Project Simplify Week 4: The Pantry and Refrigerator

This week's challenge was a good one for me. I tend to very much let the fridge and freezer turn into a huge mess -- not so much the pantry though because it's so deep that I have a hard time finding anything if I let it go too much.

Thankfully I don't have to worry about leftovers going moldy in the fridge because when I have a 14 y.o. son who is starting to push 6'3", leftovers are pretty much unheard of. These days it's even worse because he has started rowing practice. Four mornings/evenings (depending on the day) a week of a hard workout and this boy is hungry! I'm trying to keep the pantry and fridge stocked with as much healthy and filling food as possible, but whew it's hard to keep up!

This was a fun task because it is the last time I will be doing it in this particular kitchen. Our new kitchen is cheduled to go in the week of April 18. It's going to be a whole lot different, so it's good to know what I have and where it is, so that I will quickly be able to figure out where to put everything once the new kitchen is complete.

Anyways, enough of my blathering. It's time for some photos!

The hot cereal drawer with a snooping dog. The kids know they have to eat hot cereal during the school year. The actual oatmeal container that they use regularly is in my baking cupboard beside the brown sugar. I store their multivitamins in there too so they remember to take them regularly.

See the empty spot? That's where the oatmeal and brown sugar sit. The green bottle is Melaleuca's Koala Pals multivitamins.

Neat and tidy with the morning sun brightening the room.

The Pantry

The refrigerator. I think it's time to do groceries. Although we sure don't need yogurt!

The before and after of the door were pretty much the same except for the silly girl peeking over the top. I'm a little particular in that I like my stuff sorted by height in the door :oS.

The freezer was a disaster, but because it's so little, it's easy to organize and clean. Note: this is not my only freezer. I also have to large chest freezers that may or may not be full depending on the season and the sales.

I didn't show my spices, because they're in a drawer sorted alphabetically more or less, Besides you don't really want to know that I bought cumin four times because I kept thinking I hadn't bought it. Does anyone need cumin? I have lots to share!

The children's snack/lunch drawer. It now includes soups, tuna, salmon, etc. Anything that would be good to take in their lunches during the week.

My staples drawer. Noodles, rice, lentils, beans, couscous, corn meal, etc. Anyone know what to do with moong beans? I bought them because they were dirt cheap, but I have no idea what to do with them. This drawer is never really neat -- as the before and after photos show -- but I never have much difficulty locating what I want provided it's in the drawer.

Well there you have it, my kitchen all tidied and ready to start going in boxes this weekend so they can start ripping it out on Monday. Quite a strange feeling.

You still have time to join in on Project Simply. Just hop on over to Simple Mom and have a peek about. Tsh has some fantabulous stuff on getting and staying organized.

Wishing you all a happy and productive Friday!