While I don’t think that cleaning should be reserved for just the spring, I got into the spirit of the season and decided to do a little spring cleaning of my own over the weekend. This cleaning wasn’t focused on my whole apartment though. My recipe file was my target.
I have this big folder in which I keep all the recipes that I tear out from magazines or jot down from who knows where. It was getting a bit out of control so I really needed to do a little updating. This is a good organizing task for me because I think my tastes change over time and what I once thought was a fabulous find doesn’t seem so appealing a year or two later.
What really surprised me as I went through my stack, though, was that it wasn’t so much that I wouldn’t like the recipe, but more so that I didn’t like the ingredients. I hadn’t realized how much my goal of reducing fake foods had influenced the appeal of recipes.
I threw away a good portion of dinner and dessert ideas that no longer interested me. The reason – because they called for fake foods. It really made me realize how much I’ve changed over the last year or so. These were some of the common culprits.
Cake mixes
Cornbread mixes
Pre-made cookie dough
Biscuit mixes
Canned soup
Instant gelatin and puddings
Whipped topping
Cornbread mixes
Pre-made cookie dough
Biscuit mixes
Canned soup
Instant gelatin and puddings
Whipped topping
Now I will be honest and say I didn’t toss every one that included an ingredient like this. (Well, except for the gelatin and pudding mixes. I’m just simply not into them anymore. It was an easy thing to eliminate.) Most of the things I did keep were special desserts that I’ve always enjoyed.
For example, my mom has a great rum cake recipe that starts with a yellow cake mix. I kept that because I love that cake around the holidays. My goal with these recipes is that one day I can spend some time re-creating them from scratch with more whole, healthy ingredients.
Have you experienced anything like this? How have your eating and food preferences changed over the last year?
Good for you with the cleaning! I have all of mine electronically! I need to back it up. I’d be so sad if it disappeared
Great info! I too have a big file, and it turned into a pile, and that’s in addition to the files on my computer!! As i’ve been going through it I am finding that what looks good in a picture doesn’t necessarily fit my health plan or my taste buds any longer!! Great points and love the flowers too!
We actually had pantry moths about 6 months ago, which was disgusting and horrible, but anyway we had to throw out EVERYTHING in our pantry. I mean, we lost thousands of dollars worth of stuff. But 90% of it I didn’t mind. It was crap hanging around that I didn’t even use any more, boxed meals or canned vegetables, stuff like that. Now we run a lot leaner in the pantry 🙂
If I eat ‘junk food’ it’s made by me from scratch and doesn’t come from a package. I’ve cut out a lot of processed food from my diet. Many of the same ones you have, except for one cake recipe that starts with a box mix and has been a family favorite forever. My snacks no longer come from the ‘potato chip aisle’ instead they come from the Natural food store.
Yes, my eating habits have definitely changed in the past year!
I cook A LOT more than I used to and we rarely ever eat out except for on special occasions or on a Sunday afternoon after church with some family or something like that.
I guess all in all you could say our eating habits are much more “clean”. And I’m sure a year from now there will be many things different, too … just as everything, this quest to healthy eating is just one thing at a time and I think it can always be improved upon little by little … and that’s part of the fun! : )
I need to do some spring cleaning so badly – good for you! My eating has definitely changed over the past year or so. I am so much more conscious of what is going into my body and am making better choices more often.
I’m in the spring cleaning mode as well (house, clutter and moving). I need to be better about keeping recipes sorted and in an organized system, I’ll add it to my spring cleaning list 🙂
I feel as though you wrote this post for me.
The cleaning.
there is a lot of crap, errr, stuff in my pantry 🙂
lots.
The last couple years have seen a really big change in the way we eat. We joined a CSA so we get locally grown season vegetables. We started baking our own breads. We almost never use anything processed. Our goals for this year are to start buying our meat from local farms & to can our own tomatoes.
I need to do my spring cleaning still, thanks for the reminder:)
Haha I just did that very thing last week! I keep my recipes in a three-ring binder that has page protectors to keep them clean as I tend to get loose pages really messy when I’m cooking.
I have been re-evaluating my food choices lately in an effor to move my cooking to a much healthier place. By nature I prefer fresh foods over packaged foods in general, but by reading your blog I am learning about things I hadn’t ever considered before.
While I went through my binder I found myself throwing away quite a few things my husband had pulled out of newspapers, the most unappealing being something called a “hot brown” I never made it and doubt I ever will!
I keep my recipes digitally mostly, and it’s scary. I think the big paper file to clean out would perhaps prompt me to do it more often!
Lovely flowers 🙂
Sometimes cleaning out/organizing smaller things like recipes can be such a reliever! I bet you have some awesome recipes 🙂
I had to think about it for a moment but the two biggest changes about my eating in the past year are: a) I’m enjoying it again! I still watch my calorie intake and pay attention to ingredients but I now allow myself to stray from my formerly rigid food schedule (I would eat a specific item at an appointed time); b) I cook more food from scratch! Although I still rely on canned beans and tomatoes (for convenience and easy storage), most of my dishes now start with fresh ingredients.
Both of these changes I attribute to my blogging – I’ve been truly inspired by really wonderful cooks out there as well as finding great nutrition guidance on informative blogs like yours!
Sorry about my late responses. I’ve been without internet service! 🙁
Erica – I keep saying I need to enter mine in the computer and make files.
ChefBliss – I have a few on my computer, but I have to say most of my go-to ones are on paper.
Michelle – Oh, what a mess, but it looks like it turned out to be positive in at least one way. 🙂 We had a huge bug invasion before the holidays. I had to throw out everything in my pantry too. So frustrating!
Reeni – Love that you mentioned that. A homemade cake beats one off the store shelf in regards to health (and taste) any day!
lesley – That’s great! I’m working on my clean approach as well. I’ve always cooked a lot, but the ingredients I use have changed a lot.
lauren – That is great. I love hearing about positive changes!
Jolene – Hope it goes well. I hate cleaning, but am happy with the finished product. 🙂
MizFit – Ha, ha! Perfect time to get at that. 😉
kat – I love reading about your CSA deliveries. I’m looking into both that and local meat producers for when we move back to the States in Oct. It is something we’ve never done before. Although I’ll have to wait until next year to be involved with a CSA.
Maria – Glad I could help. 🙂
Mrs. H – That is so funny that you mentioned the hot brown. That is a Kentucky icon. Even after living there 4 years though I’ve never had one. 🙂
laura – Yeah, it can look quite messy and I get to the point where I just have to at least straighten it. 🙂 Thanks! I get the flowers at our farmer’s market here. They are so awesome and cost me about 3USD. Crazy inexpensive!
healthy ashley – Yeah, cleaning can give you such a great feeling. I have some great recipes. I really need to get around to trying them all! 🙂
Tangled Noodle – That is so great about your positive changes! I’m so glad my blog has been helpful. Thanks for letting me know that. 🙂