Stopped at the pantry late this afternoon to drop off a couple of bags of Carmex (shut up) and some Revlon nail files (double shut up). I noticed two boxes of fruits and veggies just waiting to be tossed – sad, but true.  I took about four or five of the string bean packs, 3 fresh green peppers, a couple of plum tomatoes along with some plums, a bag of sliced Granny Smith apples, a mango, two wonderfully-ripe cantaloupes and a large bag of slightly brown bananas.  I have plans tomorrow for those bananas, so check back for a Cooking with the Cheapo post.

My point on all this?  While I could certainly pay full boat at Jewel and grab dinner easily, people who rely on pantries walk away from a free dinner or two.  I made fried rice with leftover rice and stir-fried the already-prepared vegetables with the tomatoes and green peppers.  You see the pan with the vegetables just added and the fried rice that remained after serving – tweren’t much!  Dessert is sliced, ripe cantaloupe with plenty to snack on later and enough for DH’s lunch tomorrow.

I think people who are heavily into coupons find ways to make things work:  Out of rice for a soup? You add barley (or vice versa).   Chicken legs on sale for 29¢ a pound – back up the truck.  We will always be able to feed ourselves and our families because where others see impossibilities, we see potential.