STOCK UP THE PANTRY

How are you doing for supplies?

One thing I find hard to understand is why most of us leave our fridges and pantries totally empty. I don't believe it is because of lack of funds. It seems to be out of habit, people being used to ordering takeaways.

Having formed the habit, because it is easier, something that was rare some decades ago, shopping for fresh food supplies never go on most people's shopping list. I believe that if people were to know the benefit of eating healthy and the amount of money they save, they would do it more often and go for takeaways when they can't make the time to cook or as an occasional treat.

When I was young and living at home with my parents, I was used to seeing shopping for fresh food in large quantities that lasted weeks or even months.

With the current market challenges, it would be wise to ensure we stock up on long shelf life foods such as rice, pasta and can foods with long expiry dates especially if we have little ones.

#Stock Control

My mother was very good at home management. We often had food arrive direct from a farm supplier in a large quantity. Yams, onions, gari, potato and other food items. What she regularly did was check and remove for preparation those she felt might go off early. She implemented a first come first out system, or take out those most likely to go off or rot early.

#Added Cost

If we only rely on takeaways and leave the fridge and pantry empty, we'll never truly have enough when hungry.

Ten pounds can add to the pantry food items that can last a week if we already have the basics, whereas the same amount will buy takeaway that will take thirty minutes or less to consume.

Moreover, there's added cost to takeaway such as overheads and other business expenses.

#Food Preparation

To save money, take time and plan family meals and make sure you never run out of basic ingredients. Teach the children to give a helping hand, as part of transferring skill and having family time.

Fresh fruits, dairy products and vegetables [perishables], are products that require weekly shopping .

Food preparation is not difficult if hands come together to lovingly share the task--division of labour-- while someone is peeling the potatoes, another prepares the salad while another gets the desert ready. Meanwhile, the chicken is simmering in the oven.

Those are the things that make family time enjoyable.