The kids will be home for the holidays. Though I’m always ecstatic to see them, one area is always a sore subject.
When Alli arrives she marches straight to the kitchen to perform an inspection. The refrigerator. The cupboards. The bread basket. She peers at the date on every single container—ready to pounce if she finds a speck of mold or if the expiration date doesn’t pass muster. No military inspection could possibly be worse.
I’ve tried to clean up my act. But I’d rather be stocked than sorry. Our pantry is filled with stuff that would be enough to keep V and I alive for years in the event of a nuclear holocaust.
The other day Ruthie posted a site on her Facebook page—that will be a godsend before Alli gets here. It’s called Still Tasty: everything you ever wanted to know about how long you can keep food before it spoils. (Even if the kitchen police don’t patrol your house.)
I already looked up the only food that really matters to me—and I was stunned to discover that chocolate has an expiration date.
Who knew? This has been on my wall for 30 years— I fully expected to break in if I get really desperate.
FYI: This is the only chocolate within my reach that has survived more than 24 hours.
Figures, Darryle. Two nights ago, my husband and I got into a cleaning frenzy. Since we compost, half our pantry and most of our refrigerator and freezer went into the garden. NOW I find out I could’ve kept this stuff another two years! (Not that I’d ever use it — mostly sauces, spices and things that I think I may use if I ever decide to take up cooking.)
I heard on the NRP that 100% of women said they experience food cravings; and hankerings for chocolate ranked #1 on the list. I admit to having some of that myself and I beg my husband not to leave any around or it will ALL be gone. It were in my house,I’d be breaking into that glass for the Hershey’s in no time!
Julie if you saw my pantry (spices and sauces galore) you’d think I’m Rachael Ray. I don’t have to bother going thru them like you did since someday Alli will definitely throw them out.
Meanwhile Ruthie, with all the kids friends’ around here all those years, people always think it’s amazing that Hershey bar has survived. But the greatest danger to it has always been from me.
I live with the kitchen police — annoying! Chocolate does not expire — it’s a cruel hoax being perpetrated by the chocolate companies to make us buy more. Go ahead, Hershey, twist my arm.