MandaPanda's Profile

This sounds like a fantastic idea! Kuddos to you for helping others.

One thing I would try to talk about are the most popular cuts of meat, what kind of cooking they are best for, and what can commonly be substituted for each other based on what's on sale at your store.

Also, info on buying larger packages and stretching it over many meal. For example, buy a larger package of boneless chicken breasts or thighs and dividing them up to use in different recipes like fajitas one night, chicken stir fry another (fajitas & stir fry could even use the same veggies), chicken parm with pasta the next, etc.

Plus, based on my experience, the fewer pots used to cook a dish the more likely a man is to make, so teaching some one-pot or one-skillet dishes (like stews, soups, and chicken & rice) will probably be good for the crowd you're teaching.

Good luck!!

Personally, I LOVE my slow cooker and don't know what I'd do without it (esp during the colder months).

It's great because I can just throw some stuff in it, let it cook while I'm at work all day, and come home to a lovely hot meal. Also great when I know I'm going to have an tiring day and am not going to want to come home & cook but still want to have real food.

Any leftovers can be for lunch, re-purposed into other meals later in the week, or frozen.

Wow! I really enjoy your space- it's so personal & cool.

And OMG- where did you get the long paining over the bed that looks like something out of Blade Runner?? LOVE IT!

Here's what I suggest:
1. Declutter. Anything that doesn't need to be out should be put away. Everyone else has already left a bunch of tips for that.
2. Get some fun fabrics going! Get a fun rug, some dish towels, etc.
3. If you can paint, I would do a chalkboard painted wall where you have the brooms & trash can now. It'll end up being a fun place for you, your kids, or friends to draw pics, leave messages, make lists, etc. Also, the colorful chalk will add life and color to the space while being useful. You also don't need it to be black; there are all kinds of instructions out there for coloring your chalkboard paint.
4. Again, if you can pain I'd paint the backsplash around the cabnets and behind the stove a nice color that will coordinate with whatever color fabrics you go with. Since your cabinets are so dark, I'd keep the paint fairly light so you don't feel like you're in a cave (unless you paint the cabinets white, then I'd have fun with it!).

Good luck! Would like to see what it looks like after you've finished!

I agree with most of the commentors here:

If it's just a matter of some dirt and a little mainenance, I think it's fine.
However, once your safetly and health is called into question, I think you have to turn down the apartment. No discount is worth your well-being.

I would change all the cabinet hardware (the brushed nickle would make it look brighter & more modern, especially if you go with a b/w motif), change out the lighting (super easy if your hubby is an electrician), put up a nice tile backspash (I think a subtle colored glass tile would both look good and be relativly inexpensive). You'll also want to watch the accessores you put into the kitchen if you don't want it to be too country looking; I'd keep everything simple and sleek with lots of glass, black, white, and nickle.

As far as paint color, I'm a fan of grey when trying to make a space look more modern. If you're leaning towards blue, I'd go for a more mid-tone blue-grey.

Hope everythiing works out with your kitchen, and would love to see some after pics!!