In the pantry

So today as I was trying to figure out dinner because I failed to meal-plan for the week, I had a moment in the kitchen. I was scavenging for things to make some soup. I knew I wanted something tortilla-soup-ish. So, I googled what would go into that type of soup, and I just hoped I had the ingredients in my pantry/fridge/freezer. When I luckily found "some version" of everything I needed, I was relieved. See, payday is tomorrow...and on our grocery budget, I was not going to the store today.

That's when I decided there really are a few things you should ALWAYS have in your pantry. It makes life so simple to have some "go to" things that you know are handy when dinner is the dilemma of the day - like it ALWAYS IS in our house. I mentioned meal-planning. Oh man, if you can do that a week in advance (some people do it a few weeks or more in advance {i don't know how but they do}) that is the best way to be prepared for what to fix for your family. You may plan out a general idea, and if you're not in the mood for Tuesday's meal on Tuesday, you've got your ingredient's for the other days, just swap the meals around. I have a dry-erase weekly planner on the side of my fridge, and when I'm disciplined, it contains the week's forthcoming meals. The sad reality is, I don't do it enough. SO! TIME TO TALK WHAT SHOULD BE IN OUR PANTRY!

I'm learning more and more that you need to have some meat in your freezer. Even if you're a "fresh is best" kind of person, trust me, frozen beats ordering pizza because you're up a creek for dinner. So, in the freezer: bonesless, skinless chicken breasts and a pound or more of ground meat: turkey, beef, etc. Those are essential. I also say keep a pound or more of ground sausage as well. I always have ground turkey and ground turkey sausage in the freezer. I often combine the two for pasta sauces or taco salads. The sausage adds flavor and consistency since turkey is so lean. I also like having a bag of meatballs in the freezer. So easy to use in a pinch for quick spaghetti or hoagies.

In the fridge: There are a ton of things that I think should always be in the fridge, but when we're talking ingredients to throw things together, I'd say: milk, butter, carrots, eggs, sour cream, fresh garlic, and cheese/shredded cheese are things I use often in recipes. It's good to keep lettuce too for adding a salad when you're stuck for a side.

IN THE PANTRY: Keep your spice cabinet well-stocked: salt, pepper, garlic salt, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, oregano, (you get the drift) - and we aren't talking desserts here but I can't live without cinnamon in my spice cabinet.

Chicken broth is essential in the pantry. Cans of diced tomatoes, and cans of corn, or corn in the freezer (gets thrown into a ton of soups), flour, sugar, enchilada sauce, black olives, green chiles, dried pasta: spaghetti, maceroni, and penne are some we use most often; pasta sauce, rice, your favorite beans- ours is chick peas right now...and that's pretty bottom of the barrel. Also, don't forget basic veggies like onion for example that goes into many soups and stirfry recipes. We have a pretty tight grocery budget, and one thing I've learned is that eggs feeds a lot of people for cheap. So, always always gotta have those. And don't forget, a loaf of bread is CRUCIAL. It can become anything: grilled cheese, BLT, egg sandwich, toast, whatever. When all else fails, eat a sandwich.

SO TO WRAP THIS UP, I definitely don't think I'm Martha Stewart. I have SO FAR TO GO, but today when I realized all I needed for that soup were some basics: chicken breasts, chicken broth, corn, and enchilada sauce, I was thankful for my supply even at the end of the budget, we had a yummy dinner!

WHAT'S THE POINT?

Well this all matters in the grand scheme of things because we are women trying to do things the way God commanded. So, God wants us to have a full pantry?! Nah, that's not it at all.

Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever you do in word or deed do ALL in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the father through him."

It's a lot easier to throw together a quick dinner when you're stumped for ideas at the end of the budget when there are some staples in your pantry/fridge to choose from right? I can do it all with a better heart and attitude by making it easier on myself and maybe going a step farther and meal planning. Someone planning ahead is going to also be utilizing her budget money better and hence being a better steward of what God has given her too. Also, the Proverbs 31 woman was this kind of example. She worked her little buns off and not only kept her family fed but her maidens also. Girls, we need to be keeping our families fed and doing it with a good heart. So, keep your pantry full and your "cup" too:)

With a heart of pupose,

Andrea

Landri is 9 months old in this video, which feels forever ago. But I LOVE to watch her love for books, especially God's word. She has always treasured her Bible:)