2024 NO SPEND Pantry Challenge #8 - Two Months, No Groceries! The Final Week....Is anything left?!

[@boogieman2k1]

Adventures in Groceryland released a new video yesterday and then yours today! What a great way to take a break during our weekend chores. From Coast to Coast both of you ladies are saving me money & keeping me creative in the kitchen. THANK YOU!

[@JessicaWanders]

That is awesome! I'm so glad you enjoy the videos :D Keep supporting our awesome Canadian content!

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

@@JessicaWanders I subscribed to Adventures in Groceryland this week too! 🙂🇨🇦

[@hanscrushonauntielina]

haha, your taste buds make me happy. I'm so glad you enjoyed your meals!

[@JessicaWanders]

I’m glad that you enjoyed the video! 😄

[@deborahoakey3560]

I also watch "Grocery land". Love the Canadian content and how it's not fancy but so simple . Plain bread , simple ingredients. Stuff we have.😊

[@JessicaWanders]

So true! And I think it's nice to see things that we can buy in our own grocery stores, definitely!

[@MelanieW-kr3tg]

Congrats on finishing the pantry challenge, I think it was your best one yet! This finale was amazing! Your channel is so much fun to watch, and I am definitely looking forward to whatever comes next. I’m really glad you found that cheese, you put it to good use! Can’t wait for your first post-pantry challenge grocery haul!

[@JessicaWanders]

Thank you Melanie! It's always so great to hear that people are enjoying the channel :D I'm going to have to be careful and not go over board on my first grocery haul but I do need to do some restocking!

[@amandasnailtasticnails9657]

I think this is my third year being here for your no spend challenge. I’m impressed that you used up more this time around compared to the other times.

[@JessicaWanders]

Great to see you Amanda! I feel like it was a good year this year too 👍🏼😃

[@sherlynpatterson4304]

The mint yogurt sounds yummy too.

[@JessicaWanders]

It was so tasty! I’ll definitely be making some more mint syrup this year 👍🏼😀

[@ginco5203]

I so enjoy your pantry challenges. Your creativity pushes me to rethink some of my stand by recipes to maybe alter them to use up an ingredient that needs gone in my fridge or pantry. Keep up the great work!😊

[@JessicaWanders]

I’m so glad that you enjoy the challenges! I love doing them 😀 It helps me to focus on specific ingredients that I’m struggling to use up and everyone has such great ideas to share!

[@hellotherefriend6714]

I love your pantry winter challenges. This was a mild winter so it felt a bit easier even when we weren't going to the store. If next year is a big snow, I know I will have your challenge to keep us occupied! Thank you for doing it, this has now become our winter tradition. Wishing you a happy spring.

[@JessicaWanders]

I'm so glad! It really was a mild winter! I still enjoyed staying home and enjoying the quiet! Spring is coming (on and off lol!)

[@jackiephillips9042]

Mint tastes awesome on ham as well. We use that all the time.

[@JessicaWanders]

ohh I'll have to give that a try too! I usually put applesauce on my ham but mint sounds nice too!

[@sherlynpatterson4304]

Excellent hearty recipes. A curry type dressing with a neutral flavored oil and vinegar with scallions on the kidney beans and chick pea salad is yummy. My favorite store, Mother's Market, serves a version made with black beans instead of kidney beans. Think all three would also be good. They use grapeseed oil and rice vinegar and a dash of white pepper and sea salt.

[@JessicaWanders]

Thank you for the ideas! I really enjoyed the bean salad so I think I’ll be trying out some other variations to use up a bunch of dried beans from the garden!

[@kimberbeardsley156]

I make a 3 bean salad, I'm sure you can find a recipe. It gas a oil and vinegar dressing with a little sugar in it. It's usually green and yellow string beans, kidney, and I use garbanzo. You can buy it in a jar at store, and my local deli had it with feta cheese. Very close to what you had.

[@JessicaWanders]

Sounds great! It would be so easy to throw some green beans in there! :)

[@charylliss3741]

I loved your 21$Camper challenge. That was when I started following your channel and became a subscriber.🎉

[@JessicaWanders]

It was a great challenge! I love cooking in the camper :D I can take the show on the road too! haha Thanks for being here watching for so long Charyl

[@ksacosta69]

I bet the Greek salad dressing would be good on the bean salad! You're very creative and resourceful and did an excellent job on this pantry challenge 2023 edition!

[@ksacosta69]

Oooops! 2024 Edition!

[@JessicaWanders]

Great idea!! I didn't think of it but I think it would have been great! Thank you so much Kristi...can't believe it's 2024 already, right?! lol

[@regularmompantrylife2587]

I usually have no problems storing winter squash and onions all winter but this year they started going off almost immediately too. My Amish farmer and I think it was probably because the weather was so wet last summer. I am not sure about how it was for your location but that may also be a factor if it was wet.

[@JessicaWanders]

Yes! It was really strange! I know that we had weird on and off weather but mostly heat if I remember correctly...but way too much heat! I hope things are better this year...fingers crossed!

[@mustwereallydothis]

You're so close to hitting 6000! I bet this video gets you there

[@JessicaWanders]

Slow and steady we'll get there! lol :D

[@NOVAFrugalFamily]

Yeah cheese! You know it is the start of a good week when you have cheese! I spent the whole budget this month so my march shopping list is growing. Cheese tops the list. 😂 successful banana bread! As always you are so creative with all your meals.

[@JessicaWanders]

Hidden cheese score!! I can't decide what I need in March yet and I'm trying to not just buy frivolous things after the pantry challenge! I'm going to have to be very strict and stick to a list to avoid loads of ice cream!

[@KB-vs4cb]

Tip for the onions that aren't storing well: slice (or dice) and sauté in oil of choice until caramelized, then portion single servings into muffin tin or ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen pop into freezer bag or storage container for use whenever you need caramelized onions;)

[@JessicaWanders]

Great idea! I sometimes chop them and store them in the freezer but Carmelo zing them would take up even less space and be great additions to things! 👍🏻😀

[@emmienewton]

Biryani is one of my favourite things my mum and nan used to make when we had family gatherings. My mum usually mixes it all together then cooks it in the oven. Great with yoghurt and papadums ❤😊

[@JessicaWanders]

It was very good! I'm sure with practice I'd get a bit better at it lol It would be wonderful with yogurt and papdums! YUM

[@nancyculp6968]

I think someone was recommending a 3 bean salad to you. Usually has: green beans, kidney beans and wax beans. Add slices ( cut in half) of red onion. Then make a dressing from olive oil ( can use canola oil), apple cider vinegar and sugar along with S& P. Mix all dressing ingredients together in a bowl so sugar will dissolve ( usually mix sugar, salt & vinegar together, so acid will dissolve them). Then pour over beans and toss. Cover and let get cold. Then serve.

[@JessicaWanders]

Green bean salad sounds great too Nancy! I'll have to try that too :D

[@Mysticalelena2021]

When I don’t want to cook I normally just put chopped tomatoes and baked beans in a pan and i baked some chicken or mini sausages to go with it

[@JessicaWanders]

Sounds easy and tasty! :D

[@SodbusterLiving]

Im sure youve already gotten this suggestion, but you can make your own pancake mixes for the camper! Stretch those pennies further! ❤

[@JessicaWanders]

I have made my own bisquick type mix before before. Maybe I’ll mix up some…I do have some whole wheat flour I need to use 🧐 Thanks for the reminder 👍🏼

[@kulickfamilyfarm4333]

👏 congratulations on completing another successful pantry challenge season! ❤ you did an amazing job substituting what you had for what the recipe called for. I think you are also getting better at keeping your stocked up going into the pantry challenge so you aren’t feeling deprived. Bravo! Also, I like adding a bit of cream cheese to my mashed potatoes. It really makes them deliciously creamy! I can’t wait to see what you will do next on your channel. Have a great week, Jessica! ❤ Jill

[@JessicaWanders]

Thanks so much Jill! 😊 I agree, I feel like I rationed what we had fairly well this year! Mmmm great idea with the cream cheese! Maybe I’ll give that a try this week 😁

[@JessicaWanders]

It's the very LAST WEEK of the 2024 No Spend Pantry Challenge! It's been a great 2 months without shopping! I'm looking forward to more fun challenging videos so make sure you subscribe and hit that bell icon to get notified about new videos! Can anyone tell me what the spicy seeds are in the BIRYANI MIX?? They are soooo NEW TO ME and I'd love to know what they are! See you soon with new ideas!

[@sarahdivakar5277]

Wow it was so interesting to watch you make biriyani that way. 😂😂thoughts… 1. I have noooo idea why it would call for a cup of oil??? I’m glad you reduced it!! 2. You don’t have to layer it, but I would have cooked the rice in the sauce with the chicken, so the whole dish has that pilaf consistency. And I would use like 1/3 of the spice packet with that amount, you are brave! Indian food has a different kind of heat, it doesn’t really smell spicy, but it can get you if you’re not careful. 3. I couldn’t really see the “big angry” seeds, but I’m guessing cardamom?? Look up what whole cardamom pods look like and let me know if you think that’s what it was. 😆

[@rhondaakey9166]

It was a great pantry challenge this year! Always love watching your videos, Jessica. Can't wait to see what you do next!!!

[@JessicaWanders]

Yay! Thank you Rhonda! It’s always great having you watching 🧡 We’ll have to find another challenge right away!

[@lisadurant883]

Great challenge and inspiration to keep using up our pantry items as well!!

[@JessicaWanders]

Yes! There is definitely more to focus on to use up! I think I’ll move some of it into the camper! Or do an entire playlist of “pumpkin” recipes 😂

[@cynthia57169]

When you asked why the beef bouillon wasn’t all used up yet, I laughed out loud. Hubby and I watched Week 7 together and were already joking that bottle was bottomless.

[@JessicaWanders]

I can’t believe that bottle! It lasted forever! Well worth whatever I paid for it at the dollar store 😂

[@robinswan5831]

I feel like you could hide a cup or two of squash in the sloppy joe mix too!

[@JessicaWanders]

Always more squash…hahaha

[@LindaASJ]

Great job on the pantry challenge!

[@JessicaWanders]

Thank you Linda! 😊 On to more challenges!

[@karenfrankland7763]

Loved watching all your creations which got me doing the same . I've been doing the pantry challenge as well and I could continue probably another month. I did break into my freeze dried powdered cheese cause we all love cheese. I learned how to make farmers cheese from powdered whole milk. I just found some frozen eggplant in my freezer so I'm going to attempt mixing with some black beans, lentils, bread crumbs, onions, eggs, dried home grown spices and make some meatballs for on top of homemade spaghetti.

[@JessicaWanders]

I think that I could definitely go another month but I don’t want to eat down my pantry too much lol I have to keep working on the freezers too though before garden season!

[@wyldlibrarian3549]

hi everyone Love Jessica's work !

[@JessicaWanders]

Hi! Thank you :D

[@leslieyoung3268]

Awesome series Jessica!

[@JessicaWanders]

Thank you! Great to have you watching Leslie! 👍🏻🧡

[@wyldlibrarian3549]

you are amazing Jessica ! Great work

[@JessicaWanders]

Thank you so much! It was a great challenge this year! Some great new recipe ideas that I'll keep in my rotation! :D

[@samanthadodd8112]

Love these challenges. Need to go gets some ice cream, now.

[@JessicaWanders]

I wonder if I should wait until March...LOL I'm craving salads a LOT!

[@samanthadodd8112]

@JessicaWanders Go get ur salad. I would be craving broccoli and spinach. I'm interested in what you will be working on next. As hot as it's been in February we may need to start a garden in March.

[@jackiephillips9042]

Our onions from the garden did not store very well this year and we really don't know why. Never happened before.

[@JessicaWanders]

Ya, it was a weird thing! I have been thinking that the veggies might have gotten some heat damage that kept them from storing well but I can't be sure...

[@pamelastucker8335]

Good recipes!

[@JessicaWanders]

Glad you like them! There were some great suggestions this week :)

[@AndreaRuralMN]

Those whole spices are cardamom pods and date somethings and something else. I sift them out when I i use that seasoning...

[@JessicaWanders]

I might consider doing that as well! They have a pretty nice flavor but is it ever strong!

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

Sorry I missed this! To be honest, I was neck deep in a hockey game and completely spaced that it was time for the final pantry challenge. Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the next set of videos ❤️🇨🇦

[@JessicaWanders]

Hi! Sorry you missed it but, you know, hockey is important! I’m wondering when I should schedule my videos in the next couple of months to avoid hockey and football 😂 Maybe Saturday mornings…

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

@@JessicaWanders well, NFL football is done but CFL football will start and the NHL goes until June. I need to pay better attention but Saturday mornings work really well for me. I just don’t know if they would work well for everybody who watches! 😀

[@robinswan5831]

I wonder if those are cardamom pods!

[@JessicaWanders]

Maybe? Boy, they were a strong flavor if you bit into them 😂 surprising! I googled images and they seemed a bit more star shaped but maybe really dried cardamom pods. I’ll have to take a look if I get that mix again lol

[@yuliyayurko99]

Inspired

[@JessicaWanders]

That’s awesome! 👍🏻🧡

[@behniwal08]

I dont see any black seeds but I know indian food often has whole black pepper and cardomom so maybe one of those?

[@JessicaWanders]

It was something that looked a bit like a starfruit?

[@behniwal08]

@@JessicaWanders anise?

[@kskorner74]

You can always stick the camper with things you still have left in the pantry

[@JessicaWanders]

That’s what I usually start with, for sure! Round up some staples and make another camper pantry lol Pantries everywhere! 😜

[@maryloumackay3864]

Good evening!

[@JessicaWanders]

Good evening to you! :D

[@leswilliams4022]

Can't q for the next challenge!

[@JessicaWanders]

Yay! 👍🏻🧡

[@maidsua4208]

I have no idea why, but I have heard that you should cut around the cake/bread in the tin while the cake is still warm.

[@JessicaWanders]

Sometimes I do that but I’m not sure which way works better 🤔

[@maidsua4208]

@@JessicaWanders It worked fine with the method you used, so I have no idea. But I was watching a video just before I saw yours and there it was stated that it was best to loosen the cake while it was still warm. I will bake a strawberry cake this weekend and try the warm suggestion :)

[@nancyculp6968]

If you wrap yellow onions in aluminum foil then place in your vegetable bin in your fridge, they will last a very long time.

[@JessicaWanders]

Interesting! I usually keep them in a cold room in the basement without a problem but this year wasn't so great! I don't have a ton of room in fridges with all my carrots lol Good to know in a pinch though! Thanks for sharing! :D

[@ka6148]

Ration dairy 😱😱😱😱

[@JessicaWanders]

I know! The horror! Hahaha

[@ka6148]

The onions that didnt store well May not have been cured properly 😂chicken thighs and LEGS not wings silly😅

[@JessicaWanders]

That’s what I was thinking about the onions. We had some crazy heat waves that were affecting store produce last year and I was wondering if they maybe got caught in a really hot truck or something. They were much worse than I’ve ever bought before! 🎶 Chicken leg bone connected to the wing bone 🎶

[@VeronicaRonniDorval2638]

😋👍

[@JessicaWanders]

:D

[@reggigome]

I wish you were my mom 😢

[@JessicaWanders]

Aww

[@essiev6397]

A bit late to the party🎉

[@JessicaWanders]

Always great to see you Essie 🧡😀