Here’s a handy hint that has revolutionised my use (and re-use) of cooking magazines. A few years ago, after chucking a huge pile of food magazines that had become the leaning tower of Pisa in my lounge-room, an idea occurred to me that has changed my life and made those magazines work hard for me instead of gathering dust after the first flick through.
I decided to buy 12 magazine file boxes (you know the kind that are generally made of cardboard and have a cut away section to allow the magazines to be viewed and removed easily), one for each month of the year and to sort my magazines by month into these boxes. I decided I would only keep the number that would fit in one box per month and weed out the rest – oldest out first (although you could always buy 24 and allow 2 boxes if you are a total magazine addict). So when that month comes around I only consult the magazines in that box. It keeps the number I have under control and it makes them functional. It can also be a revelation to go back and really examine editions from 5 years ago and remember how good a dish was that you’ve never made since. Plus there are some gorgeous file boxes out there (if you’re a stationary nut).
So there you are – it may be something that you already do and is so obvious that you wonder why I’m blogging about it but it’s been an ‘aha’ moment for friends and family who I have told so thought I’d share.
Nice tip, Sarah! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog – practical and creative at the same time. I’ve used the box idea but never thought I could narrow it down to one box per month. Even though it’s hard to throw some mags away, the reality is that over time we can’t cook out of all of them anyway. That’s okay – more room on the shelves for cookbooks!
Thanks Kasia – glad it’s been useful. It somehow helps me justify that I keep buying the magazines when I already have so many if I’m actually using them (and more than once).
What a great idea, I am doing it tomorrow morning, thanks muchly.
Hi Pennie – hope it works for you too!
I’m sure I’m not the first to think of this but it really has made a difference – hope it does for you too D. And thanks for the words of encouragement, I’m really enjoying the blogging.