Spring is the perfect time to peek in your kitchen and think about your eating habits to make space for a new, delicious season.
Start by taking a look inside your freezer. Use up what you have and toss out what you no longer need. If this feels overwhelming or you can't tackle it all at once, do it in stages. Just five to ten minutes is enough to check inside and take inventory.
What's hiding in the back that you've forgotten about? Move a few things to the front that you can use this week, or toss something you know you won't use. Then come back another time for a few more minutes — shift something forward for next week, maybe toss out another item.
After just a couple of short visits, you can effortlessly organize your freezer. You'll feel lighter and be ready for a new season.
Do the same with your pantry. What's lingering in the back that you can use to throw together an easy meal? Are there ingredients that you tend to use more in winter than in spring? What can you finish off now — lentils? beans?
What else can you make this week with what's in your pantry? Tuna? Polenta?
A quick pantry clean-out not only sparks dinner ideas and prevents waste — it also helps you feel refreshed, ready for what's next.
While you're clearing out the old and making room for the new, consider your springtime shopping. What can you swap out from before for healthier, more flavorful options?
Do you want to make fresh tomato sauce when tomatoes are in season this summer and skip the jars of store-bought sauce? Your homemade sauce will taste better and will be more sustainable — supporting local farmers, saving money, and cutting down on packaging waste. You can even freeze some tomato sauce for next winter.
Did you find a few commercially made dinners in the freezer? How about roasting a chicken or pork next time instead? It's easy, and you can repurpose leftovers and get three to four meals in one — cutting down on additives, saving money, and boosting flavor.
Do you have any boxes of mac and cheese? A simple classic Italian pasta dish is just as easy to make — and much more satisfying. Dishes like pasta puttanesca or carbonara, or fettuccine Alfredo are quick to prepare and offer rich, satisfying flavors.
You can even use the leftover roast chicken or pork to make a fabulous pasta dish.
Grab a piece of paper or use your recipe app to start a list of replacements — then try one new recipe and then another.
Great food is just half the recipe for a great meal — the other half is how you eat it.
At mealtimes this week, reflect on your family's eating habits. Is everyone sitting down and taking a moment to breathe and relax before eating? Are you chewing well, remembering the importance of knives and napkins, and savoring both the meal and the moment?
If something needs a reset, now's the time for a gentle reminder that a good Table Culture is the foundation of healthy eating habits and overall well-being. Maintaining a positive table culture fosters better digestion, improves mood, and strengthens family connections.
One small change in what you serve — and how you eat — can have a huge impact on your health and the pleasure of food. It all leads to more happiness.
Start with one simple new recipe or one shift in eating habits — and we'll talk more about seasonal recipes and mindful eating in upcoming blogs this spring.
