Let me give you an example of how you might build and accomplish a new year’s resolution. One of my goals is to build and maintain a pantry. With a good pantry, I’ll always have the ingredients I need to whip up a tasty and healthy meal – even if guests stop by. It will help me cut down on food waste since I won’t end up with food I don’t need. It will help me save time and money when I shop for groceries since I will be able to focus on replenishing pantry staples and any special ingredients I need for the week’s meal plan. I won’t end up buying what I already have.

I have broken the goal down into multiple steps.

• 1) Create a list of the basics that I need to have in my pantry. I’m doing this by keeping a running list (over several months) of the foods I use most frequently.
• 2) Use up the food in my cabinets, fridge, and freezer.
• 3) Limit food purchases as much as possible. Avoid buying larger sizes and quantities until things are under control.
• 4) Make it a priority to use up the groceries I do purchase within a week of purchase.
• 5) Once I have things down to my pantry list, post the list in my kitchen next to a grocery list pad so that I can build a grocery list to replenish the pantry.

I’m working on the first three tasks simultaneously. In my next post, I’ll talk about one of the things I’m doing to use up the food I have.