Step 1: Declutter

Pull out everything and put it on your counter.

Step 2: Discard

Check expiration dates and immediately trash anything that has expired. If you have more than one of the same item and it is still fresh, put it in a pile to give to a food kitchen or pantry. Now look at the food piled on your counter. How much of that do you use frequently? You use the same ingredients and eat pretty much the same thing 80 percent of the time. What is on the counter are all the items you bought in the hopes of changing the way you eat and cook. Be honest. You aren't going to use them. If you find a special recipe, you'll need to buy fresh ingredients. You are not going to make something special with that jar of maraschino cherries that was on sale. Get rid of it and all the other food taking up physical and psychic space in your kitchen. You should only have food in your home that is good for you and that you and your family like to eat.

Step 3: Clean

Before you put back the food you're keeping, wipe it all down and make sure to clean the cabinets. Consider putting in new shelf paper -- opening your cabinets will be a visual reminder of your hard work and will reinforce your goal of keeping a clean kitchen.

Step 4: Organize/Reload

As you put your food back into your cabinets, organize it by kind and use. Store all your baking needs, canned goods and cereals together so they are easy to find. Your kids' snacks should be in a place where they can reach them. Consider investing in clear plastic containers that will keep your food fresh, bug free and recognizable at a glance. You'll easily be able to see when it's time to stock up on staples. To make sure you keep up on expiration dates, clip the date code from the bottom of the box and tape it onto the top of the container. Or use an indelible marker to write the expiration or purchase date on everything as you take it out of the shopping bag, unless you know you'll be using it within a week.