It worked so well to use up leftovers that we have just continued it — generally we have at least 4 servings of random leftovers from the preceding few days. I microwave plates for everyone, & if there aren’t enough leftovers for mom, then I get scrambled eggs with cheese on wheat toast (which is total comfort food for me) because we always have eggs & cheese in the fridge.

At the end of 3 weeks anything non-perishable leftover goes to the food pantry donation shelf at the grocery shelf since it is unlikely we are going to eat it.

My mother cannot understand the need or desire to do this. But then she has canned food on her pantry shelves that were purchased by my father who died 11 years ago.

Regarding decluttering the fridge and freezer, we moved recently and I actually started several weeks ahead of time to use up the food. There’s just two of us, so a week wasn’t long enough, plus by the last week, we didn’t have time nor desire to cook anything anyway.

Now that we have a fresh start, I’m only buying ingredients we need for the next two weeks. Of course when there’s sales, we stock up, but I try hard to use those before the next sale comes along. Now, if I could only figure out how to use the hot sauces and various vinegars we moved with us….

One thing that really helps us prevent this is to put away leftovers in lunch-size portions, with the side dishes included. That way, the fridge is full of grab-and-go options on hectic mornings.

I’ve been known to do this with body lotions and makeup, too, when the bathroom cabinet is out of control.

Also, I label everything with the date that I made it and also write on a list on the freezer door what’s there and when it went in and how many. Each time I take out a container, I make a mark on the page so I know what’s left.

Different kinds of meat, veggies, everything is better with melted cheese and stuck between two tortillas!

Also food are variations like omelette or frittata. Pizza is nice for using up miscellaneous veggies, meets, cheeses, or sauces. If you have tortillas, English muffins, or canned biscuits (or bisquick or something) to use up they can also make good alternative pizza bases.

I recommend making a list of the jars and things you want to use up and menu planning accordingly. The jams are great shortbread cookie fillings or pie fillings, especially in combinations and with frozen fruits (Lemon curd, raspberry jam and frozen blueberries are great.) Many salad dressings and sauces are great marinades for meats prior to cooking, or tossed over leftovers for lunch salads. Olives, pickled veg, and cheeses are great additions to pastas warm or cold.

I once had friends over for a clean-the-freezer dinner. I just heated up everything we had and set it out for people to eat up. There was only enough corn for one person, but that worked out since he disliked all other veggies. Everybody doesn’t have to eat matching food, and it doesn’t have to be served on matching plates, either.

Moving is the other time when the fridge has to be emptied. We always joked about, mmmmm, mustard sandwiches tonight. LOL!

When I have random leftovers I tend to just snack my way through them. A benefit of being single, I think, is not having to worry about dinner for someone else.

In regards to the actual cleaning, what do you all do? Baking soda and water? I try that, but it takes forever to work the residue off.

We also do family buffet night, when all leftovers are set out, and you pretend you are at the Golden Trough (Corral).

Leftover cooked chicken can be sliced or diced and added to lunch salads.

We usually don’t have many leftovers, though. I have a 15 YO son with a teen’s appetite, and whatever leftovers there are come with me to work for the next day’s lunch! Saves space and $$.