Spring is Here! Top Tips for Decluttering & Refreshing Your Pantry

As the season of renewal and rejuvenation arrives, it's the perfect time to give your pantry a spring-cleaning makeover with organic and eco-friendly staples. Not only will your kitchen look and feel more organised, you’ll enjoy the benefits of healthier, more sustainable food options. Here are some tips to help you refresh your pantry for Spring:

THE CLEANOUT

Remove everything from your pantry and check expiration dates, toss anything expired, and consider donating unopened non-perishable items to local food charities. Clean all your shelves down with an eco-friendly cleaner and leave cupboards open to air out. Group all the remaining items by category on your kitchen table for an easy inventory assessment.

EMBRACE ORGANIC GOODNESS

When restocking your pantry, try to opt for organic versions of your favourite products. Certified organic products are not only better for your health but also promote sustainable farming practices and these days it's so easy to source organics, you can order them easily from your online health food store. If you’re new to organics, you can start to slowly transition over to organics by making a list of conventional products in your pantry that are almost finished/empty and replace them with an organic version next time you shop – this also saves on unnecessary waste.

CHOOSE WHOLE GRAINS

Replace refined grains with whole grain options like organic brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat pasta. Wholegrains provide more fibre, vitamins, and minerals than their refined counterparts, keeping you fuller for longer.

> Buy organic rice

LOAD UP ON LEGUMES

Incorporate these organic plant-based proteins into spring soups, salads, and grain bowls for satisfying meals everyone will appreciate.

STOCK ORGANIC CONDIMENTS

Upgrade your condiments corner with organic versions of sauces, mustard, vinegars, pesto and mayonnaise to add a new depth of flavour to your dishes without artificial ingredients or preservatives.

OPT FOR ORGANIC OILS

Extra-virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Macadamia and Hemp Seed Oil are versatile and nutritious organic options for your spring pantry. Use them for cooking, baking, and creating homemade dressings.

CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE SWEETENERS

Select natural sweeteners like Organic Australian Raw Honey, Organic Maple Syrup, and Organic Coconut Syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth. These natural sweeteners are minimally processed and have unique flavours to enhance your recipes.

RECYCLE & REUSE

Reduce waste by recycling empty food containers with lids or use glass or stainless-steel alternatives. Reusable beeswax food wraps are also a great eco-friendly option to replace single-use plastic wrap.

SHOP LOCAL & SEASONAL INGREDIENTS

Support local farmers and the environment by purchasing in-season produce from your local farmer's markets. This helps reduce your carbon footprint and ensures the freshest ingredients for your spring dishes.

Honest to Goodness Co-Founder Karen Ward shares her top pantry spring cleaning tips.

• Check Expiry Dates: Go through your pantry and check the use-by dates on products. Rotate older items to the front to ensure they’re used first.
• Start a Shopping List: Create a list of products you are running low on and seasonal products you may want to buy as the weather warms up. Our family always eat more salads in spring, so I make sure I have a variety of seeds and nuts we can sprinkle on anything to make it more delicious and nutritious.
• Consider Bulk Buying: Buy high-demand items in bulk to save money and reduce packaging waste. We always have backup pantry items stored high in our cupboard such as organic rice, pasta, flour and tinned and bottled products that last for a long time in the cupboard.
• Invest in Quality Labels: Get new, durable labels for all your containers, ideally waterproof ones. Clear labelling helps in quickly identifying products especially when the container is empty, and you wonder what was in it in the first place!
• Categorise Products: I like to keep similar items together, such as grains, pasta & rice in one section, spices, stocks and salt in another. It makes finding and re-stocking products easier.

REFRESH YOUR KITCHEN WITH NATURAL SOLUTIONS!

Revitalise your kitchen with organic, eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a sparkling, fresh space using these simple tips:

• DIY Organic Cleaners: Combine common household items like white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils to create effective, non-toxic cleaning solutions for countertops & appliances.
• Choose Organic Brands: Opt for eco-friendly and organic certified cleaning products that are gentle on your home and the environment. Look for plant-based ingredients and avoid synthetic fragrances.
• Eliminate Odours Naturally: Absorb unpleasant smells with baking soda or an open bowl of vinegar instead of using traditional air fresheners. For a fresh scent, add a few drops of your favourite essential oils to a cotton ball and place it in a corner.
• Clean Appliances Organically: Descale your coffee maker or kettle with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. Let it sit for an hour before rinsing.

DIY Dishwasher Tablets

Make your own eco-friendly dishwasher tablets, Follow the recipe below