The Happy Kitchen

The happy kitchen

Is your kitchen happy? Do you treat it well? Do you respect its countertop and cabinet space? Did you buy it flowers on Valentines Day? Did ya?

Just like any other aspect of your life (relationships, fitness, diet), you must put in time, effort and discipline in order to get great results.

Now let's build ourselves a happy kitchen. Your kitchen will be happiest when it is storing just the items required to prepare a meal. Did you catch that? It is happiest when its’ contents are necessary and are related to food. Sounds simple, right?

Let's take a look at the typical kitchen invaders - items that have somehow crept their way into the kitchen. All of these invaders distract us from the task at hand – cooking! Who are these usual suspects? Round ‘em up and return them to where they belong! To clarify:

• Paperwork (bills, homework, coupons, calendars)

à Paperwork should be handled from the home office (to separate cooking functions from office functions)

• Infrequently used appliances (panini maker, deep fat turkey fryer, snow cone maker)

à Infrequently Used Appliances - those that are used only a few times a year - should either be donated or stored in the garage (get them out of your precious kitchen space). Appliances stored on the countertop should be necessities that are used several times a week like Coffee Makers and Toasters. Things used frequently - like blenders - can be stored in an upper cabinet, as space permits.

• Countertop Clutter (recycling, dry cleaning, cell phone chargers, sewing kit, excessive decor)

à Countertop Clutter should be returned to it’s home (home office, closet or laundry area). Excessive decor (how many vases can one kitchen hold?) can be redistributed throughout the living room, etc.

• Cabinet Clutter (duplicate kitchen tools, excessive Tupperware, expired canned food, food your family won’t eat)

à Cabinet Clutter should be donated or discarded. If you are reluctant to part with duplicates, store them in a long-term storage area like your garage and mark “Kitchen Items”. Make sure and “shop” from this box before shopping for kitchen items in the store. J

Happy cooking!