Organizing Tupperware Containers

Does your collection of food storage look a little rough? Can you just never find what you need? And you have no matching lids, but plenty of lids in the cabinet? I found a solution! Or, at least one that helps me out. And you don't have to spend a dime to buy a new system or matching containers.

Start by pulling out ALL of your containers.

 Next, match what you can. I just created different piles of lids and containers. Don't try to match the lid to the container yet, just get all like pieces together.

Once you have everything sorted, match lids to containers. It will be much easier now that you can see everything at once and you won't try the same container 5 times. 

Once you have everything matched up, set aside anything odd pieces and leftovers. Now, taking one pile at a time, label matching containers and lids. I used the alphabet, but you could number them too. All my bowls of this size got marked with an "A" on the bottom, and the matching lids got "A" on the top. I just used a permanent marker, and it hasn't come off in the dishwasher yet!

 Every container and matching lid got a letter.

 

Once everything was labeled, they all stacked neatly and nested within each other.

Which made my cabinet look a lot better.

 

 Once they were all nested, they became much easier to store. I put my small containers for leftovers in the kitchen drawers, my medium containers for individual meals in one of the cabinets, and my large containers for freezer meals I moved out of the kitchen entirely- they are stacked on a shelf next to the deep freezer in the garage. This has saved me a ton of kitchen space, but also a ton of time. With the containers and matching lids all labeled, there's no longer a fight to find what I need. You could even store all your lids in a bin standing up, and just thumb through the corners to find the letter you need. There are several possibilities, so just find a system that works for you.

Groceries On A Budget

Groceries on a Budget

In today's economy, we often struggle to stretch our dollar even further. One of the biggest parts of every household budget is the grocery bill. You don't have to live off Ramen noodles and water to save money on food. You just need to make a plan and stick to it.

Before you ever step foot in the store, make a weekly plan. Decide what meals you will make and list all ingredients needed. Be sure to check your pantry for items you already have, so you don't buy things you don't need. Once you have a plan in place, set a budget and stick to it. This gets easier every week. I make a detailed list of everything we need, and the price for each item. If you don't know the exact price of every item, that's okay. You will learn a lot on your first trip, so be sure to bring a pen & paper, and a calculator. Write down the price of items your family buys regularly, like milk and eggs. This will help with your weekly budget.

Once you have your list, with prices, pick the right time to go to the store. Saturdays are usually over crowded, and you may feel rushed and tempted to break the budget. Sunday nights are usually “stocking nights” so many items will be out of stock while the attempt to re-stock everything. A weekday, if possible, is best. Leaving the kids at home will also help. It's hard enough to shop with kids distracting you, but it's even harder when comparison shopping.

You're off to the store, list in hand. Know what you need, get it and get out. Don't check the clearance aisle or wander about the store. You don't need temptation. Be sure to take your time looking for things. Stores know you're in a hurry when shopping, and often put the most expensive things at eye level. Check the top and bottom shelves for the best bargains. Don't just buy cookies because they are on sale. However, if something is on sale that is on your list regularly, you can stock up-within reason. Don't buy three gallons of ice cream if you know it will go bad before you use it. Canned vegetables, noodles, and other dry goods don't expire as quickly. If you know you make spaghetti every Thursday, and noodles are on sale, buy a few. This will cut some from next week's budget. Just don't go overboard.

Don't forget about that calculator! Price compare items you buy often. If it will save money to buy larger quantities, then buy more. Make sure you're getting a good deal. The smaller pack may be ten cents less, but if you get double the food in a larger pack, that's a better deal. Taking time to price compare and really think about what you need can save you lots of money. After a few weeks, you will know the best deals, what items you need, and you can spend half the time and still save money.

Think of it like this: you can spend $50 on a dinner out, or you can spend $10 for lasagna and salad at home.
You can save lots of money by eating in more and planning meals ahead. Convenience foods, such as prepackaged snacks and frozen dinners, may be easier but cost a lot more. You can buy a 5 pound log of ground beef and separate it at home into individual portions. By freezing items you buy in larger quantities you can save money and time. Instead of buying prepackaged snacks, buy a large box of crackers or other snack foods, and separate into plastic bags. The same works with pre-cut fruits and vegetable. They may be easier, but five minutes of cutting at home can save you big money. Convenience often costs more.

It is possible to live on a budget and still get everything you need. Money saved on groceries can be used to pay off debts, buy something nice, or put toward a family vacation. The savings add up. Just remember to be prepared. Plan your meals, make a list, and stick to your budget. You'll be surprised at how much you can save.

Feeding Young Children

When talking with some friends last night, we were discussing our children's eating habits. They are first time moms who just want the best for their little one, and by baby number 3, I had learned a few tricks. So we agreed I would write out a meal plan for them, with ideas and cooking tips to get their munchkins to be as big of a pig as my daughter is. She has no fear, and would dive into a bowl of taco salad if you loosened your grip. But she also has two older brothers to keep up with. For an only child, they may not care as much about what or how they're eating, as long as they have mommy's attention while doing so. So this is my meager attempt to help these moms keep their sanity while battling meal time.

First, consider who you're feeding. Your baby neither needs nor wants fancy sushi. Simple, healthy meals can be easy and fun. The goal is to get baby all the nutrients he/she needs, while encouraging him/her to try new things. Feedings are a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the trip along the way.

The easiest way to plan meals for my kids is to make a list. I divide foods into categories, then pick one food from each column. How you combine them is only limited by your imagination. NO COOKING SKILLS REQUIRED. I use three basic things to cook: A skillet, a pot, or a microwave-safe bowl. You don't need a fancy baby food maker or food processor. So resist the late night infomercials and save some money! My list is as follows:

DAIRY
Milk (cow, almond, soy, any kind)
Cheese
Cream Cheese
Yogurt
Eggs

GRAIN
Pasta
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Toast
Oatmeal
Bagels
Pita Bread
Rice

MEAT
Lean Turkey
Chicken
Beef
Ham
Shrimp
Fish

FRUIT
Apples
Bananas
Grapes
Melons
Berries
Peaches

VEGGIES
Corn
Peas
Carrots
Beans
Potatoes
Tomatoes (I know, it's a fruit, but I cook it, so it goes with veggies)
Soy Beans
Broccoli

ADDITIONS
Cheeses
Alfredo Sauce
Marinara
Ranch
Ketchup
Garlic Butter
Nut Butter (peanut, almond, hazelnut)
Raisins
Soy Sauce
Hummus

I generally start with the grains list. Am I in the mood for pasta? Craving tacos? Need a meal fast? Let's say I have a hankering for stir-fry. I would pick my pasta. Then onto the meats. I prefer chicken stir-fry. Then I pick out fruits and veggies. I like peppers, carrots, peas, beans, and tomatoes. Then I choose my sauce or topping. Add in a little soy sauce. Maybe sprinkle some garlic powder. Top sprinkled almonds (not for baby, for mommy). And voila! You have an easy dish. Throw it all in the skillet and let it cook while you play peek-a-boo.

As for the shopping and having everything ready to go- that's easy! Here's your shopping list:
10 bags of frozen veggies/fruits. Any kind you like- just peas, peas-and-carrots, mixed veggies, broccoli, it's up to you.
10 lbs of meat. Either frozen chicken breast, ground turkey/beef, or a combination of both. Whatever your family likes best.
10 boxes of noodles or pasta. Rotini, ravioli, linguine, spaghetti, pin wheels, alphabet soup, egg white noodles, ramen...there's 100s of possibilities!
10 jars of sauce. Pesto, Alfredo, Marinara, cheese sauce, soy sauce, terryaki sauce- get a variety.
And most importantly- a box of Ziploc bags.

When I get home from the store, I give the kids a snack to keep them occupied while I get to work. I divide everything up. 1lb of meat per bag, 1-2 cups fruits/veggies per bag, 1/2 box of pasta per bag, and just leave the sauces in jars. Pasta can go back in the pantry, everything else in the freezer. Our deep freezer stays stocked so meals are just minutes away. For the fridge, a few packs of plain yogurt, some fresh fruits like apples and bananas, milk, eggs, and cheese. Now you always have a healthy snack on hand! Just pick 1-2 things your child likes to eat, and combine them in new ways.

Anything can be a pizza, taco, casserole, or soup. Pick up a box of Bisquick and you're never more than 20 minutes from a delicious casserole. There are more recipes on the box! We do easy chicken pot pie- mix the dough according to directions, add in chicken and bag of frozen veggies- bake. Easy as...pie! Same with soups. We keep cans (or freezer containers) of chicken stock or chicken broth, and soups are quick and easy. Running low on ingredients? Throw in everything you have left! You can't go wrong. Chicken, beef, veggies, whatever you like. Let simmer while you set the table, round up the baby and strap him in, and you're good to go!

Meal time shouldn't be stressful, it should be a time for family and conversation. Follow these tips for easy meals and watch for more recipes this week!