A GON Reader Asks:

Hi Maria,

What's the best way to organize recipes that are written on cards, printed from computer, clipped from magazines. Please help.

This fabulous GON reader 'Ask Maria' question was submitted by:

Mary Sergent The Villages, FL



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Maria Gracia responds:

Hi Mary,

Thanks for your excellent question. I love to cook, so I know how quickly those recipes can build up.

The first thing you have to decide is whether you'd prefer a paper system or a digital system.

Since you're asking about recipes on cards, printed from the computer, and clipped from magazines, I assume you want to go the paper route, so that's how I'm going to focus my response.

1. Get yourself the following:

* a pretty 3-ring (D-ring) binder (2-1/2 inches)
* 16 (3-hole punched) pocket folders
* one box of 3-hole punched page protectors
* white labels and a black marker (or you can use a label maker)

2. Label each pocket folder, with one of the categories, as follows and insert them into your binder:

1. Appetizers
2. Beverages
3. Bread
4. Breakfast
5. Main Dish-Fish
6. Main Dish-Meat
7. Main Dish-Poultry
8. Main Dish-Vegetarian/Vegan
9. Side Dishes
10. Salad
11. Soup
12. Dessert-Cookies/Bars
13. Dessert-Cakes/Pies
14. Dessert-Other
15. Holidays/Entertaining
16. Cooking Tips

Note: If you feel this is divided up way too much for you, you can combine categories, like one folder for Main Dish and/or one for Dessert.

3. Now you're ready to begin inserting recipes.

a. If you HAVE NOT tried making the recipe yet, it goes into the appropriate pocket folder (the holding place for untried recipes) for its category. (If this folder begins to get overloaded, you're collecting more than you're making. Allow yourself no more than 20 possibilities before you begin trying out the recipes.)

b. If you HAVE tried the recipe and you plan to make it again, insert it into a sheet protector. Then, place the sheet protector in the binder behind the categorized pocket folder.

1st Note: If the recipe you're inserting is all printed on one side of the letter size paper, you can insert another recipe (when you have one) behind it, so that there's one recipe on one side of the sheet protector and another recipe on the other side. If the recipe you're inserting is printed on both the front and the back, don't insert another recipe in that sheet protector.

4. When you're ready to cook the recipe, remove the entire sheet protector from the binder, and make your recipe. If something splatters on it, you can just wipe it off the sheet protector. When you're done using it, slip it back into the binder.

As a final note, if you also use recipes from cookbooks, insert one sheet of lined looseleaf paper after each pocket folder category. On it, you can jot down recipe names, the cookbook it's in, and the page number. In doing so, you won't have to search through all of your cookbooks in search of the recipe.

Hope this helps!

Maria

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the MARCH 2019 issue and I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

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10 Things to Schedule Today
Procrastinating to get some TO DOs on your schedule is OK, but don't wait to schedule these

Organized Things My Friends Do
Rather than give MY organizing advice this month, I asked 10 of my friends what they do to keep themselves and their families organized. Here's how they responded

Shamrocks, Leprechauns, and Other St. Patrick's Day Lore
If you've always wondered about symbols and events associated with St. Patrick's Day, you're sure to find this super-interesting

Decluttering Bath and Body Items
Are you hoarding old lotions or shampoos for 'one of these days?' This is a recipe for clutter. Here's what to do with them, besides getting rid of them

7 Common Distractions.and Strategies for Overcoming Them
Life is full of distractions. Here are the top 7...along with ways to overcome them

Listening With Your Mind
These sounds promote happiness in your life, and especially when you're mindful of them

Paper Bag Vases
This craft is so easy...and so unique

Recipes
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage (so easy!) and Irish Coffee Pudding

How Streets Got Their Names
Ever wonder how your street got its name? Here's how most do

Witty Irish Sayings and Blessings
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Maria

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In ADDITION, on my home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Monthly Organizing Checklist Ahhh...spring...the season of renewal is the perfect time to get organized! Our NEW March Organizing Checklist is ready and willing to help!

Sacrifice is our featured theme of the week, and the two quotes on my home page reflect that theme. Read these words of wisdom and be inspired

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Challenge yourself For each week of March, our challenges will be focused on Spring Cleaning. Here are your mini weekly challenges...and your focus this week should be on Week 3




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getorganizednow.com

'It is important to view a recipe book as one that you use daily and what we in our family call...a living book...a book that you use all the time, not just read once and discard on the shelf. It is in a sense a spell book, a book of magical enchantments, to be consulted, used and altered as needed.'
--The Silver Elves





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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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