Thanks to the world of social media, you look back on these individuals from time to time and realize that you may have had more in common than you thought. Introducing Jennifer. Jennifer, who has an uncanny resembelence to Jennifer Garner, is former military now military spouse, SAHM of three beautiful girls, and married to a dashing young doctor who has flawless Ken Doll hair. She and I met in 2008 while we were stationed in Hawaii. She was a senior to my freshman status since her husband was one of my husband's bosses. We met while she was pregnant with her third daughter and my husband and I were still enjoying life as DINKs (dual income no kids). While we were tied to the same social circle, we never really ventured outside of that.
Of course, knowing what I do know, that's an absolute shame.
Jennifer started a blog, Organized Ohana which combines so many of my passions it's scary. Organization, Interior Design, Cooking, Raising Kiddos, ect. We also apparently have ESP because the other day while I was scheduling to write a post on Kitchen Organization, she actually did write a post on Kitchen Organization. She even mentions a kids' drawer in a later post which I've been using for my son since he could crawl. I promise, I'm not stealing her ideas or topics even if her ideas are certainly steal worthy. She presents some great tips so while I will dabble in some organization techniques from time to time, be sure to bookmark her blog because she has some really awesome ideas that will make your home function much more smoothly.
E3's Kitchen Organization
Everyone dreams of having a kitchen that well stocked, functional, and perfectly organized. Challenges come into play when you have little or no pantry, odd size packaging, and an explosion of condiments and spices that overwhelm your fridge. Here are three areas that were taking over my kitchen and my sanity.
Pantry
Problem: Narrow but deep pantry, odd packaging sizes, random pre-packaged snacks, and inability to determine when you are almost out of rice.
Solution: A designated area for similar goods, Clear, Stackable Air Tight Containers and a small plastic bin.
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| Top to Bottom 1st Shelf Breakfast, 2nd Grains and Random Snacks, 3rd Canned Goods, Pasta Sauce, and Extra Stock. Drawer full of Baking Supplies, Basket holds freezer, sandwich, and trash bags, Bottom Shelf extra dog food and treats |
To counter the deep and unused space on the top shelf, I pulled our every day breakfast items up front, and placed minimally used, extra stock, and large items in the back. Since most of the packaging is clear, I can easily see what's behind.
The 2nd shelf contains 2 sizes of clear air tight containers that I purchased at IKEA for around 2euro each. Things like pasta and grains are taken out of their store bought package (and then recycled) and placed in the appropriate size. I cut the instructions off the package and tape it to the outside of the container with thick packaging tape. This saves a step for when I need to just replenish items.
For dried beans and lentils that I don't use often enough for their own container, I simply place multiple bags in one container. I can still see what's inside, and since the containers stack easily, I don't sacrifice space due to odd shaped, semi empty bags and they stay fresher longer.
For those random pre packaged snack foods that are a necessity in every child's life, I immediately remove them from the larger packaging (and then recycle) and put them in a small Rubbermaid bin. I can still easily tell what's in there and I don't find random fruit snacks or peanut butter cracker packages mixed up with the canned goods. I also place minimally purchased items like Ramen noodles, Taco Shells, and boxed mac and cheese stacked nicely behind the bin.
While my flour, sugar, and brown sugar are stored in nice airtight containers on the counter, when I feel like baking cupcakes, I can easily find my extra ingredients such as baking soda, shortening, canola oil, and sprinkles in one nice tidy location (fyi, drawers are an awesome organization technique).
Refrigerator
Problem: An explosion of condiments, odd sized packaging, and leftovers that have been left over for too long.
Solution: White plastic bins of different sizes, a place for everything, and clear containers.
Since my husband and I love to cook we have a massive amount of condiments, sauces, and spices. We tried to stuff as much as we can in the door which resulted in our flimsy door shelfs breaking and condiments crashing to the ground. After seeing this post, I went to IKEA purchased 5 white plastic bins found in the kitchen section and divided it into the following categories:
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| Condiments (and another for Salad Dressing) |
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| Small random spices |
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| Pickles and Olives |
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| Yogurt and/or Apple Sauce Cups |
Leftovers go into clear containers so that they are visible. Cheese and lunch meat go into the small drawer below the milk and produce goes into the produce drawers.
Produce that does not need to be refrigerated however is nicely displayed on this Pampered Chef 3 Tiered Tower (or into a bowl if I need to use said tower).
Kids' Bowls and Plates
Problem: Random assortment of character induced, uneven, unsightly children's dishes over crowding your nice stack-able wedding registry dishes.
Solution: Kid's Drawer at reachable level.
Since my son is 2, I keep his cups in a separate cabinet with our to-go mugs and his cutlery in our cutlery drawer (the latter not because of accidental self inflicting wounds but because apparently it is a lot of fun to scatter them all over the kitchen floor). Keeping his plates in reach allows him to be a big helper at meal time and when unloading the dishwasher but also teaches him colors, shapes, and sizes. Another bonus, I'm instilling at a very young age, a place for everything and everything in it's place.
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