Warning: Long post ahead, and lots of pictures!
My month-long pantry challenge is finally over! I learned a lot last month, which I’ll be highlighting on Friday. But for now, I’ll just show pictures.
Here’s our pantry. I think we did really good! I still have that darned can of tomato soup, but I did a good job getting rid of other things I never wanted to use.
Everything that was in our deep freezer can now fit in our small freezer. We defrosted the deep freezer and are now starting to refill it again.
This picture shocked me. We had so many snacks and desserts in there, it was just insane. Luckily we got rid of most of it, and organized a bit more. I’m going to do my best to make sure this cabinet doesn’t get so cluttered again!
Since the pantry challenge is over, I went a little crazy and shopped at too many stores. One was Sam’s Club, where we spent $120 of our $200 stock-up budget:
Of course 2 bags of chocolate chips were necessary! I was really happy about the marked-down chicken. $1.49/lb is an awesome price here.
Now that I’ve set the stage for my shopping trips, here’s what I ended up buying this week:
Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet
4 loaves Sara Lee whole wheat bread: $.50 each
Brownberry whole wheat loaf: $.50
Brownberry Healthfull loaf: $.50
3 packages whole wheat English muffins: $.50 each
Mini blueberry bagels: $.50
Total: $5.00. We kept out the bagels and one loaf of bread; the rest went in the freezer.
Aldi
Apples, 3-pound bag: $2.99
Baking potatoes, 5-pound bag: $2.49
Frozen sausage patties: $4.99
Sweet potatoes, 3-pound bag: $.99
Yogurt tubes: $1.55
Rolled oats: $2.39
Mini guacamole cups: $2.99
2 cans crushed tomatoes: $.79 each
Carrots, 2-pound bag: $1.29
Flour: $1.19
Deli ham: $3.29
2 packages sliced cheese: $1.79 each
Tomato paste: $.39
5 cups yogurt: $.65 for 2, $.69 for the other 3
Vanilla almond granola: $1.50, marked down
Baby wipes: $1.49
Tortillas: $1.39
Raisins: $2.87
Coffee: $2.99
Refried beans: $.75
Dijon mustard: $.89
Cooking spray: $1.49
Baking powder: $.99
Chicken sausages: $2.99
2 boxes butter: $1.99 each
Cream cheese: $.79
Sour cream: $.95
Cheese crackers: $1.49
Vanilla extract: $3.49
Pretzels: $.79
Bananas, 3.49 pounds: $1.33
Hummus: $1.99
Milk: $1.07
2 dozen eggs: $.78 each
Peanuts: $1.89
Total: $55.06 in Grocery, and $16.40 was using our stock-up money from the pantry challenge. I didn’t bother with separate orders.
Kroger
Extra Gum: $2.19
Think Thin bar: Free from Free Friday Download
Sweet Baby Ray hot sauce: Free from a Kroger digital coupon
Chickpeas: $.99
Kinder Joy egg: Free from Free Friday Download
Arla cream cheese: Free from a Kroger digital coupon
Total: $3.18
Meijer
Frozen broccoli, 32 ounces: $2.39
2 boxes Larabars: $4.99 each, were BOGO free
Vinegar: Free from a coupon Meijer sent in the mail
Parchment paper: $2.50
Total: $10.06
Weekly Total: $73.30
Menu
Lunch is always leftovers. Items marked with an asterisk (*) were purchased in previous weeks.
Dinner
Easter at my parents’ house- Making these Carrot Cake Cookies
Spaghetti* with homemade spaghetti sauce, frozen broccoli
Refried bean quesadillas, roasted sweet potatoes
Sweet Potato Chicken Sausage Hash
Ham sandwiches, fruit
Baked potatoes (Frozen broccoli, sour cream, cheese), fruit, bread
Leftovers
Breakfast
Sausage patties with English muffins and cheese
Scrambled eggs, toast with guacamole (May sound weird, but it’s delicious and filling!)
Golden Oven-Baked Biscuits, yogurt tubes (For Allison)
Allison’s Lunch
Mini bagels with cream cheese, string cheese, raisins, Honey Roasted Chickpeas
What’s on your menu this week? Share in the comments below!
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.