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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Organize and Conquer - Fridge Edition




Here's the problem:

Everything is all jumbled in the fridge and freezer and you can't find anything you need even though you know you bought it and it has to be in there (run on sentence anyone?).

How 'bout this for a solution?:

Round up some plastic organizing baskets (or something that can be used in place of them!). I was in this predicament described above, so...last week I picked up some baskets at the dollar store. I did a SERIOUS clean out of aforementioned kitchen appliance and threw out a lot of food. If you've been hangin' around here for a while, you know I enjoy being frugal, so throwing away food felt like throwin' money in the trash can (except it smelled a lot worse).

I now have a basket in my fridge for meat. When I shop for meat, I buy up a lot when it is on sale. For ground beef, I seperate it into 1 pound ziploc bags and pop it in the freezer (labeled, of course). Sometimes I cook up a bunch, then seperate and bag it up. Then I couldn' t find it when I needed it. Now, I have all bagged up meat (and other things like hot dogs, etc.) in the meat basket.

The other basket holds miscellaneous things like frozen fruit and baked items. I want to begin baking more frequently, so I will soon have a basket just for baked goods.

In the fridge, there is a basket for just yogurt, individual containers of fruit (like mandarin oranges), and puddings. An easy go-to for the kiddos & it keeps that small stuff contained in the fridge.

I know this isn't a new idea, but it seems to be a great one. I am looking forward to enjoying a more organized fridge and freezer and wasting less food.

If you are looking for more kitchen tips, check out Tammy's Recipes.

P.S. You know, I had to sneak in a post about my clean fridge and freezer so you guys could see some pictures of all the hard work I did. I'm a sucker for a pat on the back. I didn't take before pictures, though. That would've been too embarassing. Stay tuned for another fridge tip tomorrow (and yes, another picture!).

5 love notes to me!:

Mom2fur said...

I love the idea of using baskets in the freezer. I have one for those bags of vegetables that don't stack nicely.
You can flatten out your ground beef in the plastic bags, so it takes up even less room, btw!

Chambers Clan said...

What a great idea...We got a freezer from a friend (yeah for free!) And lately we have just been throwing things in. Thanks for the tip! and GOOD JOB (pat pat:) Cna you help me get motivated to clean up?? I'm a little behind:(

Tammi said...

I just found your blog and love it.

I see you make your own pizza. I have tried but my family and I just do not like it. I would like trying your pizza crust though. I will let you know if I do.

Keep up the good work.

Diane said...

Hi Jen what an awesome job! I love the idea of a meat basket at the very least for the freezer. I might have to steal ( borrow ) that one. ;)
I am cleaning my kitchen tomorrow it was on the list for today but I forgot about it being Canada Day.
Can hardly wait for your post tomorrow.

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

I need to get some of those baskets. You should see my fridge right now. It's not good, my friend.