DIY Spice Jars
I like to think I keep a clean and orderly house until I look at my spice cabinet…eek! I am a hoarder! There are tiny bags of spices and herbs, different bottles of all sizes, mixed on two levels. Is it any wonder I think I am out of something only to find it hiding in the back. I was surfing Pinterest the other day and noticed pretty farmhouse herb and spice labels by Lia Griffith. Being an eager beaver, I downloaded the file, changed some of the herb names to suit what I had and was quite proud of myself until I realized I had no idea how I was going to print them! I mean really, how hard could it be to print the labels and complete my DIY Spice Jars project? First problem is that I am somewhat technically challenged and the Staples near me didn’t carry 1.5-inch round labels so I settled for a 2-inch round matte silver foil (their selection was limited to say the least). I had my eye on a kraft paper version but the size was too large at 2.5-inches. Next issue was printing. I’m sure there’s an easy way but after 30 minutes, feeling agitated and a few large sighs, I called it quits. Not fully accepting defeat, I went onto the Avery website, looked at the templates available for the labels I bought, edited, and finally printed what you see.
Once I was in a calmer state, I went to work organizing my herbs and spices. It was quite therapeutic and I felt much better consolidating half empty bottles into one. And what I enjoyed most were the aromas from the spices. Herbs and spices do more than just enhance the flavor of food. Using them not only expands the palette but helps decrease salt or sugar intake. Herbs and spices also have antibacterial and antiviral properties, and most are high in B-vitamins and trace minerals. More health benefits, click here.
The Culinary Chase’s Note: Buy small glass containers to help you use the herbs and spices within a year. Look for ‘best by dates’ when purchasing and keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Even though the farmhouse labels were the bees knees, I think the ones I chose will work just fine. Enjoy!