Everyday Systems

I stumbled across this today. I've found it to be true:

http://casualkitchen.blogspot.com/2008/ ... -food.html

wosnes, I always stop and read your entries! I know I will learn something worthwhile. I like this concept and am going to really think about it it terms organizing not only my kitchen, but my house! the first thing that came to mind was my "collection" of utensils I keep on the counter...I could eliminate one entire crock without batting an eye! And then moving on to foods..mmm..this will keep me occupied for quite a while. thanks for taking the time to share. (I'm planning to read more about this concept too.)

Grammy G wrote:wosnes, I always stop and read your entries! I know I will learn something worthwhile. I like this concept and am going to really think about it it terms organizing not only my kitchen, but my house! the first thing that came to mind was my "collection" of utensils I keep on the counter...I could eliminate one entire crock without batting an eye! And then moving on to foods..mmm..this will keep me occupied for quite a while. thanks for taking the time to share. (I'm planning to read more about this concept too.)

Thanks Grammy G. One of the areas I can definitely apply this to is cookbooks. I know that 80% of the recipes I use come from 20% of the cookbooks I own. Having moved several times in the last 13 years, I know they account for a lot of the bulk of what I move.

I've also learned that if I bookmark or clip recipes and I don't make them within the first week I have them (with rare exceptions), it's not likely that I'll make them. Beyond that, I've learned that when I make the new recipes, if they don't elicit an "oh, that's really good", they're not worth keeping (again, with some exceptions).

Dandelion posted a link to an article on the off-topic board and while reading that I found this: 80/20 Rule of Healthy Moderation

I bookmarked the article Dandelion suggested ... I am really liking this 80/20 concept. Last evening, having a glass of wine while sitting on the deck watching the sun set behind the autumn splendor of PA, I starting applying the 80/20 to relationships. 80% of the stress in our lives probably comes from 20% of our friends/family. ...and 80% of our happiness probably comes from 20% too! I think there is a group that we are VERY attached to that falls into both groups! I am going to think about this and try to think of more ways to spend quality time with that 20% that bring me joy and have much less contact with those 20% that don't. I agree that recipes that I "save" are either used immediately or not at all. I am thinking of the recipes I've clipped, made .. didn't like..and yet filed them away again!! Every time I see them in my file I say, "Oh yea.. made that..didn't like it!" and don't pitch it!! How crazy!! My eyes are opened! An old dog has learned a new trick!