Cleaning my fridge and Meal Planning

[@Klutzyduncan]

This video totally just inspired me to clean my entire fridge this morning. THANK YOU! (even 5 years after posting your video is still bringing inspo!)

[@yomanoahhh6542]

I have to tell you I love your videos. most of the time people only sgow you the good things but you aren't afraid to be honest. You make me feel like I don't have to be afraid or ashamed of the parts of my house that aren't perfect. thank you for being real and keeping me honest!

[@junieballoonie1]

I love your videos because your house is real! That's EXACTLY how my fridge looks!!!

[@mygreatchallenge]

Abbey thanks

[@TheGreennblue]

Just so you know, I completely cleaned my whole fridge today because I was so inspired by this video (well, not the freezer) Sophia, I wonder how many homes have clean refrigerators today because you took the time to make this video? I look forward to your next one, you are a real inspiration, God Bless

[@eCom_Amy]

I'm so PROUD of YOU for taking CONTROL of your HOUSEHOLD but MORE IMPORTANTLY, your LIFE!! KUDOS to YOU, SOFIA!! GREAT JOB in being CONSISTENT!!! YOU are TRULY an INSPIRATION to me!!! THANK YOU for giving me the MOTIVATION that I have found so HARD TO FIND!! PLEASE keep the videos coming!! YOU'RE CHANGING PEOPLES' LIVES!! :D

[@victoriamora7710]

I love watching your videos. You are so REAL!! and i think most people can relate. My husband and I work so many hours so i can relate how you can't have everything immaculate all the time. You are such an inspiration! Please keep them coming.

[@mygreatchallenge]

victoria mora thanks Victoria

[@WillowandPaisley]

Also, cannot wait for meal planning videos and tips! Don't forget the crock pot. It will be so helpful on work days and there is so many yummy things you can make in it. Going to make a bottle of vinegar and blue Dawn right now. Have a great weekend....hugs...Charlene.

[@Lillyx3100]

You are so adorable! I love your accent. Don't be so hard on yourself. Your a hard-working momma. I love watching your video's. It's very informative and useful. I always learn something new from your video's. Thank you Sophia :)

[@mygreatchallenge]

Marja Lilly Arline You are welcome!

[@sofiak9674]

Love watching your videos so much... i have my breakfast and dinner with some of them and i really enjoy it, and my hubby likes it, too... Today he said, that watching you organize and fix stuff motivates him to do stuff at home too 👍

[@mygreatchallenge]

that s awesome!

[@MrDigger54]

I am so glad you sorted your kitchen, you sorted mine as well. Keep the videos coming please we love them. Jane

[@juliesmith3668]

Meal planning is definitely the way to go. When I do make the effort to do it I spend less, am less wasteful and find it less stressful. Thanks for the video Sophia.....as always very inspirational ! X

[@madziam7893]

I'm going to watch all your videos .I've just found them and can't stop watching.keep going :)

[@mygreatchallenge]

Madzia M THANK YOU!

[@Bonstergirl1]

You're my fav go to person if i need ideas for the house.. Keep doing what youre doing , you're doing great and thanks to your video's as ive mentioned..you have got me off my but and working to clean up around here as well..Im physically disabled so at times its awkward.. but i do it anyways.. So thankyou again Sofia.. i'll keep watching.

[@grogers511]

I'm binge watching your videos... again. I really enjoy watching you. I'm actually cleaning while I watch. Working on using Clorox toilet bowl cleanser on my chocolate brown bathroom grout to get it back to its original beige. For the fridge... I use newspaper in the drawers. I keep a fridge bin to hold cottage cheese, canned peaches, butter. The things I often pull out for breakfast. So much easier. I wipe out the fridge weekly when I prepare grocery list and menu ideas. We keep a master grocery shopping list. We deep clean the fridge only 1 or 2 times/year.

[@CaseyL19]

Love your honesty. My fridge is a mess, I too thought bok Choy was a Chinese stir fry ingredient. I always want yo meal plan and then shop but life just doesn't go that way for me. I love the new opening in the videos. Thanks for doing the videos.

[@TheGreennblue]

Thanks Sophia for another great video! I never thought of starting at the door, getting that all done and then moving on. My problem is I can get tired half way through because its such a big chore, but I can see by watching you that I can break it down and maybe do the door one day and then do the rest the next day. Thanks as always for the inspiration and for keeping it real. I was bracing for your fridge to look really bad, but it didn't look bad at all, matter of fact it looked normal! !

[@ArinWeitzman]

That dawn and vinegar worked great.

[@WillowandPaisley]

Sophia...you are amazing! I usually clean out mt fridge once a month but then it got away on me and I had not cleaned it since before summer. Then I was dreading and avoiding the task. I finally buckled down and did it last week. What a chore! I'm so intrigued that the bananas stayed green. I am so trying that tip!

[@constances.1434]

Great Job momma. For me it works best to do an inventory of foods in the house and meal plan from there. Then I just have to add to the things I already have. I also try to stock up when deals are good on the food we enjoy. I plan for 1 week at a time and always grocery shop when my DD is at preschool. Keep up the good work.

[@cherylynn927]

Great video! I put wax paper in the bottom of my bins for easier cleaning. I also have a sandwich tray, pb&j, mayo, pickles cheese, etc. the entire tray can be pulled out then replaced when finished. The fruits are cleansed and placed in a bowl!

[@Kaannika69]

I love your videos and your challenges!! :-) In Germany we are no longer using sooo many plastic bags for shopping. We have boxes in the car, use backpacks, shopping trolleys or take bags from home with us to go shopping.

[@AngieWaltersTorus]

Thanks for showing your fridge before and after cleaning. The pre- spraying sure makes it a lot easier than the way I do it by just washing and drying. Also I like the idea of putting scot towels or a cloth underneath to catch spills. Thanks again.

[@nicolegibsontherealtor]

I was waiting to see your refrigerator that was such a big mess, that is a normal refrig. I started to label the compartments in y refrig & it has helped people put it back where it belongs. I really love your videos.

[@pwbuys]

Great job on cleaning, organizing and meal planning! I have been watching your videos for a little bit now and you do a lovely job of taking care of your home and family. Thank you!

[@Whoknows867]

I have seriously been binge watching all of your videos and I'm seriously in love with them!!! My fridge really needs a good cleaning and looks 50x worse then what yours did! You get me motivated to do things every single day

[@luvnbags4461]

+kate tulkki mines too!

[@my2jedi]

I just discovered you (and subscribed!) this morning. My list for the weekend is already a mile long. You are so inspiring! We all have messy fridges, cabinets, and countertops. Thanks for being brave and sharing yours. It makes the rest of us less appalled at our own, and reminds us that if you can do it, so can we! Your doggies are adorable - love that you keep them with you while you are busy instead of finding surprises later in the rest of the house. Thanks again!

[@mykibagirl1534]

I am binge watching your older videos and loving them. My fridge gets much worse than yours so don't be embarrassed. Thanks for sharing and I will try the doing one shelf at a time for now on. I always get overwhelmed with this chore!

[@leanneb6622]

Today my fridge does look the same as it is right after Christmas and fridge is full of leftovers. I have just discovered your videos and am loving them. I really like how you break everything down and make suggestions so huge projects aren't so overwhelming. I am defiantly going to use your tip to remove the cold cut drawer and really purpose it somewhere else in my kitchen

[@ladyradiana]

You have the same fridge as I do. The way refrigerators are designed we're always going to lose stuff in the back. Believe it or not they used to have a refrigerator that had revolving shelves so that you had easy access to everything. By the way you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your refreigerator is a lot neater than most.

[@AWanderingEye]

My teenager loves baby bok choy Leave whole but wash thoroughly after trimming bottom and just simmer in whatever broth you like, garlic optional. Very yum. Great looking fridge, love your technique!

[@wonderwoman5158]

love how real you are and your comments make me laugh love your videos and tips thanks makes me feel like I'm not the only one with a crazy cleaning projects and feeling overwhelmed

[@LibbyWithnall]

Great video. Don't be embarassed. I'm pretty sure we all end up with our fridge looking like that from time to time. Great watching this today as I need to go and do an inventory of my fridge & pantry, clean them out and menu plan. Thanks for the added inspiration and motivation to get it done. I've always cleaned my fridge one shelf a time. I hadn't planned on filming this but I might do so now :-)

[@Treasuredbytiffany]

Sophia, I coupon too but I would love to see a video on how you do it as well as your stockpile.

[@Bobbie-Loves-To-Thrift]

Awesome job on the fridge !! your inspiring me to do much better with my home and I have always wanted to do the meal planning thing ! Thanks for sharing ! Can't wait for more tips.

[@jeanlee8735]

You are not alone! It is difficult to keep it clean and straight. Enjoyed your video!

[@zubedaadam7033]

Patricia Mcphail B

[@AmandainPA]

I really enjoy your videos...I've gotten some great organizing ideas from you. Thanks for sharing! Your son looks alot like you :)

[@denisearone2616]

Hi Sophia! I just found you here on YT and just love how down to earth and enjoy your helpful tips! Sometimes when I watch videos with perfect homes and perfect everything I start to feel depressed..lol. I look forward to more videos:-) from, Denise from NJ too!!!

[@Miriam68730]

Hi Sophia , you fridge look like any other fridge sometimes. You are authentic and real, and that is why I love you videos. Can you please make a video about you everyday routine

[@peggykeeling3734]

Omg... it's 2 am now I want to go clean my fridge LOL..thank you for motivating me!! GOD bless you :)

[@mygreatchallenge]

Peggy Keeling It's 4 PM here in NJ following day, did you clean your fridge?

[@peggykeeling3734]

Yesss I did it exactly as you did with your fridge and WOW what a change..I love it, thanks for all your videos I enjoy them.GOD bless you and your family :)

[@mygreatchallenge]

Funny, we usually eat all our food from restaurants and I made a ban on Chinese leftover boxes a long time ago. When we do take out, the leftovers go into glass containers.

[@nancypeteja6560]

This was such a great video! You have stayed true to who you are all these years! I just love you Sophia & your Family! (Edward look so young!!) Thank you so much for being YOU!! 💖 👍 😉

[@cmhardim4]

Very normal fridge. It was just missing all of the restaurant leftover boxes that my adult children seem to put in mine. I also had to resort to labeling so everyone would put things where I want them, not just anywhere they felt like putting it. I loved the bottom with no streaks down the back. Looks like mine I call them my fridge bunnies, like the under the bed ones.

[@judystahlman1620]

God Sophia... your fridge isn’t dirty. Mine is a mess. When supper is tidied up leftovers etc. nothing is where it should be. We have empty or near empty bottles of dressing, sauces what a mess. Yours was better than mine. I love your work.

[@natypena8455]

I love your videos! You are so funny and humble.

[@PAMSWORLD]

Great job...and your fridge was not bad.

[@skorkes]

This was such an inspirational video! I'm even a little bit excited about cleaning out my fridge now! Well, almost. :) Great job! You should be very proud of yourself!

[@denisearone2616]

And....I would love to see how you organize your stockpile as I casually coupon as well.

[@Nanasews4]

Since you have a nook for your cookbooks, get a small flexible 3 ring notebook, (DollarTree), and after you make a schedule of meals, save it in your binder...it will add up, then you can refer to those past plans, and do a quick week when time is short some weeks. And...make freezer meals,,....in your spare time (Ha ha ha).....but it is a good idea. When cooking a whole chicken , plan to make casserole, and then freeze it...Good Luck. (I just spent the whole weekend with you and your family, Thanks enjoy it).....good job..

[@islamdeen6368]

OMG you did a great job thank you for sharing, I subscribed to your channel, going to watch moor you are natural. Thanks

[@curlycurly004u]

Great ideas !

[@sharie5706]

Just found your channel! You are not alone, my fridge can get pretty scary - it was great to see how you clean your fridge start to finish. I clean my fridge one shelf a week, but I try to do a whole fridge sweep weekly (the night before trash day.) My opinion: there is no "perfect" way, just whatever works best for you and your family!

[@mygreatchallenge]

Shari E That is true.

[@marz365]

you inspire me so much. I really enjoy your videos. I watch specific videos when I need to get tasks done. please keep on making REAL life vids, I will keep watching. BTW my fridge sux, and I have to go to the garage to access it. we rent, the fridge died, owners couldn't care less, so I have my own. we will be out soon, so I didn't bother with it. Love you Sophia. you make me laugh and want to clean!!! ;)

[@mygreatchallenge]

thethymelord Oh good, I wish I would make ME want to clean!

[@Bonstergirl1]

My fridge got done today ..took me an hour to do lol.. happy now :) and dont worry mine was even worse than yours! but its your video's that have got me on a tangent now cleaning things all over!.. Oh one more thing.. I have always had my mild in the door area and its always been just fine..even when we've had 46.5celcius and thats really hot weather.. ..it didnt go sour..

[@mygreatchallenge]

***** i guess it depends on your fridge, mine is not that good so stuff in the door will turn bad, then again, we cannot trust the milk here they change the stamps all the time, especially if you buy milk in a pinch at 7 11 for example, it s a guarantee it will turn sour in two days if it s not already bad!

[@Bonstergirl1]

My Great Challenge yes there is that too..I didnt think of the fridge .. thx :)

[@faizakifamilyvlog8212]

Good nice sharing 👍

[@rebeccaofpollywogflatts8976]

Another great video.

[@ItsFlawlesss]

I take everything out of the fridge too and clean the entire fridge at once. Makes it faster and easier. We do have a small fridge (normal sized by European standards but small by american ones ha ha) so I don't really need to rotate food since I can see all of it and I don't have a lot of extra stuff lying around. Just discovered your videos and I absolutely love them! They make me want to clean and do the projects that need to be done around the house. Also your voice and accent are a delight to listen to. Just curious, if you want to answer of course, where are you from originally? I say it's a Spanish accent so my guess is Spain but my husband thinks it sounds Italian. You might have said at one point but I'm not caught up with all your videos. BTW, LOVED LOVED the staircase that you have redone, painted, removed the carpet etc. Inspiring what a big project you could tackle.

[@mandyfortune7992]

love it x

[@claudiabarreto8232]

great tips for moms ...i like the idea of your cleaning products cheap and actually works for me .. :)

[@joannporter3882]

Awesome! Some people use the placements from the Dollar Tree (or anywhere...just not cloth or course) to line the drawers in their fridge. Easier clean up I guess. I haven't tried it yet.

[@mygreatchallenge]

+Joann Porter i tried and it made the fridge look smaller. LOL, i hate the fridge as it is. Dying for a double door one but that means tearing down the cabinet next to it. :-(

[@joannporter3882]

My Great Challenge Oh wow that would not be fun...even though I know you could do it. I want a side by side with ice/water dispenser in the door. I have the freezer on the bottom fridge now....not a fan. Also it's stainless steel...totally overrated. If I had to do it again it would be either white or black.

[@amyhowell4000]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one LOL thanks for giving me a kick to do mine xx

[@mygreatchallenge]

Amy Howell you re welcome!

[@MsCropper]

Sophia. Do you plan a month of dinners in advance ? I saw your plan in the Vera Bradley mailbag video. (love that bag too). Could you do a video of one of your meal plans in your filofax please? It looks so neat and organised. Also I notice you have a cleaning schedule in your filofax. Can you show this in a video too when you get time ?Do you tick off chores as you complete them?

[@purplesunflower8242]

love your home !

[@katyraeh]

My fridge looks just like that. No kids at home any more....just me and hubby! Real real life!!

[@MsCarolinaDreamz]

I haven't been meal planning since I've been unable (disabled) to make dinner. I don't plan for what others may be unwilling or unwanting to make/do. But, I wanted to answer your question about which order to plan, before or after shopping. I say both. We always had one type of taco meat something every Tuesday (Taco Tuesday) and it didn't have to be ground beef, it could be leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, too. Keeping with some themes that made it easier and joining in blog hops for menu planning to see what others are making made it easier to keep it up and still enjoy the sales. Take your planner and jot down meals as you put the sales items into the shopping cart, that way you have a tentative plan of additional items to purchase that you'll need to go with each meal. Be consistent now that you know it has helped and you can keep having this simple help by your side each day. Happy Meal Planning. :) ~Heidi

[@linnlunder9696]

Dawn and vinegar? Hmmm. Going to have to give it a try. This video is inspiring me to go home and clean the fridge!

[@alyaamamdouhhassan5838]

I am watching you from Egypt 🇪🇬 I love your videos Good luck 💕👍

[@PinguPango]

Hi Sophia! You said you love video requests, so here's one: can you do another "project series" (like your beautiful staircase makeover) on your home office, if you plan on Redoing that space. Loving your videos! Xo, Maria

[@mygreatchallenge]

Organize and Simplify It s on my mind!

[@ataylorai1]

My fridge is always a mess and I clean it out every week. Thank you for sharing.

[@meluvs2read]

Have you checked out "She's In Her Apron"?? she has crockpot meals as well as freezer meals that she preps ahead and can just pull out of the freezer and pop in the oven.... I love her channel. Oh and good job on cleaning your fridge.. Your before looks just like mine does now.. You have given me incentive to get cracking on my fridge... but not today... Maybe tomorrow.

[@nathanielaranda8407]

I do a deep clean of our fridge 2 times a year washing the shelves and even pulling it out and vacuuming the coils and behind the fridge (vacuuming the coils will extend the life of your fridge) so do it at least once a year :)

[@cherylynn927]

Do you have left overs for Thursday? Or buy a sale item!

[@Cindy-nn7uf]

if you put press and seal plastic wrap on the shelves when things spill you just peel the press and seal and then put more down and the shelves do not get sticky

[@AlyoshaRoman]

Your fridge wasn't bad, I've seen way worse. Thank you for your real and great videos 😀

[@lianapopa3274]

You have that frige now🤗

[@annmariecosta3084]

WOW! God Bless you Sophia, where do you get all the energy? I got tired just watching lol. Your video really did motivate me. Badly needed that boost tyvm :)

[@AWanderingEye]

Re: meal planning, we always end up with a eat-all-the-food dinner or make breakfast, try to avoid buying more unless it's bare cupboard...looks good.

[@ChihuahuaMama54]

Heck yes girl mine looks like that too 😂lol. Real life!😊☝🏼️

[@jennifercleans1652]

Thanks for the inspiration, needed to clean my fridge put on your video & poof I'm done:)

[@mygreatchallenge]

Jennifer Cleans oh good, doesn t it feel great?

[@Averil07111]

My fridge looks like yours. You have bins in the door? Good idea

[@barbaravoneitzen7729]

Love your videos..two ideas.. don't freeze meat in large portions and breakfast food for dinner is a hit at my home..waffles,tater tots,eggs,sausages juices..keep up the good work..

[@mygreatchallenge]

Barbara Von Eitzen Thank you for the tips.

[@juliejames4397]

Can you make a video of your stockpile?

[@clschaan]

I do a quick wipe out every w eek because i hate putting fresh food in a dirty fridge

[@celinasvahins7502]

Yep, my mess looks just like yours, but there's less people to blame :) No one lives here but my husband and I. Don't be embarrassed, You've inspired me. Guess what I'm going to be doing this coming weekend!

[@evelynswille1629]

Hi Well your meal plan first, then groceries!

[@mygreatchallenge]

Evelyn Swille I know, I am really not good at this.

[@ACGNikki]

What does the "Ritzy" mac n cheese entail? Also - nice penmanship!

[@ShawnPlusOne]

Great tips I’ll clean my refrigerator tomorrow. And btw your refrigerator is clean compared to my dads fridge omg his is a hoarded nightmare yours is a normal usage with a family.

[@Myeverydaywifelife]

How often do you grocery shop? Once a week? Twice a week? Everyday? Do you shop on the same day every week? I don't have a routine, its so random sometimes once a week some 2 or three times a week, and I don't have a certain day I shop. thinking I should? I do "try" to clean out my fridge once a week, I hate grocery shopping and coming home to a messy fridge. I find we waste less food the more often it is clean out.

[@mygreatchallenge]

Myeverydaywifelife depends, most of the time once per week but there is always a missing something in the middle of the week, i find that I tend to return for produce and fruits more than anything else. I am struggling with meal planning i just can t stick to it.

[@jamiecassens9773]

I love all your videos :)

[@TheGreennblue]

I put "not the freezer" in the wrong spot. Its supposed to read, I completely cleaned my whole fridge today, ( well not the freezer ) because I was so inspired by this video !

[@mygreatchallenge]

OMG, a normal fridge, really? I thought it was a great mess. Part of my reason for embarking on this blog/vlog journey is to change all those things that need improvement in my life. Ah, perception, as always, I am my worst critic. Thank you!

[@teresasalowitz5113]

loved it

[@ctmom923]

Labeling WHAT is in packages in the freezer is helpful, as well as dating. I also make an inventory list of what's in there That little bit of whatever .. .. .. you think you'll remember what it is; so that next time you need a smidge of chili or something, you can just reach in and pull it out - but when you open the door nothing looks familiar

[@laciejewel]

OMG WAS THAT EDWARD?! Aww...he's a little boy compared to your new videos w/the Flylady series you have. 'Course, I guess these videos here are over 3-1/2 years old. So. So many things to say. First of all, I so wish we were neighbors. My kid is 16 and he and Edward could discuss Star Wars, Legos and movies (if that's Edward's thing...my kid is a walking Star Wars encyclopedia) while we Moms put those wine glasses to a wee bit of good use from time to time. ;) I'd have to call my sister (who speaks fluent French...I speak no French except when she taught me how to count from 1-10 when I was 2...she is much older than I) so you and her could have a grand old chat. I see you've upgraded your stove and fridge in the new videos too. Isn't that wonderful?! I'm going to have to live w/my old ones for now but I've always wanted a fridge like your new one. Actually, my current appliances look like your old ones except my stove is electric. Only two burners work. BUT they came w/the house 4 years ago and I'm stuck w/them for now. I believe you've mentioned "How Jen Does It" in your new videos? I subscribed to her channel a couple of years ago I think. I like how she does her menus and recipes. Nothing fancy...just keeps them in a big binder. It won't break the bank and it gets the job done. Looks like that's basically the way you're doing it too. Do you have a deep freeze? Is that your two-car garage behind you? Have you done a declutter of the garage? I'm STILL in the decluttering phase (and I will be for quite some time). When I first moved into the house, I made the mistake of dragging in more and more stuff to put away than I could tackle at once so they kept mounting up. Anyway, you're doing a great job then and now. :)

[@Whoknows867]

Anytime I have a day missing I do soup and sandwiches or a breakfast for dinner

[@sherryvaughn189]

I wonder if you could put the shelves in the dishwasher

[@doremifasowhat858]

Love your hair short like this. Makes you look younger and more vibrant! (And we could all use more of that in our lives)

[@petmomful2260]

Do you unplug your frig for the cleaning?

[@karenthomas3689]

Make any stir fry and at the last minute throw washed cut bok Choy in. When it slightly wilts it's ready. Enjoy!!

[@stephkan20]

Great video! :)

[@carolinebaranczyk1131]

Hahaha!!! You don't live alone...this is most definitely life.