If you often have problems with clutter in your kitchen, some of the tips you will read here could change your life and help you if you are struggling with excess weight.
Back in 2011, Japanese Marie Kondo published her first book, The Magic of Cleaning Up That Will Change Your Life. The book has sold as many as three million copies, and Marie has conquered the world with her effective methods of organizing and tidying up.
You are probably tired of preparing meals in a crowded kitchen. Even just looking at the kitchen awakens unenthusiastic emotions in you. You also noticed that lately, you mostly use the microwave, because you don’t have the strength for all those culinary magic anymore. Should we even mention the mess that remains after the food is finally ready? You spend hours scrubbing the stove, sink, dishes, and dancing through the kitchen with a cloth in your hand. If you find yourself in the previous sentences, Marie Kondo has come up with a way to make your life easier. Her popular KonMari method will make your kitchen shine again. Keep on reading to find out how to get to eating, not just cooking and cleaning in the kitchen!
According to her name, the method of cleaning is called KonMari, and it talks about how a clean home also means a clean mind, that is, that the physical space in which we live greatly affects us and our mood. This method has helped many to put their lives in order, and the advice of this famous Japanese woman is always in high demand. Marie also has her show on Netflix, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, in which she helps American families reorganize their living places.
The method of this world-famous Japanese woman, suggests you free the kitchen from all dishes, pans, and pots that do not make you feel satisfied. After you do that, it’s time to change certain habits, so that your kitchen is always in great condition, and you will no longer be the prince/ss of the broom and sponge.
The essence of the KonMari method is to clear your own space and throw away everything that does not bring us joy. Her ideology is applicable in all rooms of the home, including the kitchen. If you often have problems with clutter and chaos in your kitchen, some of these Marie tips could change your life and help you if you are struggling with excess weight.
Once you throw or give away everything you do not use, and arrange the rest perfectly, it will be hard for you to disrupt the order in which you have invested a lot of effort and time. But it is possible.
If your groceries are well sorted, always check the expiration date. Also, try to return everything to the place you took it from. It is very easy to accumulate a bunch of unnecessary things. The entire KonMari is about whether the items radiate joy.
Marie Kondo says we only need to clean up once in a lifetime. What does this mean?
No way, you say?Keep going. Many times, tidying up is just about moving things from one end to the other, or from one room to another, or even storing them in boxes and then piling them up. We haven’t put anything away with this, but we are just postponing the decisions so that things can start to take over. It will never be clean that way. But if you clean your home thoroughly and get rid of everything unnecessary, there is no longer a reason for cleaning operations.
Arranging the kitchen according to the Marie Kondo method is in fourth place, which means that we start the kitchen after we have already arranged our clothes, books, and documents. But that is another story. Let’s stick to the kitchen here.
Once you tidy home thoroughly, it will be easy to maintain order. It is all about how to bring simplicity to our everyday lives. When your home organization is done, you will save a lot of time and money in the future and focus on the important things.
Think about what makes you happy
Instead of buying a pile of unnecessary groceries, make a list of the necessities you need for home before you go shopping. Buy only what you need and do not store like Armageddon is about to happen. When it comes to groceries, avoid junk and processed foods, and try to buy as many seasonal fruits and vegetables as possible.
Always keep work surfaces tidy and clean
When we enter the kitchen, the first thing we notice are the things we keep on the work surfaces of the kitchen cabinets. For that very reason, don’t let clutter build up in those areas. Have only the things you need on your work surfaces every day, and put everything else in the cupboards. It is very important to keep work surfaces clean and be sure to wipe them after each meal preparation. The cleaner your kitchen is, the better you will feel in it and have a greater desire to prepare healthier meals.
Reorganization
One of the most critical areas in the kitchen for many is the refrigerator. It is very important to keep your refrigerator organized and clean, which means that you have to check every day if certain foods have expired, if they are spoiled, etc. I believe you regularly throw away expired foods, but some old cornflakes, jams, spices, and even sweets may get lost in the kitchen and pantry. Take out all the groceries, place them on the table, and carefully inspect whether they are usable and whether you need them. If you want to get rid of extra pounds, fill your refrigerator with only healthy foods and throw out everything bad for you and your health. You can do it!
At least 30% of your refrigerator should be empty
It must have happened to you that you do not know where to store the leftovers from lunch or groceries that you bought because your refrigerator is full. If you always leave a couple of shelves empty in it, this situation will never happen again. Ok, this is a challenge!
Give each item in the tidy kitchen a separate place (away from the sink and stove)
Although it is easiest to place spices, oil, and tools that you constantly use in a visible place, it is a recipe for disaster. Keeping the oil close to the heat source can drastically reduce its shelf life. So, put everything away from the sink or oven.
Tidy up the kitchen cabinets
In kitchen cabinets, there are often things and groceries that we do not need or that are no longer good. Things we bought so long ago, they stopped producing them. If you want to be more organized, your shelves in the closets should look neat and clean. Instead of keeping food in bags, move them into jars, and so everything will be much better arranged and more convenient to use.
Place sponge and detergent under the sink
It is a very effective trick. After use, clean the sponge and put it under the sink together with the cleaning detergent and gloves. You will make your tidy kitchen look much neater.
Place the rubbish bin under the sink
If you have room you can also place the bin under the sink, that way it will always be near you as you do your daily tasks in the kitchen, but it will not disturb the appearance of the kitchen. Also, try to throw out the garbage more often, so that your kitchen never gets unpleasant smells. You can also convert one of your lower cabinets to a hide away trash and recycle bin area to keep your kitchen free of unsightly trash cans laying in clear view to your guests.
Use boxes and containers of different sizes
You can easily sort almost all groceries and utensils into boxes. Everything will have its place, and you will not waste time searching around. Marie advises you to think about the items you own. Decide whether you will use them, or you are simply cannot throw away something you have bought.
Place groceries and supplies vertically
Also, it is recommended that you place everything in the boxes vertically so that you are aware of the number of things you own at all times. It is very easy to forget about a packet of baking powder at the bottom of some box and buy a new package that you will eventually have to throw away. It is an example, but the situation is the same with many more expensive things on which you spend money unnecessarily. Save your money and space!
Establish a routine
For your life to be tidy and organized, it is very important to have an established routine. It also applies to the kitchen and its maintenance, so try to clean and tidy the room daily, preferably immediately after cooking and preparing meals. Do not pile up dirty dishes and other unnecessary things and groceries. Routine is also very important when it comes to meals, especially if you want to lose weight. Try not to skip breakfast. Eat at the same time every day and avoid processed foods.
References
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jesseszewczyk/marie-kondo-kitchen-organization-tips
https://www.eater.com/2019/1/25/18196179/marie-kondo-kitchen-drawers-tips-organization
https://www.bonappetit.com/story/marie-kondo-kitchen