Extreme Kitchen Makeover

Are you ready for a sneak peak into one of my famous extreme Kitchen Makeovers?

Extreme Home Makeover was recently filmed in Savannah so I figured I’d go with the extreme theme.  How many of you local readers watched the episode, volunteered, or rode by as the construction was going on?  I know I did….a little of all of the above!

It was so interesting to watch the house get torn down and then go back up so fast, LIVE!

Savannah Extreme Home Makeover: Simpson house

What an amazing show that brings together so many people in our community for an awesome cause.

OK.  Back to the KITCHEN makeover!  Yes, it can seem extreme to give your kitchen a makeover, but sometimes it can be just the extra push you need to bring you back to your own kitchen to start cooking healthier.

Before makeover: pantry

*These are actual photos taken during a makeover for a client, who will go unnamed, out of ranch packet dressing privacy.

Never fear!   If you think you have something lurking in your pantry or fridge that I haven’t seen, the possibility of that is slim to none.  I am totally nonjudgemental.  I have no idea how those candy bars got in your freezer either??

Really, this client has a very healthy diet, and the family eats very well.  They cook at home often, entertain, and have grandchildren & children that stop by often for meals or snacks.  I understand the dilemma of convenience vs. healthy choices, and my job is to help make your life easier, not harder!

I begin by taking everything out and categorizing into food groups.  Then I give your fridge and pantry a good wipe down; a clean outlook will often give you that inspiration to reach for that bowl of fruit over the ice cream!

Next, I take out everything that is REALLY bad.

Case in point: here are the offenders from this makeover (fridge).

The lineup

The reasons why the items above needed to be removed/donated/or trashed are that they do not align with this particular client’s needs.  High fructose corn syrup (which no one needs), artificial sugars, high sodium, and additives/preservatives were the major offenders in the items that I removed.  For all of you butter lovers, I recommend grassfed butter … Kerrygold.  But more about that later.

Next, I remove everything and clean/wipe down.  A clean kitchen and fridge tends to inspire even the most beginner home cooks!

While cleaning/make-over’ing I made some Kale “chips” to give my client a healthy alternative for a salty, crunchy craving.

Kale, massaged in olive oil & sprinkled with sea salt

You will be shocked how these satisfy that crunchy, salty craving so easily!  My client said, “I even feel healthier after snacking on this treat, not guilty like I do after a couple handfuls of chips.”

Here’s a “chip”, after baking.

Kale Chips

*credit for this creative recipe goes to Kath of Katheats.com

1. Preheat oven to about 375*

2. Use about 1 OXO salad spinner’s stuffed full of kale.

3. Tear the leaves off the thick stems into bite size pieces.

4. Spread out on parchment lined (or grease with coconut oil) cookie sheets.

5. Drizzle with about 2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil

6. Sprinkle with about a tsp of sea salt.

7. Bake for about 15 minutes, until edges are slightly brown and kale is crispy when moved in pan.

8. Enjoy!

Back to the makover!

Next I returned all of our now organized items back to the pantry and fridge and organized for meal planning purposes.  In the pantry, items were grouped by ease of use for frenquently-used items, and healthy snack options were brought to the front of the pantry.

Looking good there pantry!

Baking supplies organized for ease of use

My client is going to organize this with a labeler/we did go through and throw out the old and group together spices

A few items were left for grandkids to finish up; we talked about healthier options for the next trip to the store.

I hope that you enjoyed this “sneak peak” into my Kitchen Makeover.  Sign yourself, or a friend or family member, up for this awesome service soon.  I promise it will inspire a healthier outlook and better choices nutritionally!

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