Anybody want to find $200? It's not as hard as you think.

Simply open your kitchen cupboards. Apparently most of us have $200 worth of food in there that we haven't eaten.

And yet we tend to ignore that food. The worst place to be at 5:30 at night is in line at a grocery store with cranky kids, trying to pick up something to make for dinner.

This 5:30 ritual naturally follows from the 5:00 one, whereby you stand in the middle of your kitchen hoping for some inspiration. You open your freezer, and are greeted by packages of fish sticks and pizza, each containing only one, covering up the liver you bought in a health frenzy 27 months ago. You decide it’s easier to start fresh.

The result is that food that we likely will never eat builds up in our cupboards, taking up space. Maybe, if you want to save money for Christmas shopping, one way to do that is not to grocery shopping between now and then (unless it's for fresh stuff) and actually eat what's in our cupboards!

Not all at once, mind you. But think of the money you have invested in your cupboards and freezer. Five-year-old jello mixes? Cranberry sauce? Soups? I even have three different kinds of lentils. We buy these things on impulse with no clear plan about what we’re going to do with them, and they just end up sitting there. What we do with produce is even worse. Most of it can better be called a science experiment. We fill up our carts with all these lovely green things, only to have them turn into runny brown things. One could argue that this can be used for family togetherness—“let’s play ‘What Was It?’—but it’s probably better not to waste money like this in the first place.

So for the next few weeks, our family is going to eat through our house. It may make for some interesting meals (cranberry, fish and jello), but we probably won’t have to spend much on groceries for at least two months. Then we can start meal planning in earnest. We’ll buy only what we need for this week, and what we will buy, we will actually eat. Of course, we’ll still have to keep on hand extra for “company” meals and snacks. We’ll keep our basic supply of baking goods, cereals, and any necessary chocolate, too, but that’s it. I can keep my dishwasher, I won’t stand in line at the last minute, and we can relax over dinner like we’re supposed to. But I think I’ll toss that liver.

Want to join me?

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Posted by cynthiarobin

This is exactly what I'm doing right now! LOL I sat here and laughed as I read your wonderful post and thought to myself how our cupboards are going to be nice and fresh for the new year! LOL What a wonderful way to start 2007...with a fresh slate-and fresh pantries and freezers to fill with only what we'll actually eat this time!

Thanks
Cynthia Robin

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Posted by cakeandcam

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting on roller coasters. I am more than content to sit on a bench and enjoy watching my kids and husband on the rides. I love seeing their expressions and excitement, but my husband thinks I could not be possibly be happy sitting there. I don't think he realizes how few moments I have of being able to sit alone and rest and reflect without having to jump up and do something for someone. I find it totally relaxing and I love watching people walk by with their families seeing how they interact with each other.

I love your idea about the cabinets. Good grief the stuff we have and don't use. I am going to try to implement your ideas and pass them on.

I must check out the book you wrote "Honey, I Don't Have a Headache Tonight". Goodness, do I ever need to read this book, of course, a night without a headache would be a great start as well.

Betty in TN

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