On Efficiency

Hi all, Vanessa here! Karen will be talking to you about all kinds of good tips to maximize your kitchen efficiency this week: cleaning as you go, using only the most necessary utensils, and my personal favorite mise en place. But beyond those physical strategies that can lead to a more pleasant experience in preparing meals, there's more: taking into account your mental and emotional needs as you find them on the day you find them. Paying attention to these while in the kitchen will bring a sense of calm, purpose - and while they may not bring you to meditate on the counter, are just as important as figuring out what mise en place is.

What do I mean? Well first what it doesn't need to be: pristine white subway-tile, top-of-the-line appliances, calm (or at least non-screaming) children. BUT: whatever your kitchen journeys look like, they should look like YOU and your life as it is currently. That means honoring your needs, preferences, calendar, skill level, and energy level as it fluctuates. Does that mean delivery? Does that mean a family recipe? Does that mean all of your social media friends are going to drool at the pictures you post? Yes, yes, and yes. All of those options are morally equal. As is popcorn on the couch when you just can't even.

Maybe your truth is that you have a professionally-designed kitchen will all the amenities and ALSO haven't had the time or headspace to use it. Accepting that without guilt, shame, or moral judgement frees up your head for all sorts of other things.

That's kitchen efficiency, too!