Tips for Shopping and Bulk Cooking; A quick Saturday Project

I plan my families menu every single week.  I don't just plan out what sounds good to me.  Nope.  I scan my pantry, fridge and freezer to see what I have on hand, sort through my recipes then hit the grocery store.  I ONLY buy what is a true bargain.

While at the store my husband texted me and asked for granola.  There was none on a discounted price so I didn't buy any.  Thats how I shop.  We have other food and will make due.  When granola is on clearance again I will stock up.

I spent $180 of our grocery budget at the Commissary.  While this is not the most glamorous place to shop it does indeed keep us in budget.  I did get some organics, pears and apples..  I think the kale I got was organic.  Sadly the meat was not.  Keeping this tight budget is hopefully temporary, right?  It allows us to use the 'rest' of our money toward our home, and that is important to us.

After unloading my groceries I laid out what I was going to prep along side my recipes.   Some simple washing, chopping and throwing items into ziplock bags makes the process fly by.

i like to cook messy :)

I always make a mess while doing this.  One key item i ALWAYS have out is a 'garbage bowl' i throw all my food scraps in.  Perfect for the compost bin!

garbage bowl!

Using my kitchen tools speeds up the process, I believe I diced up at least 7 onions for this cooking spree! WOW!

kitchen gadgets are my friends!

And here is the finished product!  I was able to put 11 freezer meals away and while cooking prepped dinner in the crock-pot.  This took me about 2.5 hours.  And I only had to clean up once!



Do you do any bulk cooking?