Pre-pandemic: I would look at the best before date on items in the fridge, and just to be safe, if the item was past the date, I’d throw it out.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that now.
So what’s changed?
Mid-pandemic: the best before date is still a guide, but I’m now using my nose more than ever.
Milk 3 days past? But it still smells fresh and sweet? Then it’s going in my coffee.
There are a bunch of learnings here for me:
- Our senses are powerful, we just have to know when and how to use them
- Isolation and scarcity can be forcing functions to build better habits
- I’m learning how to act with greater care, prudence, and restraint in my own kitchen, and I think that’ll pay dividends over a lifetime