Sharing a few pics of the inside of my fridge! Kind of crazy, right? People who read my blog get to know me up close and personal. You not only learn about every little thing my family is up to, but also get detailed pics inside every drawer and cupboard in my house. Might as well take a peek in the fridge and see what we’re eating this week! :) My fridge is a bit on the small side so it’s really important that I make good use of the space I have or we run out of room real quick. I manage to keep it pretty organized by doing a mini clean-out every time I get groceries. And since I’m NOT so great at meal planning, I end up making a quick grocery run about every other day. Hence, the always clean and organized fridge.
I use basic Gladware to store our food and leftovers (bought them all at Target last year). They come in so many sizes that I can always find exactly what I need. Plus they stack so neatly. Plus they’re plastic – not glass. We don’t do glass in this house. And I’m not just talking about keeping things unbreakable because of the kiddos. I am a total klutz and have been know to break a glass bowl or two…or twenty.
Some leftover pizza, chicken (I used in the enchiladas), Coke Zero because my husband is addicted even though he swears he isn’t…. our usual. Now I’m going to quote myself from a previous post I wrote on Healthy Eating that explains the prepped produce in the fridge —
“I’ve found that the secret for me to stay on track with food is to prep everything as soon as I get home from the grocery store. If I wash and cut up the produce, wash the lettuce and make some salads it is much easier for me to grab something healthy when I’m hungry and in a hurry. If I don’t get things ready to go, I just grab whatever is convenient (usually not healthy) because I don’t want to take the time to prepare food.” (That was cool – never quoted myself before. I was just too lazy to type something I knew I’d already written…) But it’s true. If I have the healthy food ready to go, I’ll eat it. If not, I grab junk. I know this about myself so I try really hard to wash and cut everything and put it in these Glad containers as soon as I get home from the store. Plus it makes it easier to grab a healthy snack for the kids after school and to get lunches ready in the morning.
I also wash some lettuce and throw a few things together so I can have a salad ready quickly. You all know I eat my summer salad A LOT.
Top drawer holds our cheese, tortillas and my beloved peppered turkey. Which I also eat A LOT. I eat the same things over and over. I’m kind of boring that way. I forgot to take a picture of the drawer below this. Holds bigger items like corn on the cob, green peppers, cucumbers, etc.
Water bottles are on on the top door shelf!
The girls and I drink a lot of water. A LOT. I’m typing that word A LOT, aren’t I. If you’ve ever been a guest in my home you know that the first thing I do is get out my labels and assign you a water bottle. Then I give you a hug and say welcome! But water bottles come first. ;) I write our names on them and we re-fill them all week and then start again with new bottles with our names on them the next week. I started this because I always had water bottles for me and my girls were always drinking them. So I gave them their own and now we use these for every meal and snack. It’s so much easier than dirtying cups right and left. Plus my little dishwasher (see previous post) can’t keep up with that many dishes. He is only 17 months old you know.
I’m out of mustard. Sorry. Just realized that looking at this picture. Crap. And I HAVE to have mustard on my turkey sandwich for lunch tomorrow. Guess we’re getting groceries in the morning….again. I know it doesn’t look like I have much here because I don’t! I only keep what we use/eat. You will never see anything expire in this fridge!
Especially not what’s waiting for me on the bottom shelf. Looks like homemade cookie time! Erin style.
xoxo, Erin
Great post as always! I know the water isnt great in California, or at least my experience in visiting there, so Im wondering, you said you refill your bottles of water ~ does that mean you have some sort of water filration system that cleans ALL your water, even shower water? I noticed when we vacationed in San Deigo as well as Disneyland that the water even from the shower seemed to leave an icky film on my skin and hair. I even went so far as to get a paul mitchell hair clarifying shampoo while I was there. Ive read that some parts of Arizona, Nevada and California all recycle sewage water, is that true?
For someone who says they dont cook much, your obviously feeding your kids really healthy food. Sometimes eating more simple is better.
that is a great idea about the water bottes, i totally need to do that!
Hi Erin, I’ve been womdering – with your not-cooking-much thing – what do your children & Kenny eat for dinners? I’ve picked up from previous posts that you eat Lean Cuisine meals quite a lot? And you feed the children early – before Kenny gets home? I don’t see much in the way of dinner ingredients in your fridge so just being nosy!!!
I just love your blog, I have been reading it for a little bit over a year and always have so much fun reading your posts. Thanks!
I love the idea of the veggies in the containers. I agree, if I don’t do it right away I know I won’t have them ready to snack on. It’s a good tip for sure.
i made your summer salad this summer and it is a new favorite of my families. So yummy!!!!!
Erin, you do realize that Nestle Tollhouse refridgerated dough does not count as ‘homemade’ right?? :)
I am so envious of the clean fridge.
I really like the water bottle idea but I have a question? Do you wash them out every time you refill them throughout the week or just refill?
Of course your fridge would be nice and tidy!
I love all your organization posts.
I love that you seem to have learned to just embrace the “not cooking” part of you instead of apologizing for it. There are so many things we can have mommy guilt for and think we need to be perfect at. It’s always refreshing when people show they don’t do everything and are okay with it, and just excel at what they do well at.
I love the idea of prepping ahead of time. I actually did this with some carrots and that I bought and thought of you. Thanks for always sharing and being so open (ha, ha, the fridge is open…I’m corny, I know)
I need to start prepping food like that! Such a good idea! OH and I finally got that DVD and it went well go to my blog and see:) tabloveskole.blogspot.com and I linked back to your blog, I hope you don’t mind.
Using aluminium water bottles would be better for the environment. You had to know someone was going to say that.
I hate cooking too! One of the easy and delicious dinners that I make often is taco salad. Just want to share this one with you Erin.
Taco Salad – browned hamburger with taco seasoning, cut tomatos, shredded lettuce, tomatos, shredded cheese, sour cream. I usually layer each dish with Doritos, then taco meat, then lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream. This is really good!
To the person above, Erin doesnt need you to judge her or correct her, and I think your missing the point, Erin is recycling, she is reusing her plastic bottles throughout the week and discarding at the end of each week. 4 or 5 plastic water bottles a week isnt a big deal, give me a break. If you have a problem with people using plastic then write to the food companies who package their food in massive amounts in plastic containers…ie. orange juice, milk, and everything in betweem.
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oops! that fridge is incredibly clean! I was also wondering what your family eats?? I’m all for fast easy dinners if you have suggestions.
Ah, the labeled water bottles. I did really love that when we came to stay with you. I started doing it at home, only mine don’t look as nice since I’ve been writing on the bottles with a sharpie. Guess I need to pick up some labels. :)
And I’m totally laughing at the comments here about recycling! Maybe you need to assure your readers that you DO recycle your water bottles after you have used them for the week!
Hey you should do a post on what you pack in the girls lunches! I have the hardest time figuring out what to pack for my kiddos!
Erin – I love your organization posts! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring. =]
I LOVE the idea of prepping everything as soon as you get it home!! May I ask how long do most things keep when you prep them? Also after you rinse them do you need to dry them before storing them in the fridge? I know that sounds like a simple question but I have never done this!
Also for the bottled water what we do sometimes to mark ours is tie different colored ribbon for each person at the top of the bottle:)
Not judging or criticizing Erin (I think she’s amazing!), just giving a suggestion no need to get so defensive.
Not judging or criticizing Erin (I think she’s amazing!), just giving a suggestion no need to get so defensive.
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Hi Erin! Tried to leave you a comment yesterday but I guess it didn’t go through. After talking to you, I came home and made enchiladas:) need to get your recipe! I love your hair! I mean, I always love your hair! The beach pictures are amazing. You always capture the best pictures! Your fridge is sooo awesome. I love everything in there from the water bottle idea to the prepping. And mustard! oh, if you only lived next door, I would run you over some. I have multiples. :)xo!
Oh wow, you’re post is inspiring me to do several things: A) clean and organize my fridge like nobody’s business tomorrow morning, B) start preparing those healthy salads and snacks you’re talking about C) do the water bottle thing here at my home
Great ideas!!
Ah, join the club! The difference with me is that I have to write descriptions of everything because I’m blind. Also join the club on the breaking of glass plates!
Michelle and Troy
Erin…these are what you need…they are gorgeous, one bottle per person and reusable..and they come with a tray for the fridge.
http://www.ireducebottles.com/product_assortment.htm
Fun post! I think I’ll clean my fridge today… :)
This maybe wasn’t the best post to read after just getting home from a conference and feeling overwhelm :). You are amazing! It does inspire me to go organize my fridge better. Water bottles – great idea.
Love the water bottle idea! Need to do that since my wild 3 year old loves to annoyingly SQUISH every bottle so he can hear that fabulous crinkling sound!
I wish our fridge looked like that!
I love how organized you are! I am inspired to tackle some areas in my own home!
Wow!! You are so organized. I’m a new follower. I would love for you to stop by and link up to More the Merrier Monday. It is open through Wednesday so you have plenty of time to link up. http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
You are my organizing sister! :) Your fridge makes me giddy. Crazy in love giddy. Great post Erin!!
xoxo,
Jen
Linked through from your Organizing Junkie post. Great ideas for the fridge!! I think my kids backwash too much for the water bottle idea, but I’ll definitely use it for guests. I agree on prepping the produce immediately. I also keep a “lunch box” container I can pull out to make a quick lunch.
Nice post.
I just love your blog, I have been reading it for a little bit over a year and always have so much fun reading your posts. Thanks!
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