Well, which grocery store?
That’s for you to decide!!!
Up until recently, I was not a fan of canned foods! Not until this online briefing I attended sponsored by the Canned Food Alliance. Food expert Roberta Duyff shared about the nutritional and cost benefits of canned foods. I chimed in the chat and asked about sodium content and sugar/syrup that can be found in many canned food products. She shared that the “no salt added” and “in pineapple juice” labelled canned foods offer the same nutritional content as the fresh counterparts.
Although I prefer fresh fruits and vegetables, I am no longer opposed to buying canned foods that have no added salt or are stored in fruit juice (not syrup)! So this winter, when great fresh produce is sparse, more canned foods will be showing up on my grocery receipt!
The Canned Food Alliance wants to help families get through this difficult time by equipping shoppers and cooks with the tools needed to prepare healthy meals “at home.” They hope that by teaching others about kitchen organization, meal planning basics, at home cooking skills and food storage practices, they can feed their family healthy meals, without breaking the bank!
They have created a website, www.mealtime.org, where you can find all the tips, tricks and tools to organize your kitchen, plan and cook your meals at home, and store your food!
So after I was sold on the canned food concept, the folks at the Canned Food Alliance challenged me…and YOU…
To a Pantry Makeover!!!
The $250 gift card (to the grocery store of your choice) is to makeover your pantry!
(Still with me?)
I’ll give you a peek about what they mean by pantry makeover! They were generous enough to send me a $100 gift card to the store of my choice to do a pantry makeover at my house, too! And what fun I had doing it! (Remember, TOTAL Type-A here!)
I went to Kroger and bought a few organizational tools (a few lazy susans, a few large containers, a drawer organizer), as well as a slew of “no salt added” and “in fruit juice” cans! Of course, I did use coupons and did choose the sale priced products to stretch that $100 as far as I could!!!
Below is the transformation that occurred in my kitchen and pantry last weekend…
Cupboard/Pantry BEFORE
AFTER
Snacks and Medicine BEFORE
AFTER
Food Stockpile #1 BEFORE
AFTER (Notice my new stockpile of canned goods for this makeover! No salt addeds, only in fruit juice, and some organics!)
Food Stockpile #2 BEFORE (Yes, that is all on the floor!) {blushes with shame}
Food Stockpile #2 AFTER (Looks like we won’t be needing to buy cereal for a while!!!)
Toilletry Stockpile BEFORE (Notice my “shove it on the shelf and hope it doesn’t fall off the edge technique!)
AFTER…in a new closet!
Kitchen Tools BEFORE
AFTER
Bowls and Storage Containers BEFORE (Also known as little kid chef shelf…note the Thomas lunchbox from when they were “getting their picnic ready” earlier this day!)
AFTER
OK.
So now that I’ve bared my cupboards and stockpile to you all…I hope you can see the transformation from “ugh” to “sigh”. My previously unorganized and unsightly cupboards are now clean, organized and much more functional than they were. I really do feel better about life when my kitchen is organized!
Please note: This kitchen and pantry makevoer and reorganization project spurred me on to reorganize and purge the rest of the house. The Hubs did ask if I was “nesting” (far TOO EARLY for that), to which I replied…”After cleaning out the kitchen, I can’t stand to have all this “stuff” in the house.” So I purged. I donated. I threw away. So beware. A kitchen and pantry makeover COULD turn into a whole house reorganization event! This all happened last weekend…and I’m still tired from it!
Back to the giveaway…Because this is a high dollar value giveaway, the entry stakes are a bit higher than the norm…but there are 10 chances to enter!!! Plus an option for 2 bonus entries!
I want to see what you think you can do in your pantry with $250!
Giveaway Details
1. Contest ends Saturday, August 29th at noon EST. Winner will be announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment with a list of at least 5 ways you wish to makeover your pantry! How would you use this gift card? Be specific!!!
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting it in a forum, posting about it on your blog, Tweet about it, emailing all your friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
4. Entry #3-10: Upload a photo(s) of the areas of your pantry that need a makeover to your favorite online photo service and leave the direct link to your photo in the comments. You may enter you link a total of 8 times, in 8 separate comments…for 10 total entries! (I realize this is tedious, but the 5-10 minutes it will take will be well worth the $250 if you win!!!)
Photo Uploading Instructions can be found here
5. 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Hop on over to Mealtime.org and find a new favorite recipe, sign up for their newsletter, or learn a new ktichen trick. Come back and leave 2 more separate comments for 2 more entries into this fabulous contest!
6. Winner will be selected by Random.org, and will choose from which grocery store they wish to receive the gift card.
**NOTE: If you receive the email newsletter and wish to enter this giveaway, click on the title of this giveaway to get to the site and leave a comment on the site with your name and email address to be entered! Responding to the email will NOT enter you into this giveaway!
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I’D SURE LIKE TO WIN.
1. buy healthier foods
2. get more organized by buying shelf organizers
3. new food storage containers (mine are old and gross now)
4. indulge in a few more gourmet brands (like fancy olive oil instead of store brand, etc)
5. more canned fruit! in individual servings so we can eat it at our own pace
1. Rubbermaid cereal storage containers
2. stock up on canned fruit since we are heading into fall/winter
3. Spices!
4. Stock up on Mac and cheese since that is my boys favorite lunch time! I have to limit them to once a week!
5. Stock up on flour, sugar, and basic baking supplies to prepare for the holiday baking season
went to the mealtime.org site and love the recipe for power pops. I am going to let my 2 and 4 year old help me make these!
I would love to get some more containers for leftovers.
I need some drawer organizers.
An under the sink organizer would be great.
Some cereal containers would make things easier.
A lazy susan would be great.
I emailed all of my friends and told them about this giveaway. If they win, maybe they’ll share!
I went to mealtime.org and looked up high fiber recipes. I found Chicken Tenders Italiano that looks great!
I went to mealtime.org and looked up the tips. I found the section meals in minutes. I excited to try Pork Chops with Chipolte Peppers for dinner.
I just did a makeover to the kitchen cabinets so that things wouldn’t fall out on us but he pantry shelves are another issue. I need to do some of the basics – like grouping similar food products together so that I can easily see what meals can be made. I need to get some clear bins so that I can a) hold small items and b) still see what I have. I need to get all of the non-perishables on one side of the shelves – diapers don’t need to be next to spaghetti sauce:) I need to get items up off of the floor because my pantry is in the basement and our basement has been known to have water issues and I’d hate to lose items to water damage. Lastly, I need to come up with system of recording what items I have stored in the pantry downstairs so that a) I don’t buy more of them and b) I know that I have them when I’m doing my meal planning.
I promoted this giveaway as part of my weekly Wonderful Wednesday post at What A Cool Idea!
http://whatacoolidea.blogspot.com/2009/08/wonderful-wednesday_26.html
I found some great recipes at mealtime.org. Three Cheese Chicken Florentine sounds especially yummy.
1. clear storage containers
2. a tierd spice shelf
3. a lazy susan so I can find stuff
4.stock up on canned fruits
5. some way to organize pots and pans and lids better.
I would buy lots of spices, new storage containers, lots of cereal, switch to organic, and slam it with as much food as possible.
Erin:
I need to desperately organize my linen closet, medicine chest, and lazy susan/pantry.
It’s really bad, pick me.
Cheryl
1. New Shelf or two
2. Drawer Organizers
3. Buy more canned fruit
4. Stackable containers
5. Cereal containers
I just sent out a tweet about the giveaway, and now I have to work on getting my photos!!
My new “favorite” recipe is Chicken Marinara. It sounds easy to make high in fiber & protein!
Tip: Pack the Pantry
Stock up in advance so you can have ingredients ready and available at any time. Canned food works extremely well because it stays fresh and keeps its nutritional value for a long time.
1. Stock up on Gluten free foods
2. utilize the wasted space in my deep pantry shelves
3. organize my spice cabinet
4. Better organization for cereal boxes.
5. drawer organizers
Pantry picture #1 shows how everything is just thrown in the cupboard with no organizational scheme.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=036.jpg
Pantry picture #2 shows how I still have tons of room in the cupboard. I just don’t know how to use it.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=035.jpg
Pantry picture #3 shows how things are just thrown in the cabinet.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=034.jpg
Pantry picture 4 shows yet another cupboard lacking organization.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=033.jpg
Picture 5 shows a cupboard that could use a second shelf. There’s a lot of unutilized space.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=033.jpg
Here’s the website for picture 5
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=031.jpg
Picture 6 shows an ideal space to build some more shelves.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=028.jpg
Picture 7 shows another area that needs some organizational help.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=029.jpg
Picture 8 is where I store baking goods. I often have to find a stool to get anything.
http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/aahinck/?action=view¤t=030.jpg
This would be awesome! We recently moved cross-country, and my pantry is pretty bare for this family of 8! I would…
1. Stock up on meat to freeze for dinners!
2. Stock up on healthy canned veggies, fruits, and beans.
3. Get baskets for the fridge and pantry to hold school lunch items.
4. Stock up on gluten-free flours and baking mixes (2 of my kids and I cannot eat gluten).
5. Get a spice rack and organize my spice cabinet!
1. Stock up on organic sugar, rice flour, and other baking supplies.
2. Stock up on the specialty foods that cost a little more.
3. More containers to store the flour, ect.
4. More freezer containers.
5. More juice.
I’d like to makeover my pantry by:
1. making more room for stockpiles
2. getting some storage containers for dry foods
3. organizing my growing stockpile of various cans
4. using lazy susans are a great idea for cans
5. installing a spice rack/organizer so I’m not rifling thru a hard-to-see cupboard
Mealtime.org fav recipe: Fruity Dessert Burritos sounds so good for breakfast! Can’t go wrong with peanut butter and fruit all rolled into one yummy (and portable) wrap
As for kitchen tips, I’m going to use the Perfect Pantry Checklist. I had always steered clear of cans for the same reasons as you mentioned Erin. Now that I’m better informed I can get to work on the Extreme Pantry Makeover:)
1. Buy more staples like oil, spice, etc
2. Buy a new blender at my kroger marketplace store!
3. buy lean cuisines for my families diet program
4. stock up on crystal light!
5. Stock up on food for my doggie!
Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!
Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
1) Stock up on canned food
2) bundle of meat, divide and freeze
3) spices
4) gluten free foods
5) containers for leftovers
Thanks!
1. I’d buy brackets and shelves to make MORE shelves
2. I’d buy a soup can organizer so I can get more in the pantry
3. I’d get a drawer organizer
4. I’d get a spice rack
5. I’d get some sort of sharpie/wetboard system to keep track of my stockpiles
Wow, what would I buy? Of course with coupons!
1) canned goods, all kinds
2) boxed items…cakes, potatoes, pop tarts
3) Basic baking supplies and spices
4) Cookie sheets and pans
5) Trash bags and zip lock baggies
6) I know its 5 items is what you are suppose to list, but I would also like to include meat for my freezer.
I just found this giveaway just a few minutes ago but I will tell my co workers tomorrow about this so they can enter!!
We loved it when we went to Maui on our 25th wedding anniversary so I would love to try the Maui Bars.
Five ways to makeover my pantry!
(1) buy and use a label making machine so I can label shelves and containers with item and date
(2) can stacker thing so they can be sideways to make more room and organize like items
(3) shelf within a shelf to maximize tall openings and double up on space
(4) Air tight containers for loose foods like rice and pasta to keep them fresh and keep any bugs out
(5) overhead or clip on light so I can really see what is in there
madamerkf at aol dot com
Things I didn’t know about can foods:
Most are are fat free
Most can goods have a shelf life of 2 years
Most can goods are high in vitamin A
I read the whole article…go ahead quiz me.
My pantry is getting sparse! If I won the gift card I would:
1. Stock up on gluten-free flours.
2. Replenish my spices, vinegars, and oils.
3. Stock up on canned vegetables and fruits.
4. Buy an industrial-size bag of rice.
5. Stock up on foods good for power outages, like peanut butter and canned chicken.
1. Label shelves so everyone puts things back in same place
2. Get containers for cereal
3. Check dates on canned food -restock
4. organize and clean Spices
5. New shelves in pantry
I need containers to store food in. Please and thank you.
http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/3592693302
tweeted
1. Buy more low sodium foods.
2. Try some organic canned foods.
3. Figure a way to do my spice shelf. It is a MESS!
4. Some type of storage thing for my plastic lids.
5. Some kind of system to cut the clutter under the sink.
New “favorite” recipe for using Quinoa.
Vegetable Pilaf
Sounds so yummy and healthy!
Time saving tip….
Hurry Up Hummus
1. Add more shelves
2. Add more canned food
3. Add more water storage containers
4. Add more basic staples that I’ve used in the last few months and haven’t gotten around to replacing.
5. Organize my kitchen drawers
I subscribe via google reader
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