3 Tips To Spring Clean Your Cooking Routine
Spring is finally here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to refresh and renew many aspects of our lives, including our cooking routines. After a long winter, it's time to shake off the dust and revamp our kitchens with some spring cleaning. By taking some time to re-evaluate your cooking habits and ingredients, you can start fresh and make your cooking routine more efficient, healthy, and enjoyable. In this blog post, we'll explore some simple steps you can take to spring clean your cooking routine and prepare nutritious meals with ease.
Tip 1: Take inventory of your pantry
It might sound scary, but now’s the time to venture into the depths of the pantry to see exactly what you have, then strategize how to use it (or if needed, toss it!).
Here are some steps you can follow to take inventory of your pantry:
Empty your pantry: Start by taking everything out of your pantry and placing it on a clean surface like a table or counter.
Sort your items: Sort your pantry items into categories such as canned goods, spices, baking ingredients, snacks, etc.
Check expiration dates: Check the expiration dates on each item and discard anything that is expired or close to expiring.
Take note of what you have: Make a list of all the items you have in each category, including the quantity of each item.
Organize your pantry: Before you put everything back in the pantry, take the opportunity to organize it. Group similar items together and make sure everything is easily visible and accessible.
Update your inventory list: Once you've put everything back in the pantry, update your inventory list with the new quantities and any new items you may have added.
Maintain your inventory: Make sure to update your inventory list regularly, so you always know what you have on hand and what you need to restock.
Save money as you work through shelf-stable items before purchasing duplicates, and remember to re-stock those healthy staples that make fast weeknight meals. Some of my favorite staples include canned tomatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth (low- or no-sodium) and nutrient-rich whole grains like quinoa.
Tip 2: Embrace seasonal produce
One simple way to get out of a cooking rut is to switch up your go-to fruits and vegetables based on the season.
Eating in season means consuming foods that are naturally grown and harvested at the same time of year in your local area. By doing so, you can enjoy produce when it is at its freshest, most flavorful, and most nutritious. Eating in season also helps to support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing the distance your food has to travel to reach you.
Keep in mind that what’s “in season” is based on your local area. Discover what’s growing near you using this simple search tool by seasonalfoodguide.org! You can search by state, month, or produce.
Not sure what to do with seasonal foods once you locate them or bring them home? Check out the Real Food Encyclopedia at FoodPrint.org to “learn how sustainable (or unsustainable!) each food is, what to look for when shopping for it and even tips on how to cook it”!
Tip 3: Find a meal plan method that works
Meal planning is key to staying on track with healthy living goals so if your current setup isn’t working, it might be time to switch gears.
Here are some benefits of meal planning:
Saves time: Meal planning can help save time by reducing the amount of time spent on grocery shopping and cooking throughout the week. When you plan your meals in advance, you can make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand and reduce the need for last-minute trips to the store.
Saves money: Meal planning can also help save money by allowing you to buy ingredients in bulk and take advantage of sales and discounts. It can also reduce the temptation to eat out or order in, which can be expensive.
Promotes healthier eating: Meal planning can help you make healthier food choices by allowing you to plan balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It can also help you avoid unhealthy snacks and fast food options.
Reduces food waste: Meal planning can help reduce food waste by allowing you to use up ingredients before they spoil. You can also plan to use leftovers in future meals.
Reduces stress: Meal planning can help reduce the stress of deciding what to cook each day. By planning ahead, you can eliminate the need to make last-minute decisions and reduce the stress of meal preparation.
Make it a goal to find an approach that feels doable -- and more importantly, sustainable -- in the long term. If this is something you struggle with, you might consider outsourcing. Try my monthly meal planning subscription to save time, so you can focus on improving your culinary skills and enjoying home-cooked meals over endless recipe searching.
Here’s a sneak peek into how it works:
Final Thoughts
Dedicating time to freshen up your cooking routine can produce results that last. A simple, well-planned menu and well-stocked pantry will reduce your stress in the kitchen and limit the need for takeout. Set yourself up for success - which step will you tackle first?
Have questions about spring cleaning your cooking routine, or my meal planning subscription? Send me a message. I’d love to hear from you!
