| -> | | | | shopping. |
| Here's a different sort of spring thaw and one you | | | | 4.Take everything out for a good cleaning and use a |
| can do yourself. Get prepared to clean out your | | | | cooler to store while you clean. It's spring and you will |
| fridge and freezer. This process is a hot idea with | | | | need to get those coolers out anyway. |
| refrigerator rules that will save you money and time. | | | | 5.Get rid of the old ice in the ice trays and give the |
| 1.Start now by making a commitment to buy fewer | | | | trays a good washing. |
| grocery items and eat as much as possible of what is | | | | 6.Put like things together. Create sections for |
| already in your fridge and freezer. Schedule a date as | | | | different types of foods- beverages, veggies, fruit, |
| the day you will clean your refrigerator and try not | | | | cheese and deli meats, dairy, other meats. |
| to purchase too much before then. Look at your | | | | 7.Think proper storage. Meat and poultry should be |
| calendar and find a day and time that you have | | | | stored in the center back where it stays the coolest. |
| nothing else planned, preferably the day before | | | | Condiments are fine in the door where temperature |
| garbage pick-up day. Make sure that you allow | | | | fluctuates. Use clear containers and label with the |
| enough time on the day you have picked, to | | | | date so you know what it is and when it was put |
| complete your project. | | | | there. Vegetables are best in the crisper with higher |
| 2.Be prepared. Have plenty of extra large, | | | | levels of humidity. Square containers are better than |
| heavy-duty trash bags on hand and have your | | | | round as they waste less space. |
| recycling and composting containers nearby. | | | | 8. Know what you actually eat and when. We may |
| 3.Let things go. When you start to clean out the | | | | not notice it but we often eat seasonally. So just like |
| refrigerator you may be left with food that is too old | | | | switching over our closet - we need to change over |
| to eat or that you haven't chosen to eat. Maybe it's | | | | our refrigerator contents as well. Our spring and |
| just time to let it go. If your poultry is petrified, your | | | | summer eating style tends to change to more fresh |
| sauces are science projects or if you can't remember | | | | produce and barbecue items and there may also be |
| when you bought it - toss it. Check the expiration | | | | some adjustments when the kids get out of school. |
| dates. Pay attention to foods and condiments that | | | | 9.Take out the trash. Immediately put that trash bag |
| weren't eaten, and consider this when grocery | | | | outside for the collection. |