Organized Kitchen Thoughts

Kitchen Organizing Inspiration from an Unlikely Source

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:21:43 -0500

Did anyone catch last week’s episode of Modern Family? I’m a big fan of the show and never miss an episode. It’s a great mix of clever, laugh-out-loud humor, lovable characters and touching family moments. (Seriously, I think Jay melts my heart each & every episode.) But Cam won me over last week.

Without spoiling the episode for anyone who missed it, he reorganized Gloria’s kitchen. As he showed her where to find her relocated tea, he proudly gestured and said:

“There’s a flow now. Tea, mugs, kettle, you’re welcome.”

YES! Kitchen efficiency!

When choosing where to store items in your kitchen, it is important to think about where/how you use them. A smooth flow with minimal trips across the space can improve the efficiency of (& reduce the amount of time required for) your meal prep and cleaning routines.

Consider your breakfast routine. (You are eating breakfast, right?) Could the flow be improved? What if you stored your cereal bowls, cereal, spoons and coffee mugs in the same cabinet by the fridge? Could it shave a couple of minutes off of your morning routine? Maybe you could arrive to work closer to your (ahem) target time?

Think outside the regular “rules” of what a kitchen is “supposed” to look like. You’re the one who uses the space—it only needs to make sense to you.

And keep an open mind as you look for inspiration. It might just show up during your favorite television show!

Have you created any unconventional storage solutions in your space? When you set up your kitchen, did you consider how and where you use things? And what are your favorite tv shows?

Photo from abc.com gallery.

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Cabinets, Counters & Floor Edition

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:35:05 -0500

It’s time to (finally) finish up the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge.

Even though the cabinets, counter tops and floor weren’t visibly ~~filthy~~ soiled like some other areas of my kitchen (ahem), this was not a quick project.

KITCHEN BEFORE:

The counter top by the toaster: (which gets used daily)

Cleaning tools for the cabinets & counter tops:

How to Clean your Kitchen Cabinets and Counters with Vinegar:

1. Start by removing everything from the counter tops, then wipe off all of the crumbs with a dry cloth.

2. Lightly spray the water and vinegar mixture (3 parts water + 1 part vinegar) onto the cabinet doors and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

3. Using the same technique (with a fresh microfiber cloth), wipe down the counter tops.

4. Enjoy the fresh cabinet fronts & counter tops as you eat a nourishing (crumb-free) snack to prepare yourself for the ever-so-fun task of scrubbing the floor.

Cleaning tools for the floors:

How to Clean your Kitchen Floors with Vinegar:

1. Fill a bucket with about a gallon of warm water. Add to that about 1.5 cups of vinegar. I just eye-balled it.

2. Use your favorite method (is that even possible?) of mopping/scrubbing to clean the floor. More for effectiveness than for enjoyment, I got on my hands and knees and used a scrub brush followed by a clean sponge to absorb some of the water.

3. Keep all feet and paws off of the floor as it air dries.

KITCHEN AFTER: oh, so different than the Before

And the dining area:

Length of Time Spent on this Project:

8 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 25 minutes) on the cabinets & counter tops

18 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 55 minutes) on the floors

My Thoughts:

Because I painted the cabinets with Impervo paint, they were very easy to clean. (Side note: if anyone is interested in a ~~couple~~ ~~few~~ several cans of this paint, I can hook you up with a sweet deal. I’ll calculate the discount using the same impressive math skills I used to grossly overestimate the amount of paint I needed for my project. ahem.)
I’m thinking that I will buy a new (clean) toaster with a BUILT-IN crumb tray to reduce my headache. In the meantime, in order to catch & corral those crumbs, I added a tray under the toaster. We’ll see if this helps.

Hands & knees mopping is overrated. I ended up using my Rubbermaid Reveal mop (my go-to tool for mopping) to clean up some streaks left behind as the floor dried.
Not only did it leave the floor streaky in spots, but it took forever. Marshall Dillon’s posture summed up how we both felt when I was finished.

How often do you clean your cabinets? Do you use a mop, sponge or scrub brush on your floors? Or have you determined that paying someone else to clean your kitchen is the best arrangement for you? I may have to look into that…

Other projects in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge:

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Oven Edition

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:55:11 -0500

Today we jump headfirst into my dirty oven. Sort of. While I was definitely all up in my oven, it was only temporary and strictly for the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge.

Fortunately, I knew this challenge was coming and I didn’t want you, dear reader, to be disappointed, so I made an especially large mess of the appliance. (Only part of that extra long sentence is true.)

OVEN BEFORE:

Wow:

Inside the storage drawer: (don’t overlook the crumbs!)

Cleaning tools: (plus a whole lot of heat)

How to Clean your Oven with Vinegar, Lemon & Baking Soda:

1. I started by reading the manual for the oven. To get the most out of the self-cleaning feature with the least amount of smoke, the manufacturer recommends removing as much gunk ahead of time as possible. (Gunk is my word, not theirs. Obvs.) So, I removed the racks, then vacuumed up the crusty, charred chunks from the floor of the oven.

2. Using a cloth soaked in water and vinegar mixture (3 parts water + 1 part vinegar) clean the parts of the oven that will not get hot enough to char off any filth: the outer frame of the interior of the door:

and the frame of the oven by the gasket. This part may require a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and some elbow grease. (At least mine sure did.)

Be careful not to damage or dislodge the gasket. Rinse off the paste with a wet cloth and dry the surface with clean cloth.

3. Because the oven gets extremely hot during self-cleaning, all items should be removed from the stove-top and the storage drawer—especially those that can melt. Also from the manual, I learned that the storage drawer could be removed. I was slightly concerned about what would lurk underneath, but I was pleasantly surprised at the relatively small amount of hound hair and cobwebs there. (Side note: what’s with all of the spiders in North Carolina?! I know they kill other bugs and blah blah blah, but they’re so creepy & crawly.)

I was also surprised to learn that the plastic liner in the storage drawer could be removed. Who knew?! Vacuum under the oven and in the storage drawer.

4. Open the window(s) to allow for adequate ventilation. Set the self-cleaning timer. The manual for my oven suggested anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4.5 hours. I went with 2.75 hours and crossed my fingers that would do it.

5. Tackle the oven racks during the cleaning cycle. Partly because they don’t really fit in my sink and mainly because I didn’t want to dirty my shiny sink, I used the storage drawer liner as a tub for cleaning the racks. I used steel wool soap pads to scrub the cooked-on food.

Rinse the racks and set them out to dry.

6. Drain the drawer liner and wipe it clean with vinegar & water solution. Rinse and dry.

7. When the cleaning cycle is over, wait for the oven to cool.

Then, using a clean cloth soaked in vinegar-water, wipe the ash from the floor and walls of the oven and interior of the door. I was surprised how easily this came off.

8. Wipe down the front of the door and drawer with the vinegar-water solution. Use the lemon-baking soda paste on the handle, if necessary.

9. Enjoy your clean oven. Keep it that way by switching to a raw diet.

OVEN AFTER:

Still a few spots, but all-in-all, MUCH better:

Length of Time Spent on this Project (excluding the self-cleaning cycle):

32 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 96 minutes)

My Thoughts:

I anticipated more smoke and stench than actually occurred. In fact, because past dinnertime smoke disasters have stressed him out, I relocated the hound to the bf’s for this project. I’m pretty sure he would’ve been fine.
Like the microwave project, it was a little unnerving to be INSIDE the appliance cleaning it.
Avoiding the gasket as I scrubbed the frame wasn’t all that easy. And it got a little dirty in the process.
The racks are not 100% spot-free, but I grew bored with that part of the project after about 10 Tobes’ Tunes. They definitely look better, but not brand new. I think soaking them first would have made a difference. I also found this suggestion to soak them in the bathtub overnight. Heh. Maybe next time.
It’s also worth noting that the label on the soap pads indicates they are made of biodegradable ingredients.

How does your oven look? Do you use the self-cleaning feature? Have you ever removed your storage drawer? And what do you store in there?

Other projects in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge:

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Dishwasher Edition

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:35:00 -0500

We’re really churning right along on the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge. It’s time for the dishwasher!

DISHWASHER BEFORE:

Cleaning tools:

How to Clean your Dishwasher with Lemon & Baking Soda:

1. Check the drain in the floor of the dishwasher. Remove any food or other debris there. (Gloves or alternative ways to protect your fingers from the slimey goodness is recommended.)

2. Using a paste of lemon juice and baking soda (also used on the glass-top stove), scrub the interior frame of dishwasher and its door. Pay close attention to the rubber gaskets where some build-up may have collected. Rinse with a wet cloth or sponge.

2.a) Keep a certain hound dog with an interest in the lemon-scented cleaner away from the bowl.

3. Once the interior frames are clean, tackle the controls and handle on the outside. I hadn’t realized how grimy the top of the door had become. But I was pleasantly surprised at how easily it came off with a little scrubbing. Rinse with a wet cloth or sponge.

4. Wipe down the face of the appliance. Have you ever peeked at the space between the base plate and the bottom of the door? Do that. Then, quickly wipe it clean before you get too grossed out—especially if you live with a one-foot, two-inch tall hound dog.

5. Although my dishwasher didn’t have a stench, I decided to give it a vinegar bath. Start with a dishwasher-safe glass of distilled white vinegar on the top rack.

6. Run the otherwise empty dishwasher through a regular cycle—without detergent.

7. Admire your work!

DISHWASHER AFTER:

Interior frames:

Door controls:

Door top so clean it deserves two photos:

The part of the appliance you can’t see while standing up (but now it’s clean!):

Length of Time Spent on this Project (excluding the vinegar bath cycle):

10 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 30 minutes)

My Thoughts:

It seems a little silly to wash the dishwasher, but let’s be clear: mine needed it. (even though I didn’t necessarily notice)
I am LOVING how clean and white the top of the door is now. I’m considering requiring anyone who loads/unloads the appliance to wear gloves. Too much?
It’s not easy keeping the pooch with a sense of smell second only to a bloodhound away from lemon-scented cleaners at his nose-level. Wonder if there’s a way to make this work in my favor??

How about your dishwasher? Is it white? Or intended to be? Do you ever clean its basin? What about the top of the base plate?

Other projects in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge:

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Kitchen Sink Edition

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:31:05 -0500

Up next the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge was the kitchen sink. Mine happens to be stainless steel and in its before state was not-so-shiny.

STAINLESS STEEL KITCHEN SINK BEFORE:

Cleaning tools:

How to Clean your Stainless Steel Sink with Dish Soap, Lemon & Baking Soda:

1. Using dish soap, fill each basin with warm soapy water.

2. Let the water soak for a Tobes tune or two. I timed this well and scrubbed my stove-top while I waited.

3. Drain the basins. Sprinkle them with baking soda.

4. Use a scrub brush to remove any build-up in the sink basins. I paid close attention to the rims of the drains and was surprised at how gunky they were. (yes, gunky)

5. Wipe down the faucet, sprayer and rims of the sink with a cloth (and break the scrub brush back out if needed).

6. Rinse entire sink with warm water.

7. To further disinfect, wipe down the sink with lemon juice.

8. Enjoy the shine.

STAINLESS STEEL KITCHEN SINK AFTER:

Length of Time Spent on this Project:

10 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 30 minutes)

My Thoughts:

As was the case with the stove-top, I didn’t have a lot of baking soda. I would use more next time, so I wouldn’t need to scrub so much. In theory, at least.
I’m becoming slightly obsessed with using a lemon half as sponge/scrub brush.
I love the less cluttered appearance of the AFTER picture without the drain stoppers (is that what they’re called?) and dish brush. So until I get a set of these installed, I’ve relocated those items to a basket underneath the sink. (Bonus tip: the dishwasher does a fantastic job cleaning those drain plugs (is that what they’re called?). The stainless steel one, like the sink, has never been shinier.)
As I was cleaning the sink, I found myself a bit unimpressed with the difference. But I will say that the final results were quite noticeable. In addition to relocating the clutter, I’ve especially enjoyed the streak-free faucet. This may be one project I maintain.

How does your sink look? Is it stainless steel? Are you familiar with The Fly Lady’s advice to always make sure your sink is clean? (Side note: my friend Julie interviewed The Fly Lady recently on her Reawaken your Brilliance show. Have you watched?)

Other projects in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge:

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Stove Top Edition

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:31:00 -0500

For the next project in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge, it was time to take on the burnt on mess on my glass stove top. (It’s worth noting that a glass top electric range would not be my first choice, but it works well for my needs (& budget) right now.)

If you have a glass-top range, you may be familiar with the cleaners/polishers/scrapers that are available specifically for taking care of these messes. I don’t have a scraper and decided to try all-natural alternatives to the other cleaners.

GLASS-TOP RANGE BEFORE:

Note the crumbs from lunch prep earlier in the day.

Cleaning tools:

How to Clean your Glass-Top Range with Lemon & Baking Soda:

1. Wipe, brush or vacuum away crumbs from the stove top. I used the brush attachment on my vacuum.

2. Mix the juice of half of a lemon (or juice from concentrate) with baking soda to form a paste. Enjoy the resulting grade school-esque science experiment foaming action.

3. Apply paste to the stains on the range and let sit. I let mine soak through two Tobes tunes as I tackled the controls and dials on the back of the stove.

4. Use a cloth dipped in a mixture of lemon juice and water, wipe down the controls. Remove the dials to clean thoroughly behind them.

5. Scrub the paste into the stains with a scrub brush or sponge. Alternatively, you could use the lemon half.

6. Rinse with warm water and dry with clean cloth.

7. Enjoy the sparkle.

GLASS-TOP RANGE AFTER:

Length of Time Spent on this Project:

10 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 30 minutes)

My Thoughts:

I was running low on baking soda (& planned to use some on the next project too), so I used it sparingly. Next time, I’ll use more—I need more abrasive to get all of the stains.
There are still a couple of spots that could use a little more elbow grease (and probably baking soda), but overall, I’m very pleased with how it turned out. “Not a total Betty, but a vast improvement.” <—Name that movie.

Tell me about your range. Electric? Gas? Clean? Stained? Do you clean it regularly? I’d love to hear.

Other projects in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge:

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Refrigerator & Freezer Edition

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:40:05 -0500

For the second project in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge, I took on the fridge and freezer.

It turned out to be the perfect time to deep clean since they were both pretty bare because:

I had just returned from the Thanksgiving trip and had used or tossed anything perishable before I left.
They’re rarely packed anyway thanks to weekly meal planning and dinnertime responsibilities being split between my house and the BF’s.

REFRIGERATOR BEFORE:

FREEZER BEFORE:

How to Clean Refrigerator & Freezer with Dish Soap:

1. Evaluate the contents of your fridge & freezer and toss anything that is past its prime or unidentifiable. Pay close attention to those condiments whose expiration dates seem to change over time—because seriously, why else would there be anything in there that expired in 2009?!?

2. Decide whether you’ll leave the shelves in the appliance or take them out to clean them. I opted to take the shelves out—and boy am I glad I did. Otherwise I would have missed out on the dog hair collecting in the sticky mess below the bottom ones. (So sorry to have forgotten to document that with a picture.)

3. Remove the contents of the shelves/drawers and work quickly. You’re in the Temperature Danger Zone now. (This project could easily be tackled one shelf at a time over a week or so.)

4. Wipe, brush or vacuum out all of the crumbs. I used a vacuum.

5. Use warm soapy water and a cloth to wipe down the shelves, drawers and insides of the appliance.

6. Rinse, dry and replace the shelves and drawers.

7. Don’t forget to wipe down the gaskets, handles, doors and the top of the appliance. The top of mine had seen better days, so it took a Tobes Tune or two to tackle.

8. As you return the contents to the fridge and freezer, establish zones so nothing gets lost in the mix. Some to consider: snacks, lunches, beverages, leftovers.

9. Enjoy the clean environment and begin scheduling regular Quick Scan & Toss sessions.

REFRIGERATOR AFTER:

FREEZER AFTER:

Length of Time Spent on this Project:

25 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 75 minutes)

My Thoughts:

I’m glad I didn’t have a lot of food in my fridge when I did this. Exposing the perishables to room temperature might have made my head explode a bit. Now that it’s been deep cleaned, this may be a project I tackle one shelf at a time in the future. maybe.
Using the brush attachment on the crumbs in the stickiness (??) in the bottom of the fridge created another project I hadn’t anticipated: washing the brush attachment. See? Cleaning is a vicious cycle. Maybe that’s why I put it off?

How frequently do you scrub down your fridge? Do you consider the safety of the food as you do?

Other projects in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge:

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen — Microwave Edition

Deep Cleaning the Kitchen - Microwave Edition

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:51:23 -0500

For the first project in the Order Up Organizing kitchen deep cleaning challenge, I tackled the microwave. It seems as though the owner of this particular appliance either has not used it in a long while or has chosen to overlook the gunk inside as she uses it to heat her cup of tea every morning.

ahem.

MICROWAVE BEFORE: (The identity of the appliance in question has been hidden to protect the innocent.)

Inside:

The door:

Here’s the crazy (lazy?) part: cleaning the microwave is not difficult. And I imagine that if it is done on a regular basis, it’s not all that time consuming.

Cleaning tools:

How to Clean your Microwave with a Lemon:

1. Slice a lemon in half lengthwise. Place the halves cut-side-down in a microwave-safe bowl of about one-cup of water.

2. Place bowl in said microwave and heat on high for three minutes. The steam from the lemon water will loosen any stuck-on food or other gunkiness.

3. With a gloved hand (particularly important if you have a paper cut on your finger—trust me on this one), use a cloth or sponge soaked in the warm lemon water to rub and/or wipe away the mess. Alternatively, you can use the lemon half as a scrub brush.

4. If there is a turntable, remove it to clean thoroughly underneath. It can be wiped down with the lemon water, hand washed with dish soap in the sink, or even washed in the dishwasher.

5. Wipe the inside of the microwave dry with a clean cloth. Replace the turntable.

6. Use the lemon water and cloth or sponge to clean the outside of the microwave. Mine … er, I mean this microwave had some build-up on the front and underside, so it required a bit more elbow grease. I’m sure this is common with microwaves mounted above stoves. right??

7. Enjoy the shiny view! And vow to clean it more regularly.

MICROWAVE AFTER:

Length of Time Spent on this Project:

10 Tobes’ Tunes (approx. 30 minutes)

My Thoughts:

The steam + lemon worked wonders. It didn’t require a whole lot of scrubbing.
I will admit that it seemed a bit risky to be inside an electronic appliance like that with water. (Maybe that’s what has kept me from doing it more frequently?)
The project took longer than I thought it would. The underside and upper vents took a bit more effort than the inside. I even had to break out a trusty ol’ toothbrush.
The lemon was no match for the fingerprints on the number pads. I ended up using a Clorox wipe on those.

All in all, it wasn’t too painful. It’s still certainly not my idea of a fun way to spend an evening, but I have hope that doing it on a regular basis will take less time and effort.

How about you? Is the microwave on your regular cleaning schedule? Do you have any tips for me?

Kitchen Cleaning Challenge-Ordered Up

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:40:05 -0500

I have a confession. And it may come as surprise to you. I do not like to deep clean. In fact, I avoid it as much and for as long as I can.

Whew. It feels good to get that out there.

As I’m sure you’ve figured out (you’re smart), I like to organize: to sort like with like, purge clutter and create efficient systems—those fun projects that end up making life easier. To me, deep cleaning does not fall under that umbrella.

You may be thinking, “Wait. What about your ~~obsession with~~ focus on food safety?” That’s a good question. (I knew you were smart.) My fascination with food safety keeps dishes, utensils, and hands that touch the foods squeaky clean and sanitized, but the attention to detail stops there. Weird, I know.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t live in filth. To prove it, here is a photo of my kitchen right now.

I clean up after meal prep, wipe spills and consistently put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. It’s the little things that add up over time like crumbs from the toaster, gunk in the microwave and that pesky dog hair that seems to multiply and distribute itself into every nook and cranny. I tend to overlook those things until one of two things happen: either I get overcome with an urge to open the windows and scrub my home (usually the first warm day after winter) or (more likely) I invite company over. And then I tackle the most obvious problem and tend to putter out before the rest of the room is spotless.

I, like you, am not dumb, so I recognize that just as it is with organizing projects, regular maintenance is the key to success with cleaning ones—even if they’re not nearly as fun. So, I’m on the lookout for simple, quick and efficient methods for deep cleaning each area of the kitchen. Over the next several weeks, I’m going to be deep cleaning every inch of my kitchen—one project at a time—and documenting it here.

Here’s the plan:

I’ll be researching methods for completing each task. My focus will be on:

Natural/non-chemical-y cleaning products (think vinegar or lemon juice)
Inexpensive cleaning tools
Doable time-frames (which may require breaking tasks into manageable chunks)

The posts will include how I cleaned the area, how effective the method is, how long it took (in Tobes’ Tunes*), and my thoughts on the process.

I’d love to hear from you during this challenge. Please feel free to share your tips and thoughts. Hopefully we can all learn something new along the way.

How do you feel about cleaning? Do you love the smell of cleaners and the sight of shiny appliances? Or can you overlook crumbs and stains?

* I’ve found that music can help to make the most mundane tasks more tolerable. So perhaps my favorite music could make cleaning, dare I say, fun!? I’m willing to give it a try, so my cleaning soundtrack will be provided by Toby Keith. Sure, the dancing and singing may add a minute or two to the project time, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take. Wish me luck!

Meal Planning Workbook Giveaway

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:39:34 -0400

I’m excited to announce that we are participating in Love It? Promote It! Raleigh’s 30 Days of Free Giveaways!

The prize tomorrow (Thursday Oct 12) is a copy of Jumpstart your Family’s Meal Plan with a bonus phone consultation to help create a system to meet your family’s needs.

Enter to win by liking LIPI Raleigh’s Facebook page. Once you’ve initially registered, you can enter each day for more chances to win throughout October. You can find detailed instructions here.

While LIPI promotes local businesses in and around Raleigh, with Order Up Organizing’s prize you don’t need to live in the Triangle.

So enter now! And tell your friends! And then follow along to win other great prizes this month!

Dishwasher Efficiency - Water Temperature Edition

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:03:24 -0400

My sister recently bought a brand new (gorgeous) house. With the brand new house came brand new (shiny) appliances. The dishwasher installer told her that she should run the tap water in the sink until it’s hot before starting the dishwasher. Huh?!?! We’d never heard that before and it was news to everyone I’ve asked about it since. To me, it seems a bit wasteful and unnecessary since there are heating coils in the base of the dishwasher.

Well, I did a little research on the topic and it turns out it’s a pretty common recommendation amongst appliance experts and manufacturers. Here’s what I learned:

Water temperature is one factor (along with how you load it & what detergent you use) that affects your dishwasher’s effectiveness. The target temperature varies by manufacturer, but it’s around 140°F. However, the maximum recommended temperature for your home’s water heater is 120°F (much higher than that and you run the risk of scalding your skin). So even if you run the faucet for a few minutes before you start the dishwasher, it’ll still need some extra heat from the machine to reach that 140°F mark.
The dishwasher will extend a cycle in order to get to the appropriate temperature. Further, the heating coils in the base of the dishwasher are designed more to maintain the temperature of the water, rather than heat it up. So if the water entering the machine is already hot, the dishwasher will not “waste” time waiting for the water to heat up, in turn maximizing the cycle time.
Some newer models have a heat booster that heats the water before it enters the machine. If you’re in the market for a new machine, these are touted to save you tens of dollars a year on your energy bill.

Bottom line:
Running the tap in the sink by the dishwasher before running a load will get the water to the optimal temperature quicker. According to my research, this could shorten the length of your dishwasher’s cycle.

The proponents of the pre-cycle faucet run suggest that if you’re concerned about efficiency and conserving water/energy, you could capture the water in a container that you can use for watering plants or another purpose.

Final thoughts:

As I researched this I realized that, more often than not, I’m running warm water as I’m loading the dishwasher anyway. So if you’re on Team Rinse Before Loading or if you have opted to own and use items that must be hand washed (eek!), you’re probably getting a head start already.

Even with all of this information, I’m not sure I’ll be changing my practices. Maybe some scientific studies need to be completed in the Order Up test kitchens. Maybe I could find a way to get Marshall Dillon involved? But I’m not sure this is the answer.

What about you? Is this information new to you? Will it change your dishwasher practices? Or do you already wash by hand?

Tackle Dreaded Kitchen Tasks with a Timer

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:21:06 -0400

Do you have a particular kitchen task that you put off doing because it seems daunting or just unfun? (Made up words are welcome here.) Maybe it’s cleaning out the fridge or scrubbing the casserole dish or (gasp!) meal planning. Whatever it is, I’m willing to bet that once you finally break down and do it, you think “well, that wasn’t so bad.”

Today let’s consider unloading the dishwasher or putting away clean hand-washed dishes. These ready-to-be-relocated dishes are standing in the way of taking care of a new set of dirty dishes which could very well be cluttering up your kitchen space. What a vicious cycle.

My challenge to you: set a timer and tackle the dishes. You’ll probably be surprised at how little time it actually takes. I unloaded my last full load in 86 seconds. If you’re the competitive type, try beating my time or challenge yourself to better your time with each load. (And no cheating by running a small load just to get a great time.)

If you’re looking to streamline the process, try my efficient process of loading the dishwasher.

How long does it take you to put dishes away? What other tasks could you try this timer reality check with?

Share the Fruits & Veggies Love and Win Some Cash!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:47:11 -0400

As a dietitian, when I’m asked for tips for eating healthier, I always respond in one way: eat more fruits and vegetables. They’re naturally low in calories & fat and they’re packed with nutrients. Plus, the variety of colors makes your meal look so much more appealing!

The unfortunate reality is that most of us are not eating enough produce and as a result we’re failing to consume enough key nutrients in our diets. Fruits & veggies are such excellent sources of healthful nutrients that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 list “increase fruit and vegetable intake” as the first Key Recommendation. The “eat produce to stay healthy” message is underscored by the newly released food guidance icon MyPlate which encourages us to “Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.”

So while I truly enjoy sharing the health benefits of fruits & veggies until I’m blue in the face (or red or green or purple…you know how I love a rainbow of colors), I can’t do it all on my own. That’s why I was excited to learn about the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge.

The USDA is looking for other folks to use their creativity to create a short video demonstrating how easy it is to incorporate fruits & vegetables into your diet without breaking the bank. According to the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge site:

The goal of the Challenge is to encourage healthy eating habits and raise awareness about USDA’s MyPlate and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which include making half your plate fruits and vegetables, and to do it within a reasonable cost.

See the site for official rules, but they will be awarding a total of $9,000 in prizes in three categories:

Tips for kids
Tips when eating at home
Tips when eating away from home

There are so many people out there who are far more creative (not to mention better in front of the camera) than I am and I can’t wait to see the results.

Could you and/or your family come up with a quick catchy jingle or entertaining skit promoting the benefits of eating fruits & veggies? I encourage you to submit a video today! The deadline is November 15th. If you submit a video, please share it with us here in the comments or on our Facebook page. I’d love to share them.

Disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for or asked to write this post. I just think it’s a fun contest and would love to see some Order Up readers featured in the Challenge.

Jumping Back into Planning Meals

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:20:40 -0400

The fun of a cross-country road trip is the opportunity to take in the sites, smells & textures of places you’ve never been. Yes, we absolutely did quite a bit of research (options for parks, roadside attractions & other detours) and some planning (basic routes/destinations/campsite & hotel reservations) ahead of time, but most of our time was left unscheduled. This allowed us to experience some of the amazing sites the United States has to offer. (Colorado National Monument, anyone?) But I’d be lying if I said I was 100% comfortable with leaving my meal planning hat at home.

I compensated for the lack of concrete plans by finding comfort in the options available in our portable pantry of non-perishable foods in the back seat of the truck. (Worth noting: I also yearned for my meat thermometer as we grilled dinner in the dark on the camp stove in Arches National Forest in Utah.)

As was our hope, we definitely enjoyed some delicious local foods on our adventure, but we also made do with some sub-par continental breakfasts (a perk of the cost-effective hotels) and, especially towards the end, we opted for convenience over nutrient-content when deciding where to stop.

Needless to say, planning last week’s meals and reuniting with my grocery store was a welcomed event. And make no mistake, the lack of beef on our menu was no accident. We needed a break from red meat after our own personal cattle drive across the country.

Do you look forward to eating at home after time away? Do you have go-to recipes you prepare when you return? Do you ever burn out on protein sources?

And if you’ve ever taken a cross-country road trip, let me know what you thought. Would you do it again? I certainly would.

THANKS again to all of my guest bloggers! I sincerely appreciate it!

Planning: Today and Tomorrow - Guest Post

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:05 -0400

Elisabeth of Turn Leaf Organizing tackles planning - a topic that you all know is near & dear to my heart. Could these tips help you have a calmer tomorrow? {Jill Marie}

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“Do not finish TODAY until you have planned for TOMORROW.”

I came across this fantastic quote this week (thank you Doug Stevenson), as I was preparing for a presentation for women entrepreneurs in the field of skincare. It really resonated with me, and reflects one of the main messages I give to all of my clients, including students, business owners and heads of households. Because we hit the ground running once that alarm had sounded every morning, we often do not take the time to plan for the day once the sun has risen.

By taking just 5 to 10 minutes before leaving the office or shutting down the computer each afternoon or evening, you can give yourself a head start for tomorrow. Here are the steps to take during that short- yet vital- window of time, before your professional mind goes “off-line” for the night.

Reflect on what you accomplished today.
Read over your To Do List to be sure you have checked or crossed off the finished items (doesn’t that feel good?)
Look at the remaining tasks on the list, and re-prioritize based upon tomorrow’s schedule. Most To-Do Lists should have no more than 3-4 top priorities per day.
Review your calendar for tomorrow’s scheduled meetings, appointments, and other commitments.
Block off your remaining “unscheduled” time and enter in the top priority tasks from the To Do List. Now, those tasks have become part of the plan for tomorrow.

So I challenge you: try this each day for a few weeks, and I feel confident you will find that it has increased your productivity. Remember, if you repeat a single action ~21 days in a row, it becomes a new habit. So stick with this new plan, and you’ll have a new trick up your sleeve to better manage your time.

Staying Organized-
Elisabeth Galperin

Spice Up your Life! - Guest Post

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:53:11 -0400

Oh, do I have a treat for you today! Karla Walsh from Healthful Bites is stopping by. Karla is hands-down my favorite Twitter friend. We first bonded over our love for all things Bob Harper and our shared commitment to VCRs in a post-DVR world. On paper, it may seem like I wouldn’t have much in common with this cool city girl with a cool city journalist job in the coolest city ever (NYC), but that’s where NSYNC, Clueless, and The Help come in. Oh! And of course nutrition and healthful living. Karla studied kinesiology and really knows her fitness stuff. Her blog features informative easy-to-follow fitness videos as well as helpful nutrition tips and reviews on yummy nutritious products.

Today she is sharing her tips for a tasty spice mix. {Jill Marie}

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Hi OrderUpOrg fans! First of all, thanks so much to Jill for the opportunity to guest post while she’s globetrotting. I’ve been a longtime reader and have learned countless tricks for making my first “grown up” apartment more organized and homey.

Today’s topic is inspired by my attempts to use that apartment (especially the kitchen) more. As a young professional in New York City, it is all too easy to convince myself that I’m too busy to cook, groceries are just as pricey as dining out, etc. In an effort to make my homemade meals more exciting, I decided to dust off my favorite kitchen staple: my “house spice blend!”

Since my work and home life often revolves heavily around wellness, I have to point out a couple of the health-promoting properties of spices:

Red chili pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper and other “hot” spices contain capsaicin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that has been shown to lower cancer risk.
Including some spice in a fatty dish can help counteract the usual post-meal spike in triglycerides (a fat found in blood that can increase your heart attack risk if too high), according to a recent study.

And since I’m a sucker for holidays—the wackier the better—“More Herbs, Less Salt” day falls on August 29. So why not celebrate the late August event by adding some herbs or spices to your meals?

My house mix:
    •    1 tsp. paprika
    •    1 tsp. cumin
    •    1 tsp. chili powder
    •    ½ tsp. black pepper
    •    ½ tsp. sea salt

This tastes amazing sprinkled on baked sweet potato fries, roasted veggies and grilled meat. I also just tried it on some basic veggie kebabs and the results were fantastic!

So I’d love to know: If you like it hot, what are the mainstays on your spice rack? And what are your go-to spicy recipes?

The Most Important Aspect of Organizing - Guest Post

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:00:06 -0400

Autumn from Space for Living and I connected online several months ago and I’ve been loving her posts ever since. She has great examples of organizing projects she’s worked on and regularly posts 10 Minute Tuesday challenges. We share a common outlook on organized living, and I think she’s done a fantastic job of summarizing it in her own words:

“I am Autumn from Space for Living. I am on a quest for an organized home that emphasizes practicality over perfection and joyful living over clutter. With a 3- and 4-year old running around, I focus on making my home efficient and livable - not a “perfect” picture from a magazine or a model home. I am constantly inspired by ideas to make the best use of what we have. I love sharing these organizing solutions on my blog and with my organizing clients.”

Be sure to check out her blog for some more great posts like the one she’s sharing today. …just don’t expect any bone-in chicken recipes there. (See our bone-in chicken Twitter conversation from a few weeks ago to understand why.) {Jill Marie}

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Are you missing one of the most important aspects in organizing your life? I know with a lead in like that this better be good! I’m talking about… Routines.

Routines are perfect ways to infuse organization into your days. It’s like that saying come to life, “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Once you spend the initial time to set up your routines, they can save you tons of time.

Routines do not have to happen at a set time but instead they serve as more of an outline to follow; easy to follow steps or an order in which to do things. It takes about a month for them to become automatic, but once you are familiar with your routines you do them without even thinking.

When I first sat down to write about routines, I wrote a whole dissertation of the beauty of routines, complete with evidence of how they work and examples from the real world, blah, blah, blah… Yup, that is how much I love routines. But the much shorter version is:

Routines allow you to get simple things done quickly
Help you stay focused
Even if you get interrupted, with a routine in place you can get right back on track
Help you become more efficient with your time and therefore use your time for the things you’d rather be doing
Helps you delegate tasks easily to others if you are gone (sick, traveling, etc.)

Everyone has established routines whether they are realized or not. Think about your morning, do you have a standard order of tasks for getting ready? What do you repeatedly do every morning, whether good or bad and whether it’s working or not?

We all can have those moments of mindlessly moving from one task to the next, like when you drove right home after work instead of stopping to do the errands you’d planned. It felt effortless to head home because you so used to that route. Creating routines has the same effect, except you can make routines work for you because you’re setting them up to accomplish what needs to be done daily or weekly.

Without routines I have certainly found myself sitting in front of the TV right as I walked in the door, or placing the dirty dish on the counter instead of the dishwasher. Only you have the power to write and edit your routines and then follow them through. Start small and you will see major changes.

Here is my simple and revised morning routine:

Rise and shine
Head to the bathroom first!
Make my bed
Assemble lunch/Make breakfast
Get dressed
Throw in a load of laundry
Empty dishwasher

This is all before 8:00am and if this was all I got done for the day (which sometimes happens) I still feel very accomplished!

If you would like more on routines check out Flylady. My routines are adapted from her program. I first discovered her site as a new mother transitioning from the structure of a work day to a crying baby who seems to determine the schedule. I didn’t understand how a whole day could go by without a single thing being accomplished, except my baby was fed and changed of course! I used Fly Lady’s simple morning and evening routines to start and end my day. It gave me some structure and it was indeed a life saver. I have since incorporated other types of routines throughout my day and my kids’ day. I especially enjoy them when life seems to move at the speed of light and I can get things done without much time and effort. And isn’t that what we all want, to save our precious time?

Do you follow routines? Have you had routines in your life and since fallen off the wagon? I almost hate to ask, but I must, any routine haters?

Ready for Part II: We’ll pick a few tasks and create the routines together.

images via-Things Organized Neatly/Coffee-jynemb/Blurry trees-Kate Ter Haar

Green Kitchen Tips - Guest Post

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:00:06 -0400

Today’s post comes from Julie Seibert of Healing through Organization. Julie and I became fast friends because not only do we share a passion for organizing, but we are both proud West Virginia natives. Julie’s business is unique in that she focuses on green organizing—the first to do so in North Carolina. She’s so good at what she does that she won NAPO LA’s 2011 Green Award for Most Eco-Friendly Organizing Service.

She has some great tips for thinking green in the kitchen. I particularly enjoy the last one. {Jill Marie}

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Small ways you can be green in the kitchen:

Buy spices and grains from bulk bins
Use green cleaners
Use BPA free plastics
Get a water purifier and ditch plastic bottles
Bring Your Own Shopping Bags. Keep in your car.
Reuse paper or plastic bags
Avoid excess packaging. Buy large bottles of juice instead of boxes; get large sizes rather than individually wrapped ones (portion in reusable containers); and buy items in bulk.
When you find yourself with boxes and plastic trays, recycle (if your recycler accepts).
Avoid cans that cannot be recycled/reused: pressurized whipped cream and cooking-spray. Whip up cream fresh with your mixer, or use a product that comes in a recyclable container. Get some refillable metal or plastic oil sprayers from Misto or Pampered Chef.

Which small changes have you made to make your kitchen more eco-friendly?

Control the Paper Clutter - Guest Post

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:00:05 -0400

I’m pleased to welcome Theresa Finnigin from Ready Aim Organize in San Diego. Through the wonder that is social media, I’ve been following Theresa’s posts for a while now. She has great tips and offers fun giveaways. I’m excited for her latest announcement: her 2012 Organize your Life Daily Desktop Calendar is available for purchase.

Theresa has some expert advice on one of the most common organizing headaches: paper. {Jill Marie}

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Paper clutter is the #1 reason potential clients call me. I’ve heard it all from “too much mail” to “it grows exponentially overnight.” While I understand it may feel that way I assure you it isn’t growing on its own. Paper can be overwhelming. Piles of paper in your home are discouraging and frustrating. Starting today (while kids are not in school) let’s get the paper under control. Here are a few tips to minimize the incoming paper and information.

Make sure you have a spam blocker on your email. This is a service that should be provided by your Internet Service Provider but sometimes you have to turn it on. This does not block all spam but will help.
Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. This will stop most, if not all, telemarketer phone calls. When you do get a telemarketing phone call ask the caller to politely remove your name and number from their list. This should also help!
Stop unwanted mail by registering online at the National Do Not Mail List. This won’t stop all unwanted mail…your cellphone bill will still come!
Ask friends and family to stop sending forwards. Often forwards that contain jokes, warnings, or amazing photos are interesting but also a waste of time. The links or attachments in these e-mails can contain viruses so use caution when clicking any links in a forward.
Sort and open mail by the trashcan or shredder. Any mail that you do not want or need can be immediately discarded. The only mail that should hit your desk/counter/table should be mail you need to keep or take action on.
Give paper a home within your home. Paper seems to grow because we move it around. When paper has a specific place to go then it seems more manageable. There are lots of places to store paper – desk, file, wall pocket, etc. The catch is to find a storage home and use it. Manage the paper quantity by regularly sorting and purging the unneeded papers.

Paper and the associated information can overwhelm us. Get a handle on it now. Some of the suggestions above can impact your paper flow immediately and others will take a few weeks to go into effect. Don’t wait…stop the paper clutter today!

About the Author:
Theresa Finnigin is a professional organizer and owner of Ready Aim Organize. Ready Aim Organize works to rid homes and offices of clutter and chaos to ensure time is not wasted and each day is more productive and peaceful than the one before!
When not working to restore organization, Theresa is a guest speaker for various local organizations and a contributor to the Ready Aim Organize blog and other organizing websites. Ready Aim Organize is currently serving clients in N. San Diego County and across the country through Virtual Organizing services.

Email: Theresa@readyaimorganize.com
Phone: 707-RAO 2 DAY (707-726-2329)
Web: http://www.readyaimorganize.com
Blog: http://www.readyaimorganize.com/blog
Twitter: @readyaimorganiz
Facebook: facebook.com/readyaimorganize

Recipe: NC Fish Tacos with Pickled Red Onion - Guest Post

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:00:05 -0400

I’m excited to introduce you to Adrienne’s blog AdriennEats. Not only does she share fantastic (mostly vegetarian) recipes and insightful nutrition tips, but the photographs of the foods are amazing! (And part of the reason why I rarely post photos of food. I just can’t do it justice.)

Adrienne is a graphic designer and a certified holistic wellness coach and I would love to be a guest at her dinner table any time. I hope you enjoy this tasty recipe. {Jill Marie}

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When a friend offers you freshly caught fish (from the NC coast), you accept and make fish tacos. Well at least, that’s what we did the other night.

I was never a big seafood person growing up. But after studying holistic nutrition and reading about the benefits of fish, I’ve tried to incorporate it into my diet more. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that improve brain and memory function, help with inflammation, lower cholesterol and support healthy skin and hair. I know what you’re thinking, aren’t you vegetarian? I eat that way most of the time, but I also listen to what my body needs. And sometimes that includes organic, local chicken and fish.

NC fish tacos with pickled red onion
Adapted from epicurious

Marinade for the fish
1 tbsp cumin, whole seeds
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1tsp paprika
2 tsp sea salt
dash of cracked pepper
1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c cilantro, chopped & rinsed

~1 lb of mahi mahi (or a mild, white fish)
1 lime

Mix all ingredients in a small shallow dish. Add fish, flipping a few times to get the marinade on both sides. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Heat saute pan over medium heat. Add fish. Cook for a few minutes on each side. The fish should be lightly browned. Squeeze lime over the fish.

I’ve made these pickled onions before. They involve just two ingredients, onions and vinegar. I could eat them on everything.

Pickled red onions
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Red wine vinegar

Put onion slices into a small bowl. Cover almost completely with vinegar. Let macerate, while you’re cooking the fish or making guacamole.

Now assemble your fish tacos. Grab a corn tortilla (make sure to heat up first), fill with guacamole, a handful of pickled onions and fish.

Serve with guacamole, chips, and a black bean salad like this one.