Ah, the post I have been avoiding.

I believe I outdid myself on this stinkin’ challenge.  Not that the challenge in itself was too difficult.  I’m just tired of writing about it.

But I told you I would do eight weeks, and so eight weeks I must.  I shall combine the final three weeks and then wash my hands of it!

 As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, life got reeeeally busy all of a sudden like, what with the All Stars and the ballet and the like.  I spent most of weeks six and seven eating meals from my freezer that I had prepared from the previous weeks, which is why I prepare freezer meals in the first place, I suppose, although on some strange level it annoyed me to use up my security stash.

Go figure.

*****

Shopping:

In my hustle and bustle, I lost most of my grocery store receipts and so cannot break down my purchases.

However, I know that my spending was roughly thus:
Week 6:  $80
Week 7:  $60
Week 8:  $40

You like how I made a pattern there?  I did that on purpose for your own viewing pleasure!

Ha!  No, I didn’t.

I’m feeling a little smug about myself, though.  Over the course of two months’ time I spent a total of less than $500 on groceries for a family of seven.  This may be a new way of living for me.  And that would totally rock.

I also – because it was not in my budget — kicked my three-sodas-a-day habit.  And that also rocks.  We shall see how long that lasts. 

*****

Cooking:

During week eight, I had lots more time at home.  I would like to thank the 4th of July, my spoiled government job, and … oh, wait.  Did I say that out loud?  I digress… 

With my extra home time I made several fresh dinners.  I know — my family was in shock.  I even barbecued on the 4th by my very own self!  And I got huge props from the kiddos.  Woot!

I also took a day to work on restocking my freezer.

In hindsight, I was apparently on a breakfast kick.  What’s up with that?

Pancakes (from a box of mix I got on a killer deal at Walgreen’s for $.50.  Booyah!):

 French toast (from a loaf of Texas Toast I got from the free rack at the day-old bread store!):

For my French toast, my standard recipe is eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and a little flour to thicken it up.  With no particular measurements, of course.

Waffles — which I apparently did not get a picture of.  Try to feign disappointment, please.

Ok, wait for this one:

Cinnamon rolls.  Oh, of all things good and right in this world…  This recipe billed itself as a Cinnabon clone.  I won’t say it totally went there, but my stars was it close!  I may have eaten more than my share of these.  Maybe.  Don’t tell.

P.S.  Did I mention I need to start a diet again?  Not that that has anything to do with eating more than my share of Cinnabon rolls.  No, no, no.  Because I didn’t. You can’t prove a thing!

Baked Oatmeal:  This just does not seem to last long!

Breakfast Sandwiches:  Needed to use up some English muffins.  Had some leftover bacon from breakfast.  Naturally, English muffins and bacon are attracted to each other, because things in this house are very attracted to each other.  Ha!  That was a reference to … oh, nevermind!  Seriously, there is something wrong with me today.

Moving on from breakfast (finally).

Southwest Rollups: I used some of my homemade refried beans, and used leftover turkey instead of the chicken breast.  These are pretty good!  Except The Sassy One thought they were bean burritos so when she bit into one the turkey — and I quote — “freaked her out.”

Pizza Dough:  Put four portions in the freezer to pull out for pizza, or for cheesy breadsticks to add to soup!  Yum!

So there ya’ have it!

Did you miss any of the previous posts and have no idea what I am talking about?  Check them all out here!:

The Eat From Your Pantry Challenge:  Please Join Me!
Eat From Your Pantry Challenge:  Week 1 Update
Eat From Your Pantry Challenge:  Week 2 Update
Eat From Your Pantry Challenge:  Week 3 Update
Eat From Your Pantry Challenge:  Week 4 Update 
Eat From Your Pantry Challenge:  Week 5 Update