Cupboards…Pantries….Fridges…..Freezers….. We sure take what’s inside them for granted, don’t we? Well, I realize I do! I started a little project called “Cleaning out the Pantry” one week ago, and I was amazed at the huge trash bag I filled with boxes of stale crackers, expired cans of food, chip bags half full of crumbly yuck, and just on and on. Oh and the spices from the last century…truly…1990’s.  As I looked at my pile of throw outs, I felt kind of sick about how much I waste, and how many duplicates I had. I never really considered myself a wasteful person before.  In fact, I am the type when I leave a party, I am usually sent home with the left overs because my Jethro Bodeens (husband and son) will eat them up, as we are not picky eaters here.  I found that  in cleaning out my refrigerator and freezer, there were so many wasted items as well.  This inspired me to do a 28 day “Use Up  What I Have” campaign.  For 28 days we are “living off the fat of the land,” also known as NOT shopping for any groceries in that time period…just use it  up, and then reevaluate how I can be a better consumer and maybe buy less of the processed stuff!

I have gone a week now and you’d be surprised, we are not starving in this house. (I say this with sadness for families that really are going to bed at night hungry, due to lack of income for food.)  I have made casseroles, used up fish fillets, made some creative soups, and even served some lunch guests peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Pride is thrown out the window here.  So friends, think about it, what kind of excess do you have in your life? Maybe it’s not food, but perhaps clothing, clutter, too many magazines or books,  knick knacks, whatever… We all have our lil wastelands… If you feel your heart tugging on this project, give it a go.  I’d love to hear what you think about this! Ok, gotta go…my oven beeper is going off… Chicken pot pies anyone??