Spring Clean Your Cooking Routine

Anyone else have spring cleaning on their mind when April rolls in? Just like it’s important to periodically deep clean and purge unnecessary clutter around the house, it’s helpful to reevaluate your meal planning, shopping and food prepping routine too. Here are a few simple steps for spring cleaning your cooking routine as we head into this new season.

Step 1: Take inventory of your pantry

It might sound scary, but now’s the time to venture into the depths of the pantry to see exactly what  you have, then strategize how to use it (or if needed, toss it!). Save money as you work through shelf-stable items before purchasing duplicates and remember to re-stock those healthy staples that make fast weeknight meals a breeze. Some of our favorites are canned tomatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth and nutrient-rich whole grains like quinoa.

Step 2: Embrace seasonal produce

One simple way to get out of a cooking rut is to switch up your go-to fruits and vegetables based on the season. Bonus: this also means fresher and less expensive finds! Try simple grilled vegetables for a simple spring side dish that will get rave reviews. We also love salads  with seasonal fruits and vegetables featuring strawberries and radishes which come back in season in March.

Step 3: Find a meal planning method that actually works.

Remember that meal planning is key to staying on track with healthy living goals so if your current setup isn’t working, it might be time to switch gears. Make it a goal to find an approach that feels doable -- and more importantly, sustainable -- in the long term. If this is something you struggle with, you might consider outsourcing. Try out one of my self directed food plans to save time so you can focus on improving your culinary skills and enjoying home-cooked meals over endless recipe searching.

Dedicating time to freshen up your cooking routine can produce results that last. A simple,  well-planned menu and well-stocked pantry will reduce your stress in the kitchen and limit the need for takeout. Set yourself up for success -  which step will you tackle first?