have you cleaned your fridge today?

And why not? Haven't you heard? It's National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Week(tm). That's right, Glad and Whirlpool have dedicated this week (March 23 - 28) to cleaning out your ice box. For more about the C.R.I.S.P. method (as in Confront, Remove, Inspect, Store, and Position) go to http://www.glad.com/fridge.html(Seriously, I couldn't make this up if I tried.)

So, it's not to late to do your part. Get out the baking soda, some paper towels, and maybe a hammer and chisel, and get to work. It probably needs it.

And while you are at it, contemplate why you own six different kinds of jam, four kinds of mustard, and ten half used bottles of salad dressing (especially when it is so easy (and better)to make from scratch). And so you don't get too down on yourself, ask why on earth they put a bin marked butter in a spot where if you put it, you risk it going bad (and at $3 a pound, that's not funny).

Get your friends involved. Take before and after shots. Put together a "Clean Your Fridge" care package of sponges, a scrub brush, rubber gloves, two boxes of arm &hammer, and a fun magnet, and send them to your nearest and dearest. It's only a matter of time before Hallmark jumps on the band wagon, and you can tell them you remember when.

Seriously though, don't forget to clean the filter (usually on the bottom) and dust the back. It will help your fridge last longer and use less energy. Always a good thing.

So let me be the first to wish you a Happy Clean Out Your Refrigerator Week. Happy scrubbing!