Works For Me Wednesday

Kitchen Organization

Ok so, My tip is about labels.

See my hubby and my oldest tend to cook dinner together because they both like to cook. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate when they cook dinner but it drives me crazy because they don't put anything back. So I decided since I got the new P-touch I could label things to help make it easier for them.

I bought one of those tiered organizers for the spices and I labeled each shelf. Putting most used spices in the front. I put extras in my spice rack that is above the stove. I don't use it much because I can't reach it very well. It took about a half hour because I also wrote down all the spices I had and how many so that I can begin to make a master grocery list.

The other thing my kids like to do is "help" unload and put away groceries. I'm now sure it's more about spying on the goods than actual helping. I'm embarrassed to post this pic but I hadn't really looked at my pantry because the kids not only put them away but they usually want to help when I am in the kitchen and so I ask them to get me things that way no one gets burnt or cut. This time, I happened to need a case of soda and I almost died when I opened the door. ARGH!

So I decided to label in there too. It was pretty easy but time consuming because once again I inventoried everything for the master grocery list. But this is what it looks like now. (above and below)

It's great because the kids love it and they know where everything goes or where to find things right away.

I love it because when they help me it will be a snap for them and I can see at a glance what I have for meal planning (another new task I am taking on.) But most of all because I hate clutter and love when everything has it's place. Since the kids came, my house has been all about clutter. Yuck!

Such a simple thing makes such a big difference and it works for me!

For more tips and tricks go visit Shannon over at Rocks In My Dryer.