Planting a Garden, Stocking a Pantry.

So I worked at this job I had for some 7-1/2 years only to be forced out by a new manager who thinks he is god.
Go figure, it happens.
BUT in this really bad economy, it's not a good thing to be down by one salary - thank God (the real one) for savings!
Now I am on a quest for cheap and easy dinners and lunches. Well, it's largely because that my grocery store is 10 miles away and the gas prices continue to skyrocket (so quick trips to the store needs to be off limits in order to save money) and I don't need to spend additional money on one-time ingredients....time to stretch the budget.

As if I have all kinds of time to write ANOTHER blog, I think this one is necessary - time to get down and dirty with the food budget and finding real options to high priced meals. So here we go....

I did spend the money to begin seeding garden plants. Among the produce line up this year will be: Wax Beans, Zucchini, Squash, Raddichio, Arugula, Tomatoes and Lettuce among other things. The garden will be much bigger this year - but that's OK, seems I will have plenty of time to baby it.

I have also gone to great lengths to stock up on rice and beans...yes, beans. Many people consider that beans are just poor man's food - and that's a pity because there are so many things you can do with them and they are dirt cheap!
That being stated, here's a list of beans you should have well stocked in your pantry if cheap and nutritious meals are what on tap for the immediate future:
Lentils (both green and red - although red are much harder to find in the store)
Navy beans
Cannelli beans (lots of stuff you can do with these)
Black beans
Adzuki beans (very, very healthy and they have a light flavor)
and for variety: kidney, pinto, broad and lima.

Get to this point and you have a variety of options for feeding your family.
Recipes to come....time to go and soak some beans!