Going Back to Basics

**Kaos Kitty** · 02-07-2009, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by mikandmari

I am SO impressed that you can work all day, and then come home and be so efficient in the kitchen! How do you keep up your energy?

I have a boring job

... and when I get home, I just want to plop

I wish I could be more motivated like you are....

I got through the first couple weeks on grit and determination, but then I realized something else had to give - or I'd be found passed out on the floor covered in flour.

So...I made a new chore list for everyone. I borrowed a bit from Flylady. Everyone has a chore to do 15-30 minutes a day, which gets all the housework done. All I have to do is make supper and lunches, and once a week clean the bathroom, grocery shop and water the plants. No dishes, dusting, laundry or vacuuming! This is a big lifestyle change and while I love the healthier, tastier, cheaper and more self-sufficient eating, it's not fair for one person to do everything. I'm not super-woman.

And...to be honest ...I sometimes am wearing my "grumpy face" while making lunches at night.

But, saving money makes me happy!

So it all evens out!

**idodna** · 02-07-2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kaos Kitty

And that fresh beets can cause some colorful but unfounded worry in the bathroom the next day.

LOL! We love beets - grow them and eat them all summer - but we try to remember to warn our guests of the side affects.

Good Luck!

**mommyoffive** · 02-07-2009, 11:45 PM

Great job Kaos Kitty!!! Most of what we eat is from scratch, but having little kids, it's hard to get away with no crackers or cereal in the pantry. I have a son that literally cries when I tell him it's oatmeal morning. He does get over it when he realizes that's what there is to eat, period, but it's still annoying. May I ask how many kids you have? I'm just curious to see how many people you are feeding on that budget.

My kids inhale homemade bread. Sometimes when I am baking a loaf, I will preassemble the dry ingredients in ziplock bags for a couple loaves, so the next couple times I bake bread, I don't have to break out all of the ingredients. Baking and freezing is probably a more efficient idea though.

Anyway, thanks for the inspiration.

**Debbie-cat** · 02-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by mommyoffive

My kids inhale homemade bread.

That is what it is like around here as well!

**Ceashels** · 02-08-2009, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by mommyoffive

Sometimes when I am baking a loaf, I will preassemble the dry ingredients in ziplock bags for a couple loaves, so the next couple times I bake bread, I don't have to break out all of the ingredients. Baking and freezing is probably a more efficient idea though.

Brilliant!!! I rarely freeze because I don't have the space right now... but pre-measuring never crossed my mind.

Thanks

**lukesmama** · 02-10-2009, 10:38 PM

Love this pre-measuring idea, too! Thanks so much for the great practical tip. (My freezer is way too small.)

**Cricketlegs** · 02-11-2009, 12:19 AM

My kids always say"I smell that bread!"

When my oldest was little she used to say "Mama? Do I smell BEANS!?"

She loves when I make beans still. The youngest is a bread freak like me. Now my neice says my house smells good when I bake bread.

**heartofmine** · 02-12-2009, 10:04 PM

I'm so glad I read this thread. So many good ideas. I'm trying my hardest to do this too. I've always cooked from scratch mostly anyway but trying to cut even more. Loving everyones ideas. Thanks!!