Spring Clean-Up In The Pantry!

March 6, 2024

Every year around this time, my hubby and I take a walk around our yard and make Spring plans. We note any spots that need repairs or painting and what we want to clean up. Even though the wind was blowing and we were bundled up, we could “feel” Spring in the air! We have little sweet crocuses and other early flowering plants all through the gardens that scream…Spring is coming…get ready!

What’s on your Spring to-do list? Not only do we focus our efforts on our outside space, but on our indoor space too. What needs painting, repairing etc… and what needs organizing? I’m not a neatnik, however, I’ve figured out that when my space is organized I just feel less stress. Everything from the garage to our mop closet gets a once-over in the Spring. When my kitchen is clean and organized, I feel like I have it together. Spring is a good time to discard old dish towels, reorganize under the sink, donate pots and pans I no longer find useful etc. A key part of this process is to clean out and reorganize my pantry, fridge and freezer.

Fortunately, we have a powerful tool to make the process of organizing the food and goods in our kitchen easier, the DinnerTime Pantry Manager. I love utilizing technology to help me manage my everyday life. My kids actually enjoy helping with this task and, as those of us who are parents know, if you can get the kids to help, everyone wins!

Here is what we do with the  Pantry Manager:

• Keep track of what is in the pantry, freezer, fridge, spice rack – even in the herb or vegetable garden!
• Indicate what items are running low and what needs to be replaced.
• Use up excess ingredients or ones that will expire soon.
• Search recipes to use a specific ingredient.
• Shop from a smarter Grocery List, one that knows what I already have on hand, and which items I need on my list every week.

To start, We first cleaned out the pantry, then the fridge and then the freezer. It doesn’t really matter where you start. For us, it was easier to tackle this project in sections. Throw out expired ingredients.

Next, I logged into my DinnerTime account and opened the Pantry Manager. With one person reading out the name of the item…canned tomatoes…pepper…etc,  it took no time at all to add everything to our pantry list. The kids figured out they could add similar items by section all at once (click, click, click!), or add items one at a time. We indicated which items were running low…which ones we wanted to use up soon…and even searched to discover recipes for ingredients we didn’t know how to use! I loved how invested the kids became in choosing recipes they want us to make soon.

Plus, as a group, we decided what items we want to buy each time I go to the store, such as bananas, eggs and milk. (Unfortunately, donuts didn’t make the list!) For these, we clicked the  “frequent purchase” button. They’ll show up on every grocery list without anyone having to manually add them each time. The kids thought that was a brilliant feature. (Me too!)

The kids were pretty excited seeing the DinnerTime Pantry Manager in action. After creating our next meal plan, we opened the Grocery List and noticed that the items that we had added to the Pantry were marked “found in pantry.” No more buying anything we don’t need. It also reminded us which items were “running low,” and so we could add them to the list.  I pointed out that, as I shop I’ll be checking off items on my grocery list, and could add (or remove) items from the pantry. Hold on to your seat…the kids offered to help with the grocery shopping because they want to do the “clicking”!  Ha ha, I’m starting to feel like I’m Tom Sawyer making a chore seem fun…and yet it’s so satisfying to know we have our pantry, fridge and freezer well organized.

Little do the kids know, but with their help I’m a happier Mom, more organized and saved money by not over-purchasing the same items I already have on hand. Maybe I’ll get them to help with the garage next!

Get started with your Spring organizing now with your pantry, fridge, freezer and more.

Click here for step-by-step instructions in Help to lead you through the process.

Spring For These Recipes!

 Search for more delightful recipes in your DinnerTime Recipe Box.

Use the filter function (found on right of your DinnerTime Recipe Box search) to find desserts, main dish, side dishes etc.