Returning from the family summer cabin is always a chore to combine two households of food.  This is NOT the time to go to the grocery store.  Find something to cook so that you have time to review all you have now in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.  Also, don’t forget that you can get some great buys at the local farmer’s market while you are making out your grocery list.  How about your garden?  Is there anything there that needs harvested?

Tonight was Creamed Dried Beef on the bakery Happy Heart Bread.  Leftover corn-on-the-cob with some broccoli and cauliflower and cranberry sauce rounded out the meal.

Time for some reverse meal planning tomorrow while taking inventory. 

I’ll start with making note of all of the food in the pantry (and counter overflow), refrigerator, and freezer.  Then, figure out what will make a meal, and/or what additions are needed to use up current stock.  Then, it’s on to the family favorites and new recipes.  All the time making sure that easy meals are on busy nights — those are great for the grill or crock pot.

With back to school such a busy time, the time spent in meal planning and shopping is not only easy on the budget, stress level; but it also brings the family around the table for important dinner conversation — a chance to connect and reconnect!