tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post3146445860707636705..comments2009-01-21T16:06:32.227-06:00Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10575088269125558768summithousebooks@fastmail.fmBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-73221471018248048512009-01-21T16:06:32.227-06:002009-01-21T16:06:32.227-06:00Katy, I frequently buy whole turkey breasts on sale (we don't buy whole turkey because we don't like dark meat) and I cook them in the slow cooker. A whole turkey won't fit obviously, but I would suggest that you roast it, just as you would at Thanksgiving. Then, remove the bones and skin, dice up the meat, and freeze it in meal-size portions. 2 cups is a good amount for most recipes. This is what I do, because it gets all the work out of the way at once. <BR/><BR/>I have many turkey recipes on my recipe blog (link is in the top right sidebar). Some that we like are one-crust turkey pot pie, turkey tetrazzini, turkey noodle soup, and turkey and dressing casserole. <BR/><BR/>We don't eat a lot of tuna, though we do like it. On my recipe blog, I have a tuna supreme casserole that's good, but our favorite thing to make with tuna is mock crab cakes. I buy Zatarain's crab cake mix, and substitute tuna for crab meat. They are EXCELLENT. We eat them on toasted buns, and even my picky kids like them. <BR/><BR/>Hope this helps!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10575088269125558768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-55333145596616379882009-01-21T14:12:00.000-06:002009-01-21T14:12:00.000-06:00As of yesterday I am embarking on my first, highly modified, version of the Pantry Challenge. If I did a PC full out, my husband would leave me until I went shopping. He only likes tomato based soups but my exclusively breastfeeding four month old is allergic to me eating tomatoes. I've never been a huge fan but holy cow I miss them! It is sooo hard to cook frugally without tomatoes and there is no way I could use every last crumb without making soups. <BR/>Anyways, I'm calling it the Give The Random Stuff at the Back of Pantry a Fighting Chance Challenge. I have so many pastas and beans and weird canned vegetables that I never use. Once I use up the 'standard' items, I throw up my hands and declare that we have nothing to eat. I know that's not true so I am going to challenge myself to go beyond that point with a little planning and creativity. We don't have a huge stockpile (no room in our apartment and a little freezer) but I did go shopping yesterday. My goal is to eat well for three weeks, then maybe scrape by for a fourth. I am leaving myself open to doing a little shopping for useful but not quite staple items.<BR/><BR/>I have a question for you (sorry this comment is so long!). I have a whole turkey left over from a Thanksgiving sale in the freezer. What would you do with it? I know it could be a big help but it is a little daunting. Also, do you have any tuna suggestions? We have wayyy too much and neither of us are big tuna fans.<BR/>Thanks!<BR/>KatyTaterhttp://lifeoftater.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-62916390144631876712009-01-07T16:11:00.000-06:002009-01-07T16:11:00.000-06:00Holy cow!! *7* weeks? I'm incredibly impressed :) I think we might be able to last ... a week LOL. Maybe 2. heh :) Looking forward to hearing about this.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01131976831557567016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-33203652076809157692009-01-07T13:58:09.832-06:002009-01-07T13:58:09.832-06:00Allie, I sent you an e-mail.<BR/><BR/>Welcome to The Sparks!<BR/><BR/>Shanna, I'm thinking we should be able to go at least 2 months...probably more.<BR/><BR/>Tina, I'm not sure what was up with the comments. Has anyone else had trouble?<BR/><BR/>Momstheword...I'm not sure how much it cost to restock. I know I did it gradually over the course of a month, and I mainly had to buy things like meat, cereal, pasta etc. I remember that we still had a lot of rice and oats left, but not much else.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10575088269125558768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-16123966811176339592009-01-07T13:23:00.000-06:002009-01-07T13:23:00.000-06:00Sometimes I think it's funny how we think alike, weird, huh? Yesterday I was looking at my freezer which is stuff with porkchops and chicken and ground turkey and other stuff and I was thinking "Why aren't we eating any of this stuff?" <BR/><BR/>Chicken was on sale again so I bought more, but now I need to rotate and start eating some of those meats.<BR/><BR/>We could last awhile but I don't know how long. I'm not as organized as you, probably not as creative either, lol!<BR/><BR/>After your pantry challenge in the spring, do you remember what kind of a $ amount you had to spend in order to restock again? I'm just curious.momsthewordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14519343990735608713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-6391271729144567592009-01-07T10:22:00.000-06:002009-01-07T10:22:00.000-06:00I have been trying to comment on your blogs since before Christmas. I was able to, then I wasn't. Hopefully it's fixed now.<BR/><BR/>You must be psychic about the pantry challenge! I was just thinking the other day that we need to really go through our freezer and pantry and use what we have. I was even considering making an inventory list because I have NO CLUE what we have in there;) I may try to actually get in there and do it. <BR/><BR/>This is a good way to clear some items out and to put some money away. I usually do this sometime between Nov and Jan because of holiday expenses and all of the unused food that I still buy in addition to the holiday meals. Great idea! Maybe your blog will help motivate me!Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06195070774530458223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-75478804302980590032009-01-07T09:18:00.000-06:002009-01-07T09:18:00.000-06:00This is a great challenge! I am toying with participating too... <BR/><BR/>I have a question for you. Could you email me directly FreebieAllie at Gmail dot com?<BR/><BR/>PS- great job on your weight loss venture! I see 11 lbs down. Wonderful!!! ;)<BR/><BR/>AllieAllie Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12467351576119580067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-44245311621015008092009-01-07T06:42:00.000-06:002009-01-07T06:42:00.000-06:00Good luck! I cant wait to see how long you guys last and what meals you come up with!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17497642612648877950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-74819602097516859272009-01-07T00:11:00.000-06:002009-01-07T00:11:00.000-06:001) our pantry and freezer are not very well stocked and 2) I have no ideas what we have - only knowing that we would last only about 2 weeks, 3 weeks tops. I'll take tomorrow and see what we have and go from there.<BR/><BR/>Hmmm... would 10 weeks be a stretch for you?Shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303680220706609009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-68062973825486115622009-01-06T22:45:00.000-06:002009-01-06T22:45:00.000-06:00I just started reading your blog a few weeks ago and I've gotten so many AWESOME ideas from you! We are going to try this also. I'll be writing up my inventory tomorrow.<BR/><BR/>I'll let you know how long we last!The Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05903774528215293625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-21374163659060380222009-01-06T22:11:00.000-06:002009-01-06T22:11:00.000-06:007 weeks! That's tremendous. When my husband and I were reviewing our budget for the year, particularly January, I told him to cut it down to just $100 for the month (this includes all household needs such as toilet paper and diapers) because I knew we had more than enough. Based on your list, I think we could probably go at least a month, if not longer. Just takes a bit of creativity! And it's a great way to use up some of the stockpile.<BR/><BR/>Michele@PhiloxenosMichele@Philoxenoshttp://www.philoxenos.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824391225748530760.post-32291624238860349232009-01-06T21:55:00.000-06:002009-01-06T21:55:00.000-06:00Wow. Great stash! I will be watching your creative menus closely ;)Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822874225969744249noreply@blogger.com