Use it up! Don't throw it in the bin!

Claero

You use a conditional format on the cell. Somewhere on the spreadsheet you put in the formula =TODAY() to automatically update the cell with the day's date, and then in a separate column you put the date your food is going to reach the sell by date. Then you go to Format, Conditional Formatting, and set it so the cell value is equal to the cell reference you put the constantly updating date. Just underneath that is a Format box where you can adjust the appearance of the text that reaches the date you want. Click it, and you can choose to have the colour being red.

Voila, when today's date is the same as your sell-by date, it'll turn red so you can see what needs using up.

kippers

That's brilliant, but how do have time to enter everything you buy on the spreadsheet?

EssexHebridean

To use low fat yogurt, framago frais etc in the same way you would the full fat versions, try beating in a little cornflour to stabilise it and then make absolutely certain the liquid doesn't boil once you've added the yogurt or whatever. It will be less likely to split then.

The only thing I had left in the fridge yesterday morning that needed using up was the last few raspberries and strawberries so we had smoothies for breakfast with a couple of bananas. The very ood lemon jelly was delicious by the way!

Olliebeak

galadriel wrote: »

.....My main problem now is DS is always opening jars of curry sauce etc, he never finishes one before opening the next. Have to nag him a bit more.

When he's done that, empty the remaining bit into a margarine tub with a lid and freeze for another time.

Chris25

highland_fling wrote: »

hi everyone
just about to start making pavlova for lunch, with fresh raspberries which need using up, but what do I do with egg yolks which will be left over.
Can you freeze them?? any suggestions please.

mix them into mashed potato - you could pipe out some duchesse potatoes and freeze. Or use an extra yolk in omelette, scrambled eggs, quiche or use them for ice cream.

Claero

kippers wrote: »

That's brilliant, but how do have time to enter everything you buy on the spreadsheet?

I'm trying to write a novel and use the time I get waiting for trains on the station to get to work to do the odd bit of typing on my (getting very old now) laptop. I just take the receipt from the weekly shopping bill and anything I've bought with a non-immediate sell-by date goes onto the spreadsheet. I work as a data entry clerk too, so I get practice with spreadsheets a lot and have ok typing speed.

That said, I see I need to use some potatoes up, so I think I'll have a go at making some crisps for my lunchbox tomorrow.

andan

Hi guys not been on here for a while, but just wanted to update that my challenge is going well, i have been making a real effort to eat up food instead of it going in the bin. Tonight was samon left over from yesterday for the boyfriend and flatmate, whilst i had pasta and the sauce left over from yesterday. Previously these would have both gone in the bin. Also today's lunch was turkey left over from yesterday.

I was horrified though when i came down stairs yesterday and found my partner had cleaned out the cupboard and had thrown away the potatoes because they were sprouting and he threw all the onions away just because one had gone off and started to rot:eek:. I can tell i'm getting into this challenge!

EssexHebridean

:rotfl: Question is, did you go down the bin and rescue the potatoes and onions?! :rotfl:

Remember the rogue marrow from last week? Made inroads into it tonight using some for the "lasagne" in a cheaty version of the italian dish more usually made with past sheets......a layer of home made spagbol sauce into the dish, top with thin slices of marrow, sprinkle on some grated cheese, repeat with more sauce, more marrow and more cheese. Top off with breadcrumbs made from the end of stale loaves and bake in the oven for 40 minutes or so. Delicious! The rest of the marrow will go into a curry tomorrow night with some Sainsbury's Basics white-fish fillets and a can of chick peas plus other fridge-veggies. This meal planning thing really works doesn't it!

kippers

Claero wrote: »

That said, I see I need to use some potatoes up, so I think I'll have a go at making some crisps for my lunchbox tomorrow.

sounds lovely...how do you make the crisps? Did they work?

mcallister1

I've got a fruit fly plague in my kitchen because of a couple of ripe bananas that didn't get made into cake quickly enough. Any advice on how to get rid of them? I'm splatting the ones I can as they are not as quick as other flies, but they are all over my ceiling now.Yuck