Ep. 315 | Expired Things

[@intigniadickey2224]

We had to rely on our local food pantry (food bank) for the majority of our food for five years. We were often given food that was two to four YEARS past expiration dates. As long as the cans were not bulging they were fine, although the stuff that was four years past didn't taste very good. Cake mixes would not rise when past their expiration date, so I would add a tablespoon of baking powder to the mix and then it was okay. My doctor said that most medications were fine up to a year past their expiration dates, not to throw them out, but to use them. That really surprised me.

[@FifiAllia]

When I was a child I ate tons of sugar and had tons of canker sores! As an adult I try not to touch sugar (not easy) and never have canker sores, ever. I think there is a connection.

[@johnyang1420]

Expiration dates gets people to buy more.

[@SweetiesCatWorld]

Yes! So true

[@ZenDragoonYT]

Or. OR. You could buy less. So you eat the food before it expires. And waste less food

[@keenansubramoney4920]

Expectations to buy things for others during the holidays can be overwhelming, I've found compromises and hopefully I stick to a budget this Christmas

[@sbk2262]

Finding that a simpler lifestyle provides greater satisfaction than relentless pursuit of materialism.

[@mjsmith9889]

Thank you for this. I am a huge fan of you two. I am all about getting rid of stuff from my past and scaling down. I am divorced for 8 years now and I got rid of a TON of stuff from my house. Trouble is that I moved in with my parents and my mother is sort of a hoarder. I say "sort of" because she doesn't bring in new stuff, but she gets rid of NOTHING. My dad passed in September of 2020 and now she won't get rid of his stuff either. I really believe this is a mental problem. Truly. I have lived with it my entire life which is why I am the way I am. I have a few things that I hold onto, but not YEARS of things. My mom is 83. I guess this really has upset me for quite some time. I know I don't have to live here either, but she cannot be left alone now that my father is gone. I want to thank you for all that you guys do. Keep up the great work! Dig the whole "minimizer" term too!!

[@mjsmith9889]

@@chris-ci7ch I understand fully as I just lost my father. I get it. It just upsets me because she has a reverse mortgage and needs money and has TONS of stuff to sell and make her financial life better. It's frustrating.

[@mosheedy9862]

Sometimes an "expired cooking item" is from a dish I made once. Will never make again. Holding on to these ingredients is a guilt reminder of wasted money . Like craft supplies that I will never use. I purge myvrrfig often. I want a capsule wardrobe for my refrigerator.

[@marjamesquire8141]

THIS. 👏

[@AidanHomewood]

awesome new intro! better than the last.

[@marjamesquire8141]

Bro, you need to lay off “jettison” for 6 months. Your moratorium begins now 🤣 My hoarder mother-in-law had me clean out and purge her upstairs guest bathroom when I learned minimalism from y’all and Marie Kondo. She had Tylenol that expired in 1999! Her fridge is no better. My kids always check expiration dates when we visit the MiL. She also lets food sit out overnight when it should be refrigerated. She knows better too as a nurse. 🤦‍♀️ Come back to Birmingham! -Marissa

[@alanbirkner1958]

We've eaten dried beans that were 11 (eleven) years old. I just soaked them longer before cooking. They were fine. Tina

[@ZenDragoonYT]

Why

[@NewVizionHealth]

2:11 I thought I was the only King Sauce, guess not 😂😂

[@tdawgisindahouse]

You two speak with a lot of reason clarity, so it surprised me that you'd say something misleading. There truly are a few food items that can last for literally years decades or more... and if stored well in dry environments can virtually last forever. Foods that you mentioned include vinegar, honey, molasse, salt, sugar, dried spices, vanilla, extracts (because they are preserved in alcohol), and there even a many more. You questioned that if it lasts forever it's probably not be real food. This implies that it must be artificial or filled with preservatives, which is a real serious issue with some of the food we consume and Ryan brought up the freaky preserved happy meal, but it's just the opposite and misleading, because they have literally found honey and spices in ancient tombs that were still edible. There is generally too much panic, ridged thinking, OCD, and misunderstanding around expiry dates as you noted. It's obvious that food producers intentionally use such dates to stoke confusion to get anxious consumers to throw out food so they will buy more. As you mentioned they are just general indicators not hard and fast rules. So much is unnecessarily wasted. It's bad enough with food, and even worse with arbitrary dates on body beauty products. I get that minimalists prefer to error on the side of letting go of it. I'm exploring minimalism and appreciate your insights and encouragement, just pointing out a surprisingly misleading point.

[@scorpio7938]

Great listening

[@angelacross2216]

Every so often I make myself use up everything in my refrigerator that is close to or past its expiration date before I get fresh. Soups cover a multitude of sins btw especially if served with fresh bread.

[@poetrynook962]

Oh, forgot to tell you your new intro is much better and fitting. I never liked the little kid intro and never understood what it had to do with minimalism.

[@sarahk5417]

Vanilla extract expires by a certain date. This is why I am not sure if I will buy it from Costco. I use about 3 teaspoons per week to make my healthy version of cobbler for breakfast. I don't use processed sugar, butter, dairy or oil in these but I go through vanilla quickly,

[@PinkSallyProductions]

Thanks Josh, Ryan and all. Good to hear that you valu the music of Radiohead, in my huge cd cull, I kept all of theirs 😊 Be well, Sally 🌹

[@jhonatansousa290]

Hi .. my name is Jhonatan. I really like your podcast, I learn a lot with each tip and the news presented. I'm Brazilian and I'm always connected to your podcast. And I would like to know what the name of your introductory song is, I think it's calm and wonderful.

[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

Every Little Thing by Peter Doran. ❤️

[@haygurl3978]

👍😬

[@k4xxxminecrafter792]

I love the way you talk and the sound of your voices and vocabulary!

[@lmlm3559]

Hey Josh, you pronounced Toronto just like a Torontonian - Torunno - not “Torontoe”. 😄🇨🇦

[@Konoba7]

Just to clarify, Josh said "if I have food in my home that never expires it's probably not really food", well he just mentioned honey and vanilla which are 100% natural, how is that not real food?

[@Konoba7]

Nothing last forever indeed, so those foods will probably expire when the sun makes the earth inhabitable

[@mexidutch]

@@Konoba7 this just made me chuckle :D

[@Konoba7]

@@mexidutch hehe xD, it was the ultimate scenario I could imagine to put a hypothetical expiration date

[@KSix86]

There are jars of honey that have been found in egyptian tombs that is still edible. The reason those sorts of foods are good for so long is because they contain anitmicrobial properties that allow it to remain good for centuries if stored correctly, which they are if they are in a sealed jar where excess moisture cannot get to them. The worst thing that happens to honey is that it solidifies to sugar. A little heat on a stove or microwave will bring it back to liquid form for use. Salt is literally a rock, so again, as long as it does not get wet, it will last forever. Flour might go a tad stale in taste but it WILL last for as long as you need.

[@aurgho_]

Expired relationships -> Cue National Unfriend Day.

[@trishferrer8209]

Thanks for this vid/podcast! I don't know what to do about my son's car. Lost him at 23, suddenly, 6 yrs ago. Traumatic. I have his first car, a red 1993 Dodge Stealth. Badly damaged engine due to poor transportation to my house (a 200+ mile trip). Long story. Used to be fun to drive. He loved that car. I tried to give it to his friend some months ago. The friend said he'd come get it, tow it home, and repair it. He never came and got the car. I have made a few attempts to have him pick it up. I am emotionally attached to the car, and was hoping to have it repaired, and drive it myself, until I realized I should just give it up, and move forward. I don't know what to do! My Aunt said (in a disgusted tone) that I should just get rid of it! I promised my son (after he passed) that I would "fix her (the car) up". I don't think I'm going to be able to fulfill that promise. This is mentally and emotionally draining. I am anticipating an internal panic when I see his car leave my yard. Maybe because I saw him in the driver's seat so many times. What would be the best thing for me to do? How do I let this car go? It's a classic, but needs much repair. It was his, and I drove it too. The title is in both our names. Thanks for any advice.

[@magdalenamajka798]

Maybe sell the car, and give the money for the charity.

[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

Hey, JFM here. I'm sorry for your loss and I certainly understand your struggle. It sounds like you want to let go. Thankfully, you don't need permission to let go. You don't even need to do anything to let go. Just remember, letting go is not something you do; it's something you stop doing. More: theminimalists.com/stop

[@nancymonahan7952]

can you address why the Boston show was moved to Somerville with general seating?

[@julio7842]

True minimalist don’t have expired items in the refrigerator or anywhere else.

[@adrianimm6850]

If you are one of The Minimalist Patron, then probably you already watch this video a week ago. *Skeletor will return with more Minimalist facts

[@Motoccino]

Please fix Patreon or exit it altogether. The Indian fans of the private podcast are left in the lurch due to Patreon's payment issue, which they very apparently don't have a solution for. Please drop them. You guys are the creators. We are the fans/consumers. We don't want an incompetent middleman.

[@tinylittlebutstillalion4101]

There is no Sound on the Video.

[@KenDay]

Sound is there fore me

[@tinylittlebutstillalion4101]

@@KenDay yes, now it works 😀

[@nicole1184]

Pappy's Chicks Dig Me Mango Chipotle Grilling Sauce

[@therealjenniferrr]

Something seems off about Ryan's mic, the sounds seems to go in and out which sounds really strange to my ears.