Confession time.

Do you know what’s in your pantry?

Or food cupboard?

Are you certain there’s nothing in there – right at the back – long expired?

Can you even get to the back?

Easily. To see.

We all store so much food, don’t we?

Which is odd, isn’t it?

Seeing as how most of us have such easy access to cheap food.

We tell ourselves it’s convenient.

Buying in bulk.

BUT then all gobble up any tips we can find on Pinterest for pantry storage.

BECAUSE actually …

… storing heaps of stuff with expiry dates IS hassle!

And hassle we don’t need.

So today we’re doing a lightning raid of our dried food to make it that bit easier.

If you’re following along with my quick daily declutter, read on. BUT if you’re new do hop back and read how just 10 things can help you declutter easily.

Just 10 Things  – Dried Food

As always we’ll stick to the just 10 things rules:

• Take 5 minutes or so, 15 minutes max
• Focus on dried food
• Open our eyes to food no one eats
• And without yanking stuff out – just push it to the side to root to the back
• Spot any we’re ready to let go

REMEMBER we’re NOT clearing out the whole pantry. Because that will overwhelm us. And tell our brains decluttering is hard.

We ARE doing a first lightning raid to make space.

So keep your eyes out for:

• Food no one likes
• Food gone so soft no one eats it
• Food so old it’s dangerous!!

PLUS food your family will eat that’s about to expire.

In particular look for …

1. Pasta & noodles
2. Rice & grains
3. Cookies & biscuits
4. Snacks
5. Cereals
6. Crackers, crisps & chips
7. Soups
8. Beans & pulses
9. Tea, coffee & hot drinks
10. Desserts & puddings

Ditch the expired stuff.

And the open stuff you know your family won’t eat.

Put it in food recycling if you can.

I know it feels like waste.

BUT long term storing less can slash waste.

The unopened, good to eat food your family hates can be donated.

You may have a local food bank.

Or your church or a local charity who take donations.

THEN put the close to expiry food where you CAN see it.

And whether you typically meal plan or wing-it cook it FIRST.

Remember every little thing we let go, adds up.

AND helps us to see the value of space.