Around The Kitchen

As I've mentioned before I like to collect gadgets. I have almost every kitchen gadget known to womankind. And while my kitchen is not that small, (I've actually heard of people having to stored kitchen stuff under their bed - yes and I thought I was bad) there are some organizational tips to help make the most of that smaller or overcrowded kitchen.

OK to begin with - and I'm sure I should take this advice myself, go through the things in your kitchen and decide what you actually use and what you don't. If you haven't used an item in the past two years, throw it out. You obviously don't need it. BE HONEST! Wow, I'm beginning to feel a little scared just writing this.

Even your appliances. For instance, you really don't need a food processor and a blender. Choose one or the other and get rid of the less used item.

When you store items in your kitchen, put rarely used items on the top most shelves and the items you use every day on the easy to reach shelves. Put plates, flatware, glasses and cups near the sink or dishwasher and pots and pans, oils, herbs and spices near the stove - place all your baking dishes as close to the oven as possible. This will keep you from running all over your kitchen when you're preparing a meal.

And last but not least, if you really have run out of room, try having a baking box. Most of us don't bake every day so get a plastic storage container with a lid and store everything you use for baking in it. The box can be tucked away anywhere that you have some extra space and when you're ready to bake you can just grab your baking box and everything you need will be at your fingertips.