8 Kitchen-Design Hacks That Will Make Healthy Eating A No-Brainer

Here are a few easy ways to liven up your kitchen flow:

If the inside of your pantry is less than gorgeous, line your shelves with some adhesive paper to create a whole new look that's sleek and inspired (and so easy to do)!

It's a Buddhist ritual to say a small prayer before eating as a way to energize food and express appreciation. You can add messages of gratitude to your kitchen in fun ways with inspirational art on the walls, or you can take a beautiful tip from Lisa Markuson of the Haiku Guys & Gals and put little poems or sayings on your pantry and refrigerator shelves.

Use up the less-than-healthy foods that you'd be better off without and search for healthier alternatives to satisfy all your cravings. While you're at it, see if you can compost any spoiled food and take note of where you tend to overpurchase.

Use Mason jars to store all of those legumes, grains, and pastas lying around in random packages in you pantry. Storing everything in sleek jars can help food stay fresh and looks harmonious.

A spinning spice rack is a simple way to add 50 or so spices to a small space, and it's guaranteed to make you more adventurous in the kitchen. Organizing your seasonings makes it easy to explore a wide range of flavors every time you cook.

Even if you think you don't have much of a green thumb, try regrowing your veggie scraps as a fun experiment. When the green parts of my scallions are nearly gone, I prop them on my countertop in a tall cup filled with water and watch them sprout. Romaine lettuce is currently regrowing in water (albeit slowly!) in my kitchen window. Wherever you grow plants, greens, herbs, and sprouts, the air will fill with magnetic, expansive energy.

Smoothie bars like MIMO in NYC have the right idea with their do-it-yourself smoothie bars filled with yummy superfoods. Create your own at home by displaying smoothie ingredients like goji berries, cacao nips, and flaked coconut in small Mason jars on your counter like an art installation. This way, they're ready to go for your morning smoothie!

Install a simple shelf or magazine rack to hold your favorite inspiring magazines and cookbooks to add some creative adventure to your space! Get started with a few essential plant-based cookbooks like The Oh She Glows Cookbook, Make Your Own Rules Cookbook, and The PlantPower Way.