Spring Clean Up: Your Pantry
Spring is here! And with that comes spring clean up inside the house and out. Lately I’ve been cleaning out my closets, my pantry and checking things off my to-do list and it feels great!
How often do you clean out your pantry? Spring is a great time to clean up your pantry, here are some helpful tips.
While it’s important to periodically deep clean and purge unnecessary clutter around the house, it’s also helpful to reevaluate your meal planning, shopping and food prepping routine too.
Here are some tips to spring clean up your pantry and meal planning routine:
Step 1: Take inventory
It might sound scary, but now’s the time to venture into the deep, dark depths of your pantry to see exactly what you have. Then strategize how to use it (or if needed, toss it!).
I know I’m guilty of an unorganized pantry. Things get thrown in there and before I know it, I have 3 boxes of open crackers!
Save money as you work through shelf-stable items before purchasing duplicates and remember to re-stock those healthy staples that make fast weeknight meals.
Some of my favorite items to keep in stock
- canned tomatoes
- canned light coconut milk
- low-sodium vegetable broth
- nutrient rich whole grains like quinoa
Step 2: Embrace seasonal produce
One simple way to get out of a cooking rut is to switch up your go-to fruits and vegetables based on the season. Strawberries, asparagus, and radishes are just some of the many in-season fruits right now.
Brighten your salad by adding fruit to it! One of my favorite salads to make is spinach and strawberries with balsamic dressing. Add a crunch of slivered almonds, sprinkle with some feta or goat cheese and that’s a delicious lunch!
For a simple side dish at dinner, grill some veggies like asparagus.
Step 3: Find a meal planning method that works for your family.
Remember that meal planning is key to staying on track with healthy living goals so if your current setup isn’t working, it might be time to switch gears.
Make it a goal to find an approach that feels doable and sustainable in the long run. If this is something you struggle with, a registered dietitian (like me) can help you learn how to save time, improve your culinary skills and enjoy home-cooked meals more often. Which means you spend less time in the kitchen and wondering what to cook.
Lastly, dedicating time to spring clean up your pantry and change up your meal planning steps can produce results that last.
A simple, well-planned menu and well-stocked pantry will reduce your stress in the kitchen and limit the need for takeout. Implementing some or all of these steps will set yourself up for success!
To get more nutrition tips, yoga and recipe ideas you can book an appointment with me and follow me on Instagram.
Marissa Perrotta is a registered dietitian and registered yoga teacher owner of Peaceable Nutrition & Wellness.
