Hooray, we’ve got even more FLYgirls taking the Scaredy Cat Challenge! Liz and Sheryl have now joined myself, Lesley, Lee, Candace, Asfora and Emma. Are you next? 🙂 Remember, it can be anything you like – something you want to do but are having trouble starting. We’re here to hold your hand! 🙂
Today I’m starting a new Scaredy Cat Challenge. Something I’ve been putting off for months…six months, to be exact! Oh, the shame! 😉 We remodelled our kitchen at the end of last year (it’s all here on the blog…) and I got a brand spanking new ‘American’ fridge. Which to those of us in Europe means b-i-g. The old fridge went out the front door and the old freezer was moved to the basement – just in case. I was glad to get a fresh start with my freezer because, although I’m getting really good at meal planning (thanks to the Flylady, I’ve been planning meals for over 30 weeks – go me!), I’m really bad at forgetting what’s in the freezer. And not using it. And buying more. You get the picture?
After 6 months, my new freezer looks like this. No rhyme or reason any more to how things are stored…just shove them in! 😉
The old freezer (you remember…the one we kept, just in case) is also full of food!
Though in my defence, at least the baskets are marked with categories: meat, bread and pastry, vegetables. And the most imporant one with all the goodies! 🙂
Did I tell you that we also have another little freezer space? The little box on top of our very first fridge – which we also keep in the basement. This freezer is very occasionally used for ‘stash and dash’ but most of the time it’s left completely to its own devices – eek! 😉
Many moons ago I used an inventory – I just typed up a list of the main things that were in the fridge (minced beef, lamb steaks, frozen peas, etc) and crossed them in and out. So I think that’s my first task. Any ideas welcome! And if you want to join me on this, or any other challenge…join up with the MckLinky below!
Have a super Sunday! 🙂
Your Menu Planning could help.(We have a tiny freezer and not much in it – ours is the other extreme, bare, so little choice for menu planning) If I had your situation, I would go through each drawer and crevice and write what there is in a list and then have it to hand when you next do your menu plan for the week. This way you can make sure the freezer foods get used up. Check the dates – some might be out of date now so you can 27 fling boogie some of it. Especially if you have stuff that your family doesn't want to eat and it is just sitting there because you don't like wasting food and you are waiting for the BBE to come! (That happens to me sometimes!) Baby steps, drawer by drawer to make the list – don't get it all out in a pile so it can defrost while you are inventorizing! Good Luck! :o)
My freezer needs help too! When you come up with a tracking device for your frozen food let me know….. 😀
I subscribe to the "just shove it in" method of freezer storage. Whatever falls out will be the next thing used!
I started putting the extra from meals in portion sized bags for DH to snack on or take for lunches and it's working so far, but proper rotation is needed. I agree that an inventory list is useful.
I'm due for a freezer makeover. Let's see how we do!
Phish Food – my FAV! 🙂
Yes, the inventory list has helped me tremendously. I tend to buy in bulk when items go on sale.
Ben & Jerry's!!
We're planning on making a trip up to where their ice cream is made! We're about two hours or so from the factory. I'm not sure if *all* ice cream pints are still made there or not (they used to be– if it is there will be a special seal on the carton labeled "Made in Vermont")
Cookie dough is our FAVORITE here! It used to be better before Unilever bought them out. *sigh*
Hi girls! 🙂
Great ideas. I'm definitely going to make an inventory and then, as Asfora said, use up as much of what's already in there as possible.
Though the Ben and Jerry's is NOT something I'm worried about stockpiling! 😉
xo
In March 2009 I started a personal 'hamster challenge' in which I tried to eat from the stash in my cupboards/pantry; at least 2 items a month and and don't mean just anything but products that had been sitting there for ages. I had made a list on my blog (in Dutch) and crossed things of… but had to add new things regularly! I've got a date with expiration dates…
It's gotten in a slump now and I decided I need to 'restyle' my challenge, adding freezer & fridge stash because I hate to throw away food but that's not always easy when your weekly veggies are a surprise via csa. So I'm working on a googledoc that will be readable to anyone.
Erm.. all this is not helping you 😉 Just wanted to let you know you're not the only one 'hamstering' food, in case you wondered 😉
I only have a 2-drawer freezer and there's a list with the contents hanging on the door. Still looking for blank fridge magnets to write on…
I've also seen magnets on which the owner had taped cut-outs of food (i.e. chicken, soup) to put on the door. Smart idea!
Hi Gnoegnoe, thanks for stopping by! Love getting ideas from people…please keep them coming! Things are already much better (see today's post) and hoping to finish up next week. 🙂