I am the mother of teenage (and younger) boys, which means purchasing, preparing, serving and consuming food, and cleaning up feels like a full time job.  I’ve been strategizing to streamline our schedules and routines, so my first project was to make the kitchen more user-friendly, for convenience and good nutrition, for my boys, starting with the Freezer.

My objectives for the Freezer Clean Out Project were to

1. make kid-favorites more accessible;
2. inventory what I have on hand for an upcoming menu planning day / grocery trip; and
3. purge the icky stuff.

With my objectives in mind….

1. To start, as with all kitchen organizing projects, I made sure to have a clear work space.
2.  
3. Next, I put all the contents of the top freezer shelf on the counter.
4.   
5. Then I:
   • tossed the unidentifiable bread products;
   • discarded the excessive packaging from our last Costco bread purchase;
   • was distracted by the frozen raspberries and ½ container of frozen cool whip – dessert?!?
   • realized we have way too many frozen green beans;
   • grouped veggie bags in their bin;
   • re-stocked the breads, and left a loaf out on the counter for a change.  We usually freeze our bread and defrost just what we need, but we use it faster in the summer when everyone is home for lunch (my oldest makes a de-lish grilled cheese!).
   • Note:  Bins and baskets are great in the freezer for lending structure to the slumpy bags, and making it easier to stack and access stuff.  High-end appliances have them built in, but I use bins from Target for the same result.
   • Note:  I really appreciate the removable ½ shelf in my freezer (see photos above), it has been great for protecting our loaves of bread from getting squished.
6. On to the bottom shelf:
   1. I dumped all the contents on the counter, again, and wiped off the bottom shelf.
   2. Our bottom shelf is mostly meats, so I took out the two baskets and sorted the contents.  I moved the microwave-able breakfast meats within easiest reach of the door, and placed the packaged meats like hot dogs and meatballs in the bin next to that.  The boys now know which bin is which, so if they feel like making a meatball sub or hot dog for lunch, they can.
   3. The  dinner meats are all together, and I’ve noted what we have on hand for making this week’s menu.  Pork Chops anyone?
7. Door:
   1. This is the kids’ go-to place in the freezer. Upper left bin is designated for buns and bagels, easily visible and accessible.
   2. Upper right bin is for ice packs for lunches and coolers.
   3. Bottom shelf is self-serve for frozen lunch items and snacks.
   4.  
8. Other things I did just this morning, to make good nutrition more convenient:
   • Hard-boiled and peeled a dozen eggs, since since self-sufficiency and good nutrition are the objectives and the little guy is not adept at peeling. The boys love slicing them up for breakfast.
   • Cleaned and cut carrots and veggies for quick snacks, cleaned fruit for the bowl on the counter, and re-stocked the granola / breakfast bar stash.
   • Explained all the updates to my darling children so they would know what and where things are, and would need to bug me less.  I hope. The real test will be in about an hour, when they get hungry.  Again.  Ahhh, teenagers.  Maybe the big guy will make his mom a grilled cheese!

The freezer project took all of half an hour last week, and the kitchen prep time this morning was minimal.  Think about your home and routines – there are probably lots of quick projects you could accomplish together that would make your life simpler, too.  If you need a place to start, check out your Freezer!