The Kitchen is mine…

I LOVE to cook. When I am in my groove, I super enjoy creating awesome meals for my family. The kitchen is MY palace. Everything that I need to create is in it’s perfect place. From my counters, fridge, my cabinets, the seating areas, and even the lighting, it’s all just the way I want it to be. I keep my seasoning organized, labeled, and in arms reach. I get my music going, a cocktail in hand, and get to cooking! It’s smelling delicious, and I’m ready to create something tasty!

I saw this idea on Pinterest a few years back, on how to jar your seasonings, and other pantry items. I haven’t lived in a place that I could really put this idea to work before. When we moved to New Jersey, we bought a house that needed some love, but I got to make it mine. The first thing that I did was get my seasoning, and all my baked goods in order!

It wasn’t until my Mom finally came to visit me, that I was really able to make my kitchen the cute, comfy, and organized place that I wanted it to be. She helped me, not only paint, refinish my fire place (yes, I had a fireplace in my kitchen) and add the perfect touches to make it all mine. Little of bits of yellow décor, a comfy, welcoming coffee spot! Perfect!

How I chose what to jar…

I picked out the items that were the biggest, and bulkiest, along with the seasonings that I went through the fastest. Here is a brief list of the seasonings/baking items that I chose, and some are absolute staples in my kitchen.

• Oregano
• Italian Season
• Garlic Powder
• Garlic Salt
• Onion Powder
• Dried Minced Onion
• Black Pepper
• Sea Salt
• Table Salt
• Cajun Seasoning
• Chili Powder
• Cayenne Pepper
• Lemon Pepper
• Turmeric
• All Spice
• Sugar
• Powdered Sugar
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Ground Cumin
• Ground Cinnamon
• Ground Nutmeg
• Ground Cardamom
• Dried Dill
• Curry Powder
• Ground Ginger
• Smoked Paprika
• Bay Leaves
• Cloves
• Sage
• Thyme
• Vanilla (extract & Bean)

I have most all these seasons in jars. There are a few seasonings that are in their original containers. While I put other seasonings/produce/baking items in a different type of storage container.

I kept all different types of noodles, baking ingredients…such as, baking soda, baking powder, yeast, different types flours, granulated sugar, powder sugar, and brown sugar, all in glass/plastic container. This keeps everything super fresh and long lasting. It’s also nice to have an orderly pantry! (Did I already say that?)

What goes, where?

It’s good to find out what foods should be in, and out of the fridge. This will keep your produce, and breads lasting so much longer! I just found out about many of these, and I was shocked!

Did you know that apples, avocados, onions, potatoes, opened hot sauce, and fresh basil, along with garlic should not be frigerated? I had no clue!

For more on what foods should, and should NOT go in the fridge, check out this great blog: What produce goes in the refrigerator? – mamaloveshome.com

Knowing how to store my wet and dry seasoning, baking items, and produce, really helps to keep everything long lasting, fresh, and tidy! Don’t waste your money by letting your produce die in the back of your fridge! So much of our money gets thrown in the trash, when our food goes bad on us!

Let’s get to the food!

I recently found out that I have a gluten sensitive! Yes, I am one of “those people”….but I still eat gluten, but not as much as I use too. This has made me think more about what is in my food, and how to come up with good, yummy , and healthier recipes.

Some of my top Five favorites are below. Some of gluten free, some are not.

** All credit goes to my Pinterest mamas out there! Thanks for always suppling me with great, fun, and yummy recipes!

Don’t forget the drinks!

I have really been enjoying my Ninja smoothie blender! I got it for Christmas from my parents! I could NOT wait to play around with it. I love my smoothies! Acholic or not…I’m in! But I also really love my coffee… maybe more than any of other type of drink.

I was getting into my Keto coffee/ Butter Coffee at one time. Though I never felt any heathier, or lighter, drink them, I did love how frothy, creamy my coffee was.

Check out a few of my goes too drinks…

Here are few of my favorite blended drinks!

** Again most all credit goes to my Pinterest warriors, and my handy Ninja Bullet bender recipes book.

Get in the mood!

Everyone needs a place that their sweet place in their home. I think it’s important to have a peaceful place to write, to recover, and relax. It’s my peaceful place to create and just be. But I also am the one who feeds my family.

It’s easy for cooking to become a terrible, stressful chore. I know! But what helps me (stay) enjoying it, is having my kitchen fixed just for my needs. What I need is a zone that people love to be, with ingredients on hand for whatever the situation calls for.

A kitchen is a where memories are made. Your kitchen sees all your highs and low. You make relationships, heal broken hearts, and celebrate moments all in your kitchen! It’s game nights, hot cups of tea… or coffee, long late night talks, holiday traditions, birthday parties, and pasted down stories…and recipes! The kitchen is truly the heart of your home!

It’s a fun, but comfy place to enjoy friends, and family! It’s a place to welcome in the sunshine, and enjoy my coffee in the mornings. Honestly, who am I kidding, anytime of the day, really! My kitchen is a place to play, experiment, and revisit memories, with old hand-me-down recipes. It’s a place I make cozy, comfort foods, hot drinks and enjoy good company. I love my kitchen…can you tell?

Every person that is the main cook in the family, needs a good functional kitchen, that will they love to be in. It’s just simply a must!

I can’t wait to share our new home with all of you. Especially, the kitchen! Coming in March!

SK