I just ate lunch. All leftovers. I have 1 cup of tortellini soup from two nights ago and leftover roasted vegetables from last night.
Yesterday, I found a bottle of expired dressing. It was nearly gone, so I tossed it out and recycled the bottle. I ended up doing the same thing with some bottles of lemon and lime juice. One was several months expired and the other wasn't clear. It seems like we had it awhile and we aren't really using those items in cooking lately. So I didn't use them up, but it helped declutter the fridge!
I did make banana bread yesterday. I was able to use up the last of the margarine and three frozen bananas. The loaf is now in the freezer, since we didn't need more sweets to eat right now. Tonight I'm making pizza from scratch. I was going to make two, one cheese and one beef. However, my husband is going out of town, so I think one cheese pizza will cover the needs of us three girls. I will cut up a couple apples that need to be used soon to eat with it. I know that the cheese I have in the fridge will be used up when I make the pizza, too. My fridge really seems extra tidy this week. 
I checked the balance of our Discover cards. My husband is less than $25 away from meeting the $750 in spending. I'd like him to meet this before the statement closes in early March. All he really needs to do is buy gas and he will meet the requirement. I'm not quite as far along on my spending, as I still $459 to meet the same spending requirement. I expect March bills and fuel for my van will make up a big portion of that.
I have decided to skip the Barclay's card. I think one of us will sign up for Southwest Rapids Rewards card next. Barclay's already increased their spending requirement to $3,000. It had been $1000. I understand it is still available if we call in to customer service. Just seems like too much of a hassle. And I know I can't get DH to take the time to call either.
Is your fridge and cupboards extra clean this week from the using it up challenge? Did you find anything expired that you felt definitely needed to be tossed? Did you eat anything expired?
Updates: Using It Up & Credit Rewards
February 21st, 2014 at 05:42 pm
February 21st, 2014 at 06:26 pm 1393007169
February 21st, 2014 at 06:40 pm 1393008014
Cheese Tortellini & Vegetable Soup
From Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast cookbook
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic & onion, undrained
11.5 oz can condensed bean with bacon soup, undiluted
3 c water
1 16 oz pacage of frozen Italian style vegetables
3/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Half 9 oz package of fresh cheese tortellini
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
Combine first 6 ingredients in 4 qt saucepan; cover and bring to boil over high heat. Add pasta; reduce heat to medium. Cook, partially covered, 7 minutes or until pasta and vegetables are tender. Stir in cheese. Yields; 6 servings (serving size 1 1/3 cups)
February 21st, 2014 at 07:19 pm 1393010382