If you are anything like me, you spend a great deal of time in your kitchen. But do you really know what is in your kitchen. Over the holidays, I found spices back in the cupboard that I have no idea how long they were there. I found that I had an empty container of peppermint oil. We don’t even want to go near what I would find pushed back into the pantry.

The thing is as I have learned to cook and eat more naturally the old never got removed it just got pushed back. I didn’t want to throw stuff away, thought it was wasteful, so it has just sat there in the back waiting for the day to arrive when I would purge my kitchen.

That day is now. It is time for a natural kitchen makeover! I am starting with my spice cabinet.

My spice cabinet has to be one of the biggest offenders in my kitchen.  A few years ago, I started to purchase quality spices, organic where I could. I did not throw the others away as I should have.

The first thing you need to do is pull them all down out of your cupboard.  You may notice that you have 2 or even 3 of the same spice. I am a big one for nutmeg. Why do I buy more than one nutmeg? I just seem to have plenty. If you have, more than one you should get rid of the second. If it is of decent quality and has not expired you may consider giving it to a friend or family that may need it. If it is old or its origins are questionable you will want to toss it.

Check the expiration dates on the bottles you are keeping. Some now are carrying either expiration dates or bottled dates.  That will give you a clue on how old your spices are. In my mother’s kitchen, we actually looked it up on the internet and could identify how old her spices were by the style of the spice container. And in case you are wondering, she had some in there that were there when I still lived at home and that was way too long to keep any spice!

From the McCormick website, there is a guideline for how long to keep spices. Ground spices are good for 2 to 3 years. Whole spices 3 to 4 years and blends are good for 1 to 2 years.  If you are average, you have spices that have long since seen their better years. Don’t be afraid to toss these. I know it seems like you are throwing your money down the drain, but if those spices no longer have their flavor, they really aren’t doing you any benefit any more now are they.

After you have sorted through and cleaned them out, organize them on the shelf. Many times, they get old and doubled up because we can’t see what we have. A spice organizer is a great kitchen tool. I have one on my counter for those I use all the time. In the cabinet, I have a double lazy Susan for those that I use less often. Store them so you can see them!

Invest in good quality seasonings. If you are going natural and organic in your diet, please, I am begging you do not season the food with spices bought at the dollar store! Spices are an investment. I am not saying you have to go to a fancy kitchen store to buy your spices. The local grocery store now carries many organic and natural spices.  Buy the best spices that you can afford. They do not need to be top of the line, but a good quality will be fine.  Your food will thank you and the people eating it will too!

Your spice cabinet needs regular maintenance.  Cleaning it out once every six months is a good idea. Note what new spices you need so you don’t run out in the middle of a recipe. Get rid of old spices. Once you get it organized, it will only take a minute or two to keep it up to standards!