Kitchen

[Sooner]

Our spices need cleaned out this time of the year. Are you doing this too? Also Costco had a big box of Kinders items for a great price yesterday--you might see if that' available in your area.

Barbecue and other summer related blends need to be evaluated, old things need to be rooted out and gotten rid of, because some we don't use much over the winter.   

We have used a lot of different spice blends and have little dabs of this and that left.  They are all going in a used jelly jar, shaken and stirred, and put on the counter to be used up before October comes.

And it's time to check cinnamon, nutmegs (we have a nutmeg shaver) and other autumn/holiday items that need to be bought.  Fresh shaved or grated nutmeg smells so good!

Probably need to think about autumn scented soap, candles or potpourri, and such also.  Note to self:  Get fresh chili spices!!!!!

[wagirl]

That is a good idea Sooner---I think I did go thru my stash of all that before I moved last Dec. Think all my stuff is good and I do use it all, no matter what the season is. I did clear out my tiny freezer and tossed alot of dribs and drabs of stuff tho. Lots--well my idea of "lots" of room in there now--its very small.😉

[Roscoe the Rascal]

I kind of go through my stuff when the mood hits me.  Got rid of stuff the other day as a matter of fact.  I do like to do before fall time and things expire before you know it.  Once I start holiday baking I like to start out with fresh ingredients.

I do not use a lot of spices.  Was more my husbands thing and my daughters.  I gave her most of them so she could use and I went to smaller containers and just keep a few I use mostly.  They were the tall big ones and would expire before I would use up.

It is a good job to do.  

[Luvitorleaveit1]

Great idea @Sooner .  My husband did that last year while I was out but unfortunately threw out spices I recently brought.  Now instead of buying the large size spices I buy the smaller size.

[We rescue cats]

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@Luvitorleaveit1 wrote:

Great idea @Sooner .  My husband did that last year while I was out but unfortunately threw out spices I recently brought.  Now instead of buying the large size spices I buy the smaller size.

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Same here @Luvitorleaveit1! I buy economy size for those I use often, but tiny of those I do not . . .

[cjm61]

Since spices expire randomly and vary in length of time they are good, I usually toss as needed. I plan my weekly menu and check my spices I will be using. If they have expired THEN I toss and put on my shopping list.

My problem is our home is in a humid climate and causes the spices to get too moist, even though they haven't expired. I've learned not to buy those big value bottles. 

[beach-mom]

I check all of the time. I still use the glass McCormick jars my mom had. Some are stamped 23 cents! I.wash them out, fill them, and keep track of the date.  

[deeva]

I buy my spices at Winco, using their self serve bins. I can buy a small amount of a spice, or flour, sugar, etc.

That way, I'm not stuck with large quantities of spices that I have to throw away. 

[Sooner]

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@Luvitorleaveit1 wrote:

Great idea @Sooner .  My husband did that last year while I was out but unfortunately threw out spices I recently brought.  Now instead of buying the large size spices I buy the smaller size.

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@Luvitorleaveit1  Husband decluttering for sure!  Whump!  There!  That's done! 

If Spice House is still around, Chicago I think, they had spices in smaller packs, no shipping charge.  That's the only on line place I buy them from, used to use another source but don't any more.  I've been pleased with Spice House from what we've bought an used--and the jars are beautiful!

[haddon9]

I couldn't stand how my spices were being stored in my corner cabinet so I did a purge a few weeks ago.  I got two small lazy Susans to store several bottles and I also have bottles stored on the inside of door of the cabinet. 

Not my ideal (I would love to have a big drawer just for spices) but I can see almost everything at a glance now.