Kitchen Questions

Our kitchen is the central courtyard of our home, where we light the hearth fire. It used to be a gathering spot, but we don't eat there anymore; we flow through from the front to the back of the house, in and out all day long, gathering only long enough to make a cake together, or load our plates.

We had many reasons for not eating at the table, and that led to the decision to install a mattress-fort under the table, making it impossible to pull chairs up to it anymore.

My biggest question today is: Is that how we want our kitchen to be used or is it time to reintroduce meals at the table?

Agenda today:

1. Read "One Year to an Organized Life"

2. Clean and clear the kitchen

3. Simple steps for health

1. Read "One Year to an Organized Life":

I'm enjoying this book by Regina Leeds (2008) ; the subtitle promises I will get "Completely Organized for Good"! While I don't consider myself to be hopelessly disorganized, I have identified several areas that need improvement.

I'm reading a section called Kitchen Questions. The questions that I ask are:

• What pleases me about our kitchen, and what do I not like?
• Which furniture has meaning for me, and which might I like to replace? What could be reclaimed, refinished, repaired?
• Are kitchen tools and foods in order? Can we find things? What will I unearth in the darkest, deepest, mystery spaces?
• Do we still need all the utensil and cups we own, or can we eliminate some of them?

2. Clean and clear our kitchen:

In February my cleaning focus is woodwork and doors, and Black Holes: the mysterious deep dark spaces of storage that I haven't looked in for years. This week I'll clean in the kitchen:

• Clean the back door, wood and window.
• Clean all the cabinet doors.
• Clear out the black holes; the jam closet shelves, the under sink shelves, the junk drawer: Collect everything that needs a new home in a big box and at the end of the week, find a new spot or donate.
• Clear old food: Use up or toss all old preserves, spices, and past date canned goods this month.

3. Simple steps for health:

This year I've decided to review and work at the Simple Steps model for improving my self-care. I've been choosing one new habit each week to build and monitor. This week I intend to make time for some practical mobility stretches, because I'd like to be able to put my socks on without so much resistance.

Mobility training will reduce my risk of injury, improve joint health, reduce muscle soreness, and speed up the recovery process. And they are easy to practice little movements. Here's my plan:

Morning coffee:

1. Neck Stretches: Gently tilt your head to the left, right, forward, and backward. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds to relieve tension in your neck and upper back.
2. Shoulder Rolls: Roll your shoulders backward and forward in a slow, controlled motion. This exercise helps improve shoulder mobility and reduces stiffness.

Computer break:

1. Wrist Flexor and Extensor Stretch: Extend one arm in front of you with the palm facing up and gently pull the fingers back with your opposite hand. Then, flip your hand so the palm faces down and gently press the fingers toward your body. Switch arms and repeat. These stretches promote wrist mobility and alleviate wrist discomfort.
2. Knee Extensions: Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Extend one leg fully, hold for a few seconds, and lower it back down. Repeat with the other leg. Knee extensions strengthen your quadriceps and improve knee joint flexibility.

Before dressing:

1. Cactus arms: Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides, knees and toes pointing forward. Roll your shoulders up, back, and down. Inhale, and reach your arms out and overhead. Exhale, and keeping your chest lifted, bring your arms out to your sides with palms facing forward and elbows bent 90 degrees like a cactus. Repeat 8-10x's.
2. Hip flexor stretch: Stand upright with feet together beside a chair, wall, or another surface you can use to balance. Take a deep breath in, and lift your left leg up off the floor and bring your knee toward your chest as far as you can. Hold your leg in the air for a count of 5, then slowly and carefully lower your leg back down again. Repeat with other leg, 10 times on each leg.