Let's Set Up Your Kitchen

I've mentioned several times that we need to get the wrong foods out of the house and out of our desk drawers at the office or even out of the car - let's begin with our kitchens! So often our kitchen is a cluttered mess and we don't even know what we do have in there! And we know that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house because most times that's where all the family gathers around to eat and for some reason not just to eat but in preparation of the meal and for comfort - it's a comfortable place to be with one another! Why that is I don't know - it just is. So, here we go... changing out our pantry and refrigerator!

I found it necessary when I did this to pull everything out of my pantry first. Take an inventory of what you have and put it back in organized. Then keep it that way - it doesn't always work when there are more hands in the cupboard than yours, but it's a start. You may have to put it on your Fall and Spring cleaning "things to do" list or even more often. When you do this, take those bags and boxes that are open and put them into plastic containers to hold their freshness. Anything you find that you know is bad food toss out! Your pantry should be stocked with herbs and spices, vinegars and oils, nuts and seeds, dried and prepared legumes (beans, all kinds of beans, chick peas, lentils, and split peas), whole grain flours and meals (whole-wheat, barley, millet, oat, rye, etc., and some pancake or whole grain waffle mixes are okay, too), and whole grains like couscous, quinoa, bulgur, and rice (Basmati, brown and wild rice). This is a good start in the pantry.

For the refrigerator begin the same way - empty it out and clean it! Keep your condiments simple. Remember, these are used to enhance the flavor in foods and it is always better to use live herbs. Read your labels very carefully on your condiments. You can also learn to make your own condiments like ketchup and mayonnaises as well as your salad dressings. Fill it with fresh, raw vegetables and fruits. If you are a milk drinker, try a new experience, switch to oat milk, rice milk, or almond milk (make it fresh!) instead of cow milk.

We're off to a good start - more tomorrow - here's to your health!