Food and Fiber Friday - Meal Planning and Eating from the Pantry

Yes, it's that time of the year. Make those resolutions and then forget about them! Especially after a binge cooking baking at the end of December.

However, the two main 'habits' I plan on sticking to are meal planning and eating from my pantry. 

I find if I make a meal plan, even if I don't eat that particular meal on a certain day, I have the idea of what to make and don't have to think about what meal to make. Plus it reminds me of when I have leftovers in the fridge to eat rather than forgetting about them. 

And since I am working primarily afternoon to early evening these days, it is comforting to know I have a lunch to eat before work already made and dinner is just a reheat away. 

Another advantage of eating from my pantry is clearing out the freezer in preparation for freezing summer veggies and fruits. More preserving of fresh foods is on the docket. In the next couple of months I will invest in an electric presser cooker so I will be able to can more things. 

One thing I have found out recently (of course I am way behind the times) is how nicely glass jars can be used to make up salads. Prep a bunch and then just dump them in a bowl, add some cheese and tomatoes and dressing, and there you are. I have found out the glass keeps them good much, much longer than plastic.

And speaking of plastic...

I am ssssoooo tired of having mismatched lids and tops. Right now I have twice the lids for the number of containers I have. So they are all going out the door. I invested in glass containers for my leftovers and such. Going a bit more 'greener' this year I hope.

My thought is to have a side salad with my meals daily. To get that fiber and 'veggies' in me. So this week I am eating on chicken fried steak (yes, I did fry)/mashed potatoes and pork roast/sweet potato/field peas and salad with both. 

Yummy meals and leftovers in 2025!