Bulk Shopping and Kitchen Organization

I always love reading posts about how people run their homes, and especially how they keep everything organized. Maybe I'm just a nerd like that, but I need all the help I can get, so today I thought I'd share my recent kitchen organization overhaul for those of you who are interested :).

Bryan and I recently bit the bullet and got a Sam's Club membership since we will be in need of a massive amount of diapers in a few short months (!). We decided to take a little walk around the store and our eyes were opened to wonders of buying in bulk. How did I not now that I can stock up on food items that we eat every month for much less than I pay at the grocery store??? This prompted a massive shopping trip earlier this week (by myself---lesson learned to NEVER do that again....my back still hurts), which then prompted a total re-organization of our kitchen in order to store all of our new, shiny bulk purchases.

At first, the kitchen exploded.

Exhibit A:

(Sidenote: My husband eats like a 12-year-old, hence the sugary cereals and Little Debbie snacks)

Exhibit B:

I am happy to say, however, that I eventually (after about and hour and a half-yikes) got it all put away. I started out by dividing the large amounts of meat and bread that I bought into portions for two people, and froze most of it for future use.

 

(MONSTER HAND!!!)

I even took a risk and bought a HUGE lasagna (I'm a Stouffer's girl all the way) and thawed it to cut into four separate meals. I was nervous that this wouldn't work, but was very happy to find that our first 1/4 of it turned out perfectly (I made it that same night) after I baked it in a foil covered baking dish. Score!

I even divided up all of our chips and lunch snacks into baggies so that we can just grab them as we're running out the door.

Then I moved on to the pantry and fridge. Now, I forgot to take before pictures (BAD blogger...but I did show you my messy kitchen so give me a break), but here is the "after":

I finally put the storage shelves and bins that I bought at Target a few months ago to good use! Go me.

In the fridge, I threw out a TON of disgusting, molded (truth) food and actually washed all of the fruit and veggies that I bought in advance (who knew!) to remedy the problem of not eating them and letting them go bad because I still have to wash them. :) Yes, I am that lazy.

Same story in the freezer. I made sure to bag everything up in portions for two so that I will actually take the time to make it! Genius, I know.

And that's about it. I know....riveting. :) But I do feel like a can breathe a little easier when I'm making meals in our kitchen now.

So, tell me, how do you keep your kitchen organized? Do you have any great tips for buying in bulk and storing everything that I don't know about?

Have a great Thursday! We are almost to Friday, Friday, Gettin' down on Friday, Fun, Fun, Fun.... and now that song should be in your head for the rest of the day. :) You're welcome!