About that Pantry Challenge

(I feel like I am in a confessional…but week last week went like this)

Remember that pantry challenge I gave myself.  (If you missed it, it’s here)  I have wanted to use up the groceries in my pantry so I wouldn’t have so much to move to the new house when the time came.  Well…I failed.

Last week I went to a class on learning to use Facebook more effectively and becoming more social with it.  The class was excellent and I am hoping to implement a few of the things I learned.  (If you’re not a Facebook fan of ours come on over and like us here) Anyway, the class was in Oelwein, Iowa…Oelwein is close to Amish country and I just can’t resist the grocery stores there.

They sell bented or dented groceries.  Around my area, we call them “bent and dent” stores.  The fun thing is often the cans don’t have a dent…the case that the groceries came in broke and the manufacturers set the boxes from the case aside and then sell them to the Amish for cheap.  In turn, they take the groceries, set up a store and sell them.

I bought several bags of dried beans.  We eat them all the time…they are only 35 cents each.  In the regular store they are closer to $1.75 a bag.

Last time I was there I got a box of this bread mix.  It was wonderful.  I got several more boxes this time…  65 cents each.  It makes a nice loaf of bread that has a home made taste.  I can’t get a loaf of bread anywhere for 65 cents..and it only takes an hour to make this!

I got a few cans of refried beans… 35 cents per can and some corn for 40 cents a can.  It makes me happy to buy cheap groceries.

I even found some goodies for Kelli…gluten free mixes for 85 cents.

I got dog food-quality dog food with meat as the first ingredient-a big bag for $7.  Oh..and toilet paper too….a 12 double pack of Cottonelle for $5.50.

So there went my pantry challenge.  I’ll get back on it though….it’s just the cheap Amish prices that I can’t resist…at least I hope it is.