HOW-TO HAVE A HEALTHY REFRIGERATOR

Hey friends!

So you may be asking yourself... "Healthy refrigerator?  WTH is this post about?"  But the truth is that having a healthy, happy kitchen is critical to reducing your risk of food-borne illnesses and cross-contamination.  Not to mention, an orderly kitchen makes it easier to practice healthy habits :) 

​Well, today on Tuesday, November 15th we celebrate CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR DAY!  Now hopefully this isn't the only day of the year you designate to keeping your kitchen tidy, but it is a great chance to stay ahead of the inevitable holiday stress by preparing your most-used kitchen appliance for the upcoming holiday fun. 

Today, I’m sharing a few simple fridge hacks that anyone can use for a clean, organized and safe fridge.  Keep reading if you're ready to get started! 

START WITH A CLEAN SLATE

• Take everything out of your fridge.
• Throw away all foods that are expired. You know that little bit of pasta sauce you still haven't used up yet? Now’s the time to get real and get rid of them!  This ensures that the contents of your fridge are safe. Plus, it creates more space for the holiday specials you really want.
• Wipe down every surface. This is a prime opportunity to get the gunk off of each shelf, bin and the door with simple hot, soapy water. After a thorough cleaning, place a box of opened baking soda in your refrigerator to eliminate odors. You might be surprised at how good it feels to see that fresh interior, and it helps you mentally prepare for the upcoming festivities and new year.

NOTE: You can actually make your own cleaning solutions (like these from Good Housekeeping) with items you most likely already have in your kitchen!

My "before" fridge. Eeeek!

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ORGANIZE

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• Organize by "First In, First Out" (aka FIFO). This is a term used in most restaurants and is a good one to use at home, too. It means you use the oldest items first until they run out. For example, drink all of one carton of milk before opening another. This will keep you from wasting food, money or space in your fridge. So, put items that expire first in the front, where they are the most visible.  This is also very useful with leftovers.  
• Label your extra ingredients.  Include the date prepared or opened using a permanent marker + washi tape, chalkboard marker or a dry erase marker to keep things orderly.  That way, next time you pick it up or clean the fridge out you'll know instantly whether or not to toss it. 
• Maximize your bins. Use clear plastic bins and Lazy Susans to group similar foods together such as produce and condiments. Make items easy to see and grab by keeping them at eye level in the fridge. After all, if you can’t see them, how will you eat them?  This means storing smaller items in front so they aren't blocked or forgotten by bigger items.  (You can also apply the same labeling strategy in the previous tip to your clear plastic bins for extra organization.) 
• Establish a snack spot. Designate a space in your fridge just for grab-and-go snacks. Use a clear plastic bin to arrange pre-portioned fruits, string cheese, nuts, etc.  Here are 10 quick and healthy snacks to get you started.

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PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

• Keep the temperature at 40 degrees in the refrigerator. Bacteria thrive in temperatures above that. The freezer should be at 0 degrees.
• Store milk in the middle of the fridge, where it will be consistently cold, versus the door, where the temperature fluctuates. Avoid storing perishables in the door for this reason as well.
• Put all raw meats in the bottom section of the refrigerator in a container or dish. This ensures that any juices from the meats will not leak onto fresh foods and contaminate them.
• When in doubt, throw it out!  Better to not chance your luck on something spoiled.  Toss any questionable items you're unsure of. 
  

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How do you keep a healthy, happy fridge?  Share your tips with use below or using #MealPlanningMethod. 

lindsey