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Many residents prefer apartments in Chicago because of the incredible convenience; it puts them close to shopping, activities, work and more. Who wouldn't want to apply that same concept of convenience to life inside their apartment? One way to make your life easier and your apartment tidier is by having the right tools on hand in your kitchen. Here are some suggestions for you.
Useful Kitchen Tools for a Tidier Apartment
- Electric Kettle. This little kitchen tool has a ton of different uses. You can heat up water in a hurry for oatmeal, cocoa, instant coffee or noodles. It's much more convenient than heating water in a pot on top of your stove. Plus, an electric kettle uses less electricity than a microwave.
- Slow Cooker. A slow cooker can be a lifesaver for people who appreciate home-cooked meals but don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Simply toss the ingredients for a slow cooker recipe into the pot, turn it on and ignore it for several hours. If you were to use pots and frying pans to make the same meal, you'd have a stack of dirty dishes at the end of the process. But with a slow cooker, there's just one pot to clean after the meal.
- Electric Can Opener. An electric can opener can be a classy addition to your kitchen, especially if you can find one with a "retro" look to it. In addition to convenience, electric can openers have a much longer life span than the little hand-held openers.
- Wine Lever. Even if you're not a frequent wine drinker, a wine lever is a good tool to have in the kitchen in case a guest brings a bottle to a dinner party. A wine lever is also much easier to use — and it looks classier — than a simple corkscrew for opening wine bottles.
Those are just a few kitchen tools to make your life easier, simpler and tidier. We'd also like to let you know that we currently have availability in our River North Park apartments in Chicago. If you know anyone who is planning to move, have them contact the rental office for a showing or a list of available floor plans.
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It’s awesome to have a beautiful kitchen in our Chicago apartments, and you want to keep it looking fantastic all the time. Use these three tips to minimize kitchen cleanup time!
1. Use a Kitchen Towel to Eliminate Counter Cleanup
One of the things that apartment residents do several times a day is wipe down countertops. A clean countertop is definitely an attractive feature, but with all the meals and snacks you make, it can be a challenge to keep counters clean. The next time you make anything in your kitchen, make sure the first thing you do is lay down a clean kitchen towel. The towel will absorb all the liquid spills, plus the crumbs will never reach the counter. When you’re finished, just toss the towel in the laundry hamper. Your counter will be spotless!
2. Cut Produce in the Sink
Fresh produce is the foundation of a healthy diet, but there’s a lot of work involved in preparing fresh produce for consumption. It often has to be washed, peeled and sliced. This process dirties up the counter, cutting board and utensils. Instead, invest in an over-the-sink cutting board. Any juices that run off fruits will spill directly into the sink. Dirty utensils can be placed straight into the sink for washing, and the cutting board can be quickly rinsed off; all without messing up your kitchen countertops!
3. Use Soapy Water to Wash Down the Sink
Pots and pans and larger bowls require washing by hand, even if you do have a dishwasher appliance. You can minimize kitchen cleanup time by reusing the last bit of soapy water to wash down the kitchen sinks. Instead of pouring soapy water from that large bowl you just washed down the drain, use it to quickly scour the bottom and sides of the sink. Then, when you’re rinsing and spraying the bowl, quickly spray the sides of the sink as well. Your sink area will get clean just as you’re finishing the last of the dishes!
These are three tips you can use every day to minimize kitchen cleanup time. That will leave you more time to enjoy your Chicago apartment. For more information about life at River North Park, please contact us today!
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]]>The post Growing Culinary Herbs in Your Kitchen appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.
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The ability to cook a healthy and delicious meal at home is a skill you will use for your entire life. Once you learn a few simple techniques, all you need is a selection of the right ingredients. All cooks know that nothing enhances a meal better than fresh herbs. You can save money and eat better when you grow your own herbs at home. It is easier than you think, and you don't even need a backyard. With these tips, you can grow herbs right in your kitchen!
Tips for Growing Culinary Herbs on Your Counter
Choose the right herbs. Of course, you should grow the herbs that you already use, but, unfortunately, not every culinary herb is suitable for an indoor garden. Hearty herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint, basil, and parsley are good herbs for beginners to grow.
Select the right containers. Using the right type of container for your herbs is one of the most essential factors to determine whether they wither or thrive.
Select your containers based on the type of herb you want to grow. Some herbs require much more space than others. Containers that are too small can restrict growth, and oversized containers make watering more difficult. Ensure your containers have good drainage to prevent the plants from sitting in water.
It is a good idea to grow each type of herb in a separate pot to allow you to provide the best care. You can learn more about the growing requirements for each herb by reading the information that comes with the seedling.
Water correctly. You shouldn't rush when you water your herbs. Your goal is just to make the soil damp. Under normal conditions, expect to water herbs two or three times a week. Remember: It is beneficial if the soil almost dries out between waterings.
Provide plenty of light. Everyone knows plants need light to grow, but some herbs require more light than others. Natural light is best, but if you don't have a window in your kitchen, you can use an inexpensive LED grow light.
Are you in the market for Chicago apartments? River North Park Apartments offers a range of luxury floor plans to suit your needs. Call (866) 489-7207 to arrange a visit.
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