Taking Inventory

I've mentioned too many times that we're moving, and will probably fill up a good deal more of my virtual space with moving talk. Yesterday, was the day of realization that its actually happening the 20th of august and in one month from yesterday we will be taking the 9+ hour drive down to VA with our two cats and some other random belongings.

I've been thinking more and more lately about the economy and being more resourceful and self-reliant. I don't pride myself on being overly academic, well read, or athletic, because I'm not most of those things, but when it comes to being resourceful and creative I can take the cake. It swells my heart and I take great pride in the ability to make something out of nothing. And I love seeing the same traits in other people. I think this is why I love creative bloggers and historical shows such as the house series.

I want to work more on myself and my abilities. I'm figuring out, for me, that creativity comes out of a place of frugality rather than abundance. To me, a true measure of a great cook is not just someone who can create masterpieces out of the finest ingredients, but someone who can create meals with very little. There is so much information and inspiration for art on the internet. I can't even begin to think of all of the design blogs who gather information. While I love that, there comes a time when our minds become cluttered with too much information. And our own creativity can get lost in the masses of inspiration we consume. I say we loosely, mostly, I mean me, but I know other people can relate. Creativity is about seeing an object in a new way and giving it a new life or purpose.

An empty soup can, can take on many different roles if you see the potential. I'm finding that there is greatness in the balance of too much and too little.

I was looking through the pantry, refrigerator and freezer yesterday and realized that while I felt like we didn't "have anything to eat". You know, when it feels like all of the usual quick things are gone and everything else requires time and thought to make? I realized that we actually have a lot to eat, and a lot of food that I do not want to take with us. I took a closer look and noticed that with a little creativity and planning, we could realistically eat nicely for the next month without buying a lot more food. I can't even begin to say how much food we've wasted, forgotten vegetables in the white drawer or bags of rice that get lost in the back of the pantry.

Its not about money, we have money to buy more food and go out to dinner, but why? This seems more fun anyway, figuring out ways to make what we have work, while buying the occasional fresh foods. I will update my inventory list once a week, and post about the food I make with recipes.

The List:

1 block (about 8oz) Monterey jack cheese
1 ounce pepper jack cheese
1 head romaine lettuce
1 container of baby spinach (or arugula, I can't remember)
3 zucchinis
2 tomatoes
2 large yellow onions
2 cartons of eggs
1/2 loaf whole wheat bread
2.5 packages of whole wheat buns
one whole wheat par baked bread round
1 frozen pot pie
2 frozen onion bagels
1/2 container fresh parmesan cheese
2 packets instant sugar free pudding
3 cans (2.7 oz each) tuna in water
2 cans pinto beans
3 cans tomato soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can sweet cream corn
1 can chick peas
8 cans kidney beans
1 can clam chowder
5 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans chicken broth
1 jar clam juice
1 box whole wheat fusilli
2 boxes organic whole wheat spaghetti
1 box tricolor pasta bows
1.2 boxes rice noodles
1 box penne rigate
1 box whole wheat couscous
1 box steel cut oats
1 bag instant brown rice
1 box low carb angel hair
1 box whole wheat fettuccine
1 box uncle bens chicken and broccoli
1 box lasagna noodles
1/2 bag carolina rice
1/8 box vermicelli
1 bottle white wine vinegar
1/8 aunt jemima lite syrup
one sugar free maple syrup
annie's whole wheat alfredo bunnies
one box smart balance instant oatmeal
1 box success brown rice
one bag clam chowder soup mix
one bag hot and sour soup mix
1 bag whole grain rice pilaf
1 box simple harvest oatmeal
1/2 bag mixed noodles
small bag of white rice
1 bag whole wheat egg noodles
garlic herb mix
mandarin orange dip mix
maple dip mix
1 dry bean soup mix
1 large container oatmeal (not instant)
1 jar dried beans with spices
22 packets of instant oatmeal
4 containers slim fast
5 packets of ramen
light corn syrup
2 containers of salt
1.5 bags of all purpose flour
3/4 bag whole wheat flour
1/4 bag sugar + 1.5 C vanilla sugar
1 jar vanilla extract
1/2 bag brown sugar
4 packets of instant yeast
1 box baking soda
1 can baking powder
1/2 container cocoa powder
1 box swiss miss hot cocoa mix
1/4 box super fine sugar
1 box cornstarch
2 bags frozen vegetable stir fry
3 teriyaki burgers
3 dr. pragers meatless tex mex burgers
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 lb. ground chicken
7 packets of frozen chicken breast
5 packages frozen broccoli
1 bag flax seeds
1 jar alfredo sauce
1 package turkey bacon
1 quart whole milk
1 pint heavy cream
1/2 container vanilla fat free yogurt
1 package muenster cheese
8 whole wheat low carb wraps
cucumber ranch dressing
tomato ranch dressing
1/2 bottle red wine
lemon and lime juice
olive oil
2 sticks unsalted butter
6 green tea bags
5 iced tea bags