Fridge Fodder

It's been observed that for the most part the average American refrigerator stores but two things: Condiments and Compost.

Careful inspection proved that I did, in fact, resemble that remark.

Why is it that when I get home from the grocery store I have to "make room" in my fridge for all the groceries? What's in the fridge if it's not the food I plan on eating this week that I just made a shopping trip for?

Considering Condiments:

I appreciate having a fully-stocked pantry. I believe that does include a number of fridge staples, sauces and such, that can be used to make a wide number of other things. But looking in the fridge I realize things such as do I really need five different open bottles of salad dressings?

I want variety, but the truth is I always end up throwing away half-empty bottles of salad dressing because they don't last that long. I've decided recently that I'd like to start making more of my own salad dressings and other sauces. (I got some recipes from a friend.) That way they are fresh, I can still have variety, and I only make as much as I need so I don't have to store any leftovers in the fridge!

Contemplating Compost:

Really this point made me laugh because what is the definition of compost--partially decomposed organic matter. Yep that's exactly what I keep around in my fridge!

I actually get frustrated because I'll pull some moldy Tupperware from the back of my fridge and say "I didn't know we had more of this soup!" And I truly wish I had known it was back there because I would have eaten it!

Trouble is there's too much compost and condiments taking up space making it impossible to know what's in my fridge at any given time.

This calls for an INTERVENTION!

I've had a plan I've been mulling around for a while based on a number of things I've seen and heard, and I finally acted on it. May I have the honor to present. . .

My Fridge:


Featuring three newly-instated plastic baskets to help solve all my problems! When you pull out a basket you can see everything at once. In a quick glance I can find what I'm looking for. And I'll never again be caught saying "Woah, how long has that been there?"

The upper right basket holds condiments and "makings," things like jelly, pickle relish, sour cream, mayonnaise. (It sits, on top of my cheese drawer full to the brim with delicious variety.)

The lower right basket holds leftovers. Looking for lunch? I pull out one basket and see all the things that need to get eaten up. Also I can easily recognize the things that have been in there too long.

The lower left basket holds ready-to-eat foods. Yogurt, applesauce, cheese sticks, pickles. Owen can easily find something to snack on if he's hungry.

The two bottom drawers hold all my delicious fresh vegetables. And the shelf holds drinks. (I need to work more on the fridge door, and pare down to only the essential condiments. It also holds my eggs, butter, and yeast.)

I am now the quintessential homemaker who gets warm fuzzies when I open my refrigerator!