It’s day 58 February 27, 2024. Tha last day of the #threeriverschallenge for Simple Food Simple Life. It’s been a great experience. Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement.
I am so happy that I stumbled upon your channel, Robin! You inspire me and make me think about the food purchases I am making. I am now including your skillet dinner every 2or 3 weeks...just love it...even have it warmed up for breakfast! I am seriously thinking about all the pickles and things I have canned, and which ones I will be doing again and which I will drop. So much money can be saved, and less food will be wasted, with a little more thought. I started keeping a food journal where i list what I buy, brands I like and those I should never buy again, ideas for meals, recipes I like, my grocery lists and of course, how much I spend and where. It's quite revealing to look back at, and I'm sure I will see patterns and trends after a few months. And of course, now I know what it means when you say "little is much when God is in it". Keep well my friend!
You did amazing!! I've been worried that you would run out of ideas, but I should have known better. I had so many things stockpiled and you have given me the 'Umphf" to go through it all, use some up, donate, some, and sadly throw some away. I will turn over a new leaf and only buy what we really use, can only what we eat, and don't backlog so much!! Thanks Robin!! I actually made a very definitive list of any and all things we really use and it will keep me on track. I canned so much salsa and we use very little. I canned JARS of pickles and we hardly ever eat them. So I"m with you....I probably will just buy a jar every now and then and don't can them any more.
Aldi had Florida Strawberries for $1.89 a quart container. Florida Strawberries stay on the plants longer and they have better flavor. I will be canning Strawberries and making low sugar Strawberries jam. I do not have any Strawberries left. I need to go through my jams and jellies before my plants and trees start producing. I have really enjoyed your program and I have gotton some good ideas
I have appreciated your consistency. I was telling my girlfriend (our age) about you living in Iowa and having a RU-vid channel. I shared about what you have been doing the past 2 months as she is interested in setting up a preparedness pantry. She spends a lot of money on food and needs to learn to use what she has. For me, the good news is that I have only been to the store 3 times in the past 2 months and that has been to pickup dog and cat food supplies but 1 time I did buy 6 packages of Jimmy Dean bacon because they were an excellent price. I allow myself $200/month for food and household supplies and I have over $300 left from January and February. That cash goes into my "Extras" envelope.
The storage in your pantry looks fabulous well organised and very accessible and easy to see. I think through Covid we all panicked and overstocked our pantries. I decided at the beginning of 2024 to try and se down the food in my pantry and freezers. This has allowed me to keep my grocery budget low. I recon I can carry on with the challenge for another couple E of months.
Yes, its critical to know what you use and then copycan the pantry. Writing a list of items over a month or more is helpful. It does change too with menus, preferences, lots of reasons. We never keep condiments _unless_ they go *in* a recipe. Just too luxe and expensive. If theres say dijon on hand and you want it on a bratwurst, bonus. Otherwise they continually go out of stock, especially mayo which I can make by hand in a pinch. It was fun watching this challenge ❤
Your pantry still looks in pretty good shape. You have food for awhile yet. You have done really well with the challenge. It's 11:00 here now and I need to make bread. Take care Robin, hope you weren't affected badly from that storm ❤
Thanks Laura for the reminder on bread. I get lazy in winter, especially since I only have a grill. If the weather (and me lol) holds up gotta make some next week.
I enjoyed your challenge you did a great job thanks for all the good recipes❤ Sadie was watching your every move on this video😂 she's so cute❤ stay warm I will see you in the next video❤😊❤
