Fresh Start: A Snow Day Reality Check

This past Sunday morning, I was watching yet another snowstorm do its thing outside my window. You know the kind - the weather folks promised us 8-10 inches of snow with a lovely topping of sleet and freezing rain. Perfect day to tackle that task I'd been avoiding forever... my refrigerator was practically begging for attention!

I started my morning with what seemed like a totally manageable plan. As my husband and I ate breakfast, I shared that I was “going to clean our bedroom and deal with the fridge today." Then I added with a smile, "And reward myself with a movie later!" (Because let's be honest, we all need a little carrot dangling at the end of our cleaning sprees, don't we?)

Armed with determination and a 6-foot table, I emptied every jar, container, and mystery item from our refrigerator. As I scrubbed each shelf, I had to laugh at myself. People often assume I'm organized with a perfect pantry, ready to whip up delicious plant-based meals at a moment's notice. The truth? While I can certainly pull together a meal from our pantry and produce drawers, my refrigerator had its share of "what's in this container?" moments.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step... or in my case, a clean refrigerator."

A few lessons from the refrigerator experience:

Begin Anywhere: Don't wait for the perfect moment. Start with organizing one drawer, trying one new recipe, or adding one more vegetable to your day.

Keep It Simple:

• Stock basic pantry items: beans, grains, nuts, and seeds

• Learn 3-4 easy, go-to recipes you enjoy

• Buy fresh produce you actually like eating

• Label and date everything (learn from my refrigerator adventure!)

Progress Over Perfection:

• Small changes add up to big results

• Every plant-based meal counts

• It's okay to learn as you go

• Keep favorite ingredients on hand for easy meals
  

Remember: Plant-based eating isn't about perfection – it's about progress, one meal at a time.