Just in time for holiday kitchen time, I’m sharing some simple hacks for a calm, cozy and relaxed home.
These hacks have helped me reduce waste, save time and have a less messy space in the kitchen.
Or at least a mess that can be contained. Ummm, maybe that’s more accurate. 😊
And although I am not an affiliate, I will also share links to the things that have helped me get here.
So, if you’re interested in seeing what I have going on behind the smoke and mirrors, grab a cup o’ something hot, turn on some Christmas carols and join me.
Bulk Prep Meals
When I bulk prep, my kitchen is a Disaster. With a capital “D.” I am in no way joking. But with Christmas activities creeping in here and there, it’s nice to have ready-to-go meals in the freezer.
So I bit the bullet and destroyed my kitchen for half a day.
This week I prepped breakfast bowls for hub (so he won’t eat Cheerios every day).
That means I bulk cooked sausage, eggs and hash browns. That makes a big mess.
Oh, yeah, and we purchased the gigantic brick of cheese from Costco so we had to grate all of that.
We use some cheese to top the bowls. Which I actually put into quart-size Ziploc so not technically “bowls.”
The same day, while I was wearing a snappy apron, I prepped four meals’ worth taco meat. During another Costco run, hub got the gigantic package of hamburger meat. And instead of separating it and freezing in the vacuum sealer, I took enough for four meals and just prepped it.
That went into quart-sized Ziplocs too.
Having that all done in one day meant just one clean up. And it was a big one.
Paper Towel for a Win
Paper towel has become such a friend to keep produce fresh. When I use my 100-year-old Tupperware veggie tray, I line the compartments with paper towel. Especially really moist veggies like cukes won’t get slimy when they’re on top of a paper towel.
To keep berries fresh after cleaning and prepping, line a Mason jar with a paper towel, fill with berries and refrigerate. They keep fresher much longer.
After I wash and spin my lettuce, it saves so much time to cut it up and line a big Ziploc with a paper towel. The lettuce lasts longer and we are more apt to use it when it’s already prepped.
Use Parchment Paper
Believe me when I tell you a box of parchment lasts approximately forever, so go ahead and use it generously.
Not only for my regular sourdough baking, but for individual meals in the microwave too.
When hub heats those breakfast bowls, the melted cheese is hard to get off the bowl. A simple spray with olive oil and a sheet of parchment makes clean up so much easier.
Spray Over the Dishwasher
When spraying a pan before cooking, the overspray goes everywhere and is hard to clean up without really hot water and super Dawn. Right?
But opening your dishwasher (empty or with dirty dishes, of course) and spraying your pan over the top rack keeps the oil contained where the dishwasher can do the clean-up for you.
This little oil sprayer is the best one I’ve found yet. It will spray or pour.
Buy & Freeze Bananas in Bulk
Costco’s bananas are so much cheaper than the regular grocery store that we bought a big bunch and ate what we wanted while they were perfectly ripe.
And then. Before they got too ripe. I peeled them, cut them up and froze them. They’ll be ready for a one-bowl banana bread recipe or to add to a smoothie.
I used to just throw the brown bananas in the freezer, peeling and all. But they were sort of hard to peel and very messy.
This way really reduces mess.
For the record, I got four sliced bananas in a quart-sized bag.
“Light” Candles for Ambiance
I found fantastic rechargeable flameless tealight candles that are so pretty and realistic.
And no batteries needed.
It’s funny to charge them because the cord looks a bit like an octopus and they can all charge at one.
They are realistic looking and have a timer option.
Flameless candles are a great option for entertaining when you don’t want to be bothered with lighting or extinguishing fire.
They are also nice if you plan to have littles in your house.
Wrap Up
I hope you found some of these ideas helpful. My kitchen does feel calm and cozy. Here is a pic in the morning with candles lit, flowers out and clean countertops.
BTW, my washable, inexpensive and SOFT runner is still working out great. After I wash it in the machine, I stick it out to dry and within an hour it’s ready to go back on the floor.
It would also be easy to just dry over the shower curtain rod if your weather isn’t cooperating right now.
Thank you for spending this last Saturday before Christmas with me. May God bless you and yours for a wonderful weekend.