How many of you have a collection of cookbooks, files and piles of recipes, and unused recipes? When you spend hours each week cooking, you might think you need all of them until you really think of what you use of your accumulated recipes.

For example, if you are like me, I had a large amount of cookbooks from which I used only a couple of recipes from each book. On a couple of occasions I sat down and went through them, page by page, ripping out the ones I use and filing them. I recycled the books after that. I have experienced that recipe books do not sell well at sales as we all seem to have too many so I didn’t feel bad recycling them.

Having main dish recipes easily accessible has made it much easier to decide what to prepare for meals. I have my main dish recipes in a book with plastic pages labeled by: Beef, chicken, fish, no meat, soups, etc. so that when I’m ready to make a meal, I can look in the category I have the ingredients for. Now, the ones I ripped out of cookbooks and magazines are with the others like them. A photo album can also be used.

I also have a couple of small recipe boxes to hold less used recipes: Cakes, cookies, fruit desserts, special drinks, side dishes, salads, etc. so that they are easily found when I want them. I am a clipper of recipes from magazines so they can get out of hand if I don’t file them where I would look for them.

My sons, and I would guess the younger generation in general, are not collectors of cookbooks or paper recipes. If they want a recipe with certain ingredients, they look online and find one. If they want one of mine, I send them a photo of it. It takes up no space in the kitchen that way. I have to admit it is fun to get online and type the ingredients I have to get new recipes to try.

I have to confess I still have my old tried and true Betty Crocker cookbook as well as a few sentimental ones I grew up with, but having less and filing the recipes I use has made it much easier to find my favorites to make day to day.

I used to save every recipe I thought I might make someday but now realize I can get them online if I really want them. I have eliminated many from my files that I was going to try but never have.

Simplify and file so that you can find those favorites. As you do so, you may even come across some fun foods you haven’t made in a long time.

Doris Puls, of D & O Decluttering and Organizing, is a professional organizer whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of the people she works with in homes and businesses. Reach her at organizealpena@gmail.com or at 989-356-9545.