PANTRY CHALLENGE 2023 | COOK WITH ME | EXTREME GROCERY BUDGET CHALLENGE FEB 2023

Hello friends, my name is Christine, and welcome to Frugal Fit Mom! Cook with me today as we create some large family dinners from my pantry. What's for dinner at our house this week? Here are the recipes:
Music by Epidemic Sound
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Home Chef ($35 off) - www.homechef.com/invite/chris...
Chocolate Chip Cookies - frugalfitmom.com/recipes/choc...
Chocolate Banana Bread - www.ambitiouskitchen.com/heal...
Banana Bread - frugalfitmom.com/recipes/the-...
Chocolate Oatmeal - tastegreatfoodie.com/brownie-...
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00:00 Pantry Challenge Intro
00:20 Cake into brownies
1:17 Breakfast Sandwiches
3:00 Home Chef
4:11 Pasta w/ sausage
11:00 How is the Grocery budget so low?
13:00 2 year old Pasta Roni!
14:20 Korean Beef Bowls
18:00 Brownie Baked Oatmeal
21:00 COOKIES
22:42 Meal Plan on Freezer Items
Disclaimer
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#frugalliving #pantrychallenge #frugalfitmom

[@auntrowdy7392]

I judge Christine’s pantry use by how many chocolate chips she has. So unless she’s down to single digits, she’s fine! 😂

[@lisadurant883]

🤣

[@Rebecca-zr8zl]

Love it 😂

[@cnk2hoo]

I use her ground beef stash 🤣

[@PaulMykytka]

I was watching your latest video and my husband was in the room, he commented that you seemed likable and funny. I was like I have been watching her videos for a few years, she taught me how to shop clearance grocery stickers, buy meat and bread on clearance and even got a freezer for the basement. I’ve been doing freezer week and pantry challenges too. Made me realize how much you’ve taught me and I just wanted to say thank you ❤.

[@jmsl_910]

do you think applesauce could be used instead of egg replacement?

[@smilingjacks83]

​@@jmsl_910definitely. Often used applesauce instead. Pancakes for one, also banana loaf. Just got egg replacer I hate, so looking for alternatives too

[@BookFanBudgets]

Please please please keep doing the pantry clean out/challenge videos. They’re my FAVORITE! I get soooo bored with my meal plans - but by watching this video, I was just able to put together a kick-butt meal plan for the week using only stuff I have on hand. Definitely making the Korean beef with rice noods, and spaghetti squash/sauce with meatballs. And one night of baked fish and butternut squash if I can excavate my garage freezer deeply enough to find the packs of cod I know are down there. 😂

[@heathernielsen7349]

I can’t believe we’ve gotten to the end of all the bananas Dave bought!! 😂❤

[@Hannah_MK]

Yeah! I also love how you said “we” - it feels like a community effort somehow 😂😂

[@heathernielsen7349]

@@Hannah_MK omg you know I didn’t even think about them when I was typing this out but you’re so right! Community for sure 💕

[@lynnkavanagh7361]

Christine, you commented on how much you liked cottage cheese in another video recently. So here’s my favorite summertime breakfast: 1/2 of a 1 serving container of Oikos yogurt, about 1/3 cottage cheese, fruit (I usually do blueberries) & a small serving of granola. I mix the yogurt & cottage cheese, put it in a cereal bowl, add cinnamon to your liking, add the blueberries & granola on top. Yum it is so delicious & packed with protein. Now on to watching this video!

[@candicemast4209]

I have no idea why but the pantry challenge videos are my favorite. Probably because I love frugality and using things up is so dang satisfying! Please carry on!

[@FoxyOxymoron]

I am SO a reverse meal planner. I do the same thing when things are cheaper or maked down and stock up on deals as well. It saves tons.

[@memelacey1657]

When she started talking about that I was thinking “isn’t this how everyone shops?” I guess most people in my life shop like this so I never thought about it.

[@paulawilliams1474]

Loved seeing all the empty boxes and containers. It’s like proof of your progress

[@lauraliz_.]

christine, you have changed my life! as a wife and mom of 3 young kids, your recipes have gave me confidence to have even my pickiest eater try them! my oldest who is 8 especially loves the crockpot sausages that you then make into sandwiches, he’ll be like ‘mom can you make those sandwiches that taste like pizza again?’ thank you thank you thank you!

[@nunusky3942]

Yay 😍 please try her cook book and take it to the next level. Keep rotating them around and before you know it you have 30+ recipe under your belt. Oh Don't forget the bread if you haven't tried her bread recipe I highly recommend you try it. Blessings

[@FrugalLifeThriftyWife]

Pantry challenges have been the best way for my family to save money on groceries! I did two weeks worth of dinners just from the things in my kitchen. I’m definitely wanting to do another one soon!

[@twovirginiacats3753]

Same here. I started downsizing a year ago. The pantry at the "big house" was packed. I have been chipping away at various canned and freezer items and other things for the past year. I always go "shopping" in my own pantry before I grocery shop. Finally I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

[@FrugalLifeThriftyWife]

@@twovirginiacats3753 That’s what I do too! Sounds like you’re doing a great job 👏

[@phyllisroark8526]

You should check out Three Rivers Challenge. She goes 2 months, Jan & Feb without going to the store. A lot of other people do it as well. You can find some great new recipes this way. I LOVE when Frugal Fit Mom does these kinds of video's as well.

[@FrugalLifeThriftyWife]

@@phyllisroark8526 That is awesome! I’ll have to check her out 😊

[@MagicalMandi]

Absolutely. I never keep a huge stock pile but am always amazed what I can make with some things I forgot I had. Use it Up!

[@oliviabieber2638]

Could be an interesting video to take the recipes from the meal companies (green chef, hello fresh,etc) and recreate them with minimal ingredient or using only your pantry section for clean out:)

[@laurancurtis5669]

She does that already, like the honey chicken one she did in this video. She files the "how to" pages in a binder :)

[@laurysteinke865]

I love it that you make real meals, not fancy 15 ingredient, complicated recipes! 😍 Please do more!

[@lydiacool274]

What do you do when you have 3 girls who want to cook all the time while you're at work and I love your hard work grocery shopping goes down the toilet? Oh by the way one of those 3 girls is adopted who had food and securities from being food deprived so she decides to be creative with everything

[@cathys7087]

Yes! I’d love more freezer and pantry clean out videos, they are inspiring 😊

[@sydneysmith1921]

My favorite!!! ❤

[@sierra5877]

The beignet mix!! I’ve been bored between Christmas and new years and was going back and watching oldddd frugal fit mom videos to pass the time. Definitely saw that beignet mix sitting in the pantry in a video from like 6 years ago 😂😂

[@clusterbungle]

"It's gone from I can't open it because it's so full and now I can open it" Dude I'm exactly the same! I was actually genuinely worried a couple of weeks ago that I'd have to break the freezer drawer to get the food out 😂 LOVE your pantry clean outs, please do keep doing them 😊

[@rg-mi5hh]

We put things from the pantry that are close to expiring on the counter since the pantry isn't large. It gets used. Also, our frig freezer has four baskets. The two on the bottom are for fruits and veggies. One basket on the top shelf is opened bags of processed food so we know to keep at that. The other basket on the top shelf is for frozen leftovers and broths that we keep using. Our other freezer has a basket for chicken, a basket for beef, and one for pork. Veggies in the bottom are from the garden and extra ones. One shelf is for pizzas, and processed. Each basket has the meat in vacuum sealed bags stored vertically with the use by date. It isn 't always in perfect order, but it sure is easier and less food waste. This has helped us. Maybe it will help someone else. We finally found a system where things don't fall out or we have to dig to find it. When the containers are full, we stop buying.

[@dawnmcguire9763]

I've been doing freezer and pantry clean out since Jan 1st. Only been to the grocery store to three times this year for fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and eggs. I've saved so much money and it's all thanks to you.

[@pocketminxuk112]

I've been clearing my deep freezer drawer by drawer. During the weekend we had a delicious luxury brand fruit crumble. From 2016. Only partial freezer burn on part of edge. People are sooo precious about dated food. Majorly (except fish) I've rarely had over frozen food. Granted, that waaaaas very old. UK food prices are sky rocketing. I need to make room for fresh clearance sticker foods Great inspirational vid

[@firequeen2194]

Much love to the UK 🇬🇧!

[@j.d.x4451]

Use a potato masher when making banana bread! Makes it soooooo much easier!

[@sarah8336]

I use a potato ricer. That way there is no banana chunks.

[@sarahkapustic1881]

I puree in the nutri bullet

[@Barbara-nc9iq]

There is a reason you have 500,000 followers. Your recipes are awesome!

[@sarahkapustic1881]

I always recommend your channel when I see people comment on other channels about easy, quick, budget friendly, crockpot, pantry clean out, etc. congrats on 500k followers. I wasn’t here since the beginning but glad I found you because of the algorithm. Love your videos and personality

[@nancycarney]

I buy those 3 lb rolls of ground beef on clearance. Separate them. Freeze in 1 lb packages. Holy Moly! Huge stockpile. 🙂 Found 10 lb bags of chicken leg quarters for $4.99 bag. Divided up and cut the backs away to boil for chicken and dumplings or chicken and rice. We get 6 meals out of every 10 lb bag. You are inspiring. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@rachaelv1140]

Pantry challenge has been saving my grocery budget. I have been trying to use up what I can from the freezer to make room for when the garden produces in the summer.

[@zo_471]

Christine can you please do a compilation of your tastiest dinner meals as voted by your family ?

[@reqph]

You actually don't need eggs for banana bread. You can simply add an extra banana instead. Also soymeal is a gread egg substitute for baking in general (as long as no one is allergic to soy). My mom always uses as much as a yolk would be and adds a tiny bit of water. In the long run it saves a ton of money for people who like to bake a lot with eggs.

[@katebenson9110]

Love all your videos, but these are some of my faves!! We're on a debt free journey and have a ton of stuff coming up in life so these really are helping make a huge difference for us. Please keep 'em coming :)

[@heatherlw13]

To those commenting that she has too much food in her freezer, she has a big family of pre-teen/teenagers! Also she buys meat in bulk (part of a cow, family pack ribs, etc.). You buy for your size family. You and your family might be able to get by with a fridge and a chest freezer?!! I love pantry cleanout challenges. They are fun to do when you have a week of cold, freezing weather!

[@dianasimplifies]

You can never have too much food in your freezer 😂 let ‘‘em complain 😂

[@sarahkapustic1881]

She takes advantage of sales/clearance so she isn’t even spending full price on an item. With inflation you gotta take advantage of stuff like that.

[@camillalindeblad4492]

I love your version of a dent, clear out and bare shelves 😂😂😂 to me it still looks like a pretty packed pantry! I do remember when you bought the beignet mixes though, so very well done clearing them out! 💪🏼

[@heatherruble3177]

Yes!! More freezer meal videos please!! I love these! It makes meal planning sooooo easy! And then I do not have to think about what I am making for dinner every night. Thanks!

[@kristensawyer6938]

Should throw a party when you use those darn bananas!!🎉🎉😂😂

[@8EACRESHOMESTEAD]

Fantastic use of pantry items! I have spent only 160$ with our February challenge with a family of 9-only eating what you grow, raise, hunt…. It’s been a fun challenge! 🤓

[@barbstormo7030]

I love the freezer clean out video's! You do such an awesome job of showing us how to use stuff! Have a great day!

[@pureplantgoodness]

I wish I had a pantry that size... 👌🏻 Love having a clear out and using food.. Always a great feeling when we eat well all week and don't need to shop for anything 😁👍🏼

[@stowie7733]

Your clean-out/eat-out of your freezer video inspired me to do a complete inventory of my freezer & pantry. This video has reinforced my decision to continue that practice. When I did an inventory of all my food, I put it on a spreadsheet and then organized by expiration date (and googled everything past the expiration for shelf life). I ended up tossing only 2 items - an opened & ‘forgotten’ can of bread crumbs and a dented can of peaches. I then sat down and did my meal plan through the end of March, listing meals by expiration date. I focus on dinners only as my lunches will be the leftovers. I love getting new meal ideas from watching your videos and will definitely have to check out some of your desert recipes!

[@laurancurtis5669]

💖

[@Starchild8-8]

How did you read my mind ?! I was just looking at my pantry thinking the same thing. Thanks for the inspo! Have an amazing week everyone 😊

[@expertonmyself]

me too and for another possibly weird reason. i like to shop! LOL seriously, i really like the act of going to the store and buying stuff.

[@vlmellody51]

I'm starting to make a dent in my pantry and freezer as well, but it's nowhere near to yours. We serve our chili over a bowl of pasta, with grated cheddar cheese on top. It combines the best of both traditions.

[@nancylutsch6018]

We don't buy it if it's not on sale. We have enough of stocked food, so it really helps the grocery bill.

[@numberoneappgames]

Times like now only prove that having as stocked pantry is important.

[@rn87mom94]

We had steaks today that were in our freezer that I bought in 2021 too 😭They were great!

[@anniealexander9616]

I'm in the process of cleaning out also. I was so proud filling everything but now I'm just as proud seeing empty space. The best part is barely spending any money on groceries. It's amazing how you find things you didn't know you had. Today, i had easy cheese and crackers.

[@oliviap768]

I had to watch the banana bread about a thousand times, I kept trying to write it down and it looked so good I would forget what I was doing. 🙃

[@emilyperkins6166]

You could definitely make pho with some of the noodles and your homemade bone broth!

[@brendakay9018]

I love when you do the pantry clean-outs there one of my favorites. Would really like to see you do is a budget meal plan but not including spices and sugar and flour and salt and things like that because people almost always have that. I want a realistic one for somebody who has an existing pantry but needs to cook on a budget

[@laurancurtis5669]

❤

[@chandrahernandez5201]

Rogue and Speedy for president!!! Any chance you could add that freezer container to your Amazon store?

[@daisymaeshybu5624]

You are just the most amazing frugal and smart person I have ever known! Dang I would have loved to be your child growing up as we had so much food insecurity it was sad. But viewing your videos is very therapeutic for me. Keep up the good work. You are a dynamite momma to your family. Love all your food creations! Also, let me add, we grew up eating spaghetti in our chili. Growing up that was normal until I met someone who made chili with just meat and beans and I thought that was insane, haha. Now, I eat it both ways, but never had it over rice, haha!

[@leighdegenhardt485]

I do love these pantry/freezer/fridge clean out videos! Good job! These are but one of the reasons you have 500K followers!!!

[@corinnecardoza3521]

How have I never ever come across your videos before right now??? I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I could relate 💯 and I giggled more than a few times at your responses and humor. Thanks!

[@paulahillier1390]

Make a italian wedding soup with the orzo, bone broth, and ground beef meat balls.

[@patcole1537]

Love the pantry clean out challenges!!

[@Kari_88]

If you’ve never made Chicken Pho in the instant pot…. 100/100 recommend! There are some amazing recipes online. I found mine on Pinterest. Basically throw all the broth ingredient in the instant pot, then strain it, shred your chicken, cook your noodles and too it with your favorite toppings… *chef kiss*! My favorite winter dinner!

[@joanneschell8324]

Some of my best recipes come from pantry clean out challenges! It causes me to be more creative!

[@moongoddess8568]

Congratulations on 500K! 1M coming up! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@kathymays9488]

Congratulations on 500k. I liked how you showed your empty boxes when you were done. Great job on on your bananas from the freezer.

[@AngelaMastrodonato]

When I see Jimmy Dean sausage I think of these sausage, caramelized onion quesadillas I have been making for years that are really good. The recipe is from Taste of Home and used Swiss cheese, and the Swiss cheese is good, but I’ve switched out the types of cheese and have always gotten good results

[@Canuck20123]

Love, love those pantry clear out videos! Please continue making them. I want to see your almost empty freezers one day 🙂.

[@jerieshawilliams118]

I love these videos of yours. They're inspirational to those of who aspire to "reverse meal prep." Please keep up the good work!

[@mive9503]

You could make Italian Wedding Soup use up some ground beef (make meatballs) and some of the orzo. :)

[@hannamarton1989]

I love your pantry challenges, please continue them! It's just the inspiration I need 😊 loved that you show all the empty packaging! Lots of love from Germany

[@numberoneappgames]

Congratulations on hitting 500k!

[@gingerstrait836]

Love your cooking style and recipes! Please keep making them.

[@reginasatchellkelly271]

I love the pantry videos! They give me inspiration for my dinners. I only cook for my husband and myself, so I can’t do some of the portions, but I love the ideas.

[@kristinpowers6277]

I liked that you showed what you were able to get rid of, your “empties” if you will. Also, always go for double stuf Oreo 😂 Love your videos!

[@loriwendorff4065]

I am always on a pantry/freezer challenge. We have 9 chest freezers of varying sizes along with 5 refrigerators with freezers on them that I am constantly trying to work through. We butcher/grow all our own meat and grow most of our own fruits and vegetables. I never have an empty freezer.

[@dianasimplifies]

Wow!!!!! 😮

[@Hannah_MK]

That’s a lot! Good for you. How big is your family?

[@loriwendorff4065]

@@Hannah_MK We are a family of 6.

[@connierush4563]

More freezer/pantry clean outs please! I’ve always shopped based on a prepared menu - but Not necessarily based on sales - so I am changing that with current prices. You are a fantastic resource and thanks!

[@deborahsantos6849]

I’m amazed at the 1/4 cup flour in an entire loaf of banana bread?! Gotta try that with the chocolate!

[@TheCotzi]

Christine make a criss cross into the cut side of the potatos before seasoning and roasting it makes them even better but not to deep and not to shallow

[@googleliz3432]

Love your pantry clean out videos💜. I always get excited when I get the notification you uploaded another video.

[@carriesmith7460]

I'm really trying to work through some of my freezer and pantry stock, but sometimes I feel too lazy to come up with something creative and end up just grilling some burgers or making tacos lol. My husband helped me clean out and defrost our huge deep freeze and holy moly was it shocking. I even had a 15 pound turkey buried at the bottom. it was probably 4 years old, but It wasn't freezer burnt at all, and it tasted great.

[@vlwbug1986]

We are doing this too. Just started this week. We are trying to make room in the freezer for a side of beef. We probably have enough food to last us until the end of March with little to no grocery shopping.

[@sophiemorrison9820]

I freeze ground meat flat, sealed well to avoid long defrosting and freezer burn. I use a food vacuum sealer but you can use plastic wrap and zipper freezer bags.

[@gretchens.2756]

I love watching your freezer and pantry cleanout meals. Please continue them in March.

[@angelahawkins8069]

I LOVE LOVE your cooking videos Christine! Yummy! 😋 Also congratulations on 500,000 subscribers!! You deserve it!! Appreciate all you do!🎊🎉

[@lccrel3449]

Love the pantry clean out ideas as well as freezer prep.

[@cherylland8110]

Be happy you have Orzo- I haven’t been able to get it for months! You are rocking the pantry challenge!

[@terrip8451]

I just want to say thank you so much for making sure each recipe in all your videos has time stamps. I frequently refer back to your recipes in videos and really appreciate that small added effort. Also, I think it's way past time we get an oven cleaning video 🤣

[@FrugalFitMom]

In my defense, I did clean my oven recently. BUT since I use it all the time, it just gets dirty the next day. There's more important things...like cookies. ;)

[@happymama1015]

Girl you should see mine, I don’t know why I hate cleaning it😂

[@sarak336]

That artichoke spinach stuff with chicken, rice, and broccoli would make a tasty casserole!

[@veronicagodoy8117]

Yes! Please, keep sharing these pantry meals. They inspire us a lot! Thanks and God bless you and yours!

[@carlabuxton8251]

Just recently found your channel and I LOVE the way you shop just like me. My friends think im crazy as to all I have in my pantry and freezer but I can't help shopping the sales and stocking on what's cheap. We are now empty nesters so I have to cut back haha! I do the pantry challenge each Jan and Feb and only allow dairy and fresh fruits and veggies. Helps to see what's there and make a dent. Funny how long you can go without shopping and the proteins hardly go down! I'm the same as you, where does the chicken go! And I looked at sales thus week and country style ribs and chicken breasts super cheap . . . I'm having a hard time not going but did a bug shop of fruits and veggies to help curb the urge lol. Love watching your videos.

[@Sasha-nd2dm]

Love your pantry…what you have on hand videos…thank you…you are appreciated!❤

[@amymorris4886]

Love the freezer and pantry clean outs. Such inspiration!

[@mandiesplace]

I love these videos!! These are real recipes that I make for my family!!❤

[@lisataylor584]

Please continue the Pantry challenge in March. My freezers are overflowing and I need inspiration. I will be joining in with the challenge in March. Let’s do this!

[@cynthiagilbert]

Great recipes! Love your pantry clean out meals !!

[@ktxx22]

Loved this and really enjoyed seeing the detritus of things you’ve finished as well! It is really satisfying!

[@peachhipgirl75]

Congratulations on 500k! You deserve it! 💕

[@Chicago60644]

Love these videos and gives me ideas of how to use what's in my freezers. I want to clear out my freezers, and this series is perfect.

[@lynncrooks64]

Love the clean out videos!!

[@ginadowd1713]

LOVE the clean out meal videos! I am a stock up kinda gal too & love seeing what others do with their discount haul merchandise!

[@brittanyjohnson4411]

I absolutely love your pantry clean out videos. I'm always so inspired to do one also.

[@moongoddess8568]

You make life look simple. I love it! I don’t comment much, just popping in to say you are one of my faves! I also love the family banter. Much like our family. ❤️

[@lynnkavanagh7361]

Christine, I wish I had all of your knowledge about being frugal when my kids were growing up. But, on to now. It feels so awesome that we are now using everything up & very rarely toss any unused or leftover food. The cookies you made looked positively decadent!! I didn’t know about the peppermint chips. Hershey’s also does cherry cordial Kisses just during the Christmas season. I love, love, love them. One year I made a cheesecake & on the top placed a ring of the cherry kisses around the edge of of the cheesecake. It was so pretty & delicious too!

[@amandaprice1180]

I love the pantry clean outs! Can’t wait to try the oatmeal recipe! ❤

[@artandmorewithrachelnicole]

Always love your content 😊

[@lorenalopez-re4cb]

Love all your videos!!

[@MLCruey]

I LOVE these videos!!!!

[@shlf2615]

Yes!! We need more freezer/pantry challenge videos! I get good ideas from you. Thanks today for the idea to put cocoa powder in banana bread. I just made a cake mix banana bread (first time) with the cocoa in it - two thumbs up! Too bad I was out of chocolate chips.

[@jenmier1316]

Yes these challenges are great!!

[@taybreef5452]

I’m putting all of our extra grocery money away for Disney at the end of the year, so this is perfect timing! I definitely need to look through my pantry and freezer and do a no-spend.

[@homesteadonthehill9147]

Awesome ideas. Thanks.

[@chelseafailla9887]

Love these videos! They're super fun :)

[@sianamies1046]

I love the pantry clearouts so yes please to continuing it in March. Congrats on 500k subscribers.