Howdy all. Hope everyone is doing good this midweek day! I woke to 57*F outside and 71* in the house. Pretty darn perfect. It may get into the 70's today. I plan to be outside and working, so I will enjoy the temps. Just saw that in Colorado the mountain areas could get a foot of snow today!!!! YIKES! They can keep it.
I have been out to feed already. I saw Chucky the groundhog! It has been out a lot the past couple days. It sure is big, considering it has just come out of hibernation! Luckily, I haven't seen it in my yard yet. I watched it this morning, and it was trying to find a way out of the neighbor's yard, walking my fence, and it gave up and turned the other way! Maybe the cat has something to do with that (marking territory)!!! I think it was looking for a shortcut - as it gets in their yard the same place every time - way out back!
There has been a lot of talk by many, that you are trying to use up the older items and maybe clean-out the older from the freezer. That is great!
It pays to know what you have, to use it, and to keep it organized. It is sooooooo easy to come home from the store and just stick stuff in either place, because we are busy. In no time, it is all disorganized again!
Here are a few ideas that could help us all.
IF you are doing a thorough clean of the pantry or freezer - take everything out. Clean off the shelves, defrost, and wipe down shelves, cans and jars.
Decide what you are going to keep. If there are things you know you won't use (shouldn't have anyway), if they are still within 'date' - donate. Now remember those dates mean really nothing to our daily use, but donations generally have to be within dates. This weekend is donate to the Post Office Day in many places. You can leave a bag of food out for the postman to pick up, to help others.
If you find partially used and stale items, either trash or compost, or figure out another use.
When placing back in the pantry/freezer - organize!!!
Group like items together - baking items, canned fruits and veggies, soups, cereals and breakfast foods, paper good, pasta and grains, sauces, snacks, meat types, etc.
Think about how you can make your pantry easier to maneuver.
Airtight containers, baskets, racks, spice organizer, hooks, light, tiered shelves, pull-outs, etc. Also a step stool if needed.
For the freezer think about bins (maybe different colors) for different types of meat
Don't put heavy bulk items up high, place the heaviest items closer to the bottom. Be safe.
Make sure you have things facing forward, so labels are easy to read. Maybe label your shelves. ROTATE regularly - as you bring new items in, place them to the back, and bring the older items forward. That way nothing gets lost.
Think about cleaning out every 6 months or so. It helps you stay up on things.
Most IMPORTANT - use what you have!!!!!!! As you use, you can replace when needed, so you don't run out. But it is very important to USE IT!
I am all about stocking for emergencies or for the future, but it does me no good if it doesn't get used and goes to waste. Not only is that just wrong to waste, but you are also wasting money. No deal is a good deal if the items aren't used.
Do you have any special technique for organizing your areas? How often do you do it?
As gardens will be growing soon and farm markets are starting, there will be so many yummies available, and hopefully you can enjoy them, freeze them and maybe can them. It is so lovely to have those things available in the winter. Start thinking ahead.
Have a fantastic day to you all.
Very enlightening post! It does no good to buy goods either for daily use or to pad the pantry, it you can't find the items. People would have a fit if they had to dig through the shelves in the grocery to find what they wanted. Consider your cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, freezer and whatever storage you use, as your "store". We have been using up things from the freezers, which helps clear up spots to see what we actually have. Oh yeah, put the heavy stuff down low. Don't want a concussion by something falling off a shelf.
ReplyDeleteThe groundhog may be put off the kitties marking their territory. that is one thing we've never had in our yard.
Right now the weather looks perfect. Doing laundry and will go out to work in the flower beds again for a while. Still fighting the tail end of the cold/flu. Enjoy your day!
Very good example. If the store shelves were a mess, we wouldn't buy. If home is a mess, people probably just go out, spending even more money! I do believe our pantries are like our stores as well.
DeleteI have always heard they didn't like the urine smell. Many sites I have seen even say collect your 'P' and place it around the perimeter of the yard to keep them away.
The weather today is wonderful - I am plumb tuckered at this point. Just came in to rest. I will do laundry, but outside is done today, except porch sitting.
I just did a good cleanout about a month ago. Very good tips you have shared! Staying organized really helps me to keep better track of what we have and need.
ReplyDeleteToday will be a day to work some outdoors, it is cool and gray so heavy work would not be too much. Next time there is a rainy day I'll work on my back storage area. Last week found some cans of Black Beans there dated 2024 so they're now in the kitchen cabinet. It's a challenge to keep up with these things. :) If my back storage space were better everything would be easier, but one must use what one has!
ReplyDeleteLast evening was supper out. The littlest one is having a birthday and requested Olive Garden supper, so off we went. I brought home leftovers for another dinner for me and some of their garlic breadsticks which I like to split and then toast under the broiler... oh so tasty! Had one today with a big salad. :)
The local bears are having a field day with garden edgings, upending the rocks looking for ant and termite nests. They've worked hard in my yard and I see they've gotten into my neighbor's yard as well.
I've made up a little bag of canned goods for the PO "feed the hungry" collection this weekend - only canned goods or bears will get into it while it hangs on the letter box waiting for pickup.
MaryB
I worked outside today as well. Hope you get bunches done.
DeleteHey, at least you found the cans and brought them out to use. That is good. Yes, it all depends on the areas we have, some are easier to organize than others. It is a big job to stay on top of things.
Oh goodness, I can't imagine having bears in the yard looking for anything!!! Yikes.
Good for you - and thank you for helping others.
I'm pretty good about keeping my freezer organized and cleaned out and used up. I do have a lot of canned goods though that could use some TLC. LOL
ReplyDeleteI hear you! I think I do too. I try to stay on top of things, but my extra storage is where I get things lost! Need to better at it on my end.
DeleteI can manage the freezer/fridge upstairs and remind my daughter what needs to be used for planning meals. I know where to find most things in the pantry too. But the downstairs freezer and a few shelves in the pantry are loaded with items my daughter bought and, I suspect, has forgotten about. I don't dare suggest we get rid of anything as it will cause an argument.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm - maybe you can subtly mention there is a lot of stuff you don't know what it is. If it were straightened it could be used! Just a thought.
DeleteSissie and I have inventoried our pantries and freezers. We still have a long way to go to use up things!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good problem! Don't forget to replace now and then or one day you may be sorry!
DeleteYes I do spring clean my pantry by making sure those cans and packages with the closest use by dates.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Good for you - use it!!!!
DeleteI had nothing non-perishable to put out for the post office, so I ordered a twelve pack of Great Value Chili and had it shipped to me, which is free. I don't know why I hadn't thought about ordering and delivery before. Now I am going to order some food each month and have it shipped to the FeedMore facility in our area.
ReplyDeleteLately I've been stocking up instead of clearing out!
What a lovely thing to do! Thank you. I am sure it will be put to good use.
DeleteI just go through and use the oldest. I never eat anything down completely. Re-stock when my supplies get lowered.
I get the urge to have a pantry clear out a couple of times a year. I don't take much notice of 'best before' dates, but sometimes I come across things that are years past their 'best' and wonder how they have escaped me using them up or chucking them out for so long.
ReplyDeleteLOL - I do the same thing. I do a good straighten and clean a couple times a year - a yes, I will attest to the fact there are always things I missed before. Not sure how that happens!
DeleteCheryl, I clean and organize my pantry and freezer about once a month. Usually when I do a big shopping trip. I get rid of anything that's no longer fresh, such as chips or snacks, then I do the same with the fridge and freezer. Since we have a side-by-side freezer, I put breakfast items on the top shelf, "lunch" type items and veggies on 2nd shelf, chicken items on 3rd and beef on bottom. This works well since those are basically the main meat items I buy. I don't over buy things that go in the fridge, so it's usually pretty easy to clean and organize.
ReplyDeleteGood for you - on once a month. That is a good organizational tip on the freezer. Hopefully you don't have a lot to throw out!
DeleteOh I have a deep cleaning coming! In a couple of months, my extra family will have their own place. Currently my pantry is a mess, lots of kid snacks scattered everywhere. I’m looking forward to the deep clean!
ReplyDeleteOh how nice to be able to have the house back to yourself! I am sure you enjoyed having them there, but there is something to be said about peace and quiet! I bet that will feel good to get it done.
DeleteI store my pasta in quart canning jars. Cut cooking instructions from the box/bag and place in the jar -- pastas require different cooking times, even the same type but different brands sometimes have different instructions. Also, cut the label out and place it on top of a used flat and then screw on the ring. That way, you'll know the name and brand of the pasta. I do the same for rice and other dry goods.
ReplyDeleteI keep my pasta and rice all in glass jars too. Same with dried beans. It keeps bugs out and keeps things fresher. I like seeing them too - I think they look pretty all lined u!
DeleteThese days I keep a lean ingredient area. I have a lot of dried things like beans, nuts, legumes, seeds and flours. However, I scored an excellent deal at Aldi on oraganic salsa. For less than I can make it. I bought a few. Not a ton, but enough to last a bit.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of my pantry NOT being lean. I am working on using some of it up. Don't want it to waste. Get those deals when you find them!
Delete