{"id":2736,"date":"2020-05-07T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cindiferrini.com\/?p=2736"},"modified":"2020-05-07T10:00:43","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T14:00:43","slug":"my-moms-great-depression-and-my-pandemic-pantry-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cindiferrini.com\/index.php\/2020\/05\/07\/my-moms-great-depression-and-my-pandemic-pantry-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"My Mom\u2019s Great Depression and My Pandemic Pantry Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cSome days we would have one <\/em>egg or one <\/em>potato for the day,\u201d my Mom would tell me. Those words still ring in my ears when I realize the abundance we have. Both my parents grew up in the Great Depression as little children and recalled to us how little they often had to eat. I can\u2019t imagine how Dad went from relative to relative in boarding house accommodations with his sister because their mom had died, and Dad was working or \u201cout.\u201d Dinner on the table was served first to the family, and if there was something left, Dad and his sister were served. I can\u2019t even imagine that mentality, but it happened.<\/p>\n

When my children were little I remember times our girls didn\u2019t like what I was serving, and would have 3-4 potatoes just for dinner. I can\u2019t even comprehend just giving them one,<\/em> or having someone in my home and having them wait until my family ate first before serving them. (Joe recalls this happening to him while sharing a meal with a family in Latvia. He asked why the children weren\u2019t eating and later the family said, \u201cYou are the guest, you eat first and then the children will eat what is left.\u201d He had no idea and felt horrible to learn that. It made a difference how he approached the next meal table.)<\/p>\n

Bringing this full circle to today, a friend has an elderly relative who was having a hard time figuring out what to cook, her pantry was disheveled, and family was thinking she might even be at the start of dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s. Those 3 reasons were making it hard for her to eat properly and a concern for the family. And now we face the continuing pandemic and have a sense of frustration, lack of food and\/or creativity to prepare it, and asking:<\/p>\n

Do I have to cook again?<\/em><\/p>\n

Where is everything? The pantry I just reorganized is already a mess.<\/p>\n

What will I cook?<\/p>\n

Why can\u2019t I be creative?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m tired of this and need a break.<\/p>\n

My friend asked for some \u201corganizational\u201d suggestions that would make this chore easier for her relative. I was delighted to use my educational background, the things I taught as a teacher in my Home Economics classes many years ago that still apply, that which I taught in my organizational seminars given around the country, and my own love for order! I further thought others might benefit if they\u2019re feeling this way.<\/p>\n

My Pandemic Pantry Plan (is very easy!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of us have cleaned every nook and cranny of our homes in the over 2 months of quarantine we\u2019ve had. But in case you haven\u2019t, here is the way to order your pantry and be ready to be cooking creatively.<\/p>\n

Empty the panty.<\/p>\n

Dispose of expired goods.<\/p>\n

Restock and organize the pantry in this way:<\/p>\n

TOP LEVEL<\/u><\/strong> (highest shelves) area is for things you use least:<\/p>\n