Reading time: 4 – 7 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Cookbooks and Recipes) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #16 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather cookbooks and recipes from all over your home.
2. Sort “like items with like items”. This is a little trickier than usual. There are tons of ways to handle this. First, you’ll want to keep in the kitchen only those cookbooks and recipes that you most frequently need. The others can be stored in a bookcase or on shelving in another part of the home. Second, some people sort by type of dish (casserole, vegetable, dessert, bread, side, etc.). Some people sort by meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert, etc.). Third, some people have physical binders for recipes. Some use file folders. Some have computer programs and files. Take a good look at what you have, make a decision about how you want to sort, and then make your piles. There is no one right or wrong way to make them. And, you can always change it up later. Just go with your gut instincts.
3. Purge through your piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it: Donate, Sell, Trash, Recycle. Scan the “like with like” piles. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in either the Trash or Recycle piles. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want, and place them in either the Donate or Sell piles. (When you decide whether to Donate or Sell an item, keep in mind the time, effort, and energy it will take to sell it (auction, garage sale, one-on-one, etc.). Make sure your return on investment is worth it. Consider unchaining yourself from that item by putting it straight into the Donate pile. Someone else really needs it.)
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, Trash and Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining cookbooks and recipes.
2. Where do you want their home to be? On a shelf? In a bin in a lower cabinet? On the countertop? Will they fit in this area? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step.
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Bins? Baskets? Bookends? Plastic? Metal? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your cookbooks and recipes whenever you need it.
7. Remember to return your cookbooks and recipes here after each use.

Other web articles about  Cookbooks and Recipes:

1. How to Organize Recipes and Cookbooks
2. Cookbook and Recipe Software Review

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 5 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.” Proverbs 6:5 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #16 Cookbooks and Recipes is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 7 minutes

Photo Credit xandert morguefile.com

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Freezer) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

Today’s Freedom Journey may take more than 10 minutes. You can do 10 minutes a day until you are finished. You can do 10 minutes for each category of items. Or, you can set aside an hour to focus and finish in one day. You are free to choose what works best for you.

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. To preserve the quality of your food, gather from the freezer one category of items at a time. (See #2 below.)
2. To Sort “like items with like items,” pull out only one category of items at a time. First, follow the instructions in this declutter section. Second, put that category of items back into the freezer (don’t worry about placement yet – that’s organizing; don’t worry about cleaning the inside of the freezer yet – that’s cleaning). Third, begin again with the next category of items. Categories include leftovers, dairy, fruits, vegetables, meats, prepped meals, condiments, soups, nuts, other.
3. Purge through your piles. There will be only two (non-keep) piles today: Trash and Recycle. Place your Trash receptacle near you. The Recycle pile may actually be your sink, since after you empty the container into the trash, you will have to rinse it. (Plastic recycled items should have the little triangle with an appropriate number inside. Appropriate = your community recycling program accepts those numbers.) Trash/Recycle items accordingly. From now on, keep a permanent marker in the kitchen, so you can date items as you place them in the freezer. Check expiration dates. If there is no expiration date, OPEN IT, SMELL IT, FEEL IT, AND MAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION. Sorry to yell at you, but this is really important. If you are unwilling to do any of these four things, it is Trash. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want. (Tip: if you own a microwave, there is no need to let fresh meat deteriorate in the refrigerator. When you bring the meat home from the grocery store, place it immediately in the freezer. When you want to use it, you can thaw it immediately before cooking in the microwave. Or, the day before use, place it in the refrigerator to thaw. Note: thawing meat on a countertop is dangerous to your health.)
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Trash, or (rinsed) Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining freezer food.
2. Where do you want their home in your freezer to be? This will depend on the style of your freezer – traditional/older, upright, deep rectangle, etc. Do you wants the items stored on the Door? In a Bin/Crate? On a Shelf? Will they fit in this area? Your freezer items should have a specific home also. Then, everyone knows where to find the soup whenever they want some.
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Bins? Baskets? Crates? Plastic? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your freezer food whenever you need it.
7. Remember to return your freezer food to its specific home after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 6 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.” Psalm 142:7a (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #15 Freezer is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

Photo Credit click morguefile.com

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Refrigerator) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

Today’s and tomorrow’s Freedom Journeys may take more than 10 minutes. You can do 10 minutes a day until you are finished. You can do 10 minutes for each category of items. Or, you can set aside an hour each of these two days to focus and finish each in one day. You are free to choose what works best for you.

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. To preserve the quality of your food, gather from the refrigerator one category of items at a time. (See #2 below.)
2. To Sort “like items with like items,” pull out only one category of items at a time. First, follow the instructions in this declutter section. Second, put that category of items back into the refrigerator (don’t worry about placement yet – that’s organizing; don’t worry about cleaning the inside of the refrigerator yet – that’s cleaning). Third, begin again with the next category of items. Categories include leftovers, dairy, fruits, vegetables, meats, condiments, drinks, other.
3. Purge through your piles. There will be only two (non-keep) piles today: Trash and Recycle. Place your Trash receptacle near you. The Recycle pile may actually be your sink, since after you empty the container into the trash, you will have to rinse it. (Plastic recycled items should have the little triangle with an appropriate number inside. Appropriate = your community recycling program accepts those numbers.) Trash/Recycle items accordingly. Check expiration dates. If there is no expiration date, OPEN IT, SMELL IT, FEEL IT, AND MAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION. Sorry to yell at you, but this is really important. If you are unwilling to do any of these four things, it is Trash. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want. (Tip: if you own a microwave, there is no need to let fresh meat deteriorate in the refrigerator. When you bring the meat home from the grocery store, place it immediately in the freezer. When you want to use it, you can thaw it immediately before cooking in the microwave. Or, the day before use, place it in the refrigerator to thaw. Note: thawing meat on a countertop for a period of time is usually dangerous to your health.)
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Trash, or (rinsed) Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Photo Credit dee morguefile.com

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining refrigerator food.
2. Where do you want their home in your refrigerator to be? Door? Bin? Shelf? Will they fit in this area? Your refrigerator items should have a specific home also. Then, everyone knows where to find the pickles whenever they want some.
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Lazy Susans / Turntables? Bins? Baskets? Plastic? Stainless? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your refrigerator food whenever you need it.
7. Remember to return your refrigerator food to its specific home after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 7 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.” Psalm 31:4 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #14 Refrigerator is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Plastic Ware Reusables) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #13 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the plastic ware reusables in your kitchen.
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – lids, bottoms, squares, rounds, rectangles, etc.
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate, Sell, Trash, and Recycle piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. I encourage you to Recycle any container orphans (containers without lids; lids without containers). Remove anything else you think is unusable, and place it in either the Trash or Recycle piles. Recycled items should have the little triangle with an appropriate number inside. “Appropriate” = your community recycling program accepts those numbers. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want, and place them in either the Donate or Sell piles. (When you decide whether to Donate or Sell an item, keep in mind the time, effort, and energy it will take to sell it (auction, garage sale, one-on-one, etc.). Make sure your return on investment is worth it. Consider unchaining yourself from that item by putting it straight into the Donate pile. Someone else really needs it.)
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, Trash, or Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining plastic ware reusables.
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Pantry? Cabinet? Drawer? Shelving? Will they fit in this area? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate).
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Bins? Baskets? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your plastic ware reusables whenever you need them.
7. Remember to return your plastic ware reusables here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 8 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

For more suggestions about Plastic Ware Reusables, see this earlier blogpost.

“Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” Psalm 25:17 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #13 Plastic Ware Reusables is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Wrap, Paper, and Ziptop Bags – Foil, Plastic, Wax, Parchment, etc.) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #12 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the wrap,  paper, and ziptop bags in your kitchen and pantry (foil, plastic, wax, parchment, etc.).
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – by type. This is one category for which you may not have extras. And, if you do have extras, they are probably stored somewhere else away from the “main set” of wrap and paper. Make sense? But, let’s get them all together for the moment.
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate or Trash piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in the Trash pile. Remove any items you no longer use, and place them in the Donate pile.
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate or Trash piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining wrap, paper, and ziptop bags.
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Pantry? Cabinet? Drawer? Shelving? Will they fit in this area? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate).
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? On-the-Door Holders? Bins? Baskets? Stacking Shelves? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your wrap,  paper, and ziptop bags whenever you need them.
7. Remember to return your wrap, paper, and ziptop bags here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 9 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.” Job 36:16 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #12 Wrap, Paper, and Ziptop Bags is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

Photo Credit xandert at morguefile.com

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Grains, Nuts, and Seeds) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #11 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. J )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the grains, nuts, and seeds in your kitchen and pantry (breads, pastas, rice, nuts, seeds, etc.).
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – by type.
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate or Trash piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Check expiration dates. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in the Trash pile. Remove any items you no longer use, and place them in the Donate pile. If in the Sell pile, think hard about Return on Investment for your time. Consider sending it straight to the Donate pile. Someone else really needs it.
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, Trash, and Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining grains, nuts, and seeds .
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Pantry? Cabinet? Drawer Shelving? Will they fit in this area? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate or Sell).
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Bins? Baskets? Stacking Shelves? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your grains, nuts, and seeds whenever you need them.
7. Remember to return your grains, nuts, and seeds here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 10 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“…I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” Exodus 6:6 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #11 Pantry Grains, Nuts, and Seeds is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Disposable Products) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #10 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the disposable products in your kitchen and pantry (napkins, towels, utensils, plates, bowls, cups, etc.). Look in all the drawers, cabinets, countertops, pantry, etc.
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – by type – name of item and/or material (plastic, paper, foam, etc.).
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate, Sell, Trash, and Recycle piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in either the Trash or Recycle pile. Remove any items you no longer use, love (?) or want (?), and place them in either the Donate or Sell pile. If in the Sell pile, think hard about Return on Investment for your time. Consider sending it straight to the Donate pile. Someone else really needs it.
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, Trash, and Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining disposable products.
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Pantry? Cabinet? Drawer Shelving? Will they fit in this area? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate or Sell).
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Bins? Baskets? Stacking Shelves? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your disposable products whenever you need them.
7. Remember to return your disposable products here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 11 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“…I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” Exodus 6:6 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #10 Disposable Products is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Bottles and Cans) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #9 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the bottles and cans in your kitchen and pantry (vegetables, fruits, broths, soups, condiments, vinegars, sauces, meats, syrup, sodas, etc.). Look in all the drawers, cabinets, countertops, pantry, etc.
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – however you would like – cans, bottles, by category, etc.
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate and Trash piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Check expiration dates. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in the Trash pile. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want, and place them in either the Donate pile. Someone else really needs it.
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate and Trash piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining bottles and cans – remember, you use, love or want them.
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Pantry? Cabinet? Shelving? Will they fit in this area? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate or Sell).
3. Would you like to buy organizing products to divide/contain them? Bins? Baskets? Lazy Susans? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
4. Locate your selection in which to house them.
5. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
6. Enjoy being able to find your bottles and cans whenever you need them.
7. Remember to return your bottles and cans here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 12 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden…’ [except the Tree of Good and Evil]…” Genesis 2:16 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #9 Pantry Bottles and Cans is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #8 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the herbs, spices and seasonings in your kitchen (dried or fresh). Look in all the drawers, cabinets, countertops, and spice racks.
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – there are tons of options for sorting – alphabetical, sweet only, savory only, herbs only, spices only, etc. I think alphabetical is the easiest. But, you pick what you like.
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate, Sell, and Trash piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in the Trash pile. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want, and place them in either the Donate or Sell piles. (It’s unlikely that you could Donate or Sell an opened seasoning. I list it here just in case you are able.)
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, and Trash piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining herbs, spices, and seasonings – remember, you use, love or want them.
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Storage Notes: keep all herbs, spices, and seasonings tightly sealed; fresh herbs are best kept in the refrigerator (use within a few days); dried herbs, spices, and seasonings are best kept in a cool, dry place (away from direct sunlight and heat (away from the stove) – use within six to twelve months). Near Food Prep Area? Cabinet? Countertop? Shelving?
3. Do you have a container already in which you want to continue to house them? Will they fit in this container? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate or Sell).
4. Would you like to buy a container in which to house them? Lazy Susan? Expandable Cabinet Organizer? Pull-Out Trays? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
5. Locate your selection in which to house them.
6. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
7. Enjoy being able to find your herbs, spices, and seasonings whenever you need them.
8. Remember to return your herbs, spices, and seasonings here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 13 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” I Peter 2:16 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #8 Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills

Reading time: 3 – 5 minutes

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Little Stuff) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #7 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

1. Gather all the clean little stuff in your kitchen (seafood pickers, twine, silicone ties, cheese serving pieces, microplanes, graters, sifters, corn cob holders, skewers, salad scissors, tongs, reusable picks, garnishing tools, extra salt-pepper shakers, etc.). Look in all the drawers, cabinets, countertops, the clean dishwasher, and the drying rack.
2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – food prep, cook, garnish, serving pieces, etc.
3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate, Sell, Trash, and Recycle piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in either the Trash or Recycle piles. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want, and place them in either the Donate or Sell piles. (When you decide whether to Donate or Sell an item, keep in mind the time, effort, and energy it will take to sell it (auction, garage sale, one-on-one, etc.). Make sure your return on investment is worth it. Consider unchaining yourself from that item by putting it straight into the Donate pile. Someone else really needs it.)
4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, Trash and Recycle piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

1. Take a look at the remaining little stuff – remember, you use, love or want them.
2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Near Food Prep Area? Near Dishwasher? Drawer? Cabinet? Countertop? Shelving?
3. Do you have a divided container already in which you want to continue to house them? Will they fit in this container? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate or Sell).
4. Would you like to buy a divided container in which to house them? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
5. Locate your selection in which to house them.
6. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
7. Enjoy being able to find your little stuff whenever you need them.
8. Remember to return your little stuff here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 14 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (New International Version)

Organize Your Kitchen #7 Little Stuff is a post from: Grow Your Organizing Skills