How to Organize Recipes

How to organize that always-growing collection of recipes that you have stuffed in practically every book, box, drawer, container, etc. around the kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• A little bit of $ to spend on product
• Microsoft Word OR a Word Processing Program
• Printer
• Patience & Creativity

Instructions

1. 

   Recently, I decided to create my own collection of recipes branching off of relatives. I had nothing to begin with, but I'm working on organizing my mother's recipes now - they were such a mess to go through. This took some time, but it wasn't stressful once I got the hang of it. I was even trying to find new recipes online to make more recipe cards with!

2. 

   To begin, you will need to purchase the following items: A 3-ring binder (preferrably white so you can decorate it later), Index/note cards (I prefer 3x5, but you can also do 4x6 - also, I like to use blank ones, not lined, but it's personal preference), & Sheet protectors that match the size of your index cards.

3. 

   Access your MS Word or Word Processing program. If you don't have a template available to create a recipe (new programs may have that), then the process is still simple. Go to File > Page Setup > Set Margins as low as they can go. Mine are Top: 0.3", Bottom 0.25", Left: 0.5", Right: 0.5" - just to maximize the area of the note card. Also, choose thte "Landscape" setting. In the Page Setup menu still, click on the "Paper" tab and create a custom size, either 4x6 or 3x5. Click ok and Word will automatically adjust your writing area to your new settings. It may be wise to "Save As" the document as a rough draft for beginning each new recipe.

4. 

   Start typing your recipe in the document you just created! Have fun with Font styles, colors, and sizes! Add pictures if you feel like it & have room! You may want to save each recipe in a "Recipe" folder on your computer in case you want to print it out for a friend later.

5. When you're done typing the recipe, it's time to print. Make sure you have set at least one index card in the printer (if you have paper in there, you might want to take it out so it doesn't grab it instead of the note card). Print the document and voila, your recipe is now on an index card - definitely more organized than that scratch piece of paper thrown in a box!

6. 

   To further organize yourself with the binder and the sheet protectors, I chose Avery brand. You can go to their website and buy the products. If you're like me and printed your recipes on 3x5 notecards, then I found it near impossible to find sheet protectors for that size. The direct link to buy 3.5x5" cards is: http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/General-Supplies/Sheet-Protectors/Photo-Pages_13407.htm?N=0&Ns=&refchannel=c042fd03ab30a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD.
   The direct link for 4x6 cards is:
   http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/General-Supplies/Sheet-Protectors/Photo-Pages_13406.htm?N=0&Ns=&refchannel=c042fd03ab30a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD.

   You may also find these at a local Wal-Mart or other store, but the 3x5 ones were a bit challenging for me to find even at Wal-Mart.

7. Insert your recipes into the sheet protectors. They usually come in set of 10 and if you use front and back, that's 6 per page! Great value! You may also want to purchase page dividers to insert between recipe types "Casseroles, Salads & Dressings, Appetizers, Desserts, etc". You can find those just about anywhere.

8. Insert your dividers and sheet protectors with your recipes in your three ring binder and you're good to go. I bought permanent markers to help design my binder to my liking. It's fully customizeable and fits me, without breaking the bank or having to settle for generic recipe books. Plus, if you buy extra sheet protectors and leave them in there, it may inspire you to collect everyone else's recipes to add to your collection!

Tips & Warnings

• Recipe rummaging can be somewhat time consuming and you forget what time it is, so be sure you have plenty of time. I had a lot of fun with this customizeable recipe organizing book. It allows me to create recipes any time and add to my book. No more digging through boxes!