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Fridge Love: Organize Your Refrigerator for a Healthier, Happier Life—with 100 Recipes
A one-of-a-kind guide to organizing your fridge—including practical tips for meal prep and storage, plus more than 100 recipes—that makes it easier to eat better, save money, and get the most out of your food Practicing “fridge love” is a roadmap to eating healthier, saving money, and reducing food waste while enjoying a beautiful and harder-working fridge. This book—part organizational guide and part food-prep handbook—is your guide. Author Kristen Hong adopted a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet in an effort to lose weight and improve her health. But amidst the demands of day-to-day life and a busy family, she found it impossible to stick to. The solution? A smarter, better-organized fridge that served her real-life needs. In this invaluable resource, you will discover how a beautifully organized fridge can make your life—including healthy eating for the whole family—easier. It covers general fridge organization (for all models and configurations) as well as shopping tips, storage guidelines, the best meal-prep containers, and more than 100 easy plant-based recipes made for meal prepping.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2022
331 people are currently reading
1251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
June 22, 2021
Kristen Hong's Fridge Love is a beautifully illustrated, and highly detailed, guide to setting up an organized refrigerator. I'll admit, I thought this was going to be more about how to use your shelves and bins, and there is definitely some of that here. But Fridge Love is primarily an economical, practical, and time efficient guide to healthy eating.
This is a great resource for busy people. We can all agree that switching to a plant based diet is healthier, but keeping up with it can be tricky. Kristen Hong takes us from the grocery trip, to the washing and prep, picking containers and the placement of each item. Plus the recipes she's included would be easy to tailor to my tastes.
Between the stunning and colorful pictures, details about the history of fridges and how they work, Fridge Love is well worth a read. There are some fantastic and inspirational ideas here, and I'm inspired to at least do better and organizing my fridge for healthy eating!
This is a great resource for busy people. We can all agree that switching to a plant based diet is healthier, but keeping up with it can be tricky. Kristen Hong takes us from the grocery trip, to the washing and prep, picking containers and the placement of each item. Plus the recipes she's included would be easy to tailor to my tastes.
Between the stunning and colorful pictures, details about the history of fridges and how they work, Fridge Love is well worth a read. There are some fantastic and inspirational ideas here, and I'm inspired to at least do better and organizing my fridge for healthy eating!
September 28, 2021
Nice book I ve picked up hoping I would solve my battle with disorder
Nice tips useful well some of them
Not all of them
Then there is the real learning of this book to learn to buy and stock and cook healthier food
Beautifully illustrated
Arc received by Netgalley
Nice tips useful well some of them
Not all of them
Then there is the real learning of this book to learn to buy and stock and cook healthier food
Beautifully illustrated
Arc received by Netgalley
May 19, 2021
This was a great little book! It is so colorful and well researched. The photos in this book are so beautiful! I like how thorough the author was with explaining the functionality of the refrigerator! She breaks the organization and meal prepping into different groups depending on the reader's needs, The Fresh Fridge, The No-Cook Fridge, The Chopped Fridge, and the Prepped Fridge. I thought this was very thoughtful because people's needs vary. Hong, a Nutritarian, explains the diet and why she chose this lifestyle, and how she incorporates other types of cooking into her home to provide for her family, who are not Nutritarians. The recipe section in the back looks simple and delicious. My daughter is a vegetarian and I know this will be a great resource for her in the future. We are looking forward to reorganizing our fridge this summer. Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2022
I enjoyed this fridge organization book by Kristen Hong.
I have seen some beautiful fridge pics on Instagram, but never heard someone's actual tips before now. Author Kristen Hong really encourages everyone to organize their fridge in an accessible way- to make your fridge functional for you, whatever that may look like. I like that she doesn't just want your fridge to look good, but to work for your life.
There are some parts that just seemed like filler- I skipped the parts about the history of fridges, and I don't think it's necessary for the book at all.
I enjoyed learning the organizational system, especially with the list of how to store all the different foods in your fridge to last the longest- I learned a lot of practical things that I will be doing from now on!
I still don't have such a beautiful fridge that I can Instagram pics of, but my food lasts longer and I can better see and use the food I store in my fridge!
I have seen some beautiful fridge pics on Instagram, but never heard someone's actual tips before now. Author Kristen Hong really encourages everyone to organize their fridge in an accessible way- to make your fridge functional for you, whatever that may look like. I like that she doesn't just want your fridge to look good, but to work for your life.
There are some parts that just seemed like filler- I skipped the parts about the history of fridges, and I don't think it's necessary for the book at all.
I enjoyed learning the organizational system, especially with the list of how to store all the different foods in your fridge to last the longest- I learned a lot of practical things that I will be doing from now on!
I still don't have such a beautiful fridge that I can Instagram pics of, but my food lasts longer and I can better see and use the food I store in my fridge!
August 20, 2021
I have mixed feelings while reading this because a part of my idolization of the perfect fridge, as part of my want for a perfect life. Having grown up in chaos, the want for something like this is not uncommon. But in reality, it is unattainable to most people. Even the guidance given in this book isn't enough to make it feasible for most people. Whether due to money or due to a lack of spoons.
June 11, 2021
Talk about fridge goals!!! This author knows her stuff on everything fridge related. I mean even how it works. *mind blown* I would recommend this book for the pictures alone. They are gorgeous but the tips are incredible. I may not be able to keep up everything (there’s 6 of us) but there’s so many tips (especially cleaning tips) that I will for sure be implementing.
June 19, 2021
Advocating a weight loss plan in the first pages of your introduction prompted me to stop reading this book immediately.
July 22, 2022
Four Stars.
I would LOVE my fridge to look like any of the pictures in Fridge Love. All the fruits and vegetables, prepped and ready to go in lovely, perfectly arranged, color-coordinated containers… But in real life, that’s just not going to happen. Despite that, there are so many helpful hints and recipes in this book that I just might be able to get over the fact that my fridge isn’t exactly Instagram ready. I’m okay with that, because thanks to Fridge Love, my fridge is more organized and working for me and my life. And I think that’s the key of Fridge Love -- your fridge probably isn’t going to look like the author’s, but she offers so many great hints that there’s sure to be some you can use.
An unexpected bright spot of Fridge Love was the chapter on the history of refrigeration and food preservation, as well as all the explanation of the science behind food storage. I was surprised by how interesting it was! There are lots of great and easy plant based recipes included as well.
I’m so grateful to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the opportunity to read and review Fridge Love.
I would LOVE my fridge to look like any of the pictures in Fridge Love. All the fruits and vegetables, prepped and ready to go in lovely, perfectly arranged, color-coordinated containers… But in real life, that’s just not going to happen. Despite that, there are so many helpful hints and recipes in this book that I just might be able to get over the fact that my fridge isn’t exactly Instagram ready. I’m okay with that, because thanks to Fridge Love, my fridge is more organized and working for me and my life. And I think that’s the key of Fridge Love -- your fridge probably isn’t going to look like the author’s, but she offers so many great hints that there’s sure to be some you can use.
An unexpected bright spot of Fridge Love was the chapter on the history of refrigeration and food preservation, as well as all the explanation of the science behind food storage. I was surprised by how interesting it was! There are lots of great and easy plant based recipes included as well.
I’m so grateful to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the opportunity to read and review Fridge Love.
May 9, 2022
This book is a great resource and I have already purchased my own copy. The book starts with a discussion about how refrigerators work, where they are coldest, how the air flows, and how to maintain them. There is an entire section devoted to information on selecting and storing produce. The book ends with a section of recipes. There are several salads and sauces and the photographs throughout are gorgeous. I highly recommend.
November 9, 2023
nice photos! not realistic for a human person with a fulltime job to do
July 19, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
When I first saw the arc for Fridge Love by Kristen Hong on NetGalley, it was an automatic click request for me. I’ve been on TikTok University watching lots of women use a ton of containers to organize their food. But I’m a book learner, so I want instructions on how to do it, not just watch someone do it in 1 minute or less. I found Fridge Love interesting because it addresses both organization and food prep.
A Work Of Art
This book will have your refrigerator looking like a colorful work of art. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone decided to blow up and frame some of the photos in this book. I am already using some of the organization and storage techniques, although it is far from the visual works of art displayed in the book. But my mason jars are getting put to use, now that they are temporarily relieved of their canning duty.
The Nitty Gritty Of A Fridge
My fridge stays in a state of crisp disorganization. But the author, Kristen Hong, doesn’t just give you a way to re-organize your fridge. This woman gives you several options and includes the mechanics of how a high-functioning fridge will help you in everyday life. I’m not joking, she digs into the nitty gritty of how different fridge designs work and what to do to get them to operate to maximum potential.
The book is broken down into four parts:
Practicing Fridge Love
Fridge Settings, Cleaning, Storage, and Organization
The Produce Prep and Storage Guide
Recipes
Healthy Eating
Hungry Food GIF by Bluey - Find & Share on GIPHY
If your fridge looks like this, then definitely check out this book!
I loved the recipes section. There were lots of beautiful pictures for many of the recipes. But I love that it is included so that you have plenty of ideas on standby for how to create healthy meals from your fresh produce. For me that was a game changer as a busy mom. She also provides instructions on how to shop for and store an entire list of fresh fruits and vegetables. This will come in handy if you are transitioning to a lifestyle of fresh eating, as well as trying out new fresh produce. The author is a nutritarian, so she practices what she preaches.
A Functional Fridge & A Healthy Family Diet
By the time you are done, you will understand how your fridge functions, how to keep it organized, have cool tips for food storage and recipes up your sleeve. The likelihood of your food going to waste once you organize it will significantly drop. And the best part is, there is no need to be intimidated by taking on this task. She has several options illustrated for those who are just beginning to those who want to go full force with a transformation. As you read, you should have in mind which option works best for you and your family.
So if you are still in spring cleaning mode, take a moment to check out this gem, Fridge Love by Kristen Hong.
When I first saw the arc for Fridge Love by Kristen Hong on NetGalley, it was an automatic click request for me. I’ve been on TikTok University watching lots of women use a ton of containers to organize their food. But I’m a book learner, so I want instructions on how to do it, not just watch someone do it in 1 minute or less. I found Fridge Love interesting because it addresses both organization and food prep.
A Work Of Art
This book will have your refrigerator looking like a colorful work of art. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone decided to blow up and frame some of the photos in this book. I am already using some of the organization and storage techniques, although it is far from the visual works of art displayed in the book. But my mason jars are getting put to use, now that they are temporarily relieved of their canning duty.
The Nitty Gritty Of A Fridge
My fridge stays in a state of crisp disorganization. But the author, Kristen Hong, doesn’t just give you a way to re-organize your fridge. This woman gives you several options and includes the mechanics of how a high-functioning fridge will help you in everyday life. I’m not joking, she digs into the nitty gritty of how different fridge designs work and what to do to get them to operate to maximum potential.
The book is broken down into four parts:
Practicing Fridge Love
Fridge Settings, Cleaning, Storage, and Organization
The Produce Prep and Storage Guide
Recipes
Healthy Eating
Hungry Food GIF by Bluey - Find & Share on GIPHY
If your fridge looks like this, then definitely check out this book!
I loved the recipes section. There were lots of beautiful pictures for many of the recipes. But I love that it is included so that you have plenty of ideas on standby for how to create healthy meals from your fresh produce. For me that was a game changer as a busy mom. She also provides instructions on how to shop for and store an entire list of fresh fruits and vegetables. This will come in handy if you are transitioning to a lifestyle of fresh eating, as well as trying out new fresh produce. The author is a nutritarian, so she practices what she preaches.
A Functional Fridge & A Healthy Family Diet
By the time you are done, you will understand how your fridge functions, how to keep it organized, have cool tips for food storage and recipes up your sleeve. The likelihood of your food going to waste once you organize it will significantly drop. And the best part is, there is no need to be intimidated by taking on this task. She has several options illustrated for those who are just beginning to those who want to go full force with a transformation. As you read, you should have in mind which option works best for you and your family.
So if you are still in spring cleaning mode, take a moment to check out this gem, Fridge Love by Kristen Hong.
September 24, 2022
My GOSH! I just learned so damn much about food storage.
Okay, the short list of stuff I learned: lemons do better in the fridge. Apples can ripen other fruits. Some fruits and veggies produce ethelyne and some are sensitive to ethelyne, so you can't store them together. Apples will stay good up to two weeks if you keep them in the fridge! (AHH!!! My husband literally eats an apple a day. He's probably a doctor's worst nightmare. I go to the store at the end of every single week to buy a new batch of apples. Now I know I can stick them in the fridge and they'll keep until the following week!) Not all fruits and veggies do best in the crisper. Some are better off on a lower shelf of the fridge or even on the door.
SOME PARTS OF THE FRIDGE ARE WARMER AND MORE HUMID AND SOME ARE COLDER AND DRYER. How did I never know this? It actually matters what part of the fridge you put your stuff in! Now i know why my milk always goes bad so quickly. I've been keeping it on the door, which is one of the warmest spots of the fridge.
Oh! And the freezer being too packed can inhibit the effectiveness of both the fridge and the freezer in older models (which I have). Oh! And you need to leave space at the back of the freezer because of how the cold ventilation works in older models. Oh! And you need to keep the fridge coils at least 4 inches away from the wall.
Criminey there were a lot of things I didn't know!
So much of my produce goes to waste because it spoils so fast. Now I know all about proper storage and I'm hoping my fruits and veggies will keep for longer.
One trick for berries that I discovered a while back that isn't in this book (so I have to share it with others): wash berries in vinegar to extend their shelf life. I wish I could remember which food blog I found this tip on so that I could reference it. I got sick of my raspberries and blackberries going bad so quickly, so I found this tip in researching how to keep them fresher for longer. Using this process, I've extended the shelf life of raspberries and blackberries for up to a week. You take a bowl of 3 cups cold water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Pick out any mushy or moldy berries from the pack and put the rest in the bowl of vinegar water. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes. Then put them in a collander and rinse with cold water to remove the vinegar taste. Lay them out flat on a bunch of folded paper towels and allow them to dry for a few minutes. Finish the drying job with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Them put them in a flat container where they can all be nice and spread out (I always use a rectangular plastic tupperware). Put a folded up paper towel on the bottom to absorb excess moisture. Lay all the berries out flat, spacing them out as much as possible. Put the lid on, but don't close it tight. The berries need air flow. I've been keeping this container on the lower shelf, not because I knew the crisper was more humid than other areas of the fridge (which I know now thanks to this book) but because with the lid only loosely laid on top, I've been worried about spillage. Anyway, my berries keep much longer this way. I was surprised with this author as knowledgeable as she is, didn't know the give-the-berries-a-vinegar-bath trick.
I'm seriously so pumped to organize my fridge after reading this book!
The primary criticisms I've seen of this book are that it's too time-consuming and expensive for most people. But that simply isn't true.
I WAS that sloppy bitch who ate only fast food and frozen dinners for all of my twenties. I'm telling you, it takes way more time to run out to the grocery store constantly or go through a drive-through 4 nights a week because you couldn't be fucked to plan.
At least one critique has mentioned "spoons" (holy crap, I hate that tumblr talk). Look, it's way more stressful to realize you have nothing to eat and your blood sugar is low and you worked 12 hours and the last thing you want to do is run out or blow your last $40 on delivery, than it would take to sit the hell down and plan once a week for 2 hours.
If you're too much of a messy bitch for that, I totally get it. I was the messiest of messy bitches. I once ate nothing but baked beans with ketchup for 3 days straight and drank heavy creamer diluted with water bc I never planned and had blown through all my money. It's okay to be a messy bitch. If you don't mind crashing blood sugar, the stress of an empty fridge, and intermittent diarhea, be that messy bitch. Nobody is stopping you.
But like...can you blame anyone else for it? Can you scoff at this nice lady with her fridge book and call sitting your ass down to plan for an hour a week and sticking chopped veggies in rinsed leftover salsa jars an "unattainable lifestyle"?
If you're addicted to victimhood and crying like a baby, you sure can.
If you're a reasonable human being, you can not.
I don't care if you're a messy bitch. Live off taco bell and frozen mac and cheese to your heart's content. I did it myself for a long time. Be your best messy bitch self. But don't get mad at other people for being organized and loving meal-planning.
It's really more of a you-problem if you can't be fucked to plan for an hour or two a week, yet the chaos stresses you out.
I was there: I couldn't be fucked to get my shit together, yet I was constantly stressed by the disorder I created. I didn't blame anyone else though.
It was a me problem that I eventually solved, and for everyone salty about how many "spoons" (yuck! the stench of tumblr is strong!) this takes, I hope one day you solve your problems too.
Or at least own that they are your problems and stop blaming other people for your chaos.
That's all I have to say! I have a new aesthetic fridge to design ;)
Okay, the short list of stuff I learned: lemons do better in the fridge. Apples can ripen other fruits. Some fruits and veggies produce ethelyne and some are sensitive to ethelyne, so you can't store them together. Apples will stay good up to two weeks if you keep them in the fridge! (AHH!!! My husband literally eats an apple a day. He's probably a doctor's worst nightmare. I go to the store at the end of every single week to buy a new batch of apples. Now I know I can stick them in the fridge and they'll keep until the following week!) Not all fruits and veggies do best in the crisper. Some are better off on a lower shelf of the fridge or even on the door.
SOME PARTS OF THE FRIDGE ARE WARMER AND MORE HUMID AND SOME ARE COLDER AND DRYER. How did I never know this? It actually matters what part of the fridge you put your stuff in! Now i know why my milk always goes bad so quickly. I've been keeping it on the door, which is one of the warmest spots of the fridge.
Oh! And the freezer being too packed can inhibit the effectiveness of both the fridge and the freezer in older models (which I have). Oh! And you need to leave space at the back of the freezer because of how the cold ventilation works in older models. Oh! And you need to keep the fridge coils at least 4 inches away from the wall.
Criminey there were a lot of things I didn't know!
So much of my produce goes to waste because it spoils so fast. Now I know all about proper storage and I'm hoping my fruits and veggies will keep for longer.
One trick for berries that I discovered a while back that isn't in this book (so I have to share it with others): wash berries in vinegar to extend their shelf life. I wish I could remember which food blog I found this tip on so that I could reference it. I got sick of my raspberries and blackberries going bad so quickly, so I found this tip in researching how to keep them fresher for longer. Using this process, I've extended the shelf life of raspberries and blackberries for up to a week. You take a bowl of 3 cups cold water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Pick out any mushy or moldy berries from the pack and put the rest in the bowl of vinegar water. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes. Then put them in a collander and rinse with cold water to remove the vinegar taste. Lay them out flat on a bunch of folded paper towels and allow them to dry for a few minutes. Finish the drying job with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Them put them in a flat container where they can all be nice and spread out (I always use a rectangular plastic tupperware). Put a folded up paper towel on the bottom to absorb excess moisture. Lay all the berries out flat, spacing them out as much as possible. Put the lid on, but don't close it tight. The berries need air flow. I've been keeping this container on the lower shelf, not because I knew the crisper was more humid than other areas of the fridge (which I know now thanks to this book) but because with the lid only loosely laid on top, I've been worried about spillage. Anyway, my berries keep much longer this way. I was surprised with this author as knowledgeable as she is, didn't know the give-the-berries-a-vinegar-bath trick.
I'm seriously so pumped to organize my fridge after reading this book!
The primary criticisms I've seen of this book are that it's too time-consuming and expensive for most people. But that simply isn't true.
I WAS that sloppy bitch who ate only fast food and frozen dinners for all of my twenties. I'm telling you, it takes way more time to run out to the grocery store constantly or go through a drive-through 4 nights a week because you couldn't be fucked to plan.
At least one critique has mentioned "spoons" (holy crap, I hate that tumblr talk). Look, it's way more stressful to realize you have nothing to eat and your blood sugar is low and you worked 12 hours and the last thing you want to do is run out or blow your last $40 on delivery, than it would take to sit the hell down and plan once a week for 2 hours.
If you're too much of a messy bitch for that, I totally get it. I was the messiest of messy bitches. I once ate nothing but baked beans with ketchup for 3 days straight and drank heavy creamer diluted with water bc I never planned and had blown through all my money. It's okay to be a messy bitch. If you don't mind crashing blood sugar, the stress of an empty fridge, and intermittent diarhea, be that messy bitch. Nobody is stopping you.
But like...can you blame anyone else for it? Can you scoff at this nice lady with her fridge book and call sitting your ass down to plan for an hour a week and sticking chopped veggies in rinsed leftover salsa jars an "unattainable lifestyle"?
If you're addicted to victimhood and crying like a baby, you sure can.
If you're a reasonable human being, you can not.
I don't care if you're a messy bitch. Live off taco bell and frozen mac and cheese to your heart's content. I did it myself for a long time. Be your best messy bitch self. But don't get mad at other people for being organized and loving meal-planning.
It's really more of a you-problem if you can't be fucked to plan for an hour or two a week, yet the chaos stresses you out.
I was there: I couldn't be fucked to get my shit together, yet I was constantly stressed by the disorder I created. I didn't blame anyone else though.
It was a me problem that I eventually solved, and for everyone salty about how many "spoons" (yuck! the stench of tumblr is strong!) this takes, I hope one day you solve your problems too.
Or at least own that they are your problems and stop blaming other people for your chaos.
That's all I have to say! I have a new aesthetic fridge to design ;)
July 14, 2021
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is about how to store food in the fridge, including exterior and interior fridge care and many recipes, it was pretty informative.
Things I picked up from the book:
- I liked the tip about extending a food's shelf life by putting them into smaller containers to limit the air inside the container
- I also love mason jars, beeswax wraps and silicone stretch lids
- I tried putting a paper napkin on top of produce for strawberry and raspberries, worked pretty well
- I liked all the chia pudding recipes
- also tried the peanut butter and jelly oatmeal fridge bites , came out delicious.
The book is about how to store food in the fridge, including exterior and interior fridge care and many recipes, it was pretty informative.
Things I picked up from the book:
- I liked the tip about extending a food's shelf life by putting them into smaller containers to limit the air inside the container
- I also love mason jars, beeswax wraps and silicone stretch lids
- I tried putting a paper napkin on top of produce for strawberry and raspberries, worked pretty well
- I liked all the chia pudding recipes
- also tried the peanut butter and jelly oatmeal fridge bites , came out delicious.
April 14, 2022
This book wasn't for me I'm afraid. I just couldn't stop looking at the pictures of that fridge!! I just can't grasp how someone has the time, energy and amount of tupperware boxes with the correct lids to organise their fridge/life in that way. I'm sure other people may find this book very helpful but for me even with the help of this book it's a massive pipe dream.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review
January 31, 2022
Fridge Love by Kirsten Hong
This book took me on a journey. It reminded me of days when we did not have electricity and would freeze ice blocks to put in the fridge, of going through containers trying to find the “safe” ones, of trying to cook for a vegetarian daughter and a carnivore son, of trying to find ways to store all the produce from our garden and still find it in the fridge, and it reminded me of my personal journey to a healthier lifestyle although I did not follow the one this author chose for herself.
The book does a deep dive into the history of refrigerators, discusses the mechanics that they are based on, which part of the refrigerator is coldest, the types of refrigerators and how they vary, where to put different types of foods, storage container pros and cons, cleaning of the refrigerator – how often and how to do it, etc.
There is a section on how to deal with produce from washing to preparing to storing of it that would be handy till one knew all the ins and outs of all the produce they were likely to put into their refridgerator
The recipes were simple but tasty sounding and as a predominately plant based cook I always am on the lookout for recipes to try…there were a few in this book that I might be tempted by…if I am able to find the ingredients here in Lebanon.
The photographs were gorgeous and made me wish I had access to all of the containers in perfect sized with matching covers…don’t see that happening any time soon but it is nice to dream.
I admire the effort put into this book, the information shared, and the sincerity behind the author’s writing. I know how difficult it can be to create meals daily for four people and not have them all on the same dietary program.
I would actually like to have a hard copy of this book in my kitchen to look through and to cook from because I much prefer hardcopy cookbooks to the ebook version.
I believe there is information that is valuable in the book but it is definitely geared more for the whole food plant-based whole food cook and perhaps for those earlier in their cooking history. This is not just a food organization book or a cookbook but a bit of both with personal anecdotes and a lot about how refrigerators work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
This book took me on a journey. It reminded me of days when we did not have electricity and would freeze ice blocks to put in the fridge, of going through containers trying to find the “safe” ones, of trying to cook for a vegetarian daughter and a carnivore son, of trying to find ways to store all the produce from our garden and still find it in the fridge, and it reminded me of my personal journey to a healthier lifestyle although I did not follow the one this author chose for herself.
The book does a deep dive into the history of refrigerators, discusses the mechanics that they are based on, which part of the refrigerator is coldest, the types of refrigerators and how they vary, where to put different types of foods, storage container pros and cons, cleaning of the refrigerator – how often and how to do it, etc.
There is a section on how to deal with produce from washing to preparing to storing of it that would be handy till one knew all the ins and outs of all the produce they were likely to put into their refridgerator
The recipes were simple but tasty sounding and as a predominately plant based cook I always am on the lookout for recipes to try…there were a few in this book that I might be tempted by…if I am able to find the ingredients here in Lebanon.
The photographs were gorgeous and made me wish I had access to all of the containers in perfect sized with matching covers…don’t see that happening any time soon but it is nice to dream.
I admire the effort put into this book, the information shared, and the sincerity behind the author’s writing. I know how difficult it can be to create meals daily for four people and not have them all on the same dietary program.
I would actually like to have a hard copy of this book in my kitchen to look through and to cook from because I much prefer hardcopy cookbooks to the ebook version.
I believe there is information that is valuable in the book but it is definitely geared more for the whole food plant-based whole food cook and perhaps for those earlier in their cooking history. This is not just a food organization book or a cookbook but a bit of both with personal anecdotes and a lot about how refrigerators work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
November 26, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Mariner Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book was so helpful to the fact that I am willing to apply these techniques and tips to my small fridge since my husband and I want to eat healthier. I also appreciated the recipes Kristen included in this book and how healthy and delicious they are. I also loved the photos on how she organized her fridge by color and obviously the food looked too beautiful to eat but, when produce is ripe and colorful not only is beautiful to look at but tastier to eat. I also like the recommendations of storage containers depending on the food type and how to properly store it and for how long.
We will consider adding this title to our TX Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
This book was so helpful to the fact that I am willing to apply these techniques and tips to my small fridge since my husband and I want to eat healthier. I also appreciated the recipes Kristen included in this book and how healthy and delicious they are. I also loved the photos on how she organized her fridge by color and obviously the food looked too beautiful to eat but, when produce is ripe and colorful not only is beautiful to look at but tastier to eat. I also like the recommendations of storage containers depending on the food type and how to properly store it and for how long.
We will consider adding this title to our TX Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
July 17, 2025
This is quite an interesting read which includes history on fridges, food storage and diseases. As well as how the fridge works.
The range of different containers was fascinating. There is no right or wrong. Work what is best for you. I'm still struck by the usage of dish towels and cloth bags.
There are also in-depth instructions for food preparation, washing, storage etc.
Photos included made my OCD happy.
The range of different containers was fascinating. There is no right or wrong. Work what is best for you. I'm still struck by the usage of dish towels and cloth bags.
There are also in-depth instructions for food preparation, washing, storage etc.
Photos included made my OCD happy.
July 23, 2025
I really like most of the book, especially how to prep any store veggies for ultimate refrigerated shelf life. The refrigerators look so awesome. You really can “Kondo” your fridge. However, until I found out the author was vegan did I understand why there was never an awkwardly shaped gallon of milk in any of the beautiful photos of the inside examples of refrigerator shelves (lol on me).
Still, lots of inspiration.
Still, lots of inspiration.
November 24, 2021
ARC Review:
This book was very satisfying to read. Love the cover, draws in fellow organization fiends like myself. I love the idea of organizing your fridge to make everything easier to see, easier to store, and to look like less of a mess. When things are clean and organized it helps the brain process what is in front of it--making meal prep and dinner rustle ups a lot easier.
This book was very satisfying to read. Love the cover, draws in fellow organization fiends like myself. I love the idea of organizing your fridge to make everything easier to see, easier to store, and to look like less of a mess. When things are clean and organized it helps the brain process what is in front of it--making meal prep and dinner rustle ups a lot easier.
April 11, 2022
I LOVE this book. So much so that I bought a hard copy after returning the litany rental. It’s a wealth of knowledge on how to get the most out of your fridge and out of your food. I’ve already implemented many of her cleaning and storage tips and I what a difference it’s made. And I like that all the recipes are vegan/plant based with options for adding animal product
January 31, 2023
There’s a lot of info! It may seem overwhelming, but the book is a great resource. I look forward to using the book over and over as I slowly process the information. The process seems to be fairly simple once you get the hang of it. I like that Kristen has done much of the work already. Now it’s just a matter of prioritizing time to make a functional and pretty fridge.
January 12, 2026
This book was recommended by a blogger I follow (Simple Green Smoothies-Jen Hansard) and it was actually very informative. I’m not a vegan or nutritarian (the author is a Nutritarian but her family is not). However, I definitely want to add more veggies to my diet. Most people I know would say the biggest challenge is maximizing the shelf life of fresh produce and making it easily accessible/ready to eat when you’re crunched for time. Kristen Hong gives the readers a thorough and well organized method for doing both of those things. And she lays out a plan that’s not too complicated or overwhelming. While I won’t necessarily adapt all of her suggestions there are enough helpful tips that I will be using this as a reference guide moving forward.
June 10, 2022
This was fast and refreshing - my fridge and I have a brand new relationship. I feel like I understand her better I am excited to try out some of the added receipts.
May 12, 2025
Skimmed. The fridge side was excellent. The recipes are good for vegetarians.
June 14, 2021
If you’ve ever suspected that a new storage system would transform your life, then you can’t fail to be beguiled by these photos of brightly coloured vegetables layered into glass jars and neatly stacked in rows on fridge shelves.
Fridge Love taps into current trends for tidying and organising, not to mention reducing waste and eating healthily.
It’s not all inspirational photos….Hong knows a lot about the history and science of refrigeration and provides a guide to the preparation, storage and fridge life of fresh produce.
There are also loads of useful recipes too, with a focus on food prepping and healthy eating. I’ve made her fat-free hummus recipe twice already and can see it’s going to be a weekly staple in my house.
My fridge may never look like the ones in the photos but I do like this aspirational and useful book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Fridge Love taps into current trends for tidying and organising, not to mention reducing waste and eating healthily.
It’s not all inspirational photos….Hong knows a lot about the history and science of refrigeration and provides a guide to the preparation, storage and fridge life of fresh produce.
There are also loads of useful recipes too, with a focus on food prepping and healthy eating. I’ve made her fat-free hummus recipe twice already and can see it’s going to be a weekly staple in my house.
My fridge may never look like the ones in the photos but I do like this aspirational and useful book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
August 17, 2022
Five stars just for the aspirational fridge photos.
May 22, 2021
Love the cover....beautiful arrangement of food. This is a book to help you organize your fridge and how to better understand food storage. The idea is certainly gorgeous but not every fridge will look as gorgeous as the ones photographed.
What did I like? I went to the Instagram page for this nutritarian... a person whose diet selection is based on nutrient content of food. I don’t understand the correlation between nutrient content and the gorgeous refrigerator pictures but the book was interesting. The book basically helps you understand the zones of your fridge, best placement, and storage practices. Then the author gives you some recipes to help you meal prep and help you understand how food stays fresh. It’s unique and delves into food prep way more than any other food prep book I have read.
Would I recommend or buy? I’d buy a copy! Not only does the book cover how to make food last longer but gives some great vegan looking recipes that I’d love to try. The recipes need pictures too...
Which is why I only gave four stars. If your looking to make those greens last longer than this book is for you! Four stars!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
What did I like? I went to the Instagram page for this nutritarian... a person whose diet selection is based on nutrient content of food. I don’t understand the correlation between nutrient content and the gorgeous refrigerator pictures but the book was interesting. The book basically helps you understand the zones of your fridge, best placement, and storage practices. Then the author gives you some recipes to help you meal prep and help you understand how food stays fresh. It’s unique and delves into food prep way more than any other food prep book I have read.
Would I recommend or buy? I’d buy a copy! Not only does the book cover how to make food last longer but gives some great vegan looking recipes that I’d love to try. The recipes need pictures too...
Which is why I only gave four stars. If your looking to make those greens last longer than this book is for you! Four stars!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
May 27, 2021
Fridge Love by Kristen Hong is a fantastic resource that helped me understand how I can make a huge difference with my food preparation and storage. The way Ms. Hong organizes the information is so helpful to the reader whether you want to utilize the pivotal information about the various types of refrigerators and placement of food items in the fridge or availing yourself of the 100 clear and creatable recipes she also includes. This book will remain a resource for me to refer to over and over! So many great tips! Thank you to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Ms. Hong for the opportunity to review this advanced copy.
Read
June 25, 2021This is a book that I had no idea I needed but that may be life changing.
I found it while I was browsing the cooking category on Netgalley. I'm having fridge problems. Right now we have three adults in the house each cooking their own meals. Our fridge is packed to the gills. Because it is full, stuff gets shoved to the back and forgotten about until it is no good. I was looking for some tips.
This book opens with a history of refrigeration technology as a primer on why we should appreciate any fridge that we are lucky enough to have. It deep dives into air flow and maximizing efficiency. Then she said something that made me gasp out loud.
The author only keeps one row of food on each shelf.
Look at the cover picture on the book above. Some people really live like that. How? What sorcery is this? I was reading in the car and the husband asked why I gasped. I said that I was reading a book about refrigerators. He was immediately intrigued and demanded that I start reading out loud. I went back to the beginning and read the history section for him. He was quite enjoying it too. We might be strange.
After all the history and science you get sections on what are the best kinds of containers to use to store food in refrigerators and then a useful list of how to store all kinds of foods. (This is a vegan book so don't look for any tips on meat or dairy.) The author discusses different lifestyles how each type of person might want to make their fridge work best for them.
After this is a recipe section with information featured on how to make things ahead and store it best. The author follows the Eat to Live diet by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I'd read this book in the past. Fridge Love reminded me of how much that way of eating appeals to me. Basically, it is a high fresh fruit and vegetable diet with minimal grains and low/no oil. I've been eating horribly lately. I haven't been meal prepping (see lack of space in fridge) and have been eating takeout because it was easier. This inspired me to get started on making gigantic salads to take to work again for lunch. As of this writing, it has been 4 days and I'm down 7 lbs.
Reading this didn't fix my fridge problems entirely but I'm taking steps.
This is a book that I think I will also buy in a paper version. The section on how to store different foods is a great reference guide that I can see myself referring to often.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
March 16, 2022
Including my Amazon review here:
Oh my goodness...I just got my copy of Fridge Love and immediately started reading. After only reading the introduction, I had to pause to review. First, let me say that I have never personally met Kristen (sadly). However, I have followed her Instagram page and blog for many years. She has inspired me because I also live a WFPB-vegan lifestyle, with a family who does not and I could totally relate to her experience of preparing dinner for her family and then throwing together her own food as an afterthought. Kristen's food preps and fridge organization have been super helpful in enabling me to completely stick to my health goals and simplify my life. Kristen is wonderful about responding to questions or comments on her Instagram page, so in that way, I have communicated with her and she is the most lovely, genuine human being. All that being said, Kristen has written this book--without question--not to try to capitalize on her own success, impress us all with her amazing organization skills, or just to make money, but instead, to give us the step-by-step tools for success on our own journeys. I knew this before I even cracked open the first page, but after reading the introduction, I am even more certain that Kristen's gratitude that these strategies have worked for her has compelled her to want to share and improve others' lives as well. The intro alone made me laugh, cry, reflect, and feel energized about "leveling up" my food prep game. The colors of the photos in this book are so vibrant and beautiful that I don't know how anyone could read this book and choose to eat any other way. I snuck a peek and looked ahead to some of the recipes and I can't wait to try them. I know I'm veering into gushing (yikes!), but I'm just super enthused about this book. Congrats, Kristen!!!
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And now that I've read the whole thing, I absolutely loved this book. I have now gifted it to two people, and will continue to do so. I cannot recommend it more highly. I have been prepping along with Kristen for years, but changing around the location of things in my fridge and following Kristen's guidance has really made a difference in the freshness of our food. Hooray!
Oh my goodness...I just got my copy of Fridge Love and immediately started reading. After only reading the introduction, I had to pause to review. First, let me say that I have never personally met Kristen (sadly). However, I have followed her Instagram page and blog for many years. She has inspired me because I also live a WFPB-vegan lifestyle, with a family who does not and I could totally relate to her experience of preparing dinner for her family and then throwing together her own food as an afterthought. Kristen's food preps and fridge organization have been super helpful in enabling me to completely stick to my health goals and simplify my life. Kristen is wonderful about responding to questions or comments on her Instagram page, so in that way, I have communicated with her and she is the most lovely, genuine human being. All that being said, Kristen has written this book--without question--not to try to capitalize on her own success, impress us all with her amazing organization skills, or just to make money, but instead, to give us the step-by-step tools for success on our own journeys. I knew this before I even cracked open the first page, but after reading the introduction, I am even more certain that Kristen's gratitude that these strategies have worked for her has compelled her to want to share and improve others' lives as well. The intro alone made me laugh, cry, reflect, and feel energized about "leveling up" my food prep game. The colors of the photos in this book are so vibrant and beautiful that I don't know how anyone could read this book and choose to eat any other way. I snuck a peek and looked ahead to some of the recipes and I can't wait to try them. I know I'm veering into gushing (yikes!), but I'm just super enthused about this book. Congrats, Kristen!!!
---
And now that I've read the whole thing, I absolutely loved this book. I have now gifted it to two people, and will continue to do so. I cannot recommend it more highly. I have been prepping along with Kristen for years, but changing around the location of things in my fridge and following Kristen's guidance has really made a difference in the freshness of our food. Hooray!
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