topic Re: Cleaning the Pantry in Home

Cleaning the Pantry

flickerbulb — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:04:51 GMT

I got to work in my pantry and am throwing outdated boxes of cake mixes, baking chips and more!

I have filled up four garbage bags and am still working! I am taking out the old mixes and recycling all of the boxes. I have a bad habit of buying seasonal cake mixes and then I never make them! I just love the Christmas tree shaped chips but never eat them!

Anything out of date is in the garbage. I can see where I am wasting food money so I can change my buying habits.

I just love seasonal pumpkin baked goods and Aldi usually has a good selection. I am going to make the ones that are still good and freeze them.

It will be good to know that everything is clean and edible!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

ValuSkr — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:14:59 GMT

Remember to clip the Boxtops for Education from all the cake mixes you're discarding!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

phoenixbrd — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:22:47 GMT

@flickerbulb You are an inspiration! And you know those mixes are taking up valuable real estate in your pantry....I'm going through the same process. I've decided that all cookbooks that I will never use (a couple of shelves at least) are being donated. I will never eat Paleo or vegetarian (I'm vegan) and most of the ethnic books contain items in the recipes that I don't use (eggs, sugar, oil, dairy, etc). Next, I'm tackling shoes (I'm Ms. centipede) and clothes. So sister, we will have beautiful clean useful space!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

flickerbulb — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:24:26 GMT

@ValuSkr

The boxes are from Aldi or Trader Joe's and don't have the Boxtops for Education, but will clip any I see.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

flickerbulb — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:27:25 GMT

@phoenixbrd

Trust me, the shoes are next! I went on a particular brand spree for awhile but they have no support. Out they go!

I have a huge pile to sort through for donation! It will feel good to get rid of more excess!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

phoenixbrd — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:37:50 GMT

@flickerbulb Yea!!! I use a wonderful vets organization (they can be scheduled online) who come to the door and pick up all my indulgences and leave a tax return on the door knob....just doesn't get any better. I don't even have to drive to drop off. Thanks for the gentle reminder....we will feel several pounds lighter for sure!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

151949 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:38:40 GMT

Because we are snowbirds who live between Pa and Fl I have to empty out and toss or donate everything I don't want to bring to Pa with me. Every spring - then the same here when we go back home in the fall.Nothing out of date in our pantry or fridge. I am careful all the time not to overbuy and have too much stuff I won't use up.Generally all I bring back & forth are spices and pasta.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

Zhills — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 23:23:30 GMT

After being sick for a year, I had to do the same thing! I had not cooked from scratch for a year so I think everything but the pickles were expired. My grocery bill this month has been terrific.

I'm buying items you normally buy just when they expire, once every 2 yrs or so. Even my brown sugar was expired! It was fun but it was also frustrating! It's nice to know everything is now fresh and usable!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

spent2much — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 23:59:38 GMT

I'm sitting here reading and giving people hearts instead of cleaning out MY cabinets!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

phoenixbrd — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:05:07 GMT

@spent2much Giving hearts helps us keep going.,,the giver and the givee. This is part of the process of motivation. You'll be at it in no time!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

Q4u — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:11:42 GMT

And it feels SO good once it's done, doesn't it?? I'm in the middle of my closet.... big black bag and all....

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

ID2 — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:20:36 GMT

Wow I just can't imagine loading up 4 full garbage bags of expired foods! I'm pretty mindful of dates of all things I bring into my home and if I even have one food item that expired, I get exasperated in myself for not using it sooner. Its like throwing money in the street.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

AuntG — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:39:25 GMT

My pantry is a kitchen cupboard so I can't picture that much food being tossed out. Now for a confession; I'll use expired mixes for our own personal use. Found some unopened pancake mix that I will use. I prefer to make pancakes from scratch, but I'm not going to waste that mix.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

mzlg — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:45:12 GMT

@flickerbulb, Good for you!

Cleaning out the pantry (or anything for that matter) is not an easy thing to do. As you toss out each expired item you are scolding yourself for not using it & wasting money ... but many of us have been there & done that, whether it was food, clothes or shoes ...

Off to a fresh start & creating a new buying habit.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

flickerbulb — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:02:11 GMT

@ID2

It is now up to 5 bags! I admit I was slacking on the pantry maintenance!

My mother died and I had to empty her house and get it ready to sell all by myself. Then the hot water heater exploded and I had to complete remediation on the damage which took me several months.

I also work full time and was finishing a master's degree.

Guess I wasn't paying much attention to those pantry item dates!

My bad!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

phoenixbrd — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:13:16 GMT

@flickerbulb I am so sorry about the death of your mother. I have experienced the midst of it too: working full time, graduate school, full time care taker.....so I know you are truly amazing to pick up that bag and start clearing out your life. Much love, light, and respect.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

Q4u — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:13:51 GMT

BTW, packaged foodstuff can last quite a bit beyond it's expiration date and still cook/bake well and doesn't lose whatever nutrients are in it.... please take that into consideration when evaluating what to throw away.

I had some bread mixes that I let expire almost a year, but I used them with new yeast packets and the bread came out beautifully.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

software — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:28:16 GMT

My late husband was the neat freak, always cleaning out closets, cabinets, drawers.

He's been gone 4-1/2 years now and I'm just now getting my mojo. I try to do a small amount BY APPOINTMENT to keep me accountable.

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

homedecor1 — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:29:34 GMT

I purge my pantries December & June every year.

I used to be a big on BOGO deals now I only buy what I really use. No real stock-up lately.

Next week I'll use up my chocolate chips, etc. because kids coming for a week & they love them. Rest unopened baking stuff will go to food pantry.

I give excess (w/in date) to our food pantry. Love to do purging like this - I like everything in order!

Now I'm working on eating everything out of freezer. The French door bottom freezer makes everything harder to know what you have! At least in my case!

Good job @flickerbulb!!!

Re: Cleaning the Pantry

flickerbulb — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:48:55 GMT

@phoenixbrd

Thank you! It was overwhelming but had to get done. Unfortunately, some things had to get set aside.

Well, it is looking nice and neat and organized! I had things like sprinkles for cupcakes and other odd items that I tossed. They are probably still good, but I had them for awhile.