Not What I Expected!

I thought it was time I update you on my experiment with eating through our food storage. I have learned so much! I like the challenge of making new things out of the same items, but I am learning that if I ever got to the point that I needed to use my food storage, I want more variety! I have a lot of oatmeal and vegetable soup and beans and beef stew left. I am still trying to figure out new ways to use it all without falling back on soup! (Did you know that you can make soup out of ANYTHING? It might not be so bad in the winter time, but soup gets a little old in the summer.)

I have also learned that I miss fresh vegetables and fruit. Those are most often the things I buy from the store now. (Yes, I shop for groceries. It is a lot less than I normally would though, and it is all perishable stuff. So, I don't consider it cheating.) I can't wait to have a house that has space for a garden. Then I can use the fresh produce from my garden for meals, then turn it into my food storage for the winter and spring and live happily ever after. *Sigh*

The next lesson I want to share with you is that you have to make sure you have something in your food storage for days you are craving something sweet. I will admit that I love to snack on honey nut cheerios. Before you panic, remember who is talking and realize that it is always going to be the less expensive and equally delicious, generic brand. *Cough, Cough, Western Family, Cough* (I'm not picky enough to need to spend crazy amounts of money on puny boxes. I am all about the massive bags of yumminess.) Even though these little snacks have a bit of sweetness, some days it just isn't enough. Have a stash of cookies or a brownie mix somewhere. (Or use your food storage to make something sweet. Just don't run out of butter or eggs. They are pretty important.)

I learned that things like rice, beans, and potatoes can help stretch just about anything. I mean, I knew that before, but didn't use it the way I am now. I now appreciate things about cooking that I didn't before: like falling back on stir fry for my go to meal during the week or not having to use a can opener every day. I like learning things like my pie dough can be frozen if it is wrapped nicely. Plus, I actually miss taking pictures of my food to tell you about it. Yes, I know the photos are lackluster at best, but I miss teaching you about my favorite recipes and tips and tricks.

The last thing I want to tell you is that I feel that everyone should spend at least a couple of weeks trying to eat through their food storage. See what you get sick of first and what you should have more of. Learn how to creatively use what you have on hand. It is important to have the confidence to open the cupboards after you haven't been shopping in a while and make a healthy meal for your family.

I love this part of homemaking. I love cooking. I love creating things that my family needs to survive. I believe that I was given a talent to have instincts in the kitchen and to find joy in serving my family in this way. I have really enjoyed this experiment, but I am looking forward to moving and returning to normal life in the kitchen. Feel free to count down with me. We're down to less than a month now!