It’s time to use your stockpile! Even if your stockpile is not very big, go ahead and use it! It’s not time to hoard and take from others. It’s time to go through your pantry and cupboards and use your stockpile.
Get creative and try to come up with some fun meals you can make based off the ingredients you already have in your pantry.
Just think of all the money you will be saving by not running to the store! After all, the grocery store is the last place anyone wants to be right now, you will either need to stand in a long line just to get inside, or all the shelves will be empty.
Hang on and I’ll share some ideas on how you can use your stockpile and any other ingredients you have in your pantry!
WISH PLANNING A PARTY WAS A PIECE OF CAKE?
Want to remember this post? Pin this post, Use What You Already Have – Frugal Friday Tip #16, to your favorite Pinterest board right now!
We Are Truly Blessed
I’m going to get on my soap box for a minute – but only for a minute. The Covid-19 virus is a great reminder that if you have food in your pantry you are truly blessed. Rather than being frustrated about the food you can’t get your hands on, instead we need to be truly thankful for what we do have. There’s no better time than now to go ahead and use your stockpile!
If you have food, shelter, and a job – be thankful! It’s also time to remember those around you who are in need. Check on your neighbors, make sure they have what they need. God put you in your specific neighborhood around your specific neighbors – be there for them. Help them if they need anything.
Help Your Neighbors
We just got a bunch of snow – offer to shovel driveways! Do whatever you can to help those around you. Be the hands and feet of Jesus during this very uncertain time. Above all else, pray!
Pray for those around you, pray for your friends, family, loved ones, neighbors, and yourself! Use this time to draw near to your family, to make new memories and to savor the time you have.
When is the last time you were forced to stay at home and be with our immediate family? I can’t remember the last time that my family has been in the same space, with no friends coming over, or having sports or activities to run to. We have had an entire week of family time and while it can be stressful, it’s really been a blessing!
While we are starting to drive each other crazy, at least we are trying to find the good in it all. Just love each other.
Use Your Stockpile
Ok, I’m off my soap box. Back to the topic at hand. Use your stockpile and whatever you already have in your pantry, fridge, or freezer! I mean it. Make those meals you love that may not be the healthiest – just for fun!
I’m thinking of the boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese that I have buried in my cupboard – yummy! Make that Mac n’ Cheese with hotdogs for dinner (total honesty, this was my favorite meal as a child)! And serve it on fine china! Because, why not?! Wouldn’t your kids love that?
How To Figure Out What’s For Dinner
I know it’s hard to come up with meals to make from the ingredients in your pantry, but it can be done! Pinterest is a great place to find ideas. I have a great Pinterest board called Frugal Meals & Recipes you might want to check out for some inpspiration.
WISH PLANNING A PARTY WAS A PIECE OF CAKE?
Or jump on Google and type in an ingredient you do have and ask Google to help you find something to make with that ingredient.
If really want to have some fun, and if you have an Amazon Alexa – just ask her what you should make for dinner! I just did and she told me to make Seared Duck Breast with Pomegranate Molasses! While, that is not what I’m going to make for dinner, it’s fun to hear what her ideas are! She will even text or email them right to you!
Kids Can Help Make Dinner
Another great way to come up with ideas to make for dinner, is to ask your kids! Have them help you come up with a meal. Or better yet, set them loose in the kitchen and see what they come up with.
If they are old enough to cook the whole meal, let them! If they are not quite old enough yet, oversee, but let their minds do a lot of the work for you. It’s amazing what your kids can come up with!
Plus, we all know how easy it is to get into a cooking rut. I know I sure do. When I’m the main one doing all the cooking in my house, I just get stuck in making the same thing over and over. Sometimes, all you need is a little inspiration! Plus, it’s so great for your kids to participate in the kitchen!
Make A List Of Family Favorite Meals
When you are trying to use your stockpile, this is a great time to sit your family down and ask them their favorite meals. Start to compile a list of your favorites and hang it on your refrigerator. Everyone in my family likes something different, that’s for sure, so it’s nice to have their input on their favorite meals.
Not only is a list a nice thing to have when it’s a busy week and you don’t have a lot of energy to plan brand new meals. It’s also nice to have when you are in a cooking rut. Just take a quick glance at your family favorites and then go through your pantry to see what you can make.
A family favorites list is also great to have when it’s time to plan your grocery menu. Try to keep some of the main staples in your pantry at all times. That way you can throw together a quick meal and you know your family will love it!
In my pantry there is always a few boxes of farfalle pasta noodles, a jar of pasta sauce and there is always a bag of frozen meatballs in my freezer.
WISH PLANNING A PARTY WAS A PIECE OF CAKE?
Spaghetti Is A Family Favorite
My youngest son loves spaghetti and meatballs and now that I have an Instant Pot, we can whip up this meal super fast! I make sure that I always have these items in my pantry, and when I use them up, they are first thing on my grocery list for the next week.
Because I know this is one of our family favorites, I also try to stockpile these items any time they are on sale or if I can find them at their rock bottom price.
SAVINGS TIP: I love my Instant Pot! It’s awesome! I love it so much I’ve gathered my 5 favorite instant pothttps://fabpartyplanningmom.com/how-to-get-your-family-to-eat-leftovers-like-it/ recipes, that you might want to check out too! If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, I’d totally recommend getting one – and that’s coming from the mom who hates new gadgets and put off getting one for a couple years! I’m not sorry I got one..finally!
Other Posts You Might Like:
- How To Get Your Family To Eat Leftovers & Like It!
- No Spend Weekend Of Family Fun
- How To Build A Stockpile – 5 Simple Steps
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