Do you have a well-stocked kitchen?

So, yes, this is a big question.  But unlike the picture, it doesn't have to be as tough as algebra, accounting or statistics!

A lot of people think that they don't like to cook because it's too difficult, it takes too much time or they don't know enough about what they are doing.  Does this sound like you?  If so, I once thought that I was all of the above myself, but that wasn't the root of the problem. 

The real problem was that I didn't have a well-stocked kitchen!

Now, a well-stocked kitchen can mean groceries, too, of course.  But, what I am talking about here is stocking the best gadgets, most user-friendly cookware and having everything you need to cook with, not just to cook alone.  I mean, we can use a fork to juice a lemon, a fork instead of a pastry blender or food processor, but wouldn't it be easier if you had access to all of these handy appliances and more?!

ooohhhhh...

I can almost hear you saying, "Pastry blender it is.  Food processors are expensive!"  And if that is what you are thinking, you are absolutely right.  Stocking your kitchen to create a place to play intsead of work is not cheap. 

However, there is a solution to this problem!

It's called a "gift registry". 

Yep, it's that simple.  Oh, you aren't getting married, you say?  Well, guess what.  Me neither! 

Getting married or not, this is why you should seriously consider a registry:

You get what you need without the hassle of returns or shopping!  If you tell people on registries exactly what you want, you get what you need without having to drop hints or feeling like you "told" them what to get.  A registry gives them a variety to choose from and they can pick their price range.

Dream big and choose BIG!  Don't think small here, now!  Do you see a $1200 espresso machine that you would LOVE to have?  What about a kitchen organizer that is $500?  Think one person won't spend that much money, so why bother?  But, what if you have several people that want to go in on a gift for you?  They might be able to swing $100 or so each and then you have that big item that you never would have bought for yourself!

Give people an easy way to say "Thank you" or "I love you".  Did you invite guests to stay from out of town?  Did you keep someone's children while they had an emergency to attend to?   People know I am registered at all of the stores that offer kitchen appliances/gadgets/storage systems and they will go look to see if they can get me a little something from time to time to say "thank you" or simply to say "I love you".  

How to register and where:

1.  Register at every major store with items I want in all price ranges. (Here are a couple of my registries as an example)

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/registry/2454049/registry-list.html

http://www.target.com/lists/012399101270101

2. Register at the beginning of every year as registries sometimes expire after a year.

3.  List the end date/event date as Dec. 31st ; register once for all of your special occasions (and just because!).

4.  Update your list frequently!  Stores carry seasonal items, so be sure you check back from time to time and add!

5.  Tell people you registered!  Blast it out on fb, twitter, include a link to it in your email signature, etc.  Don't keep it a secret!

6.  And the best part?  Watch your kitchen become your playground without spending the money on it!

From this: 

To this:

And beyond!! 

Here's to a happier "kooking" experience.  Go register online now!