Tupperware Nightmare

Let’s face it. Getting dinner on the table is a big enough chore. There’s the planning, the shopping, the prep work, the retrieval of all the cookware, the actual cooking, and the endless clean up. Can we make this easier please????
I have worked with many families over the years to help them create their perfect dream kitchen. Each project presents me with a unique challenge which needs specific solutions to make life easier. Some areas are a common problem, but we have great ways to address them.
One complaint I almost know I’m going to hear about is the nightmare of the plastic containers we lovingly call Tupperware. There is no question that it is tough to store and retrieve. The lids go missing as they seem to jump off the shelf. Finding the right size container with a matching lid is frustrating at best.

In making dinner, putting the groceries away is the first step. Putting all the leftovers away during clean up is the final step. My goal is to reduce the steps in all these processes, leave room for several people to work in the room together, and find the right place for everything. My favorite way to store these handy containers is in deep drawers. The “three drawer cabinet” has a standard utensil type drawer at the top, and two deep drawers below it. I like to place this piece in a convenient spot to wrap leftovers, pack a lunch or a picnic, and yet not be in the way of someone emptying the dishwasher or putting something in the oven. Sometimes an island is the perfect spot. Food wraps fit nicely in the top drawer so everything is in a logical location for its task.

In these times of reducing plastic waste as well as dollars, it makes sense to use washable containers for leftovers. Money is also kept in your pocket if you carry that “previously prepared meal” to work the next day avoiding the $7.00 plus lunch. How about the calories you’ll save by knowing exactly what is in the food you are eating? Why not make twice as much food as you need that night and freeze a whole meal for later? When all the items are in the right spot, packing your lunch can actually be a pleasure.
-Julie Hendrickson