Getting Organized: Kitchen Utensils Drawer

For months I have spent way too much time digging for my cookie dough scoop or my metal spatula or a wine stopper.  I'd finally had enough and decided it was time to get this drawer organized.

Does anyone else have a drawer that looks like this?

My first step was to pull everything out and wipe the drawer clean.

How do crumbs get in there anyway???

Once everything was out, I did some purging. I moved some things that I still use but not very often to our downstairs "kitchen/bar" area. I got rid of broken or unused items. Then I prioritized what I needed in this drawer and organized by categories. 

Once everything was placed in category piles (baking, pizza, wine, etc) then I decided what I wanted in the front of the drawer and what could go towards the back. 

Several months ago I found Progressive Drawer Dividers on Zulily.
I love finding great deals on Zulily. Click HERE to be notified of all their great deals.

These dividers are also available on Amazon by clicking the photo above. 

I love how they separate everything and keep utensils from sliding all over the drawer. The dividers are spring-loaded and fit to any size drawer and fit tightly.

I did this drawer over a month ago and it still looks exactly like this. It is so much easier for everyone to find just what they need and can hopefully put it back in the same spot.

This project took me less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I'm looking forward to organizing more spaces in our home over the next few months. 

What can you spend 10, 15 or even 30 minutes organizing today? Spending that time now, may save you 5 minutes here and there over the next several months because you will spend less time looking for something.

This post does contain affiliate links. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Product Review: Swanson Health Products and Energy Bites Recipe

During this, my 39th year, I have been trying to eat healthier and find new food items that will help me with that process.  I was contacted by SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS to try their products and was delighted since their products fit exactly what I am trying to do.

SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS has a HUGE variety of products and it took me several visits to their website figure out exactly what I wanted to try.  First of all, they offer nearly every vitamin I have ever heard of and many more that I haven't.  They offer an array of essential oils and aromatherapy items.  There are items for specific health related issues such as joints, stress, vision, and immunity.  Then there are also a variety of health food items to choose from.  This is the area I decided to focus on.

I have been drinking more tea lately and when I saw the Hibiscus Flower Tea, I knew that was something I wanted to try.  Hibiscus Flower Tea  is 100% Certified Organic.  It has a kind of berry-type flavor and is a deep burgundy color once brewed.  This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, but I have only had it hot.  I really like this tea and it will definitely be something I will reorder.  The Hibiscus Flower Tea retails for $4.49 for a package of 20 bags.  

I like to keep snacks in the van for those days when I am out running errands, but don't want to stop for lunch or spend the money.  So, I chose Wild Berry Mix as my next item.  This organic snack mix of dry roasted almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, raisins, cranberries, and wild blueberries hits the spot when you need a quick snack.  No salt has been added to any of the items and comes in a resealable package.  I appreciate that I know exactly what I am eating and it is a healthy filler.  Wild Berry Mix retails for $2.66 for a 4oz package.  

I chose the other three items so I could use them in a recipe I wanted to try.  

100% Pure White Chia Seeds  are loaded with fiber...5 grams/tablespoon!  I have added the seeds to my smoothies for that extra filling punch.  That same tablespoon also fills you with protein, calcium, and other essential fatty acids.  You can also add it to salads, soups, dips, and sauces.  100% Pure White Chia Seeds retail for $9.89 for 16 oz.  

Organic Raw Shelled Pumpkin Seeds can be enjoyed alone as a snack or in salads.  They are another great source of fiber and are grown without the use of herbicides or fertilizers.  Organic Raw Shelled Pumpkin Seeds retail for $6.49 for 12 oz resealable bag.  

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil has been getting a lot of buzz lately.  It is the health product I have been hearing the most about and decided it was time I checked it out.  Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is 100% Certified Organic and can be used in SO MANY WAYS.  It can replace oils and butters while cooking and baking, added to smoothies, used on toast, or even taken to the bathroom and used as a shaving cream, lotion, or facial wash.  Just googling Coconut Oil, you will find hundreds of uses for it.  Extra Virgin Coconut Oil retails for $6.89 for a 16 oz jar.  

My cousin Melanie shared her recipe for GOJI POWER SNACKS and now I am going to share that recipe with you using Swanson Health Products as well as items found in my grocery store.  

GOJI POWER SNACKS

10 Pitted Dates - I used Sunsweet Pitted Dates and chopped them up first
2 TBSP Swanson Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1/4 Cup Sesame Seeds - I used the entire .75 oz Tones container
1/4 Cup 100% Pure White Chia Seeds
1/4 Cup Dried Goji Berries - I used Dried Cherries
1/4 Cup Raw Shelled Pumpkin Seeds
1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut

Using your food processor, add the sesame seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds.  Process until chopped fine.  Then add coconut oil, dates, and berries.  Process until blended into a paste. 

Roll into 12 balls and then roll into the coconut.  Keep them in the fridge.

If needed, add more coconut oil to keep balls held together.  You can also add almond or peanut butter if you like.

Also, the dried cherries can be soaked in warm water to soften before processing.  

Each of the power snacks will give you a great start to your day....filling you with fiber, protein, and other amazing nutrients.  Pair these with a smoothie and you can't go wrong!  

I am completely satisfied with SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS and look forward to trying many more of their items as well as reordering the above items.  All the items arrived quickly and in excellent condition. 
If you LIKE SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS on Facebook HERE, you can get a $5 coupon towards your first order.  To follow SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS on Twitter, click HERE.

If you are looking to add more healthy or organic items to your diet, SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS is an excellent place to start!  To see all their products, check out www.SwansonVitamins.com.  


I received all the items from Swanson Health Products for free in order to facilitate my review.  This review is my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  I only review products that will benefit myself or my family.  Thanks to Swanson Health Products for this opportunity. 

Things I Love - In the Kitchen: Kashi Mountain Medley

Things I Love...


This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

For the next few weeks I am going to focus my Things I Love on things I love in my kitchen. I love to cook and bake and there are a few things that I Could. Not. Live. Without.

Today's love is..............................Kashi Mountain Medley

This is one of my favorite things to have for breakfast.  It is tasty, healthy, and filling.  If I eat this for breakfast, I am full for several hours which is a huge bonus.  Since it is a granola, it also works as a snack.  I've only eaten it in a bowl with milk though.  Just a half a cup of granola gives you 7 grams of fiber.  So, if you are looking for a tasty way to add more fiber to your diet, this is a great way to do it!

The only place I can find the Kashi Mountain Medley around here is at Hy-Vee in their organic food section.  It is not with the other cereals in the mainstream food aisles.  I have never seen this product at Target or Wal-Mart here, even though they carry other Kashi products, but your particular ones could have it.  Even though it is a relatively small box when compared to other cereal boxes and a bit more expensive (around $4/box), it is worth it to me because of the benefits it offers me.

I highly recommend you check out the Kashi brand of organic food products.  They have cereal/granola bars, cookies, cereals, crackers, and other products.  If you go on their website, KASHI, and join their email club, you can often receive FREE samples of their products, which I have done frequently. 

What do you usually have for breakfast?

Things I Love.....In the Kitchen - The Pioneer Woman

Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!
For the next few weeks I am going to focus my Things I Love on things I love in my kitchen. I love to cook and bake and there are a few things that I Could. Not. Live. Without. Now I know this week's LOVE isn't actually IN my kitchen, but I have learned a lot about cooking and baking from her and wanted to share it with you.

Today's love is.............................The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond

I have been reading The Pioneer Woman Blog for a long time now.  Ree Drummond has a talent for many things and her blog shows it.  I read it for her recipes.  I read it for her photography.  I read it for her giveaways.  But, most of all I read it because she makes me laugh!  I am super excited because coming up tomorrow morning at 10:30 central time, her new show on Food Network will be appearing.  I have my DVR set and my morning blocked out.  I will be watching and you can bet my kids will be too. They LOVE cooking shows just like their mamma! Check out the commerical below and be sure to tune in! For more on the new show, check out her page on the Food Network site HERE.

Things I Love....In the Kitchen - Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

Things I Love...


This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

For the next few weeks I am going to focus my Things I Love on things I love in my kitchen. I love to cook and bake and there are a few things that I Could. Not. Live. Without.

Today's love is.............................My Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

I have had my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer now for several years thanks to my husband getting me one for Mother's Day.  I honestly don't know how I ever lived without one.  I don't even put mine away because I am probably using it once a week.  It has a spot on my counter and is always ready and waiting to be used.  It makes baking time much quicker because while the cookie dough is mixing, I can be getting the next ingredient ready.  I haven't used the bread dough hook yet (using yeast and making bread scares me), but maybe someday I will get the courage to try it.  There are also lots of other attachments that can be added to the mixer like a meat grinder, ice cream maker, or a pasta maker.  But, for me, I just use the paddle and the whisk attachments. 

The Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers can run $200 and up, so it is really an investment, but as much as I use mine, I have gotten my money's worth out of it.  If you really want one, watch sales ads like Younkers or Kohl's, save up your reward bucks, or ask for gift cards and save them up to get your mixer.  You won't regret having one!

If you choose to purchase through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Things I Love....In the Kitchen - Bunn Coffee Maker

Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!
For the next few weeks, I am going to focus my Things I Love on things I love in my kitchen. I love to cook and bake and there are a few things that I Could. Not. Live. Without.

Today's love is..............................Bunn Coffee Maker

For Christmas last year, my husband gave me a new Bunn Coffee Maker.  I was skeptical at first because I didn't think we really needed a new one.  This one also didn't have the programmable feature that our other one had.  But, I gave it a try.  The key is it will make a FULL POT of coffee in just 3 MINUTES!  How awesome is that.  So, really no need for the programmable feature. There is always a reserve of hot water ready anytime we want to brew up a pot of coffee, which is quite often around here.  Another great thing is that when we have company (like my dad who loves coffee), I can ask, "Dad, would you like some coffee?" and I can produce a fresh hot pot in 3 minutes! 

So, if you go through lots of coffee and are in the market for a new coffee pot, I think the Bunn is the way to go.  They are a little in the pricey range, around $100, but for heavy coffee drinkers, it is definitely worth the price!



If you choose to purchase through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.

Things I Love...in the Kitchen - Kuhn Rikon Knife

Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

For the next few weeks I am going to focus my Things I Love on things I love in my kitchen.  I love to cook and bake and there are a few things that I Could. Not. Live. Without.

Today's love is..............................Kuhn Rikon Knife.

I was first introduced to these knives when my cousin, Melanie, gave me a pink one for a gift.  Then I convinced my husband to give these knives to his top clients in his annual Christmas box.  Since he works for ING, they had to be orange, of course, so I now have an orange one too.

These knives have a steel, nonstick blade that is super sharp.  They also come with a little cover that the blade slides into.  I don't even put these knives away.  I keep them right in my dish drainer because I am using them All. The. Time.

They retail for just $10.00 and can be found in your favorite kitchen supply store.  They also come in a huge array of colors.  What a fun way to brighten up the task of cutting onions!!!  What's your favorite color?

This post contains an affiliate link.