Stocking Up

So over the holidays, I was perusing my local Ocean State Job Lot when I came across an interesting cookbook. It's called "The Stocked Kitchen Cookbook" and after reading the back cover blurb I was intrigued. The cookbook  stated that with their one shopping list I could prepare over 100 different recipes. Hey I was game.

After reading the introductory pages and scanning some of the recipes, I decided to use their system. Though I would of course modify it because I can never leave anything alone.

The system is fairly simple, I'm sure most folks use a similar system but it was something I hadn't really thought about. The basic premise is that you have one master grocery list that contains everything you need to make all the recipes in the book. It's similar to using a build to list in a restaurant for ordering. Of course as I said before, some modifications needed to be made. For instance, the list included herbs de provence, and poultry seasoning, neither of which I will use, the first due to allergies abd the second due to personal preference, there was also very few sundry items on tge list. Also there were certain items that were missing from the list that I use in many of my own personal recipes, ie. allspice.

After revamping the list based on my own personal tastes, I went through my kitchen and crossed off the items I already had on hand. Then I went shopping.  The benefit of this was that I now had all the ingredients on  hand for anything I wanted to make. I was even able to use a recipe I found online right away because I had all the ingredients on hand.

Overall the system, or at least my modified version, is working for our home. So what about you? Is there a system you use to keep you pantry stocked? Let me know in the comments below.

Managing Mondays: DIY Cable Organizer

Hello internet, sorry had to take a week off from posting, needed the break, plus we had a hurricane come up the cost. We got through pretty much unscathed but we realize many others were not as fortunate. Our prayers go out to you all in this time of need.

So, this week I'm going to link to last weeks Weekly Download that I uploaded to YouTube in which I presented a DIY project. I basically made a cable organizing system out of a shoe box and toilet paper tubes.

Enjoy!

Managing Mondays: Recycled Organization

So, I was thinking about what to write for today's article when it hit me. I haven't really talked about organization in a while. With that in mind I want to talk about re-purposing existing storage solutions. You know those items that helped you stay organized and for one reason or another are now obsolete. For example, we are currently in the middle of rearranging our living space in order to accommodate an adopted child in our future. To that end my daughter's room has gotten some lovely hand-me-down furniture from her Great Grandmother and her old furniture has headed off into storage, or at least most of it. One item that she had was a grid shelving system that could be reconfigured in numerous ways.

Well as she no longer needs this item, and it will not really fit in the extra bed room, it is going into storage, well at least most of it is. I've been thinking about getting a grid to place on the pantry door in our kitchen to hang our pots and pans on. (They take up far too much space in our cabinets.) When I was taking the shelves apart I thought that these just might work. So laying them flat and reinforcing the connectors with some twist-ties I was able to create a flat grid to place on the door. I used an existing over the door coat rack to hang it in place and then purchased some S-hooks from the hardware section at Walmart and well viola:

It is functional and looks great and the best part is it only cost me around 10 bucks as I already had the coat rack and the twist-ties.

So, have you ever re-purposed your old storage solutions or other items. If so leave a comment and let me know.

Managing Mondays: COZI!!!!!

I love COZI!!!

What? You haven't heard about Cozi?

Well, Cozi is a web based calendar program that is design specifically for families. I know there are a lot of calendars out there but this is the first one I've seen that integrates the calendar with individual To Do Lists for each family member, shopping lists, and meal planning w/ recipes.




The thing I like most about it is that you can access it from your computer, android phone and IOS devices (iphones, ipods, etc.). So what does that mean? It means that my daughter can access her chore list on her ipod touch and I can check to see if she has checked things off and then see if they are done to my satisfaction. It also allows her some input when it comes to our grocery shopping as she can add things to the list if she notices we are out of certain item or she just wants me to pick up chips. It also keeps me aware of all our upcoming appointments even when I'm out of the house, making scheduling meetings and appointments much easier.

I know it might not work for every family, but if yours is anything like mine with all our electronic gadgets it might just be the perfect tool to keep you organized.