Moving from underneath the kitchen sink, it’s time to venture to the pantry to see what still lingers. After a long summer with kids home all the time and rummaging through it like mice, it’s time to straighten out and give the pantry a healthy pick up.
Here’s a 5 point plan to get started.
1. Purge – Take everything out and assess what you have. Check expiration dates. Is it still fresh? Are you going to ever use it?
2. Pitch – If items are stale or expired, send down the garbage disposal or throw away if you must and if you do, compost what you can. Maybe save those stale cracker items to feed the ducks at the park. Recycle any chipboard, glass jars or tin cans. If it is an item that has not yet expired and you don’t intend to ever use it, consider dropping off at a local food bank or shelter.
3. Paint – This is optional depending on your pantry, but while everything is out, a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint can be nice. Make sure it is a non-toxic, zero or low VOC paint. Lowes, Home Depot and Sherwin Williams all have good options.
4. Prepare - Think about what needs to be stored in an airtight container to keep it fresh. What do you have around the house you can use to store cereals, pastas, grains or snack crackers that could attract critters or those little bugs if left open. What about any pre-packaged items like granola bars or boxes of raisins. Place in baskets for an easy “go-to grab” for snacks. Plus you can always see what you have and when you need to restock.
5. Place - Group like items together. Think about what you use the most. What about your kids? What needs to be kept on the top shelf like glass jars or within an easy reach.
5 a. Replace – And if you have Earth Fare grocery stores in your area, grab this coupon to help replace any of those unhealthy “monsters” that might still be lurking. Bring in any cereal, jelly, soda or salad dressing with high fructose corn syrup in it or any peanut butter with hydrogenated oils and replace with an Earth Fare brand. Doesn’t matter if your trade-in is full or just has a tiny bit left, Earth Fare will replace for FREE while supplies last! (I confess, I have a few to trade in.) But don’t stop there, what other highly processed, sugary, or pre-packaged items can you replace for healthier options to keep your pantry looking good all the time?
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