Pantry Purge Prize Winners!

Ok I know I'm a bit late in this but here is finally the post to announce my winners. Thank you all  who entered! You will laugh hysterically when I tell you why this post is late. My son got the chicken pox. Here are the other post in the whole pantry purge series.

Pantry Purge Giveaway Extension

The Pantry Purge Challenge

I want to thank everyone who's joined me for this project so far. I was going to announce the winner for this challenge today, but I haven't gotten very many entries and so I'm going to make it a bit easier to enter! I want to encourage as many of you to clean out that pantry and more importantly collect food for your local food bank.

There are only a week left for the drawing, but I want to extend the Grand Prize drawing so that everyone who's already hosting family and friends for Easter or Passover could join in. Just ask for a non-perishable from their pantry!

Pantry Purge Food Drive Drop-Off!

PotLuck Planning and Food Drive

My pot luck is tomorrow and I'm looking around my own pantry for my contribution. Since it will fall on Friday, I'm thinking I'll do some sort of pasta, and maybe a few fish sticks for the kiddies. Of course my timing sucks, and I totally forgot that my potluck is on the weekend as the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, and so many of my friends are writers, publishers, and other bibliophiles. Others have the traditional family Friday fish-fry, but its ok and one of them left a big drop-off for the food drive. How generous! I love my friends!

Food Drive donation in my doorway!

Pantry Purge Tip 4: Pantry Triage

Week 4 (Mar.12 -19): Pantry Pare-Down, Pot luck, and Food Drive.

The Pantry Purge Challenge   I'm a bit off schedule with my own pantry purge, but I've planned my pot luck and I've decanted my flour so expect a few more tips , and then we'll be wrapping up with a pot-luck and food drive. Don't forget to Enter the Challenge by March 23rd! See prizes and entry here! All you have to do is follow this blog to enter, you won't miss any tips and you'll be eligible for one of the drawing prizes.

If you're like me you're shelves are getting bare and you'd really like to be done with this already. Hopefully you've gotten into the habit of making meal plans to help with using the food you have already and generating a good shopping list. As you start clearing and organizing your shelves you will likely encounter cans jars and boxes with mysterious codes and dates. I'm going to help you with what to do with all of them with the next tip.

Pantry Purge Tip #4:

Pantry Triage.  Things will fall into three categories: toss, keep (and plan to use), and donate. It seems simple toss out of date or spoiled food, and below are some links that can help with that. Don't feel too bad, with your new less cluttered pantry and meal plan food won't be going bad as often. Next keep the food that you plan on using. If you have been pantry purging with us for a couple of weeks you will have an idea of what your family actually eats. Which leaves you with, in my case 3 cans of perfectly good re-fried beans. I've stopped trying to give them to my son, and my husband not really a fan. So I will donate them, and I'll tell you how to do this too.

 

 

Food to TOSS:

the USDA has food dating and safety guidelines online, but I found it a bit dense. I was genuinely surprised to learn that only baby formula is required to have a "use by" date. Which leaves you to wonder how long you really can hang on to those dry lentils before you decide its best to just use them for bean bag filling. This is the most strait forward guide to pantry storage times that I've been able to find on the web and was prepared Kansas State University and adapted from materials prepared by USDA and by the University of Missouri Extension Service. So you know its researched but it is written in plain English. Dow load the PDF and hang in on the back of the pantry door. If you can or preserve your own foods check out Cornell's Evidenced Based Living site for the latest and best research.

custom jar tags from DillyBags

Food to KEEP:

I found this to be the hard part. I like having a full pantry. I like having choices right at hand, but I decided to purge my pantry so that I actually have a good idea of what there is to eat in the house, and to make sure it was the kinds of things I want my family to eat. I took the time to decant my flour (I like to bake so there were 4 varieties) and line up my cans. You will soon realize that a little organization and labeling will go a long way. In fact, I am smack dab in the middle of this process right now. Even after weeks of being in purge mode,  I still have a lot of food!  I'm fortunate, even blessed. This very blessing, however, had become a cluttered, impenetrable mess that caused me to waste money on duplicate purchases and time looking for staples. Ultimately, more will have to go.

Food to Donate:

There is a point when I had to realize that that double club pack of mustard will not be used by its expiration date. So I started a donate box. I will be donating my food to a my local food pantry: Food Bank of WNY and you can locate your local food bank via Feeding America.  I was going to include a list of what they need but if it is non-perishable, they probably need it.  If not a food bank consider your place of worship, neighbor, or friend.  Why not ask around before wasting that 95% full jar of peanut butter, just because you discovered your kid is allergic. I'm sure someone will use it.

My Pantry Purge Progress

I'm getting to the fun part around here. I'll be posting pictures of my newly organized pantry very very soon. My Pot-luck won't be until next week but I did get some prized lined up for you guys. Enter the Challenge by March 23rd! See prizes and entry here.

 

 Join the Pantry Purge!

Its Easy!
First Subscribe Here:  Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe by Email

Next, leave a comment (or two)!
We want to hear all about your purge trials, tips, triumphs and furry Asian fruit. :)

Don't forget to Enter the Challenge by March 23rd! See prizes and entry here

Last, take a look all of the past Pantry Purge Post!

Don't for get to grab a Pantry Purge Button for your blog. ============>>

<===Last Tip #3: Conquer the Clean Out

Pantry Purge Challenge & Giveaway Prizes

The Pantry Purge Challenge

I want to thank everyone who's joined me for this project so far. I still have a bit more cleaning out and organizing to do. However I'm pleased to report that my cupboards are getting to looking a bit bare. This is always the hard part for me, even taking it one section at a time. Which reminds me that, garbage day is coming up and I really need to hit the fridge tomorrow!

Now I'm putting my thoughts to the fun part. I'm scheduling a Pot luck and food drive for next week. Some of my local friends and readers should expect an invitation very soon. However, those of you who are a bit to far to join us are in luck! I've decided to spice things up a bit, and I've found four Etsy sellers who have donated some prizes, from the "For the Pantry" Etsy Treasury that I put together last week.

Pantry Purge Drawing 

**** Easier Entry****

Drawing Prizes

Karcharz Photography

Karen is going to offer one matted 8x10 print for this giveaway! (8x10 photo in an 11x14 mat) Take a look at all of her compelling images. She is a talented photographer, and you are sure to find more than one 'must have' photo's.

Or

After the Leaves Fall

Ashley at After the Leaves Fall is offering a 30% coupon code for my drawing. If you already have a menu planner consider upgrading to her's. Its even got I place for notes and pens. Take a look around her shop and for jewelry display and custom bottle cap tacks.

How Enter Purge Prize Drawing

Pantry Purge Tip #3: Conquer the Clean-out

The Pantry Purge Challenge Week 2 (Feb. 27- Mar. 4): When to toss, Dinner (now!); the convince of cooking from scratch.

As many of you know I was sick this week, and in reality I still am sick.  But life goes on. Off course I am behind my on my own pantry purge and my post!  All I can so is accept the fact that we will have to take our schedule as more of a suggestion.

This week is all about getting in there and doing the work of clearing out you pantry.  You’ve already stopped buying with out thinking, and you should have a plan for your meals, this week.  Its been at least 2 but probably 3 weeks since I’ve done much shopping and I finally decided it was time to start restocking the pantry very soon.  Veronica is going to give us some grate tips on using technology to create and manage your shopping list.  Before I do that, I’m going to spend a little time tidying the items I have left. 

We have a lot of food storage space, and it tends to spread itself out over several areas.  In the actual pantry, next to the stove, the fridge, the freezer in the basement, spices and teas in yet another area.  Cleaning it out, I mean down to the contact paper, is something that I look at with a little dread. 

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One shelf at a time!

Pantry Purge Tip #3:

Divide & conquer the clean out..  At this beginning of this week, I started to see some of the actual boards under the endless partial eaten boxes of cereal.  Time to organize what’s left. Two shelves a day, then one day for the fridge and freezer.  It’s a 10-20 min. task each day for a week.  I’m saving the refrigerator and freezer for garbage day.  This week we will be throwing things away.

Each day I think of what I want to be on that shelf, and then look at what is actually there.  Storing like items together gives you the best idea of how much of one thing you have.  I just figured out that the kids can now reach the lowest pantry shelf, so I think I’m going to put items that I wouldn’t mind if they snack on whenever.  Maybe the candy and chips will go somewhere else.

Source: fairlightday.tumblr.com via Kisha on Pinterest

My Pantry Purge Progress

Because I've been a bit sofa bound, I was thinking about keeping motivated on this project. There was too much actual purging I could take care of, so I spend a little time on Pintrest, I've started a Pantry Purge Challenge Inspiration to share with you all. As a bit of a carrot for myself I put together a For the Pantry Treasury on Etsy items. I might treat myself to one (or more of) when my pantry is all sparkling at the end.

I've also started planning my Pantry Purge Pot-luck and Food Drive! Of  course finding friends is easy, and setting a date can be done, but also be sure to locate your local food bank via Feeding America, to find out what's needed in your area.

Join the Pantry Purge!

Its Easy!
First Subscribe Here:  Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe by Email

Next, leave a comment (or two)!
We want to hear all about your purge trials, tips, triumphs and furry Asian fruit. :)

Last, take a look all of the past Pantry Purge Post!

Don't for get to grab a Pantry Purge Button for your blog. ============>>

<=====LAST TIP #2: Make A Plan

=====> Next TIP #4: Pantry Triage

Pantry Purge: Tip #2: Make A Plan.

Week 1 (Feb. 19-26): Start by stopping (buying things at the store blindly)

We're going to continue our theme this week with our next tip!

Pantry Purge Tip #2

Make a Weekly Meal Plan. It seems like common sense but I often try to skip making a plan.  When I do I find my self flustered in the grocery store, and flummoxed at 4:30. A plan saves time, a plan saves energy, a plan will help you used the things you already have in the pantry!  It doesn't have to be elaborate (mine is hand drawn on graph paper and photocopied 5 or 6 at a time. The most important line is the activities line. Your not going to spend 4 hours roasting and basting on an evening when you've got swim lessons and book club. Stand in the kitchen or pantry while you're making this list. Try to start with things that you already have.

First scribble in a Meatless Monday, and perhaps fish on Friday, of course some thing from the Dinner (now!) series for those completely over scheduled days. Then your only left with four days to plan. I like to get the kids and the husband involved. They each have a favorite and even if my Princess-A always suggest pasta, its only once in the week and its easy to accommodate her. Before you know it you've got a plan. I keep the sheets from week to week.  heck sometimes I just reuse a previous week's plan in a pinch  Here is a great example of a vegan meal plan for a healthy week of very interesting and tasty food from The Simple Boxcar. She's even linked to recipes!

My Pantry Purge Progress

Get a one here

I completely didn't make a plan this week! yikes! I wasn't planning on a big shopping trip, so I though I could skip it. It was a bit of a mistake. Especially as we're going through this purge, there was a little bit of dinner panic over here. We survived but I won't be doing that experiment again for a long, long time! What's on your meal plan for this week!

Here's a link to my meal plan sheet: please print & share!
Weekly Meal Plan

 

Join the Pantry Purge!

Its Easy!
First Subscribe Here:
 Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe by Email

Next, leave a comment (or two)!
We want to hear all about your purge trials, tips, triumphs and furry Asian fruit. :)

Last, take a look all of the past Pantry Purge Post!

Don't for get to grab a Pantry Purge Button for your blog.

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<=== Last Tip #1: Stop Buying
===> Next Tip #3: Conquer the Clean Out

Pantry Purge First Step: Stop Buying!

Week 1 (Feb. 19-26): Start by stopping (buying things at the store blindly)

This post is your first step to a lean, clutter-free and sustaining food pantry. I've included the first Pantry Purge Tip, I bit on my own progress, and an introduction to some of the other blogs and bloggers who will be helping me with this series.

Pantry Purge Tip #1

Stop buying, especially different varieties of the same item. If there is cereal in the pantry, don't buy another variety of the essentially the same thing. If there are honey O's or crispy rice on the shelf that's what my kids will eat. If we run out, they will eat what we have. Of course, I started my Purge two weeks ago, with this one tip. So, I stopped buying cereal. Guess what, we still have 9 boxes, NINE! You know what, you can mix the last of several boxes, no one will know.

This easily applies to pasta, cans of beans, chips, cookies or cheese. Take a look in your fridge and pantry and if there is more than one "kind" of something, chances you just haven't given the Maple Crunch Fiber Twinks enough of a chance.  Make a note, and stop buying more of that kind of thing until you've completely used up what you have.  You will also get a sense of what you really like. if  it ain't Maple Crunch Fiber Twinks, because it was the last lonely box, then just never buy it again.Your pantry will thank you!

My Pantry Purge Progress

Tonight, I made whole wheat penne, spinach, with a little red sauce that had been lurking in the freezer. Of course, there are at least a dozen styles of pasta in the pantry and I was happy to use one we often snub, not to mention the freezer sauce score. Then I went in the (over stuffed) dairy drawer for a bit of "sprinkle cheese" only to find this. Two half used blocks of Parmesan. Fortunately, we eat a lot of the stuff, and neither was even close to its expiration date. Still, the perfect example of why I need a Pantry Purge as much as everyone else. Cleaning up the clutter could have prevented this, and ultimately saved me some $$$!

My Pantry Purge Partners

I've asked a few bloggers, who I admire, for a hand with this series! So I will have a team of inspiring writers and pantry purgers with me on this journey. Let me introduce you to my talented team. I'm looking forward to a guest post from Sandra who writes Vegan Mother Hubbard and host a weekly Meatless Monday Blog Hop, all while baking beautiful treats and keeping up with twin toddler girls, and Veronica over at Crunchy VT Mommy who is a phenomenal photographer and tech-savvy mom of two just under two. Tips, tricks, photos and a meal plan or two should be comming from Ani who keeps it simple while homeschooling, knitting and cooking on The Simple Boxcar and of course my fellow Rust-Belt Belle and blogging buddy Jeanie who writes Life in Cleavland. Take a moment to check out their blogs, they're always full of great post. These ladies are getting me excited about this project, and I can't wait to hear from my partners.

Join the Pantry Purge!

Its Easy!
First Subscribe Here:
 Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe by Email

Next, leave a comment (or two)!
We want to hear all about your purge trials, tips, triumphs and furry Asian fruit. :)

Last, take a look all of the past Pantry Purge Post!

Don't for get to grab a Pantry Purge Button for your blog.

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Pantry Purge Challenge

The Pantry Purge Challenge

is just a first step to being intentional about the food we eat. Many people in this world are hungry right now. Many Americans are hungry right now. If you are reading this, there is good chance that there is food that you do not need in your pantry right now.

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For me this started a little over a year ago when my family and I moved into a larger house, with this beautiful pantry. It was a difficult time for us financially, just after we moved the sale of our old house fell through, and it took another 4 months before we got another offer. From that fall until the next spring, I filled it. What I had not realized at the time was that I was filling it so that it would be full. We did not needed all of it, and certainly could barely afford it while we were paying two mortgages. I've decided to make my Pantry Purge an annual ritual.

Then I said it,

“We’re going to stop buying food.”

I wish I could post the look that my husband gave me in the moment. Essentially that is what I did, with exception of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy items. I forced myself to USE the pasta way in the back, the can of pink beans, and the frozen veggies that I had forgotten about. We did eventually run out of bread, and if I remember correctly, I made waffles out of three kinds of flour.

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There has is so much information and press out there about the problems with the way American’s eat. Since there rise of agriculture humans have relied on preserved food. Now with refrigeration, shipping, and science we have gone beyond just grain stores or “putting up” jars of tomatoes. Just about any food is available just about anywhere, just about any time of year. In all this bounty, we end up eating processed and out of season food. I am not asking to become vegetarian, or go completely organic, I am not going to suggest you start taking wheat-grass shots. This is about using up the great food you already have in your pantry and learning to buy what sustains you!

 4 Week Pantry Challenge Schedule

• Week 1 (Feb. 19-26): Start by stopping (buying things at the store blindly)
• Week 2 (Feb. 27- Mar. 4): How to Organize, When to toss, Dinner (now!); the convince of cooking from scratch.
• Week 3 (Mar.5 – 11): You are what you eat, and you eat what you buy
• Week 4 (Mar.12 -19): Pantry Pare-Down Pot luck, and Food Drive.

I am running this Pantry Purge this spring to coincide with lent, on purpose. I am not religious but I think that we can all use a time of reflection fasting, and almsgiving during this time of year. It’s even better with a community! I’ve asked some of my blogging friends to help me with this series.

I need your help too! First follow my Rss feed so you won’t miss any post, next leave a comment below with a picture of your pantry or fridge.

This was my favorite room
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I’ll have a couple of post each week with tips, task, recipes, and of course more pictures of my pantry. We will have fun and some prizes as well. In addition, of course it will all end with a party and food drive for your local food bank!

Join the Pantry Purge!

Its Easy!
First Subscribe Here:
 Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe by Email

Next, leave a comment (or two)!
We want to hear all about your purge trials, tips, triumphs and furry Asian fruit. :)

Last, take a look all of the past Pantry Purge Post!

Don't for get to grab a Pantry Purge Button for your blog.

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