RECIPES

Well I don’t know about you, but I collect recipes all year long. They are coming at me from SO many sources. I find them on Instagram and in emails that I have somehow signed up for from magazines like Food Network and Eating Well. Not to mention sources like family and friends, cookbooks, your favorite food blogs, PLUS I hear that Pinterest is a great source as well. Honestly it makes my head spin a little bit. And how do you even access all of these different resources to put together any sort of weekly meal plan? If I’m being completely real with you - I don’t! So instead of trying new recipes I end up going back to the same old recipes over and over again, never trying anything new. Honestly it gets quite boring. And if someone else is coming over? Well they don’t! At least not for my coming!

So what should we do? What is the best way to organize all of it? In my personal opinion I propose a dual approach: 1. An app - I know, I know, but hear me out - I’ll discuss this in another blog post! And 2. I think keeping a real life recipe book or box is quite necessary too.

This post is all about number two…

So why do I propose this dual approach? Well recipes come to us in different ways. Some recipes I find on a food blog, while others have been passed down from one generation to another, like my grandma’s fruit salad. Now of course, you could put that recipe online or into that app, but sometimes it’s just so much more special to have that recipe written in grandma’s handwriting. Preserved for generations to come. Having a place for a treasure like that, in my humble opinion, is a necessity!

First up, recipe boxes:

This option “Algimantas” from Latitude Run found on Wayfair has a lid designed to hold your recipe card while you cook - https://www.Wayfair.com 

These metal options can be found on Amazon - https://www.Amazon.com - there are a ton of designs on there!

This gorgeous brass option can be found at CB2 - https://www.cb2.com - she’s pricey but she’s gonna look good FOR-EV-ER! IYKYK…

You can also choose customizable options:

This acrylic option from Personalization Mall comes in many different designs - https://www.personalizationmall.com 

This Etsy option - https://www.Etsy.com -from Clouds + Currents allows you to customize the front + add a special note to the back as well.

Other great resources for recipe boxes: 

1. Perigold - https://www.perigold.com 

2. Rifle Paper Co. - https://riflepaperco.com 

3. Target - https://www.target.com 

4. Walmart - https://www.Walmart.com 

5. Williams Sonoma - https://Williams-Sonoma.com 

Now let’s move on to recipe books:

These Amazon options come ready to go, but when it comes to recipe books the options for personalizing are endless…

Zazzle offers options galore! https://www.Zazzle.com 

As does Papier - https://www.Papier.com 

And don’t forget Etsy for both ready made + customized options. The options above are from: Love is my Protest Co, Ruff House Print Shop + Better Day Studio in that order. That last one even has a heart that can be added so it could say “Love mom!”

One final thing to consider. Recipe cards! Although not always needed, when they are needed you usually don’t get enough for long term use. Buying extras ensures that you will have enough as you collect recipes through the years, and be ready when a recipe comes your way. Mixing different designs will also ensure that you are covered if the design you selected is discontinued.

Some great resources for recipes cards:

1. Amazon - https://www.Amazon.com 

2. Etsy - https://Etsy.com 

3. Zazzle - https://www.Zazzle.com 

Creating a collection of recipes from family + friends for anyone going through a big life transition is a great way to ease the process. This would be an amazing gift for your high school grad (cheap + easy!), college grad just starting out (cooking for one), a newly married couple, or even new parents. Plus with each new transition you can add recipes. The possibilities are endless!

As I mentioned this is just part of the puzzle. In my blog post “there’s an app for that” we’ll be looking at another option to consider. And before I go, one final suggestion - if you have favorite recipes from an elderly relative there is just no time like the present to ask your beloved family member to write down that recipe for you. It is such a great idea to begin to prepare a collection of treasured family dishes that can be passed down from one generation to another. Food is an amazing connector of people + memories!

XOXO, Kylie