Leftover take away - how to remember to put it in the fridge

If I ask for leftovers at a restaurant/pub/cafe to be wrapped up to go (in the UK we say take away) I usually remember to put them in the fridge when I get home if the food is carried separately. Unfortunately, if it's inside a bag such as a tote bag, often I forget for an hour or so, or even overnight?

How can I - and you - and everybody else - remember? Let's devise some systems.

1 Cross your fingers.

2 Keep a ribbon in your bag and tie it to the handle whenever you have purchases or leftovers which need to be removed.

3 Set a timer on your phone to go off when you reach home.

4 Send yourself a text message or email reminder.

5 Place a note on your fridge door before going out to dinner in case you bring anything back.

7 Have a ribbon on your door key so that whenever you reach home you think: Do I have anything to put in the fridge.

8 Wear a pendant or charm bracelet featuring a piece of fruit or tea cup or some kind of food or drink or cutlery or crockery as a reminder.

9 Stick a bookmark in your diary with the words LOOK FOR LEFTOVER FOOD.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
Author of How To Get Out Of The Mess You're In.

Love leftovers - in the USA take out, UK take away

• A friend on Facebook asked what others felt about white plates versus wooden platters. Here's my view on how the American system helps travellers. I keep in my car a Cool Box (Americans have different brand names to UK) with a couple of small frozen items. (Buy two for a pound from Poundland.) If you forgot to bring a reusable frozen item, buy the cheapest large pack of frozen peas to act as an ice pack. Or ideally fruit or some item you can consume easily whilst it is still fresh although slightly defrosted.

  
  

  A white plate can be checked for cleanliness and has no grooves. Wooden is OK for cold food like cheese. You cannot put wood in a dishwasher.

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  Angela Lansbury I like the American system of wrapping up your leftovers.You can eat out more often because the cost of your meal out pays for a second meal at home. The tip you pay covers the trouble they take to provide you with another meal. That's worth a tip. In the UK restaurants expect a service charge and a tip but don't give you food to take away. If you get leftover food wrapped up you are not tempted to finish the plate. No waste. The restaurant pays less in rubbish collection. Win win all around.

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  Food to go, ho ho.