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I have three roommates and limited pantry space, so stockpiling food for quarantine wasn’t quite in the cards. Instead, I’ve been using the Out of Milk app to track what I buy, help me shop smarter, and experiment with new recipes.
My grocery list used to live across Post-Its and phone notes, but this app thankfully keeps everything in one place. When I get home from the store, I check off the items I bought and add them to the app’s pantry list, so I remember to use them. Over time, I’ve noticed which items get used up and re-added to the list, which helps me buy things I will actually cook with rather than more green beans (that I stare at for two weeks then feel sad about throwing away).
The next step was to catalogue my whole pantry. Last week, I went through shelf by shelf and arranged everything on the countertop. Seeing everything at eye level helped me realize what I would realistically use and what I should give away (looking at you, mini jar of strawberry jam). When I decided to keep something, I added it to the app, and moved it back into the pantry. I also optimistically reorganized my food (oats to the front!) to ward off midnight snacking.
I found marshmallows and rewarded myself by making s’mores, then felt motivated to get creative by cooking with what I already have. Chili-lime peanuts inspired me to make pad thai for the first time, dried apricots and marcona almonds rounded out a cheese board for my roommate’s birthday, and a surprise jar of cookie butter motivated me to dust off my ice cream maker and try out a new flavor.
Shopping my cabinet has helped me see that I have enough to take care of myself. I’ve realized that I don’t need every single ingredient to make a great meal, and that I can be comfortable owning less. Still, some days are better for cooking than others: I’m heating up some frozen pizza tonight.
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