So maybe you’re intrigued by the idea of practicing your own Kitchen Hour, but just aren’t sure how to get started. What will you actually do with yourself in there? What if your pantry is pretty bare and you can’t pull off a big meal?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and I know that when you’re creating a new habit you sometimes need a little help getting inspired. When I feel stuck, here are some things I like to do to jump-start my Kitchen Hour – I hope some of these ideas help nudge you into the kitchen!
- Clean out the pantry and/or refrigerator and take inventory. Don’t feel bad if, during your first couple of Kitchen Hours, you serve up eggs and pancakes or canned soup for dinner. Sometimes our kitchens are full of nearly-expired food that needs to be used up! By paring down the excess and taking stock of what you have, you’re laying a groundwork for more organized dinnertimes later on.
- Create a grocery list. Even if you won’t be hitting the store for days, the leisurely time you spend in the kitchen is a perfect opportunity to start jotting down a shopping list. You’ll be in a much better position to notice if you’re almost out of olive oil or getting low on sugar than you will be next time you’re running out the door in a hurry.
- Choose a neglected appliance and clean it. If you never seem to have time to tackle the inside of the fridge or the microwave, guess what? The Kitchen Hour is all about making time. Pick one that needs your help, and get scrubbing.
- Re-work your kitchen “command station.” If you keep a calendar, field-trip reminders or other family notices in the kitchen, now is a great time to consider the way you organize your family’s information. Even if you like your system the way it is, you may find that you have papers that can be recycled or dates on the calendar that need attention. Likewise, if your kitchen counters have become a dumping ground for the family’s stuff, take this chance to clear the space and lay down some new ground rules about what goes where.
- Cook something with your kids. Whether it’s soup from scratch or cookies from a tube, having fun making food with your family will remind you what your Kitchen Hour is really all about.
Remember, the best way to get started with any new habit is to just do something, so queue up a playlist or podcast, pick something off the list and get started!
If you already practice a regular Kitchen Hour, please share: how do you get started when you’re feeling uninspired or “stuck”?
When I need to get in the kitchen and get the dishes done and get to cooking but do not feel like it, it helps me to get some coffee going or to light a scentsy warmer that smells good. Something about the smell of coffee or apple cinnamon really gives me a boost and gets me moving. Lighting is another thing that helps me. We used to have the dullest most depressing bulbs in the kitchen and I got some warmer brighter light in there and it is much more inviting when it gets dark. My husband thinks I am crazy thinking that lighting is a big deal but it is so much better now. Thanks for doing this, it just makes our lives so much more fun.
Great post, it reminds me to take the TIME to enjoy myself in the kitchen. Now that my kids at 4 & almost 6, meals aren’t as simple as they used to be and I have lost the joy of experimenting in the kitchen…so thank you for the renewal of just spending TIME in the kitchen. YES!