Before and After!

Over this past year, I have become very fond of a fellow blogger who lives in Texas. Elizabeth is a very special lady. She works very hard to take care of her family and her home. She has a great desire for simplicity in her life. She has taught me much over these few months...about being frugal, but smart....about striving to eat healthier....about excess...and about the difference between wants and needs. Elizabeth has been so kind to post about how she has organized her kitchen and pantry....that she TOTALLY inspired me! So, the other day, I decided to try out a few things. First of all, I wanted to see if shopping for an entire month would save us any money. I usually do one big shop a month (approx $250)for staples and then several smaller ones (anywhere from $60 - $100) every week or so for fresh produce or things that I find on sale. Doing it this way makes me feel like I'm always at the grocery store. On Saturday morning, I went to Sam's Club and spent about $270 (ouch!). Then, I went on to Walmart to get the smaller stuff and spent about $143. All together...I spent about $413. If it works...and I'm able to use up all (or most of) what I bought after 4 weeks.....I think it will have been very successful! I think $413 for one month for a family of 5 isn't too bad. We will still need to buy milk each week...mostly because I don't like to freeze my milk (even though I know that I can).

Once I got home from shopping, I realized how awful my pantry looked! I try to stay somewhat organized...but it had gotten really out of hand. So, I took EVERYTHING out! I threw away anything that was past it's expiration date. If I had more than one of something and I knew I wouldn't use it within the month....I put in a pile to take to the soup kitchen.

As embarrassing as it is.....here are my BEFORE pictures....

It's no wonder I couldn't find anything. I didn't even have anywhere to step! Because I don't have a lot of counter or cupboard space, my pantry keeps our food, some extra cleaning products as well as dishes and other kitchen equipment.

Here is the AFTER......not a ton better.....but at least I can see what I have on hand...

Now, before anybody says anything about the Spam....let me just say that our family likes it! I cut it into cubes....brown it, and then add it to things like mac & cheese, rice or even eggs. To me, it's like adding bacon. I bought a bunch at Sam's because it was on special....and we do actually keep a "hurricane kit". I put this together during the spring so we are always prepared.

I would also like add a disclaimer about the instant mashed potatoes....I DO NOT use that to make mashed potatoes!!! I add it to soups or gravy for thickening......!! It was a lot of work to shop for everything and rearrange the entire pantry. I was sore the next day! Every morning, I open the pantry door...turn on the light....and admire my work. If I hear someone in there....I immediately jump up to see what they're doing or what they're messing up!

I can't promise that the pantry will stay neat and organized...nor can I promise that shopping once a month will save us any money. The point for me is that my mind is always working now. I want to find the healthiest and the most simple way to take care of my family. We really don't "need" much. For me, this Lenten season is a good time for reflection on our habits...on what we need versus what we want.....what is reasonable and what is excess....what we have and what we give to others.

Visit Elizabeth's blog (click here) for more inspiration!