Are you organized for 2010?
This is a perfect time of year to get organized and if you’ve already fallen off the organizing bandwagon, I wanted to re-motivate you! Part of enjoying cooking is enjoying your kitchen-however, if you’re like me and have arguably the world’s smallest kitchen it can be quite a challenge. However, thanks to a very organized minded husband we have developed some really great tools that work well in my kitchen and hopefully there are some good tips for you to use in your own kitchen. Because trust me, I know it’s AWFUL to work in a kitchen with no space, no room in the cupboards, and where everything is hard to find! So, check out my video below and take a peek into my cupboards….I’m being so brave to do this 
Last time I posted this I got a lot of questions about the products I use in my kitchen …so here are pictures and links to more information (including a few I just found and wish I had!)
Rubbermaid 2937 White Twin Turn Table Spice Racks, click HERE for more info.
Under Sink Shelf Organizer. I had no idea something like this existed! I’ve always tried to figure out how to organize around the pipe under the sink…well now I know. Click HERE for more info.
These are the boxes I use in my fridge. You could use any size though. These are the Sterilite 1660 stackable bins. For more info, click HERE.
A good way to clear off some counter space is with a hanging paper towel holder like the one above. I got mine for Christmas but they’re available all over. Click HERE for more info.
Okay, I couldn’t find the exact racks I use on my cupboard doors to my sink. (I purchased them at Wal-Mart so you can take a look there…they come in a set of 3) but this is the same idea. For more info, click HERE
And these come in really handy for small spaces. It organizes all of your tupperware and spins around. Perfect for small spaces. For more information, click HERE.
Join the Canvolution!
Teaching Kids how to Cook…and use food storage recipes!
I’m assuming most of you have kids home from school today, so it’s a perfect time to post my first “Teaching kids to cook” lesson! Most of you have already downloaded my “Kids in the Kitchen” handout (and if you haven’t, I would by clicking HERE). It gives good basic information on WHY you would want kids in the kitchen, kid recipes, and a guide for knowing which kitchen tasks are appropriate for your different aged children. As you know, I feel very strongly that you should get your kids in the kitchen with YOU. It is a great time for talking, bonding, and teaching. The kitchen is the center of nourishing in the home. Not only for our physical bodies but for our souls as well. Cooking with kids involves all of their senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing, and seeing) which provides more ways for the brain to recall the memory; creating memories that will last a life time. In fact, my mother (who comes from a family of 12) including all of her siblings AND their friends warmest memories growing up is when they were helping my grandmother bake bread. I can honestly say, that my favorite times are spent cooking with my mom and I’m not the only one! Rachel Ray also gained her love of cooking from her mother and I can tell you from experience that it isn’t all about the food. It’s great one-on-one time where you can talk about the day and bond. Trust me, it doesn’t have to be torture for either of you!
In this lesson, you’ll learn great ways to teach your child how to follow a recipe and measure ingredients (along with some fun math and science activities to prove both are vital in every day life…just in case you have a child like me, who never thought I would use math or science past school-boy, was I wrong!) Please use what you can from it and target it towards what your child can do at their age level.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN!
FHE Tidbit: 72 Hour Kits and Food Storage Treat Recipe
Okay, I have this feeling that most of you (at least if you’re female) feel entirely overwhelmed with everything you have to do in the day what with taking kids to school, laundry (YUCK!), preparing meals, soccer practice, and on top of it all spending time together as a family….oh yeah and that HUGE project of getting prepared. Well, you all probably know by now that I’m a HUGE fan of multi-tasking so I figured why couldn’t you make getting prepared a family event?! I asked my good friends at www.foodstoragemadeeasy.net to help me (since they have all the WONDERFUL information on getting your food storage gathered and basic emergency preparedness) with some Family Home Evening Tidbits. They are quick ideas that will help you on the road to becoming prepared! At the end there is also a treat you can make using your food storage. So all in a night, you’ll have spent time together as a family, taken a step towards being prepared, and practiced using your food storage! AWESOME!
This week I thought “Milk Jug 72 hour kits” would be fun and easy to get people prepared…here is what Jodi from www.foodstoragemadeeasy.net has to say about it:
What a great treat for talking about 72 hour kits! This recipe comes entirely from shelf stable items and happens to be my all time favorite cookie recipe (HONEST!)
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
*a tip before you begin…I always soak my raisins in water & vanilla so that the raisins are plump and juicy and taste like vanilla. If you don’t have a lot of time you can heat the water, vanilla, and raisins in the microwave for 2 minutes. Remember that you can definitely use your leftover water to hydrate your eggs!
Cream together:
1 C shortening
1 C brown sugar
1 C white sugar
2 eggs (2 T. dry egg powder + 1/4 C. Water)
1 tsp. vanilla
Stir into creamed mixture
1 ½ C whole wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
3 C. oats
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 C. raisins
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
