The Food We Keep...

Everyone does it. We go to the grocery store, something looks really good, so we buy it. Weeks later it is still sitting in the refrigerator untouched. I cleaned out the refrigerator last night and thought I'd share some of the uneaten food I found.

These are some of Calder's purchases. The huge jar of kraut was actually purchased when we first moved here, and I don't think it's even been opened. I distinctly remember when we were shopping for groceries to fill the fridge Calder put it in the buggy and said, "mmm, KRAUT!" He obviously didn't want it as much as he thought. The Artichoke and Jalapeno dip is also completely his, I don't care much for artichoke. I am partly to blame for this not being eaten, since whenever he does have some, I can smell artichoke on his breath until two days later. My imagination? Maybe. But it's really enough to me that I complain enough to probably make it not worth eating. It still has a day or two after Calder gets home before its expiration, so I'll save it for him and let him have one more day to enjoy it. The kraut, also having some time before its expiration, was returned to the refrigerator to sit longer, uneaten, until the date is past.

My weakness is usually produce. Once I buy it and stick it in the produce drawer on the bottom of the fridge, I just completely forget its there. I'll also buy a whole bag of carrots if I need one, and never use the rest. This tomato is actually still fresh, but I am particularly bad about forgetting about tomatoes. I throw them away almost weekly, but I keep buying them because I do love tomatoes. The cauliflower is also still fine, but I've had it for awhile and don't really want it anymore. The celery is definitely past its prime and was thrown our after this picture was taken.

I also did a freezer clean-out. During the winter, we were able to use our balcony as a second freezer and just throw the overflow out there. Now that it's starting to warm up, that doesn't work anymore so it's all back inside. I'm so used to buying food like I have a place to put it, even though I don't. I discovered Smart Ones frozen meals last week as well (DELICIOUS) and stocked up on those. Here's a before and after.

I don't know if I actually accomplished much - organizational speaking, but at least I now know what's hiding in the back. I put the dessert in the back because I figured I'm a lot less likely to forget about that!