Book Review and Giveaway: Hot Mess by Laurie Palau

Looking to get organized? Looking to free yourself from all types of clutter? Then pick up Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized by Laurie Palau.

In this fun and practical book, readers learn how to get organized and stay organized. Palau helps you identify your dominate clutter and other types of clutter that keep you feeling overwhelmed and disorganized. She gives you ideas on how to uncover your clutter pitfalls. Then she provides you with overall solutions and tips on how to get organized by room (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc.). Finally, she provides the reader with ideas on moving forward and a bunch of helpful resources to get organized and stay organized.

Organization has always been my thing. I credit it to those years in retail sorting clothes by sleeve length and colors. But life got hectic over the last few years and my house has become a jumbled mess of stuff. It doesn't help we are moving my mother-in-law in with us. Already, using just a few tips from Hot Mess, I have been able to make progress through cleaning up my in-laws house. With this book in hand, I'll be turning my attention to our house next to get it ready for her to move in.

What I appreciated most about Palau's approach is that she acknowledged our "emotional" clutter: our need to keep something because of our emotional connection to it. In my basement, there are boxes and boxes of projects my kids made and school work. Hot Mess made me realize I need to look at these things with a new strategy. The other highly motivating factor was admitting my "calendar" clutter: how I try to fit it in too many things. Isn't there a saying that if you want things done, ask a busy person? This busy person is eager to use Palau's tips for conquering calendar clutter to make life and all that other clutter more manageable.

For those of us struggling with clutter in any form, Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized by Laurie Palau may be the most important and helpful book we read all year.


Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: zolopublishing (October 12, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0692921621
ISBN-13: 978-0692921623


I received a digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Excerpt:

We’ve talked a lot about organizing your stuff, but how about finding time in your day for you?  Calendar clutter, in my opinion, is the driving force behind so much of our daily stress, anxiety, and frustration.  So many of us run on autopilot, especially when the kids are small, or when we are busy taking care of ailing parents or building a career.  It’s easy to see how we can lose sight of making time for other things in our life that are important, like self-care.

As a society, we have a difficult time knowing how to unplug.  Life is filled with distractions, and unless you make a conscious effort to prioritize time for yourself, it will never happen.  Maybe you want time to exercise, join a book club, volunteer, or take up a hobby, but figuring out the logistics may seem impossible.

...Only when I took a step back to look at what my goals were, and actually wrote down what I had been doing, was I able to see where I needed to change. Note the key phrase: “I needed to change.”  I had to reclaim control over how I chose to spend my time.

GIVEAWAY 

Laurie Palau will be awarding a FREE 30 minute phone consultation to help address specific organizing challenges to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ways for Busy Moms to Start the Year Right

This has been an overwhelming year for a lot of people I've spoken with. It has been for me as well: too much to do, not enough time to get it all done. This is the time of year people consider changes and it's no different around here.

Last January, Business Insider published an article that stated 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of February. As a goal-driven person, I don't like those odds. Here are a few tips to help busy moms--and others--start the year off right.

Write Out a Year End Review

It's important to give yourself a starting point for the new year. That's hard to do if you haven't considered what you accomplished the year before. What worked? What improvements did you make? What do you wish you made more time for?

Tie Up Loose Ends

I spend the last week of the year tying up all the loose ends I can: write outstanding book reviews; purge my contact list; compile documentation for taxes; finish holiday clean up, etc. Why start off the new year being bogged down by last year's unfinished chores? This will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

One of the best ways to stay on track is by setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Vague goals won't get you where you want to be. Aim high, but not so high you'll get discouraged when you can't accomplish your goals.

The past few years I've created a vision board. Have you ever tried that? My vision board hangs in my office to keep me focused. I'm thinking of creating one for my writing this year because it is helpful to visualize your goals.

If you have other ideas on how to start the year off right, please share them. Let's work to achieve our goals for 2018 together.

Get Organized for 2016

It's that time of year again--time to think about getting organized and setting goals for the new year. Here are links to organizational tips to give you some ideas:

The Dating Divas offer 75 Ways to Organize Your Life: from beauty supplies to kitchens to electronics and more you'll be in tip-top shape.

BuzzFeed Life staffer Alison Caporimo shares 31 Ways You Can Reorganize Your Life with Dollar Store Stuff: organization on a budge...nothing wrong with that.

Fab n' Free shares 200 Free Home Management Binder Printables: useful and free. Score!

BuzzFeed Life staffer Jessica Probus shares 42 Storage Ideas That Will Organize Your Entire House: some of these require a tiny bit of work, but they are awesome.

And for technology lovers I'm an Organizing Junkie shares 9 Favorite Organizing Apps to Keep Your Life on Track.

Relieving Stress During the Holidays

This time of year it can be difficult to manage holiday preparations on top of our day to day responsibilities. Here are a few resources for tips to help you relieve stress this holiday season:

• WebMD - Quick Tips: Reducing Holiday Stress
• Health.com - 25 Ways to Fight Holiday Stress
• Realsimple.com - Easy Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress
• Psychology Today: 7 Tips to Relieve Holiday Stress
• Forbes - 6 Ways to Reduce Your Holiday Stress

What is your favorite holiday stress reliever? Mine--watching seasonal movies and reading seasonal fiction. 

Wishing you a blessed holiday season!

Fall and Halloween Decorating Ideas

I've always loved fall. It's my favorite season. Here are some links to fall decorating ideas.

Ten top design bloggers share their favorite fall decorating trends: http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/design-bloggers-on-falls-top-trends-pictures

Country Living shares 27 ways to decorate your mantel this fall: http://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g1936/halloween-mantel-ideas/

Southern Living offers more than 80 fall decorating ideas: http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/fall-decorating-ideas/view-all

Country Living gives you 57 great Halloween crafts to create a spooky holiday this year: http://www.countryliving.com/content/halloween-decorating/

HGTV shares 55 of its favorite Halloween decorating ideas: http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/our-55-favorite-halloween-decorating-ideas-pictures

Popular Mechanics shows you how to build your own fog machine: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a9573/build-a-diy-fog-machine-for-a-spooky-halloween-16024637/

What are some of your favorite fall and Halloween decorating ideas? Please feel free to share links in the comments section.

PBS KIDS Survey: Less $$ More Family This Holiday

FAMILY TIME IS NUMBER-ONE AS MILLENNIAL PARENTS GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAY, ACCORDING TO SURVEY FROM PBS KIDS

Millennial parents want a simpler season, with less shopping and more family fun 

ARLINGTON, VA, December 4, 2014 – Fatigued by a myriad of "hot gift" lists, millennial parents say that fewer gifts and more family fun top their holiday wish lists, according to the Millennial Parent Holiday Survey from PBS KIDS, the results of which were released today. The survey of millennial parents (ages 18 – 33) found that 82% crave more family time and 80% want to spend more time playing with their kids this holiday season. Conversely, many of these younger parents want to dial back gift prep and shopping, with 37% saying they would like to spend less time shopping. Even more parents (45%) would like to spend less time assembling gifts.

Learning and Eco Factors Rank High

When millennial parents do go shopping, more than half (54%) say that “hot toy” or “hot gift” lists aren’t as important in the purchasing decision as other factors. Almost all millennial parents (97%) want to buy their children gifts that will stand the test of time and toys that provide learning opportunities (another 97%). That’s especially true for parents of toddlers and preschoolers (68% of parents of kids 2 – 6 compared to 58% of parents of kids 7 – 8), according to the Millennial Parent Holiday Survey. The eco factor is top of millennial parents’ minds, too, when selecting gifts for their children: 70% say it’s important to purchase eco-friendly toys, and 61% are more likely to purchase an eco-friendly toy this year than in holidays past. 

Playful Family Holidays 

Technology is a big part of entertaining children and staying organized during the holidays, but millennial parents, especially moms, are also looking to balance technology with a broader array of playful solutions. This includes a return to the basics of creative, open-ended play, to connect with their children in fun and meaningful ways¹. Based on the survey, almost all of millennial parents (95%) think it is important to give their kids toys that the family can enjoy together.  Millennial parents place high importance on playing with their children and actively participate in learning experiences, especially during the holidays.

Greener Dads

Interest in eco-friendly toys is even higher among dads, with 31% reporting that it is very important to purchase toys made from eco-friendly materials. This compares to 17% of moms who find it important. Dads are also more likely to purchase eco-friendly toys this year than in years past (74%), compared to 59% of moms. 

Millennial Parents Get Cooking!

Along with spending more time with family, topping the list of activities millennial parents want to do more of this season are cooking/baking (69%).

"We learned from this survey that during the holidays parents value quality family time and educational resources for their kids,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “At PBS KIDS we share these core values, and are dedicated to providing families with educational content and resources that they can enjoy together, not just during the holidays, but all year-long.”

Tips to Simplify the Holidays 

The spirit of the holidays can sometimes get lost in the hectic holiday season. But there are easy ways for parents to help their family simplify and embrace the season, including these tips from PBS Parents:

 Downscale holiday plans and expectations.  Keep the focus on family, on meaningful traditions and simple activities that replenish rather than exhaust. 

Ask your children what they most love about your family's holiday.  You may be surprised by their answers. 

Whether you're decorating, baking cookies, or making gifts for grandma, remember that the process is more important for your child than the outcome.  Keep it simple, and you and your child will enjoy it more. 

Create small special moments in every day. Go for a sledding adventure or a winter nature walk outside. Turn off every light in the house at dinner time, light candles, and invite everyone to be perfectly still and perfectly silent for a minute. 

Celebrate the holidays as a season of giving and doing for others.  Grab the kids and head next door to shovel an elderly neighbor's walkway; make Christmas cards together for the mail carrier; deliver soup to a friend with the flu and focus on gifts that give back. Watch as your children begin to discover the secret pleasure of small kindnesses, offered with love. PBS KIDS provides a unique solution for parents looking for presents with a purpose, offering a new line of sustainable toys in partnership with Whole Foods.

PBS KIDS Millennial Parent Holiday Survey Methodology

The 2014 PBS KIDS Parent Survey was conducted by Smarty Pants, November 14 - 17, 2014. A sampling of 500 US parents ages 18 – 33 with children ages 2-8, participated in the online survey.

About PBS KIDS PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

CONTACTS: 

Atiya Frederick, PBS, 703.739.5147 / anfrederick@pbs.org

Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations, 617.585.5775 / cmelnick@360pr.com

Tips for Saving Time in the Kitchen

Now that I am back to work, I find juggling everything a bit stressful at times. One thing I really miss is planning out my meals and being able to easily accomplish grocery shopping. I don't want to sacrifice healthy meals for our family even if I'm not spending as much time at home. Here are a few links with time saving tips for the kitchen:

Eating Well offers their "Best Time-Saving Ingredients & Cooking Tips" at http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101_basics_techniques/kitchen_tips_techniques/how_to_save_time_time_saving_ingredients

At HowStuffWorks, you can find these "10 Time-saving Tips in the Kitchen" at http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/10-time-saving-tips-in-the-kitchen.htm

Lifehacker shares "20+ Time-Saving Cooking Tips from Chefs and Food Experts" at http://lifehacker.com/20-time-saving-cooking-tips-from-chefs-and-food-exper-1503379557

Finally, This Mama Loves features this article with "Time saving tips for kitchen cleanup" at http://www.thismamaloves.com/time-saving-tips-kitchen-cleanup/  I'm a big clean as I go kind of person.

What is your favorite way to save time in the kitchen?

Guest Blogger: Tips for Stress Free Cleaning by Ken Myers

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Other_g374-Man_Doing_The_Housework_p162370.html

Sometimes the mess in my home can be a little overwhelming. Something happens, like an unexpected illness, and your cleaning schedule gets all thrown off. By the time things get back to normal your home is in disarray and everything needs to be cleaned. However, if you are anything like me you don’t have days on end to devote solely to cleaning. Instead of getting worried and stressed out, try these tips:

1. Clean for Looks – The first thing I do when I start to get overwhelmed is to think practically. What rooms in my home are strangers going to see? The living room and kitchen are big points for me. I make sure I pick up those areas first. You don’t have to do a deep clean. Just think about what you would do if you knew company was coming in an hour. Pick up the clutter, wipe off the dust and fluff the pillows. Once you clear it up a little it makes you feel much better.
2. Quick Clean – Another thing I try to do is quick clean. Instead of taking a night away from my life to scrub floors I take thirty minutes. I set a timer and do whatever project is on my mind for that long. When the timer goes off I am done, no questions asked. That way you can get on with the rest of your life but still accomplish something.
3. Task Clean – Sometimes you are just in the mood to do one kind of work. Maybe it is dusting or sweeping or mopping. If that is the case, then don’t fight it. Do that one task all over your home. Mop the kitchen, vacuum the living room, and get all the junk off your bedroom floor. By focusing on just one task you can accomplish a lot.
4. Location Clean – You can also focus on just one room or even a corner of the room. The kitchen is hard for me to do, so it is the first thing I tackle. I get it cleaned from floor to ceiling and then I see the results of my work. Wow, it feels good to have at least one perfect room! By focusing on one room or area you can see the results of your work and have a place to retreat to when you start to get stressed.

These are just a few ideas to help your stress levels when the junk starts to pile up. Do not get overwhelmed or give up. Instead, take it one day at a time and do what you can.

Ken Myers is a father, husband, and entrepreneur. He has combined his passion for helping families find in-home care with his experience to build a business. Learn more about him by visiting @KenneyMyers on Twitter.

A Multitude of Best Tips for Working Moms

I love blogs because they provide a wealth of information for busy moms like me. But sometimes I wish there was an easy way to find the tips I am looking for to help make my life as a working mom easier. Now there is. The article “80 of the Best Tips for Working Moms” provides links to blogs that share tips on a variety of topics:

• Meal preparation,
• Choosing childcare,
• Self-care,
• Breastfeeding,
• Wardrobe,
• Travel,
• Organization, and
• Housework.

Check out all these helpful tips at http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/80-of-the-best-tips-for-working-moms/

Are We There Yet?: How to Survive the Holidays when Traveling with Kids

Traveling with kids around the holidays isn't always easy--no matter how old they are. Boredom sets in on long trips. I remember when the girls were younger and I would try to pack everything we might need while away. Just thinking about all I used to lug around makes my back hurt.

Then there's the arguing.

"Her foot's on my side."

"No, it's not."

"Is too."

Smack!

"Mom, she hit me."

"Did not."

As the girls got older, I learned to plan better and pack better. Keeping them busy while in the car leaves them less time to complain about how long the trip takes.

"How to Survive the Holidays when Traveling with Kids" provides tips and tricks that make holiday travel easier on everyone. You can find the full article at http://www.gonannies.com/blog/2013/how-to-survive-the-holidays-when-traveling-with-kids/

Guest Blogger: Holiday Stress Busters for Moms by Paul Taylor

The holidays can be a stressful time for moms. You are always in charge of making sure no one is forgotten, everyone has a gift they will love, and every gathering turns out perfectly. That kind of stress can make the holiday season seem less a joy and more a pain in the neck. However, there are some ways you can bust this stress and get back into the spirit of the holidays:

1.      Quiet Time – The first thing I always tell my friends and myself is to make sure you have some quiet time every day. This can be first thing in the morning or any time during your day. Just have some time without any other distractions to calm down and let your brain de-stress. A few minutes of quiet time can help you unwind enough to reset your thinking and have a great day.

2.      Keep It Simple – It is great if you have the resources to buy a bunch of gifts or throw a dozen parties, but it is also stressful juggling all that too. Why put that all on yourself? Keep things simple and cut down on your to-do list for a less stressful holiday season.

3.      Remember the Meaning – Another thing we often forget in all the rush is the meaning behind the holidays we celebrate. Holidays were made to remember the love of friends and family. Do not get so caught up in gifts or gatherings that you forget it is the people that matter. Take time to remember what is really important and your stress levels will go down.

4.      Do Something for You – Many moms get caught up in the cycle of buying and thinking about everyone else. What about you? Take a moment to enjoy the holidays. Get a massage, get your nails done, stop to enjoy a cup of coffee, or even buy yourself a nice gift. It is the little things that can help to make us feel like people again and more than just the mom machine!

5.      Let Go of Perfection –Last, but certainly not least, let go of the idea that you have to make everything perfect. It stinks, but you can pretty much be guaranteed something will go wrong or someone will be unhappy. Do not make perfection your goal. Instead, work to make your goal enjoying yourself and providing an environment where others can feel your love. Your heart is what matters, not your gifts or the perfection of your gatherings.       

Don’t turn into a Scrooge. Instead, let yourself enjoy the holidays for what they are: a chance to be with friends and loved ones. Take the time to make the holidays something to remember and not something to stress about. Spend time with your kids and your family and take a break from shopping and decorating to really sit down and enjoy your holiday. You deserve a break too!

Paul Taylor started www.babysittingjobs.com which offers an aggregated look at those sites to help families find sitters and to help sitters find families easier than ever. He loves writing, with the help of his wife. He has contributed quality articles for different blogs & websites.

70 Ways to Get Your House Organized Before the Holidays

Many of us are hoping for a picture perfect house around the holidays. Of course, this time of year, my house usually looks like the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil pinballed through it. Between baking for the church, family, and neighbors, gift wrapping, and trying to shuffle around boxes of Christmas decor, I'm fairly certain one of the cats is destined to get lost in the mess. Regular chores seem to fall by the wayside this time of year, and it can be hard to accomplish everything with the added tasks holidays bring.

“70 Tips for Getting Your Home Organized before the Holidays” is an article that provides links to numerous tips to help you get your house in shape for the holidays. You'll find ways to clean, declutter, and organize your home so that you can sit back and enjoy time with family and friends. You can read the entire article at http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/70-tips-for-getting-your-home-organized-before-the-holidays/

Over The River and Through the Woods: Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

The train in the above picture only rides along a carnival's small railroad track, but I remember taking my girls on plenty of road trips when they were younger; especially around the holidays. It's not always easy. There were days that by the time we actually got in the car, I was exhausted. At least they got to nap while I drove.

The article, "Road Trippin': Tips for Traveling with Toddlers" shares several great tips and reminders for making road trips easier. You can view the full article at http://www.liveoutnanny.net/blog/road-trippin-tips-for-traveling-with-toddlers/ 

Time Savers for Working Moms

Whether you work outside the house or from home, every mom can use time-saving tips. From meals to getting everyone out the house on time each morning to speeding up your beauty routine, having a plan and being organized helps lower stress levels and keeps everyone happy.

The article "70 Time Saving Secrets for Working Moms" has great ideas along with links to 70 blogs that share their time saving tips for busy moms.  You'll find the entire article at http://www.nannypro.com/blog/70-time-saving-secrets-for-working-moms/ 

Tips from a Busy Mom: Taming Morning Madness

I don't know how it is at your house, but mornings are crazy around here. It's easy to get overwhelmed. With two kids going to school at different times this year, I have to make sure our mornings run as smoothly as possible. Here are a few things I do to make mornings easier:

1. Makes lunches the night before. Right now, I have one child who eats school lunch almost every day (not sure how she stomachs that), one who has a homemade lunch, and a hubby who takes lunch to work three to four times a week. There is no way I could get everyone off to where they need to go on time if I tried to make lunches in the morning. And actually, I've found it much easier to make the Lil' Diva's lunch right when she comes home from school these days. I'm already downstairs because I try not to work in my office when they're home. She has her afternoon snack and I pack her lunch for the next day, which makes my evening less crazy, too. 
2. Set out clothes the night before or have some idea of what the kids are going to wear. When the girls were younger, I would set their clothes out the night before. At this point, they are old enough to choose their own clothes, but one day I won't be waking them up for school or picking clothes out of their closets for them, so while they still want me to do it, I will. When I shag them out of bed in the mornings, I grab an outfit I know they like from their closets and carry it downstairs with me. It's part of our routine and works well. 
3. Keep their backpacks in the same spot every day. Each of my girls has one spot that their backpacks go once they are done with homework. That way we aren't searching high and low for backpacks--or homework--in the morning. 
4. Plan the morning menu the night before. My husband gets his own breakfast, but the girls don't yet. If I plan what I will make for them the night before, then I'm not bugging half-asleep children to tell me what they want to eat. Each night before bed, they spend an hour watching TV with their dad and read with me for half an hour. In between those activities, we discuss breakfast, so we always have a morning plan.

Do you have any morning madness tips?

Reusing Tip: Packing Away Those Christmas Lights

For years, the picture below is what I would be working with when it came to put up the Christmas trees and garlands. It seemed no matter how carefully I packed up the lights at the end of the season, they would be a tangled mess when I took them out the following year.

I finally got smart. And I didn't have to spend any money to do it. I do most of my shopping online. Amazon is my best friend from November through December. When they package shipments, they often include a cardboard insert. Other vendors do this, too. When it's time to wrap up my Christmas lights, I wind them around these cardboard inserts. They are easy to pack away and stay neat all year long. I also use some of the sturdier food boxes from our groceries. Yes, I could buy those plastic cord winders, but why spend the money when this works just as well. This also makes it much easier to place the lights on the trees when it's time.

It's probably a little late now, but keep this helpful tip in mind for next season.

Clearing Out Magazine Clutter

I am a magazine and newspaper article hog. There, I admitted it. I save magazines I might get to read one day; magazines I see a cute craft idea or home decorating project in; and newspaper articles I find interesting.

At this point, I don't subscribe to any magazines. I get a gardening magazine as part of my lifetime gardening club membership, but other than that, the only magazines that come into this house are ones I buy infrequently at the grocery store. My magazine pile, however, is rarely less than knee high. I toss my catalogs in that pile too, but still, it's a bit much for that corner of the kitchen.

This morning, I pulled out all my magazines and catalogs from the rack. I immediately sent any old catalogs to the recycling bin, which included at least seven American Girl ones. I decided I would keep all my gardening ones--they are free after all--and my Thriving Family magazines that come from Focus on the Family. The rest of the magazines I spent a half hour going through, pulling out craft ideas, indoor and outdoor games I might use for Vacation Bible School this summer, and a few interesting articles. I don't clip recipes anymore. I have a mountain of cookbooks, and after more than a decade together, I've realized my family is made up of creatures of habit. I have a few staple dishes that appear each week, and even when I make a new dish, I use many of the same ingredients I have on hand. I'm not about to shop for recipe specific ingredients I might never use again.

When all was said and done, my knee high pile was closer to mid-calf and I had a 1/2 inch pile of clipped articles saved from the mountain of magazines I discarded into the recycling bin. These clippings go into files that I keep in my office cabinet so I can find them easily when I need them.

Magazine clutter doesn't have to take over one corner of your house. By going through it regularly, you can stay on top of it and still keep what you need.

How do you deal with magazine clutter?

Conserve Energy When Using Your Clothes Dryer

Our subdivision does not allow residents to put up clothes lines, so I usually use a drying rack when I need to handle clothes that can't go into the dryer. It's a small one, so I can't put too much on it. This means I have to depend on my gas dryer more than I would like.

According to the California Energy Commission, consumers can conserve energy--and money--by following these tips:

• Keep your dryer in a heated space. Cold, damp basements and unheated areas make the dryer work harder.
• Clean your lint filter after every load. This improves air quality. My appliance guy also suggests cleaning the filter regularly with soapy warm water.
• Dry two or more loads in a row. Most energy is used in heating up the dryer, so take advantage of retained heat.

They also offer more energy saving tips at their Consumer Energy Center.

Saving Time in the Kitchen

As I mentioned earlier today, I love cooking and baking. I should have gone to culinary school. I think I would enjoy catering; though I sometimes wonder if you get sick of food after a while.

Over the years I've found ways to help me save time in the kitchen. Here are some things that work for me:

Gather all your ingredients and supplies first

By the time I am ready to make a dish, I have everything right at my fingertips. Whether it's a batch of cookies or stir-fried chicken, I take out all my ingredients, utensils, pans, and bowls first. If a dish requires vegetables like onions or garlic, I slice and dice first, so once it's time to cook I simply toss in what I need to add to the pan.

Put things back right away 

In my mind there is nothing worse than waiting until you're done cooking to put everything away. Put things away after you use them. While your dish is simmering on the stove, put away the ingredients you don't need anymore. When I make stir-fried chicken, I put vegetable oil in the pan, and add onions, celery and ginger. I put the used cutting board that held the vegetables into the sink right away, then the oil and ginger go back into the pantry. I continue this as I add the rest of the ingredients to the pan, so that by the time I'm done, the counter top is almost empty.

Clean up while things are cooking

One thing I despise is coming back into the kitchen after a good meal to a pile of dirty dishes. Just like I put the ingredients back right away, I try to wash the dishes dirtied during food preparation while I cook. The cutting board and knife from the vegetables I used in the stir-fry can be washed while waiting for the chicken to cook all the way through. The small bowl I use to mix the cornstarch and soy sauce can be washed while I am waiting for the rice to finish cooking. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is so much nicer to enter the kitchen to a handful of plates to wash than have an entire sink full of dishes to clean after eating.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Feel free to share some ways in which you save time in the kitchen.