1 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to when you don't know what 3 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: to make for dinner. Today is episode one hundred and fourteen, 4 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,440 Speaker 1: Build a Better Kitchen in twenty twenty five. I feel 5 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: like January often gets a bad rap, one that includes 6 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: you know, it lasts forever, it's dark and dreary, it's cold. 7 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 1: But if I'm being honest, I'm a weirdo that actually 8 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: really likes January. In fact, it's one of my favorite 9 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: months of the year, unapologetically, and I think it's because 10 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: I love fresh starts. I love cleaning up all of 11 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: the holiday decorations and messes. I love resetting the house. 12 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 1: I like goal setting, and I really like returning to routine. 13 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 1: That's what I really like. But I'm here with full 14 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: admission that this January has just felt a bit weird. 15 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: Kicking things off with norovirus for the whole family and 16 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: the worst now natural disaster in US history has been, 17 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: quite frankly, an awful way to start the year. And 18 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: it's crazy to think the month is not over yet. 19 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: It feels like we've lived two whole months in the 20 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: span of one month. At the very least, maybe we 21 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 1: can officially deem the start of twenty twenty five to 22 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 1: be February first. I don't know. Regardless, I'm not giving 23 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 1: up on January just yet, and I am committed to 24 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: finishing the month strong. One of the things I'm focusing 25 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:31,119 Speaker 1: on for my Recipe Club members this year is helping 26 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 1: them build better kitchens, and what I mean by that 27 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: is setting up a kitchen that makes it easier to 28 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: get dinner on the table more frequently. We often immediately 29 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:44,279 Speaker 1: think about recipes when we think about dinner, but having 30 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: the right tools and equipment in your kitchen arguably has 31 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: just as much impact on the ease of cooking than 32 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: having a library of great recipes at your fingertips. So 33 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 1: we're going to talk about some of my best suggestions 34 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: for setting yourself up for six access when it comes 35 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: to getting your kitchen in order. But first we're gonna 36 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: get into a few recipe ideas you could throw on 37 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: your meal plan for the week. First up on my 38 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: list is creamy couscous with feta. This has been such 39 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: a popular recipe and it is so so good. We 40 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 1: added a few months ago to Recipe Club. It starts 41 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: with a block of fetta in the center. You add 42 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 1: couscous and tomatoes and onion and it all bakes in 43 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: the oven. It could not be easier. It's got chicken 44 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 1: in there as well with some basil, and it is 45 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 1: just so cozy and comforting and delicious. It's like the 46 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: epitome of like a one pot casserole, comfort food at 47 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:44,360 Speaker 1: its finest dish. So that's on the list. I've also 48 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: got my roasted Mediterranean sweet potatoes on our meal plan 49 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: for the week. My every one of my family likes 50 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: roasted sweet potatoes, but I make this tomato parsley salad 51 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: that goes on top of the sweet potatoes, and it 52 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: is so fresh and so delicious. But because you're roasting 53 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 1: those sweet potatoes, you kind of get some of that 54 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: comfort food nests going on as well. It's really good. 55 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,799 Speaker 1: You make yogurt sauce to go with it, and I'm 56 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: excited to be making that also makes for great leftovers 57 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: for lunch. And finally we got a soup. We got 58 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 1: chicken and oorzo soup. I know for much of the 59 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: country it is very very cold right now, and so 60 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: a soup felt appropriate. My chicken and Orzo soup is 61 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: one of the oldest soups and Recipe Club, and it 62 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: is one of the most popular because it is so simple. 63 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: It is like a modern take on classic chicken noodle 64 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: and so delicious, especially if you are going to use 65 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 1: if you're a Trader rough shopper and you use their 66 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: meer POAs that's an awesome shortcut ingredient for this recipe. 67 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 1: That just makes it that much easier. So maybe I'll 68 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 1: make some bread to go with that, or do like 69 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: really good garlic bread and a crisp green salad. But 70 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: those are the three recipes that are definitely on my 71 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 1: meal plan for the week, and then I added to 72 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 1: my grocery or you can find imprint all of these 73 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: recipes in recipe Club individually or in our weekly meal 74 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 1: plan that's going to have an easy to follow shopping 75 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:10,839 Speaker 1: list where it's broken down by recipe. You guys all 76 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: know that recipae Club is a resource that allows you 77 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,720 Speaker 1: to access family tested, quick and simple recipes without being 78 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: bombarded with banner ads and long blog posts or drawn 79 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,919 Speaker 1: out stories. I found accessing recipes on the internet to 80 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 1: be super frustrating because of those things, so I very 81 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: intentionally created a space where I can make getting recipes easier. 82 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: For the month of January in twenty twenty five, we 83 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: are discounting our annual membership by twenty five percent, which 84 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,239 Speaker 1: makes Recipee Club just barely more than a dollar per 85 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:47,279 Speaker 1: week throughout the year. I literally pause because, like, wait, 86 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: is that right? It's a dollar forty per week. That's right. 87 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: It's an incredible, very small investment to make. And having 88 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,359 Speaker 1: someone who helps you decide what to make for dinner 89 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: every week, and not only that, but to have a 90 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: simple dinner system you can rely on. That kind of 91 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: backs you up. And when you fall off the wagon 92 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,960 Speaker 1: inevitably because you go on vacation or you get sick, 93 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: it's waiting there for you, always providing those suggestions. Well 94 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: worth that dollar forty if you ask me. All right, 95 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 1: let's jump into the back half of the podcast now 96 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: and discuss how to build a better kitchen in twenty 97 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: twenty five. I have a theory that the ease of 98 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 1: cooking weeknight dinner is far more impacted by the things 99 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 1: contained behind your kitchen cabinets and in your kitchen drawers 100 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 1: than what it looks like on the outside, meaning you 101 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:46,359 Speaker 1: could have a beautiful, fully renovated, state of the art kitchen, 102 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: and unless you have that kitchen stocked with the right tools, 103 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:55,280 Speaker 1: that beautiful kitchen does nothing for you when it comes 104 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: to making dinner easier. Not only that, but the importance 105 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: of having those things in a designated space where they 106 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: live in order. So years ago, I want to talk 107 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 1: to you about this. When I was in culinary school, 108 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,160 Speaker 1: one of the first things I learned was this concept 109 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: called mees on plos, which is a French phrase meaning 110 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:20,039 Speaker 1: everything in its place. It's a foundational concept that means 111 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 1: having all of the ingredients prepped before you start cooking. 112 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,679 Speaker 1: The onions are dies, the spices are measured, the liquids 113 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 1: are measured. It could even include gathering the equipment you'll 114 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: need to prepare the recipe. All of this upfront preparation 115 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: actually ends up saving time in the long run. With 116 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 1: the ingredients peeled, chopped and portioned, and the required pots 117 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: and pans laid out, you are more organized and efficient 118 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: and far less likely to accidentally add salt twice or 119 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 1: scramble to find in a forgotten ingredient, which means you 120 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: have more success with your recipes. I think this same 121 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: concept applies to the kitchen you cook in. And while 122 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: I love a beautiful, state of the art kitchen because 123 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 1: it's beautiful on the exterior, it just has nothing to 124 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 1: do with whether or not it assists in easy weeknight cooking. 125 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 1: So that's why for the entirety of twenty twenty five, 126 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: I am going to open every single cupboard, cabinet and 127 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 1: drawer in my kitchen and show you the products and 128 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 1: tools that I swear by. In addition to that, I'll 129 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: show you how I organize each space to maintain some 130 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 1: of that order I'm talking about in the kitchen organizational 131 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: systems that stick and work. Because you could have that 132 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 1: really awesome rice cooker that makes the Indian butter chicken 133 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 1: and the pineapple and pork storefrice super easy to pull 134 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: together on a Tuesday, But if you don't know where 135 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: that is in your kitchen and you don't think to 136 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: turn to it, that tool does nothing for you. So 137 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 1: it's important to know what you have in your kitchen 138 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 1: to have it stored somewhere that's easily accessible. And if 139 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 1: you've got old stuff that's not serving you, well, just 140 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 1: get rid of it. You're going to donate it, You're 141 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: going to toss it and you're going to get stuff 142 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: in your kitchen that really works for you. It can 143 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 1: be completely overwhelming to tackle your entire kitchen at once, 144 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: and if you're updating some things like your kitchen knives 145 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: or your cook where, that can get expensive as well. 146 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 1: So that's why I wanted to spread it out across 147 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,679 Speaker 1: the whole year. I've got a whole calendar. You should 148 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 1: see my notes on this, where it's like, how can 149 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: I spread this out so that we can talk about 150 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 1: a few things each month that are easy to update, 151 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: And we're not going to talk about all the expensive 152 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 1: stuff in January or all the expensive stuff in June, 153 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: but we're going to spread it out and things like 154 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: obviously it makes more sense to talk about baking items 155 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: in the fall when we're just getting ready to do 156 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: all of that holiday baking and grilling in the summer. 157 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: And I just I've had so much fun going through 158 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: my kitchen and being like, Okay, this is what people 159 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:51,079 Speaker 1: really need to know about. Oh and by the way, 160 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: if you've got this, you don't need this anymore. Or 161 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: if you've got a drawer full of kitchen tools made 162 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: of that black plastic that is from bed, Bath, and 163 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: beyond in two thousand and three, it is time to 164 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 1: toss those Not only are they not good for you 165 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: when it comes to cooking, but it's not fun to 166 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: cook with those things. They're not tools that are gonna 167 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: last forever. They're gonna melt on the side of your 168 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: pots and pants. We got to toss some of those things. 169 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 1: So this is gonna be how it's gonna work, so 170 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 1: I can support you in getting your own kitchen set 171 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: up to facilitate easier weeknight cooking. Each week, you'll see 172 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: a real from me in Instagram giving you an in 173 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 1: depth tour of one of my cupboards or drawers in 174 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: my kitchen, in addition to an email that's going to 175 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:36,959 Speaker 1: be sent out with a bit more context for why 176 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,360 Speaker 1: I chose those kitchen staples. In recipe Club, you'll find 177 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 1: every last link to the knives, cookware plates, wooden spoons, 178 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 1: so that you have an easy reference. And if there's 179 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: parts of your kitchen that you're wanting to update slowly, 180 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: like I'm suggesting, you could click on my cup cabinet 181 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:54,960 Speaker 1: post and see all of the cups that I have 182 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: in my kitchen literally a picture of what it looks 183 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: like today, every single cus my own and what I 184 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:04,320 Speaker 1: got rid of. If that sounds like something that you 185 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: think would make your life easier, make sure you're following 186 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 1: along on Instagram and that you're subscribed to my email list, 187 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: which you can do at Kelsey Nixon dot com, so 188 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 1: that you get those weekly updates that focus on different 189 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,680 Speaker 1: cabinets and drawers that pertain to a particular subject in 190 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 1: the kitchen. So far, I've already shared my knife cutting 191 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: board drawer, my tupperware drawer, and my everyday cooking cabinet. 192 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 1: Like I mentioned earlier, this isn't a weekend project, as 193 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 1: I think it's somewhat unrealistic to revamp your entire kitchen 194 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: all at once. But I think taking one cabinet or 195 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 1: drawer of your kitchen to focus on each month or 196 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 1: every couple of weeks this year could do wonders for 197 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 1: making dinner prep a little easier each night. And not 198 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: only easier, it's gonna be more fun, you guys. Hear 199 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:54,560 Speaker 1: me use this analogy all the time, But something that 200 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,560 Speaker 1: is not naturally fun for me is working out. You 201 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: know when it's a little bit more fun. When I've 202 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: you've got a brand spanking pair of like new athletic 203 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: shoes and new shorts and a new tank top that 204 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: makes me feel like I am ready to take on 205 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 1: the world. It's similar in the kitchen. If you are 206 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 1: trying to cook with a dull knife that you receive 207 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: for your wedding twenty years ago, and you're convinced you 208 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 1: hate cooking, and you are trying to cut an onion 209 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 1: on a cutting board that has melted in your dishwasher 210 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: that came from Ikia, that is actually not even a 211 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:30,839 Speaker 1: cutting board and merely just a piece of plastic that's 212 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: not fun, that is not fun. And so what you 213 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,680 Speaker 1: need is you need a good sharp knife that's gonna 214 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: last you indefinitely. You need a good big cutting board 215 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:43,840 Speaker 1: so that it doesn't slip around so you don't feel 216 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 1: like you're gonna lose a finger chop in that onion. 217 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: It's little things like that that are well worth the investment, 218 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 1: because you guys all know dinner is not going anywhere, 219 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,560 Speaker 1: and you are gonna cook dinner for the rest of 220 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 1: your life. So if you are going to be making 221 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 1: and if you're raising kids, you're not just cooking dinner 222 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: for you. So you're cooking dinner for a whole house 223 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: of people, or at least you're contributing in some way, 224 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 1: so you might as well equip yourself with the tools 225 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: that are going to make that feel not only easier, 226 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 1: but more enjoyable. I'm really excited about this. I really 227 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: believe in this concept of mesonplas for your kitchen and 228 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: not just for approaching a recipe. Let's get our kitchens 229 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,319 Speaker 1: in order this year. I think it's a great goal 230 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 1: if there's any area of your life to set a 231 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: goal for or to make an investment in feeding yourself 232 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 1: and your family. Is a really good one because it's 233 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 1: something that happens every single day and at minimum for 234 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: eighteen years if you're raising kids. So let's get good 235 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: systems in place. Let's get good tools in place to 236 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: make this feel more manageable. All right, Finally, let's finish 237 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: with the weekly gimme five. These are five things that 238 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 1: have made my life easier or more enjoyable this week. 239 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:55,599 Speaker 1: And I'm starting with one that is an oldie, but 240 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,960 Speaker 1: a goodie. I just refilled these guys, and I thought 241 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,959 Speaker 1: to myself, I think I've had these for five years 242 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: now and they still look exactly like they did five 243 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: years ago. I use them every single day and they're 244 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: in great shape. And that's my olive oil Di Spencers. 245 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 1: So I got this set off of Amazon. It's not 246 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: super fancy, but the two oils that I use most 247 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:20,560 Speaker 1: often in my cooking are olive oil and avocado oil. 248 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 1: I use olive oil for most traditional cooking and avocado 249 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 1: oil whenever I want a neutral oil or I'm doing 250 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 1: high heat temperatures, so like if I'm doing a stir 251 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: fry or I'm frying something like a shallow fry. Avocado 252 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 1: oil is a great choice because it has a higher 253 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 1: smoke point and it doesn't have really strong flavor. So 254 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: obviously olive oil kind of has the taste of olive oil. 255 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 1: So there are gonna be times, like Asian cooking, I 256 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,680 Speaker 1: usually am not using olive oil, I'm using avocado oil. 257 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: So I have these two dispensers. They have really nice, 258 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: modern looking labels. One says olive oil, one says avocado oil, 259 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: and they're great. I refill them because every month or 260 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,199 Speaker 1: so I have to do so with the amount of 261 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 1: cooking that I do, and this set it comes with 262 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 1: a tray if you want a tray to set the 263 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 1: two dispensers on. I had a tray already as this 264 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:18,679 Speaker 1: gold tray I've had for years, but you can kind 265 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: of set up a little system. It's similar to the 266 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 1: everyday cooking cabinet reel I shared earlier this week, if 267 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: you want to get a good visual on these. But 268 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: they are great, and not only are they great for 269 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: you to purchase for your own kitchen, but they're an 270 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: awesome housewarming gift. They're a great thing to take to 271 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: like a favorite things situation. They're just a good it's 272 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 1: a good staple in my kitchen. Okay, next, supercubes. We 273 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: are still in the thick of soup season. There's one 274 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 1: on my meal plan for the week, and whenever I 275 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: make soup, I am so glad that I have supercubes 276 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: for storing leftovers. What a supercube is is it is 277 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: a silicone based little container where you can evenly poorsch 278 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: soup so that let's say I made a tomato basil 279 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: soup and I knew that I wanted it for lunch tomorrow, 280 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: but there was more than a lunch portion, and so 281 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: I can easily freeze one portion of that soup. It's 282 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 1: also great if you have like extra broth or you've 283 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 1: made chicken stock or even extra rice. I've used it before. 284 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: It just really good for single serving storage. And this 285 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: is a small family business that brought this idea to life. 286 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: I think they were on Shark Tank and they really 287 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: have like a cult like following with this product because 288 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:37,720 Speaker 1: it is that good. But I also saw that the 289 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 1: founders recently lost their house in the LA wildfires. So 290 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: if this sounds like a product that would solve a 291 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: problem for you, now would be a great time to 292 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 1: support them as they are scrambling a little bit as 293 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 1: they've had this massive life disruption. So super cubes check 294 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 1: them out. Okay, Next on my list are pit Pop earrings. 295 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: So you guys know, I'm a fan of systems and 296 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: and I have systems for myself, but I also have 297 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 1: systems for my kids, and sometimes they adhere to those 298 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: systems and most times they do not. But Nora, my 299 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 1: eight year old, is recently had her ears pierced and 300 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: she loves changing her earrings, but we are constantly losing earrings, 301 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 1: and not only that, she has really sensitive ears. So 302 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:24,160 Speaker 1: I need to buy her earrings that suit that sensitivity 303 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: and pit Pop is this awesome small business where they 304 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: make these really cute earrings for young girls, and they 305 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 1: have a screw back and so they're really comfortable for 306 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: them to wear. They are intended for sensitive ears, and 307 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 1: they have the cutest little jewelry box that is specifically 308 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,760 Speaker 1: made to store all their earrings. So I'm going to 309 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 1: give it to Nora as kind of a I mean, 310 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: typically I don't do gifts for Valentine's Day, but I'm 311 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: going to kind of do it that because this girl 312 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: needs a system. Exuce, if I step on one more 313 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 1: rogue earring, I'm going to lose my mind. So pit 314 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 1: Pop not only they're cute, they're great for sensitive ears, 315 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 1: and they have great storage solution. So that's on my list. 316 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 1: Vegan Leather place Mats, this is also on my list. 317 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 1: We have the round ones, and we're really trying to 318 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: lean into people having jobs around here this year, trying 319 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: to create a little family economy where everybody has jobs, 320 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,919 Speaker 1: even our four year old Penny. One of her jobs 321 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 1: is to lay out the family place mats every night 322 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 1: for dinner, and so she's starting to do it for 323 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 1: breakfast too, where it's just a way because we eat 324 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: most of our meals at our family island in our kitchen, 325 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: and so it doesn't necessarily feel like a table, like 326 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,880 Speaker 1: a dinner table. So by placing the place mat there 327 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 1: for everybody, it feels like, okay, now we're ready to eat. 328 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 1: They wipe off so easily, they look nice, and it 329 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 1: kind of just changes the landscape for now we're going 330 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 1: to have a meal together. So that's on my list 331 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: as well. I love that it gives Penny a job. 332 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 1: And then finally number five is I have got some 333 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: warm weather vacations ahead. I'm going on one this week. 334 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:00,199 Speaker 1: You guys know, I turned forty this past year, and 335 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: as a result, I have a couple of groups of 336 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:05,120 Speaker 1: friends who are doing trips to celebrate forty. So I'm 337 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: going on two twenty with two different groups of friends, 338 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:11,880 Speaker 1: two fortieth birthday trips. And then my husband, who's also 339 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: turning forty, he has a group of friends that's going 340 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 1: and taking spouses. So I will go on three warm 341 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: weather vacations here in the next three months, all to 342 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 1: celebrate the fact that I'm forty. I guess, I mean, 343 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:26,919 Speaker 1: what a celebration. But all of that to say that 344 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: I invested in some vacation where. And it was easy 345 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: for me to make this investment because I also live 346 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 1: near the beach and so these are things that will 347 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: get a lot of use. But the honest truth is 348 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: I had not really evaluated that part of my wardrobe 349 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: in a really long time, and I finally did it. 350 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:47,520 Speaker 1: I got a swim swart or two for Christmas, and 351 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: I've just been adding and I have a really good 352 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 1: kind of what are we going to call it a 353 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,119 Speaker 1: vacation capsule wardrobe. Then I'm really excited to use for 354 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,640 Speaker 1: these next couple of vacations and then throw the summer 355 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 1: as we spend so much time at the beach. So 356 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:07,400 Speaker 1: I'm an included link both on Instagram stories and in 357 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: my newsletter this week where you can take a peek 358 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:13,440 Speaker 1: at all of my warm weather vacation favorites. All right, 359 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 1: that's it for today. Make sure you're subscribed to the 360 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: podcast so that you never miss an episode. This podcast 361 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 1: is always meant to be just a quick twenty to 362 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:22,440 Speaker 1: thirty minute listen while you map out your own meals 363 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:24,880 Speaker 1: for the week. Listening to a podcast while our meal 364 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,119 Speaker 1: plan has always been part of my simple dinner system, 365 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 1: and so I try to put out something that's a 366 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 1: really good fit for that each week, So thanks for 367 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:34,680 Speaker 1: listening you guys. I'm so glad you're here. Until next time, 368 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 1: happy cooking. I'm Kelsey. I'll look forward to chatting with 369 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: you next week after my vacation.