Coach Ashley shared this info with our closed group on facebook but it was so helpful we wanted to share it here! 

A lot of times, your kitchen becomes the center of your home.  The meeting place for the whole family.  This can make the kitchen the dumping point for so many items!  Mail, bills, calendars, sports schedules, to-do lists, unfinished work, shopping lists, electronic charging stations, and so much more!  

BUT the Kitchen is NOT the post office, administrative office, work space, or coordination center.  It IS the space where you should be able to prepare meals, and enjoy nourishing your body in a peaceful state.  A stress free body properly digests food and absorbs more nutrients.  

Here’s How:

Can we make each of these a slide?

#1 – CLEAR those countertops. Re-locate items to the spaces they belong in.  Create an office space, if able. Even if it is just a stackable file system.  Clear a drawer for items that need your attention.  

#2 – Create a meal space.  You don’t need to go crazy and make a catalog worthy centerpiece and place settings.  Just a clean table. Maybe let some sunlight in.  A place where you can relax and feel peaceful while eating. 

#3 – Clean up – have a “closing time”  when you close up for the night. Make sure the dishes are done, all kitchen items have been returned to where they belong.  Everyone in the household should have a  “closing time” job.   This is especially important for those people we live with that are “rent free”. 

#4 – Keep your fridge and pantry tidy- Clean out your fridge and pantry weekly.  If you don’t know what you have, things can go to waste. This will also help with planning for the next week.  

#5 – Turn off the electronics when enjoying your meals.  Again the main idea here is to remain stress free.  It’s hard to do that browsing social media, responding to work emails and coordinating activities for your children. No one will be disappointed if they have to wait 30min to hear from you. 

#6- Eat with others when you can.  We are all created to be social.  I know many families that deal with multiple kids in multiple activities which makes this feel like an impossible task, BUT when you do have the opportunity to eat together DO IT!