The best way to keep your spaces clean, tidy, and organized is by reducing your stuff. Sure. We all know that by now, right? But sometimes, we just need stuff. And sometimes, just one won’t do. Like in the kitchen when we’re cooking, baking, and storing food. Pots, pans, storage containers, spoons—that’s a lot of stuff. So how do we decide what to keep and what to let go of? What’s worth storing?
While I’m no gourmet chef, and I often fail at every new baking endeavor I take on, I do cook dinner or breakfast or some sort of meal almost every single day. I use my oven almost every day. And yes, I do have plenty of cabinet space—although I have lots of empty cabinets—but I’ve found a way to keep what I need and let go of what gets in the way by adhering to a tried and true philosophy.
Use quality items.
When you use items that are made of strong, durable, safe materials, they’ll last longer and keep you healthier. Having fewer, but quality items reduces your clutter, and allows you to keep your kitchen tidy and organized. It also saves you money in the long run, and will be better for your health.
Time for a switcheroo!
Plastic Storage Containers
Although I love Tupperware, and while they are certainly functional and long lasting, glass is a safer bet for me. Tupperware is BPA free, but in my opinion, plastic is still plastic. And it’s everywhere. Hopefully, things will change and we won’t be using plastic in every single instance in our lives, but until then, I’m trying to reduce my use as much as possible.
I am, however, saving my plastic storage containers for:
– storing non-food items
– individually wrapped items (like tin foil wrapped chocolates)
– for kids to play with when they come over (toddlers love playing with Tupperware!)
I’m replacing my plastic storage containers with glass. Yes, glass is more fragile, but glass is a safe bet when it comes to storing food. No leaching. And, it lasts! Just don’t rinse super hot glass with freezing cold water, or you’ll have a dangerous mess on your hands.
– I switched out my plastic to 9 glass storage containers of various sizes (with lids).
Aluminum/ Non-Stick Pots & Pans
What was my 26-year-old self-thinking when I put non-stick pots and pans on my wedding registry? Might have been a worse decision than accidentally getting a mullet (long story).
Rumor has it nonstick is bad for you. Nonstick coating can flake off, leach into food, and then, BAM—yuck! Even more chemicals inside our bodies that can possibly lead to cancer (or so they say). Either way, I’m not chancing it anymore. After reading countless posts about the best cookware, I found this stainless steel brand to be the most affordable and safest. And yes, there is still aluminum in the core of these pots and pans, but it will never make its way to your food.
So, cleanup isn’t as easy as nonstick… small price to pay for your peace of mind.
– I own one 1.5 qt saucepan, one 3 qt saucepan, one 8 qt stockpot, one 4 qt/11 in. sauté pan, and a steamer insert
– I own 3 cast iron frying pans of various sizes and 1 stainless steel frying pan
Plastic Cutting Boards
Similar to storage containers, plastic cutting boards aren’t optimal for health. Every times your sharp knife cuts into that board allows more bacteria to weasel their way into those minuscule crevices, which, ya know, isn’t very nice of them. Plus, it’s plastic! Need I say more?
I’ve switched out any plastic cutting boards to wooden cutting boards. Of course, don’t put wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher. Wash by hand and let air-dry. Much safer than plastic, and, if I do say so myself, they are much better looking.
Marble or quartz or any other type of stone cutting boards work well, too. Wooden cutting boards are easier to wrangle, and cheaper, which is why they’re my number one choice. However, stone cutting boards will last longer because, unless you’re The Hulk, you’re not able to cut into stone with a mere utility knife.
– I own two wooden cutting boards and one stone cutting board, and that is more than enough.
Awesomely beautiful cutting board from the Container Store:
Plastic Water Bottles
I try not to ever purchase plastic bottles of water. To me, that is a mortal sin. (I know, sometimes, you just have to.) I carry a stainless steel water bottle with me everywhere I go.
In fact, it was only this summer I bought a new one. Almost ten years ago, my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) bought me a 20 oz stainless steel water bottle that was this beautiful gold, orange, and red color, matching my style and personality perfectly (obnoxious!). I carried that thing with me to many different countries, all over the city, through college and work. Everywhere I went, that water bottle came with me, and I never lost it. I am quite proud of that feat!
Sadly, this summer I realized there was mold growing on the bottom of the bottle, and I finally recycled it. I also recycled some plastic sport water bottles we’d received for free from various events. And, I finally invested in two stainless steel water bottles—a black one for my husband and a coral one for me (my favorite color!)—which are much better quality and easier to carry around.
We make sure we clean them out every day and let them dry so no mold forms. Drinking water from stainless steel water bottles tastes much better than plastic and is better for us and the Earth.
– We only own 2 bottles, and have recycled the rest.
Having quality items means you’re more inclined to take better care of them. When you’re spending a pretty penny on an items, it seems logical that you’d want to maintain it so it’d last as long as possible. Taking the time to sift through your items, discard, recycle or donate what doesn’t work anymore, and purchase better quality items will aid you in keeping your spaces clean, tidy, and organized, and help you save money in the long run.
Brigit
