Cabinet Cleaning for a Healthy Lifestyle

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Marie Kondo has all of us seeking joy in 2019. Whether it’s with our wardrobes, or simply cleansing the energy in our spaces, it seems like 2019 is our year to detox. One of the areas I’ve been focusing on is my kitchen. 

As you guys know, I’m always on the go. And food prep needs to be quick and easy! I need items I can quickly grab and add to my gym bag. I realized I kept reaching for unhealthy treats because they were staring at me every time I opened my cabinets. 

So, I decided to bring joy to my kitchen by eliminating foods with “bad energy” and replacing with foods I genuinely felt good eating. 

I’m sharing my recent cabinet detox with you in hopes that it inspires you to have a healthy kitchen. 

Kitchen Cabinet Detox

Step 1: Remove Everything From Cabinets

YES! You heard that correctly. Place everything on the kitchen counters and begin sorting expired foods, medicines, and spices. You’ll be surprised with the amount of items that are expired or close to expiration in the dark corners of the cabinets. If you toss the expired items first the next steps of your kitchen cabinet detox will be quick and easy. You know I love efficiency. 

Step 2: Clean the Cabinets. 

I use a simple surface cleaner to remove all of the sticky or greasy residue. It’s at this moment you can hear Marie whispering in your ear “great job!” 

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Step 3: Sort Spices

I had SO MANY SPICES! Like legit a spice souk in my kitchen. Most of these were in various types of containers, so they were tucked behind other items. I decided to buy matching spice jars, and organized my spices next to my stove. Now, when I am cooking they are easy to grab. They look super chic now. And you know I love a good detail.

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Step 4: Organize Remaining Food

If there is a spice or canned item you will never use (and it’s sealed), create a box to donate to a local food collection. It’s a great way to feel good about getting rid of food that you don’t plan to eat. 

For the other items here is how I organized my cabinet:

• Quick Grabs: Firstly, I place these items at eye level in my cabinets so when I need something on the go, these are perfectly positioned for temptation. I’m obsessed with the Chicken of the Sea Infusions. These are PERFECT way to add protein, and they come in a cute container that instantly sparks joy. So I stock up on these and keep them front and center in my cabinet.  Chicken of the Sea partnered with me on this post, but as always the opinions are my own. 

• Sweets: I placed my favorite sweet items in clear canisters on the tippy top shelf of my cabinets. Porque? Because if they stare at me like Medusa, I will cave and turn to stone while eating them. So it’s best to keep the sweet treats for special occasions. 

• Medicines: I threw out a ton of expired medicine! You’d be surprised on how keeping a healthy diet keeps your immunity in check. WOW! I organized the few remaining medicines with my vitamins in a small clear tupperware container. So it’s a quick grab. 

• Smoothie making items: I make a green smoothie every day. Moreover, I’m kind of a freak about it. I realized I was grabbing my smoothie ingredients from various cabinets: my collagen, spirulina, coconut flakes… Now everything is in one spot near my blender. Quick and easy lifestyle. 

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Step 5: Integrate Healthy Food Options

I’m pretty healthy now, but this wasn’t always the case. In addition, I’ve made it a point to keep items in my home that are healthy. I have the occasional chocolate granola bar, but you won’t find candy in my house. It’s a purposeful choice! My cabinet staples are key. 

Here are some items I always have in stock:

• Chicken of the Sea Infusions – every flavor because they are so easy to eat solo or a quick protein add to a salad. Chicken of the Sea is sustainably sourced, so I feel good about buying their products. 
• Almond Butter
• Tahini
• Lentils 
• Chia Seeds
• Coconut Manna
• Quinoa
• Almonds

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Step 6: Meal Prep + Plan Your Lunches 

A healthy kitchen is important to make sure your diet is on track! It’s also awesome for your finances because when you know what you have at home, you wont be tempted to buy things you don’t need. 

A sample quick and easy lunch box for me includes the following items: 

• Chicken of the Sea Infusions – Thai Chili flavor is addicting plus these containers come with a fork – one less thing to pack!
• Celery Sticks to eat with the Infusions – love a good crunch! 
• An apple with Greek yogurt for dipping
• Walnuts or almonds
• Kombucha

It’s a light lunch packed with energy and protein to keep me moving along! So I hope it inspires you to create an inspired space in your kitchen to motivate healthy eating in your home. 

Intersted in more ideas? 

+ Check out my Miami inspired Recipes 

XO
EV

This blog post is sponsored by Chicken of the Sea™.