
We can admit that after a year of working from home, whipping up new recipes, and the occasional forgotten Tupperware in the back of a shelf, our fridges have seen better days. But it's a good idea to store food properly and efficiently in your fridge to avoid food waste. According to a study from Johns Hopkins University, nearly 31 percent to 40 percent of our food supply in the U.S. goes to waste and that's just a waste on the planet. So let's get cooking to preserve your food better.
If your fridge needs some serious TLC, we've got you covered with this spring cleaning guide to get your fridge looking (and perhaps, smelling) better than ever!
Divide and Conquer
Start by clearing everything out and dividing it all into fruit, vegetables, meats, condiments, and cheeses. And don't forget to make a separate pile for expired products that you need to toss. This way, you can take stock of what you have and you might even be able to condense things.
Clean
Before you return anything to their designated spots, you'll want to wipe down the shelves and make sure there are no juices, grime, or mold left behind. Pick a reusable rag that you can throw in the washing machine when you're done and pair it with a non-toxic spray like this all-purpose cleaner from Cleancult.
Store and Organize
There are multiple ways you can keep your fridge in check once you've cleaned it out. Let's break it down by section.
Drawers: You can store fruits, vegetables, and meats here. Since fridges have designated drawers for each, you can keep them separate and organized. For example, green veggies need high humidity while most fruits need low so it's best to keep them separate. Meats usually go near the bottom so that they won't drip onto any of your other food, while your cheeses should be stored in a crisper in the fridge, which will have the most consistent temperature and humidity. Note avoid plastic wrap and use parchment paper instead so your cheese can breathe.
Shelves: Keep smaller items or condiments in baskets so you won't have to guess what's inside, like this basket from Open Spaces. Try round turntables to make bottles easily accessible, and colorful containers that'll keep things looking clean and organized. If your shelves are at different heights, you can keep short and fat items on the top shelf and larger ones near the bottom.
You can also label your containers with chalkboard labels, or just use tape and a Sharpie! If you write the dish name and the date you put it in the fridge, you'll be able to keep track of everything easier (a great hack for leftovers).
Freezer: Use caddies or shelves to maximize your freezer space. You can freeze things flat (think soup in a plastic bag) so that you don't have to deal with a bunch of funky shapes. Since freezers generally have less space than the fridge, it's also important to freeze portion sizes that won't overwhelm your space.
Door: Group your pickle and pepper jars, your salad dressings, and your spreads (like mayo or peanut butter and jelly) in different areas of the door so you always know where things are. Plus, the door is the warmest part of your fridge so avoid putting things like milk or eggs here.
Follow us on Pinterest for more organization tips!
(Featured image via Latrach Med Jamil/Unsplash)
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Brit + Co Editorial Intern, the Taylor Swift friend | Chloe is from the Outer Banks of North Carolina (yes, like the Netflix show!). When she isn't writing or updating her blog Pastels and Pop Culture, Chloe enjoys watching Marvel movies or texting her sister about the latest celebrity news. Say hi at @thechloewilliams on Insta!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.