This is a personal challenge. It is also an escapade in weirdness. The idea is to eat everything that we currently have in the house before buying more. Once all of the food is gone, then we will go grocery shopping, only buying pantry staples that can be made into nutritious and filling meals.

The duration of the challenge will be determined by how well we do. I'm sure it will result in the creation of some pretty strange dishes.

I am also sure that along the way, there will be at least one exception to the "no shopping" rule. This will probably be when I run out of soy milk for my coffee.

We will continue our Sunday morning ritual of eating breakfast with the fine folks at Coram's. Other than that, going out to lunch or dinner will be limited to one meal out per person per week. This will be easier for the Captain to accomplish, since he rarely leaves the house. Now that I have an office job again, I will have to be dilligent about bringing something for lunch each day.

Below, I have listed the contents of our cabinets, freezer and fridge. I did not include the spices we have, or staples such as sugar, flour, baking soda, etc. At least twice a week, I will update this list bystriking through those items we use. I will also be posting the random recipes that are invented as we start to whittle away at our stock.

Meat: Filet of Sirloin Steaks x 16 14; Rib eye Steaks x 12 10; Beef Steak Burger Home-style x 12; NY Strip Steaks x 3; Salmon steaks x 4; Snapper Filets x 3; Shrimp x 6

Frozen Veggies: Broccoli Florets x 2 lbs; Sweet Peas x 3 lbs; Chopped Spinach x 2 lbs; Shelled Edamame x 1 lb; Diced Green Peppers x 22 oz; Vegetables for Gumbo (Okra, corn, celery, red pepper, onions) x 2 lbs

Frozen Fruit: Sliced Peaches x 1 lb; Mango Chunks x 1 lb; Berry Medley (Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries) x 1 lb; Whole Frozen Banana x 5; Sliced Bananas x 1 container; Pitted Cherries x 2 containers; Sliced Strawberries x 2 containers; Blueberries x 1/2 ziploc bag

Misc Frozen: Icee Pops; Bread Slices x 7; Bread ends x small Ziploc bag

Canned Veggies: Diced Tomatoes x 4 3 (14.5 oz); Black Beans x 3 (15.5 oz); Garbanzo Beans x 4 (15.5 oz); Mixed Veggies x 2 (15 oz); Pork n Beans x 42 oz; Green Chiles x 2 1(4 oz)

Dried Beans: Navy beans x 1 lb; Lentils x 2 lb; Black Beans x 2 lb

Misc Canned / Dried: Chicken Broth x 3 (32 oz); Ramen Beef Flavor x 12; Ramen Shrimp Flavor x 5; Corn Meal Mix x 4 lbs; Yellow Corn Meal x 2 lbs; Mac & Cheese x 1 box; Popcorn x 6 pkgs; Peanut Butter x 8 oz; Spaghetti x 40 oz; Lasagna Noodles x 4; Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles Cheeseburger Mac x 1 pkg; White Rice x 4 lbs; Elbow Macaroni x 6 oz; Cake Mix - French Vanilla x 1 box; Pudding Mix - White Chocolate x 1 box; Chopped Macademia Nuts x 2.25 oz; Shelled Walnuts x 6 oz; Chocolate Chips x 12 oz; Brownie Mix - Rocky Road x 1 pkg; Dill Pickle Chips x 46 oz

Soup: Tomato Soup x 5 (10.5 oz); Tomato Bisque x 1 (11 oz); Chicken Noodle x 1 (10.5 oz); Chicken Pot Pie x 1 (14.5 oz)

Canned Fruit / Juice: Pineapple Juice x 46 oz; Pear Halves x 1 (15 oz); Sliced Peaches x 1 (15 oz); Mixed Fruit x 2 (4 oz); Coconut Milk x 1 (13.5 oz); Cream of Coconut x 1 (15 oz); Cherry Preserves x 2 (home canned)

Canned Meat: Pink Salmon x 1 (14.75 oz); Smoked Oysters x 2 (3 oz)

Fridge: Romaine Lettuce; Carrots; Celery; Onions; Red Pepper/Tomato/Artichoke Hearts (cut up - leftovers from Pizza night); Block Cheese; Sliced Cheese; Watermelon; Sour Cream; Cream Cheese; Soy Milk – Vanilla; Eggs; Butter; Smart Balance Spread