Taste Life Blog

Get rid of the extra. Kitchen unitaskers (like a strawberry huller) junk up drawers and counters, making it hard to find the right tools. Do a massive sort through, doing one drawer a day and get rid of what you honestly do not use. If you’re unsure, put the tool in a basket and if you haven’t used it by the end of the month, it’s time to go! I only keep what I use, like my chef’s knife.

Carlene Thomas, RDN LD

www.healthfullyeverafter.co

We recently moved into a new home and no one seemed to know where to put things away in the pantry.  I even found myself having trouble to “committing” to where items should be kept in our cabinets, pantry and refrigerator.   Pretty hard to find what you’re looking for without a system that allows everyone in the family to know where kitchen items belong.  

That is until I got myself a label maker I enlisted the help of my kids to help decide where things go and to make the corresponding labels.  Voila!  Instant organization! Incidentally, I’ve also used this system to help keep the linen closets and kids’ dresser drawers organized.  Works like a charm – at least most of the time.  😉

Lesli Koskela, MBA, RDN, LDN, CWC

www.HarmonicNutrition.com

Designate each shelf of your kitchen cabinet to a category of food so that you can easily find and place items at a quick glance. I have a shelf designated for breakfast foods, for spices, for oils, for grains & pastas, and for snacks. This helps me avoid the frantic “I can’t find the (fill in the blank)” moment. It also makes time spent in the kitchen feel more calm and less chaotic.

Kara Lydon, RD, LDN

www.peaceloveandfood.com

Once per week (preferably when planning meals for the next week) take an inventory of your refrigerator and freezer. Determine what foods will work in your meal plan for the upcoming week. Save $$ and prevent food waste!

Lynda Enright MS, RD, LD, CLT – I got LEAP certified – ever changing!!

www.bewellconsulting.com

We made a shopping list that matched our grocery store layout. I went through and took pix of the signs with my phone and then did this simple list. We plan our meals for the week and add any ingredients to the list. It helps prevent impulse purchases, reduces food waste and makes the shopping SO much faster! (Which is huge when shopping with a two year old!)

Cristin Wipfler, MPH RD

http://www.mycompleatnutrition.com/

My #1 tip for kitchen organization is always put the top and bottom together when putting things away: water bottle + cover, pot + lid, or Tupperware container + cover. That way you don’t get frustrated or waste time trying to find matching components when everything is put together in its place.

Kim Fox, RDN, LD, CDE

www.foxdiabetes.com