Did you know that worldwide, nearly 25 percent of people spend more time in the kitchen than any other place in the home? Studies show that 35 percent of families use the kitchen regularly for discussions, 35 percent for socializing and entertaining, 16 percent for hobbies, and 15 percent for playing with children. Some homeowners have gone so far as to describe their kitchens as the heart of their homes. With that in mind, here a few simple techniques you can employ to help transform your kitchen into the safest and healthiest room in the house:
Survey Your Dishes. My previous article detailing the correlation between color and appetite illustrated how a few minor changes to your kitchen’s décor can help minimize food cravings (and perhaps, keep off extra pounds). To further avoid unnecessary binges take a good look at your dishes. Research shows that people eat what is put on their plates — even though it’s more than they need to satisfy their hunger. By using smaller plates you can your better control portion size. For example, serve your main course on a 7- to 9-inch salad dish instead of a 10- to 12-inch dinner plate. Use an 8-ounce drinking glass instead of 12- or 16-ounce glasses (save those for water). Juice and coffee cups should be kept to 6-ounces.
Lights On! According to researchers at the University of California, Irvine, a well-lit kitchen helps prevent over-eating. Dim lighting makes people feel less self-aware, which promotes binge eating. If your kitchen is surrounded by windows don’t block natural light with drapes or shades. In addition to helping keep your appetite in check, natural light has been shown to ease PMS, and may even boost concentration. If you have a window-less kitchen, install additional lights to illuminate the areas where you spend the most amount of time. Also, equip your lamps with broad-spectrum bulbs; their light most closely resembles good-for-you daylight.
Ditch the Candy Dishes. Instead, replace them with a bowls of fruit. Include easy to handle fruits like oranges, apples and bananas and leave the bowls out at all times on your kitchen counter or table. Having them there promotes healthy eating and you are less likely to go to your cupboard for “junk food.” On average, adults should consume five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables, per day. (Kids ages 2 through 6 should get five; girls and women need seven; and boys and men need nine.)
Purchase a Fire Extinguisher. Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher. Especially when you consider that about 373,000 home fires occur each year. (Cooking is the main cause, followed by heaters.) Make sure it is easily accessible and you know how to use it. You can find small kitchen-size fire extinguishers at hardware stores and places like Wal-Mart for around $30.
If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, here are some other ways you can put out kitchen fires: For fires on wood, paper and cloth, use water to douse the flames. Place small objects in the sink to help contain the fire. For fat or grease fires that start in a pan, quickly slide a lid over the pan to cover it completely and cut off the oxygen supply, then turn off the heat. For small grease fires and electrical fires, throw baking soda over the flames. And, if a fire starts in your oven, close the oven door and turn off the heat to smother the flames.