What's that green stuff at the back of the fridge?



Dec/Jan 2011 cover image

 If it's not a bunch of kale or an avocado, you might want to "use it or lose it" says an article in the April/May issue of Natural Health.  First we might need to backtrack to the article on the Cheapskate's guide to a greener home where tip #37 tells us to Stop wasting food.  Buy only what you are going to eat in the next few days - after all it's not Old West where you might not get back into town until after the spring thaw.  Now back to what to do with those items that got lost in the back of the fridge..."Spoiler alert" says foods will have the best flavor by the "best by" date. "Use by" dates give you a couple of days leeway, while "expiration date" is the last day food should be eaten.  "Sell by" is the last day the store can sell the item - I usually stay clear of these unless I am going to be using it immediately.  But remember, if you didn't buy the item to eat, then why is it sitting in your fridge?  I suggest pushing the point and keep a running tally on a magnetic notepad on your fridge.  Everytime you throw away spoiled food write down how much you paid for it and subsequently wasted...I'll bet in no time at all, it will be close to the price of a meal.