Pantry Epiphany update:
28 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Do-it-yourself Tags: Groceries, meal plan, organization, Pantry, savings
I just got back from the grocery store with my meal cards for this week. WOW. It did take me a little bit longer than normal because A. I was getting used to having the cards B. Wal-Mart was packed and C. The ladies in front of me in the checkout line had 100 coupons for deodorant and razors. (What the hell are you going to do with 100 mini deodorants?) I am sorry to all of you out there who are avid “couponers”, but wow, it was super annoying and my frozen/cold foods became thawed/lukewarm foods.
So…off my coupon rant. I was very proud of my purchases for the week. Not only does my pantry look tidy and organized, I bought food for 7 dinners, 7 lunches and 7 breakfasts at an average of $9.00 per meal. Not Per Person…thats for a family of 5 for 5 days and then 7 this weekend! With NO coupons! One trip to the store this week, except perhaps on Friday, I may have to grab another 2 gallons of milk. We have 5 kids…so it goes fast.
I think this is going to work out just perfect!
Pantry Epiphany
28 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Do-it-yourself Tags: Dinner, DIY, family, Grocery list, Meals, organization, Pantry, shopping
Pantry Before
Let me introduce you to my pantry. Every week we go through the same thing at our house. Complete disorganization when it comes to dinner has become the norm. I run to the store 3 or 4 times a week to grab something quick or we just end up eating out because the idea of trying to figure out what to have AND cook it is overwhelming.
During one of these crazy runs to the store I had a Pantry Epiphany! What if the pantry was so organized that it told me what we were having for dinner AND it went to the store with a list, and all I had to do was cook. That would be AMAZING! So I decided I would make it happen…and it was so.
Here is my DIY Pantry makeover.
What you will need:
Tools – Hot glue gun and scissors or paper cutter
Stackable Crates – The number of crates will vary depending on how large your pantry is. I bought 7 but ended up using only 6. Each one of my crates holds two days worth of dinner supplies plus one for school lunch foods and one for breakfasts.
Note cards and a card box for unused Meal Cards - Have your family help you come up with about 20 meal ideas. On the front of each card write the main course and side dishes. On the back write the grocery list for that meal. Include anything special you need if from a specific recipe, like spices or flour etc. 
**As as side note you can also add self laminating sheets and a package of dividers for your box of cards if you like. I laminated the cards so they would stay flat and pretty for a long time.
Clothes pins – I bought a package of mini pins in the office supply area at Wal-mart. Use the hot glue gun to attach the pins to the crates. Each crate will have a clip for each set of meal supplies it holds. Mine have 2 each.
Once you have all the supplies and have gotten your meals planned out you are ready to get things organized.
Each week I pick out 9 cards. One dinner for each day of the week and 2 for Saturday and 2 for Sunday. (Lunch and dinner) Take your cards to the grocery store with you and you have a pre-made grocery list. by having a separate crate for breakfast items and school lunch items it’s easy to take a quick look and see if I need cereal or treats and chips.
Here is how it will look when you get it all together.
Pantry After
