Since we are on the theme of cleaning out our food storage places, today we will clean and defrost the freezer. You will employ the same strategies as the pantry and refrigerator to date the current food for immediate use and then replace that food with fresher, healthier foods. You will also clean the inside and outside of the freezer to help it to run more efficiently and prolong its life.

Here’s how we will begin: Gather the following items:

• Clean cloths
• Green cleaner: vinegar and water works best here (1/3 cup vinegar to 2 cups water)
• Permanent Marker
• Large Cooler
• Blanket
• Towels
• Vacuum

The first step is to defrost the freezer by unplugging it from the electrical source. Take all the food in the freezer and place in a cooler with a tight fitting lid. Cover the cooler with a blanket. Open the freezer door and allow the frost inside to melt. Immediately wipe up any resulting water with the towels. Once the freezer has defrosted, then begin to clean with the vinegar and water solution. Wipe down the inside and outside of the freezer with this solution until the surfaces are clean. Ensure that the water in, around and under the freezer has been wiped up before moving to the next step.

After all the surfaces around the freezer are water-free, use the vacuum to vacuum the evaporator coils and the back and underneath of the freezer. You can take canned air to spray the dust loose that the vacuum cannot reach (ensure the freezer is still unplugged first). Once the back and underneath are vacuumed, wipe the floor underneath the freezer as well as the wall and baseboards behind. Now plug in the freezer and allow to cool sufficiently.

While the freezer is cooling, move to the cooler. Take the food that is in the cooler out and place on a counter or table. With the permanent marker, mark the date on all the food that you are going to replace. While you are marking the food, make a menu of all the foods in the freezer so that you can use this food first. As you begin to utilize the food, replace and restock your freezer with new, healthier foods. This simple strategy will help you to eat healthier and feel better. In order to lose weight and become more fit, you’ll want to select foods low in sugar and carbohydrates. Focus on proteins and fresh veggies to begin the weight loss induction. Once you have purged your body of too much glucose from food, your body will begin to use its store reserves for energy. This will reduce the fat that you have accumulated in your body’s own food storage process. Carbohydrates and sugars are stored in the fat cells for future energy needs. Educate yourself on the foods that are stored as fats in your body and reduce the amounts of these foods you purchase. Make a menu incorporating low carb, low sodium, low fat foods and generate a shopping list form this menu. Now is the time to implement this strategy as you consume the food you have and begin replacing it with healthier food options.

That’s all there is to cleaning the freezer. How about putting something healthy in the crock pot for dinner and take a walk if the weather permits. Then employ your beauty routine for the day!