Kinda OT: Cleaning the pantry

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Victor Martinez - 09 Jan 2006 23:20 GMT

I took the day off today (I have to burn off all but 40 hrs of vacation
time by Jan 31 or lose it) and Tom suggested I used the time to clean
the pantry. Mr. Smarty Pants didn't are for the colony of moths we had
living there... ;-)
Anyhow, I put in the last Robbie Williams CD and got to it. The cats
helped a little bit, chasing a wondering moth here and there, jumping
into the freshly cleaned surfaces, and overall being their usual curious
selves (?). I found an old "jawbreaker" for cats (compressed catnip
sorta ball) and gave it to them. I think the catnip is still good, since
they got busy chasing the ball and left me to finish cleaning up.
I filled 2 large garbage bags with old spices and lots of moth infested
food (rice, flour, etc.).
The pantry is now nicely organized, I even have room to put in the
toaster and my panini maker. I have counter space again!!! Yay!!!
Next week I'll tackle the fish tank.

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MaryL - 10 Jan 2006 08:33 GMT

>I took the day off today (I have to burn off all but 40 hrs of vacation
>time by Jan 31 or lose it) and Tom suggested I used the time to clean the
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> and my panini maker. I have counter space again!!! Yay!!!
> Next week I'll tackle the fish tank.

Hi Victor,

Do you have any freezer space? I also live in Texas, and I learned years
ago to *freeze* most of the items you mentioned. Of course, most of us
can't really keep all of that in the freezer, but I do put them in the
freezer as soon as I get home from the grocery and leave them there for a
few days. That will take care of "critters" (and eggs) that may have been
transported from the store. I have never placed catnip in the freezer,
though -- I'm not sure what that might do to it, but I have never had
problems with insects in catnip, either.

MaryL

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badwilson - 10 Jan 2006 11:14 GMT

>> I took the day off today (I have to burn off all but 40 hrs of
>> vacation time by Jan 31 or lose it) and Tom suggested I used the
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> either.
> MaryL

We keep our catnip in the freezer. We just think it will keep fresh
longer in the heat here. Seems to be working so far! :-)

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Victor Martinez - 10 Jan 2006 12:22 GMT

> Do you have any freezer space? I also live in Texas, and I learned years

Dang, I forgot about the fridge. Ok, that's my next project, find all
the stuff that's no longer fit for eating and toss it. My freezer is
full to the brim with all kinds of stuff. :)

> can't really keep all of that in the freezer, but I do put them in the
> freezer as soon as I get home from the grocery and leave them there for a
> few days. That will take care of "critters" (and eggs) that may have been
> transported from the store. I have never placed catnip in the freezer,

I try to do that when I remember, particularly if I buy something organic.

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jmcquown - 10 Jan 2006 13:47 GMT

>> I took the day off today (I have to burn off all but 40 hrs of
>> vacation time by Jan 31 or lose it) and Tom suggested I used the
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> MaryL

I keep catnip in the freezer, no problem.

As for "critters" in things like flour and cornmeal, if you don't have
freezer space, a bay leaf takes care of any new infestations. Don't ask me
why; it's a trick I learned years ago from grandma and it works. They don't
like the scent of bay.

Jill

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Victor Martinez - 10 Jan 2006 14:02 GMT

> As for "critters" in things like flour and cornmeal, if you don't have
> freezer space, a bay leaf takes care of any new infestations. Don't ask me
> why; it's a trick I learned years ago from grandma and it works. They don't
> like the scent of bay.

I'll have to try that! I have a bay bush in the porch, so I have lots of
fresh bay leaves. :)

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jmcquown - 11 Jan 2006 01:20 GMT

>> As for "critters" in things like flour and cornmeal, if you don't
>> have freezer space, a bay leaf takes care of any new infestations.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I'll have to try that! I have a bay bush in the porch, so I have lots
> of fresh bay leaves. :)

Dry out the bay leaves first; then stick one in the bag(s) of flour,
cornmeal and masa harina. Should work with rice, too.

Oh, not sure if you know about rice in salt shaker trick... I learned that
one in Thailand. A few grains of rice will absorb moisture and keep salt
free-flowing. Very handy for living in humid climates :)

Jill

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Victor Martinez - 11 Jan 2006 03:08 GMT

> Oh, not sure if you know about rice in salt shaker trick... I learned that
> one in Thailand. A few grains of rice will absorb moisture and keep salt
> free-flowing. Very handy for living in humid climates :)

I know that one, but I don't use salt shakers. :) I season my food
properly when I cook it (sea salt) and nobody would dare put salt on it. :)

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