Friday is the day I take part in Food Waste Friday over at The Frugal Girl
I try to be one organised lady when it comes to the kitchen and food, and Food Waste Friday helps me be even more organised!
Each Friday I try to allocate 1-2 hours after the school run to do the following:
Step 1 – Clean out Fridge and Cupboard
- Firstly I clean the counter tops
- Secondly I grab a dry marker and my ceramic notepad (less clutter and waste) – which will already have some foodstuffs, that I have identified throughout the week that need replenishing, noted on it
- Then I empty the contents of the fridge and my perishables cupboard onto the counter
- Next I clean my fridge with bicarbonate of soda, and wipe out my cupboard with a damp cloth and a little washing up liquid (not too much)
- Once the fridge is ready to go I do an inventory of my foodstuffs. My aim each week is to purchase for the week and not to carry over perishable items. Fruit and Veg deteriorate if not frozen, so I do try to use up within 7 days maximum. I also only have a small fridge and do not like food clutter, so I purchase just what is needed and very rarely bulk buy. There is an argument that this isn’t very frugal but I find it reduces waste for my family.
Step 2 – Fridge/Perishables Inventory
- Firstly I identify all items that can go back in the fridge – this week I do not have any foodstuffs to carry over – but if I did I would note these on my ceramic pad so as not to repurchase and to ensure I include a meal that uses them up ASAP
- Secondly I make a note of any items that need replenishing– these are the ‘add in/on’ ingredients that I frequently use – so this week its orange juice and milk (but I had already noted these on my ceramic notepad during the week)
- Finally I leave on the counter what needs using up (if anything)
Step 3 – Get creative or check out the takeaway menu!
So do I have anything this week to contribute to Food Waste Friday and what am I going to do about it?? Or do the Hubby and I get a takeaway? (Do not fret I always have something I can rustle up for the Kids from my store-cupboard ingredients)
No takeaway for us tonight! As sitting on my counter are:
9 x Eggs (Best Before Date 17th – must be used today!)
Broccoli
4 x Yoghurts
6 x Onions
2 x Apples
2 x Carrots
6 Slices of Bread
As I never plan a meal in advance for Friday, this means I can put my culinary thinking chef’s hat on and use up everything I have. Tonight I will make Omlettes and steamed Broccoli with Yoghurt for dessert (so back in the fridge until later). The apples will get eaten when the Children get back after school/nursery. The Onions will get chopped and frozen, and the bread kept until tomorrow when I will make a Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pudding.
Finally the 2 Carrots will be put back in the Fridge and I will cross my fingers that they will last until each of my Children leave a carrot for Rudolph on Christmas Eve!
No Waste Tastes Great
🙂
Step 4 – Meal planning and placing my grocery order
Friday is also the day I plan the meals for the coming week and place my on-line grocery order. I have my groceries delivered on a Saturday morning (I pre-book my delivery slot in advance). My Simple Meal Plan 6 will be posted tomorrow (including my plans for My Simple Christmas Dinner to feed 10 adults and 4 Children).
How’s your fridge looking this week? Anything to use up guys?
Well, thanks to you we are slowly but surely using up everything in creative ways! My family is so pleased! As a side note, I want to leap through the computer and grab that Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pudding! Jo, you’re killin’ me!
I promise that should we ever dine together I’ll make you one! Guaranteed! I’m popping on over to http://www.thesuburbanfamilytable.com to join in in a few mins – Have a lovely day – It’s snowing here again – looks like we are set for the UK’s 2nd White Christmas in a row – superb!
Well, thanks to you we are slowly but surely using up everything in creative ways! My family is so pleased! As a side note, I want to leap through the computer and grab that Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pudding! Jo, you’re killin’ me!
I promise that should we ever dine together I’ll make you one! Guaranteed! I’m popping on over to http://www.thesuburbanfamilytable.com to join in in a few mins – Have a lovely day – It’s snowing here again – looks like we are set for the UK’s 2nd White Christmas in a row – superb!
Well, thanks to you we are slowly but surely using up everything in creative ways! My family is so pleased! As a side note, I want to leap through the computer and grab that Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pudding! Jo, you’re killin’ me!
I promise that should we ever dine together I’ll make you one! Guaranteed! I’m popping on over to http://www.thesuburbanfamilytable.com to join in in a few mins – Have a lovely day – It’s snowing here again – looks like we are set for the UK’s 2nd White Christmas in a row – superb!
Great post , thanks for sharing ! Good luck
Thank you and thanks for stopping by, and indeed commenting – Jo
Great post , thanks for sharing ! Good luck
Thank you and thanks for stopping by, and indeed commenting – Jo
Great post , thanks for sharing ! Good luck
Thank you and thanks for stopping by, and indeed commenting – Jo
Wow! I’m impressed at how organized you are! My refrigerator would LOVE to be cleaned and wiped down with such regularity! Great job on using all your food!
Wow! I’m impressed at how organized you are! My refrigerator would LOVE to be cleaned and wiped down with such regularity! Great job on using all your food!
Wow! I’m impressed at how organized you are! My refrigerator would LOVE to be cleaned and wiped down with such regularity! Great job on using all your food!
Hi Renee – This is definitely one of those circumstances where the lack of storage is key. My Fridge door measures 23″ across, and 28″ in height (with 4 shelves just 16″ deep) – it’s the same size as a UK kitchen cupboard. The freezer is the same but just 3 drawers. Because I buy for just 7 days I can fit everything in, it also means to clear it and clean it is a simple job. The freezer holds very little apart from veggies, bread, ice-cream/cubes and a couple of batch made meals for emergencies.
Will be heading on over to your site later tonight to take a peek! Thanks so much for the comment – Jo
Hi Renee – This is definitely one of those circumstances where the lack of storage is key. My Fridge door measures 23″ across, and 28″ in height (with 4 shelves just 16″ deep) – it’s the same size as a UK kitchen cupboard. The freezer is the same but just 3 drawers. Because I buy for just 7 days I can fit everything in, it also means to clear it and clean it is a simple job. The freezer holds very little apart from veggies, bread, ice-cream/cubes and a couple of batch made meals for emergencies.
Will be heading on over to your site later tonight to take a peek! Thanks so much for the comment – Jo
Hi Renee – This is definitely one of those circumstances where the lack of storage is key. My Fridge door measures 23″ across, and 28″ in height (with 4 shelves just 16″ deep) – it’s the same size as a UK kitchen cupboard. The freezer is the same but just 3 drawers. Because I buy for just 7 days I can fit everything in, it also means to clear it and clean it is a simple job. The freezer holds very little apart from veggies, bread, ice-cream/cubes and a couple of batch made meals for emergencies.
Will be heading on over to your site later tonight to take a peek! Thanks so much for the comment – Jo