31 Days to Settle in After a Move: Break in the Kitchen

Do you bake cookies? or make a mean lasagna?
Have you done it since you moved in?
If you've restocked your pantry then it's time to break in your kitchen.
(And if you re-stocked with nothing but frozen waffles then it's time to go back to the store.)

Remember before the move, before the stress and craziness, when you all sat down at a table and ate dinner together? Recapture that, cook a family meal.

Tonight we're having Chili. It's one of those things that's easy to put together and it makes the whole house smell yummy. As soon as someone comes in the door, I hear "mmm, chili for dinner?"

What comfort food does your family crave?

31 Days to Settle in After a Move: Restock Your Kitchen

 Every time we move I think I gain 5lbs just from all the take-out we consume. First, we eat out because we're packing. Then we're on the road. Then we live in TLF (military speak for temporary housing facilities) for God knows how long. Finally we get into our new home - but then there's unpacking, painting, cleaning, organizing, shopping to do... the list goes on and on.

Signs you're family is eating out way too much:

• You have no idea if the dishwasher works because you haven't used it yet
• The girl working the drive through knows your order before you place it
• You kids fight over who "got to pick the restaurant last night"
• Even your panties are starting to feel tight

Time to restock your pantry and avoid excuses to go out. 

 If you've gotten your kitchen acceptably clean then your ready to go shopping. This first restocking trip always shocks the Sarge, I think it's an expense of moving that people tend to forget. 

 Start with a menu. Even if you're a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinda girl when dinner time rolls around you can benefit from some version of a menu, at least for the first couple of weeks. Keep it loose, and keep it easy - just jot down some meals everyone likes and that you can prepare with little fuss. This will help you stay prepared so dinner is one less thing to worry about while you're in the midst of all this chaos.

 Make a shopping list of  items from your menu - plus basic groceries you'll need. Of course there's the obvious stuff, milk, eggs, bread. But don't forget the random stuff you don't purchase quite as often. Condiments, oils, spices, pastas. You don't want to start cooking and realize your missing something as simple as corn starch or salt. 


Something about a well stocked kitchen makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! There are a couple of basic needs that we all have. Food and Shelter. So you've got one down with the new place - but what about the other?






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My Favorite Zucchini Bread Recipe

This summer I discovered the joy of Zucchini when my neighbor brought some surplus over from her garden. I had never had it before, and wasn't quit sure what to do with it at first. I looked online and found several recipes, one of which was Zucchini bread. Zucchini Bread? I thought it sounded very unappetizing but gave it a try anyhow. Oh yum! What a delight I have been denying myself all these years! I found this recipe on All Recipes and tweaked it a bit using the combined advice of other posters and through general trial and error.

This afternoon I was craving something warm and freshly baked so I pulled out some frozen  grated zucchini to make a few loaves. I hadn't frozen it before - so I am happy to report that it worked perfectly in the bread! Now my whole house smells delicious and my tummy is very happy!