mother hubbard's cupboards are getting bare

We have been participating in the Eat From the Pantry Challenge this month. When I first thought about doing it, I got it in my head that Greg would scoff at the idea. But when I mentioned it to him, he thought it was a great idea. We'd spend less money this month, plus clear out the freezer and pantry before things went bad. I think we've done well so far. We are using many things from the freezers that would normally have gotten hidden away with new purchases. Yesterday I had to go to Costco to buy chicken and ground beef. I don't consider this cheating because we already used what we have and we don't have enough other meats in the freezer to sustain us for the rest of January.  Plus, according to the challenge, we get to make our own rules. I budgeted $400 for the month of January for our groceries. So far, so good. I think we'll make that goal.

So here's the menu plan for this week:

• tostadas
• pork chops & cornbread stuffing
• steak and hash browns
• chili dogs
• chicken & noodles
• chicken vegetable soup

To see other weekly menus, visit orgjunkie.com.

To check in with other families as they Eat from the Pantry, visit lifeasmom.com.