When I posted photos of my shiny happy completed kitchen, I received a comment asking if my fridge is always so organized. A week later, I would have to say yes. Yes it is. I like going to the market, I like buying pretty vegetables and I like getting them all ready to eat and then displaying them prettily in my fridge. We all have our weird things.
Having been kitchenless (and therefore having to forgo the farmer’s markets) for the last month, when at last I could return, I did so with a vengeance. In the span of five days I hit up Dufferin Grove (Thursday), Liberty Village (Sunday), Sorauren (Monday) and Trinity Bellwoods (Tuesday). I even stopped in at my local organic food store to pick up some lemons and an avocado. This is all well and good and normally would not be an issue at all. The problem, however, is that I am going away for the long weekend.
I am not just driving up to my cottage but getting on an airplane and airplane travel and packing a cooler of kale, beet greens and broccoli is just going too far, even for me. So, despite this perhaps being the worst move I could make to promote my 5 Days Vegan program (beginning September 15th!), I am going all veggie for the next 24 hours. I mean that all I am eating are my vegetables (plus a little good fats, spices and maybe a seed or two). They are farm fresh which means they won’t stay good forever like supermarket produce might. These pretty things need consumption or some other sort of creative cooking/storage before I leave.
All day Thursday, for your voyeuristic pleasure, I will blog this endeavor, each meal and each snack with the goal of having nothing left when I leave for my little jaunt to the prairie land.
Please, please, please know that this has nothing to do with 5 Days Vegan, other than the fact that that program does involve eating vegetables, it also involves eating a whole lot of other tasty things too. This my friends, is simply a mission based on economics and my refusal to throw out produce, or allow it to rot in my fridge. Wish me luck!
Fridge Inventory
- 2 Apples
- 3 lemons
- 3 leaves of kale
- 2 leaves of yellow chard
- 1 bunch of beet greens
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 zucchini
- 1 yellow squash
- 1 onion
- 1/2 dozen little beets
- 3 little turnips
- green beans
- head of broccoli
- 1 avocado
- 1 bunch of basil
- 1 bunch of carrots
- 1 container of salad greens
- 1 bag of cucumbers
- 1 bunch of basil (not pictured)
- 1/2 dozen cherry tomatoes
- 1 full size tomato
- 1 bunch of bananas (not pictures)
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wow, smart girl you are. I hate having food go to waste. loving your blog.
Love the organization!
Your fridge is so neat and clean… Gosh, you really put my mess to shame!
Man, I’d pay money for a fridge that organized! Good luck with the cleanup. But you know you can cook stuff and then freeze it, right? I’ve never kept bananas in the fridge–don’t they go brown?
wow, your fridge is the stuff of my dreams!! i LOVE to fill my fridge to the brim with fresh produce and have it meticulously organized. i’m like the fridge nazi
looking forward to seeing this play out!
I can promise you all that my fridge will not look like this once my cooking classes get rolling. And yes- cooking and freezing is an option… if I could also magically create 9 more hours in the very long day I already have planned tomorrow
wow what a beautiful refrigerator! where do you get rice paper? i see it in recipes all the time.
love your site!
Meghan,
I’m thinking about doing your tutorial. I already eat a vegan diet 95% of the time but I always open to learn more and get more recipes.
Does the tutorial explain why you think corn, potatoes, soy are bad? I’m pretty much there with you on the soy, but I’m unfamiliar with the problem with corn and potatoes.
Also could you give us an idea what type of things will be on the shopping list. I don’t have a Whole Foods type store near me and often can’t get more exotic ingredients. I’m just curious if I will be able to find things.
Thanks!
Are you forgetting to mention something? You’re featured on Crazy Sexy Life. Way to go!
Your fridge is an inspiration! Make me want to re-organise my own.
Meghan, what is it that you’re keeping in opened mason jars in your fridge door? Does it keep fresher longer?
This is just the cutest fridge ever!
Meghan,
Yep, you’re my hero, all right! I always start with lots of good intentions. And we all know that the road to you know where is paved with good intentions. But you have to start somewhere. I wonder if it all leads back to how much control you have over your life and your kitchen. My hubby is a big fan of spontaneity-me, not so much. So organized living sometimes takes a back seat to just “rollin with it”. But, when I see what is possible in your blogs, I get re-energized and get going again. Again, congrats on your new diggs. Now along with taking a trip to Santa Monica and Santa Lucia, I dream about taking a trip to see your kitchen and take a class and watch you work your magic. Have a nice trip, your own self, this weekend.
Much love and many blessings,
June
I’ve just discovered your blog and I’m definitely hooked. I can hardly wait to see all the creative ways you come up with to use up your fruit and veggies over the next couple of days!
I have a LOT of cucumbers to use up because I’ve accidentally grown too many this year, so I’m particularly interested to see what you do with yours.
Thanks for sharing!
I wish my fridge looked like that. Mine is packed!
Yeah! I just found out
Hi Kristen- The tutorial does explain it though I imagine this blog does too in bits and bobs. Next week I will be pulling out some of the important info to share (in abbreviated form of course) and this will be one. Also- not to worry about any weird ingredients. I provide a meal plan that is largely whole foods based so if you have access to basics like fruits and veg, nuts and seeds, beans and lentils and maybe a gluten-free flour (though you can always grind rice or quinoa in a coffee grinder or magic bullet) you will be fine. I also provide additional optional recipes that can be swapped in according to need, dietary restriction and taste preference.
I have kale, collards and beet greens. The jars are full of water and yes- fresh fresh fresh. Have a look at this: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2009/01/08/the-veggie-prep/
Well Junecutie- you can take a class and watch me work my magic all in St. Lucia. That’s three birds with one itty pebble