Autumn can be an overwhelming time and it can leave you feeling drained. 

It’s never easy to juggle a jam packed extra-curricular schedule, homework help, making lunches and the stress putting a healthy dinner on the table at a reasonable hour. 

It’s a challenge, no doubt, but we can try. 

Here’s some simple tactics to tame the kitchen chaos and find more time in your day.

 

Your Pantry

Be Prepared.  Keep your pantry well stocked. 

Pro Tip: Use quality storage containers to preserve bulk or unpackaged food items.

Buy frequently used items on sale & in quantity. 

Organize & rotate regularly to avoid waste and to keep inventory.

Label, Label, Label. You will be more efficient and it looks fabulous!

Bigger fridge? A Lazy Susan will work well in there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Shopping & Meal Planning

An organized shopping list has many benefits. Less store visits will save time & money.

Buy extra staple items like eggs, milk and bread to avoid extra trips.

Try to organize your grocery list according to the store layout to save time and avoid missing items.

Shop the flyers, especially big money savers like meat & produce items. 

Give yourself extra points for a budget friendly list and in season fruit and vegetables!

Plan your meals. Start by making a list of your family’s favorite meals. Ask the kids as the answer may not be what you think it is.

Next, break down ingredients required to prepare each meal. 

Craft your grocery list based on several weekly choices. 

Change it up each week and try to add a new family approved recipe each month. 

Bonus points if it’s a good crock pot or one pot recipe! Less dishes? Yes, please! 

 

Veggies First

Busy days, means growing kids are working up an appetite. 

How often are you prepping for dinner and they sneak past to raid the fridge or pantry because they just can’t wait!? They stare, fridge open for something they can grab quick. 

Beat them to it. Why not put out a veggie plate with dip ahead of dinner. 

When they reach for the fridge door let them know it’s the only appetizer option. Help yourself.

They may just be soooo hungry they dust it. Leftovers? Pack them up for tomorrow’s lunch box.

Kids eating healthy, without your familiar dinner time plea to “finish your vegetables” is a win, win.

 

Testimonial

We enjoy working closely with our clients to help with their specific needs.

See what Kathy had to say about her experience with Neat Spaces.

“Wendy was just the right person to help me get out from under boxes and bags that filled my basement. I knew I needed to purge but… She listened when I whined and pleaded to keep things, but then showed me how every single item had a place. She took things to donation centers and women’s items to a shelter, art materials to a non- profit school. Then she separated the recycle into every category imaginable; there was next to no ‘throwing away’. It was great! Thank you, Wendy!!”

Kathy Brownlow