Simple, realistic steps towards a paperless kitchen

The thought of creating a paperless kitchen may seem like a daunting task, but with the help of the right organizational pieces it can be easily done. Any home – small or large, contemporary or traditional – can be reorganized to limit paper products.

instagram_paperlessFirst, it is important to consider your household, the people around you and what level of change is appropriate for your lifestyle. Going paperless doesn’t have to be a black and white choice – any move in the right direction has its impact. It is important to communicate with your family and agree on a plan of action before implementing any large changes in your home.

Before you begin

There are lots of easy ways to make your own kitchen towels on the cheap. For specifics, check our Pinterest board on the same subject. If you’re not the hands-on type, start stocking up on towels when you find them on sale. It’s important to start loading up on towels before riding your home of paper products. You want to be ready to tackle life’s messes sans-paper before you run out of paper towels, napkins, etc. This way you can seamlessly transition from one lifestyle to the next.

Storage

Once you have stocked up on dish and hand towels as well as fabric napkins, it is time to find a storage solution that works for you. A lot of organizers love utilizing glass candy jars to keep clean towels at the ready. This allows you to keep towels near the sink or on the counter top without compromising neatness or décor. paperless_rags

For dish towels or other rags that may not be as pretty to display, consider re-purposing a plastic bag recycler. These handy bins are hidden under kitchen counters to create out-of-sight storage. Fill them with clean kitchen rags and easily access a towel whenever you need it.

Use and cleaning

Once it is time to throw towels in the dirty laundry, it’s necessary to have a receptacle in the kitchen. Utilize an over the cabinet waste bin to collect dirty towels. This small, stylish trash bin hangs over cabinet doors; you can hang them to sit either inside or outside the door. Doing this limits the need to do laundry more frequently, and keeping it tucked under the counter keeps any odors or stains out of sight.

Not all towels are ready to toss in the laundry after one use though. To allow them to dry properly and keep them at hand for another use, add extra areas to hang them. Over the door towel racks are the perfect way to create more storage without compromising wall space or creating permanent structures. These handy rods simply slid over kitchen cabinet doors without hardware or tools – plus, they’re padded to protect wood from scratches and signs of wear. These racks are also perfect for the bathroom!

Once you have these simple organizational hacks conquered, a paperless kitchen will be just another aspect of your everyday life. And then you can work to utilize it throughout the rest of the house!

Find these products and more like them at StacksandStacks.com.

Summer ends on a sweet note with fresh corn

I grew up in the southern thumb if Michigan. My neighborhood didn’t have sidewalks and corner stores – we experienced budding childhood in between cornfields and cow farms. It wasn’t uncommon for kids to drive around at night and steal ears of corn, fresh and ripe from the towering stalks.corn3

The summer treat is no stranger to me and while my favorite way to enjoy it remains a simple boil in some sugar water, there are many new ways I incorporate the staple in my diet today.

corn1 For the basics, I must have some quality cob holders. These rubber handles with strong stainless steel prongs make it super simple to hold hot corn fresh from the pot. These heat-resistant holders from OXO are non-slip and come in a set of eight – enough for a family of four.

If oven roasting is your style, a silicone brush is a must. Simply place cobs on a baking sheet, brush with melted butter, season liberally and bake until tender with golden brown spots. This silicone brush is heat resistant and holds onto whatever sauce or baste you are using. The silicone bristles remove for easy cleaning and the rosewood handle is easy to hold.corn2

corn4For something a little different, consider fire roasted corn salsa. It sounds complicated, but this multi-use dish is as easy as it gets. For this project there are two must-haves that I recommend: a corn peeler and a strawberry huller. The peeler makes sense; roast the corn and then easily remove the kernels. But a strawberry huller? Good salsa means good tomatoes, which if you’re like me, are not the easiest to dice. Using a strawberry huller makes it real easy to remove the pit. These simple tools will make crafting your own salsa a cinch.

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Find this recipe and more on our Pinterest page.

Survive hot days with delicious fruit infused water

Infused waters are an excellent way to cool down — and with the last hot days of summer approaching, there’s no better time than now to start exploring their benefits. Acclaimed to have the magic powers to help you detox and slim down, fruit infused water is a healthy alternative to fruit juice. So grab your favorite water bottle, carafe or pitcher:

water1Water infuser

This infusing pitcher is top of the line. This pitcher comes with three different inserts: a mesh tea steeper, a perforated fruit infuser and a solid insert for ice. Make your favorite fruit infusions, homemade iced tea or keep mixed drinks cool without watering them down. This glass pitcher is BPA free and dishwasher safe. Use it hot or cold and enjoy the gasket seal which offers a spill-proof pour.

Fruit infusion pitcherwater2

This simple pitcher is perfect for those just looking to try infused water. The middle insert is designed to hold fresh fruit, herbs and veggies in place while the side slits allow the flavor and nutrients to seep into the water. The clear finish makes an excellent display piece during a get together and the entire piece is super easy to clean. This acrylic pitcher is long-lasting and durable – perfect for standing up to the wear and tear of a busy family home.

Tumbler infuser

water4It doesn’t matter how fast paced your life is, delicious fruit infused water is still obtainable. This great tumbler is also an infuser – perfect for hot loose leaf tea and cold water alike. This piece is also BPA free and features a leak-proof seal. Th double wall insulation keeps beverages cold and hot while the convenient soft grip makes travel easy. Add you favorite natural flavors and throw this tumbler in your backpack, gym bag, lunch box and anywhere else you need to easily take it on the go.

Flavors

Check our our favorite recipes:

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Find excellent fruit infusion recipes on our Pinterest page.