1 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,959 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to and you don't know what 3 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: to make for dinner Today is episode one hundred and 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 1: twenty one, Spring Cleaning in the Kitchen. We had the 5 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 1: most exciting weekend celebrating my husband Robbie's fortieth birthday. We 6 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:24,360 Speaker 1: kick things off with a big surprise from all of 7 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: his siblings who flew into town. Now he's the youngest 8 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: of seven, so there's a whole crew of them, and 9 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: they're kind of scattered. They live in four different states 10 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: and as a result, they really don't see each other 11 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: super often. But a few years ago they started this 12 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: tradition to surprise one another on their fiftieth birthdays. Now, 13 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: Robbie didn't turn fifty, and because he's quite a bit younger, 14 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: they thought they'd really get him good when it came 15 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:50,559 Speaker 1: to the surprise if they surprised him a decade earlier. 16 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: So they surprised him on his fortieth instead, and he 17 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: was shocked. One of my favorite qualities about Robbie is 18 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: that he's incredibly sentimental, and I not by default, and 19 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 1: so I like having this in our marriage and for 20 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: our children. But when you're sentimental, this is like the 21 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: perfect way to celebrate on such a big birthday. My 22 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:15,040 Speaker 1: kids also love spending time with their aunts and uncles 23 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: that they rarely see, and it was really just so fun. 24 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 1: So while that was on Friday and Saturday, Sunday we 25 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: drove to Palm Springs to beat my sister and her 26 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: family who happened to be on vacation for their spring break, 27 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: and we joined them at their resort and we had 28 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,040 Speaker 1: a fun day of swimming and capped it off with tepin' 29 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: yaki dinner for Robbie's birthday Eve. And the best part was, 30 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: hands down watching our kids take in the show. They'd 31 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 1: clap after every trick and are still talking about it. It 32 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 1: was very cute. And then finally Monday was the big 33 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: day and my official gift to Robbie was a milestone 34 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: portrait session. So I came across this photographer who does 35 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: these on film for big life events you know, you 36 00:01:56,160 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: beat cancer, retired, whatever, forty, and once again I attempted 37 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: to tap into the sentimentality that I know my husband loves, 38 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: and I booked the session since I also turned forty 39 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: this year. I also had my portrait taken, and then 40 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 1: we had a few taken together and it was really fun. 41 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: But after all of that, we are a little birthdayed 42 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 1: out and excited to get back into a bit more 43 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: of a routine, and part of that routine includes some 44 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 1: planned spring cleaning this upcoming weekend. We're going to target 45 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: a few areas over the next couple of weekends to 46 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 1: kind of get us set up for crazy May and summer. 47 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,079 Speaker 1: And this weekend is the kitchen. Then we'll do the 48 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 1: garage and the kids' bedrooms and so on. So I'm 49 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 1: excited to chat with you today a bit about how 50 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: I like to approach spring cleaning in the kitchen. But 51 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 1: before we get into that, let's share a few recipes 52 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: that you could throw on your meal plan for the 53 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: week if you are stuck trying to decide what to make. 54 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: First on my list are salmon and rice bowls. My 55 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 1: kids are in a big at Amai phase right now, 56 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: which was also served at the tepping dinner. But they 57 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: love at amammte and I love it because it's got 58 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: a lot of protein, it's green, and I just like 59 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 1: that it kind of varies up a few of our 60 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: standard vegetables that my kids will usually tolerate, but they 61 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 1: love it. So Penny and Nora also call salmon pink chicken. 62 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 1: For whatever reason, they are embracing pink chicken and we're 63 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: going with it. And they love rice, so this recipe 64 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 1: is literally for them. It's very simple, it comes together 65 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 1: embarrassingly fast. It's so so quick and easy, and it's 66 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: nice to mix up the regular rotation of chicken breasts 67 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: and grand beef and stuff like that. So salmon and 68 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: rice bowls are happening. Meatballs and orzoto, this is my 69 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: favorite spring meatball to make. You make it in a 70 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: big old skillet. It's got some lemon, it's got some dill, 71 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 1: some really bright flavors, and then the orzoto is like 72 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: a cheater risotto, but it's this creamy, delicious side that 73 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: goes with those meatballs, and it feels just kind of 74 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: like an updated, lighter take on spaghetti and meatballs. I 75 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: love it. We haven't made it cheese in at least 76 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 1: six months, so I'm excited to make this again because I, 77 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: for one, particularly love this. And then on Friday we 78 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 1: always do pizza night, but I am bringing back our 79 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: sheep pan pizza chicken to throw it in there to 80 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 1: mix things up from takeout or going to get pizza, 81 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: because there was a time when we went hard on 82 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 1: sheep pan pizza chicken. What it is is you take 83 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 1: like a chicken cutlet, which is a thinly sliced chicken breast, 84 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: and you treat it almost like you out a piece 85 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: of pizza, and you do it on a sheet pan, 86 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 1: and you do delicious marinaio sauce like rayos, you do cheese, 87 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,159 Speaker 1: and you do all of your favorite pizza toppings, pepper 88 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: and chini, peppers, sliced olives, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and 89 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: you bake it off and it is so good. You 90 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 1: serve it alongside a caesar salad, throw some good croutons 91 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 1: in there, and it's a really nice way to play 92 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 1: with that flavor profile of pizza in a different vehicle. 93 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: And hey, there's a lot healthier so she pan pizza 94 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 1: chicken that's also coming back. There are your recipe ideas 95 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,359 Speaker 1: for the week. You can find imprint them on recipe 96 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:11,159 Speaker 1: Club individually or in our weekly meal plan, where we 97 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: have an easy to follow a shopping list that's broken 98 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: down by recipe. Recipe Club is a resource that allows 99 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: you to access family tested, quick and simple recipes on 100 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 1: the Internet without being bombarded with banner ads, long blog posts, 101 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: or drawn out stories. That was my biggest complaint when 102 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: it came to accessing recipes as an overwhelmed mom trying 103 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 1: to cook for my family was I thought accessing recipes 104 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: was really annoying. So I have intentionally created a space 105 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: where I try and make that easier. Our wildly popular 106 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: recipe binders are finally back in stock. Although we have 107 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 1: gone through we're going through them faster than expected, which 108 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 1: means if you are interested in getting a system in 109 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,559 Speaker 1: place before the crazy late spring happens, and you want 110 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 1: a system in place before summer kicks off, grab our bundle, 111 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: which is a recipe binder plus an annual membership to 112 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: recipee Club. You save twenty bucks and it's a great 113 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: way to kind of reset, especially if you're doing spring 114 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: cleaning and you want to hit the reset button on 115 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 1: a few things in the kitchen. This would be a 116 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 1: great way to do that. All right, let's jump into 117 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: the back half of the podcast and discuss how I 118 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: plan to give my own kitchen a spring refresh at 119 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: least twice a year. I like to do a deep 120 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,280 Speaker 1: dive in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. I clean out 121 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,600 Speaker 1: anything that's expired, I'm used or quite frankly forgotten about. 122 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: I usually do this in springtime, right before the end 123 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 1: of the school your craziness sets in, and right before 124 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: the holidays in late October or early November. I literally 125 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: have the event scheduled in my Google calendar annually, so 126 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:51,039 Speaker 1: I don't forget because it makes such a difference. Now 127 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: that I have a system, it's not that bad. So 128 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: I want to chat about my step by step process 129 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: that I like to follow when it comes to cleaning 130 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: out these spaces in my kit. So we're first going 131 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 1: to talk about, like I said, the fridge, freezer, and pantry, 132 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 1: and without fail, I think these are the best steps 133 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: to follow. You got to take it all out, so 134 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: in each of those places, you got to toss anything 135 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 1: that's old, expired. You may want to donate some items 136 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: to a food pantry that you know you won't use, 137 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 1: think old condiments, forgotten leftovers in the fridge, expired spices, 138 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: or half used boxes of bread crimbs. I know I 139 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: have some of those, or anything with freezer burn in 140 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: the freezer. I probably have some of that, but my 141 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: suggestion is to be ruthless and just a note. I 142 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 1: have noticed if you can time this with the day 143 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: before garbage day, that's always a plus. But at least 144 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,559 Speaker 1: twice a year it is worth doing this. I always 145 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: feel like I learn a few things too, like oh 146 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: my gosh, I keep buying cans of coconut milk. I 147 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 1: have plenty of coconut milk. I don't need to buy 148 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: coconut milk for a while. Or why do I have 149 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: so many Italian bread crumbs? I have three boxes half opened. 150 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: Just stuff like that. So it's just a good practice 151 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: to do. After you've taken everything out and decided what's 152 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: going in the garbage, what's being donated, and what you're keeping, 153 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: you should categorize. So group like with like and categorize 154 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: according to the way you cook. This is what works 155 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: best for me. That might include like a bin or 156 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: a basket for breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, or grouping 157 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: all of your pastas and grains together. For me, what's 158 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: most important is that the categories are simple and easy 159 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 1: to stick to. I first started doing this years ago 160 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: when we lived in Portland, and I've used the same 161 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 1: category baskets that I established there now. So like in 162 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:42,559 Speaker 1: my breakfast bin, I have like all of our oatmeal, 163 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: I have any boxed muffin or waffle or anything like 164 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: that that goes in there. In the lunch I have 165 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: things like the quick easymac for my kids, or tuna packets, 166 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: just stuff I can I can reach for. And then 167 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: in my dinner basket, I have a lot of stuff 168 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: that makes good dinner sides. So like I have a 169 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: couple of favorites from Trader Joe's that are like like 170 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 1: I have a rice peeloff. I have a couple of 171 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 1: boxes of that that I keep in there. I have 172 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 1: the farrow I keep that in there. Anyways, categorize group 173 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: like with like third, you're gonna fill in the gaps. 174 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 1: So purging and decluttering really can help identify what you're 175 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: low on. So like I said, or what you have 176 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: too much of, stalk what you and your family like 177 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:26,839 Speaker 1: to eat, and focus on those items that you cook 178 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: with most often. For me, that includes things like for 179 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: sure our favorite marin aresauce which is Rayos, and that 180 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 1: favorite grain I just mentioned the quick cooking farro, because 181 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: I know that those can turn into quick dinners. Okay, 182 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: now we're going to transition from the fridge, freezer, and 183 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: pantry to the other areas of the kitchen. And this 184 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: one can feel a little bit more overwhelming, and sometimes 185 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 1: it can be a bit of a dread, but I 186 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: am telling you it's it's worth doing. I like to 187 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 1: start in one corner of my kid and quickly take 188 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 1: stock of each cabinet and draw The goal is to 189 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: not get too hung up on any one space. And 190 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 1: there are going to be cabinets and drawers where they're 191 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: perfectly fine, but you just want to do a once 192 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 1: over and be like, Okay, let me ask myself a 193 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: couple of questions. In fact, these are the questions I 194 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 1: ask myself. Do I use this? You shouldn't really have 195 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: to think long about this. It's either yes I do 196 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: or no I don't. You should not keep it if 197 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: it's well, I might one day, so I keep it, 198 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: or I use it or I don't. If you use it, 199 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: you keep it, If not, donate it. Is this item extra? 200 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: For example, how many wooden spoons do you really need? 201 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: Do you really use all six sheet trays? You might? 202 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: I do evaluate what you need and use on a 203 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:49,559 Speaker 1: regular basis, but remember that you can always borrow items 204 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 1: from friends or family for those one time events. Maybe 205 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: you've got a snow cone maker that you never use 206 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: or an ice cream maker that you rarely use. Choose 207 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 1: your favorite and don't be afraid to donate the extras. 208 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 1: The next question I asked myself is what I buy 209 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 1: this today? I find it's a really helpful question when 210 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:13,680 Speaker 1: looking at seasonal items in particular, ask yourself if you 211 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 1: still love it, if it still fits within the way 212 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 1: you cook in your kitchen. Is it adding function or 213 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: is it just taking up space. Really good example of 214 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: this the last time I did my kitchen refresh was 215 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 1: those mini waff lions that are on every end cap 216 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 1: and target. Somehow I had collected five of them. Five. 217 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: I had a Valentine's Day one that was in a heart, 218 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 1: I had an Easter one that was in the shape 219 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 1: of a bunny. I had a Halloween one in the 220 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: shape of a pumpkin. I did not need that. I 221 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: kept the one that was a circle, and I lovingly 222 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 1: donated the others. So clearly I didn't need all of them, 223 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 1: and it felt really good to get rid of a 224 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: few of those. Then, my last and most favorite question 225 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 1: is does this make my life easier? There may be 226 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: some items that you don't technically need, but you use 227 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: regularly enough to help simplify things like my rice cooker. 228 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 1: Could I make rice on the stove? Absolutely, But that 229 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: little cooker saves me time every single week, so it 230 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 1: gets to stay. I plan to get through the whole 231 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: kitchen in one morning, maybe two three hours. I'll probably 232 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: spend an hour doing the fridge, freezer, and pantry, of course, 233 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: while listening to a good audiobook or podcast, and then 234 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,320 Speaker 1: spend another hour going through the cabinets and drawers. You 235 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: might need to spend a bit more time if you 236 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 1: haven't done it in a while, but if you can 237 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: do this twice a year, it goes pretty quick, all right. Finally, 238 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 1: let's finish with the weekly gimme five. This is five 239 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,440 Speaker 1: things that made my life easier or more enjoyable this week. 240 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 1: I have been doing a ton of recipe testing for 241 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:54,319 Speaker 1: breakfast recipes this next month in Recipe Club, I am 242 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 1: coming out with a handful of new breakfast recipes. So 243 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: I have been try I've been oh my gosh, so 244 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,199 Speaker 1: much breakfast. But one of those things in particular, I've 245 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 1: been trying to nail down the perfect fluffy pancake. I 246 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,079 Speaker 1: didn't want it to have buttermilk in it, because it's 247 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 1: annoying to have buttermilk on hand. I went back and forth. 248 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: But that's the story for another day. But let me 249 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 1: tell you what I did fall in love with was 250 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 1: my griddle. I bought this I don't know, maybe twelve 251 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:25,079 Speaker 1: eighteen months ago, and I bought it to replace another 252 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 1: one that kind of shorted out, like only one side 253 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 1: of it work. This is the best griddle. I love it, 254 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: and when I am making weekend breakfast for my family, 255 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: I will do like pancakes on one side and bacon 256 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:40,559 Speaker 1: on the other side. It's great for making breakfast sandwiches. 257 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:44,840 Speaker 1: It's just awesome. So I really was reminded of how 258 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 1: much I like that griddle. I like how it functions, 259 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 1: I like how it stores. It's just great. Next on 260 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 1: my list is a knife sharpener. Now, part of my 261 00:13:55,200 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: spring cleaning routine and also my fall cleaning routine, is 262 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 1: to check in on my knives. Now, I do a 263 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: lot of cooking, so I typically will sharpen my knives 264 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:06,839 Speaker 1: a little bit more than twice a year. But I 265 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: would say most home cooks twice a year would be 266 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: pretty good. But I do recommend getting a knife sharpener. Now. 267 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: For years, my advice to people was just take your 268 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 1: knives in, take them to Serlatob, they'll sharpen them for 269 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: you a dollar an inch. Take them to your local 270 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: hardware store. And that you can absolutely do. It's not expensive. 271 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: It's just kind of a pain to remember to do it. 272 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: I so much so that I wasn't remembering to do it, 273 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: and so I finally bought a knife sharpener. I did 274 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: a ton of research, ended up using one that is 275 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: really easy to use, because there are I mean, if 276 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: you get into it, there's like what stones. And I 277 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: just needed it to be easy for this chapter of life. 278 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: And so I found this great electric knife sharpener that 279 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: has a reputation for being really good to your knives, 280 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 1: not ruining your knives. It's got thousands of positive reviews, 281 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: and I've been so happy with it. Part of that 282 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: spring cleaning routine is definitely sharpening my knives, and that 283 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 1: will be happening this weekend. Okay, next a role on fragrance. Okay, 284 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 1: part of part of what my husband and I both 285 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: independently wanted for our fourtieth birthdays. Was he wanted it 286 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: kind of a new cologne, like a new scent, and 287 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: I wanted to kind of It may sound silly, you guys, 288 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: but this is where we're at. Forty I after my pregnancies, 289 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: I got really sent sensitive and I stopped wearing any 290 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: sort of perfume or fragrance four years. It wasn't until 291 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 1: about eighteen months ago. I was not looking for a fragrance, 292 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 1: but I was in a boutique. We were celebrating my 293 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: mom's birthday, and I came across a fragrance that I 294 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: was like, oh my gosh, that's the first thing I 295 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: like the smell of since I was pregnant ten years ago. 296 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: So it is a small brand. You likely have not 297 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 1: heard of it before. It's called Rittle Oil or just Riddle, 298 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: and I first bought the spray lotion because the spray 299 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: lotion is even less intense than some of their others. 300 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: But I have been wearing that for the past year 301 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 1: plus and I really like it so much so that 302 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: I wanted to be able to travel with it, and 303 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: so I just bought the role on oil fragrance, and 304 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: I'm excited about it. It's like my sin. I also 305 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 1: like this idea of my kids just knowing what I 306 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 1: smell like. I don't know, maybe that's silly, that sounds 307 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: so sentimental, like my husband and my husband he did 308 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: all this research and it was fun. So we kind 309 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 1: of both got fragrances this weekend and it was great 310 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: spring cardigan. So going back to this whole birthday weekend, 311 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 1: I mentioned the portrait photo and my husband got one 312 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: and I got one, And obviously I wanted these portraits 313 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: to be timeless, right, hopefully they're capturing us in our 314 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: prime of life. And so I didn't want to wear 315 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 1: like some trendy shirt. But I didn't want to wear 316 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: just a plain white T shirt either. And as I 317 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:09,160 Speaker 1: looked into my closet and I was like, okay, what 318 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: is timeless, what's a timeless neckline? What looks nice? I 319 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 1: immediately went to one of my favorite cardigans from Sezon. 320 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 1: It's the gas cardigan, and it's got these really cute 321 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: little buttons, and I just I ended up feeling so 322 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,399 Speaker 1: happy that I selected it. And I just had it 323 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: in like a tope color, but I kind of wish 324 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: that I'd had it in a brighter color. So I 325 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 1: think I'm going to get I'm going to treat myself 326 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: for another color of this really classic sweater. It's one 327 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 1: of their most popular items, and it's because it's just 328 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:45,120 Speaker 1: so flattering. So that is on my list to have 329 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: just another option to pull from. And then finally one 330 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: more thing in the kitchen that it's just a reminder 331 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 1: to me. I had a bunch of my sisters in 332 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:56,719 Speaker 1: law here and I did a little bit of cooking. 333 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,439 Speaker 1: But one of the things they did I someone pointed 334 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:03,439 Speaker 1: out as I was chopping, slicing and dicing, and someone said, oh, 335 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: I love those cutting boards, but I don't have one 336 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 1: that big, And I was like, oh, a big cutting board. 337 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:10,919 Speaker 1: Not enough people talk about this. Too. Many people are 338 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 1: trying to cook on little flimsy cooking boards, little flimsy 339 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 1: cutting boards. You need a big board. It makes cooking easier. 340 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 1: Then you're not trying to especially like if you're cooking 341 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: with those Ikea boards that you got in college, it 342 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 1: is time to move on. I love my Epicurean boards. 343 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: I think that at least it should be like a 344 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: thirteen by seventeen size. Because of the wood composite nature 345 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: of these boards, they are not They're not very heavy, 346 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: which I feel like is a big complaint about a 347 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 1: big cutting board. So I love these. They can go 348 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:46,000 Speaker 1: in the dishwasher. I love the company. I've been using 349 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 1: them for years and just cannot speak highly enough of them. 350 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:53,119 Speaker 1: So there you have it. Five things. That's it for today. 351 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: You guys, make sure you are subscribed to the podcast 352 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: so that you never miss an episode. This podcast is 353 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 1: always meant to be just a quick twenty to thirty 354 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:02,639 Speaker 1: minute listen while you map out your own wheels for 355 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:05,359 Speaker 1: the week, and support helping you set up a simple 356 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 1: dinner system if you're looking to finally get a system 357 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: in place. Like I said, busy time of year coming up, 358 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,639 Speaker 1: join us at sp club and better yet, snag the 359 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: bundle with a recipe binder. And I just want to 360 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: thank you for being here, Thanks for listening. I'm glad 361 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,199 Speaker 1: you're here. Until next time, happy cooking. I'm Kelsey and 362 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 1: look forward to chatting with you all next week.