3 Things to Declutter: Specialties Food Check

Decluttering food can go beyond the "best if used by dates"?  Yes,  we check the dates on the containers but we also do a mental and gut check.  

Like when that one party happened months ago and the specialty cocktail called for olives. We opened the jar bought just for the occasion and then as the night wrapped up, the jar got put in the fridge and that's where it's been since.  This is a gut check telling us to toss the jar out because we're not using them again regardless of the date on the container telling us it's not technically 'expired'.  

For me it usually comes down to the baking stuff or one-off recipe find.  I'm no different than many when that knack for needing to bake hits during the rush of holiday season.  The good intentions of taking fresh baked treats to share with family, friends and/or co-workers brings on a fun online search for just the right unique treat to try this year.  You find it, grab everything on the ingredients list and set the intention to baking on the calendar.  Then...reality checks back in and before you know it, Happy New Year!  But wait,  those special candy bits and chocolate melts are still sealed tight in the pantry waiting for the intention to happen.  Those unused ingredients can now be simplified out of your space and donated.  

How many times have you heard 'new year, new me'?  The gyms get crowded, the bulk organizing containers get purchased,  the calendar and planning boards get hung and often...that new 'healthy eating' plan gets put into place.  While I'm all for people living their best lives and being happy, healthy and hopeful...fads are a reality.  Healthy eating plans can be great plans but often our homes get stuffed with ingredients and meals that tend to collect dust instead of desired attention.  Goodness knows I've had my own experiences(s) that ended up being outgrown phases of my life, one of which included meals, meal replacements and snack substitutions.  If you've got anything sitting around that is part of an outgrown food phase,  declutter it!  

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