Spring Cleaning the Freezers - 52 days on £70

XSpender

I have 2 freezers and cupboards groaning with food. We eat some and top it back up again with the same things, eat these, top it back up again and so on and never get to the bottom to give them a good clean out. I buy too much and struggle to spend within my grocery budget every week.

I have lots of fancy ingredients from various healthy eating regimes (I'm looking at you Joe Wicks ) and recipes I planned to make that are cluttering up the cupboards and I want to use them up before they go off.

We also need to seriously save some money, so we can pay down our debt which has been run up doing up our house and, more recently, buying some furniture in the January sales. This challenge should allow us to save nearly £500 and clear the balance on the credit card that is attracting interest.

To complicate matters I am coeliac and don!!!8217;t eat red meat or fish, DH will only eat a bit of salmon and does not have a sweet tooth so can!!!8217;t fill him up with cake or puddings. We have one DS who has school lunches and gets fed at grandparents most evenings.

Our challenge, is to use the food in our freezers and cupboards and an extra £70 cash to feed all 3 of us (excluding DS school lunches) between now and 29th March, 52 days. This may seem a lot to all you super experienced old stylers but we normally spend £70 in a good week!!:eek:

In addition to the £70 I can sometimes make use of a dinner allowance from work to buy groceries and sometimes have lunch/dinner paid for when away with work. This varies as this week I have none and next week I have 3 and DH has a rare 2.

I will post the contents of my freezers and cupboards and will be meal planning, writing a (very short) shopping list and looking for inspiration for meals and any recipes anyone would like to share. No cupboard shaming please :rotfl:

DH is on board and has even offered to spend some time in the kitchen with me at the weekend prepping our meals.:eek: DH never cooks and I!!!8217;m not sure he knows how to use the oven.:p

I have done a meal plan and shopping list for the first 11 days as both DH and I have some days away with work. There are 3 things on my shopping list so far:

Milk (4 pints semi skimmed) - £1.09
Eggs (15) - £1.19
Vegetable oil (1L) - £1.09

Please feel free to join in if your cupboards and freezers need a spring clean too.

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

XSpender

Frozen Vegetables
[STRIKE]Butternut squash[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Chopped onion[/STRIKE]
Mixed vegetables
[STRIKE]Garden peas[/STRIKE]
Cauliflower
Sweetcorn [STRIKE](1.5 bags)[/STRIKE] - 1/2 bag
Leeks
Green beans [STRIKE](1.5 bags)[/STRIKE] 1 bag
Corn on the cob
Mushrooms
[STRIKE]Broccoli[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]1 veg steam bag[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Onion rings[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF onion rings[/STRIKE]
Sliced red onion - cant find it???
Curly kale
Stir fry veg
Carrot and swede mash
Peppers
[STRIKE]Asparagus[/STRIKE]

Frozen Fruit (Bags)
Avocado[STRIKE] 1.5[/STRIKE] 1
[STRIKE]Strawberries 0.3[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Raspberries 1.5[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Mango 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Blueberries 0.3[/STRIKE]
1 Banana
Pineapple 1

Potato Products
[STRIKE]Spicy wedges[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]French fries GF[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]French fries not GF[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Hash browns[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Oven chips[/STRIKE]
GF curly fries
Non GF curly fries
GF min hash browns

Meat/Fish/Veggie Mains
[STRIKE]Small GF chicken pie 1[/STRIKE]
Sliced pepperoni pack 1
[STRIKE] Chicken Sausages 21 [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Beef burgers 3[/STRIKE]
Fish Fingers [STRIKE]32[/STRIKE] 28
Chorizo ring - half
M&S Sausages [STRIKE]50[/STRIKE] 16
[STRIKE]Mini sausage rolls 10[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Chicken breasts[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]14[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF chicken goujons 13[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]500g cooked ham 1[/STRIKE]
Pork sausages 6
Posh dogs 6
Carrot and cumin burgers 3
Lasagne portions 1
[STRIKE]Thin beef burgers 4[/STRIKE]
SW beef burgers 1
SW veggie burgers 1
[STRIKE]GF margarita pizza 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF breaded chicken fillet 1 - can't find this![/STRIKE]
BBQ pork shoulder steaks 4
[STRIKE]Chicken burger (not GF) 1[/STRIKE]
Basa fillet with tom & chorizo 1
[STRIKE]Turkey breast mince 750g 1[/STRIKE]
SW Chicken and Ham Pie HM 2
Pork loin steaks 2
1kg beef brisket joint 1
Smoked pork shoulder (2 ptns) 1
[STRIKE]Asda slimzone meal 1[/STRIKE]
SW chorizo sausages 6
Breaded cod fillets [STRIKE]4[/STRIKE] 1
[STRIKE]Salmon fillets 2[/STRIKE]
Golden spice chicken escallops 4
Quorn mince 2
Quorn pieces 1
Steak 5
Chorizo burger 1
Cod fillets 2
Haddock fillets 4

[STRIKE]Chicken and Leek Pie[/STRIKE]
BNS & Chickpea curry 2portions
Columbian Black Bean Stew 3 portions
Sausage casserole 1 portion
Thai turkey mince and rice [STRIKE]3 portions[/STRIKE] 1 portion
Thai turkey mince 1 portion

XSpender

Bread
Wheat garlic slices [STRIKE]10[/STRIKE] 8
Flaxseed buns 2
[STRIKE]GF bread crusts 3[/STRIKE]
HM GF garlic bread 1
[STRIKE]GF garlic baguette [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Wheat naan 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF wraps 4[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Bagels 6[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Large wheat yorkies 2[/STRIKE]
Small wheat yorkies 2
[STRIKE]White bread buns 4[/STRIKE]
GF Yorkshires[STRIKE] 5[/STRIKE] 4
[STRIKE]Wholemeal bread 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF white bread 10[/STRIKE]
White wraps 5
[STRIKE]YS thin bagels 2[/STRIKE]

Deserts
Vanilla ice cream 1 [STRIKE]and a bit[/STRIKE]
Orange lollies [STRIKE]x 2[/STRIKE] 1
GF chocolate gateau
Raspberry ripple IC
Chocolate IC

Soup
Broccoli, pea & basil (2)

XSpender

Ready made sauces
Pepperoni pasta bake
[STRIKE]Value curry sauce 2[/STRIKE]
BNS risotto sauce
Sweet chilli stir fry sauce
[STRIKE]Thai red curry paste[/STRIKE]
Balti curry paste
Thai green curry paste
Miso paste
Puttanesca pasta sauce

Tins
[STRIKE]Baked beans[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Baked Beans [/STRIKE]2
Chickpeas [STRIKE]3[/STRIKE] 2
Green lentils[STRIKE] 2[/STRIKE] 1
[STRIKE]Carrots 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Vegetable soup 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Potatoes 2[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Pineapple 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Custard 1[/STRIKE]
Rice pudding 1
[STRIKE]Mushy peas 1[/STRIKE]
Butter beans 1
[STRIKE]Black beans 2[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Chopped tomatoes[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]3[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Taco mixed beans 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Passatta 1[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Sweetcorn[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]2[/STRIKE]

Dry Ingredients
[STRIKE]White rice[/STRIKE]
Boil in the bag rice [STRIKE](4)[/STRIKE] 3
Arborio rice
Paella rice
Flaxseed
Desiccated coconut (2 bags!)
Spaghetti x 2
[STRIKE]Brown rice[/STRIKE]
Pudding rice
[STRIKE]GF porridge [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Value porridge (1kg)[/STRIKE]
Weetabix (60!)
Sugar puffs
Moana cereal
Honey hoop cereal
Lasagne sheets (1/2 box)
GF fusilli 500g
GF pasta shells (few)
Quinoa
Tri coloured quinoa
[STRIKE]Savoury rice(not GF)[/STRIKE]
Sugar free jelly x 6
150g 70% chocolate
[STRIKE]Ready to serve custard[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF fibre cereal (not much)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF rice cakes[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]GF sage and onion stuffing[/STRIKE]
Rye crispbreads
[STRIKE]Smash (1/2 tub)[/STRIKE]
Red lentils
Oat bran (GF)

Baking Ingredients
Raisins x 2
Dried apricots
Sultanas (bit past it)
Sugar
Sweetener
[STRIKE]Stevia[/STRIKE]
Cornflour x 2
Xanthum gum
Yeast
Baking powder x 2
Bicarbonate of soda x 2
GF plain flour 1kg
GF SR flour [STRIKE]1kg[/STRIKE] 600g
Raw cacoa powder
Arrowroot powder
Coconut flakes [STRIKE](lots)[/STRIKE] 1 bag
[STRIKE]Light brown sugar[/STRIKE]
Chia seeds
Prunes
Flaked almonds
Maca powder
Sunflower seeds [STRIKE](2kg)[/STRIKE] 1kg
Mincemeat
Golden syrup
[STRIKE]large chocolate reindeer[/STRIKE]
Whole almonds
Protein powders - [STRIKE]3 flavours[/STRIKE] 2 flavours
Gram flour
Coconut flour - OOD
Potato flour - OOD
Brown rice flour - OOD
Icing sugar
[STRIKE]Ground almonds[/STRIKE]


Lots of herbs and spices

XSpender

[STRIKE]Eggs [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Cheddar - grated[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Muller lite yogurts 12[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Low fat yogurt[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Apples [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Bananas 2[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Oranges[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Grapes[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Kiwi[/STRIKE]
Carrots
[STRIKE]Tomatoes[/STRIKE][STRIKE] 4[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]White pots[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Jacket pots[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]2 saltimboca pork steaks[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Parmentier potatoes x 2[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]A little christmas cheese [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Ham[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Broccoli [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Peppers [/STRIKE][STRIKE]- bag of value[/STRIKE][STRIKE]1 green[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]3 red onions [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Butter [/STRIKE] [STRIKE]1.5[/STRIKE] 1
[STRIKE]Lurpak lighter (small amount)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Olive spread[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Pack of cooking bacon[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Tin of corned beef[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Mushroom soup[/STRIKE]
Parmesan - a bit past it
Lazy garlic
Lazy chilli
Ginger paste
[STRIKE]1/2 pack of bacon[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Vacuum packed beetroot[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]1 jacket potato with chilli (HM)[/STRIKE]



I'm sure I will come across some odds and ends I have missed!

XSpender

phizzimum wrote: »

Hi XSpender

Looks like you’ve got some good building blocks for meals there, it will get trickier when you’re left with random bits but that’s the fun!

What meals have you got planned?

There’s an ongoing “eat from your cupboards and freezer” thread that I’ve recently joined, it helps keep me motivated. I will be following your personal challenge with interest too.

Phizz

Hi Phizz

I will put up my meal plan for the next 10 days and have a look at the other thread too. Getting DH to eat the random bits will be tough

XSpender

Today

D - Pork saltimbocca, parmentier potatoes,(needs eating asap) green beans, carrots DS - frozen fish, same potatoes, sweetcorn (eating earlier)

Wed 7th
B - Toast, banana pancakes, frozen fruit, sugar free syrup
L - Cheese and beetroot sandwich (me), corned beef and tomato sandwich (DH)
D - Chicken in a mustard sauce, tinned pots, carrots and green beans

Thur 8th
B - Toast, GF porridge with frozen rasps and yogurt
L- Cheese and beetroot sandwich (me), corned beef and tomato sandwich (DH)
D - Sausages, beans and French fries

Fri 9th
B - Toast, GF porridge with frozen rasps and yogurt
L- Cheese and beetroot sandwich (me), corned beef and tomato sandwich (DH)
D - Sundried tomato and chorizo risotto

Sat 10th
B - Toast, GF porridge with frozen rasps and yogurt, cereal
L - Jacket potato with beans/cheese/curried beans
D - Beef/veggie burgers, white bread buns, onion rings, spicy wedges, corn on cob, cheese, BBQ sauce and ketchup
Desert - jelly and ice cream

Sun 11th
B - Porridge with frozen fruit and plain yogurt/toasted bagel/cereal
L- HM soup and cheese bread, cheese on toast for DS
D - Sausages, smash carrots and cauli (DS) Sausage and Leek Casserole, smash (me and DH)
Desert - Little jam puddings (HM) and custard

Mon 12th - DH away
B - Protein, yogurt and frozen fruit smoothie, toast
L - Thai turkey mince (DH), egg on toast (me)
D - GF chicken goujons, beans and French fries (me)

Tue 13th - DH away
B - Protein smoothie as Monday, baked oats as muffins
L - Chicken, stuffing and cranberry sandwich
D - Cheese omelette, peas, corn and HM wedges

Wed 14th - Me away
B - Porridge with frozen berries
L - GF chicken fillet, HM chips and beans
D - Chicken, stuffing and cranberry sandwich (me), HM veggie chilli and rice (DH)

Thurs 15th - Me away
B - Toast or banana
L - Asda slimzone meal
D - Thai turkey mince and rice

Fri 16th Me away
B - Toast or banana
L - Veggie chilli and rice
D - Pasta bake (jar), garlic bread

Snacks - muller lites, jelly pots, fruit, ginger cake, tomato scones, Christmas cake, Christmas cheese and crackers

DH doesn't usually eat breakfast.

[Deleted User]

well done on listing stuff I too am tightening my belt a bit ,mainly because I have far too much food not only in the freezer but the cupboards, so apart from essential items this year so far I have spent under £30 in January and only under £13 this afternoon so I am doing my best to keep the purse shut, and the cupboard doors open, and as I menu plan on a Sunday morning and always have its quite easy to see where meals can be streetched a bit

My breakfasts are normally porridge or bran flakes, lunch is usually home made soup and crackers.I don't make a sunday dinner as I goto my DDs every Sunday and Tuesday nights I go to a local pub quiz where we get a meal included inthe price so I only have five meals a week to actually plan for.

With the amount of frozen stuff I have I have probably enough to feed half my street at the moment. I am a great one for batch cooking basic building blocks for dinner, then only having to add veg sides.

I will watch to see how you get on and I'm sure you have now had your 'light bulb ' moment so onwards and upwards honey. Probably easier for me really as I only have myself to feed

JackieO xx

caronc

Sounds like a fab challenge though I don't think I'm brave enough to join you (it would literally take me months.:o:o:eek:)
Is it worth looking through your lists and indentifying the "random" bits you might struggle to use up and try a plan one meal (or part meal) using these each week so that you are not having too many "Ready,Steady,Cook" concoctions towards the end?

donnajt

What a brilliant challenge and I truly believe an achieveable one - I shall be cheering you on from the sidelines, reading your Kitchen Inventory made me feel extremely what is lurking in our fridge/freezer and hidden behind cupboard doors, so I shall be mindful of this when I work out next week's menu and intend to empty mine too x

donnajt

ps I think it would be a really good idea if you edit all your Inventory posts and strike thru each item as you use it up x