The Spice of Life!

Thyme, Curry, Pepper, Rosemary, these are not your Gramma's golf ladies, these are allspices (see what I did there? ha! cooking humor) we use frequently to add spice to every dish as it touches part of your life.  Life craves flavor and variety, so why shouldn't your food?!  I am sure many of you are thinking, we get it out with the bland in with the flavor! And you are exactly right! IN with the FLAVOR!!

via google images

Did you know that most spices expire between one and two years after they are purchased?  Well it's true! So the next time you are making Gramma's award winning chili or your ninos favorite fajitas, think of how flavorful those spices might be.  I know the absolute ideal would be that everyone has their own garden out back full of lovely, aromatic spices, but that is just not real life for busy moms, dads and families!  That is why I want to teach you a better way to preserve those special spices of life!!!

Next time you purchase new spices for a recipe, date them.  Not tomorrow, not a month from now, TODAY!  This will help you control flavor and valuable cupboard space.  Not only does this control flavor, but it can help control budget too!  Some spices can be quite expensive (ahem! Ms. Saffron!!)  While others are quite inexpensive (pepper, garlic salt).  But we want them to taste as flavorful as possible for as long as possible, right?  Also, as you are cooking/cleaning in your kitchen, check the pigment of the spices you have.  As pigment fades so does flavor.  Think of how bright a banana that is just off of the tree is compared to a few days later when it has been sitting on your drainboard.  The same goes for spices, not as quickly as a ripening banana, but you get the picture.  Pigment is a direct reflection of the flavor quality.  It is a great visual queue to know when a spices life may be coming to an end.

Buying fresh herbs & spices not only ups the nutritional level of the spice, but also the flavor.  Thus you can (potentially) get away with using less, that is until the spices begins to age.  As the spice ages, you will need to evaluate if you are OK with using more spice for maximum flavor or purchasing new.  That is up to you and not for me to dictate or tell you what choice is best.  Cooking is personal, you have to do what feels right by you, and sometimes your wallet.

Now, on to storing these flavor game changers!!  Many people tend to store spices nearest their stove or oven.  I would kindly advise against this.  Heat can change the flavor of spices.  Most spices beg to be stored in a cool, dry environment.  (That is unless you are a Martha wannabe and have your own herb/spice garden/shop, if you do snaps for you!!)  In the vain of your own personal herb garden, the best place to store spices is nearest the coolest, driest place in your kitchen.  Yes you may have to walk a bit further while cooking, but think of how great that food will taste!!!  If you have a wine cellar or wine rack I recommend storing spices as closely to this place as possible.  (Wine is generally stored in the coolest place in your living quarters or kitchen)  These places are also, generally, furthest from heat or sudden exposure to heat.  Very different environment than next to or above your stove or oven.

Happy spice hunting!

xo
-J-

Give 'Em The Boot

In a spurt of intense spring cleaning I decided to show you all how I store my boots during and after the winter season!

For added life of your hot winter boots, roll-up old catalogs or magazines and stuff one in each shaft.  This will preserve the life of your boots!  And keep them looking brand-new for the next chilly season!

Step one:  Roll any old catalog or magazine.

Step two: Place rolled-up mag/catalog into boots.

Step 3:  Stretch mag/catalog to fill boot.

Final Result:  Boots that stand up and don't flop over!!!  This will preserve the aesthetic AND the leather!

Boots in my closet.  

I cannot tell you how happy I am that I started doing this!  My boots fit better and my closet is more organized!  No more boot shafts flopping around over other shoes or folding over themselves!!

Enjoy!

xo-

J

So Fly!

I do not recall where I heard of Fly Lady, but I heard about it!!!  They have a great starter program, Beginner Baby Steps.  (Free of charge).  Below I have compiled my favorite tips & tricks from Fly Lady.  I hope these help you organize and sort chores and activities the way they helped me!!!

I am already hyper-organizational, but this definitely refined these skills.

First: Shine Your Sink

This is simply making sure your sink is clear and dry when you are finished with it after:

                 *your morning wake-up/beauty routine

                 *breakfast/lunch prep

                 *dinner/dessert prep

                 *evening cleansing routine

by doing this you come home to a clean bathroom and a clean kitchen sink.
You will be amazed at how much stress this relieves!

Second: Get Dressed all the way

*This is a variation of their Get Dressed Up to Lace Up Shoes

This will allow you to be ready for the day no matter what is thrown your way.  I say get dressed all the way because I do not like walking around the house in my shoes.  (This saves on vacuuming time later and keeps floors looking nicer longer!)  

Third:  Pick Out Your Clothes

Set out what you would like to wear the next day before you go to bed at night, after you shine your sink and you will be time ahead in the morning.  I also do this with my meals up to dinner the evening before.  It makes for less hassle and less stress in the morning.  I find morning to be hectic as it is, so why not make it easier and less hectic?!

Fourth:  Write These Things Down

Write reminders down that help you stay on task!  I am by nature a list maker.  I constantly have a minimum of three, yes THREE, notepads on my desk.  They all vary in size according to the length of list needed.  I also, place post-its around that are tasks I need to do or little inspirations.  But I am careful as to not let them clutter!  If I have looked at something for more than about a week or two, I take it down and refresh it!

Fifth: Declutter for a Few Minutes

For me this may mean putting laundry away (my absolute least favorite chore) or wandering the house and tidying a little at a time.  It could also mean organizing for later in the day or for the next day.  But make it something that works for you!!

There are 30 total of these little tips.  These 5 are my standbys.  I will post 5 a week until I have posted all the ones I think are relevant! But all these links are linked to a point on the Fly Lady website!  That means you can view all of the tips/tricks at anytime and determine which are your favorites.

xo

-J-