An author I was reading recently mentioned that she instituted a Feed-Yourself-Day. (I don’t remember which book. I’ve read 37 books this year already. Yeah, 37.)

I think I will make it Friday because it’s alliterative.

Just look in your fridge, take out all the little bits of cooked leftovers and point your spouse or family in the direction of the microwave, toaster or toaster oven. Here’s a few examples of using a couple spoonfuls of leftovers to make another one serving meal:

A couple spoonfuls of refried beans, some shredded cheese or cheese sauce and a couple tortillas = burritos

A couple spoonfuls spaghetti sauce, a couple slices pepperoni or half a cooked sausage (crumbled), some sliced olives, shredded cheese or cheese sauce, tortilla chips = Italian nachos

A baked potato, a couple spoonfuls beef stroganoff gravy, extra sour cream = stroganoff potato

Cooked diced potato, sauteed veggies, bread cubes, egg (mix and microwave or bake until set), top with shredded cheese = easy breakfast casserole

A couple spoonfuls spaghetti sauce, 1 pita or English muffin (split), whatever “pizza” toppings you have one hand, cheese = two mini pizzas

A couple spoonfuls chicken flavored rice pilaf, enough chicken broth to cover the rice, a couple splashes of milk, optional precooked diced broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, onion, zucchini, parnip, potato, etc., shredded cheese (microwave or heat in saucepan) = creamy chicken and veg soup

Sliced steak, chicken or pork, toss with taco seasoning, wrap in a tortilla with sauteed onion, bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, raw cabbage, fresh lettuce or tomato, sour cream, salsa, olives = fajitas

Mashed potatoes, some mayonnaise, some sour cream, dash onion powder, dash pepper, dash celery seed, dash dried parsley, dash dried dill = mashed potato salad

A couple spoonfuls of sloppy joe, an English muffin or two (split), some shredded cheese = sloppy muffins

A baked potato, sour cream, cheese, salsa, chili, taco meat or fajita meat, grilled pepper and onion, etc. = Mexican potato

Mashed potatoes, chicken broth, milk or cream, bacon bits, cheese, chives, salt and pepper = loaded baked potato soup

If there isn’t enough of one thing to satisfy your appetite, have two things or three. Save money by preventing waste. And you’d better wash those containers when you’re done!