My whole strawberry jam experience has got me really in the mood to try to make different things that I usually buy. I love the fact that it is so much more self-sufficient!!! Plus I know what goes into it. Now by making I'm not saying like cooking from scratch which I do already. I'm talking about cooking from scratch and preserving them in some manner so say, when I need barbecue sauce I don't have to buy it. I'll just go the the root cellar (that dh is building for us) and get it.

So far I've come up with:

~ Jams/jellies/preserves/butters, etc.
~ Barbecue sauce
~ Yogurt (I just started doing this again)
~ Ice cream
~ Marinades
~ Whole wheat pancake and waffle mix
~ Ketchup
~ Spaghetti sauce
~ Cottage cheese (Looking for a recipe here! Anyone make this before?!)
~ Applesauce
~ And then of course freezing organic homegrown veggies for use during the year
~ Home made breakfast cereals (I'll have to research that one)
~ Pickles
~ Kidney beans (make instead of using canned)
~ Baked beans
~ Salad dressings
~ Meatballs
~ Coco wheats type cereal (Farina/cocoa)
~ Shaker cheese (just replace with parmesean cheese, grated)
~ Homemade cheese stuffed shells in place of purchased cheese ravioli (stuffed and frozen for use)
~ Homemade cheese manicotti (stuffed and frozen for use)
~ Pizza sauce
~ Buy a fresh turkey breast and grind the breast myself

Ok now I know what I'll be doing when ds goes to Kindergarten. I was so worried I 'wouldn't have anything to do'

Anyone else make anything else? I'd love a peek at your pantry!
Had to edit to add all my ingredients are 'organic' if I can possibly get them.

We don't use much BBQ sauce, so when we need it, I make it. That way I can make just enough and it always tastes better than bought.

I just started making my own spagetti sauce and the family loves it. ditto with pizza sauce and dough.

I don't believe we have actually ever bought a marinade, except Italian dressing. We usually make our own.

Salad dressing (some), kidney beans, meatballs...

I think you pretty much covered anything I could even think of. And more.

The Family Homestead has a page of homemade convenience foods recipes, including homemade hamburger helper.

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www.myspace.com/vioburn

Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.

Check out my blog, I'm starting to add more to it, as I can...www.ginnyv.com

Wow, I'm impressed!

We make our own...
cake, icing, pies, muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls
spaghetti sauce
salad dressings
humus
waffles (with a waffle maker)

When we lived in Asia I use to make everything by scratch, bread, salsa, peanut butter, yogurt, condiments, etc. but now not as much.

But your post has inspired me to start again. I love knowing everything that is in my food and not seeing any chemical flavourings. :hurl:

Have you read Fast Food Nation? That's a great book to motivate eating more natural foods!

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

I am hoping I am not offending anyone, but I never ever ever buy grinded meat. I have Kitchen Aid Food processor with attachments and grind it myself.
My DH makes a pretty good meatballs and marinara sauce.
I don't buy canned beans, only dry organic ones. I soak them overnight and use it in soup and everything else.
I don't know about breakfasts cereals, but Sara Snow has a pretty good recipe for home made granola bars (Discovery Health show)
I would love nothing more than to have my own garden, but we live in an appartment, so, not just yet

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Lena

I make only a few things:

chocolate syrup
cocktail sauce
pancakes
waffles
oatmeal cream pies
pizza

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

bread, bread, bread. It's hard to find soy-free loaves in the store

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

KathrynHannah-
Could I get the recipe for your homemade spag. sauce? I always have frozen tomatoes from my mom so I think it would be cheaper than buying it. Please pm me if you would.

I am trying to not buy anything "pre-made" . I make my own

Bread! All kinds!
mayo
salad dressings
soup
potato chips
french fries
ravioli

I have 3 chickens, for organic eggs!

I would love a goat for milk, but my husband says "No!" ( we live in a neighborhood ).

I have always wanted chickens, but I know nothing about it! Do you feel you save money by having chickens and what is their output like?

I don't make anything currently, but you all are inspiring me. The only thing I make is DD's baby food.

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Mom to Kaylee (10/2006) and Madalyn (1/2009)

The chickens are the greatest!! Initial cost was very minimal, I think they cost like $1.00 each! My husband build a little coop out of scrap lumber $0.00, we put up a little fence for them to run around in in the side yard ( maybe $10.00 ) . Their food we buy at the Feed and Seed place, it costs around $10.00 a month for feed, they also eat all kinds of kitchen scraps, plus bugs and things they scratch up. They are THE best entertainment for all of us, all of the neighbors like them ( we give them eggs from time to time ). Hens are allowed in almost every city ( no roosters ). You should look into it, we are so glad we did. The eggs are incredible..big orange yolks, thick brown shells,..I could go on and on!!:happy dance: