Give It a Toss

It seems that too frequently when visiting relatives, that I leave with a trunk full of stuff - old stuff and stuff that those loving family members didn't have a place for but could not leave at the curb either.  Those broken bits that should have been tossed generations ago, well, my family now wants me to carry the misery. Somehow, giving it to me, admonishes any guilt they would have disposing of it.  They just leave that heartless act to me.

We have all been guilty of holding on to something a tad longer than we should.  But when it comes to pantry items and cellaphane packages lurking in those dark, back spaces of your refrigerator, not a good idea. Some serious stomach aches could ensue - or worse.

Here is a chart of common food items that need the boot even sooner than your trunk full of broken bits:

source: courtesty of Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Pantry item	Toss it after . . .	Keep it like this . . .
Vegetables - onions, potatoes	1-3 months	Cool, dry
Dried apricots	3 months	Refrigerate after opening
Whole wheat flour	3 months	Cool (frig), airtight
Bread crumbs	4 months	Cool, dry, airtight
Bulgur	5-6 months	Cool, dry, airtight
Biscuit/baking/cake mix	6 months	Cool, dry
Brown rice	6 months	Cool, dry, airtight
Olive oil	6 months	Cool, dry
Wild rice	6 months	Cool, dry, airtight
Wheat germ	8-12 months	Cool, dry
Dried prunes, raisins	9 months	Refrigerate after opening
White flour	10-15 months	Cool, dry
Cereal	1 year	Cool, dry, airtight
Coffee	1 year	Cool, dry, airtight
Cornmeal/grits	1 year	Cool, dry, airtight
Dried peas/beans	1 year	Cool, dry, airtight
Home-canned goods	1 year	Cool, dry
Honey, syrup	1 year	Refrigerate after opening
Rice	1 year	Cool, dry, airtight
High-acid canned goods	12-18 months	Cool, dry
Brown sugar	18 months	Cool, dry, airtight
Tea	18 months	Cool, dry
Pasta	1-2 years	Cool, dry
Barley	2 years	Cool, dry airtight
Vinegar	30 months	Cool, dry
Worcestershire sauce	30 months	Cool, dry
Bottled water with foil seal	2-5 years	Cool, dry, dark
Whole spices	4-5 years	Cool, dry, dark
Cream of tartar	Indefinitely	Cool, dry
Salt	indefinitely	Cool, dry
White sugar, granulated	Indefinitely	Cool, dry