279: Creating a Functional, Organized Kitchen with Allison Schaaf

Maximized Minimalist Podcast

Let’s talk about the one place in your house that can either make your day a total breeze or an absolute disaster: the kitchen. If your kitchen looks more like a chaotic war zone than a functional workspace, it’s time for a little intervention. Today, Katie sits down with chef and dietitian Allison Schaaf to help you whip your kitchen into shape—think less clutter, more calm.

Allison drops some major wisdom on why less is actually more when it comes to kitchen tools, how to organize your space like a pro, and even how to get your kids to help out without them turning it into a circus. Plus, we’re diving into tips on how to survive holiday meal prep without losing your sanity (hint: it doesn’t involve making everything from scratch). So, whether you’re cooking for your fam or just trying to find a spatula in the abyss of your utensil drawer, this episode has you covered.

Key Takeaways:

1. Smaller Kitchens > Bigger Kitchens: Wait, what? Yep. Allison explains why having a teeny tiny kitchen can actually make your life easier. No more walking 50 miles between your stove and fridge just to make dinner.

2. Declutter Your Drawers, Save Your Sanity: Do you have three potato peelers but only use one? It’s time for a drawer detox. Learn how cutting down on kitchen gadgets can make cooking faster and (dare we say) more enjoyable.

3. How to Set Up Your Kitchen Like a Pro: Want to stop running around like a headless chicken every time you cook? Allison shares the exact spots to store your essentials to make meal prep a breeze.

4. Get Your Kids Involved—Without Losing Your Mind: Allison’s genius tips for getting your kids to help in the kitchen without turning it into a food fight. (Hint: It’s all about making things easy for them. And for you.)

5. Holiday Meal Prep, Simplified: We all want to be Martha Stewart, but we also don’t want to spend six hours making a gingerbread house from scratch. Allison’s advice? Pick your favorite traditions and let the rest go. Your future self will thank you.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:01] Katie kicks off the episode with a reality check: if your kitchen’s a mess, so is your life.
• [00:29] Allison Schaaf joins the party, sharing her experience as a personal chef and why big kitchens can be totally inefficient.
• [05:00] The most overlooked area in your kitchen that’s probably driving you nuts (and how to fix it).
• [07:57] Let’s be real: how many spatulas do you actually need? Allison’s no-BS guide to streamlining your kitchen tools.
• [10:45] How to make your kids help in the kitchen—and not in that “Here’s a mess for you to clean up later” kind of way.
• [13:57] Holiday chaos, BE GONE. Allison’s no-fuss tips for staying organized and stress-free during holiday meal prep.

Connect with Allison:

• Instagram: @PrepDish
• Website: PrepDish

Resources Mentioned:

• PrepDish Free Trial: Want meal prep to be easy AND delicious? Try out Allison’s meal prep service for two weeks FREE at PrepDish.com/clutter.

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