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Showing posts with label KITCHEN ORGANIZATION. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KITCHEN ORGANIZATION. Show all posts

Friday, February 16, 2024

Declutter Your Kitchen

Decluttering and Organizing is not a "one and done" process. It's a "continuing process".  As we age - so do our "things". 

Each room of your home should be decluttered and organized on a regular basis. 

Today we'll talk about the kitchen.

We all know that there is a drawer in your kitchen that has tupperware without lids. Not sure where those lids disappeared to - but they are gone! You probably have tupperware that is cracked and badly stained (and doesn't look good). It's time to purge those old, beat up, lidless containers! 

What about old chipped glasses or dishes? They should probably be thrown out (they are not safe to use).

Then there are those old pots and pans with the non-stick surface that is all scratched up and coming off. These can release toxic compounds into your food - so into the garbage they go!

We are making progress - so keep on going!

Let's look in your cupboards - are there any small appliances that you never or rarely use? Yes - you probably had good intentions when you bought them - but if you aren't using them (making fancy drinks or chopping things into cute designs....) give them away - donate them - purge them. They are taking up valuable real estate in your kitchen.

Next, check out your spices. Are they old and expired? If so, toss them. 

Next - the freezer and refrigerator......   you probably have food (or a science experiment - because you have no idea what it actually is - because you didn't label and date it) that is expired. Toss it out!

Make it a habit to label all of your food (in containers or in the freezer) - with the contents and date.

You have just gained valuable space in your cupboards and refrigerator and freezer!

Make it a habit to go through your kitchen on a regular basis - at least a couple of times a year - to clear things that are broken, missing parts, not used or expired. 

Well - that was a good days work! Keep it up!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Organizing Ideas for your Kitchen

 

Organizing small spaces is always a challenge. Read the Redfin article to get some ideas on how to organize your kitchen to make the most use out of your space. We are listed in the article!





You can see the post here: 26 Small Kitchen Organization Ideas to Simplify Your Home


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Monday, August 8, 2022

Interview with Sunbound - learn more about me

 

I just had the pleasure of being interviewed by Nat Miller of Sunbound. 

What is Sunbound?

Sunbound is the first turn-key relocation solution for older adults. We take all the stress out of moving by helping you find your new home, sell your old home, and everything in between. After signing up for Sunbound, you will work with an experienced Sunbound Concierge who is an expert in every step of the relocation process. Sunbound makes sure you enjoy moving on your schedule.



To read the entire article:

Sunbound Asks: Karin Fried of Organizational Consulting Services


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Monday, March 22, 2021

Kitchen - Organizing your Food and Recipes

When people think about organizing their kitchens - they don't usually think about all of the food that a kitchen contains. But most kitchens have a lot of food products that have been forgotten about.

At least twice a year (if not once a season) - it's a good idea to go through all of your cupboards and look at every single item that you have in your pantry and see if it has expired or if you will actually ever use it. Sometimes people buy things with a certain recipe in mind - but it never actually gets made - and you have a handful of a certain spice or condiment that you will never actually use.

Be honest with yourself and toss out the unused or half-used spices or condiments or other food products - some of which you may have forgotten about.

And now to the recipes......

We all have good intentions and we really do want to make that fancy dinner or fancy dessert that we saw in the magazine - but - life gets in the way! Go through your pile of recipes that were ripped out of magazines and toss out the ones that will take too much effort (that you don't have) or one that you now realize and admit - that you will never make. 

Go through your cookbooks and get rid of ones that you've never used or will never use. 

Get rid of things that are cluttering your home and your life. Don't feel pressured to keep things just because you bought them or someone gave them to you. 

Simplify your life....and gain the Freedom to do whatever you really want to do....


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Monday, October 21, 2019

Room by Room - Getting Your Home Organized

One of the best ways to get started organizing your home is to begin with each room.

Each room has specific organizational needs. That's why it helps to break things down. Here are some room-by-room tips to help you get your home organized.

Bathroom(s)


One of the keys to successful bathroom sharing is organizing the space so that everyone's stuff is protected and itemized. Here are some ideas.

For family members sharing a bathroom, assign a clear bin for everyone's basic toiletries, such as make-up, hair brushes, razors, and hair clips. (Some family members might need two bins.) These bins can be stored under the sink or stacked neatly on shelves near the vanity. Family member's names should be on each bin.

In the shower, everyone can have his or her own hanging basket to store special soaps and personal shampoos. Wash cloths and towels can be color-coordinated per family member, or each family member can have his or her own special hook/rack to hang wash cloths and towels.

Bath toys for the kids can be stored in a plastic bin - just make sure it's uncovered so the toys can dry. A plastic dish pan works well.

Kitchen

The kitchen can be one of the more daunting of the rooms to organize, but it's one of the most essential rooms to get organized. It really can save time if your kitchen is laid out in a way that makes sense, and if you know what you have on hand.

If you're not using an appliance more than once a year, give it away or recycle it. Consider the usefulness of various kitchen appliances before you take up precious space storing them - do you really need a citrus juicer, meat grinder, or iced tea maker? If you do, by all means keep them (more on organizing appliances in a moment). But if you don't, get rid of them.

Appliances can be placed in cabinets or on countertops; some homeowners like appliance "garages." These are basically sections of countertop with sliding/closing doors behind which the appliances sit, hidden, when not in use. It's a variation on the old television cabinet.

Things you use often like salt and pepper should be nearby and have their own spaces. Few things are more frustrating than trying to cook, wanting to find the salt, and not being able to!

Bedroom(s)

For kids, getting stuff up off the floor can be challenging - especially since you want to make sure small people can reach these items to get them down again.

Over-the-door hangers are great for all kinds of items; they don't have to be for shoes. Fill them with your child's favorite small toys.

Stack clear plastic bins on shelves and organize them according to the type of toys in them.

A large, flat, plastic bin can hold all kinds of toys and be slipped under the bed for storage.

Adults' bedrooms can also benefit from organization. For under-bed storage, use the same method as for your kids; just make sure you don't have a pile of clutter under there.

Dresser tops can be organized with baskets, trays, and decorative boxes.

Living Room / Family Room


Get DVDs, videos, and books organized in labeled boxes or on shelves (organized by type).

Magazines and catalogues can go into magazine racks; clean these out weekly or monthly so they don't accumulate. Check with local businesses such as doctor's offices to see if they are interested in taking your back issues for their waiting rooms.


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

Monday, January 29, 2018

Organizing Basics for your Kitchen and Pantry


One of the busiest places in your home is your kitchen. This should be a place that is organized and clutter free so that you can create healthy and nutritious meals for your family.

Having a spot for healthy snacks - for you and the kids - is really important - not only for your health - but also for instilling healthy habits in your kids. By having a bowl of fruit or nuts available - instead of chips and other non-healthy food - you are setting your kids up for success in their future.

Your kitchen counters should be cleared off so that you have ample work space.  Any appliances that you do not use every day should be stored in another area.

Go through each drawer - one at a time - pull everything out and lay it on the counter.  If you have multiples of an item, decide how many you really need. Do you really need 8 wooden spoons or 6 tongs?  Get rid of the duplicates and things that you really don't need or have never used.

By doing this for each drawer you will have cleared out and paired down your kitchen in no time.

For your pantry:

Take everything out of your pantry and place it on a table.

Get rid of any expired food or anything that you don't use.

Sort like items with like items - for example: all of your beans, soups, sauces, condiments - should all be placed together on the table.

Once you have everything out and know how much of each item you have - then you can decide how many and what type of containers (baskets, jars....) you will need.

You could also add some turntables or stepped organizers as needed.

Put everything back into your pantry- grouping like items together.

By having things grouped together you will know what you have at a quick glance.


For a great article on how to store your spices - read:


16 Ways to Store Your Herbs and Spices

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

Eat Healthy - Cut Your Food Costs and Save Time


Everyone is so busy these days that many people forgo their health and think they are saving time by getting and eating fast or prepackaged food. They want everything done instantly.

The reality is that not only are you spending a lot more money than if you bought your own food and prepared it yourself - but - you are also neglecting your health. Everyone knows that "fast food" is not healthy. Calories, cholesterol and lack of nutritious vitamins. Everyone knows this - yet people try to justify it by saying that "they have no time and they need to feed their families a quick meal before they go to..." (whatever activity they have that day).

If you planned ahead - if you planned out your week and your meals - if you took a step back and realized that "yes - you can prepare a healthy meal for your family - in a short period of time" - you would realize that you are not saving time or money by buying fast food.

We are so ingrained into buying into everything that is advertised that we forget to think for ourselves.

Yes - fast food or prepackaged food can be a treat every once in a while. But it should not become the staple of our home.

By being organized and planning out your week and your meals - you can save time and money.

Start by making a schedule of your activities and putting it on a calendar.

Plan out your meals for the week and make a shopping list. The meals don't need to be fancy. On days when you have activities that you need to get to they can be as simple as grilled cheese and a salad. Or soup and a salad. But homemade food is less expensive. You have control over the ingredients and the quality of the food. By planning them out in advance you won't feel rushed during the week and you will feel better in giving your family a "home cooked" meal - as simple as it is.

By buying in bulk you will also save money. Look for sales and something that is in season and available locally that week. If something is in season and available locally - it will probably be less expensive. If it's not something that you planned on serving that week - be flexible and adjust your menu. You can save money by doing so.

When you get home from the store spend the extra time and divide your purchases into portions that you will use at one time. By buying in bulk and making your own individual bags of snacks for the week - instead of buying individually portioned items at the store - you will save a lot of money.

For example - by buying a big bag of carrots and peeling and cutting them yourself and putting them into individual bags for your lunch - you will spend a lot less money than if you bought prepackaged baby carrots.

Buying fruit and healthy snacks - instead of junk food - teaches your kids good nutrition.

Spending a half hour sorting and packing your bulk items into correctly portioned items for your family size - will save you money. But most importantly - you will have provided your family with healthier options.

Buying a weeks supply of meat and portioning out the amount you will use during one meal - and putting it into freezer bags or tupperware - will cut down on the time you will need to prepare that meal later during the week.

At dinner time it will be much easier to pull out the already portioned meat and vegetables and cook them - in a short period of time.

Or you can take the portioned out ingredients and toss them all into a crock pot - and have a delicious home cooked meal waiting for you when you come home. Fast food!

By being organized and planning out your week - you will save time and money. But most importantly - you will have provided your family a healthier eating option.



Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Thursday, August 18, 2016

An Organizer Gets Spicy !


The other day I had a little bit of time between clients - and I just happened to be near a Bed, Bath & Beyond - with a 20 % OFF coupon - so I decided to see what was new in the kitchen aisle.

I love looking at all of the various organizing bins and gadgets. They are expensive and you can probably get them elsewhere for less money - but with a sale and a coupon - sometimes you get lucky.

I happened to spot a "Spicy Shelf". I had read about this shelving system from other Organizers and they seemed to like it - but I thought it looked like it wasted a lot of room - so I never gave it another thought. And then I saw it in the store - and I had that 20 % OFF coupon - and I was feeling adventurous - so I bought it!  For clarification - I am not a shopper and not impulsive - but I was having a wild and crazy moment!

I went home and proceeded to take everything out of my spice cupboard and then put together the "Spicy Shelf". It was extremely easy to put together.

The cabinets in my kitchen are small and not very tall (it's a rental - we can't all have the perfect kitchen).  I was originally using a small, single turntable on each shelf. The Spicy Shelf definitely made it look a lot more open and gave me a lot more room. Since my cupboards are not very tall I just used one of the stacking shelves on each level.

It's still a work in progress. I will get some small containers for some of the loose bags that I have.

My only wish is that the shelves were just a bit wider. They are fine for normal spice jars - but since I am a huge gardener and have my own herbs - I tend to use a variety of jars to contain them.

It was a fun afternoon. Reorganizing and fine tuning is an ongoing process.

So - get creative - and GET ORGANIZED !

 




































Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Organizing Your Pantry


Organizing is not a one time and you are done deal. It's an on going process. Every once in a while you should go through and reorganize each part of your home. Each drawer, each closet, each room.

With daily use these areas will naturally start to get unorganized - if you aren't diligent in putting things back where they belong or if you have acquired more items and not gotten rid of anything.


Start by taking everything out of each drawer or shelf (only work on one shelf at a time - otherwise it will be overwhelming).

In your pantry it's really important that you look at labels on your food items and check for expiration dates.

Make sure that the cans/bottles/jars are sealed (look for cracks or leaks).  Put all of the like items together. All of the vegetables, soups....  

Gather all of your pasta in one spot.

Have a spot for your cereals.

Put all of your snack foods in one spot.

Put all of your baking goods (flour, sugar....) in one spot.

I like to use baskets to keep all of your lose foods contained (especially snacks). It's easy to just graab the basket - pick out what you want - and put the basket back. Nice and organized.

Once you open an item (such as cereal) - put it into a large ziploc bag. This will ensure that the item stays fresh and does not spill out all over the place.

By having like items stored with like items - it helps you know - at a glance - what you have an what you need to buy.

Now - go and organize that pantry!
    
Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, September 14, 2015

Cold Weather - Organize Inside - Pantry & Fridge and Expiration Dates


When the weather turns cold and you don't feel like going outside - what's a person to do?  Well - ORGANIZE  something of course!

At least once a season you should go through your kitchen, pantry and refrigerator and clean everything out. Pull out all of the drawers and bins in your refrigerator. Wipe them out. Clean out food that has been sitting around for a while and you have no intention of eating.

Pull out all of the food in your pantry. Rearrange everything and put things where they should logically go. Remember - "like with like".   It makes it easier to find when you need it.

Look at expiration dates. Get rid of things that look moldy or dried up. I know that it might sound logical and elementary - but most people don't bother to do it on a regular basis.

Re-read the complete article on      Food Products and Expiration Dates

Now - go get Organized!



Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/



Monday, February 24, 2014

Cleaning and Organizing Your Fridge


Is your refrigerator clean and organized?  When was the last time that you cleaned it?

It's probably been a long time. Why?  Because you thought it would take too long and it's not a fun thing to do!

It's just one of those things that you should do at least every season! 

Start by taking everything off of each shelf and giving it a good cleaning. Don't put anything back in until the entire fridge is wiped down.

Pull out your vegetable drawers and wipe those out.

While you're doing that - make sure that you only put the food back that is actually still good and that you will actually eat. The fridge should not be a place where you just put things because you don't want to make a decision about it's contents.

Now take everything out of the doors and wipe those down.

Now here comes the organizing part - group like with like!  That means that all of the condiments should be grouped together. Why should you have to hunt for the ketchup? It should be right next to the mustard!

This may sound silly - but some people actually don't know that!

All of your juice and milk should be grouped together.

All of the lunch meats should be in one drawer.

Use plastic containers that stack easily so that you can stack them and have more room in your refrigerator.

Put all of your vegetables in one drawer.

Like with like.  That's our mantra!

Now go ahead - don't put it off any longer!  Clean out that refrigerator and feel good that you've accomplished another organizing event.




Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Organize Your Kitchen For the Holidays


It's getting near the Holiday season and I can smell the food already!  Cookies, pies and all kinds of great foods that we only make a few times a year will soon be seen in our kitchens.

Are you ready to start cooking?  Do you have everything you need?  Do you know where all of your special dishes are?  Your cookie cutters?  Your special molds?  Those seldom used special recipes?

Having an organized kitchen is the key to a stress free holiday season.  If you've been out to the stores lately you will see that all of the baking supplies are neatly stacked in the aisles ready for you to buy.  They are teasing you and reminding you to stock up now!

Start cleaning out those cupboards and make a list of everything that you will need to start planning your holiday season. Give yourself plenty of extra time so that you will enjoy the process and not feel forced to have "fun" in the kitchen.  By being prepared ahead of time and having everything you need at your fingertips you will be able to enjoy the atmosphere and the holiday spirit.

Baking and cooking for your family and friends for the holidays should be a fun and enjoyable experience.

By being prepared and having everything in your kitchen organized and ready to go will give you one less thing to be stressed about.

The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed.  Being organized makes life easier. Make it a family event and teach your kids how to make those special holiday cookies!



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, June 3, 2013

Organizing Your Pantry and Your Freezer

Summer means farmers markets, fresh fruits and vegetables, which translates into canning and freezing. Well, at least at my house.

But have you checked your pantry or freezer lately?  Have you used up all of your older products?

At least a few times a year you need to clear out your freezer and pantry.  Take a good look. Rotate your food and check all of your expiration dates.

If you have not used up all of the products that you made last year you might want to re-think what you really use in your home and either don't make as many  for the upcoming year or make them but give them away as gifts.  People love homemade preserves and other food products.

Canning has once again made a comeback - believe me - I could not find any canning supplies last year because they had all sold out!

But some people tend to forget what's hidden in the deep crevices of their pantry and freezer.  So take an hour and go through your freezer and pantry and take stock of what you still have and double check that everything is not past their expiration date.

Make sure that everything is neatly organized by product type so that you can tell at a glance how much you have.

Shopping - in your own home - what a great idea!


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, April 4, 2011

SPRING CLEANING

Cleaning your home is not everyone’s idea of fun. But it is something that all of us have to do. In the spring we have a yearly ritual called “spring cleaning” that I am sure everyone is really looking forward to.

We drive ourselves crazy and clean the entire house from top to bottom in one or two days. We clean things that we have ignored all year long.

So…. let’s get started.

In the Kitchen:

Wash all of the appliances. Both outside and inside.

  • Refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove
  • Wash the stove drip bowls in the dishwasher (or buy new ones)

Refrigerator

  • Take down all of the magnets – throw out old ones that you really don’t need
  • Remove all of the shelves in refrigerator and wash them
  • Remove all of the bins in the refrigerator and wash them
  • Defrost the freezer
  • Put fresh baking soda in the freezer
  • Clean under the refrigerator

Oven

  • Clean your oven (self cleaning or with oven cleaner)
  • Rinse the oven thoroughly after it has been cleaned

Shelves / Counters

  • Take everything off of your shelves and counters and wash them thoroughly

Backsplash

  • Wipe down your backsplash all around the kitchen

Floor

  • Wash your kitchen floor with a good de-greaser

Living Room

  • Clean drapes and curtains
  • Wash your blinds (this can be done in the bathtub)
  • Shampoo your carpets
  • Wash throw rugs or air them out …outside
  • Vacuum the entire house….pull out everything from the wall….
  • Vacuum your couches (pull out the cushions and clean underneath them)
  • Use furniture polish for an extra shine on your furniture
  • Dust ceiling fans, fixtures and lampshades
  • Wax your floors

Dining Room

  • Take all of your books & knick-knacks off of your hutch or bookshelf and dust each piece
  • Dust the bookshelf / hutch
  • Wash the chandelier (if the pieces come off they can be run through the dishwasher)

Bedroom

  • Wash your mattress pad, blankets, quilts, pillows
  • Turn over your mattress
  • Dust ceiling fans & fixtures & lampshades
  • Vacuum under the bed

Miscellaneous:

  • Wash the windows throughout your entire house
  • Clean attic & basement
  • Scrub deck & patio
  • Wash outdoor furniture
  • Bring out your spring / summer clothes
  • Clean out your car (move winter stuff to storage)
  • Dryer – check lint filter…..so it doesn’t cause a fire - vacuum behind the dryer

If you don’t want to do all of this in one weekend….that’s O.K. Break it down into smaller projects over a couple of weeks. Once you have accomplished everything on the list your home will be clean and ready for spring.

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

SOUP FOR ONE

Have you ever tried to make soup for one? Or even two? Well, let me tell you ….it can’t be done !

Well, at least not by me. But then again…. I’ve never been able to cook for just one or two people.

So the other day I wanted to make a white bean soup with ham, potatoes and carrots. Sounds delicious doesn’t it.

I soaked the white beans overnight. Wow, did they ever expand. I guess maybe I shouldn’t have used the entire bag. But I got out my huge stockpot and started making the soup. It smelled really good when it was cooking and really hit the spot that night.

And I made enough to feed a huge family. But since everyone is off at school I really didn’t need that much soup for dinner. So I froze it in a few containers for later use when I didn’t have as much time.

And then I thought about how most families don’t eat very well and eat a lot of take out and junk food.

Not very healthy and eating out can really add up.

It didn’t really take much longer to make a huge pot of soup that could be divided and frozen than it did for making bean soup for one or two. A few more potatoes and a few more carrots.

It’s homemade, it’s healthier, and it’s cheaper. And you can’t just make bean soup for one.

So when you do have the time to make dinner at home….throw in a few more pieces of chicken or a little more pasta…. and you can freeze the extra for a later meal or have a delicious, healthier and cheaper lunch instead of the fast food that you might normally eat.

By planning ahead you can save time on meal preparation and money on your food budget.

And really….. have you ever tried to make bean soup for one?

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, December 6, 2010

ORGANIZING YOUR REFRIGERATOR


The refrigerator is not a place that people normally think about organizing. But it’s one place where things accumulate and are forgotten about. In back of the refrigerator. Way in the back. Or in the door.


Food expires. Condiments. Sauces. Things that you buy, put in the door of the refrigerator and forget.


Grab that barbecue sauce and check that date. What about your salad dressing? Or the mustard?

Or the mayonnaise? Or the salsa? Or the roasted peppers? Or the minced garlic (I admit that I just threw mine out after checking my refrigerator).


Don’t forget to check your eggs and milk. Food harbors bacteria.


Things that you might not use very often can be very dangerous to your health if they are expired and still in your refrigerator a year or two after their expiration date.


Most people don’t think about checking the dates on food in their refrigerator. Until they get sick.


I’ve been through many clients’ pantry and refrigerator and thrown out things that were a few years past their expiration date.


A website that you might want to check out for expiration dates is: http://www.stilltasty.com


Get in the habit of going through your refrigerator at least once every other month and checking expiration dates.

Organize your refrigerator like your pantry. Put like items with like items. Condiments with condiments. Salad dressings with salad dressings. Juices with juices. Vegetables with vegetables. And so on.

Keep your refrigerator clean and organized and make sure that your food has not expired.

It’s your health. Take control of it. Don’t neglect to check your refrigerator.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Monday, October 11, 2010

ORGANIZE YOUR PANTRY

People always seem to complain that they do not have enough kitchen cabinet or pantry space. The truth is that most people have enough space or at least adequate space. They just don’t use it correctly.

I’ve seen too many kitchen cabinets and pantries where they are just brimming with stuff and the stuff is all over the place. No rhyme of reason.

Canned soup is mixed in with pasta. Tomato sauce is mixed in with cereal and snacks. Drink mixes are thrown in with the rice. No rhyme or reason.

LIKE with LIKE.

That’s the rule. It’s simple and easy and doesn’t require a lot of thinking.

Green beans go with green beans.

Pasta goes with pasta.

Soups go with soup.

Cereal goes with cereal.

Simple.

Easy.

I don’t do complicated.

It’s logical.

Well…that said…. it’s logical to a professional organizer. Most people that I’ve run into just put their food into the pantry without any thought on how it should be stored or in what order.

So….to make your kitchen cabinets and pantry more functional and less crowded, start by taking everything out and placing it on a table by categories.

Put beans with beans. Soups with soups. Cereal with cereal…and so on.

After that is done you can check to see if anything is expired and needs to be thrown out. Or, if you have too many of an item you can donate it to a church or food bank.

Then put things back onto your shelves in an organized and logical manner. Most cans are easily stackable to give you more room.

By doing this you can now easily see what you have and you won’t be buying things that you don’t need.

Remember, an organized kitchen makes a happy cook.

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, October 4, 2010

FOOD PRODUCTS and EXPIRATION DATES

These days a lot of people have pantries where they buy and store large amounts of food. A great idea to save time and money. You only have to shop once and you get discounts for buying in bulk.

But….how long are these foods actually good for?

A lot of foods …at least foods that go in your pantry, have an “expiration date” on them. Or a “sell by” date. Or a “best if used by” date.

What does this all mean?

Well… unfortunately the answer isn’t as simple is you might expect.

Foods like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, herbs and many others have “best if used by” dates on them. Meats have “sell by” dates on them.

These dates do not mean that the products are no longer good after that date. It means that, in the case of things like ketchup and mayonnaise (unopened), the products are at their ”best” if “used by” a specific date. After that the textures, consistency or taste might be affected.

For meats the “sell by” date means that the stores want it out of the store and in your home “by” that date. But, you can still have it in your refrigerator after that date.

It’s a bit confusing and scary.

A great website that has a lot of information on “expiration dates” and can answer a lot of questions about those “dates on the cans” is:

http://www.stilltasty.com/

It has tips for storage and how long food lasts. It answers questions such as:

“When should you wash fruit, before you store it in the refrigerator or right before you eat it?”. The answer: “right before you eat it”.

Or… “Is it O.K. to put hot foods directly into the fridge?”. The answer: “yes”.

The website has info on :

* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Dairy & Eggs
* Meat & Poultry
* Fishes & Shellfish
* Nuts & Legumes
* Grains & Pasta
* Condiments & Oils
* Herbs & Spices
* Snacks & Sweets
* Bakes Goods
* Beverages

It’s a great website ! Check it out…and be “more organized”.



Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Monday, March 22, 2010

ORGANIZING YOUR KITCHEN

Today is “organize your kitchen day”. Don’t worry. It won’t hurt too much. Take a deep breathe and jump right in. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is.

Start by having a “donate box” set aside. If you have duplicates (or triplicates) of an item…consider donating it. You’ll get a tax write-off and more space at the same time!

Dishes:
Get rid of all of the broken cups and plates. Keep like items together. Keep all of your plates together, keep your cups together, keep your glasses together….

If you don’t have a complete set consider putting the items in the “donate box” and replacing it.

Plastic Containers:
Go through all of your plastic containers and make sure that you have matching lids (they are probably hiding with the missing socks!). Throw out any containers that don’t have lids.

Drawers:
Go through each drawer and take everything out and put it on the kitchen table. Wipe out the drawer now that you have the chance.

Put like items together so that you can see what you have. Do you really need 3 meat cleavers? Or 4 large slotted spoons? If you don’t….put them into the “donate box”.

Get some type of “utensil divider” for your drawers. This will keep things neat and organized.

Plastic Wrap / Foil / Bags:
Keep all of your plastic wrap, foil, paper lunch bags…. together in one spot in a drawer or pantry.

Kitchen Towels / Pot Holders :
Keep all of your kitchen towels, dish rags, pot holders….. together in one spot in a drawer or pantry.

Pots / Pans and Lids:
There are a number of different ways to store pots and pans. You can hang them if you have a hanging rack. If you have pull out drawers it makes it really easy to get to them when you need them. If you only have regular shelves you will have to stack them (largest on the bottom).

For your lids….some people like to put the lid right on the pot it belongs to. Some people have a drawer just for lids. There are some “dividers” out there that help you keep your lids more organized. It all depends on preference and space constraints.

But if your lids have no matching pot….. get rid of it !

Baking Sheets & Cake Pans:
Keep all of your baking supplies in one spot. There are great “dividers” that let you stand your baking sheets upright so that you can utilize a small narrow space.

Cleaning Items:
Take everything out from under your sink. If you have more than one (1) of each cleaning item, put the extras in your basement or storage closet. Keep only the supplies you need under the sink. Get some sort of caddy or bucket to hold all of your items (dish detergent, cleansers, steel wool pads, hand soap refill…).

Since most people still keep plastic bags …. get some type of plastic bag holder (there are a variety of options) to keep them all in one place so that they don’t look too messy.

Food Pantry:
Keep like items together (see a theme….). Put all of your cereal, pasta, canned items, spices…together. Stack them if you can. There are shelf dividers out there that can double your storage space.


Now you’ve gone through the entire kitchen and organized each space you will be amazed at how much more room you have.



Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Getting Organized at Home Is Easier Than You Think

People today have more space, more stuff, and less time than ever before. But with the luxury of “more” can also come more clutter and more disorganization, making the need for professional organizers greater than ever before. So, it’s not surprising that, according to the industry authority, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®), the professional organizing industry is booming. More than 148,000 clients were served nationally by NAPO® members in 2008.

Many of NAPO®’s members specialize in niche areas — whether it’s the garage, kitchen, home office, closet, pantry, or any other residential space — great news for the ninety-six percent of people surveyed on behalf of NAPO® in 2008 who said they would save time every day by becoming more organized. Among those, fifteen percent felt they could save more than one hour of time daily if they were more organized at home, giving them an extra 15 days in a year. Many Americans just do not know what to keep and what to toss. With statistics such as these, it is more important than ever to consider ways to get organized and take that step to better living.

Here are a few tips to help you to save time and money and reduce stress:

• Make the garage work for you. Determine how you wish to use the space.

• Sort, purge, and then decide the proper storage containers or fixtures for the treasures that you must.
*** Clearly label both the tops and the sides of the containers.

• Consider floor-to-ceiling possibilities for shelving, racks, stackable drawers, hooks, and pegboards.

• Go through your closet today. Pull out everything you haven’t worn in the last year.
*** Hang like items together.

• In the kitchen:
*** Things that work together should be stored together.
*** Feel the flow of activity in your kitchen.
*** Place glasses near the sink or the refrigerator.
*** Put snacks in a convenient drawer or cupboard.

Member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®).

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/