Today’s Homemaker

I posted a while back about cleaning out the refrigerator, and nearly 3 months later (has it BEEN that long?) I’m finding that it needs it again. I’ve been meaning to do this for about a week, ever since we went grocery shopping for the entire month (and freaked out the checkout lady with $25 in coupons…yay us!). But 2008 has gotten off to a slow start for me, and last week I was playing catch-up with work. It just didn’t happen.

I do love a clean fridge, though. It helps make sure we don’t waste food, which is so easy to do when stuff is crammed into the netherparts of our refrigerator. My favorite fridge tips:

• Store leftovers in clear containers. You’re much more likely to eat it if you can see what it is.
• Keep eggs in their cartons. The door’s not cold enough, and eggs absorb odors if left out in the open.
• Store lettuce loosely rolled up in damp paper towels. It stays fresher much longer.
• Only use your bins for stuff that is not in danger of not being eaten. Store less tempting and faster-perishing items at eye-level. (Yeah, both of those sentences are awkward. It’s to stretch your mind, you know.)
• Don’t use harsh chemicals when cleaning your refrigerator. Your food will absorb them.

I always feel like a new person when I have a cleaned-out fridge. I eat better, too. So if you’re feeling especially inspired to do something for your house today, I’m sure it will appreciate the gesture.