One morning, faced with the task of planning my weekly menu, I had a bout of exasperation at the state of my kitchen cupboards…disorganization, and way too much stuff…lots of things I don’t use but bought for one particular recipe (that I ended up never making!) Good example…curry paste. I’ve had curry paste in my baking cupboard for a good 3 years. Me and curry paste parted amicably..at last. What started with a bottle of curry paste, ended with cleaned, straightened, organized, SIMPLICITY.
I love the results. It’s so much easier to cook and plan GOOD meals, and I like that the kids eat more of the meals, and less snack and junk food…since we are down to the bare minimum. We packed up a box of food for the local food pantry, and I told the kids, that except for necessities like milk and bread, we are going to use what we have till it’s gone.
(my helper in the freezer dept…what would I do without HIM?)
I just started the same project over the weekend while I was baking. You are better than I b/c you finished it. I am hoping to get all the cabinets completed before the end of the month 🙂
p.s. your little helper is such an adorable one!
you've totally inspired me. i'm going to clean my pantry and freezer! thank you!!
Looks great! Maybe your helper could get promoted to the produce department someday. 🙂
Can you start on mine next?
I try to plan meals from my pantry too. Recently I had to make a list of what I'm running out of! Meal planning is frustrating to me when I don't have my main staples.
My main freezer storage is out in our garage and we are sharing it with our roommate right now. It's frustrating to me that I can't see what I have in there. I guess I better come up with a plan and tackle it! 🙂
-Melisa
Love it, we are also in the middle of a 'Pantry Challenge'! Good Luck, so far so good, we are being stretched and it feels great!
Good job! I do the same thing with our freezer-I refuse to buy anything new until we eat our way through the old stuff.
I like what you've done. I did the same thing this week and it feels so nice.
We do this every few months. I come up with some, uh, "interesting" meals until most of the food in the pantry, fridge and freezer is GONE.
The kids don't like it, but I don't have a lot of sympathy. I'm a mean mom.
I just did the same thing not that long ago, must be the summer project to do as of late. Although my cupboards are slightly fuller than yours, my freezers are getting more bare by the day (which is a good thing).
Where did you get those spice rack/holders? They are BRILLIANT!!!
i can't even begin to think of my nasty cabinets. good for you. that is the way i clean.."i need to wipe that off…" one hour later a complete overhaul!
i think we'd be bff's sarah. move to kansas!
i do this on a regular basis with meats and such that have been in the freezer for a while. we are going to eat the food and make good use of the money i spent, i tell myself. there is a such a good feeling that comes from knowing you are being a wise steward with what you have, not just consuming endlessly because there happens to be a grocery on every corner. and what a great example to set for our children, to be mindful people who don't take what they have, even the mac & cheese, for granted. way to go!
What an inspiration! I have been wanting to tackle our pantry, again, for a while now. Just seems that I can not keep it in order! I also would REALLY like to know where you got those spice racks? My spices are currently on a lazy susan and I think that I could put that cupboard space to much better use with those nifty racks!