Jane's January Jottings

A New Year’s Resolution for You

                One of my favorite hobbies is organizing!  I just love it.  Something you may not know about me is that I am a member of NAPO; The National Association of Professional Organizers.  I have everything in my house labeled in bins.   Organization is a necessity in my house with a husband and son with ADHD.  I think I have it too, just never diagnosed.  I don’t know how we would all be able to function without an organized life.  I find keeping an organized kitchen very helpful when planning my shopping trips and ensuring that our diet stays healthy!  Even keeping the countertops clear keeps us preparing more foods at home rather than ordering out.  You know the more you prepare food at home the more likely your diet is healthier.  Consider this an idea for your New Year’s Resolution. 

Here is what you can do:

1.       Empty everything out of your kitchen cabinets, drawers…

2.       Check dates and throw out foods expired.

3.       Purge or donate items you don’t use that are just collecting dust and cluttering your space.

4.       Clean your cabinets & drawers inside and out.  Add new liners if you need them. 

5.       Empty and clean the countertops & appliances too (although you may want to do the refrigerator on another day as that is a big project in itself!)!

6.       Categorize everything in your kitchen.

-put baking stuff together

-keep your baggies, plastic wrap and foil together

-put your pots and pans together

-Categorize your food too; nuts, dried fruit, snacks…

7.       Put small items into labeled, clear bins that will fit in the storage cabinet you plan to store them.  Clear bins help you do a quick inventory of what you need before your food shopping trips. 

8.       Store healthy snack foods (see our healthy snack list on our website at www.massweightloss.com/sites/default/files/snack_ideas.pdf ) in very small Tupperware containers all stored in a larger container, labeled “snacks.” 

Here are general organization tips:

·         Try a lazy susan for your spices and/or use a clear plastic bin labeled spices which you can pull out for spices you don’t use on a daily basis.

·         Store your everyday dishes in an easy to reach cabinet. 

·         Make a kids’ cabinet down low with their plastic cups, plates…so they can become more helpful with setting the table…

·         Store pots and pans closest to the range. 

·         Store cooking utensils in a vase (for lack of a better term) on your countertop near your stove for easy access when cooking.  This saves drawer space too.

·         Keep your plastic bags & wraps near your refrigerator or pantry.

·         Utilize drawer dividers for silverware drawer and junk drawer.

·         Keep utensil drawer near dishwater for ease in emptying the dishwasher. 

·         Label everything you can possibly label so other family members won’t mess up your organized kitchen! 

·         Add a clipboard with your grocery list in your pantry or on the inside of a cabinet so you can have it right there when you need to write something down or take it with you shopping.

·         Only keep items on your countertop that you use frequently.  Store other items elsewhere.  Keep the countertops clear.  If you take something out, put it away immediately or it doesn’t happen!

A clean and organized kitchen will help you on your way to a healthier YOU.  Happy New Year to all.  Jane

Remember my next back on Track class is a one-time deal; 6:30-8pm on January 6^th.  This is a condensed version of my 6 week program.  It is a great way to start the year.  Look forward to a new and exciting program each month.  Call our office at 508-668-4400 to register or e-mail me at janesylvestre@massweightloss.com.