Jun. 29, 2009 - ~Pantry Stocking and keeping.....(and the absolute joy of children!)
It's that time again......Time to check and stock the pantry!
It's fun keeping a well stocked pantry. Takes a little effort, but it's worth it.
I recently went through the pantry looking at the dates and taking a quick inventory. We've used many of the goods we purchased and I now have a better idea of what I should buy on a regular basis. I've got several batches of beans that will expire within the next month or so and I don't want them going to waste so.......
we decided to soak and freeze the beans. This will give them a longer life, but it will also be nice to have the beans handy for recipes since the first process (soaking) is complete.
Yesterday frozen garbanzos. Today - black beans!
We used quart sized bags and froze approximately 3 cups in each baggie. And this is a great job for eager little hands! They love sorting and washing. Besides, asking questions like 'how many bags did we use today, how many bags did we freeze, what are the names of these beans, etc....' and they've received a little edu-MA-cation too
That's what it's all about.....tying those heart strings in every day living. And with opportunities like sorting beans.....who needs a theme park?! 
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update: I had to write back in on this topic.... I brought the black beans to the table to fill up this mornings baggies and was immediately met with the 4 youngest children. My hands were full with helpers! My first thought was to let one help while the others watched. They could each have their turn some other day - right? But as the minutes went on I realized I didn't want to deprive the little blessings! So we began to take turns.
They each got to fill up the cup and fill up the baggie. Then came the zip (they really liked this part too!) and their turn was complete.
We got to the last helper, who was alone at the table with me at this point. He filled his baggie (btw, the concentration on these little faces trying not to spill beans from the baggie is priceless!), zipped his baggie, and then, very excitedly asked: "Can I show Gracie?! I want to show Gracie!" See, since his baggie was the last - it was also the biggest (getting the leftovers at the bottom we didn't want to waste). On his way back from showing Gracie, and whoever else along the way, he began a childish little chant while fiddling with his bag of beans. It went something like this: 'My beans, my beans, my beans.....'.
The simple things......sigh.......
