My Pantry Challenge - Pantry Tour & Challenge Goals

[@susansutherland7117]

I love your common sense approach to the pantry challenge! I think it is a great idea to continue to take advantage of any good sales in January while at the same time using up food in your freezers and pantry that need to be eaten. I would really enjoy hearing what meals you make to use up the food in your kitchen freezer. As always, loved your video!

[@joyfullythriving]

I'm glad you like the common sense approach! I think it's important to be practical about it! 😉 And I am filming clips every day so stay tuned to see what we are eating! I will try to get 3 pantry meal videos up this month! 😁

[@kolajohnson1351]

love your channel....i would make strawberry jam with the frozen strawberries....yum

[@joyfullythriving]

Ohhh! That's a thought! I do have pectin!

[@almostahomestead]

I am cleaning out my pantry, fridge, and freezers. I will use up older items but will also shop for what is needed. Just trying to be mindful of what needs to be used.

[@joyfullythriving]

It is a good idea to be mindful of what needs to be used! Same here!

[@cathynewsome8650]

Yes i am deep cleaning my pantry now that Christmas is over. Getting rid of ALL the old and down sizing the amount of different things I've been storing. Focusing on building back things like canned meats , sauces and household products 👍 feels good ! Started today , few more days to go 🎉can't wait Take care ❤

[@joyfullythriving]

It does feel sooo good to get things organized and in order! ❤️ Good luck this month!

[@MsRene98]

I'm doing the exact same. There are only 2 of us and we just don't need all the canned goods.

[@noreenp.9858]

You can make strawberry pretzel dessert to use up those frozen strawberries. You can also make almost any kind of quick bread with those as well.

[@joyfullythriving]

Ooh, good ideas!

[@JenHomesteadingRN]

My pantry challenge rules always include continuing to shop the good deals. I'm not passing up on $2 butter no matter what!!!

[@joyfullythriving]

And neither am I! 🙌🥰😁

[@heatherkroeger1746]

Frozen strawberries are good in oatmeal and strawberry shortcake

[@hollywalters6751]

I’ve used frozen strawberries for pretzel salad dessert and a sundae topping.

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

Make up a few lasagna freezer meals. Assemble to the point of baking. I use 8x8 cake pans with foil on top. Pop out of freezer night before. Tonight I called on the way home and had middle schooler pop in oven. They don’t even have to pre heat. When I get home dinner is ready. Love freezer meals.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yay for freezer meals! Another great idea, Jordan!

[@caroleilola7424]

I’m right with you on you’re thinking! We can’t afford to miss out on the sales, discounts and markdowns for a month. What I can do, and am doing, is only buying those sale items and making sure I spend as little as possible. But those discounts are how we live and make it work.

[@joyfullythriving]

Exactly! 💯

[@mizsuzee]

You could make the strawberries into jam. I love seeing how you are using up stuff - inspiring me to do the same!!!

[@joyfullythriving]

I hadn't thought about that! And I do have pectin!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

Another potato hack - I rinse and put in the crockpot on high. In 4 hours you’ve got baked potatoes. Turn on at lunch, done after practice. I’ll also do deluxe baked potatoes w left over shredded pulled bbq pork or chicken. Or potatoes w can chili and cheese and bacon. My kids are older. May not be a hit w preschoolers. But as a mom it’s a quick lunch to toss a potato or two in crockpot at breakfast and you have a nice hot lunch.

[@joyfullythriving]

I am definitely going to try that! 🙌 We all love baked potatoes here...even the preschooler!

[@chrishenderson1118]

We love macerated strawberries on our homemade brownie sundaes. ☺️

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a good idea!

[@Sandrashideaway]

👌I've always loved pantry challenges but don't like missing the sales--so I like the way you are doing it.❤ I've hardly spent anything for January, there hasn't been great deals. I did get four 99cent boxes of cereal and four 24 packs of water for $1.99 at Hyvee this week. 😊 I also have 3 full freezers I need to work through. 😅

[@joyfullythriving]

Good finds! But isn't it nice to have full freezers and a stockpile so we don't have to go out shopping? Such a blessing...even as we work through them! Good luck making progress with those freezers!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

Try a canning project w those blueberries! My kids absolutely love blueberry syrup on pancakes, yogurt or ice cream topping! It gets out of the freezer. Great for older freezer burned berries. I’m also seeing a multi berry crisp (raspberry, blueberry and strawberry) with oat crumble on top.

[@joyfullythriving]

I was thinking of canning blueberry pie filling with some of those to see how it works out, because I have a favorite cream cheese blueberry pie that needs pie filling. Need to count how many cups I have first!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

When I make a ham, I cut and cube some to use in funeral potatoes or au gratin potatoes, a breakfast egg casserole, I add ham to a potato soup recipe. I do fancy sandwiches, grilled cheese and ham. I dice and put on a pizza. Ham and bean soup. I make a fancy Mac and cheese casserole to the point of baking and freeze. I mix in cubed ham and broccoli. I do deluxe baked potatoes with cheese, broccoli, diced ham and bacon. You can stretch that ham into an entire week of meals.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good for you! We are not huge ham fans hence the two hams sitting in the freezer. Maybe I will have company over and make a ham!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

@ yes. We’re not huge fans either. I try and stretch it into different meals. Maybe slice some and refreeze to use on sandwiches later.

[@carriecreates1207]

I enjoyed your video and pantry. (I also loved the little guy watching mommy doing the video)

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you! Yes, Caleb tends to make an appearance in quite a few of my videos! 🥰

[@rg-mi5hh]

Frozen fruit I put in with cereal. We don't do a no spend month. The freezer is packed from Christmas hams and turkeys. We will still try to get hamburger sales, mayo to bake with instead of eggs because that will go up next, and toiletries instead, and necessary things. Trying to use leftovers in different dishes to use that too.

[@joyfullythriving]

Sounds like you have a great plan for the month too! 👍 And good point about the mayo!

[@rachelAB9503]

We are also trying to use up our freezer items! I need to organize mine like yours! I've also been buying some extra eggs when on sale and freezing those flat in baggies.

[@joyfullythriving]

Great idea to freeze some eggs, especially with prices going up!

[@Rebecca-zp4gm]

You can make ice cream shaped cakes by baking cake mix into the cones or stuff layers of cake with buttercream icing etc. Frozen strawberries - use to make a jam or sauce, top on items like ice cream, dehydrate and use on various things.

[@joyfullythriving]

Great ideas!

[@lorelei9393]

Was at Publix for my flu and covid vaccines and found Russell Stoever candy $3 & Hormel bacon $2.16. Had to bring it home! 😊

[@joyfullythriving]

I totally would have too! 🙌 I don't know which deal is more exciting though...the bacon or chocolate! 😂

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

You have such a great way of approaching this goal. I'm excited to follow up on this journey. I'm excited.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for joining me!

[@ConstanceRamos-jf6bu]

You can use them in strawberry cake, muffins, pancakes, make jam out of them, or add them to oatmeal.

[@darcyjo6832]

I've also seen people blend the strawberries with a few ingredients to make homemade fruit rollup type snacks

[@joyfullythriving]

I would totally do that if I didn't have 2 kids in braces and expanders, who can't eat sticky things!

[@darcyjo6832]

@joyfullythriving haha yep, that would be a problem! 😊

[@joyfullythriving]

@@darcyjo6832 Once we are out of braces, we are totally making all the fruit leathers - and eating popcorn! Lots of popcorn! That is what my kids miss the most!

[@darcyjo6832]

@@joyfullythriving oh my goodness, I can imagine! I loooove popcorn! Those poor dears! ❤️

[@ourmodernhomestead2974]

Mix your frozen berries together and dehydrate it for fruit leather

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a good idea!

[@ritaslade2989]

Excited to watch you'll do just fine😊 ❤ God Bless You 😊❤

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

[@Larissa-iw5wy]

I would make a potato, ham, corn/veg soup which would also use some of that frozen cream. So good!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

Soup is sometimes hard w preschoolers! But I love soup.

[@joyfullythriving]

Great idea! Thanks!

[@lisaolson1345]

Freezer Tetris,it's so funny when you put it all back cause you don't think it will fit but it does!. I also am doing low spend,I started last week of December and shaved $60.00 off and we are missing nothing. I might go through March.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yes! Freezer tetris is exactly what it is! 😂🤪💯 And good for you! Way to cut back - and miss nothing! 🙌

[@twilson2844]

make a batch of egg frittatas with sausage and bacon then freeze. I am doing this to use up sausage. And if eggs become hard to find, plenty of frittatas to heat and eat. We do a leftover dinner( from leftovers in freezer) last week of month

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a great plan! Leftovers are the best!

[@melissalee1531]

I am attempting to go through cabinets and closets !!! 🤦‍♀️ This is taking a lot of moments of singing my gospel songs playing and prayer !!! 😇 Great video and ideas . God bless ❤

[@joyfullythriving]

There are definitely times in the cleaning out and organizing process when I question why I am doing this. Every single time! 😂 It always gets worse before it gets better! You've got this! We've got this! 🙌

[@nicolewhitehouse7279]

I love that you are doing this because I am the same, small amount of canned goods but mostly frugal stickups.

[@joyfullythriving]

It is nice to know that other people shop the same, isn't it? 😊

[@brandierhoades4696]

I’m doing similar to you for my pantry challenge. I’m not trying to necessarily deplit my stockpile just use up some of it. Especially my freezers. We are on day 4 of no school as of tomorrow. I don’t think they will go this week. As we are expecting 2-4” of snow Friday/saturday. There is still a lot without power down here. And the roads are still horrible. My goal is to keep my grocery budget to no more than $600 this month. But that also includes household items. I’m hoping to keep my weeks to no more than $150 except for the weeks I do my Costco run. And I’ll do that at least once this month.

[@joyfullythriving]

Whoa! A full snow week! I am glad you are able to stay off the bad roads and stay cozy inside...working through your freezers! 😉 Great goals and good luck to you too!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

In my upright freezer in the garage, I got big tubs (like the gray ones you had in your pantry tour). I found some that fit side by side in my freezer. Just measure before you buy. I have a tub for meats, convenience foods, cheese, freezer meals, fruits, etc. I also looked on Amazon and found those wire shelves like you use in cabinets. I can slide a pizza or casserole in that space - the tubs sit on top. I absolutely love the pull out bins to keep stuff organized. You can use your pantry saving money to buy! Or I use my pantry challenge savings to pay for vacation food budget.

[@joyfullythriving]

Great ideas! Love the bin idea!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

@@joyfullythriving check your email. I sent you a pic of mine!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

@@joyfullythriving check your email. I sent you a pic

[@elwmcp0910]

I made some strawberry compote for a cake and a cheesecake and even put some in my oatmeal from frozen strawberries that i grew during the summer

[@joyfullythriving]

Good ideas!

[@StephanieGiese]

I don’t know why I never thought to freeze Chex mix because we freeze the puppy chow Chex dessert all the time. It’s so much fun to see what other families are doing!

[@joyfullythriving]

It's so simple but so handy! 😊 And yes! I agree! I love peeking in other people's pantries and inside their challenges!

[@DoraRenzi-z9j]

Strawberry 🍓 and banana 🍌 mixed with a little bit of cool whip

[@MichelleJones-p4e]

Impressive use of freezing leftovers. I think this sometimes gets overlooked as a cost-savings measure. Also, I like getting onions, bell peppers, carrots, etc on sale, prep them for meals (diced and sliced versions) and freezing in 1/2 cup and 1 cup sizes. Allows you to take advantage of sales and always have them ready to go. I like your approach to the pantry challenge: I think it’s good to go through the freezers, etc but it’s also smart to buy monthly specials. 👍🏻❤️🌹

[@joyfullythriving]

I love having peppers and onions in the freezer as well! Even though I am eating down the freezer this month, I would actually like to have more of those in my freezer! 😁 Thanks for joining me for this pantry challenge!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

@@joyfullythriving celery is always great to keep in freezer diced. Great for soups!

[@LizWatts-o1o]

It sounds like you have a wonderful plan for the month! I kind of like to challenge myself to buy as little as possible, some very different meals come from using up what we have😁

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

I always add a “stretch goal” to my pantry challenge. One year was try making my own bagels. One year was making tortillas from scratch. Soft pretzels. Using dehydrator to do homemade beef jerky - huge cost savings when meat is on sale. What is the one thing you’ve always wanted to learn to make but haven’t? What could you make at home to save $$ and learn a new skill? I learned to can salsa during covid. A stretch goal is a way to do the pantry challenge without totally depleting your stockpile. You’re using what you have in new ways.

[@joyfullythriving]

Great plan Liz!

[@janeschultz9951]

Strawberry shortcake with your frozen strawberries? You could use your cake mixes for this. Today’s supper is totally from our freezer, home canned, and dehydrated items plus left over beef roast for soup.

[@joyfullythriving]

Wow! Way to go you! 🙌 And good idea on the strawberry shortcake! That would be a nice surprise in winter too!

[@jenniferr2057]

I absolutely agree. Why would I skip out on sales for future benefit just because I'm using what I already have? Brilliant!

[@joyfullythriving]

Glad I am not alone in this thinking! 🥰

[@conniekellenberger7117]

Great video I know you can do it i have faith in you. Good luck friend .

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! 😊

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

You could make some pumpkin spice bread or muffins to use that up. My kids love them. They freeze great too!

[@joyfullythriving]

We make pumpkin muffins almost weekly here! We will definitely use that pumpkin up not a problem! 😄 And yes! They freeze SO well!

[@greenfoxgaming6721]

Goals! I really need to set some 😊

[@joyfullythriving]

We all have different goals for different seasons! There's plenty of time for you and your goals! 🥰

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

I do tuna noodle casserole (cream soup, veggies, cheese) or tuna melt or tuna salad sandwiches. I use the canned chicken in a broccoli chicken rice casserole (cream soup and shredded cheese and bread crumbs - toast that frozen bread and in the blender). I do chicken salad sandwiches on crescent rolls too.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for those ideas, Jordan!

[@stewardofthehome]

Loved this video! We're not doing a challenge because I'm working on building a nicely stocked pantry and I i don't want to deplete it 😆 Im excited to to see your challenge this month though

[@joyfullythriving]

I think that is so wise! You are in the season of stocking up so stay focused on doing what you are doing...finding all the deals, cutting your budget and building your pantry! 🥰

[@noreenp.9858]

You can make strawberry pretzel dessert to use up those frozen strawberries. You can also make almost any kind of quick bread with those as well. I will probably follow the same thing you’re doing for the pantry challenge. I plan to spend minimal on fresh items and only sale items that I use.

[@joyfullythriving]

Oh! Strawberry Pretzel salad! I loved it when my Grandma made that! And good luck with your minimal spend month too!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

😊pantry challenges .. Mine is 5yr pantry is currently at 4yrs (life happened). Using up this challenge to go down to 3yr, (adding only with growing, bartering, forest forage) & then buy what I can't do.

[@joyfullythriving]

That is very impressive! It sounds like you are well stocked with a good plan. I hope you meet your goals!

[@rodneybernoth2150]

You could try partially thawing your strawberries and mashing them into vanilla ice cream or yoghurt for a tasty dessert. Love your channel. God Bless. Colleen

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a good idea! Thanks, Colleen!

[@darcyjo6832]

I'm not big on frozen strawberries either but I do love them on my ice cream and also strawberry scones are delicious!

[@joyfullythriving]

Good ideas!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

My kids love the little Smokie pigs in blanket for breakfast. I bake a double batch on the weekend. Fully cool to room temperature. I package 6 to a snack size bag. They are great for quick on the go breakfast or after school snack.

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a clever breakfast idea! 💡 So smart and easy to prep ahead too!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

@@joyfullythriving they freeze awesome. 20 seconds in microwave. Also can toss in lunch box (my kids have microwave access). I like for breakfast bc great car snack. No mess. Protein before practice too.

[@kdonor]

Sally's baking addiction has a great strawberry cake recipe , too.

[@joyfullythriving]

I haven't tried that one but I will have to check it out! I love Sally's recipes!

[@jmeggison9483]

Where did you get the large jars you keep the snacks, oats and popcorn in?

[@joyfullythriving]

Great question! Those are the Anchor Hocking jars, and I have bought them at Walmart, Meijer and Amazon! Here's a link to the gallon size. I also have the slightly smaller ones. (Commission Earned) amzn.to/4jawMv5

[@dawngrimmius4971]

You could cook your strawberry a little and put on top of ice cream or oatmeal

[@maryloudawson8999]

How do you use your frozen blueberries? What about grapes that have been frozen? Thank you.

[@joyfullythriving]

Grapes that have been frozen we just eat frozen as snacks. Same with blueberries. But I will bake with blueberries too because you don't have to thaw blueberries when baking. I think we will bake these muffins next week! joyfullythriving.com/healthy-blueberry-muffins-recipe/

[@maryloudawson8999]

@@joyfullythriving Thank you. I have concord grapes in the freezer. Enjoy the muffins and thanks for the recipe.

[@joyfullythriving]

@@maryloudawson8999 Ohh! I was thinking regular green grapes like I usually buy, but frozen concord grapes could be used to make jelly, jam or juice - as I am sure you know! Frozen produce still works for canning jams, which is handy when time is of an essence, or you have too much produce harvested to prep right away!

[@kdonor]

I eat those strawberries so quickly! I put them on top of yogurt or cook them into oatmeal.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good ideas! 👍

[@elizabethteeter6284]

Hey my friend loved seeing your vlog 🙏❤️

[@latoyaangle4568]

I didnt see the freezer lock link, can you it here?

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for catching that! Here's the link! You get a 2 pack for under $10! (Affiliate) amzn.to/4281BdR

[@BlackberryHillHomesteadingAdve]

Make some jam from your strawberries!

[@kerriefryer1299]

The no spend pantry challenge gives me anxiety! Firstly, you may miss out on some absolutely amazing specials that won't come around again, and secondly, what if you eat through most of your preps and then an emergency happens and you're down all that food! 😱😭😭🙂

[@joyfullythriving]

And that is definitely something to consider! Some people do the no spend months when they are working to put momentum and money towards a big financial goal. I have done that myself before! But your points are valid ones too!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

I agree it can be stressful - but doesn’t have to be. I look at expiration dates and “bulk” items like flour, rice, etc that I need to work through. I try and get through the stuff that’s been sitting too long. If you’re not comfortable doing a whole month (4 weeks) - you could try one week a month each quarter. It’s the same effect on budget but may cause less anxiety. If a sale is a must have (like meat) I buy. But if it’s butter that’s a regular run rotating sale I pass.

[@kerriefryer1299]

@@Jordan.M.-qb6ky That's a good idea.

[@DebraMorris-q6r]

Strawberry rhubarb pie or crisp is so good

[@joyfullythriving]

I love rhubarb crisp! I didn't grow enough to freeze any this year! Maybe next year?!?

[@KarenLevy-e5w]

Caleb was video bombing you! :)

[@joyfullythriving]

Oh he's always up to something! 😂

[@carollast6264]

How do you handle the need for fruits and vegetables. I did see the apple sauce and peanut butter sandwiches, but the children seem to select one item for breakfast most times, and Caleb is choosing starchy foos with potato chips. Am I missing something.

[@joyfullythriving]

We do simple here. So apple juice and yes, one thing for breakfast. Applesauce with lunch. And then I aim for a fruit and vegetable with dinner. But we're not always perfect! Trying to do more but that is always a process!

[@elizabethteeter6284]

Did you get to Walmart see about chocolate chips

[@joyfullythriving]

Nothing marked down at ours!

[@elizabethteeter6284]

@@joyfullythriving I'm sorry I would be glad to buy some and send them to your po box

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

French toast casserole is a great way to use up old bread or the butts no one likes.

[@joyfullythriving]

True...but none of my family likes French toast, except me! So I think I will stick to croutons for now and let the kids snack on them!

[@Jordan.M.-qb6ky]

@ picky kids! (I’ve got some too! :) I also put bread on cookie sheet and lightly broil to toast and crumble and use to make home made stuffing. But luckily you don’t have a ton to work through. Croutons are awesome! Great on soup too instead of crackers.