Starting the New Year with a Fresh Kitchen
Clean your kitchen space and start fresh with these lifestyle tips
January is a great time to reset your intentions and refocus your energy on all the great things you want to accomplish in the new year. For some that could be better physical health, mental health, financial health, healthier relationships or all of the above.
By now you’ve likely seen dozens of weight loss diet ads selling some new year, new me fantasy. Instead of putting that negative energy and pressure on yourself to be smaller, what if you started the year on a clean slate? What if you focused on the little things that actually matter like everyday eating habits and exercises you enjoy?
For me, starting the year off right is as simple as re-accessing my relationship with food and having the space to grow. That starts with my favorite post-holiday tradition of re-organizing my kitchen and preparing it for the year ahead.
Looking to freshen your food preparation station? Here are some tips to start the new year with a fresh kitchen you’ll be excited to cook in.
Clean Dishes and Wipe Down Shelves
You know what they say: a clean kitchen is a happy kitchen. The first step to starting the year with a fresh kitchen is to do that deep scrub you’ve been putting off.
Take everything out of your cabinets, pantries, fridge and freezer and wipe them down. Scrub your countertops and the inside of your fridge for food juice and grime. Remove the drawers and shelves and rinse them in the sink with dish detergent and a sponge. If you have dishes in the sink or dishwasher, go ahead and get those cleaned. Dust your pantries, drawers and shelves too.
Sure it’s probably a good idea to clean and declutter the whole house. But if you don’t have the time or energy, the kitchen is a great place to start. The cleaner and well organized your food environment is, the more welcoming it is for you to spend more time creating meals for you and your family.
Throw Away Old Food and Utensils
Out with the old and in with the new! Once your workspace is clean, it’s time to start decluttering and discarding.
Go through your pantries, freezer and fridge and throw away any expired food and old leftovers. This includes unused ingredients (I’m talking to you, half onion in a bag) and stray holiday treats in the back of the fridge.
If you have any worn or broken utensils, now would be a good time to toss those as well. It’s much easier to know what you need to buy when you free yourself of what no longer works. Keep rarely used items in the back of the drawer or out-of-sight.
Take inventory
Now that your kitchen is decluttered and your shelves are sparkly clean, it’s time to take inventory of what you have and what you need.
Make a list of all the foods you have available and categorize them into food groups (protein, fat, carbs, fruits & vegetables). Make a grocery list of food items to buy. Aim to have a variety of foods in each food group. When making your list, think to yourself: what can I make with what I have? What extra ingredients would I need to purchase? What meals sound satisfying and realistic for my schedule this week?
Throw out a lot of old utensils and appliances? Time to update. Make a list of new silverware, tupperware and other kitchenware you want to purchase. Even if you don’t buy now, making a list will help you organize and save the space in the kitchen so you won’t have to declutter again later.
Re-organize the Right Way
Once you've gotten groceries and maybe a few new kitchen toys, it’s time to re-organize your dream 2022 kitchen. No more repeating the mistakes of the past. The theme this year is organization.
Maximize your cabinets and shelves with a minimalist mentality. Don’t just throw things on shelves willy-nilly. Group like things together. Put bread with the grains and pastas. Your snacks with snacks. Your spices with your condiments.
If you don’t already, consider storing food in clear containers. This allows you to visually see how much you have available. Invest in stackable containers that creates even more space and allows you to easily spot your options. You can leave them in original clear wrap, just be sure to wrap well to prevent moisture loss and absorbing surrounding odors.
Additional Food Storing Tips
Keep your refrigerator below 40F
Refrigerate perishable fruits and vegetables
Store leftover perishable foods about two hours after being at room temperature
Date leftovers with labels or painters tape
Toss out leftovers after 4-5 days
Don’t overpack your fridge so the cold air can circulate
The back of the fridge is often colder than the front, so place dairy products in the back
Remove air from storage bags before refrigerating
Be mindful of juice coming from raw meat and keep meat, poultry and fish in plastic bags, bowl or pan on the lowest shelf in the fridge
To maintain moisture, keep produce in crisper bins in the fridge. If possible, separate fruits and vegetables. Fruits give off ethylene gas that can shorten the shelf life of vegetables.
Store pasta and grains like rice, quinoa, farro in airtight containers. They will last 1-3 months in a cool, dry pantry or 2 - 6 months in the freezer
If food has visible mold, be sure to discard it in a bag or wrapper so mold spores don’t spread.
✨Feel confident in your own skin and the food choices you’re making.✨
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