Start by taking a good look at your kitchen and identifying areas that need immediate decluttering. Are there any items that you no longer use or need? Are there any expired or duplicate items? Make a list of things that can be removed or donated.
**Set up bins for donating, tossing, selling (if you plan to actually sell them), or giving so you have somewhere to put items right away.
Empty out your cabinets and drawers one by one. Sort through the items and group them by category. Get rid of any broken or unused items. Use drawer dividers and organizers to keep things neat and easily accessible.
**see also: How to Declutter and Organize ANY space
Remove any unnecessary items from your countertops. Keep only the essentials that you use on a daily basis. Store appliances that are rarely used in cabinets or on shelves to free up space.
Make use of vertical space by installing hooks or racks on the walls to hang pots, pans, and utensils. Use stackable containers or bins to store dry goods and pantry items. Utilize the space under your sink by adding storage baskets or shelves.
Once you have decluttered and organized your kitchen, make it a habit to clean up after each use. Put things back in their designated places and avoid accumulating unnecessary items. Regularly check for expired food items and dispose of them.
Enter the Family Favorites Meal Planning List!
You don't have to actually have to have a family to use this resource. But if you do have a family, you need this printable! You don't even have to read this whole article - if you want this printable now, just click the picture below!
How many times have you sat down to meal plan, with all your recipe books, your phone with Pinterest open, just to feel super overwhelmed by all that you *could* make? I'm not saying that's a bad way to meal plan - We use recipe books and Pinterest for ideas too!
So why does this happen??
These are generally new-to-us recipes. They're not our tried and true, or "family favorites". You know, the meals we can make without from memory without actually following a recipe. The ones that we always have ingredients in our pantries and refrigerators. And the ones we know our families (or selves) will love!!
So we either end going back to our family favorites because we just want to make life easier. Or, we haven't planned our meals around our schedules to realize how much time these recipes entail - so we don't have enough time.
The bummer about all of this, is that is can lead to food waste and is not good for the budget!
This is where your "Family Favorites Meal Planning List" comes in handy! As much fun as it is to try new things, we are all creatures of habit and have our favorites - and that's okay!
1) Get your Family Favorites Meal Planning List printable (it's free and in the Freebies Printable Library!)
2) Gather up the fam' and have them tell you their favorites. List those out on your new snazzy printable!
3) Check your pantry, fridge, and freezer - what do you already have on hand to make some of those Family Favorites?
4) List out your meals on your Weekly Meal Planner Printable (also FREE and in the Freebies Printable Library!)
5) Enjoy your awesome and simple meal planning solution!!
]]>