getting pudgy. Need to think this through a bit more.

Blessings

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