I spent the majority of this weekend cleaning out the food pantry and my food storage. What an undertaking. I had no idea it would turn in to such a big project. It's amazing how much you accumulate, lose, don't use, and forget about. I had bags and cans 3 layers deep. The stuff towards the back I forgot about. The stuff on the higher shelves I didn't even know existed. I have a stool for convenience IN my pantry, but do I use it? No.
So, it was time. Anything past expiration was taken out. I am not a waster, so that nearly killed me. I hate the idea of good food going to waste. I put everything in a big pile, called my sis and a friend and gave them first right to refusal. Maybe they'd be a bit more daring than me. Not sure.
However I didn't stop there. The last time I organized my pantry and food storage was a few years ago. I'd tidied up since then, but I hadn't done a good de-junking. It was time. I was amazed to find so many unhealthy foods in there - foods that reminded me of bad habits, old ways, the old me. Of course the chips were long gone (except for maybe the multi-grain ones I put in my son's lunchbox), but there were Creams of this and Creams of that. There were many sodium-packed veggies, sugary fruits, a variety of other unmentionables. I can't even remember the last time I used a Cream of anything. Now if a recipe calls for it, fortunately there are lower-sodium, lower-fat cream options.
So that all got tossed. Am I ever going to use it? No. Will I miss it? Definitely not. Will my waist miss it? Never. There are so many great recipes available that are fresh, using fresh ingredients, simple, light, not heavy and without dense creams.
If I'm going to have something "heavy", I'll save it for a night out. I'm all for comfort food every now and again.
Oh...and parting with my homemade jams. My dilemma. A couple of years ago I decided to make homemade jam. It was and is delicious. So many flavors. So many jars. Mind you I have a very small family. Greg, my 8 year old, my baby, and me. We don't need 30 jars of jam - especially ones full of yummy but non-waist friendly sugars. So, I condensed those as well. I kept only a few of each, and I'm giving the rest away. I slaved in the kitchen over those jams for a solid couple of days! There's no way they are going to waste. Strawberry, Raspberry, Peach, Peach Rum, and Pear.
This all comes with learning. Last summer and the summer before I was still thinking that in order for food to taste really, really good it had to be laden with fats, sugars, and creams. Since then I've realized it doesn't. My thinking now is that I can always make a healthier version of almost anything - including jam. I've tasted sugar-free jam, and it's not half bad, and that's the store bought version. I'm sure homemade sugar-free jam will be so much better. Plus it will be made with a little bit of love. This summer I plan to make jam again - maybe not quite as much and this time a healthier version - something the entire family can enjoy!
It feels so good to have this project done. I love being able to access everything in my pantry again. Food is where it should be. The stuff I use all the time is eye level (note protein). All of my spices, flavorings, and light marinades are easily accessible. Grains and flours are in sturdy containers. My son's treats are all in one bucket. My baby's foods are all contained in one place.
My refined sugar? Back in a hard-to-reach corner...right where it should be.
Happy Spring Cleaning! It feels refreshing!
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