Now that the kids are all back in school, at least in my area, it's time to crack down and really start to get back on track with our budgets and our eating habits!
I cannot even tell you how many trips we've been on this summer where we come home and just really crave a good home cooked meal! Luckily, I can always dig through my pantry and freezer and whip up something healthy and surprisingly delicious in less than 30 minutes! Due to my habits in the kitchen, I can use shelf cooking to make this happen without fail.
If you've been around for a while, you know that September is all about food around here! We host this #Shelftember challenge (you may have heard of it) that has been pretty big 'round these parts for the last 2 years! We're kicking off the 3rd year straight and we're ready to rock it in the kitchen.
You in!?!
Did we forget to mention we're giving away a FREEZER this month for all those who participate!?! Don't forget to check out the giveaway details at the bottom of this post!!!
You in, now!?!?!
WHY SHELF COOKING?
I've said it before and I'll say it again. One of the greatest financial challenges I see on a daily basis is that people pay too much for groceries, but more importantly, they are not utilizing their food to the fullest potential. So much waste, too much stress and hassle, way too much eating out.
If you're new around here, shelf cooking is a new phrase I've coined to describe a frugal style of cooking that bases your meals primarily around ingredients you have on-hand and supplementing with ingredients from the store, rather than the other way around. Yes, you can cook healthy, balanced, nutritious meals this way! Yes folks, you've heard it here first! Woo hoo! Such trend-setters we are!
After filming and posting my very first official shelf cooking video, you Freebs came up with a way better hashy so it's now #Shelftember! Use it and love it, folks!
SHELF COOKING IS A BIG DEAL
First of all, we have some exciting news to share! We've just launched a brand new site complete dedicated to Shelf Cooking – the art of cooking from your pantry to provide delicious, nutritious meals all while sticking to a budget! We're going to be diving in and sharing some incredible recipes, inspirational ways to use your leftovers, creative ways to stick to your grocery budget, awesome kitchen hacks and so much more.
We really felt like Shelf Cooking deserved its own platform as we've seen how it has transformed the lives of thousands in our Shelf Cooking Community. Have you joined yet?
Don't be scared! You do NOT have to be a talented home chef to learn how to shelf cook… we'll teach you all the things you need to know! But first, let's talk #Shelftember challenge deets!
SHELFTEMBER CHALLENGE
If you haven't been following along with our monthly challenges, it's so easy to get started!
Step 1. Print the monthly calendar – if you're not already on the mailing list, SIGN UP HERE to get the #Shelftember calendar emailed to you.
Step 2. Follow along! Each week there is one main challenge for you to focus on all week. Plus a bonus challenge, tip or helpful habit to keep you focused half-way through the week. Then of course, wrap up the week with a simple date or family night to help keep you focused on the people that matter most.
Step 3. As always, adapt the calendar to work for your needs and help you get the most out of the monthly challenge.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
For the entire month of September I'm challenging all of us to take the #Shelftember challenge. I'm pledging to feed my family on just $25/week in fresh groceries and consumables, and otherwise make our meals based around what I have on-hand!
I understand that $25 is very tight for some. I want this to be hard, but realistic. If you absolutely can't do $25/week, feel free to go up to $50 – but to make it a challenge, you really can't exceed $50/week that. To keep to that amount, I recommend pulling out $25 cash from the bank every Monday, to spend on supplemental groceries. Or use grocery pick-up and order online so you can watch your total and make sure it doesn't go over the $25 limit.
Use this list HERE to track your inventory and see what you have on hand, already. When planning meals, use what you have first, and then supplement with your grocery budget.
I know this may seem a bit daunting, but Freebs everywhere are excited and have already joined the challenge.
Have absolutely NO food in your freezer, pantry, or fridge? We need to chat. Because I don't believe you Or, maybe it's true, and you just don't like to eat. Either way, you need Mama J's help! Watch closely all month long and learn how to stock up so that you can be a rockstar in the kitchen, too!
Seriously guys, are you so excited or what??
SHELFTEMBER WEEKLY CHALLENGES
Let's break it down real quick for ya! Every Saturday we suggest prepping breakfast for the whole week. Not sure how to do this? Check out this make ahead breakfast ideas post that will walk you through how its done!
INVENTORY YOUR PANTRY
This is huge folks, you cannot shelf cook if you don't know what food you have! Take the time to make an inventory. We have these updated handy dandy inventory sheets that will make your life a gazillion times easier. Print 'em, use 'em and get ready to use up all that food! Inventory everything.
After you successfully inventory your fridge, freezer and pantry – you can plan all your meals for the week. Need a meal planning sheet… HERE YOU GO!! Need some ideas of what to make for dinner? Check out this huge list of dinner ideas!
For our mini challenge this week, establish a weekly leftover night that allows you to use up all those leftovers in the fridge!
DOUBLE AND FREEZE
In order to successfully decrease the amount of time you spend in the kitchen, be smart and use the time your ARE in the kitchen to get MORE done. Double your recipes and freeze half for later – here are some great freezer meals to get your wheels turning. Don't forget to plan out all your meals to use up ingredients you have on hand before hitting up the grocery store.
Another helpful habit to start is making sandwiches in bulk to freeze for lunches. Kids (and adults) can just grab a sandwich in the morning and it will be thawed and ready to eat by lunch time.
FAMILY DATE NIGHT
This weekend we encourage you to get the family involved in prepping next week's meals together. Be creative, make it a fun challenge! Spending time with your family in the kitchen will help get everyone excited about shelf cooking! Make sure to share what you create on social media with the #Shelftember hashtag! We want to see your yummy creations!
UPDATE YOUR INVENTORY
By now you've probably used up a lot of the ingredients on your shelf. Time to do a big update of your inventory so you can plan out this week's meals!
For our mini challenge this week, repurpose some leftovers to create a brand new dinner! Turn chicken noodle soup into a casserole, use leftover rice to make ham fried rice, leftover tacos make a great taco salad, you get the idea!
For our mini challenge this week, establish a weekly leftover night that allows you to use up all those leftovers in the fridge!
FAMILY DATE NIGHT
Take this family date to the next level by using ingredients from your pantry to create a fun family dessert! MMmmmm. Make sure to share what you create on social media with the #Shelftember hashtag! We want to see your yummy creations!
DOUBLE AND FREEZE AGAIN
All I can say is that this is a pretty big deal with shelf cooking! Use that freezer! This week's challenges are repetitive because shelf cooking is really about creating a new kitchen lifestyle. Think about food differently and you'll see different results!
Hopefully after the challenge ends, you'll continue the pattern!
TIPS FOR #SHELFTEMBER
Shelf cooking is extra challenging if you don't have a freezer, so I highly recommend you get an extra one. Put it in your garage, basement, closet, guest room, get creative! Watch the video above for TONS of ideas.
Keep tabs on this blog, my YouTube channel, Facebook, and especially Instagram. I will be sharing DAILY tips about how we are making this challenge manageable. And don't forget about our brand new site – you've GOT TO check out ShelfCooking.com
Join me by posting your pictures on FB or IG, using #Shelftember to enter to win a freezer!
#SHELFTEMBER GIVEAWAY
If you scrolled all the way through this ginormous post, you deserve to be entered into our #Shelftember giveaway! Kudos to you!
At the end of the month, we're giving away a deep freezer! Log in and enter the giveaway below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget that posting on social media using the #Shelftember gives you extra entries and you can post daily! We'd love to see how the shelf cooking challenge is going for you.
Check out these posts for more tips on getting started with your shelf cooking challenge:
How to Inventory your Freezer, Pantry, and Fridge Tips for How to Meal Plan And don't forget to check out ShelfCooking.com for tons of ideas, recipes, hacks and more awesome content to help you be a boss in the kitchen!
Happy shelf cooking!
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#FocusedIn ##Shelftember #Food
