Some of our favorite meals.

I just got done reading an article on 8 ways to save and 8 things to especially keep in your pantry. The article stated that eating at home definitely saves money  in your budget. Yes- of course I agree, but sometimes it is a nice change of pace to go out to eat. Lately some of the places we have gone out to are Red Lobster, the local diner, Mac Donalds, and the local pizza place- which makes really great pizzas. These excursions have been very spaced apart. Mac Donalds, of course, was influenced by our 12 year old son. They do make a good ice mocha latte! I have noticed, along with many of you, that restaurants make the portions way too large! Why do they do that? They use enormous plates too, usually. We always take boxes home afterward.

But back to the 8. Here are the foods the article listed to keep in your pantry (the author counted the freezer as part of her pantry.)
1.Beans: Cost: 52¢ or less for a ½-cup serving of canned beans. - Have to agree with this first one- I don't use these half enough. Dried beans are even lest expensive than canned- just take a bit of preparation. Beans are full of protein and fiber and can be added to salads, pasta, soup, and dip. There are lots of ways and recipes out there for beans.
2.Frozen veggies and fruit: Cost: 30¢ for a ½-cup serving of frozen peas. Of course these are necessary when the fresh ones aren't available.
3.Pasta or Rice: Cost: 26¢ for 2 ounces of whole-wheat pasta. We usually use brown rice. It seems to be more substantial. I have used some rice our son brought home from Japan. It's a short grained rice and cooks up very nice. I like that, but alas, I am out of that. Maybe I could find some more at an Asian market, although there aren't many markets like that around here. -- I am sure he will bring some more home from Japan in Dec.
4. Eggs:Cost: 23¢ for a large egg. Another "of course." Eggs aren't just for breakfast. They are a high-quality protein, eggs also contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which help keep eyes healthy.- Hmmm..
5.Ground Beef (or Turkey): Cost: $1.02 per 3-ounce serving of 93%-lean ground beef.  This I agree with. I love making meatloaf or hamburgers which I add things to, like onions, and what ever other suitable herbs I have around like fresh basil or oregano.
6.Potatoes:Cost: about 44¢ apiece. Of course there are lots you can do with potatoes. My kids especially love them mashed. Hubby loves them baked, and both love potato patties cooked in the frying pan the next morning for breakfast or brunch (we have some non breakfast people in the house.) (I have to trick them into eating something healthy in the a.m. - but that's another topic!)

Somehow that didn't quite add up to 8, but that's how the article was titled. Oh well. The point is, these are staples of a good pantry. My pantry also includes Ramon noodles, which the kids can cook up quickly by themselves, oatmeal, canned relishes, jams, and butters that I have made and keep on hand, jello or pudding, pastas- spaghetti and some other noodles, honey, coffee, tea, apple juice or some cranberry blend, crushed tomatoes, and peanut butter. There are some others too, I just can't think of them right now. I have the beans, rice, and potatoes, that were mentioned in the article. And eggs- try to have brown ones, and most of the time ground beef and chicken in the freezer. Our youngest son doesn't like pork, I find myself not liking beef (except ground beef) more and more, and our daughter dislikes chicken. I love fish, but the husband doesn't so we don't often have it for dinner unless he is absent. The kids and I eat it for lunch sometimes.

So much for all of that. We had left over lasagna last night for dinner along with salad (romaine lettuce, mushrooms, carrots, fresh basil ), and fresh asparagus. I tried some chocolate chai rice milk too. I am not sure about that one. Seems like it would go better over crushed ice or something. The rest of the family had water or V8 blended juice. --

Well- I have to finish this up and go find something for breakfast for myself. Son # 4 - the last of our kids at home now- won't be up for another half hour. (He's not a morning person.) We are going apple picking this afternoon, so I look forward to apple pie making and apple sauce too. I will have to return to the farm market later for more apples for apple butter! -- We look forward to having fun with some other home schoolers picking apples this afternoon!

Oregano from our old garden.

Hopefully we will have a great garden in the spring, in this our new abode!