Sorry I’m late – I was cleaning again!!!
Must be something in the air…
First I fueled up with a beautiful bowl of oats –
The Mix
- 1/3 cup oats, milk, water
- Pinch salt
- Half banana
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese, stirred in at end
- 1 tsp vanilla, stirred in at end
- Ambrosial Date + Cashew + Walnut granola (my favorite of theirs!)
- Sunflower butter
- Coconut
Just look at the chia fluff!
Then I got to cleaning – when I discovered a new product I just couldn’t stop!
I got started by cleaning off our “above the stove” shelf. I took the whole shelf off and washed it in the sink. MUCH better! I also refilled the pepper with peppercorns (we’ve been out for weeks!) and the chia seeds replenished. Have you ever used a Misto? We got one recently and I will never go back to cooking spray!!! It’s incredible.
But cleaning off the shelf made me look down at how gross the stove was. Gunk everywhere. Sticky with oil. Aussan Natural is a new line of botanical cleaners in my OpenSky shop (email deal going out this week!) When I first saw the Oven & BBQ Cleaner, I didn’t really think I’d have a use for it. But this morning I realized it should be called “De-Greaser and Stainless Shiner” !! It took the film off my stove area no problem, but it also made the stainless steel SHINE!!
In four years, my trash can has never shined and was dotted with rust spots. With a little help from steel wool, I’ve got my 3 stainless pieces shining into other rooms!
I usually have the “my house will never look like a BH&G house” acceptance. But I think with a bit more elbow grease, it’s getting there!
Home Neat Home post on cleaning – including many of your recommendations – is coming. But as you can imagine, it’s a massive one to write!
Hoping to go running today – we have sunshine! Also, more connections to make for the bakery and the pre-opening marketing plans underway.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
I need to breathe some of your air so I get the cleaning bug.. it hasn’t hit me yet!!
Natalia - a side of simple says
You are totally taking March by storm with your spring cleaning 🙂 It’s certainly getting me in the mood for lighter colors, lighter clothes, and lots of warmer weather!
Allison K. says
We did some spring cleaning yesterday. It was 52 degrees (a nice warm Idaho day) and sunny. Today…it is snowing. now I just want to curl up and read a book, glad I got that cleaning done when I did.
Also, we went to our nearest Great Harvest this weekend. I turned my husband on to their bread, and I got some Naturally Nutty Sunflower Butter. Umm….can I just say, that you are NOT exaggerating when you talk about how amazing this stuff is? Wow.
KathEats says
I never exaggerate! 😉
Mary says
I’m a big fan of cottage cheese…
Kath, do you have a specific brand you tend to buy?
KathEats says
Organic Valley Low-fat. It’s expensive, but it is the BEST EVER! I recently got Whole Foods organic – but it was fat-free and had that fat-free stink. Eww. I need a little fat!
Mary says
Thanks! Some things are worth the expense and the fat 🙂
Baking 'n' Books says
That’s a problem with me though. Everything I love I eat a lot of. Like cottage cheese and yogurt can be gone in 2 to 3 days – it only comes in small tubs really. But it’s pricey. I know I should cut back on it then – but they’re like staples to me.
Help?!
kate@ahealthypassion says
Oats look delicious cant wait for the cleaning post, im in definite need of a cleaning lesson!
Chelsey (Cookteen) says
sounds like some spring cleaning fever 🙂
Judy says
Crazy that you make cleaning sound fun. Maybe another new business? Green cleaning?
Lynda says
Hi Kath,
Your kitchen looks great! Way to go with all the cleaning….I tackled my bathroom yesterday and wanted to share with you a great trick I use to keep my tub white and bright. I use a small spray bottle with half bleach, half water, and after I clean I just spray it all over and my bathtub is sparkly!! Give it a try, it’s amazing. I also use vinegar and water on the counter tops, smells great, and all natural.
Have a wonderful day!
KathEats says
I definitely need to try that!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Your oats look DELICIOUS! I’m on vacation in Boston, and the only oatmeal I’ve had is McDonald’s instant oats…I spiced it up with some dried fruit and nuts that I brought along though! 🙂
Amy says
That mug is gorgeous! where is it from?
KathEats says
OpenSky!~
Hannah says
That coconut looks delicious, I must get some to try! I wish we could get the variety of nut butters over here!
Jason @ Shutter&Saute says
I have all stainless appliances, and I have yet to find anything that doesn’t leave streaks. I will definitely have to try this cleaner.
Jen @ keepitsimplefoods.com says
Looks super clean! Elbow grease is the secret ingredient. 😉
Amanda (tomboy that wears makeup) says
Ohhh, I can’t wait to read the next cleaning post. You are definitely an amazing organizer! I need to clean this place!
Fancy says
I just learned a great tip that I want to share! Pour a tiny bit of olive oil on a paper towel to clean stainless appliances. Not streaky at all! Just use a tiny bit of olive oil because if not…your appliances will be oiley (sp?). It works great, the best thing I’ve found to clean my refrigerator and make it look gorgeous 🙂 Highly recommend!
Kiran says
Nothing as great as a clean and fresh home. I have Shark steam and vac, never turning back 😀
Lindsay says
We have been crazy on cleaning lately too! Its the spring transition I think…that or the fact that I can’t stand dust!! The great garage clean out starts today…I don’t know whether to be excited or scared!!
Laura says
I was bit by the same cleaning bug yesterday and boy did it feel good. I also was inspired by your mentioning room reorganization that I completely re-did my living room yesterday. So far I am loving it!
I can’t wait for the next Home Neat Home post. 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I love cleaning first thing in the morning- then you have the rest of the day to smell a nice clean house 🙂
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
I am excited you are introducing us to all these green cleaning alternatives. I have been pretty disenchanted with Seventh Generation lately.
Emily says
Good luck with your run today! I was just catching up on your posts! I was in Las Vegas this weekend- ran my FIRST half marathon! Anyways, we got back last night and I took a vacation day today, and I have been sitting here thinking about unpacking and cleaning (you have inspired me to clean our wood floors! I need one of those mops you bought!) – but FIRST coffee and some Ellen!
Ky G says
I decided to buy a Misto from BB&B after learning about how cooking spray leaves a film on pots & pans at a Pampered Chef party….OMG I’m never going back to cooking spray. Love it!
megan @ blackberries for jam says
The photos of your breakfast are BEAUTIFUL!!!
Hope says
What a yummy looking breakfast! I like the addition of coconut flakes. It looks like snow 🙂 Your house looks great! So jealous of how shiny and clean it looks!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
I sometimes get distracted by cleaning too! I don’t love to clean but I LOVE the feeling of a clean house! It’s actually how I spent my Friday night. WILD times :).
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food says
I need to start adding coconut to my oatmeal! Your kitchen looks great! I freshened mine up last night and it was so great to wake up to a clean house 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Awesome job on the cleaning Kath! I have a misto and I’ve been using it for a couple of months now – I don’t know how I lived without it! Before I’d use a small spray bottle and put olive oil in it, but the misto is much preferred!
PS. That blob of nut butter in your oats looks especially luscious this morning!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I have been cleaning like a mad woman too lately. Not sure why, but I am going with it since it rarely happens.
Lesley says
Cleaning isn’t in the air at my house just yet, ha … hopefully soon! 😉
Heather (heathers dish) says
It’s amazing what I would give to have a cleaning day today…my house could finally be spotless!
valerie @ lots of dishes says
Oh I’m very excited for the Cleaning blog. I’d love your best tip on how to clean cast iron pans. I use the kosher salt/water method, but it just isn’t working!
KathEats says
I always thought you were supposed to just wipe them clean with a paper towel? We only have one and frankly, I never use it! It’s Matt’s toy
Stacy @ LoveDiscoveryGratitude says
I wash cast iron pans by hand (soap/water), and to prevent rusting put about a tablespoon of olive oil in it and rub it around with a paper towel. Ours still looks pretty good (and they’re old.)
valerie @ lots of dishes says
we have about 4! ours are rusted for sure, but maybe that’s my salt trick not working. I’m going to try to season it more with some oil + wipe it w/ soap + water instead. thanks kath + stacy!
Becca says
I wouldn’t recommend using soap on your cast iron pans. You would have to re-season it with oil far more often that way. I just clean mine with a dishcloth (why waste paper) and water.
Jen Merschel says
Spring cleaning time is in the air!
Two questions: Is the Misto hard to keep clean? Also, where did you get that pepper grinder with the little silver bowl underneath? I’m always cleaning up pepper from the counter and I always have to grind it into a little bowl if I want to measure it out for a recipe.
KathEats says
it’s just a little metal pinch bowl I have (don’t even remember where I got it) that the pepper fits really well into. For the longest time we used a candle holder!
Heather says
I absolutely love a good deep clean of something – like a shelf or trash can. Makes me feel so great!
Enjoy your day!
Alaina says
I love cleaning house too. I always feel accomplished when my space is clean. 🙂
Love that bowl!!!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
Oh dear, you have just inspired me. Looks like I’ll be cleaning my house for the rest of the day!
Kim @ Spoonful of Sass says
I have a Misto and I love it!
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
I have something similar to a misto, but at least half the time it doesn’t work right. Not sure if it’s something not assembled right, or if we wasted $12 on a crappy mister. Ah well.
That looks like Alton Brown’s salt dispenser! I’ve been wanting one of those for a while! But for now we are using a glass sugar container. 🙂
KathEats says
It is Alton’s and we love it!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
I have got to get my hands on the steal wool! I’ve found my holy grail stainless steel cleaner (Wegman’s) so I can imagine what the two combined could do!! 🙂
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I easily get distracted by cleaning all the time! I’m a little obsessed!
I love our Misto and will never go back to other non-stick sprays either.
Do you find there is a benefit to stirring in the vanilla extract to your oats at the end rather than during the cooking process?
Also, what kind of coconut do you use?
KathEats says
I think you can taste them much more if you wait to add at the end
I use regular super sweet coconut. I don’t like the unsweetened
Susan (Oliepants) says
I love love steel wool! It’s my go-to scrubber for the stainless steel!
Michelle | gold-hearted girl says
My mom has a misto, and I love it! It’s so perfect for roasting veggies, without dousing them in oil.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love the bowl your oats were in!
you are on quite an impressive kick if you even cleaned the trash can! I’m going to be channeling your motivation tonight. I’m long over-due for a floor clean.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
I need to catch the cleaning bug! That’s some serious shine. I thought steel wool would scratch stainless steel? I have some water stains that I can’t seem to get off our fridge and thought I’d tried everything.
KathEats says
I started slow – it didn’t scratch at all. In fact, I haven’t really had it ever scratch anything?
Ashley says
Ooooh, that’s awesome. I’ll have to bookmark that product. We’re ordering all stainless appliances!
Amy says
Another question Kath- what kind of food processor do you use/recommend? I am about to make an investment in one finally!
KathEats says
Cuisinart 14 Cup!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I LOVE the misto! We got it for our wedding and have never looked back 🙂 I wish I had that spring cleaning bug too…..want to come infect me? hahaha
MISSY says
Yay for spring cleaning. It always makes me happy to have a clean house.
Also, GH’s spinach feta makes me happy too. As well as the cinna-chip scones and the carrot cake muffins. We picked these up on Saturday and wow, holy yum! 🙂
Stacy @ LoveDiscoveryGratitude says
Oatmeal and cottage cheese? I will definitely make that this morning! I <3 cottage cheese.
Yeah, I'll save spring cleaning for May- since that's when I'm moving out of my current apartment! 🙂
Tina says
I am in need of some massive spring cleaning myself, and your recent posts are really inspiring me to get down and dirty!
j says
Ugh with teenagers in the house I’m always cleaning up but never REALLY cleaning, it’s time to get motivated:-)
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I am having a hard time fitting in any spring cleaning with being in school and working, but I’m hoping to get some stuff accomplished next week on Spring Break… especially in preparation for our upcoming move in June!
Sarah says
I loooove my Misto!!!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
I need to get on a cleaning kick…bad! Want to come and clean my apartment? 😉
marissa says
I’m not sure what the Misto is but it looks like an oil mister that you fill up yourself. if that’s the case, then we NEED one because we always drop our spray cans, the nozzle breaks off and we can’t use it anymore.
Love the green dishes! Think Spring!
Lisa Rainer @ Healthful Sense says
I’ve been debating about buying a misto… think I will now.
Cindy says
I am definitely overdue for some intense cleaning!
Anne @ Baking Me says
You have inspired me to clean today! Looking forward to the Home Neat Home post on cleaning 🙂
Sana says
Your house literally shines!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle says
that bowl of oats is so beautiful!!! Gosh! lol I just want to try one of your bowls of oats just once!!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i feel very guilty that i have someone else cleaning my house as i type this…
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
I might have to buy that. I need something to degrease my kitchen badly. Sounds like this would be great.
I can’t wait for the cleaning post. I’m chomping at the bit to get some spring cleaning done!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
The oats look great! But this post is reminding my of how much cleaning I have to do at home! 😛
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Your oats look delish this morning! I love cleaning products that make stainless steel shiny. We used to buy Zep orange cleaner at the family business and it smelled so good and made all the stainless steel sparkle. Love a clean home!
Julie @ Lettuce Choose Healthy says
love that bowl and mug!
Kellie says
I was wondering if you measure out your nut butter when you put it on your oats, or if you just eyeball it? How much do you usually use?
KathEats says
I eyeball it and aim for a tablespoon. sometimes that turns into a heaping tbsp!
Jen says
LOVE the bowl your oats are in! The cleaning bug has bit me as well, yay for spring and spring cleaning 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
You are on a cleaning rampage!!!
rachel says
Does the Misto work well for you? Is it hard to clean? I’ve just started scouting out reviews online and they tend to be a little mixed, so I was wondering what your thoughts were.
KathEats says
It works great. I haven’t had to clean it yet, but I can’t imagine it would be that hard? Unless you’re switching in and out a lot of different oils?
rachel says
Thanks! I just read some comments online where people were having trouble with their Misto getting clogged.
Allison @ Happy Tales says
When I get the “cleaning bug” I am always on a roll, just like you! Yayyyy for spring cleaning (and organizing!)
Candy (Healthy in Candy Land) says
I’ve been looking for an oil sprayer because I am trying to get away from cooking spray—I don’t like that they add soy lecithin to most! You sold me on the Misto.
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
you are inspiring me to clean my gross dorm-style apartment here in New Zealand! it’s a scary task….
Dinahsoar says
The Misto is great–until you have to clean it. You don’t dare leave even a trace old oil in it–eventually it will go rancid. But to get rid of all the oil, you must use soap…and getting out every last trace of soapy oil?..next to impossible…and who wants soap in their oil??
And then, getting all the parts completely dry? takes a couple of days at least.
And that’s only the canister part.
Getting that thin plastic tube cleaned, the tube the oil goes up– to get to the spray hole?? Enough to make you want to pull your hair out.
And the rubber gasket and the hard plastic ring??.. maddening.
I tried using scalding hot water but it didn’t work. Nor did vinegar. Only soap removed the oil, but getting every last trace of soap and oil out??…impossible.
And when the husband refilled it, he just added new to the old.
Eventually–it took a couple of years– the traces of old oil went rancid, making the fresh oil rancid too.
I ended up tossing the thing and was glad to see it go.
KathEats says
My solution: never clean it and just keep pushing out the old and in with the new oil!
Hannah says
I just opened a jar of sunflower seed butter myself. Except I just keep eating it with a spoon….
Lauren @chigallauren says
Love the misto! Looking forward to this cleaner on opensky 🙂
Kelsey @ Clean Teen Kelsey says
Love this post! I have such a desire for my home to be that way when I grow up–clean, uncluttered and shiny. I got a pair of Mistos from Costco for Christmas and I looove them! They make life so much easier, aha.