You open the fridge and reach for the eggs, only to pull out a handful of air. The egg tray is empty. Frantically, your eyes dart around the interior of the fridge, looking for that full carton of eggs that you bought at the store two days ago. But you can't see it. On the edge of completely freaking out, you thrust your hands in the fridge knocking aside juice and sodas and that container of who-knows-what hoping that those eggs are buried back there somewhere.

But they aren't there. They were never there. And why is that? Because you didn't follow the motto of the Boy Scouts: be prepared.

A certain member of my family, one who is maritally close to me, has an extreme problem in this area. Being prepared.

There is a term in French cuisine called "Mise en Place." It means "setting in place." Sometimes it is translated as "everything in its place" or "put in place." Either way, it's a French term that means exactly what the Boy Scouts mean: be prepared.

Starting to see a theme? If you haven't guessed by now, I am a boy scout -- an Eagle Scout to be exact. Earned it 13 years ago. I do believe in being prepared, and in the kitchen, it's imperative.

Be prepared by having all the ingredients in your house. Don't even start unless you've checked them off your list. Be prepared by reading over your recipe a couple of times to make sure there are no curveballs being thrown. Did you need to preheat the oven? What kind of dishes or utensils will you need? Is your brand new set of Wiliams-Sonoma measuring cups sitting dirty in the dishwasher?

Those of you who like to do baking know how bad this can get, as many baked items require timing based on chemical and physical reactions. Also, if you are having guests over or if a certain dish has time constraints in the oven, you want to be ready for it.

Do yourself a favor and take time to be prepared next time you wish to cook. You don't have to be French to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, and kind.