Monday, March 12, 2012

Getting Organized (my recipe binder)



Back in January I resolved to get more organized this year. I made a big (really big!) list of all the areas in which I felt we needed to get more organized. I have slowly been plucking away at it, as time allows. My problem is that I will get so enthused to start and about half way through I lose steam. I have learned that I need to pick one room... or closet and start slowly so it is more attainable for me. I am a bit of a procrastinator at times, ;)

I did, however, manage to completely overhaul my recipe binder. I had previously used a binder and a recipe box and it didn't make much sense (to even me) to have recipes in two places. So, I bought a bunch of plastic covers for reports and inserted all my recipes into those and filed them under the appropriate tabs. I made tabs for 5 different categories; main dish, side dish, dessert, appetizer/snacks, and drinks/seasonal. I could have broken them into smaller categories and still may do that, but I already had five dividers. :)

At the front of each section I have a folder for recipes I have cut from magazines that I have yet to try, but want to. That way if I am in search of a new recipe I can always find something on hand.

A few things in my side dish section that I want to try
At the very front of my binder is my weekly shopping list and my menu plan for the next two weeks. I like having everything right where I can see it. I also pull whatever recipe cards I may be needing for the week and insert them into the pockets in the front of the binder as well.  This way there is no frantic searching required later.

My menu plan for the week and shopping list

A few of my recipe cards pulled for the week; cream of chicken over brown rice, turkey chili, and Mom's meatloaf!


 The only thing I want to add to this is a table of contents under each section. Because, as each section grows, it takes longer to locate each recipe. I will just have to save that for another day.

I got that great menu planning/shopping list printable here.

5 comments:

  1. That it extremely organized!! My mom made me a folder after I got married and I have since just been throwing recipes into the front of it, totally unorganized. It has gotten so bad that I don't like to open it in fear of what will come flying out. I love the cover of yours! Very cute!!

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  2. That is amazing!! I need to do something like this soon, I have papers everywhere with recipes from online.

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  3. I did the same thing back in December with my recipes! It makes life so much easier!

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  4. I pinned a recipe binder and have yet to make it! Maybe your post will inspire me! :) Love the cute cover too! :) New Linky follower from the linky fest! :) xo, Reannah @ShapedbyGrace

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  5. Your recipe binder is so pretty...I'm always drawn to anything paisley!
    Wow...you are SO organized and on top of the meals and recipes!! I really admire that. I was just telling my friends tonight, that they probably cook more in one week than I have in 5 years. I need lessons. Badly ;)
    I have got to try that awesome recipe you posted the other week!

    Thanks for sharing!!
    Xoxoxo
    Maria

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