One of the first principles of organizing is to work with your natural tendencies, not against them. Well my natural tendencies when it comes to a grocery list is writing it on a whiteboard that's on the front of my freezer. Problem: I'm not going to schlep the whiteboard to the store!
I tried using my ListMaker app on the iPhone but that requires re-entering my list into my phone. Doesn't tend to happen very much!
But today I had a realization based on a new trend I see at work...using the iPhone camera to take a picture of the notes on a whiteboard you want to save. I can take a picture of the list on my whiteboard with one click and have it in my phone at the store with no extra typing required.
Genius!!
This is definitely going to be my new approach for list transference in the future. Such a time saver!
Showing posts with label Kitchen Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitchen Tips. Show all posts
March 15, 2012
March 7, 2011
Spicing up the kitchen!
Because I live in apartment there are many things I can't do decor-wise, but I managed to find a way to implement one of my favorite kitchen ideas without getting in trouble with the landlord. It's a metallic spice rack over my stove, implemented thanks to the magic of Command Adhesive Strips. I used 6 of their picture hanging strips on the back of a sheet of galvanized steel that I bought (pre cut!) at Lowe's. Those strips allowed me to stick the metal to the tile behind my stove, and (so far) have been more than enough to hold 18 fabulous metallic spice canisters from Bed, bath & Beyond.
I love looking at it and - even better - it's inspired me to cook more and use the lovely spices that are so beautifully displayed. I was also able to move some of my other spices from a basket atop the cabinets to my spice rack inside the cabinet so the full array of options is in arms reach.
So if you're thinking your hands are tied with decorating because of landlord limitations, have faith! With a little creativity you just might find a way to work around it. And here's a photo of my masterpiece:
The total cost of this project was lower than what I saw for pre-made kits online, which were over $100. I spent about $73. Probably could have gotten the spice jars for less, but I wanted it done ASAP so I skipped the online bargain hunt this time. Here's the breakdown:
Command picture hooks (Lowe's): $5
12 x 24 pre-cut sheet of steel (Lowe's): $10 (make sure it's steel or they won't stick!)
18 spice jars (Bed, Bath & Beyond): $53
Clear cartridge for label maker (Target): $5
Total = $73
April 20, 2010
My Favorite Things - April 2010
It's been easy to love things this month now that the warmer temps are here. It's amazing how much light and warm air affect my mood! Here are 5 things I am enamored with this month.
1) My new Santoku knife. I broke the tip off my old chef's knife last month trying to separate two pieces of frozen chicken, so it was time to buy a new all-purpose knife. My friend L advised me to get a Santoku with a flat blade instead of a traditional chef's knife. I was delighted to see knives from high end maker J.A. Henkles at Target, so I bought a 7" forged steel beauty for the low price of $29.99. I love it! The blade is so sharp, the handle feels great, and the flat blade makes controlling things much easier. I dare say that it's leading me to eat more salads because I am looking for an excuse to chop some veggies just so I get to use my knife. Hey...whatever works!
2) Scented linen spray. I have been trying to get to bed earlier lately to boost my energy level, and one of the ideas I had to make bedtime enticing was scented linen spray. The idea is that you mist your pillowcase with a little scented water and let the smell carry you into dreamland. I found a very nice Ginger Mint scent at HomeGoods for $5.99 and so far it's been very nice. I do recommend spraying things about an hour before you go to bed, though. Any sooner and the smell may be a bit overwhelming (speaking from personal experience on that one!) In addition to HomeGoods a friend just clued me in to the fact that you can get pillow mist at stores like Bath & Body Works. I had trouble finding any and honestly it never occured to me to look there, but I will when this bottle runs out (or when I get sick of the scent and want a new one).
3) Colorful fabric on a corkboard. My guest room/office is decorated in a graphic black and white scheme with pops of lime green in the toss pillows on the bed. I wanted to find a way to bring that color into the other side of the room, so I found a piece of bright green fabric that matches the pillows at my local fabric store (only $1.99!). I stapled it to the cork board above my desk and it changes the entire feel of that side of the room. This is what I face while I work from home or pay bills, and it's just the pop of high energy I wanted in that space. The fabric square was premade and a little narrow for my cork board, so I plan to buy some 1" wide white ribbon and hot glue it around the edges to cover the gap. The whole thing should cost me less than $5 and I absolutely love it.
4) Buds on the trees. My backyard is a conservation land, so when I look out the window or go stand on the balcony I see a line of trees. This morning I noticed that suddenly they'd gone from stark, bare branches to having lovely green mini-leaves all over them. It was like being reborn. (Sounds melodramatic, I know, but I do not do winter well. Spring is a big deal to me -ripe with possibilities).
5) Barnes & Noble. I'm trying to watch less TV, but it's hard to avoid turning the thing on when I get home from work at night. So I've started heading out to B&N some nights. I may sit and thumb through a book I'm thinking of getting, flip through magazines to look at pretty pictures, or just people-watch. Our local store has a Starbucks cafe and a large lounge style area with several easy chairs and tables. It's really a great place to relax, or even go when you need to concentrate on work but not go into the office. I worked an entire Sunday there and got far more done than I would have sitting at home distracted by dishes or laundry that needed doing.
So there you have it. Five things I love this month. Happy Spring!
1) My new Santoku knife. I broke the tip off my old chef's knife last month trying to separate two pieces of frozen chicken, so it was time to buy a new all-purpose knife. My friend L advised me to get a Santoku with a flat blade instead of a traditional chef's knife. I was delighted to see knives from high end maker J.A. Henkles at Target, so I bought a 7" forged steel beauty for the low price of $29.99. I love it! The blade is so sharp, the handle feels great, and the flat blade makes controlling things much easier. I dare say that it's leading me to eat more salads because I am looking for an excuse to chop some veggies just so I get to use my knife. Hey...whatever works!
2) Scented linen spray. I have been trying to get to bed earlier lately to boost my energy level, and one of the ideas I had to make bedtime enticing was scented linen spray. The idea is that you mist your pillowcase with a little scented water and let the smell carry you into dreamland. I found a very nice Ginger Mint scent at HomeGoods for $5.99 and so far it's been very nice. I do recommend spraying things about an hour before you go to bed, though. Any sooner and the smell may be a bit overwhelming (speaking from personal experience on that one!) In addition to HomeGoods a friend just clued me in to the fact that you can get pillow mist at stores like Bath & Body Works. I had trouble finding any and honestly it never occured to me to look there, but I will when this bottle runs out (or when I get sick of the scent and want a new one).
3) Colorful fabric on a corkboard. My guest room/office is decorated in a graphic black and white scheme with pops of lime green in the toss pillows on the bed. I wanted to find a way to bring that color into the other side of the room, so I found a piece of bright green fabric that matches the pillows at my local fabric store (only $1.99!). I stapled it to the cork board above my desk and it changes the entire feel of that side of the room. This is what I face while I work from home or pay bills, and it's just the pop of high energy I wanted in that space. The fabric square was premade and a little narrow for my cork board, so I plan to buy some 1" wide white ribbon and hot glue it around the edges to cover the gap. The whole thing should cost me less than $5 and I absolutely love it.
4) Buds on the trees. My backyard is a conservation land, so when I look out the window or go stand on the balcony I see a line of trees. This morning I noticed that suddenly they'd gone from stark, bare branches to having lovely green mini-leaves all over them. It was like being reborn. (Sounds melodramatic, I know, but I do not do winter well. Spring is a big deal to me -ripe with possibilities).
5) Barnes & Noble. I'm trying to watch less TV, but it's hard to avoid turning the thing on when I get home from work at night. So I've started heading out to B&N some nights. I may sit and thumb through a book I'm thinking of getting, flip through magazines to look at pretty pictures, or just people-watch. Our local store has a Starbucks cafe and a large lounge style area with several easy chairs and tables. It's really a great place to relax, or even go when you need to concentrate on work but not go into the office. I worked an entire Sunday there and got far more done than I would have sitting at home distracted by dishes or laundry that needed doing.
So there you have it. Five things I love this month. Happy Spring!
March 30, 2010
Egg Safety
Tonight I was trying to decide whether or not to use the eggs in my fridge to make Matzoh balls because they were about 23 days past the "best by" date on the carton. My mom told me they were fine, but I'm paranoid so I went searching around and found this site:
http://www.eggsafety.org/f_a_q.htm
Thought I'd share in case anyone else faces the same issue. And yes, the eggs are fine. The matzoh balls are chillin' in the fridge now!
http://www.eggsafety.org/f_a_q.htm
Thought I'd share in case anyone else faces the same issue. And yes, the eggs are fine. The matzoh balls are chillin' in the fridge now!
January 26, 2010
Shortcut for cutting baby carrots
I often buy baby carrots to put on salad, but struggle to cut them into smaller chunks with a knife because they are small and they roll. The other day as I was chopping I looked at my knife block and said "hey, I wonder if my kitchen shears would be easier..." I tried them and sure enough, using the scissors to snip the carrots into small pieces is infinitely easier!
Of course you should only do this if your shears are kept clean enough to touch food directly, but mine are. I now only use the shears to cut baby carrots and it takes seconds instead of minutes, with much less risk to my fingers. That's my kind of shortcut - easy and safer!
Of course you should only do this if your shears are kept clean enough to touch food directly, but mine are. I now only use the shears to cut baby carrots and it takes seconds instead of minutes, with much less risk to my fingers. That's my kind of shortcut - easy and safer!
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