Today your challenge was decluttering your pantry or 2 cabinets in your kitchen that you use to store food. After writing this post, I realized that my pantry is more like 2 cabinets than a pantry! I’ve always considered it to be a pantry so I guess either way, it’s done! I don’t store canned goods in it though so I guess you can decide!
I’m going to be completely honest here, I was sickened by the amount of food I threw away today as I was cleaning and decluttering the cabinets. Sometimes we are so wasteful it makes me shake my head in shame. In my decluttering effort, I found packages of stale chips and crackers and a few things that were expired like a box of pancake mix.
I had cleaned the pantry out about 3 months ago when I was canning tomatoes so I was surprised to find this much waste. It really hasn’t been that long since I’ve thoroughly cleaned and organized it!
However, there was a silver lining. I found enough food to donate that my preschooler will have a full bag to take with him tomorrow for the food pantry in the town where he goes to preschool and I found enough for the kids to take another bag to church tonight to drop off at AWANA. That made me feel a little bit better but I was still very bothered by the amount of waste!
I tried a new tactic when putting the food back in. I arranged by item AND by expiration. Not rocket science, but at least the stuff that expires first will be the first to get used. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for!
While I was cleaning out the pantry, I added several items to my grocery list (I think the kids might be more on track that we are about out of everything, than I originally thought!) Now I can go grocery shopping!
Were you able to participate today in our challenge of cleaning and decluttering your pantry or cabinets? I would love to hear what you found to bless someone else with and hopefully the rest of you are not nearly as wasteful as we are! Leave a link or a comment and let me know how you are doing on your challenges!
I’ve been grumbling inside my head because our pantry is (a closet under the stairs) is difficult to get in and out of. But after looking at your picture, one thing it has going for it is that the shelves are shallow enough that it is easy to stick your head in and see what’s in there, even if it is hard to get too:)
I completely understand! We have an under the stair closet and I store the things I can in the summer under there because it is easier to see! 🙂
This is great!! I just cleaned my pantry. I try to clean it at least twice a month (around grocery shopping time) so I can know what we need and don’t need. It’s hard! I hate clutter and mess so I am always figuring out a better system. Thanks for this sweet reminder. I guess I will tackle the office next (blah!)