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8 Kitchen-Design Hacks That Will Make Healthy Eating A No-Brainer
Whether you're looking to become gluten-free, sugar-free, or just a more mindful eater, revamping your kitchen can be the first step in cleaning up your diet.
After all, your surroundings can greatly influence your habits, and if your kitchen feels personalized, attractive, and simple to navigate, it will become easier for you to eat in ways that promote that flow of vibrancy.
Creating a space that encourages healthy eating doesn't have to mean a complete overhaul—all you need to do is declutter, organize, and flood your space with food that makes you feel fantastic.
Here are a few easy ways to liven up your kitchen flow:
1. Deck out your pantry.
If the inside of your pantry is less than gorgeous, line your shelves with some adhesive paper to create a whole new look that's sleek and inspired (and so easy to do)!
2. Line your kitchen with lovely messages.
It's a Buddhist ritual to say a small prayer before eating as a way to energize food and express appreciation. You can add messages of gratitude to your kitchen in fun ways with inspirational art on the walls, or you can take a beautiful tip from Lisa Markuson of the Haiku Guys & Gals and put little poems or sayings on your pantry and refrigerator shelves.
3. Detox your fridge.
Use up the less-than-healthy foods that you'd be better off without and search for healthier alternatives to satisfy all your cravings. While you're at it, see if you can compost any spoiled food and take note of where you tend to overpurchase.
4. Experiment with Mason jars.
Use Mason jars to store all of those legumes, grains, and pastas lying around in random packages in you pantry. Storing everything in sleek jars can help food stay fresh and looks harmonious.
5. Invest in a spice rack.
A spinning spice rack is a simple way to add 50 or so spices to a small space, and it's guaranteed to make you more adventurous in the kitchen. Organizing your seasonings makes it easy to explore a wide range of flavors every time you cook.
6. Regrow your own greens.
Even if you think you don't have much of a green thumb, try regrowing your veggie scraps as a fun experiment. When the green parts of my scallions are nearly gone, I prop them on my countertop in a tall cup filled with water and watch them sprout. Romaine lettuce is currently regrowing in water (albeit slowly!) in my kitchen window. Wherever you grow plants, greens, herbs, and sprouts, the air will fill with magnetic, expansive energy.
7. Make it easy to access your smoothie ingredients.
Smoothie bars like MIMO in NYC have the right idea with their do-it-yourself smoothie bars filled with yummy superfoods. Create your own at home by displaying smoothie ingredients like goji berries, cacao nips, and flaked coconut in small Mason jars on your counter like an art installation. This way, they're ready to go for your morning smoothie!
8. Display your cookbooks.
Install a simple shelf or magazine rack to hold your favorite inspiring magazines and cookbooks to add some creative adventure to your space! Get started with a few essential plant-based cookbooks like The Oh She Glows Cookbook, Make Your Own Rules Cookbook, and The PlantPower Way.
