give it a station
Who remembers the legendary Trail Mix Bar ™ fromGet Organized season 2?(If you don't know what we're talking about, go watch thefirst episodeimmediately!) One of the main goals for the Hamilton family was to organize their pantry in a way that inspires healthy choices — so rather than keeping the trail mix ingredients hidden and hard to find, we created a fun and visble station with serving bowls in the drawers below. Remember: If you see it, you are more likely to grab for it!
prop out your produce
In other words, store your produce in open bins at eye level — just like at a farmers market. This is another system we created for the Hamilton's. The fact that their youngest son grabbed for the cherry tomatoes, not the cheetos, during our big reveal says it all, don't you think?
PREP AND PROSPER
After a long day, the last thing you'll feel like doing is washing vegetables and chopping them — so do the prep work ahead of time! Keep the food fresh and fully visible in airtight containers, and write the "use by" date on the lid inwashable chalk marker.
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE
Nothing says "I'm ready to embrace my inner Ina Garten" quite like a beautiful spice jar display or a turntable for oils on your kitchen countertop. Not only will your ingredients be easier to access, but it will also simplify grocery shopping too! Just make sure to label your spice jars so you don't accidently use garlic powder instead of nutmeg. (P.S. Did you know that we sell custom spice labels in our signature font?Click here to place your order!)
categorize by cuisine
"What's for dinner?" is never a fun question to hear — especially when it's already dinnertime. Since half of the cooking battle is not knowing what to cook, it can help to rethink your categories and designate zones for each type of cuisine or recipe (pasta, tacos, etc.) so you can quickly glance in the pantry and confirm what choices are on the table.
make it low lift
You are much more likely to work out when you remove the "work" from a workout. Setting up a home gym is a great way to ensure you actually fit in a few active minutes in the middle of a busy day. It doesn't mean you need to invest in a treadmill, but a few free weights and a yoga mat can go a long way toward your fitness goals.
PACK AND PLAY
If you plan to exercise outside of the home, designate a space in your closet for workout attire, pack a bag ahead of time, and put it right in the front seat of your car.
make backstock your bff
Keeping a backstock supply of items you always use without fail can save you money (and time and sanity) in the long run. When you buy in bulk, you can research prices ahead of time to find the best deals, avoid buying unneccessary items, and cut down on trips to the grocery store.
