I’ll admit it… I’m a sucker for New Year’s resolutions.
I know it’s so cliche… the health coach talking about her love of New Year’s resolutions when statistics show that 80% of them will fail before mid February… but I can’t help it! I just love the idea of having a clean slate. An annual check-in with yourself. A dedicated time to revamp your life for the better.
This year looks a little different for, well, everyone! 2020 has been one hell of a ride. I bet a lot of people out there are making some serious, potentially life altering resolutions this year (massive changes in career, finances, health, family orientation, or maybe a different living situation). Then again, a lot of us are hunkering down, just trying to survive right now (get through this winter without living entirely off of noodles and Netflix?). But if there’s one thing I know it’s that no matter what your goals are, eating healthy food can help you get there. It gives you the energy, the brain power, the self confidence, and the positivity that is required for making those life changes. That’s all there is to it.
As a health coach, I also know that many people have goals surrounding food. They may even resolve to shop healthier at the grocery store, and do everything in their power not to bring Ben & Jerry’s into the house (this is a must for me or I can guarantee that Half Baked pint will be gone within 48 hours). However, one space I see people struggle with most is in their kitchen. They’ve gone through all this trouble (and money!) to select quality ingredients, maybe even plan out some healthy meals and buy the food, but then it gets lost in a hectic random ingredient hurricane that is their refrigerator. I mean, let’s be honest, what does your fridge look right now? :) For the record, I’m proud to say mine looks freakin stellar because I’ve made a dedicated habit of cleaning it out every single week (I do it the same day I go to farmers market so everything gets sorted before fresh produce goes in!).
But you know what area of my kitchen looks like a total shit storm right now?… Our pantry. It’s embarrassing. I have all the proper excuses too (I just had a baby, it’s the holidays, “2020,” blah blah). But New Year’s resolutions are all about ditching those excuses and taking action. I know I’m not alone in this one and I think lots of people (myself included) are buying more and more shelf stable foods during this pandemic, so chances are YOUR pantry could use a makeover too! SO LET’S DO IT TOGETHER! Follow the steps below for some extra motivation and ideas to help make your pantry shine.
Because healthy living starts in your own kitchen.
Pro Tip— do your pantry makeover when you’re in a good mood and energized! Put on some upbeat music and have fun with it! Hello 2021.
Keep all foods facing forward.
Put healthiest options front and center.
Organize by categories like:
breakfast supplies
canned goods
quick snacks
baking supplies
grains and legumes
teas, supplements, etc.
Toss anything that’s expired.
Donate or toss anything that feels low vibration… something that every time you see it, it’s like “ugggh, gotta eat up that crap one day.” In fact, you do not need to eat that crap. Your body is a temple and deserves quality energetic nourishment. So if it’s bringing you down, it doesn’t belong in your kitchen!
Got some serious guilt about that last bullet point? I get it— my parents were raised by parents who grew up in the Great Depression so I’ve been hearing about not wasting food my whole life. While I stand by the last recommendation of ditching stuff that brings you down, if you just can’t do it then rally it all up on the same shelf and make a resolution to use it all up within the next two weeks come hell or high water (or some seriously awkward meal combinations). Then just move on.
Consider storing items in glass jars if packaging looks junky or is not air tight (helpful for things like nuts, seeds, grains, etc.).
Label foods not kept in their original container.
Make it look pretty! I swear this helps and can actually be important in generating sustained enthusiasm about healthy food choices.
Consider a treats box— put everything that’s a splurge item into a box or bag at the bottom/back of the cupboard so it’s not in plain sight— you have to actively make a decision to go into the box!
Keep a running shopping list. Add to it when you use up staple items or think of new things to try! Consider keeping it tacked to the pantry/cupboard door with a pen nearby.
Keep up the flow of chi. You don’t need to be a feng shui expert to feel when energy is stagnating. If there’s an area of your pantry or cupboard that just sucks for no obvious reason, switch it up! Rearrange the food in there and see if other organizational patterns make more sense for your current life and mood.
Remember that your kitchen is a living, breathing organism and should change with you throughout the year!
