Cleaning and organizing your kitchen will help you manage your arthritis in so many ways.

If my guess is correct, cleaning the kitchen probably doesn’t top your list as a great way to kick off the weekend.

The reasons you should? They’re too numerous to tally.

The benefits to be had from investing some quality time in your kitchen are quietly waiting. By taking inventory of what you’ve purchased and what’s occupying real estate in the cabinets, fridge and freezer you may have an eye-opening experience. You'll see what foods you've acquired that cause inflammation.

Appetite for Health finds that an “organized and welcoming” kitchen encourages health because it creates an environment everyone wants to cook and eat in.

Take it one step at a time; you’ll be amazed at what you find, and what you can do without.

What Should My Kitchen Look Like?

You certainly don’t need to have Martha Stewart’s kitchen (or skill set) to crank out a healthy meal. A lived-in kitchen with banged up pots and pans is perfect – it shows that you’re actually using them.

Healthy meals can be pumped out of small spaces regardless of the quality of your cabinets and countertops. With motivation and good intentions anything is possible.

What’s the first step in kitchen inspiration? According to The Kitchn, start by simply clearing off the countertops. It makes great sense; if there’s clutter everywhere it not only makes the space feel small, it screams eat out!
Try this on for size: find a favorite bowl, give it a special space on the countertop and fill it with fresh ready-to-grab items such as bananas, avocados, oranges, apples, or pears. It won’t only look beautiful, but having it front and center will increase the odds that your family indulges in the fresh produce.

A Balancing Act

Going to the grocery store and making home-cooked meals is certainly only half the battle—the other half is looking at your choice ingredients.
Grocery shopping can cause distress for many people; between favorite go-to snacks and foods that kids demand, a grocery cart can quickly turn into a processed food and carbohydrate bonanza.

To no surprise, this translates into cabinets full of half eaten products or some that may have been lost and left unopened in the shuffle, which is why purging cabinets on a regular basis is important. Your health will thank you.

The ABC’s

By setting this process in motion you’ll not only improve your family’s health, but also your bottom line. The average American eats out between three and four times per week according to The Simple Dollar; the cost of restaurant or take-out dishes can add up.

Try these simple tips to get you on the right track:
• Real Simple has some great tips on “How to Speed-Clean Your Kitchen”.
• Trim down the condiments – check for outdates, empty jars and unhealthy choices.
• Store nutritious foods front and center.
• Donate unopened foods that were poor choices to a food bank.
• Store unhealthier options at the back of the cabinet or fridge and in spots that are above eye level or are difficult to reach.
• Store food in containers that you can see though. Go to second hand stores and look for mason jars and other glass storage containers; there’s no need to spend an arm and a leg on this.
• Organize your cookware and utensils so they’re easy to access; donate items you never use.
• Grocery shop for the entire week—you can easily get it out of the way on a Saturday trip. By staying on a schedule you can decrease waste, plan a healthy menu, save money, organize coupons and clean the refrigerator weekly.
• Never shop on an empty stomach.
• Change something in your kitchen that’ll make you happy with the money you’re saving: hang a picture, buy a new cutting board or replace an old pot, or perhaps the walls could use a new coat of paint.

To learn about foods that help with your arthritis:

Five Foods to Fight Osteoarthritis
Powerhouse Foods That Prevent Chronic Disease
Diet Changes to Improve Arthritis