It seems like every a few blogs I follow are boasting about their pantry... So I'm going to do the same. The one thing that bugs me about these 'other' blogs is that they must have a money tree in the backyard because their pantry's are chocka block full of the Tupperware range... Well I do love Tupperware but when the basic pantry containers cost about $400, I have to settle with my one and only that I got when I threw my first ever Tupperware Party, just before I got married!... I feel a need to show normal people that a normal pantry can still be kept clean without a pantry of Tupperware to put in all into!
I do have 3 big white IKEA boxes that live in my pantry. One has all the medicines in it; one has all my 'party needs' including food colouring, sprinkles, chocolate chips, patty pans (all those small things you don't need to see unless your baking a cake or making cupcakes); and the other holds the tea's, coffee's and Milo that I cant fit into my canisters on the bench. See Cuppa Anyone? for my canisters!
A small cane basket holds all my herbs and spices.
(I did have a rack but threw it out a couple of weeks ago, got a bit 'old and scabby')
We tend to hold onto herbs that we don't use or are WAY over on the Use By date!
So a good clean out is a great way to make more room!
Another cane baskets holds all my Pastas and rices in it.
Both baskets live next to all the condiments and sauces... which I would love to get either a revolving circle thing to put them all in/on or/and a small 'stair case' thing so they are easy to reach and see... However it really isn't too bad when they are contained into a space (so it cant keep growing and take over the pantry) and placed with bigger items at the back and smaller at the front... which Boyd doesn't seen to get as the BBQ sauce stands front and centre of the photo!
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The 4 baskets (on the bottom) work perfectly for
1. Potatos
2. Onions
3. Soups
4. Slow Cooker Packets etc
I also have a Cane basket that I throw all Luke's quick snacks into, for example
- Oreo Biscuits
- Fruit Tubs
- Yoghurt and Fruit Balls
- Muesli Bars
- Cheese and Biscuits
- Santana Packets
- Tiny Teddies
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| I love lining my tins up. It is easy to see what you have and what you need to buy on food shopping day! |
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| Top shelf: Cordial, Paper Towel, Recipe Books and Box with all Luke's chips in it. Yes I'm getting organized for Christmas as you can see ;) |
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| Top Shelf : All the cereals. |
And my the bottom of my pantry... sorry didn't get a photo for you, has our picnic basket, a bag that holds all my plastic bags from food shopping and a box that holds our plastic plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons etc. Its easy to pull out and mop under on mopping days...
I actually enjoy cleaning out and rearranging pantry's...sick I know! I have done a few friends pantry's and its amazing how much you throw out that has been stitting there for months years!
A friend of mine, Kylie, who has 5 kids, was telling me how she spends about $400 on shopping day, however after completely cleaning, sorting and rearranging her pantry, she can now see what she has, use things she has and buy's only what she needs on shopping day and has HALVED her food bill every week!! WOW That's a $200 saving that she can spend on other things... on herself hopefully (she deserves it)!
Not only will it make you feel better when you open that pantry door and see it all neat and CLEAN but it is also so much more hygienic! If your wondering why your kids always get gastro or are sick (please don't get me wrong this is not always the case) but have you cleaned out your pantry (and fridge) lately? It is where we keep the food that gives our children nutrition and makes them healthy (hopefully) and strong... Or is it the place that is making them sick... oh, I wonder how long those cockroaches have been in there...or look how 'out of date' that product is...or opps, that is WAY mouldy back there!! Come on girls, keeping our pantry (and fridge) neat and clean is so much better for us and our kids!! Its totally worth doing and you wont regret it...
Pull everything out...yes EVERYTHING... Give all your shelves a GOOD clean and put things back in one at a time, give it a place and check the dates as you go!...
Send me a picture when your finished!!!
I'll be so proud :) xo
