A Fresh Start - Getting Organized

The Pantry

A while back, I shared with you that I have multiple personalities.

I gave these personalities character – one of them is my Monk

Personality. I love organization, a little on the OCD side. However,

I also deal with Scarlet – I will put that off until tomorrow…etc.

You can read more here – just for fun!

January is my month to organize the home.

I am starting in the most used part of the most used room in the house.

The Pantry.

Prior to my decluttering and list-making, I searched the internet

for lists on stocking pantries. Then I searched my cookbooks. I wish

more authors would place a brief paragraph on what they store in their pantries. Wouldn’t you want to know? Martha Stewart has a very good list.

But, the most useful paragraph I have found for me is in one of my cookbooks, How To Cook by Delia Smith.

Chapter 11 is called, ‘The Serious Cook’s Cupboard’

Am I a serious cook? I cook every day, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I do get into routines in what I cook, but am I a serious cook?

Delia says, ‘ If you want to know how to cook then you need to

Begin by making life as easy as possible, and this means giving

Some time and investment to, first, the right utensils and cooking

Equipment (something that is emphasized throughout the two

Parts of How To Cook and secondly, you need to have a

Well-stocked pantry.

I do find myself ‘making do’ when I am short an ingredient for a recipe.

Am I short-changing myself and my family?

Delia goes on to say, “If you’re going to bother to cook, you need to get the very best flavor from all the ingredients you use. This doesn’t mean that

Convenience ingredients don’t have their place – obviously they do

because there are always going to be days when we’re simply not able to do

much cooking.

Delia then provides a list of ingredients – with suggestions for use and

advises to do an annual check-up  for out of date items. Well, I am on

my way to getting that accomplished. I plan a ‘stock-up’ shopping day

later this week. So, why not start the year right and determine to

be a ‘serious cook’.

I always feel better when things are in order and starting in the kitchen will

spur me on to move on to those closets, drawers and the attick.

Do you consider yourself a ‘serious cook’? Do you do an annual

clean up in your house? Do you have any tips you’ve discovered

and would love to share?

I would love to hear from you!

Wishing you a a very Delightsome, organized day,

Kathy

Categories: homekeeping , kitchen , organizing