I know, I know, we’re hungry, we’re tired, aren’t we allowed to at least enjoy a well-prepared, home-cooked meal after a day’s fast? Of course!

However, do keep in mind that Ramadan is not a food festival. It is so much more than that, and like everything else, it does not last. So we need to prioritise because before we know it, the month of Ramadan with all its blessings will be gone, giving way to the other months. This is why just as you may have an ibadah plan for Ramadan, having a planned and organised kitchen is also important, as it will help us become more effective in managing our time when the holy month arrives. One way to get ready for Ramadan is to install a new white marble worktop. This, in turn, will hopefully give us more opportunity to focus on other activities like performing taraweeh, reciting the Qur’an and performing dhikr.

So, without further ado, below are some of my tips to help you become more organised in the kitchen during the month of Ramadan; source: GammaCabinetry.

1. Have a pre-Ramadan clean-up session

Since we do not want to be spending a lot of time and energy doing any major cleaning up in our kitchen during Ramadan, it makes perfect sense to do this beforehand. Depending on the size and state of your kitchen, you can do this as early as three weeks ahead, although I personally feel that two weeks should be enough time. What we want to tackle for this session is basically what I like to call the “major stuff”.

Now, don’t be put off by the name; it is actually very doable and not too hard at all. However, it does require a little bit more of your time and energy compared to your everyday cleaning routine. To get things done faster, get your family members to help, which will lighten your workload, In sha Allah. The “major stuff” consists of the following:

• Getting rid of any unwanted materials or ingredients to make space for the items that you will need for Ramadan.
• Wiping (inside and outside) your oven, microwave, cabinets, fridge, freezer, windows, kitchen counter, stove top and floor.
• Designating a home for all your ingredients and kitchen utensils or tools.

In my previous article, I have included a detailed explanation of these steps, so do check it out if you want to learn more about them.

Once this task is completed, come Ramadan, your kitchen will be in great condition and all you have to worry about then is maintaining it that way for the rest of the month.

Remember, consistency is everything! Habits like regularly tackling your dirty dishes before they build up, immediately putting things where they belong and instantly wiping spills, dirt or grime will ensure that your kitchen stays clean and neat all the time with minimal effort.

2. Start planning your Ramadan menu

Now that we have got the cleaning covered, it is time to move on to meal planning. I believe that doing this in advance will help make our transition into Ramadan easier. You can start planning the menu two weeks ahead: sit down and spend about an hour or two to list down all the dishes that you plan to serve throughout the entire month and prepare a shopping list for the ingredients that you need. In planning the menu, take into account family favourites and any dietary restrictions so you don’t end up preparing dishes that nobody will eat.

Preparing your meals ahead

I recommend that you consider including meals that can be made ahead of time in your menu. They are essentially dishes that you prepare in advance, and then freeze and reheat when you want to serve them. Examples of such meals include stews, soups, sauces, porridge, curry dishes, and many more. These meals can be made to last for months (most food items will keep up to 3 months if stored properly), which will save you so much precious time during Ramadan.

Allocate a day when you can do all your cooking (perhaps a week or two, or a few days prior to Ramadan) or take a few hours every couple of days and slowly build up your meals. Double or (if you’re up for it!) triple the amount that you usually make and store it in food containers in usable portions so you don’t end up wasting food. By preparing as many meals as you can before entering Ramadan, you will be able to have more free time later on.

Storing fast and easy foods

It also helps to fill up your kitchen with healthy snacks and easy-to-prepare foods, should you find yourself in situations when you’re required to do some quick, last-minute cooking. Trust me, no matter how much we have planned, there will be days like these!

Foods like rice, bread, eggs, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, fruits, canned fish, barley, cereals, frozen vegetables and baked beans are among my kitchen staples. They’re versatile, easy to make and I always make sure I have them around in case I’m in the mood for some instant nourishment without having to put in too much effort to prepare them.

3. Stock up on kitchen helpers

Items like cling wrap, foil, paper towel, plastic bags and food containers (preferably glass if you plan to reheat them in the microwave) come in many brands and sizes, some of which are very, very cheap. They are useful to have in the kitchen, especially when it comes to meal preparation and storing leftovers or make-ahead meals. Now, I’m aware that some of the things I have listed above may not be that eco-friendly, so my advice is to only use these products when necessary, try to reuse them (if possible) and recycle those that can be recycled.

4. Go shopping

Now that you have your list, it’s time to hit the supermarket! Knowing when to buy what is also important. Ideally, we would all want to cross off every single item on our list in one shopping trip. Unfortunately, this is not always practical. If you are going to cook right away, then there’s no problem with this. But if you plan on doing it on some later date, then it is best to stock up on all the kitchen gears and non-perishable foods you will need for Ramadan first (examples: dry foods like grains, canned goods) and leave out the easily perishable ones (examples: fresh herbs and green, leafy vegetables) for later, as they don’t last long. Purchase them a day or two before you plan to use them to ensure they are still in good shape when cooked. So, even though you don’t get to buy everything in one go, at least you get to shop lightly on your subsequent shopping trips since you only have to focus on getting the remaining items.

Online Shopping

While we’re still on the subject of shopping, another great way to do this is by buying things online. These days, a lot of major supermarkets around the world offer this facility with either zero or minimal delivery charge. Check with your nearest supermarket if they provide delivery service to your area. Online shopping is not only convenient, but it is also a real time-saver. It is definitely something I would recommend, especially for those who are always busy and those who are too weak or tired to go to the supermarket while fasting. It also minimises impulse buying: since you are not walking through the aisles (on empty stomachs during Ramadan!), it prevents you from buying items that most likely will be unnecessary, unhealthy and expensive.

5. Get familiar with kitchen shortcuts

These are tricks that can make your life as a home cook less stressful, as they help cut your work short. If your goal for this Ramadan is to have an easier time in the kitchen, then you should learn as many shortcuts as possible. For instance, using a food processor to chop onions (especially when you need to use a lot of them) and soaking cut fruits in saltwater to prevent them from turning brown are just a few examples of the many tips available out there. You can get them from the internet, cookbooks, and from your mother! I personally feel that the best tips I got were from my grandmother. A lot of them sounded strange when I first heard them, but they always work perfectly!

6. Keep things uncomplicated when hosting iftar parties

For many Muslims, iftar parties are a must during Ramadan. Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to go overboard in planning them resulting in overly stressed out and tired hosts and banquets of meals that make you too tired for ibadah afterwards. To avoid this, the key is to keep things simple. Plan ahead and be realistic about what you can and cannot do. If you cannot cook for more than 20 people, keep the number of guests below that or if this is not possible, then consider other options like recruiting extra help, serving store-bought foods or better yet, turning it into a “bring-a-dish” party, where everyone pitches in and brings along one dish. Not only is this fun as your guests get to showcase their cooking talent, but it will also lessen your workload. The spirit of Ramadan will also come alive as everyone will take part in feeding other fasting people.

Plus, it is also easier to use disposable plates, cups and utensils (opt for eco-friendly ones, if possible) for these events, especially if you are inviting a large number of guests. I know they don’t exactly represent chic dining, but at least you won’t be stuck washing dirty dishes for hours later on!

7. If things don’t go as planned…relax!

This is firstly a reminder for me, as it is for everyone else. I personally find it difficult to accept when things don’t go according to my plan and I struggle greatly with this as it is just not in my nature to go with the flow. But in my distress, I always remind myself that no matter how perfect I think my plans are, Allah is still The Best Planner. I take comfort in this and it helps me to deal with any unexpected hurdle that might come in my way of being more organised.

So, be it an accident involving the dessert that you have lovingly and painstakingly prepared for iftar, or the unexpected guests arriving at your doorstep five minutes before Maghrib, it helps to remember this and to just try and handle these situations the best you can, without losing too much of your cool. It’s Ramadan after all, a month of mercy and forgiveness. Let us not lose sight of that.

There you have it, sisters! My 7 tips for an organised, Ramadan-ready kitchen! Did you find this useful? Share your comments and tips below!

The post 7 Tips to Get Your Kitchen Ready for Ramadan appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mother or a working woman (or both!), having a clean, organised kitchen is something that should not be overlooked, as it can improve our lives tremendously. In this article, I remind ourselves why having an organised kitchen is so important, and explain my tried and tested tips to make this a long-lasting achievement!

The benefits of having your kitchen well-kept are obvious; reducing stress, increasing ease of use and general sanitation are a few. Take a look at these three important points just to show you why it is worth all the sweat.

1. Islam demands its followers to observe cleanliness in all aspects of our lives as our beloved Prophet Muhammad said “cleanliness is half of faith…” [Muslim]. To me, this hadith says it all. It clearly shows how important cleanliness is in the sight of Allah and as Muslims, this is not something we should take lightly.

2. Having an organised kitchen not only saves you money, it saves you time. When everything is in order, you will no longer have to waste time looking for missing or hidden items. You can then use your time to do other important tasks instead, like ibadah and dhikr.

3. It helps prevent food wastage.

Allah says: “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” [Quran: Chapter 7, Verse 31]

Food wastage is a massive and unfortunately common problem, especially when you have a disorganised kitchen. Common scenario: You buy a bag of grapes. You put them in your fridge drawer under a pile of fruits and vegetables with the intention of keeping them fresh, and then you forget all about them. When you finally remember about these grapes, weeks later, they are too rotten to eat. Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

The good news is, it does not have to be like this anymore. All it takes in the beginning is a bit of our time, some planning, and our commitment, but in the end, it’s all worth it. Your kitchen will no longer be an eyesore and you’ll feel much better about it, In sha Allah.

Here are seven tips to get your kitchen organised and make it an enjoyable space to work in.

Once A Month

1. Purge

This is an editing process. One thing we need to understand about clutter is that it usually starts to accumulate when we have too much stuff with not enough storage space. So we start by getting rid of all unnecessary things. Hence, we purge. To do this, take two boxes, one labeled “donate” and the other one “throw out”. Now, go though your fridge and cabinet and purge. Any food that is still in good condition but you have no intention of consuming should be be put in the first box and those that have gone bad or are past their expiration dates should be put in the second box. And while you’re at it, it also doesn’t hurt to give the insides of your cabinet and your fridge a good wipe.

And for a truly thorough home refresh, our home cleaning services in St Helens are professional, reliable and affordable. To ensure every corner of your home is spotless, you may consider professional services like Carpet Cleaning In Laguna Beach. Make sure as well not to forget about cleaning your windows. Hire expert window cleaning companies for professional services. You will probably have both boxes full by the end of this session and an emptier kitchen! If you find that you need more storage space, consider options like a container near me.

2. Allocate a “home” for all items

Now that you have extra space in your cabinet and fridge, it’s time to give each item its own home. This process can be a little time-consuming as it requires some planning, but is crucial nevertheless.

Take this as a basic rule: items that are frequently used should be placed in the most accessible places. Similarly, foods that are nearing their expiration date should also be placed where you can reach them easily, not hidden in the far end of the cabinet or fridge. This is a great way to get them noticed and consumed sooner, indirectly helping to cut down food wastage. And if you collect wine, freestanding wine coolers are wise investments.

Once you’ve given a home to all your kitchen items, be strict about putting things back where they belong and get your family members or housemates to do the same.

Every couple of months

3. Get into the habit of labeling things

Have you ever accidentally used cornstarch instead of baking soda to bake your cake? I have! This is one of the problems that we will encounter if things are not clearly labeled. It may seem petty, but it has happened to a lot of people, sometimes with catastrophic outcomes.

I also use labels when I store leftovers in the fridge. I write down the dates, so I know when I prepared these dishes (again, another trick to avoid wasting food). You do not need to buy expensive label makers for this. A masking tape and a marker are all you need, or something easy and cost-effective like chalkboard stickers. You can erase and rewrite on it whenever you change the content of any container.

Everyday

4. Clean as you go

One of the things that people always lament about is the time spent cleaning their kitchens. Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut to having a clean and organised space. You have to put in the labour and a little bit of elbow grease at times. However, you can make it easier by breaking the cleaning process into little chunks and delegating tasks to people in your household, so as not to let the mess build up before you start taking action. Consider hiring cleaning services in Grand Rapids to deep clean your kitchen. You can rent a dumpster from grissmandumpsters.com/appleton-dumpster-rentals/ to use in disposing all the trash. You can also try using a mini skip hire for a sustainable and healthy environment. This way, you will not become overwhelmed by all the workload. So while you’re waiting for your soup to cook, use that time to wash the dishes, wipe the counter and put the ingredients back to where they belong. Don’t wait until the end of the day to start doing these chores; life will be more manageable if you make this workflow a habit, and you’ll have a few extra minutes to yourself in the evenings! In case you need to repair or service your garbage disposal, you may consider hiring professionals from companies like https://callvalentine.com/garbage-disposal-services/. Visit this website if you’re planning to hire professional floor cleaners to help with your cleaning tasks.

5. Update your shopping list

A great trick is to have a piece of paper and a pen stuck to the fridge. Whenever something runs out, you can jot it down on the paper and grab it before your shopping trip. This saves you buying more than you need or forgetting to buy an essential item on your shopping run. I also do a quick run-through of my fridge and cabinet to check for things that need to be stocked up and write them down right away.

This technique helps limit your shopping to only the items that are on your list. Try and resist the urge to go beyond that; not only will this save you money, but also make your kitchen neater and more manageable. The major source of clutter and food wastage is simply having too many things. The less we buy from the beginning, the less we waste and the more space we have in our kitchens.

6. Schedule short daily cleanup sessions and get your family members involved

The goal behind this is the same as the “clean as you go” concept, which is to not let you get overwhelmed by too many chores. But more importantly, by getting your family members to pitch in, you’re teaching them (especially your children) important values and skills that would greatly benefit them in their lives later on, in addition to relieving your own workload.

That said, too often I see parents who don’t expect their children to help out with house chores. Although at times it can seem counterproductive, (you may find yourself having to clean more than you started with!), the key is to assign them with chores that are appropriate for their age and try to make things as fun as possible.

7. Be consistent and stay committed

Last but not least, maintaining a clean and organised kitchen requires commitment and consistency. If you can commit to spending a small portion of your time everyday and every couple of months to do the above steps, not only will you avoid that long, stressful clean-up session that becomes inevitable when your kitchen becomes too dirty or cluttered, but you will also feel a lot better about yourself for having the discipline to follow through. This productivity will give you the motivation to be more organised and productive in other areas of your life, In sha Allah.

How do you keep your kitchen organised? Share your tips and advice below!

The post 7 Tips to Have a Clean and Clutter-Free Kitchen Everyday appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.