1. I skipped this week’s Hungry Harvest delivery
Yesterday I got the email letting me know my Hungry Harvest box was coming this week and after I considered that for a moment, I realized I have too much of a produce backlog right now!
I need a minute to eat down my stash of fruits and veggies.
Sooo, I canceled it. This will save me the cost of a delivery, of course, but also it’s going to keep me from wasting the produce that’s already in my fridge.
A double win!
Hungry Harvest exists to reduce food waste, so it would be very silly of me to get a box and then waste the food anyway. 😉
2. I made a pot of chicken broth
I had two rotisserie chicken carcasses in my freezer, plus I had a rotisserie chicken in my fridge.
Sooo, I took the meat off of the one in my fridge and used it plus the two frozen ones to make a pot of chicken broth.
And then I used some of the broth to make some chicken noodle soup.
Here’s how I make my chicken broth.
3. I prepped my spinach and made a green smoothie
I had some spinach in the fridge from my last Hungry Harvest box, and I hadn’t touched it. Whoops!
I trimmed the stems (it wasn’t baby spinach) and gave it a whirl in my salad spinner.
Then I promptly used some of it to make a smoothie.
After I added blueberries, it wasn’t green anymore!
Since the rest of the spinach is washed and prepped, I know I will easily use it in the next day or two.
4. I made some chocolate pudding to use up extra milk
We had a milk backlog, so I turned the extra into chocolate pudding.
It’s really dark-colored because I always use Hershey’s special dark cocoa powder, which is twice as good as their regular.
This is a case where I am willing to pay more for the name brand; generic cocoa powder doesn’t usually come in a dark version!
Click here for my chocolate pudding recipe.
5. I made yogurt and granola
I’d been out of granola for quite some time and I’d just run out of yogurt too.
So, I made a batch of both of them when I had a bit of time.
I made a whole gallon; this is just one of the quart jars.
And this is my standby granola recipe. Best thing about it? No stirring while baking!
AW
Thursday 27th of February 2025
I like how you're frugal with food :)
My Frugal 5's 1) Husband unclogged the toilet with a snake so didn't need a plumber or any additional tools. I first tried plugging and flushing 20 times and pouring down hot water and dish soap but no luck. 2) Got some extra food and easter goodies at the church that I weekly volunteer at. 3) Girls got to be part of a Lego build club at the library and also made some mosaic floral pieces that will be installed there. 4-5+) Continue to ... - Use up food and eat from home. Did go to the buffet one time this week. - Use Fetch and Ibotta - Borrow books, DVDs and games from the library - Mend clothing - Fix toys - Clean, declutter and assess what needs to be sold - Batch run errands - Have free entertainment through walks, bike rides; toys, games and movies already had at home
monica
Wednesday 26th of February 2025
Leaving my snowbound home just near Boston to visit my son who lives in Savannah tomorrow - will be bring him some of your granola! He loves it!
Isa
Wednesday 26th of February 2025
Didn't you have another homemade yogourt recipe? I remember making it and it didn't involve specific temperature nor pouring water in the cooler. Maybe I'm confusing it with another blog.
Aaaanyways, my 5 frugals are:
* I booked a physical therapy appointment to have my SI joint pain looked at. While it's not frugal because not free (still, 80% covered by my health insurance) I'm hoping it will help so I don't have to miss more work because of it, like I am today (unpaid). Spending money now to (hopefully) prevent losing money later.
* Used coupons to get 2 bags of chips for free. Got the coupons in the mail after contacting the company about chips I had bought that tasted real bland.
* Worked an extra shift yesterday, and have a extra one planned next week as well.
* Getting a raise in a month but won't change anything in my spending habits. (It's not a big raise, but even if it was it would not affect my frugal mindset)
* with Trump's tariffs coming in effect next week (canadian here) I will be even more careful with my spending and the country of origin of the products I'm buying.
Lisa K
Tuesday 25th of February 2025
These are from the last couple of weeks. 1. I postponed travelling to the nearest city until I had a list of things I really needed to buy. Hadn't been there since the beginning of January. This is frugal in both gas and time savings. 2. I've been having trouble finding affordable, quality sheets for my deep mattress. My last set of expensive sheets mysteriously shredded! Including the pillowcases!The pair of discount sheets I bought shrank on the first wash and no longer fit my mattress, so I went back to the previous brand. I was delighted that they were discounted to $80 down from $240 regular price! Now hopefully these ones won't fall apart. 3. I left a package of ground meat in my fridge for more days than I intended. I went to throw it out, assuming it would not be good. However, it smelled fine, so I used it and some almost-over-the-hill coleslaw mix to make a stir fry. I have been enjoying it this week and didn't get sick. 4. I've been enjoying a book from the public library this week. It's been nice to have both some time and energy to enjoy my favourite hobby. 5. Using and enjoying gift treats. Too often I save special things rather than using them as the giver intended.
Lindsay B
Wednesday 26th of February 2025
@Lisa K, so glad you are using some special things instead of saving them for the future! That's both frugal and joyful.
Nikki
Tuesday 25th of February 2025
1. We made our meals at home. We brewed coffee at home. We packed food for our food allergy kid to take to a banquet. I didn't buy special cupcakes for it. 2. I used up food that needed to be eaten. I planned some meals around using up stuff in the freezer. 3. My oldest and I went to a concert for free. They got a ticket through school and I got in with my work ID. 4. I continue to wear the same shoes. One pair is 30 years old, another is almost 20. My sneakers are a normal age for shoes (I think). 5. We paid our bills on time.