So we finished the first month of the 6 month no grocery challenge and on the last day of the first month, we had to buy something. We hadn’t thought about Halloween and so we did buy one small bag of candy. We didn’t expect many trick-or-treaters but we didn’t want to be caught without any candy either, so we went to the dollar store to get some tissue paper (for a something completely unrelated) and picked up a bag of butterscotch candies while we were there. We had a whopping two kids come by, but still I’m glad I had some candy. Normally, I wouldn’t consider a “gift” to be breaking the challenge (I’ve purchased some huckleberry candy bars to put in care packages recently – as we didn’t eat them I didn’t feel like we were breaking the challenge), but we’ve munched on the butterscotch and aren’t likely to stop, so we cheated just a bit.
We have been eating really well out of our pantry. Including a really yummy minestrone made from homegrown tomatoes that were canned with no added liquid (that were pureed with added water for the broth), homegrown & homecanned carrots, homegrown & homecanned green beans, homegrown onions, dried kidney beans, local garlic, herbs, spices, and homemade egg noodles. The soup was served with some homemade dinner rolls that were super flavorful thanks to rye flour, minced onions, minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and a hint of cayenne. Honestly, one of my most favorite meals ever.
Independence Days Challenge – Week 26
Plant Something: Nothing, and that’s not likely to change until March of 2010
Harvest Something: Nothing
Preserve Something: Nothing
Reduce Waste: The usual composting and recycling, little purchasing.
Preparation & Storage: We covered some lawn near the house with burlap and cardboard. They’ll be new herb beds next year. We’re raking leaves into the vegetable garden to help amend the soil for next year’s planting.
Build Community Food Systems: Nada
Eat the Food: See above.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooh that soup looks good! I have to admit I was happy that we had more candy than kids this year.
I am enjoying your reports on eating from your pantry challenge. That soup has given me a plan for tonight’s dinner!
Minestrone! One of my favorites! Looks great.
oh that soup does look good. very nice dinner for a cool autumn evening.
where do you get huckleberry candy bars? they sound interesting and i have never seen them.
Huckleberry candy bars are a Montana speciality. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen them outside of Montana, though I’m sure any state that has wild huckleberries probably has a market for them.
They are quite yummy but something I rarely ever buy for myself – its one of those things that makes a great addition when sending a little box to someone. They’re kinda pricey if you’re just wanting a little chocolate nibble.