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Because I've been racing around just cleaning my house today (no time to organize anything!) I thought I'd re-post this and would love to hear your thoughts ~ leave a comment to share!
Do you really need fourteen mixing bowls in your kitchen. . . or could you survive with just three? Is it necessary to have 13 wooden spoons, or could just a few do the job? This is one of those questions I find myself constantly asking as muddle through my cupboards, and when a PPP reader asked for a list on the first day of our 25 Days to a More Organized You series, I thought it would be fun to throw together.
It's so easy to see another fancy kitchen gadget or cute utensil and think we need it, but eventually those items can take over our kitchen cupboards, and force us to lose all sense of organization. Gadgets can also get pretty pricey, so whenever possible I try to pass them by!  But, there are a few items I'd have a tough time living without, and they help cooking each night in our home become so much more manageable.
Here's a peek at what's on my must-have kitchen list, but it may look different than yours (especially depending on how frequently you cook, and how many you're feeding!) I'd love to hear your suggestions also . . . but here's a start at what I'd be lost without. . .
I'd really hate to live without:
- Crockpot
- Can opener
- Potato peeler
- Hand Mixer
- 3-4 Mixing spoons
- Good set of knives
- Set of pots and pans with lids
- 2 baking sheets
- Set of mixing bowls
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons (I also love these cute measuring cups, and they save a ton of space!)
- 2-Cup Measuring Cup
- 1 set Rubbermaid containers
- toaster
- coffee pot (if you drink coffee ~ we don't but do have one in our attic for when we have company!)
- set of 2-3 baking dishes
- Whisk, Spatula,  Slotted Spatula
- A cutting board
, 
,  
These are so nice to have, but aren't necessities:
- KitchenAid Mixer (really don't need, but goodness I do love mine!)
- Food processor or hand chopper
- 4 cup measuring cup (if you don't have a 4-cup measuring cup and have room for one, I highly recommend it . . . it really could be on my must-have list because I use it so much!)
- Meat thermometer
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Large stockpot
- Warming Tray (I don't have this but have always wanted one!) 🙂
- Bread Maker
- Blender
- Electric Grill
 
 (if you don't have a 4-cup measuring cup and have room for one, I highly recommend it . . . it really could be on my must-have list because I use it so much!)
Things I can easily live without:
- Toaster Oven (my husband just told me he wants one ~ eek!)
- Panini Press
- Chocolate Fondue Pot (we bought one of these forever ago and absolutely didn't need it so we donated it a few years ago!)
- Bagel slicer
- Cake Pop Maker (these look cute, but there's no way my cupboards have room for one of those!)
 (my husband just told me he wants one ~ eek!)
 (these look cute, but there's no way my cupboards have room for one of those!)
 
Looking for more ways to get organized? See previous 25 Days to a More Organized You:
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
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