Okay, so the chalkboard craze is definitely a little overblown. But I still maintain that part of the reason it's a craze is because it's useful (while still being more attractive than a whiteboard). Case in point - I was having a hard time maintaining a mental list of what we had in our fridge at any given time, and chalkboard decals seemed like the easiest option.
Basically, I found these chalkboard decals and we stuck them on the fridge. Ta da! You can peel them off and reposition them, in theory, but we haven't tried that yet. (Another option would be chalkboard contact paper
, which is cheaper, but I didn't want a whole roll of it lying around)
Currently, we have separate lists for "leftovers", "to buy" and "to eat". The "to eat" list usually has all the veggies that come in our CSA box and also any bits and pieces (half a container of stock, for example). If you eat something or use something, you erase it off the list. The leftovers list is particularly helpful in the mornings because it reminds us to grab a container of leftovers for lunch as we're running out the door.
I think this plan is going to help us maximize our food efficiency, which has always been a weak point for me because I just plain forget what we have open. We've definitely done a much better job of eating at home for the last couple weeks, and while I'm not sure that it's because of the system, I think it's helped make it less daunting.
The problem is it's hard to stop - I'm totally tempted to paint some little squares on our leftover containers with chalkboard paint, so that we could label them as we stick them in the fridge. Probably overkill, but it would be so satisfying to look in there and see everything neatly labeled.
P.S. - The calendar on the fridge is the fabulous perpetual gardening calendar from krankpress. I bought it a couple years ago and flipping the page each month gets me excited for the new seasonal produce. And they now offer it for several different regions, so it isn't just for so cal people anymore.
{fridge organizer}
Sorry - it's impossible to get an accurate picture because there is a window directly facing the fridge and it reflects light. In person, it's a lot easier to read these.
Basically, I found these chalkboard decals and we stuck them on the fridge. Ta da! You can peel them off and reposition them, in theory, but we haven't tried that yet. (Another option would be chalkboard contact paper
, which is cheaper, but I didn't want a whole roll of it lying around)Currently, we have separate lists for "leftovers", "to buy" and "to eat". The "to eat" list usually has all the veggies that come in our CSA box and also any bits and pieces (half a container of stock, for example). If you eat something or use something, you erase it off the list. The leftovers list is particularly helpful in the mornings because it reminds us to grab a container of leftovers for lunch as we're running out the door.
I think this plan is going to help us maximize our food efficiency, which has always been a weak point for me because I just plain forget what we have open. We've definitely done a much better job of eating at home for the last couple weeks, and while I'm not sure that it's because of the system, I think it's helped make it less daunting.
The problem is it's hard to stop - I'm totally tempted to paint some little squares on our leftover containers with chalkboard paint, so that we could label them as we stick them in the fridge. Probably overkill, but it would be so satisfying to look in there and see everything neatly labeled.
P.S. - The calendar on the fridge is the fabulous perpetual gardening calendar from krankpress. I bought it a couple years ago and flipping the page each month gets me excited for the new seasonal produce. And they now offer it for several different regions, so it isn't just for so cal people anymore.
this is a good idea. i always end up throwing away old food because i forget about it...i should get this
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I post our meal plan on the fridge, but haven't thought of utilizing this system to help do away with wasting what we have. I'm gonna copy you. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I always find some awesome ingredient rotten in the bottom of a drawer wishing I would have used it. I agree that chalkboards look so much better than whiteboards too :)
ReplyDeleteVery cute idea. I totally want to buy that chalk paint and do a whole wall in it. Like in the office, for to-do's and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI also have that calendar and love it. In addition to its obvious purpose, it's great for keeping track of birthdays since you can reuse it every year.
ReplyDeletegreat find on the decals.
ReplyDeletei had found the krank press calendar a while back and bought it for our home even though we are nowhere near the area. so nerdy. good to know they have other regions now :)
as always. so good at life.
ReplyDeleteThis is really clever! How do you stick it on the fridge? Would it ruin the fridge if you eve wanted to take it off? Thanks for sharing =)
ReplyDelete- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
Fantastic Idea. I had heard of chalkboard paint but decided against it not wanting to buy the materials to apply it. I love the decal option! Off I go to purchase some...thanks!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea. I always have trouble remembering what is in the fridge and end up throwing a lot away! Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Emmy
www.sprinklesoneverything.wordpress.com
Lovely! I'm so into chalkboards and can't wait to have one too.
ReplyDeletelove the calendar. and the tracking for your CSA. something i need to think about! we use china marker on the glass containers we store our leftovers in. works like a charm.
ReplyDeleteKeep meaning to tell you! I visited my bro at Fullerton a few weekends ago and randomly happened to park right next to the Alumni House. It's so pretty! Cannot wait to hear of the plans.
ReplyDeleteBEST IDEA EVER. Thanks, I'm going out and buying decal chalkboards today.
ReplyDeleteI label everything going into my fridge with the date and contents, on masking tape with a sharpie. Weird holdover from working with an OCD chef, handy for the roomates. Love the chalkboard inventory idea.
ReplyDeletegood call on the chalkboard decals on the fridge. i have that same calendar...just got it in the mail.
ReplyDeleteWe have a similar thing, except that we write directly on our fridge with whiteboard markers of a bunch of colours (it's not a metal fridge like yours & rubs right off!)... every saturday we write out the 'weekly menu', and have a 'to buy' section that builds up over the week. Certainly has made us less wasteful and do less shopping- even if we don't tend to stick to the menu every night! We don't tend to have leftovers though, so this isn't so much of a problem.
ReplyDeleteChalk's super cute, too, though I think the chalk dust would annoy me!
Going to have a look at those calendars, now. ;)
utterly obsessed with chalkboard decals & chalkboard paint! love this!
ReplyDeletehttp://foralifeinspired.blogspot.com
I love this - we have a slab of Welsh slate hanging on our wall as a chalkboard where we plan the meals for the week. It really saves money and waste if you plan the meals before you shop, and it's nice to look forward to dinner in the day rather than getting home and panicking and cooking pasta (again)
ReplyDelete@ Sarah - Theoretically, you can remove it without damaging the fridge at all (or any other surface, according to the instructions). It's basically contact paper. I haven't tried removing it yet, but it better be removable, because we don't own that fridge! (Although our lazy apartment manager would probably never notice if we leave it there when we move out)
ReplyDelete@ Em - I really wish I could write directly on the fridge! The chalkboard dust is a little annoying and I ordered some chalkboard markers that look like they might be a little cleaner/ easier to write with. We'll see.
if you find it useful, then it is not overblown. And I like this idea for my boyfriend- we have leftovers and I even pack his lunch- but he forgets it anyways. A fridge reminder might [might] help him remember.
ReplyDeleteSuch a useful and thoughtful idea. I have had similar ideas going through my head for a while because I cannot stand how much waste my family makes each week.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links!