Organizing the Pantry

Before..shocking, I know!

After

Happy Labor Day Everyone! I hope you are all getting some time to relax and enjoy your family. I am still in the process of getting unpacked and organized from our move to Washington from Minnesota. One of the first things I had to do when I moved was get my kitchen functional, which means getting the pantry organized. In our MN house, I didn't really have a pantry, it was more like a deep cupboard. Now I have an actual walk in Pantry. If you have a cupboard pantry, check out our other posts on  Organizing the kitchen.  So on to... different pantry, different challenges. I wanted to use my pantry for food and things I don't need to use on a daily basis. (roasting pan, canner, crockpot etc.) I set it up in sections, baking, cooking, snacks, breakfast foods, things I don't use everyday but need to get to. So decide what you use a lot and put it in sections that are easy to get to. If you keep things together that you use together then you don't have to be searching all over when you need them...pasta is with the sauces,  etc. I always use plastic shoe bins, cardboard boxes, baskets, etc. I have a couple little turntables for spices and all those small containers. I hung my baskets on the wall for easy access...and also to remind me that there is in fact a sloping wall(that I have hid my head on several times already!) I "decorate" the pantry like it's another room in the house. I also put a couple plastic mail bins right inside the door. One is for papers to file(or forms from school to sign) and the other is for bills to pay. Then we don't have papers laying all over the counter getting shuffled around and lost. I found a cheap little rack with hooks and hung up my strainers and colanders. Use wall space if you have it. Put things you use most in an accessible place so you aren't knocking things over or digging in the back. Donate things you don't need, or have duplicates of...be realistic..if you don't use a coffee press, don't keep it, if you have 3 bundt pans, you can probably get rid of 2...or at least 1 of them. Organize your pantry how you use things, and for your lifestyle. Not everything works for everyone..and remember, it's a process not an hour long episode!
~Simply Angie

Cleaning With Vinegar and Baking Soda Tips

I hate to admit it but I really do like to clean. I also like to experiment with homemade cleaning products.  Making your own cleaning products is a great way to save money and reduce the number of toxins in your home. White vinegar is one of my favorite cleaning products. I think some people don't like to use it because of the smell, but trust me you can't even smell it after it dries.

• My favorite toilet cleaner: Pour 1/2 c white vinegar into the toilet bowl then add 1/2 c baking soda. The mixture will foam then settle down after a few minutes. Let sit about 20 minutes, use your toilet brush to scrub and you should have a beautiful toilet bowl. (I don't measure the amounts every time, you'll be able to guess once you have tried it). 

• On a side note, we used to have well water that left a water ring around the bowl. Using light pressure with a pumice stone (available at hardware or some grocery stores) you can remove the hard water ring. Be careful not to press too hard or you could scratch your toilet bowl, and only use it on the hard water ring and not the actual toilet bowl. Then use your vinegar and baking soda to shine it sparkly clean!

 

• For stubborn stains I mix 3/4 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup Kosher salt (and 20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil). I use this for the sink in my laundry room and bathrooms. One of the sinks is the one the guys use after they have been working on cars or in the garage, so there are a few chips in it. The baking soda is a natural deodorizer and is a mild abrasive. It's great to remove grease, can be used a whitener and disinfectant. I add a little water to my sink and sponge, the sprinkle the soda and salt mixture on the sink. I let it sit for 10-20 minutes (or until I remember it) and then scrub the sink - it works great! 

• My kitchen sink doesn't get as dirty so every day I use my favorite Spicy Sink Cleaner that we posted earlier.

Garage Sink - After

Garage Sink - Before

 Happy cleaning all!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Homemade Snickerdoodle Cookies

Another favorite cookie recipe from my baking days with grandma, snickerdoodles. I usually have to save some for the freezer right away because my husband and the children love them! Soft cookies are their favorites!
Ingredients:
1 c butter, room temperature but not too soft
1 3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 3/4 c flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
* Cinnamon and sugar mixture = mix together 2 T sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. You'll dip your cookie dough balls in this.

• Preheat oven to 375F
• Mix butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs.
• Add the dry ingredients and mix together.
• Roll dough into one inch balls then dip into the sugar and cinnamon mixture - (just the tops are ok).
• Place on parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
• Makes about 5-6 dozen. Sometimes I make mine bigger then I get 5 dozen cookies.
• Cool on a cooling rack. Freeze a few for later - they'll be gone before you know it!

Enjoy!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Chicken Tacos

Simply another one of the easiest meals ever! Chicken tacos are a quick meal idea and there are so many ways you can make them. Some of my friends even use precooked, shredded chicken... I do not - haha!!
I prefer to boil my chicken parts for about an hour, remove the skin and shred the chicken. Since I like to be frugal in the kitchen, I buy whole chickens and cut them up myself. Once you have shredded your chicken, you can freeze the leftovers in bags or containers, then thaw it out in the refrigerator when you want to make your chicken tacos. For soft shell tacos, I used the Simply Homemade Soft Flour Tortillas recipe. Then added the shredded chicken, fresh homemade salsa and some shredded cheese. I added shredded lettuce from the garden last, after I took the picture. Enjoy!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi