Comments on: How Do You Pick Your Battles? (My Kitchen is a Mess!) http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/ Enjoying "God's Natural, Organic, Whole Foods, Grown Locally, In Season" Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:33:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Wardeh http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-40371 Wardeh Sun, 01 May 2011 04:06:49 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-40371 Dawn -- I love that idea to simplify the potential dishes mess. You're so right -- we tend to use it if it is around. I may try this someday (soon). Thanks for sharing! Dawn — I love that idea to simplify the potential dishes mess. You’re so right — we tend to use it if it is around. I may try this someday (soon). Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: dawn http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-40368 dawn Sun, 01 May 2011 04:01:30 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-40368 oh, I forgot to add one thing I've done to help tame the mess in the kitchen. Since no one here likes to do the dishes, they tend to pile up...especially since I cook from scratch now. Out of desperation one day, I decided to give every member of the family one place setting: dinner plate, small plate, bowl, glass, knife, fork and spoon. I packed the rest of the dishes away in a closet. If you use something between meals, you can wash it if you want to eat off of it at the next meal, unless someone did dishes before then. I'm trying to be better about washing dishes after each meal, it's not so overwhelming that way. But cutting down the number of POTENTIAL dishes has really helped, although it is not a cure-all...as I type this, I'm in the middle of washing dishes that should have been done earlier today...and it's almost midnight. But it's so much easier to face the day with a clean kitchen, not to mention preparing meals. Sometimes I can make myself get it done...other times, I just don't. But, I'm getting better, slowly but surely ;) oh, I forgot to add one thing I’ve done to help tame the mess in the kitchen. Since no one here likes to do the dishes, they tend to pile up…especially since I cook from scratch now. Out of desperation one day, I decided to give every member of the family one place setting: dinner plate, small plate, bowl, glass, knife, fork and spoon. I packed the rest of the dishes away in a closet. If you use something between meals, you can wash it if you want to eat off of it at the next meal, unless someone did dishes before then. I’m trying to be better about washing dishes after each meal, it’s not so overwhelming that way. But cutting down the number of POTENTIAL dishes has really helped, although it is not a cure-all…as I type this, I’m in the middle of washing dishes that should have been done earlier today…and it’s almost midnight. But it’s so much easier to face the day with a clean kitchen, not to mention preparing meals. Sometimes I can make myself get it done…other times, I just don’t. But, I’m getting better, slowly but surely ;)

]]> By: dawn http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-40366 dawn Sun, 01 May 2011 03:40:40 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-40366 Thank you for this post! I have been a clutterbug my entire life, although as I've gotten older, and experienced the healing touch from the Lord on my emotions, I've gotten better at housekeeping. I've always felt that, at least for myself, the level of outward clutter in my home was a barometer of sorts for the level of clutter in my heart, mind and emotions. I'm scatter-brained...I'm an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of person, so I like to have everything out so I don't forget to use it...I struggle with establishing routines (nothing seems to stick very long aside from get up, get through the day, go to bed and repeat)...my desk is always covered in I don't even know what...and my kitchen, which I feel is the heart of my home (and where I spend 90% of my day) is usually a disaster. And yet...I crave order. I long for airy, open spaces...not sterility, but just not so much STUFF all over everywhere! I get so frustrated with myself because even though I desperately crave order, like one lost in the desert desperately needs water, I just can't seem to make it happen. These two posts have encouraged me and given me some practical ideas...along with the terrific comments! While I will still wage the war against clutter and messes, I am thankful to have a new perspective on them...and learn to appreciate them for what they can be, a reminder of life well lived with those I love the most. Thank you for this post! I have been a clutterbug my entire life, although as I’ve gotten older, and experienced the healing touch from the Lord on my emotions, I’ve gotten better at housekeeping. I’ve always felt that, at least for myself, the level of outward clutter in my home was a barometer of sorts for the level of clutter in my heart, mind and emotions.

I’m scatter-brained…I’m an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of person, so I like to have everything out so I don’t forget to use it…I struggle with establishing routines (nothing seems to stick very long aside from get up, get through the day, go to bed and repeat)…my desk is always covered in I don’t even know what…and my kitchen, which I feel is the heart of my home (and where I spend 90% of my day) is usually a disaster.

And yet…I crave order. I long for airy, open spaces…not sterility, but just not so much STUFF all over everywhere! I get so frustrated with myself because even though I desperately crave order, like one lost in the desert desperately needs water, I just can’t seem to make it happen. These two posts have encouraged me and given me some practical ideas…along with the terrific comments! While I will still wage the war against clutter and messes, I am thankful to have a new perspective on them…and learn to appreciate them for what they can be, a reminder of life well lived with those I love the most.

]]> By: Tips for Maintaining and Establishing Routines | GNOWFGLINS http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-28354 Tips for Maintaining and Establishing Routines | GNOWFGLINS Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:17:10 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-28354 [...] Being with our children, cooking together – that’s Real Fun! As a GNOWFGLINS reader, Lisa, wrote, “The glorious messes are all worth it, especially as I teach my children to work in the kitchen [...] [...] Being with our children, cooking together – that’s Real Fun! As a GNOWFGLINS reader, Lisa, wrote, “The glorious messes are all worth it, especially as I teach my children to work in the kitchen [...]

]]> By: How To Balance Real Food And Real Life | GNOWFGLINS™ http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-25940 How To Balance Real Food And Real Life | GNOWFGLINS™ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:08:01 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-25940 [...] I wrote the post How Do You Pick Your Battles? (My Kitchen Is A Mess!) on October 30th, my Kitchen Life felt really out of [...] [...] I wrote the post How Do You Pick Your Battles? (My Kitchen Is A Mess!) on October 30th, my Kitchen Life felt really out of [...]

]]> By: Wardeh http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-25911 Wardeh Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:15:53 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-25911 Hey, all - if you're still following this thread - you've got to read Katy's post, "When Katy Met Sally" - it is linked in the comment above mine. Hey, all – if you’re still following this thread – you’ve got to read Katy’s post, “When Katy Met Sally” – it is linked in the comment above mine.

]]> By: Katy http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-25846 Katy Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:47:04 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-25846 Oh, my. I have been writing <a href="http://katymcarter.com/2009/11/a-cry-for-help-or-when-katy-met-sally/" rel="nofollow">this post</a> for about three weeks, and finally finished it today. It expresses my frustration with how difficult life can be when you're trying to keep up with the nourishing traditions lifestyle. I wonder if it's the time of year, that makes us all feel like we can't do it all? How is it we all seem overwhelmed at the same time? .-= Katy´s last blog post... <a href="http://katymcarter.com/2009/11/open-wide/" rel="nofollow">Open wide…</a> =-. Oh, my. I have been writing this post for about three weeks, and finally finished it today. It expresses my frustration with how difficult life can be when you’re trying to keep up with the nourishing traditions lifestyle. I wonder if it’s the time of year, that makes us all feel like we can’t do it all? How is it we all seem overwhelmed at the same time?
.-= Katy´s last blog post… Open wide… =-.

]]> By: Sangeeta http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-25836 Sangeeta Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:36:56 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-25836 I am not very far along on our whole food journey (though I do cook from scratch for the most part) and find it impossible to keep up with the house especially the kitchen. And clutter makes my mind cluttered! Any tips on keeping up with the house and the kitchen in THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME are much appreciated! Thanks Peggy and Pamela! I am not very far along on our whole food journey (though I do cook from scratch for the most part) and find it impossible to keep up with the house especially the kitchen. And clutter makes my mind cluttered! Any tips on keeping up with the house and the kitchen in THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME are much appreciated! Thanks Peggy and Pamela!

]]> By: Heather H. http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-25826 Heather H. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:49:53 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-25826 I have to say I have never been more thankful to have teenagers in the house. I have found something wonderful about teenagers at long last. They can work just as hard as I can! We started learning about traditional foods a year ago, and the journey together has been so much fun. My 15 year old son is the king of fermentation, he thinks it is the "way coolest thing ever" and i have happily delegated. My 17 year old daughter loves to can and make bread, she has now earned those job titles. My husband is a faithful dishwasher and is fanatical about the kitchen floor being clean. So Wardeh, hang in there! Your family will be old enough to work along side you very soon. Train them in the way they should go, and you'll have partners in that kitchen. I actually soaked in the bathtub Saturday while the kids made dinner. wow I have to say I have never been more thankful to have teenagers in the house. I have found something wonderful about teenagers at long last. They can work just as hard as I can! We started learning about traditional foods a year ago, and the journey together has been so much fun. My 15 year old son is the king of fermentation, he thinks it is the “way coolest thing ever” and i have happily delegated. My 17 year old daughter loves to can and make bread, she has now earned those job titles. My husband is a faithful dishwasher and is fanatical about the kitchen floor being clean.

So Wardeh, hang in there! Your family will be old enough to work along side you very soon. Train them in the way they should go, and you’ll have partners in that kitchen. I actually soaked in the bathtub Saturday while the kids made dinner. wow

]]> By: Sarah Schatz - menu planners for limited diets http://gnowfglins.com/2009/10/30/how-do-you-pick-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-25764 Sarah Schatz - menu planners for limited diets Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:26:38 +0000 http://gnowfglins.com/?p=4885#comment-25764 I also agree with you Wardeh, and everyone else who responded, that it is definitely a balancing act to keep a house clean among all the cooking! I too find the house a mess several times a day, and yes, it is usually my fault too! But I think in the end, it is all worth it because nothing beats having home cooked meals and nourishing foods for my family. Sarah .-= Sarah Schatz - menu planners for limited diets´s last blog post... <a href="http://www.heartofcooking.com/2009/10/do-you-need-an-allergen-free-thanksgiving-menu-plan/" rel="nofollow">Do you need an Allergen-free Thanksgiving menu plan?</a> =-. I also agree with you Wardeh, and everyone else who responded, that it is definitely a balancing act to keep a house clean among all the cooking!
I too find the house a mess several times a day, and yes, it is usually my fault too! But I think in the end, it is all worth it because nothing beats having home cooked meals and nourishing foods for my family.
Sarah
.-= Sarah Schatz – menu planners for limited diets´s last blog post… Do you need an Allergen-free Thanksgiving menu plan? =-.

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