I recently heard the top three new year's resolutions were 1.Loose weight 2.Get in shape and 3.Get organized. Perhaps one or all of these sound familiar to you.
Well, I won't argue that those are on my list. After Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and all the gatherings that accompanied them, most of us have gained a few pounds and there is no better time than now to get it off. As for getting into better shape that should resonate with just about everyone. Fitness is key to our long term health as well as our mental well being. However, I would like to focus on ways to motivate you to get organized in the kitchen. This does not necessarily mean organizing your cabinets or pantries but it could.
Last week I began to organize my pantry; after the holiday baking and cooking it was in a shambles. I also rearrange some of my dishes and glassware while putting away my Christmas dishes. This is a great time to purge items that don't belong or purchase the glassware that was broken over the last year. While putting away those holiday decorations is timely, it does offer an opportunity to start fresh.
So let's talk about ways that we can get "organized" in the kitchen. Perhaps the best way is to plan meals and menu and creating a shopping list each week before going to the grocery. Going to the grocery store with a list and purchasing the items you need for a period of time and then preparing delicious healthy meals each day.
If you are living in fast forward and rarely finding time to plan meals it may be unrealistic to think you can begin doing this today. LIke so many New Year's resolutions they quickly fail because we set unrealisitc expectations. Sitting down and planning out a week of menu and a shopping list to purchase those items may be a bit overwhelming so we will start with "baby steps." "Baby steps" may mean planning one or two meals this week. Beginning where you are and adding one meal each week. Two meals this week, three meals next, and by the end of the month you will be well on your way to delicious stress-free meals and family time around the table.
Benefits of eating regularly with your family at home:
- Money savings
- Stress savings
- Better nutrition
- Quality of family life improves
- Better relationships with your children
- Better grades for your children