{"id":98,"date":"2008-10-02T03:28:29","date_gmt":"2008-10-02T03:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cookhappylivehealthy.org\/blog\/?p=98"},"modified":"2008-10-02T03:28:29","modified_gmt":"2008-10-02T03:28:29","slug":"money-wise-investing-tips-for-your-kitchen-pantry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cookhappylivehealthy.org\/blog\/money-wise-investing-tips-for-your-kitchen-pantry\/","title":{"rendered":"Money-Wise Investing Tips for Your Kitchen Pantry"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Stock the Pantry without Wasting Money<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ever consider the amount of money tied up in your pantry? <\/span>By some accounts, it\u2019s one of the biggest household investments. <\/span>As a big believer in stocking up when things are on sale or in season, I don\u2019t doubt that I\u2019ve got several hundred dollars tied up in my cupboards, freezer and frig. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Given that it takes a sizeable investment to stock and maintain the pantry, it makes sense to explore how to avoid making purchases that turn out to be unhelpful or even worthless.<\/p>\n

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To begin with, avoid buying foods just<\/em> because they\u2019re on sale. <\/span>I\u2019m reminded of times when I\u2019ve gotten all excited over finding a $50 pair of pants for $30. <\/span>All too often, however, I don\u2019t get around to wearing <\/em>that pair of pants, so instead of saving $20, I actually end up wasting the $30 purchase price. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The same goes for food purchases. <\/span>There\u2019s nothing worse than having 10 cans of refried beans clogging your cupboard when you might use two cans in an entire year. <\/span>Just because they are on sale doesn\u2019t mean you should buy them<\/em>. <\/span>Buy only what you\u2019ll use in a reasonable time\u2014a year is probably a good rule of thumb. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Here is the one exception to this rule. <\/span>Go ahead and buy some extras, maybe not 10 but three or four, if you would like to begin using an item more often, and<\/em> if you use are willing to find three to four recipes that put it to use.<\/p>\n

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Getting back to our Fox 31 Supermarket Adventure, when Ken and I were pantry shopping we bought several frozen tilapia filets since I have lots of recipes that use this mild, quick-cooking fish. <\/span>The same goes for the packages of frozen vegetables and fruits. <\/span>Being completely prepared, it\u2019s easy to find dishes where they could add color and nutritional depth. <\/span>To prove the point, here are the recipes for the dishes we\u2019re making on Good Day Colorado. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Talapia Filet Packets with Mushrooms and Peas <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Makes a 1-serving packet.<\/p>\n

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Preheat oven to 400 (F). <\/span>Tear off a large piece of aluminum foil, about 18\u201d long, and lay on counter, shiny side down.<\/p>\n