Today, I'm sharing five simple strategies to transform your kitchen into a stress-free space where you'll actually enjoy cooking, focusing on manageable daily actions that create long-term impact.

• Clean up completely after every meal, including a "three-minute sweep" to remove non-kitchen items that accumulate on countertops
• Gradually declutter cabinets and drawers while putting away clean dishes, removing broken items and duplicates you never use
• Reorganize kitchen storage based on frequency of use, putting regularly used items in accessible spots
• Implement regular meal planning to reduce food waste, save money, and eliminate mealtime stress
• Decant pantry staples into clear containers for easy visual inventory and declutter specialty ingredients you rarely use

Take these changes slowly and steadily—even implementing just the meal planning will give you a sense of calm and clarity in your kitchen.

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Meal planning doesn't need to be complicated or time-consuming to be effective. We break down a simple four-step system that will transform your weeknight dinner routine and eliminate the daily stress of deciding what to cook.

• Determine exactly how many nights you'll be cooking each week
• Create a list of 3-5 "staple meals" that you enjoy making and your family enjoys eating
• Check your fridge and pantry for ingredients that need to be used up
• Fill in your calendar with specific meals, drawing from your staples
• Keep meals simple with the protein-starch-vegetable formula
• Maintain just a handful of starches in your pantry to simplify planning
• Prep vegetables in advance by roasting them with simple seasonings
• Create your grocery list based on your meal plan
• Include an "everything must go" night to reduce food waste
• Remember that most families prefer a rotation of favorite meals rather than constant variety

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I'm completely swept away by "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach, a book that surprised me with its raw honesty and emotional depth. This winner of the 2024 Goodreads Favorite Fiction award deserves every bit of its 4.1-star rating and half-million reviews.

• Audiobook narrator Helen Lazor delivers an exceptional performance, bringing characters to life with distinct voices
• The premise follows Phoebe, who checks into a hotel to end her life, and accidentally connects with bride-to-be Lila
• Their unlikely friendship forms the heart of the story, creating genuine humor amid serious themes
• The book handles the topic of suicide with remarkable grace and sensitivity
• Character arcs feel authentic and earned, with transformations that emerge naturally
• All characters feel fully developed, even those we aren't meant to particularly like
• The ending provides satisfaction while avoiding predictability
• This ranks as my top read of 2025 so far, a book that lingers long after the final page

If you've read "The Wedding People," I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend giving it a chance.

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