Pantry Pride Plus

Baking Shelf Before

So after my major reorganization of my pantry, I was still having trouble getting to all my baking supplies.  I am gluten free, so I have a lot of extra ingredients when baking.  A simple cornbread might take 5-6 ingredients normally, but a gluten free recipe takes 11-12.  I hate the bags the flours come in so I transfer them to plastic containers.  My containers are all different shapes and sizes.  Some are plastic and some are glass.

BH&G Flip-Tite Food Container

While at Wal-Mart the other day I ran across these square, plastic "Flip-Tite" canisters from Better Homes & Gardens.  I practically cleaned them out!  I got 3 tall, 3 medium, 3 small, and 4 petite.  I have never had all my baking supplies in uniform containers before.  And these containers have nice wide mouths so my big 1 cup measuring scoop will fit in easily.  I was so excited to do this project today.

So I took out my old containers and bags of supplies and  began transferring everything into the Flip-Tites.  I  labeled each so that it can be seen when all are lined up in a graduated pattern.  My little Dymo got a workout today!  It's so easy to find and retrieve what I need.  I've been waiting 13 years to do something like this.  I'm a happy baker!

Pantry Pride

I am blessed with a nice pantry in my kitchen.  I wanted to make the most of it so I bought an over-the-door shelving unit for some of the little things that get lost amongst the numerous boxes, cans, and bottles that occupy a typical pantry. But I didn't really like it because it was heavy and banged on the inside of the door every time you opened it.  It was beginning to make marks on the door.

I was brainstorming what I could do when I saw a video by Alejandra Costello, Certified Professional Organizer.  The video is about her favorite over the door organizers and how she uses them.  She uses them for everything but shoes.  Genius!  I used them in my bathroom like she did and it is great.  

I thought I'd use one in my pantry and it has worked out brilliantly.  I used a clear door pocket I got at Fred Meyer.  I like the clear because all I see is the content and no other design or distraction.  Now all those little bits and bobs that get lost are right at your fingertips.  Vitamins, drink packets, spice packets, gelatin, etc., are clearly visible and easy to grab.  On the floor of my pantry are three crates on wheels.  They are great for chips, potatoes, or any of those things you'd rather throw in a bin.  They roll out easily for access and for cleaning the floor.  This has made my morning routine so much easier.

Spring Fling (It)

I have really gotten on an organizing kick.  I saw a new show called "Clean Freaks" on HGTV and it inspired me to no end.  Having been a professional organizer, you'd think I would run a tight ship at home.  But when you are close to an issue, it's hard to be objective.

Fridge Before

So with my new found zeal for order, I took everything out of my refrigerator (including a few items that resembled science experiments), cleaned all the shelves and replaced them in a new configuration.  One that served the contents better.  I then "zoned" the inside of the refrigerator and labeled the zones.  I now have a "leftover" zone and my favorite dinner (leftovers) won't get lost in the sea of frigid food.  I even have a "grab and go" drawer for those things you might put in a lunch or want to grab for a snack.  It's so freeing!

Fridge After

By changing the configuration of the shelves, items we use the most are now in the easiest to reach spot.  I can fit more food in my fridge.  Instead of plastic bags of food slip-sliding around and getting crushed, I now have a large plastic bin on the bottom shelf for "unstackable foods".  I put my special bread and anything else that won't stack nicely on the shelves in there, and they stay perfectly fine.  It's great!  I've done a few more projects that I'll post soon.  I hope this inspires you to bring a little serenity to your life through organizing.