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Clear
the kitchen for a healthful year
January 1, 04
Suzanne Havala Hobbs
Now’s
the time for a fresh start on your diet routine.
But
to get started on a new and healthier diet, you often have
to overcome some roadblocks. One example: getting your kitchen
into shape.
A clean, well-organized, well-stocked kitchen will give you
peace of mind, and it might even motivate you to cook. You’ll
know what you have and what you don’t, and everything
will be easier to access.
Here’s what to do:
• Deep clean. Remove everything from cupboards, drawers
and pantry, and get rid of anything you don’t use --
appliances, old party supplies, paper goods that have been
collecting dust, and any items that don’t belong in
the kitchen but have made their way into your cupboards. Throw
them away, put them into a garage sale pile or wherever they
belong, or donate them to charity. You’ll free up space
so that items you do use are accessible.
Empty
cabinets and drawers a few at a time and wash inside with
soap and hot water. Pull out -- and don’t replace --
cupboard and drawer liners. Crumbs and bugs like to hide under
their edges. Pitch any foods that have been sitting around
unused in your freezer or that are out of date or otherwise
won’t be eaten from your refrigerator. Purge your cupboards
and pantry of any foods you know you won’t use. They’re
taking up space and are a distraction.
• Get organized. Over time, you may have begun shelving
items out of place and piling baking sheets, pots, pans and
lids on top of each other in unwieldy piles in your cabinets.
Take them out, rearrange them, and store them in such a way
that they are easy to see and reach. Need more space? Consider
buying an overhead rack for pots and pans that can hang from
your ceiling or kitchen wall. Or you might add a baker’s
rack or a moveable island on wheels with extra drawers and
shelves for storage. Label jars and canisters of baking supplies.
Unless you use huge quantities, buy oils and spices in small
containers so that you can replace them more often and know
they’re fresh. They also take up less cupboard space.
• Be well-equipped. Supply yourself with the utensils
and appliances you need to work efficiently, but don’t
get bogged down with too many gadgets that you don’t
use. If your countertop is jammed with small appliances, you
won’t have enough counter space to work on. I prefer
to use an old-fashioned crank can opener that I store in a
drawer, so I have one less appliance on my counter. And not
everybody needs a big counter top mixer. Some people can make
do with a hand-held mixer, and some don’t use a mixer
at all and only need a whisk. Think about your lifestyle and
equipment needs, but pare down wherever possible so that you
don’t waste money and kitchen space.
That said, some basic equipment to consider having on hand:
• Spatulas, wooden spoons, whisks;
• Measuring cups (for dry and liquid ingredients) and
spoons;
• Mixing bowls in various sizes;
• A good set of kitchen knives, including a paring knife,
a serrated knife, a French chef’s knife for chopping
vegetables, and a bread knife;
• Counter top or hand-held mixer;
• Slow cooker (such as a Crock pot);
• Pressure cooker (there are small ones that are convenient
to use);
• Heavy-duty blender or juicer;
• Baking pans and sheets;
• Food processor;
• Pots and pans in assorted sizes.
Knock this job out over the weekend. Once you do, you’ll
have a home environment that is more supportive of your New
Year’s diet plan.
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