A Dash of the Internet

Sometimes one of the biggest challenges of Runnin' Lean can be following one of the golden rules: "using what you've got."  When I say "challenge" I mean it in a good way!  In other words, maybe you've found yourself a ways out from your next grocery supply run (we have ours once a month), and the cupboards are starting to show it.  Your options are to break down and make a store run...or  make the best of what you have and stretch it to its limits (Runnin' Lean indeed).  In the old days the Runnin' Lean option might have meant digging through stacks of recipe books for something that would require the sparse ingredients left on the shelf.  Nowadays it's as easy as sitting down and firing up the internet.  This is one of the many beauties of the world wide web. 

You see,  no matter what combination of left overs and rag tag supplies you have left littering your fridge and pantry there is SOMEONE out there who has cooked what could very well be a delicious dish using just said ingredients.  And guess what? They've posted that very recipe on the internet!  Best of all, it's probably even been reviewed by other home cooks who have already found themselves in your situation. Those reviewers might even have some additional substitution ideas or other tasty tweaks to the recipe.  So when you find yourself staring at a pack of Ramen noodles and a hodgepodge of other grocery stragglers, head to your computer and search for a recipe using exactly what you've got.  It's out there! And the next time you're down to what you previously thought was lackluster food stock you'll have a smile on your face:)

When the pantry's low, go with the flow!