Patti asked~
My Question is food and meals???
How in the world do you keep everyone fed?
and have nothing to do
with the text in this blogpost.)
Patti, that is a good question!
Especially now with even more
financial limitations due to Covid...
There was a time when we were spending
up to $5000 per month on our food bill.
It was a more financially lucrative time in our life.
But things change, and we have had to make changes
along with the current situation and the troubled times.
What we do right now is completely
different than what we have done in the past
due to "nutritious" opportunities
that have blessed us!
When the schools closed
they opened free meals for
whoever feels they need them.
We jumped at this opportunity
and we pick up BKF, lunches
and snacks, once a week.
They give us enough food
for much of the week, except dinners!
It is such a blessing to our family!
This program just ended in mid August
so we will go back to our
original way of doing things.
original way of doing things.
We go to Costco once a month
which usually costs us
about $1200 ...
give or take a few hundred.
about $1200 ...
give or take a few hundred.
Then we fill in with tri weekly
trips to the local grocery store for the extras.
We really try to eat healthy food
and get all of the food groups in
with almost every meal.
We buy in bulk whenever possible and
watch for all of the sales for potential meals!
We take advantage of coupons, sales and discounts!
If you know of any meal deals out there
PLEASE
let us know!
If you know of any meal deals out there
PLEASE
let us know!
We generally don't have leftovers because
we give everything away at each meal to those
that are growing and need extra calories!
Which includes all of our boys
and a few still growing girls!
It does not include the Mom and Dad!
Which includes all of our boys
and a few still growing girls!
It does not include the Mom and Dad!
We have snack time at 4:00
but then those that are growing
and need more food,
generally pop into the pantry
for more snacks throughout the day.
We try not to waste any food and
eat what ever is in our frig and pantry.
Right now, we are so blessed
to be eating our meals TOGETHER!
to be eating our meals TOGETHER!
It is so bonding, celebratory and
becomes a cheerful event!
becomes a cheerful event!
It's a great time of sharing, chatting,
growing and eating good food!
I know this will change
when kids start getting jobs.
when kids start getting jobs.
But, even then we will try to have
them work in the afternoons,
while others are in school.
Our evenings are precious with-
conversations, family games, family shows,
current events, time for hubby and I to chat,
and we hope to add in a family bible study in the evening!
I don't say this to impress others,
it's what we truly want to do
BUT
in all honesty, I sometimes feel,
like I can't add in one more thing...?
I don't say this to impress others,
it's what we truly want to do
BUT
in all honesty, I sometimes feel,
like I can't add in one more thing...?
I am in charge of BKF and lunch.
Hubby is the dinner guy!
YES,
you read that right!
I do not make dinner unless,
it's Mom's spaghetti night!
The kids help with every meal!
They have become amazing cooks
and incredibly competent!
Every week a new group of kiddos
has kitchen cleaning duty.
There are 5-6 kiddos in each group
and they pick up after every meal
when it's their groups turn.
Each group is a mix of older, middle and younger kids.
I will often help with the kitchen cleaning
after BKF and lunch,
so they can get going on their school.
In a nutshell
- constant grocery shopping
while trying to be on a budget.
- taking advantage of whatever
options/deals are out there!
- working together!
-eating what we have and filling
hungry tummies
with left overs and extra snacks.
- making meals celebratory and joyful.
- focusing on healthy foods!
Every night is a banquet at our house!
So I hope this answers some of your question!
