As the parent of a child with various food intolerances, Caren Bugay is passionate about providing her family with the very best gluten-free food possible.
At The Gluten-Free Casein-Free Pantry, you will find recipes, recommendations, and resources for those living with dietary restrictions.
Things can begin to get out of control this time of year. And for me, the first thing to suffer is the grocery budget. When things get busy, it seems so much easier (and quicker) to pick up some takeout or convenience food from the grocery store.
Which is why I am challenging myself (and you, too, if you need it) to take a small step to reclaim your grocery budget and save money.
This week, my goal is simple: cook something every day.
That’s every single day.
How will this help my grocery budget? Well, I simply do not have time to make a full meal from scratch when I come home at the end of a long day. But knowing that there is something in the refrigerator, even a small part of a meal will prevent that “let’s-just-pick-something-up urge”.
I might make soup one day and cook a roast in the slow cooker on the weekend. If I put together my favorite Black Bean Salad, I’ll have lunch, a snack, or a side salad (depending on how I want to use it) for several days to come.
If you reach a point where the fridge is stocked with “meal” food, you may want to cook something like brownies or muffins. My goal is to never be faced with cooking an entire meal from scratch.
I’m a big fan of “freezer cooking” and I know many people who do a large once-a-week or even once-a-month cooking. When I can schedule a large cooking day, I do. However, the reality is that even a large cooking day leaves gaps in our meal plan. And that leaves us open to grocery budget disaster.
So when I cook something each day this week, my goal is to make something that will last for more than just one day. That soup? I’ll make enough for lunches during the week and some for the freezer. That roast I’ll make on the weekend will yield enough for sandwiches and perhaps a stir fry.
I may not be totally organized this week, but that does not mean that I’m going to throw my hands in the air and hit the nearest drive-thru. I have a plan for small steps that will get us in an “eat-at-home” and “use-what-you have” routine.
I hope you will join me.












