If there’s one process I love about an upcoming trip, it’s eating up the fridge. I find it cleansing! I always wipe it down before we go so putting in a fresh load of groceries will be extra fun when we return.
I think I really just want to be like the Barefoot Contessa [I know I say that every time!]
Despite the few ingredients we had, we made a killer dinner!!
A big salad with:
- Spinach + romaine dressed in olive oil and salt
- 3 slices of seared bacon
- 1/2 a block of tempeh, seared to a crisp in the bacon
- Green pepper, also seared in the bacon
- Goat cheese + manchego cubes
- Rosemary salt made by Faith
Da-licious!!
Taste test. Loved.
I’ve cleaned and packed and organized. Now I’m not sure if my carry on bag will zip…
Gotta go put clean sheets on the bed – we have to be in it in 30 minutes for our early bedtime. The alarm is set for 4AM!
Eating Bird Food says
Wow- you are much more organized on the food front than me. I’ve never seen my fridge that bare, besides the day we moved in. 🙂
Have fun in Montana. I just went back and read your posts from visiting Montana back in October. It looks beautiful!!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
I love an empty, clean fridge as weird as that is. Barefoot Contessa – yes please… minus the 2 pounds of butter. “Well, how bad can that be!?” 🙂
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
Can’t wait to hear about your Montana adventures! 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
wow that is awesome that you totally clean out your fridge!! I LOVE THAT!!! I need to get over my attachment to random condiments I will never use, or used once, months ago. That are probably not good anymore anyway. You have inspired me to dump it all and start fresh the next time i go on a trip.
I am this way with my closet, shoes, clothes…need to start w/ my fridge being this way, too! 🙂
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!
A. says
What kinds of meats and bacon should I buy? I don’t have access to local goods or whole foods. Just a generic, local grocery store. But I want healthy products. My iron is dangerously low and I really think some meat might help me out (?). I incline toward constipation though. Any thoughts?
Kath says
I would look for something organic, all natural at the least. Do you have Applegate Farms?
Renee at Applegate says
Thanks for the mention! Please know that since you don’t have a local store or a Whole Foods near you that you can order directly from us, you can do so by fax at 800-358-8289, phone at 1-855-587-5858 or online at https://store.applegatefarms.com/A556B4/applecart2004.nsf/xpStorefront.xsp. Hope this helps! From, Renee and the Applegate Crew
Hannah says
Oh wow, you’re amazing! I can’t even remember the last time my fridge was cleaned… :/
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I love having everything cleaned and organized before leaving!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
You did a great job cleaning out your fridge!! Mine is never that empty before I go on trips!
[email protected] says
Love having a clean fridge but like others said I can’t remember that last time that was happened. Have fun and learn a lot on your trip.
Allie says
You are all ready to go! I always admire Ina Garten’s fridge.. haha, glad to know i’m not the only one. It IS nice to have everything clean for when you come home 🙂 Have a great trip!!
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says
Safe travels tomorrow!
[email protected] Kel Show says
I am so impressed with your refrigerator!
Safe travels!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I need to learn from you! I’m awful at cleaning out our fridge. My husband would LOVE it if I took on your fridge cleaning habit 🙂
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
that is one empty (and clean) fridge!
jen @ taste life says
Your fridge is soooo clean! Please come clean mine before you leave!
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
Wow–I’m impressed with your organization! We never have a clean fridge–we always have a bunch of random things (like condiments) that seem to live there for a year. Hope you have fun on your trip!
Christine says
Oh my gosh….I don’t think I’ve even seen a fridge that clean. In a store I guess, but that’s it.
Wow.
I am a huge Ina Garten fan too — She was my inspiration the first time I cooked for a big crowd for Christmas dinner a few years back. I love how easy she makes everything look. The best tip I took from her was making a backwards to do list which is basically listing when everything needs to be done so you know when it needs to begin.
Pat Kilmain says
Gosh, we’re leaving Sunday night (only to Hawaii – sorry!) and while we cleaned our fridge except what we know we’re eating the next two days, it’s not as bare as yours. Have you NO condiments that stay there?? Another thing that’s helpful to have – friends who raise chickens and will take almost all your veggie waste and sell you fresh eggs in return. 🙂 Have fun in Montana. My sister lives in Bozeman so I’ve been there, and it’s where I first discovered Great Harvest.
Lori says
Love that clean empty fridge. Mine has never looked like that. The hubbie has too many condiments.
Samantha says
Gawd! Have fun! So exciting!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
The only time I’ve seen my fridge that clean was when I first got it!
Mom says
Have a splendid trip and learn a bunch!
Kris says
I’m truly amazed by your fridge. Ours only looks like that when we’re moving. Have a great and safe trip to Montana; learn lots!
Megan says
Have safe travels! That salad looks amazing!
Camille says
What a beautiful salad!
Have a safe flight tomorrow!
KristyRuns says
Goodness! 4 A.M.?!?! Ouch!
P.S. Tempeh is awesome. Especially in a salad. Nice choice.
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
Wow–my fridge is never THAT empty when I’m going out of town. Impressive.
Eileen says
Very impressive job on the fridge, LOL!
The salad looks wonderful, too. I think one of my best takeaways from you is the use of just plain olive oil on salads. I can’t eat bottled ones anymore, and even homemade ones seem like a bit too much now.
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
Wow!!! You REALLY cleaned out the fridge. Incredible.
Stephanie says
The only time my fridge has looked that clean is when I’m moving out of somewhere. Great goal. Waste not want not. 🙂
Lauren says
Cleaning out the fridge is so therapeutic for me too. I love an empty fridge before I restock. Have a safe flight!
Vanessa says
I don’t think my fridge has looked like that…EVER! Have a great trip!!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I love cleaning before a trip. I’m always glad I did when I get back!
Jenifer says
Yum! Looks great. I’m intrigued by the Lavendar Salt. How does one make it?
Jenifer says
Oopss. meant rosemary Salt.
Katie says
Have a safe trip girl!!!! You and Matt!
My fridge has never been that bare except when I was moving, you go girl!!!!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Wow, that’s a clean fridge! I get mine pretty empty for a trip, but never that bare!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I don’t think my fridge has ever been that empty! Even the day I moved in:-)
Ashley @ Will Run for Food says
I’m so jealous of your clean and empty fridge! I keep putting off cleaning mine so that we can empty it out some (our Eat the Fridge adventure)…I seem to hoard random stuff that we’ll never use and need to just throw away already! I hate to waste though…
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
We always try to leave an empty fridge but never get anywhere close to that! Have a safe trip tomorrow!
Kate says
even though i’m a vegetarian, i do think you are kind of a bad a** for mixing bacon and tempeh:)
Susan says
I used to order veggie burgers with bacon in restaurants. Always got weird looks.
Andrea @ reallifeinrofo says
Thanks for the fridge cleaning idea! I always clean my house before leaving on a trip but never give the fridge the attention it deserves.
Alaina says
Have a great time in Montana!! Can’t wait to see pics of the beautiful countryside. 🙂
Suzanne says
Hey Kath,
Did you ever think of putting empty boxes in your fridge + freezer while you’re on vacations?
It saves you money on electricity.
We keep empty boxes in the fridge + freezer all the time to take up any extra space.
Just a thought! 🙂
Have a great trip! Can’t wait to see your photos. I hear Montana is beautiful, and I am big nature buff.
Susan says
Yeah, I remember an ex-boyfriend saying that an empty fridge/freezer was not energy efficient.
Anne says
That’s only when you open and close it a lot, not when you are away on holiday and don’t open the door..
Kristen @ Kristen, Sweetly says
Yay for Ina Garten! I have a sad habit of forgetting something in the fridge when I go away, and coming back to the opposite of sparkling clean. :-p Happy travels!
stacey-healthylife says
Wow I can’t believe how empty your fridge is.
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Mm what a yummy salad!
That’s pretty much what my fridge looks like right now. Just got back to school this morning and haven’t had a chance to go grocery shopping yet!
[email protected] says
Have a safe trip! I am excited about living vicariously through this awesome experience in your life!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
I can’t believe your fridge is totally empty. I’m so impressed! Where are your condiments?
Allison @ Happy Tales says
Clean sheets before a trip is one of the BEST things you can ever do for yourself! Perfect thing to come home to.
Marina says
I always have problems with cleaning my fridge before I travel somewhere. But it’s better to be empty, I just hate when mold develops
Kath says
There are still condiments on the door!!!
And two lemons.
And some tofu!
Anne says
If you are going to do that series on household organization… I’d love to see your refrigerator door/what kind of condiments you keep in the door.
Kara says
Your fridge is so much cleaner than mine! Very impressed 🙂
Meg says
I love Barefoot… she is calm and her recipes are so simple but beautiful! But that fridge- I am so jealous!! 🙂
Meagan says
You are going to have so much fun! I’ve never been to Montana. Kath, I am always SO impressed at how well you do to clean out the fridge. Definitely something to aspire too.
sarah (the SHU box) says
i so need to clean my fridge. i like organizing so much more than cleaning!
also, that salad looks divine.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I don’t think my fridge has ever been that clean before! It’s all cluttered with condiments that are probably expired!