In case anyone out there was wondering why, despite the fact that I live alone, there’s enough food in my cabinets and freezer to feed me for a month, take a look at my family’s cabinets. I’m convinced that if my dad and stepmother were trapped for three months in their house, between the cabinets and the freezer, they’d be just fine. Here’s my (one measly) cupboard, for comparison. Clearly, I’ve picked up the same habit.
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Ya know, I’m convinced that this behavior is NORMAL, it’s just our tiny NYC apartments that make it seem strange.
Out in suburbia where kitchens are huge, it’s east to have a pantry like this.
Ya know, I’m convinced that this behavior is NORMAL, it’s just our tiny NYC apartments that make it seem strange.
Out in suburbia where kitchens are huge, it’s east to have a pantry like this.
Looking at the contents of the photos, I’d say your goal is more in variety than quantity. You try to have whatever you might want at any point in time. And due to this you have a large quantity capable of sustaining life for a month. Though those meals at the end of the month might be a little odd when you’re down to cranberries and peanut butter.
Now if you were to look in a (stereotypical) guy’s cabinet, you’d probably find larger quantities of fewer discrete items. Think BJ’s vs. the corner bodega.
I speak from my own experience that is. Especially when it comes to heavy items (ingredients for sauce, canned items, juice, mixers…) that justify a taxi ride from the store. I also had the insanely fortunate luck to have an extra closet which I’ve made a pantry. When that’s fully stocked (30 linear feet of shelving) I could probably survive for a good 6 months. Sure it would be mainly pasta, tuna, and water, but I wouldn’t die.
Looking at the contents of the photos, I’d say your goal is more in variety than quantity. You try to have whatever you might want at any point in time. And due to this you have a large quantity capable of sustaining life for a month. Though those meals at the end of the month might be a little odd when you’re down to cranberries and peanut butter.
Now if you were to look in a (stereotypical) guy’s cabinet, you’d probably find larger quantities of fewer discrete items. Think BJ’s vs. the corner bodega.
I speak from my own experience that is. Especially when it comes to heavy items (ingredients for sauce, canned items, juice, mixers…) that justify a taxi ride from the store. I also had the insanely fortunate luck to have an extra closet which I’ve made a pantry. When that’s fully stocked (30 linear feet of shelving) I could probably survive for a good 6 months. Sure it would be mainly pasta, tuna, and water, but I wouldn’t die.
my former inlaws pantry and root cellar was so well-stocked it made me cry. aside from cases of canned goods (well when pathmark is having a special, what can you do?), there were rows of mason jars full of homemade preserves, veggies and sauces. it was like a little gourmet supermarket. they even had a little straw basket for carrying stuff back and forth. even my own parents put up tomato sauce at the end of the summer.
i’ve got tons of stuff in my cupboards and on metro shelving and have even built a 8 shelf spice rack which i inset into the kitchen window. we should start a blog where people post pictures of their cabinets, freezers and fridges. that reminds me, i also order bulk meat from fresh direct which i butcher myself. my freezer looks like the great wall of aluminum foil. obv. you are not alone.
my former inlaws pantry and root cellar was so well-stocked it made me cry. aside from cases of canned goods (well when pathmark is having a special, what can you do?), there were rows of mason jars full of homemade preserves, veggies and sauces. it was like a little gourmet supermarket. they even had a little straw basket for carrying stuff back and forth. even my own parents put up tomato sauce at the end of the summer.
i’ve got tons of stuff in my cupboards and on metro shelving and have even built a 8 shelf spice rack which i inset into the kitchen window. we should start a blog where people post pictures of their cabinets, freezers and fridges. that reminds me, i also order bulk meat from fresh direct which i butcher myself. my freezer looks like the great wall of aluminum foil. obv. you are not alone.
on a semi-related note — take a look at the flickr group NYC Groceries. Not quite a glimpse into pantries, but at least a peek at grocery receipts! My Fresh Direct orders have been too long for me to post. Maybe we should start a “pantries and cabinets” flickr group . . .
on a semi-related note — take a look at the flickr group NYC Groceries. Not quite a glimpse into pantries, but at least a peek at grocery receipts! My Fresh Direct orders have been too long for me to post. Maybe we should start a “pantries and cabinets” flickr group . . .