Last night, I looked through my kitchen cabinets – not just in the front, which houses all of my go-to, use-all-the-time ingredients, but to the deep, dark back. I was shocked. Soup from 2005. Canned tomatoes from 2006. Canned veggies from who knows when (the label was ripped).
I moved to the freezer. I’m embarrassed to say how many bags of frozen vegetables I have stockpiled. Suffice it to say, I could make stir fry every night for the next three weeks.
Lucky for me, all of these (mostly) non-perishables will last for a little while longer. It got me to thinking, though…how many of us stock pile like this? And is it just being wasteful?
Never fear. We can combat this torturous use of the heart of the home in three (pretty painless) steps.
Get rid of what you’re not using
Sure, you’re ready for a natural disaster or the next Great Depression, but are you really planning on eating that can of Campbell’s? Go through each item in your cupboards, pantry, and fridge. Ask yourself whether items are honestly for next week’s dinner, a rainy day, or if it’s simply going to go to waste. If it’s the latter, gather it all up and donate the food to your local food pantry.
Stock up
I know, I know. I just told you to slim down your pantry. Well…why not stock up on the food you actually eat? Veggies you can’t get enough of; pasta, rice, and other staples for quick meals; and any of your other favorite non-perishables that are perfect when you just don’t feel like slaving over the stove.
Reorganize
What do you use? Put it in the front, and on levels you can reach better. What don’t you use as often? Put it in the back – and on levels harder to reach.
Once you combat your kitchen cabinets, fridge, and pantry you’ll feel lighter, brighter, and even a better chef. (Well, maybe not the last one…)
Nicki Hicks is a fitness and nutrition enthusiast with a passion for all things healthy and organic. A web marketing specialist and search geek at flyte new media by day, Nicki works to increase her clients’ search engine visibility. By night, you might find Nicki coaching, practicing yoga, or pretending to be an artist. Nicki regularly contributes to the Guiding Stars blog.