What's in your freezer?

How long has that been in your freezer?

Take a moment to prowl through your freezer with a pad and pen on the counter next to you.  

Start at the top and go to the bottom or left to right. Write down everything in there except what you throw out in this process.  

Tape your freezer list next to your grocery list on the refrigerator.  The next grocery trip will be time to shop and plan meals around what you HAVE and what needs to be used in the freezer.  If you buy something that goes into the freezer be sure and add it to your list.  

Keep in mind, most anything bought from the freezer section is intended to be used within 3 months or less depending on the product.  Anything you freeze yourself, should follow this guideline as well.  Check the expiration dates on packages as you're cleaning out the freezer.  Although bacteria may not kill you, the freezer burn may taste like the box it is in or worse.

~ Gretchen

Tired of Making the Grocery List?

Type up a list to save time

I gave up on the notion a while back that I would have time to sit down and plan all the meals, collect and cut coupons and make an accurate list before heading to the grocery store.  

Instead I keep copies of an excel spreadsheet on the side of my refrigerator that lists most of the groceries I buy, by category and the layout in the store where I usually shop.  It takes into consideration the meals I most often prepare and has a little extra space at the bottom of each category in case I need to write something extra.  

I use a highlighter to mark what I need.  It's fast and I won't miss that bold color at the store like I might with a check mark made with a pencil. 

I update my list document if I seem to be writing in the same thing fairly often.  Although it takes a little time to collect your thoughts in the beginning to make the initial document, it is well worth it in time savings in the future.  

If you need a little help getting started there are quite a few grocery lists on the web that you might be able to try before creating your own.  Some major chain grocery stores provide them on their websites. 

~ Gretchen