Organizing your fridge doesn’t just keep things in their right place, it also lengthens the lifespan of the foods inside. Here are a few smart ways to get the most storage space out of your refrigerator.

1. Start by going through your entire refrigerator and throwing away anything that is past its expiration date. Wipe out the shelves and drawers and prepare to put things back inside.
2. Consider your storage and see where you can add more. If there is a particularly large shelf, purchase additional shelving or bins from your local home goods store.
3. Organize food items by size, leaving the larger items in the back and the smaller ones in the front so that you can easily see everything at first glance.
4. Place the vegetables in the designated vegetable drawer, as this is often a so-called “crisper” that is designed especially to keep delicate vegetables fresh.
5. Only store condiments on the door, as this is the warmest part of the refrigerator and can cause other items to spoil.
6. Store raw foods, such as meats, on the bottom shelf so that they don’t contaminate other items.

Fridge and Freezer Organization [The Container Store]
The Best Way to Organize Your Refrigerator [The Kitchn]
How to Store Food in the Refrigerator [Real Simple]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Cedar Summit Farm

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

At the Austin Nature & Science Center, children and adults alike can learn about plant life, animals, and the science behind both in a fun-filled atmosphere. The center contains a number of hands-on exhibits that aim to make learning more exciting, including wildlife exhibits that contain live fish, reptiles, mammals, and other creatures that cannot survive in the wild because of injury or illness.

In the Naturalist Workshop, visitors can view small specimens through magnifying glasses and microscopes, while the Dino Pit offers visitors the chance to uncover fossils in an imitation archeological site. If you have very young children, the Austin Nature & Science Center even offers Nature’s Way Preschool, a unique type of schooling that lets children learn while walking through creeks and taking nature walks through the nearby woodlands.

For more information about upcoming programs at the Austin Nature & Science Center, visit the center’s website.

Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr balanced.crafts