People always said to delay going to the grocery store and it will save you money. Yeah, yeah. I never really knew what a difference it would make until you did a video and actually calculated out what delaying would mean in the number of trips to the store and the possible savings. It is January 25th and I have been to the store once this month. Based on last year's monthly grocery spending, I have saved $300 this month. I have you to thank for that. You are a blessing to us all. THANK YOU!
I don’t think I realized it myself until I did the math! 😂 I knew it had to mean savings, but it really does add up over the year, especially if we weren’t doing it before.
Another perspective. Delaying COSTS me money. Because with my luck if I delay, and am finally ready to go, someone will be sick or I’ll have a migraine or be unable to go out for some reason (or in my case. Instacart) and then I get overwhelmed anddddddd delivery meals happen along with snacks and 😅. It’s a problem. lol
Nostalgic moment incoming: Kids now will never understand the excitement of your schools name scrolling across the bottom of the TV at 5:30AM. A snow day will never be the same. I miss that for them.
Okay, we had this happen just the other day! We got ice on Sunday night so we had another snow day on Monday, and the kids were watching for their schools on the screen while we were watching football! 😂
I made a new year Brunswick stew using my grandaddy's family famous recipe, which i had never tried making before. I asked my Mom for the recipe and guess what.....I had everything it called for in my freezer and pantry EXCEPT the instant mashed potatoes, (which i NEVER buy)!! I was always scared to try making it because it just seemed way too hard for "someone like me"! Let me tell you, a great way to use the meats that have been in your freezer for quite a while, is this recipe!! You wouldn't have known the meats had been frozen for almost a year eating it! I was so very proud to make such an amazing meal for 16 people and NONE of it was FRESH..... but still absolutely AMAZING!!! I still have enough in my freezer and pantry to do it again.... and will be, only this time, I won't need to go out for the instant mashed potatoes!!! My family all loved it and said it was just like Granddaddy's!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I started the Jan-Feb Pantry challenge. I went to the grocery store last week for the vegetables and fruit since I ran out. I was amazed at how much money I saved by not buying all the other "extras"!
I have spent only about $150 on groceries since Dec. 23rd. Picked up milk today, my dad brought over bread and we are still good for at least another week! Yay!
I'm doing a month long challenge for January. It has been pretty easy for me, and easier as it goes along. My limit is $10 a week for groceries. I have bought milk, bread, tortillas, cheese, cottage cheese, onions, lettuce. I have been under the $10 a week so far. Certainly has helped with creativity!
I just told my husband today that we are eating strictly from the freezer and pantry this entire week without stopping at a store. I may be able to go ten days (with the exception of some produce). This is so fun to watch and gave me some ideas!!!!❤
Mindy l knew someone who hated leftovers, refused to eat them. I look at leftovers as another meal. Some people don't see value in life. Seconds please!
I decide to follow your example. Straightened my pantry and found a box of rice Krispies starting to go stale, so decided to make rice krispie treats for the week. In the process, used up the open box of cereal, an open bag of marshmallows, the last of the vanilla in the container, added the last of the peanut butter in a jar, and a half stick of butter from the fridge. 5 items in all used. 😊 Love your videos! Thank you for all your tips and ideas!
If you ever have heavy cream to use up again, try J. Kenji Lopez-Alt's biscuit recipe. Nothing but heavy cream, flour, salt, and baking powder. Turns out perfect every time and saves me from having to pastry cut in the butter when I want fluffy biscuits!
I made spaghetti with meat sauce, THEN used the meat sauce as a pizza sauce (extra protein style) on French bread pizza, FINALLY dumped the rest into a pot of chili.
I started with meatloaf then spaghetti and square meatballs then shepherds pie with the meat chopped fine and added extra veggies. And shredded cheese on top.
I did not shop this week.i told the teenager to eat what’s here.when they are done eating it I will shop.thanks for the tips on saving money and use what you have❤
I live in New England, so snow is part of life! What I loved was seeing your husband grill! My father would do that no matter the time of year, no matter the weather! ❤
Aww, he seems like a nice guy. Love seeing your family pulling together to use things on hand. I have been trying to use things in the kitchen this month! It has been a challenge. But, I probably will only make it for about 3 more days! 😊
sorry when you said “snow day” I thought really 😳 guess our snow days aren’t same as yours 😂🤣 am two hours west of Toronto and even I learned about real snow days the hard way my first year in Central Alberta - schools were closed because it was -25 silly me thinking I could walk to the church and have a quiet day in my office 🤦♀️🤷♀️Tuesday mornings were “Moms and wee kids” by 9:00 the entire gang was there (plus any older kids) when I asked about everybody being out during school closures - they all hugged me or smiled and winked saying “what’s a degree or two” 🤦♀️🤷♀️ your snow days are well - they are your snow days 😜🇨🇦🙏
I use leftover mash all the time in soup! It's a quick easy way to use them up if you don't want to eat them like mash. I also will add a couple eggs and about a quarter cup flour in the leftover mash, shallow fry them in butter or oil and make potato pancakes. My mom taught me to do that when I was a teenager and complained about eating leftover mash lol
I grew up cooking dinner for my household (Not out of necessity; I just liked cooking!). I started “pantry cooking” back in middle school! It trains your brain to be creative with food and become a better problem solver.
Tip for grilling in snowy weather: bring a metal pan out to take the food off the grill, that way if you have to wait and its not quite done the pan cam sit on the top and stay warm.
I live in Ohio and I hate going to the grocery in the cold. So typically in January and February I do what I call a low shop pantry challenge. Where I make most of my meals from ingredients from the pantry and freezers and basically just buy fresh produce and some dairy at the grocery. It helps that I'm typically just cooking for myself so I usually only need to cook a couple of times a week but I definitely notice the difference in shopping budgets!
I have been doing this extend the trip challenge since August of last year. What I do, is skip one week of going to the store. I then spend that money to add to my pantry. Let’s just say my pantry is very well stocked. And I enjoy that. I’m not an overstimulated person and enjoy a well stocked pantry so I have ingredients on hand to make what I want.
That is a good idea , instead of waiting until we cant get anyrhing else in the freezer to so a pantry challenge do it monthly. Sometimes, our brains need someone else's thought for another's brain to have a Eureka moment❤❤❤
I can NOT understand not wanting to eat left overs. I admit I only eat something 3 times. But leftovers rock for lunch overs at work. I don’t like fast food much, so I bring yummy planned overs.❤
These are my favorite videos 😊 I am doing a pantry challenge on my channel by using up all my "canning" pantry items to clear the shelves for the next gardening season. Only things I am buying is Dairy from store when needed, other than that no groceries for Jan & Feb and I think I may add March depending on what my pantry looks like.
I can cook like that a lot of the time. My friends always say that I can make a good meal out of nothing. It’s a matter of checking the pantry and freezer/fridge and being creative. And also checking on herbs and spices to add additional flavor. 🦋❣️
Please do an emergency food pantry box video! And a what to bring to a hotel when you have a large family for snacks and maybe lunch ! There are 6 of us and we’re going away soon
I never thought about how I'm saving money by refusing to go to the grocery store. I just do it cause driving to the grocery/aldi/walmart is a 40 min round trip and I'm lazy and just don't want to do that. The only way to get me there is if I absolutely, positively, undeniably cannot figure out what to make for dinner. Its leftovers, freezer meals, ideas from youtube (hehe), and when all else fails refrigerator soup well after the meal plan ends, lol.
I've been doing this all week! I even borrowed two eggs to avoid going to the store and ending up spending a lot more just because. Been cooking three meals a day, plus a treat here and there, with no issues even though "there's nothing here to eat" according to everyone else. It's about time for a trip though, butter, milk, eggs, bread, and such.
Hello my Friend, Ohio here. We would definitely need survival lessons up your way . I grew up in Mississippi, Ohio snow has been rough a few times over the last 30 years but nothing like what you get. Please keep talking with us it is exciting to share a little of our worlds. Much prayers of blessings and safety to you❤❤❤
Well, it doesn’t happen often enough to spend money on sand and salt trucks, and not everybody here has 4wheel drive. We spend a ton of money on severe weather warning systems, especially tornadoes.
North Pole Alaska here, totally agree. 🌷🌷🌷 it wss -58 below zero Monday 1/22/24, Extreme cold all week! North Pole Alaska here - This afternoon -54 Thursday. Will last another week so 2 to 2.5 weeks before I will be doing even the most basic shopping trip because my family is hunkered down. I have been using from pantry and freezer almost year-round, but especially during this Arctic Freeze. Cars do not start or run as well at these cold temperatures. So I have only what is on hand, including shelf stable and powder milk. 😀😀😀
Wow, the Heath bars would have been gone FIRST at our house :) If I didn't have to buy milk or salad stuff, I could probably skip the supermarket for a month. Our chest freezer is full, as is my pantry.
When your husband mentioned to you guys always having chips - you gave him this look and laugh that I imagine only comes across in your closest relationships. It was sweet to see that side of you! Not that you don't do a great job talking to the camera, but it was a tender moment, at least from my vantage point!
Great video! I've been a little bit of a freezer hoarder and have spent the last month or so trying to creatively use the things I've stuffed in there over many months! Do you already have a video about how you stock and organize your freezers? I would love to see one. I don't even have room for ice cube trays sometimes!
We refuse to do distance learning! If school closes for snow, the kids should be out playing in the snow. Childhood is short enough, let them enjoy it!
@@kevinanddeb8829if you are in the USA, children have to attend school a specified number of days each school year, so unless the district has already built in a certain number of cancellations into their schedule, they will have to add extra days to the end if they cancel school.
I am also doing a pantry challenge. It’s been nice to use up some things and get jars etc out of the refrigerator. I’ve had to toss a few things which I hate but overall it wasn’t too much. Had that same pack of ranch steaks. Used my slow cooker setting on my insta pot. I marinated with some oil, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper and fresh lime juice . Added to pot with a half jar of salsa from the fridge, some various hot peppers from the freezer and cooked on low all day. Heated up done black beans, made rice with the juice from the meat and called it good. Made little tacos with corn tortillas.
I don't normally do chicken in the slow cooker but was inspired by another video yesterday, and it was definitely the best chicken dish I've ever done in the slow cooker. Apparently it's viral and easy to find... Slow Cooker Chicken and Amish Noodles. 10 minutes of prep time. 5 minutes with frozen chicken thighs, cream of soup and butter, and 6 hours later 5 minutes shredding chicken, adding some seasonings and veggies of choice, and the noodles. 8 hours total slow cooker time.
You are always so creative in your use it up challenges and it always looks amazing !! I am doing one too, only buying fresh and perishable items . I am using up all the meat and canned goods !! Thanks Mindy for the great meal ideas !
Good job on the using up food. Very imaginative. I have been doing the same thing this month. Made a pork stew yesterday and I didn't have all of the normal ingredients so I improvised and it came out delicious
I am impressed with the way you improvise. I like to use a recipe so it turns out the same every time. I’ll make adjustments to a recipe for our taste but write those changes down.
Fantastic video! We skipped grocery shopping last week. Didn't need anything and ate from what we had. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pulled pork, breakfast for dinner, plus baked cookies. We were good until yesterday when we bought about $52.00 of groceries and sale items. 😊
Oh I need to do this! Clean the pantry by using what you have! The last time I did that was during Covid! It was amazing how long we ate off canned soups and pasta. We missed yeast! Yeast is GOLD! I always try to get my hubby to use up the open potato chip bags! He always goes for the new bag! I guess I get it. Who wants the little crumb broken chips on the bottom of the bag?WOW! What creative meals you came up with!
I love your pantry challenge videos! They help motivate me to use what we have. I love beer bread so I can’t wait to try your recipe! FYI, years ago I used to buy beer bread from Pampered Chef and was told that Yuengling was the best beer to use for beer bread. I did try a few different beers and definitely loved the Yuengling one best 😊
Try using 3 C self rising flour and 1 can of beer. I fluff up the flour before measuring. 350⁰ for 40 to 50 min. You can add cheese and garlic powder or any seasonings.
Awesome video, loved it! I really get a lot out of your videos and that is why when snowed in I was able to make brownies! At Aldi's, went down that aisle and just picked up a box with stuff I had to bake it. That box sat on the shelf for months until the snow hit and I was happy I had it! Thanks for the video, I didn't get to Aldi's for 2 wks, but I don't cook for many. Have a great wk end
Great video- love your use it up pantry videos. I just delayed grocery shopping for 5 days, and we had plenty to eat. It just requires a little discipline and creativity! Thanks Mindy!
🌷🌷🌷 it wss -58 below zero Monday 1/22/24, Extreme cold all week! North Pole Alaska here - This afternoon -54 Thursday. Will last another week so 2 to 2.5 weeks before I will be doing even the most basic shopping trip because my family is hunkered down. I have been using from pantry and freezer almost year-round, but especially during this Arctic Freeze. Cars do not start or run as well at these cold temperatures. So I have only what is on hand, including shelf stable and powder milk. 😀😀😀
To make lots of leftovers easier to eat, I try to switch up how I eat them. Like make a big batch of chili and the. Use the leftovers for chili cheese tots. Mashed potatoes that then get used on top of a shepherds pie. It makes using the food I have less monotonous.
I have learned so much from watching your "use it up" pantry, fridge, and freezer videos. We are contractors and are between projects so money it a little tight right now, but my freezer, fridge and pantry is well stocked so I am using it up before I go to the store as well as making things from scratch instead of buying convenience items such as English muffins as is the current project this afternoon. I love your channel
I'm so glad you made the beer bread!I We had a party last summer and we still have beer left, my husband and I aren't really drinkers so now I have a way to use those beers up over the winter! Also I wanted to say that I picked up one of those Carne Asada pork shoulders at Aldi and oh man was it fantastic! I just shredded it up and put it into corn tortillas with a little cheese, SO GOOD! That's going to be a staple item from now on.
We had all ice. I home school but my oldest chose to go to high school. No e learning and it didn't slow the home school down at all. My oldest slept, read, and played video games. When my husband ended up home, they played a ton of board games. At the end the kids were looking at the fridge skeptical like. I had been using tons of stuff up. 😂
When you said you haven't been able to do beer bread, I immediately thought "Didn't she do a video on beer bread?" I didn't realize I'd been around that long, and why my brain decided to retain the memory of that video instead of something a little more applicable to me now. 😂
Terrific video- thank you so much! These are my favorites :-) I was using up a variety of items today, myself, so I was delighted to watch this while devouring tuna casserole over rice, wilted spinach and steamed zucchini. I avoided tossing quite a few items making meals today. Thank you for the fun, creative inspiration. Relaxing while eating and watching your video was my reward!
I love pantry cooking. It saves money for sure and also teaches me a lot about how my tastes are changing and how to shop moving forward. It inspires creativity and gives me new ideas moving forward. And maybe the most satisfying part is clearing out a bunch of dibs and dabs. They drive me craaaaazy, from syrup to shampoo i hate them. It is however a hidden blessing though because when i have dibs and dabs i get the most inspired to use them up. Seeing the trash bag fill up....glorious. i dont like generating trash but knowing its not in my kitchen anymore is so satisfying. If you have leftover mashed potatoes try adding them to pancake batter. It doesnt really change how you prepare or dress them but it is a lovely flavor.
You brought up beer bread and my mouth was watering. Ohhh, Mindy taught me how to make beer bread. Then you said you were failing at it and I was 😲 his can that be. Real life is the best way to be. Thanks Mindy.
I love these videos! I would seriously be willing to pay to send you pics of my pantry and fridge to get recommendations on what I can cook with what I have
Loved all your tips ❤ will download the meal planner and the reason I made my UA-cam channel is exactly to do that (watch my own recipes and tutorials since I am always forgetting them) 😂
We do a "no spend week" every month, which is basically the same as your pantry challenges. I do make a point the week before to make sure we are well stocked on our necessities while staying in that weeks budget. Over the course of a year we save around $1800 doing this!
I love that your daughter makes gluten free baked goods to share with her friends 🥹 as someone who has celiac and can’t eat gluten- that’s so very thoughtful!
We have found ourselves in a place where we have only 1/4 of our income indefinitely. I have been using up so much food I already overbought when I had a good income. It has humbled me and made me realize how much I used to think I needed to eat for our family of 4. I have come to feel proud of cooking the food I already have and it even brings out my creative side sometimes. But I’ve been making it work with spending only about $50 a week for the past 2 months, feeding our family of 4. I now have perspective and that is priceless. We need to be good stewards of our money and our food. So many people overbuy and I think this needs to be talked about. We seem to have gotten so far away from what is only necessary and eating “fun” things for special occasions. I think if we switched back to this mentality, we would be so much healthier in mind, body, and spirit!
I really like your curly hair. I agree I do clean out the fridge at least once a week. check the freezer and pantry. it's just the two of us now. so we don't go though stuff the way we did when the kids were home. when they were home I never had to worry about anything spoiling....
When vegies have iced up, I put them in a metal colander and pour boiling water over. Your iced over vegies were for the crockpot, though. Keep in mind that old pasta cooks faster. I keep a container of pantry items that need to be used up on the counter. This week, we are going a potluck. I will bring 3 bean salad and mexi corn. I overstocked canned beans and corn. Txu for all you do.
Awww I had never seen your handsome husband before ❤That was a nice surprise! Love your family and your videos. I’m a mom of four on a 1-income household (my own handsome hubby 😊) in Phoenix. And we are hurting with this inflation. Your videos help so much. I just wish we had the stock in our pantry that you have! We’d never shop again. lol
Hi Mindy, Thank You for this video!! I implement this once or twice a mth.(started this at beginning of COVID), I Love how save a week or two of grocery bill, and can use that money for something else or just put into our “unexpected savings”, and Love how we had stopped wasting food since been doing this. Hope you and family are doing well
I cook salmon (s&p and a little EVOO) on a screaming hot sheet pan for about 12 minutes. While still warm, top with a tblsp. of a compound butter made with crushed garlic, lemon peel (or lemon pepper), and dried dill. We love it with rice and a veggie.
Just wondering if you have had a throw it all together fail? I know I sure have😊 One thing that did work was using leftover pulled pork and making shepherds pie with it.
Yes, I have had fails in the past. My least favorite recipe from this video was the beef noodle soup. It was just okay for me. But I have had a few attempts in the past that were just a no-go. I figure, hey, at least I tried, right? 😊
I just want to say thank you for making these videos. I have been following your videos for a couple of years. They’re soothing, creative and help my little family stay on track.
Did anybody else notice I kept saying pita bread when I really meant naan? 😂 Oh well, those pizzas were tasty anyway!
Try using shiner to make your beer bread. It’s so good
Agreed, just let kids enjoy childhood😊
Didn’t notice!😊
People always said to delay going to the grocery store and it will save you money. Yeah, yeah. I never really knew what a difference it would make until you did a video and actually calculated out what delaying would mean in the number of trips to the store and the possible savings. It is January 25th and I have been to the store once this month. Based on last year's monthly grocery spending, I have saved $300 this month. I have you to thank for that. You are a blessing to us all. THANK YOU!
Wow, that's amazing! 👍
I don’t think I realized it myself until I did the math! 😂 I knew it had to mean savings, but it really does add up over the year, especially if we weren’t doing it before.
Another perspective. Delaying COSTS me money. Because with my luck if I delay, and am finally ready to go, someone will be sick or I’ll have a migraine or be unable to go out for some reason (or in my case. Instacart) and then I get overwhelmed anddddddd delivery meals happen along with snacks and 😅. It’s a problem. lol
Nostalgic moment incoming: Kids now will never understand the excitement of your schools name scrolling across the bottom of the TV at 5:30AM. A snow day will never be the same. I miss that for them.
Okay, we had this happen just the other day! We got ice on Sunday night so we had another snow day on Monday, and the kids were watching for their schools on the screen while we were watching football! 😂
@@SeeMindyMom yessss! I’m so happy to hear that!!!
I agree, they should just give the kids the day off to enjoy the snow.
I made a new year Brunswick stew using my grandaddy's family famous recipe, which i had never tried making before. I asked my Mom for the recipe and guess what.....I had everything it called for in my freezer and pantry EXCEPT the instant mashed potatoes, (which i NEVER buy)!! I was always scared to try making it because it just seemed way too hard for "someone like me"! Let me tell you, a great way to use the meats that have been in your freezer for quite a while, is this recipe!! You wouldn't have known the meats had been frozen for almost a year eating it! I was so very proud to make such an amazing meal for 16 people and NONE of it was FRESH..... but still absolutely AMAZING!!! I still have enough in my freezer and pantry to do it again.... and will be, only this time, I won't need to go out for the instant mashed potatoes!!! My family all loved it and said it was just like Granddaddy's!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I started the Jan-Feb Pantry challenge. I went to the grocery store last week for the vegetables and fruit since I ran out. I was amazed at how much money I saved by not buying all the other "extras"!
I have spent only about $150 on groceries since Dec. 23rd. Picked up milk today, my dad brought over bread and we are still good for at least another week! Yay!
I'm doing a month long challenge for January. It has been pretty easy for me, and easier as it goes along. My limit is $10 a week for groceries. I have bought milk, bread, tortillas, cheese, cottage cheese, onions, lettuce. I have been under the $10 a week so far. Certainly has helped with creativity!
Wow, goals to aspire to!
Wow! Great job on the low spend month!
I just told my husband today that we are eating strictly from the freezer and pantry this entire week without stopping at a store. I may be able to go ten days (with the exception of some produce). This is so fun to watch and gave me some ideas!!!!❤
Mindy l knew someone who hated leftovers, refused to eat them. I look at leftovers as another meal. Some people don't see value in life. Seconds please!
I love leftovers. I eat a meal I find delicious and think, I can wait to have this again tomorrow.
We love an old school pantry cooking challenge!
I decide to follow your example. Straightened my pantry and found a box of rice Krispies starting to go stale, so decided to make rice krispie treats for the week. In the process, used up the open box of cereal, an open bag of marshmallows, the last of the vanilla in the container, added the last of the peanut butter in a jar, and a half stick of butter from the fridge. 5 items in all used. 😊 Love your videos! Thank you for all your tips and ideas!
I love this! Great job! And those Rice Krispie treats sound so good!
@@SeeMindyMom thank you! ❤
Yummy I'm sitting here looking at a box of rice crisp and thinking about sweets and breakfast. And I got extra peanut butter. I'm thinking cookies.😊
Yea you can’t leave the house without spending $100 so yea let’s see what we got on deck! Love it! Thanks!
If you ever have heavy cream to use up again, try J. Kenji Lopez-Alt's biscuit recipe. Nothing but heavy cream, flour, salt, and baking powder. Turns out perfect every time and saves me from having to pastry cut in the butter when I want fluffy biscuits!
Would have made potato pancakes with yhe mashed.
I made spaghetti with meat sauce, THEN used the meat sauce as a pizza sauce (extra protein style) on French bread pizza, FINALLY dumped the rest into a pot of chili.
I started with meatloaf then spaghetti and square meatballs then shepherds pie with the meat chopped fine and added extra veggies. And shredded cheese on top.
I did not shop this week.i told the teenager to eat what’s here.when they are done eating it I will shop.thanks for the tips on saving money and use what you have❤
I live in New England, so snow is part of life! What I loved was seeing your husband grill! My father would do that no matter the time of year, no matter the weather! ❤
I can tell you he much prefers grilling in the freezing cold to the triple digit heat in the summer!
Aww, he seems like a nice guy. Love seeing your family pulling together to use things on hand.
I have been trying to use things in the kitchen this month!
It has been a challenge. But, I probably will only make it for about 3 more days! 😊
sorry when you said “snow day” I thought really 😳 guess our snow days aren’t same as yours 😂🤣 am two hours west of Toronto and even I learned about real snow days the hard way my first year in Central Alberta - schools were closed because it was -25 silly me thinking I could walk to the church and have a quiet day in my office 🤦♀️🤷♀️Tuesday mornings were “Moms and wee kids” by 9:00 the entire gang was there (plus any older kids) when I asked about everybody being out during school closures - they all hugged me or smiled and winked saying “what’s a degree or two” 🤦♀️🤷♀️ your snow days are well - they are your snow days 😜🇨🇦🙏
I use leftover mash all the time in soup! It's a quick easy way to use them up if you don't want to eat them like mash. I also will add a couple eggs and about a quarter cup flour in the leftover mash, shallow fry them in butter or oil and make potato pancakes. My mom taught me to do that when I was a teenager and complained about eating leftover mash lol
New competition for" See Mindy Mom" is "Watch Dan Dad"!
Yum. That's the best.
Great idea!!
I thought it was dangerous to reheat potatoes.
My mom used mashed potatoes as the base for potato soup growing up.
Heath bars are my favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I grew up cooking dinner for my household (Not out of necessity; I just liked cooking!). I started “pantry cooking” back in middle school! It trains your brain to be creative with food and become a better problem solver.
Tip for grilling in snowy weather: bring a metal pan out to take the food off the grill, that way if you have to wait and its not quite done the pan cam sit on the top and stay warm.
I live in Ohio and I hate going to the grocery in the cold. So typically in January and February I do what I call a low shop pantry challenge. Where I make most of my meals from ingredients from the pantry and freezers and basically just buy fresh produce and some dairy at the grocery. It helps that I'm typically just cooking for myself so I usually only need to cook a couple of times a week but I definitely notice the difference in shopping budgets!
I have been doing this extend the trip challenge since August of last year. What I do, is skip one week of going to the store. I then spend that money to add to my pantry. Let’s just say my pantry is very well stocked. And I enjoy that. I’m not an overstimulated person and enjoy a well stocked pantry so I have ingredients on hand to make what I want.
That is a good idea , instead of waiting until we cant get anyrhing else in the freezer to so a pantry challenge do it monthly. Sometimes, our brains need someone else's thought for another's brain to have a Eureka moment❤❤❤
I love that! It is nice to have wiggle room in the budget to build and organize our kitchens just how we like!
I was able to postpone grocery shopping for a week! ❤ It's challenging and fun to get creative with what's on hand!
I totally agree!
I can NOT understand not wanting to eat left overs. I admit I only eat something 3 times. But leftovers rock for lunch overs at work. I don’t like fast food much, so I bring yummy planned overs.❤
I like leftovers for lunch, too!
These are my favorite videos 😊 I am doing a pantry challenge on my channel by using up all my "canning" pantry items to clear the shelves for the next gardening season. Only things I am buying is Dairy from store when needed, other than that no groceries for Jan & Feb and I think I may add March depending on what my pantry looks like.
I spy that Francine Rivers! I used to devour her books. Maybe it’s time for a re-read 😊
I can cook like that a lot of the time. My friends always say that I can make a good meal out of nothing. It’s a matter of checking the pantry and freezer/fridge and being creative. And also checking on herbs and spices to add additional flavor. 🦋❣️
Please do an emergency food pantry box video! And a what to bring to a hotel when you have a large family for snacks and maybe lunch ! There are 6 of us and we’re going away soon
I never thought about how I'm saving money by refusing to go to the grocery store. I just do it cause driving to the grocery/aldi/walmart is a 40 min round trip and I'm lazy and just don't want to do that. The only way to get me there is if I absolutely, positively, undeniably cannot figure out what to make for dinner. Its leftovers, freezer meals, ideas from youtube (hehe), and when all else fails refrigerator soup well after the meal plan ends, lol.
I've been doing this all week! I even borrowed two eggs to avoid going to the store and ending up spending a lot more just because. Been cooking three meals a day, plus a treat here and there, with no issues even though "there's nothing here to eat" according to everyone else. It's about time for a trip though, butter, milk, eggs, bread, and such.
I've had a bag of whole wheat flour hanging out in my pantry since last year. Trying my hand at making molasses brown bread today. 🤞🤞
Yayyyy goodluckkkkk
I just don’t see how that’s possible that’s so low. I love to grocery shop
Canadian viewer here. You guys are so cute. Distance learning for sweater weather and a dusting of snow 😅 😉😁
Hello my Friend, Ohio here. We would definitely need survival lessons up your way . I grew up in Mississippi, Ohio snow has been rough a few times over the last 30 years but nothing like what you get. Please keep talking with us it is exciting to share a little of our worlds. Much prayers of blessings and safety to you❤❤❤
Wonder how we northerners would handle the Oklahoma summer heat!
Well, it doesn’t happen often enough to spend money on sand and salt trucks, and not everybody here has 4wheel drive. We spend a ton of money on severe weather warning systems, especially tornadoes.
North Pole Alaska here, totally agree. 🌷🌷🌷 it wss -58 below zero Monday 1/22/24, Extreme cold all week! North Pole Alaska here - This afternoon -54 Thursday. Will last another week so 2 to 2.5 weeks before I will be doing even the most basic shopping trip because my family is hunkered down. I have been using from pantry and freezer almost year-round, but especially during this Arctic Freeze. Cars do not start or run as well at these cold temperatures. So I have only what is on hand, including shelf stable and powder milk. 😀😀😀
@@SeeMindyMom oh totally! I could never handle the stress of your tornado season let me tell you! Haha my mom lives in Kansas and idk how she does it!
Wow, the Heath bars would have been gone FIRST at our house :) If I didn't have to buy milk or salad stuff, I could probably skip the supermarket for a month. Our chest freezer is full, as is my pantry.
I loved this, so intentional, I’ve been freezing my leftovers and pulling them out when my husband needs an extra meal for work
When your husband mentioned to you guys always having chips - you gave him this look and laugh that I imagine only comes across in your closest relationships. It was sweet to see that side of you! Not that you don't do a great job talking to the camera, but it was a tender moment, at least from my vantage point!
Great video! I've been a little bit of a freezer hoarder and have spent the last month or so trying to creatively use the things I've stuffed in there over many months! Do you already have a video about how you stock and organize your freezers? I would love to see one. I don't even have room for ice cube trays sometimes!
We refuse to do distance learning! If school closes for snow, the kids should be out playing in the snow. Childhood is short enough, let them enjoy it!
I used to nanny and distance learning was the worst. For the kids, caretakers and teachers. I agree. Snow day!
I would rather have them do distance learning than need to make up the days in the summer
@@kaylamotley7979 it's rare here to have to make up days.
That's nice!
@@kevinanddeb8829if you are in the USA, children have to attend school a specified number of days each school year, so unless the district has already built in a certain number of cancellations into their schedule, they will have to add extra days to the end if they cancel school.
I use the recipe that calls for self rising flour.
You over-mixed the beer bread. You want it clumpy and craggily like biscuits. Also I add extra baking powder for a boost.
I am also doing a pantry challenge. It’s been nice to use up some things and get jars etc out of the refrigerator. I’ve had to toss a few things which I hate but overall it wasn’t too much.
Had that same pack of ranch steaks. Used my slow cooker setting on my insta pot. I marinated with some oil, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper and fresh lime juice . Added to pot with a half jar of salsa from the fridge, some various hot peppers from the freezer and cooked on low all day. Heated up done black beans, made rice with the juice from the meat and called it good. Made little tacos with corn tortillas.
Ooh, excited for this! We're working through our pantry, fridge, and freezer with a $100 grocery budget this month for myself and my husband.
You got this!
@SeeMindyMom thanks, Mindy! So far, so good! 🤑
That’s what I’m doing!
@@Shopgirl1 nice! We're almost there! 🙂
I don't normally do chicken in the slow cooker but was inspired by another video yesterday, and it was definitely the best chicken dish I've ever done in the slow cooker. Apparently it's viral and easy to find... Slow Cooker Chicken and Amish Noodles. 10 minutes of prep time. 5 minutes with frozen chicken thighs, cream of soup and butter, and 6 hours later 5 minutes shredding chicken, adding some seasonings and veggies of choice, and the noodles. 8 hours total slow cooker time.
You are always so creative in your use it up challenges and it always looks amazing !! I am doing one too, only buying fresh and perishable items . I am using up all the meat and canned goods !! Thanks Mindy for the great meal ideas !
Good job on the using up food. Very imaginative. I have been doing the same thing this month. Made a pork stew yesterday and I didn't have all of the normal ingredients so I improvised and it came out delicious
I am impressed with the way you improvise. I like to use a recipe so it turns out the same every time. I’ll make adjustments to a recipe for our taste but write those changes down.
Hi Mindy, these use it up videos are my absolute FAVORITE of your videos! You always make the tastiest looking meals. Thank you ❤
We had a week of snow here in Arkansas and it was a good time to clean out the fridge & bake some bread!😊
Good job on using food you had on hand. We do this every month before we do our monthly grocery haul.
Fantastic video! We skipped grocery shopping last week. Didn't need anything and ate from what we had. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pulled pork, breakfast for dinner, plus baked cookies. We were good until yesterday when we bought about $52.00 of groceries and sale items. 😊
A lot of good athletes have someone at home that put something in the crockpot to eat when they get home. It’s just so great
Love this so much! Really like the idea of putting a basket on the counter with open bags and boxes to use up!!!
Oh I need to do this! Clean the pantry by using what you have! The last time I did that was during Covid! It was amazing how long we ate off canned soups and pasta. We missed yeast! Yeast is GOLD! I always try to get my hubby to use up the open potato chip bags! He always goes for the new bag! I guess I get it. Who wants the little crumb broken chips on the bottom of the bag?WOW! What creative meals you came up with!
Sometimes I'll use the crumbs as topping for like a casserole, or crush them up and use them to bread chicken strips or something.
I love your pantry challenge videos! They help motivate me to use what we have. I love beer bread so I can’t wait to try your recipe! FYI, years ago I used to buy beer bread from Pampered Chef and was told that Yuengling was the best beer to use for beer bread. I did try a few different beers and definitely loved the Yuengling one best 😊
I grew up in Pennsylvania near Pottsville which is the home of Yuengling. We love that beer
Okay, I’ll have to try that! We like yuengling and often have some on hand. I usually make it with shiner if we have any.
Try using 3 C self rising flour and 1 can of beer.
I fluff up the flour before measuring. 350⁰ for 40 to 50 min.
You can add cheese and garlic powder or any seasonings.
Awesome video, loved it! I really get a lot out of your videos and that is why when snowed in I was able to make brownies! At Aldi's, went down that aisle and just picked up a box with stuff I had to bake it. That box sat on the shelf for months until the snow hit and I was happy I had it! Thanks for the video, I didn't get to Aldi's for 2 wks, but I don't cook for many. Have a great wk end
Hello Mindy,that potato steak soup looked delicious. Yes mashed potatoes is a great thickener,i use often!
Thank you for creating the shopping list of items you would have bought and sharing the amount you saved. Wow!
Oh those pizzas look so good, they're making me hungry even though I just ate. Mouth is watering.
I had left over beer bread that was going stale. I made croutons from it -YUMMY!
great idea!
Great video- love your use it up pantry videos. I just delayed grocery shopping for 5 days, and we had plenty to eat. It just requires a little discipline and creativity! Thanks Mindy!
I agree! It can mean getting a little creative, but sometimes we discover a new favorite from our creations!
🌷🌷🌷 it wss -58 below zero Monday 1/22/24, Extreme cold all week! North Pole Alaska here - This afternoon -54 Thursday. Will last another week so 2 to 2.5 weeks before I will be doing even the most basic shopping trip because my family is hunkered down. I have been using from pantry and freezer almost year-round, but especially during this Arctic Freeze. Cars do not start or run as well at these cold temperatures. So I have only what is on hand, including shelf stable and powder milk. 😀😀😀
To make lots of leftovers easier to eat, I try to switch up how I eat them. Like make a big batch of chili and the. Use the leftovers for chili cheese tots. Mashed potatoes that then get used on top of a shepherds pie. It makes using the food I have less monotonous.
I have learned so much from watching your "use it up" pantry, fridge, and freezer videos. We are contractors and are between projects so money it a little tight right now, but my freezer, fridge and pantry is well stocked so I am using it up before I go to the store as well as making things from scratch instead of buying convenience items such as English muffins as is the current project this afternoon. I love your channel
Your videos really helped me during graduate school in preparing affordable meals. Thank you Mindy ❤️
I'm so glad you made the beer bread!I We had a party last summer and we still have beer left, my husband and I aren't really drinkers so now I have a way to use those beers up over the winter! Also I wanted to say that I picked up one of those Carne Asada pork shoulders at Aldi and oh man was it fantastic! I just shredded it up and put it into corn tortillas with a little cheese, SO GOOD! That's going to be a staple item from now on.
She's so close - let's get Mindy to 200K!
Yes, thank you Mindy for the free recipes and book! I've printed one off and already tried the sausage pasta, which we loved! ❤
I’m so glad it was helpful and thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the recipe!
We had all ice. I home school but my oldest chose to go to high school. No e learning and it didn't slow the home school down at all. My oldest slept, read, and played video games. When my husband ended up home, they played a ton of board games. At the end the kids were looking at the fridge skeptical like. I had been using tons of stuff up. 😂
I use my left over mashed potatoes into potato salad! Delicious!!
Oh that’s an idea I haven’t heard! I wouldn’t have thought of that!
When you said you haven't been able to do beer bread, I immediately thought "Didn't she do a video on beer bread?" I didn't realize I'd been around that long, and why my brain decided to retain the memory of that video instead of something a little more applicable to me now. 😂
Terrific video- thank you so much! These are my favorites :-) I was using up a variety of items today, myself, so I was delighted to watch this while devouring tuna casserole over rice, wilted spinach and steamed zucchini. I avoided tossing quite a few items making meals today. Thank you for the fun, creative inspiration. Relaxing while eating and watching your video was my reward!
thanks for offering the free ebooks and super fun ideas to use up our stocks!
My pleasure!
I love pantry cooking. It saves money for sure and also teaches me a lot about how my tastes are changing and how to shop moving forward. It inspires creativity and gives me new ideas moving forward. And maybe the most satisfying part is clearing out a bunch of dibs and dabs. They drive me craaaaazy, from syrup to shampoo i hate them. It is however a hidden blessing though because when i have dibs and dabs i get the most inspired to use them up. Seeing the trash bag fill up....glorious. i dont like generating trash but knowing its not in my kitchen anymore is so satisfying.
If you have leftover mashed potatoes try adding them to pancake batter. It doesnt really change how you prepare or dress them but it is a lovely flavor.
Favorite videoes !!! I get slightly creative but I live alone so it’s easier for me
You brought up beer bread and my mouth was watering. Ohhh, Mindy taught me how to make beer bread. Then you said you were failing at it and I was 😲 his can that be.
Real life is the best way to be. Thanks Mindy.
Bread can be very persnickety. Even the quick breads!
I love these videos! I would seriously be willing to pay to send you pics of my pantry and fridge to get recommendations on what I can cook with what I have
Loved all your tips ❤ will download the meal planner and the reason I made my UA-cam channel is exactly to do that (watch my own recipes and tutorials since I am always forgetting them) 😂
We do a "no spend week" every month, which is basically the same as your pantry challenges. I do make a point the week before to make sure we are well stocked on our necessities while staying in that weeks budget. Over the course of a year we save around $1800 doing this!
It’s crazy how it adds up over the year!
So glad ur fam was "on-board". I do this frequently, especially in the winter. Its smart, savvy and saves $$$. Love this vid!
I'm doing my best to get through my stockpile. It's slowly getting close to it's best by date and I want to save money :)
I love that your daughter makes gluten free baked goods to share with her friends 🥹 as someone who has celiac and can’t eat gluten- that’s so very thoughtful!
We have found ourselves in a place where we have only 1/4 of our income indefinitely. I have been using up so much food I already overbought when I had a good income. It has humbled me and made me realize how much I used to think I needed to eat for our family of 4. I have come to feel proud of cooking the food I already have and it even brings out my creative side sometimes. But I’ve been making it work with spending only about $50 a week for the past 2 months, feeding our family of 4. I now have perspective and that is priceless. We need to be good stewards of our money and our food. So many people overbuy and I think this needs to be talked about. We seem to have gotten so far away from what is only necessary and eating “fun” things for special occasions. I think if we switched back to this mentality, we would be so much healthier in mind, body, and spirit!
That’s barely a dusting of snow! Not even enough for a snowball fight, much less a snow day 😂😂😂
Sincerely, all of us in Minnesota
That beef soup looks great. I never would think to throw that together.
I really like your curly hair. I agree I do clean out the fridge at least once a week. check the freezer and pantry. it's just the two of us now. so we don't go though stuff the way we did when the kids were home. when they were home I never had to worry about anything spoiling....
When vegies have iced up, I put them in a metal colander and pour boiling water over. Your iced over vegies were for the crockpot, though. Keep in mind that old pasta cooks faster. I keep a container of pantry items that need to be used up on the counter. This week, we are going a potluck. I will bring 3 bean salad and mexi corn. I overstocked canned beans and corn. Txu for all you do.
Thank you for these videos! A reminder every so often to do this is a wonderful thing, and the meals you made looked delicious! 🌻
Thanks so much! 😊
We try to do this over summer time to clear out our freezer for hurricane season.
Awww I had never seen your handsome husband before ❤That was a nice surprise! Love your family and your videos. I’m a mom of four on a 1-income household (my own handsome hubby 😊) in Phoenix. And we are hurting with this inflation. Your videos help so much. I just wish we had the stock in our pantry that you have! We’d never shop again. lol
Thanks for the beer bread recipe! I forgot i used to like this and would love to make it especially with soup. Really enjoy all of your videos!.
Great ideas that are easy to implement. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Mindy, Thank You for this video!! I implement this once or twice a mth.(started this at beginning of COVID), I Love how save a week or two of grocery bill, and can use that money for something else or just put into our “unexpected savings”, and Love how we had stopped wasting food since been doing this. Hope you and family are doing well
I’m so glad! You’re right, it really does make a difference. We are doing well, thank you for asking! :)
I cook salmon (s&p and a little EVOO) on a screaming hot sheet pan for about 12 minutes. While still warm, top with a tblsp. of a compound butter made with crushed garlic, lemon peel (or lemon pepper), and dried dill. We love it with rice and a veggie.
I love your channel. It’s my absolute favorite, along with The Cottage Fairy…👩🏻🍳🧚♂️
I watch the cottage fairy too ❤
Thank you so much! I am flattered!
Just wondering if you have had a throw it all together fail? I know I sure have😊 One thing that did work was using leftover pulled pork and making shepherds pie with it.
I found a recipe for that too using corn pulled pork and mashed potatoes. It was really good since we could not eat another pulled pork sandwich!
Yes, I have had fails in the past. My least favorite recipe from this video was the beef noodle soup. It was just okay for me. But I have had a few attempts in the past that were just a no-go. I figure, hey, at least I tried, right? 😊
I just want to say thank you for making these videos. I have been following your videos for a couple of years. They’re soothing, creative and help my little family stay on track.
Thank you for the encouragement! I’m glad I can help. :)
Another great video.😊
Thank you 🤗