What can I homemake?

 This post needs a more lengthy introduction, but I promise to try and keep it more to the point and less fluffy! 

Recently I was asked what we do for School Morning Breakfasts in a Facebook group (and yes, it deserves to all be capitalized- it's a daunting topic). It came as part of a discussion about how expensive everything is nowadays, when I said I try to homemake as much as possible. I made sure to add that I know it isn't always possible for everyone to do that, but the I was happy to share some of our recipes. When asked about School Morning Breakfasts, I started listing out our rotation and realized we actually have a lot of different options! So I decided to share here.

I want to preface this with saying that groceries are expensive everywhere for everyone. In another group, for example, I saw someone saying their Midwest town had local farm fresh eggs for $2/dozen while most others see them for anywhere from $6-10/dozen. I don't remember how expensive farm fresh is here, but just conventional eggs are typically around $3.75-$4.75/dozen - and we cheer when the prices drop or we get a big pack at Costco to save in the long run. And yet, where I live, we can get some really awesome fresh produce for cheap. I've seen a pound of strawberries for $1, for example, and many other fresh berry varieties for similar prices.

So it is important to keep in mind that we're dealing with having to choose what groceries are the best fit for our families, where we can afford to spend a little more, where we can get creative or cut back, etc all while balancing out our dietary needs and trying to strategize whether driving to different stores is worth it or more expensive in the long run. (Side note on that: I highly recommend helping each other out by picking up groceries for friends at out-of-the-way stores you're already going to and letting them pay you back!) I also want to note that listing something in our rotation does NOT mean it's a staple in our home. 

Another thing that helps SO much? My husband makes breakfast almost every morning, while I handle dinners almost every single night. Typically I make school lunches, and we both do the weekend lunches - though I'd say he does them a little more than I do.

Here are things that we homemake:

Breads!

Particularly artisan boules and sandwich loaves, but really I can make whole wheat, multigrain, French baguette, etc as well. I'll include biscuits, muffins, and quick breads here as well.

Cereals!

We make granola and a delicious chia-oat cereal.

Salad Dressings!

Balsamic Vinaigrette, Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette, Ranch, Creamy Parmesan, Creamy Tahini, Red Wine Vinaigrette, White Wine Vinaigrette.. all SO good.

Breakfast items!

Oatmeals, muffins, waffles, pancakes, French toast, etc.. check out the post about School Morning Breakfasts for the full list!

Dried Fruit!

Ok seriously - my husband does these, but dried green kiwi is like sour candy. Blueberries are addicting. Cinnamon sugar apples are to die for! And so much more. (My family loves the dried bananas!)

Sauces!

I won't make tomato sauce yet lol but I make our own marinades, Alfredo, teriyaki sauces, barbecue sauce, etc. I've made ketchup in the past, but have not since looked for a recipe without corn syrup.. So that's currently off my list.

This list is NOT exhaustive, but I will update as I add to my personal list of things I homemake for my family!