For years and years there were always at least six around our table, my husband and I and our four children. One by one they grew up and left home until now it is usually only my husband and I. Cooking and shopping for two presents its own challenge. I enjoy cooking but I don’t want to end up with a freezer full of leftovers. Nor do I want a refrigerator full of food that is going bad.
There are certain cautions I must take to avoid waste. Cooking the way I used to cook would provide us with three identical meals! This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but we want to keep the excess and the boredom at bay!
The fresh meat, seafood, deli, produce and bakery departments are the perfect places to buy the exact amount you need without a lot more. Often food sold by the pound is packaged in larger containers than you need. At our small grocery store it is possible to divide a large container. This way you can purchase just what you need. For example grapes are packaged in big bags but it is possible to take out just what you want and place it in a smaller bag and the store is perfectly fine with that.
Many store sell eggs in cartons of six, if not ask the store manager if they can cut a container in half for you. Even better, find a neighbor that raises their own chickens, I’m sure they would be happy to sell you just six eggs.
If your store has a bulk foods section you can usually purchase small quantities. If you can’t eat a whole box of cereal for example, just purchase the amount you want from the bulk bins.
Invest in some storage containers to keep your leftovers fresh. If you are like me you will probably be freezing some of your leftovers, make sure the containers you use are suitable for the freezer so your food won’t get freezer burn.Be sure to label your containers so you know what is in your freezer!
I miss the days of a full table at every dinner. We still have weekends where we have friends and family visiting and enjoy a full table. During the rest of the time I enjoy my husband’s company and try to plan our meals so that there is variety and we’re not eating the same thing every night!
Linked To: TheThriftyHome, FrugallySustainable, WeAreThat Family
Nancy on the Home Front 