Introduction, Lesson 1: Pantry Raid - The Big Box O' Crap

Introduction
Lesson 1: Pantry Raid: The Big Box O' Crap
 
I'd like to talk about your pantry.  If you're like a lot of people you've either got it stuffed with convenience foods or it's nearly empty.

Convenience food out
If you've got one of those empty pantries, you don't have to worry about this.  The rest of you, I want you to go find a box or a bag or something roomy enough to hold all the crap food in your pantry.  Don't worry, we're not purging yet.  We're doing baby steps here.  Take out what you would normally eat for dinner tonight and put it in your container.  Be honest.  Were you going to make tacos with that Old El Paso kit and serve them with that box of Rice-a-Roni and a pitcher of Crystal Light?  Then maybe finish with a boxed cake mix or some pudding?  Put all this stuff into that box/bag.  Now put the box/bag in your basement or a closet.  We'll refer to this as the Box of Crap from here on out.  Please refrain from removing items from the Box of Crap for the duration of the boot camp.

Fresh food in
This week it would be easier if you would follow the plan exactly.  If you don't want to that's fine -- just please don't replace crap with crap.  Time to go shopping! I'm going to give you three recipes to incorporate into this week.  They're all easy enough for anyone to make.  They're all meatless so feel free to add the protein of your choice.
Download Master File 1, the menu, shopping list, and recipes

Recipes anyone can make
This week's recipes are:
Veggie Burger Pitas, french fries, sliced apple
White Bean and Spinach Pizza, tomato and zucchini saute, parmesan toast
Spaghetti with spinach and veggie sauce, salad with croutons

The recipes are all in Master File 1 but subsequent posts will hold your hand through each recipe.

If you have any questions on methods or substitutions, let me know!

The Takeaway:
Your food sucks.  Otherwise you wouldn't be doing this.  If it seems like you're jumping into this boot camp with both feet, you are!  Don't let that intimidate you.  The first couple weeks of this boot camp are pretty hands-on but it's nothing you can't handle. 

Your Homework:
Get that notebook, fire up your blog, or open a new word processor document.  This will be your RFBC Journal.  Write down what you put into the Box of Crap today.  If you had an empty pantry, write down what you would most likely eat for dinner tonight.

Now go shopping.