To preface this post, I want you to know that I am generally a "messy" person (this pains me a bit to admit), which means, I tend to leave a lot of clutter out and about and tend to leave a "trail" of things wherever I go. Ouch, yes, I said it! I blame that on my creative side who is very easily distracted and likes to go with the flow. I don't like to be "forced" into cleaning up after myself in a robotic manner. It is VERY against my nature! Also, I'm very detail-oriented. The first 8 years of my marriage, I really did not know how to clean. I would pour my energies out for HOURS "cleaning" and my husband would get home and wonder what in the world I've been doing all day. The house looked FAR from clean, and he would feel stressed out and cluttered himself when he would come home from work. And of course, I didn't understand why he didn't appreciate how sparkling clean and organized the kitchen drawers were!! I'm detailed, detailed - and my husband is big picture, big picture. After many years of angst in this area of our lives, my sweet husband, had to literally TEACH me how to clean, and it has helped me tremendously! Honestly, I realized that I needed help and wanted my home to look clean, orderly and peaceful. So, if you are anything like me, read on! This is what I did:
1) Most important thing - GET THE CLUTTER OUT! You are fighting a losing battle if you just plain have too much stuff. And, we did. So, I went through each room with bags ("giveaway*", "yard sale", "goes in a different room") and left NO spot unturned. If it was an area with just a bunch of paper junk, I put it in a big plastic bin to go through later - just get it OUT - and put it in some kind of storage area. Try to commit to do this as QUICKLY as you can so you can IMMEDIATELY enjoy the benefits of a cleaner and more "lighter" home. That is such an energy-booster!
*"Give-away" can be tricky. If you are like me and can think you can give this to little Harry, and this to little Sarah, etc., etc. and I'll just put one in this little bag, and another in this little bag - STOP. Just put it in a yard sale. You're making it TOO complicated. Invite all your friends to the yard sale and when they come, you can just give it to them for free.
2) Find some good, loud, upbeat cleaning music. This is important to help keep you on task. It is especially helpful to use a particular kind of music for just this purpose and only play that CD for cleaning! This is when I have to give up my love for folksy, melancholy music that only makes me go slow. This is especially helpful for kids too, which I'll talk about it my next cleaning blog post.
3) Had a HUGE yard sale. I love making a little bit of money and decided I was going to use the money to buy ORGANIZING things! (Which I LOVE!) Also, it is helpful to invite the person in your life to the yard sale that is on a mission to help you get RID of things so you won't overprice things because you secretly don't want it to go or you think you're junk is a little too special (thanks sis)!
4) Then, I brought organized-type people (thanks again sis!) into the rooms and had them come up with ideas of how to help the room. This is VERY important if you're someone like me. It helped me tremendously! Then, I figured out what organizing item(s) I needed to use there, and if I didn't have anything, I could buy some fun organizing item (this was very motivating for me! I know - I'm a bit weird). If you don't have money to buy organizing things, think up ways you can change something around (shelves, etc.) to try to give it a fresh change.
5) I asked my oldest WHY he never played with certain toys he did not want to get rid of. In our case, my son wasn't playing with these certain toys/games because he couldn't ever get to them (they were up in the top of the closet and he didn't know they were up there-out of sight, out of mind). So, we put games and things that were stacked up horizontally in the closet VERTICALLY on a big tall shelf so he could get to them. Months later, if he's still not playing with these toys/games when they are easily accessible, I will have more leverage to encourage him to pass it along to another child. I also LOVE those cardboard magazine holders - I like to organize "like" things in those such as, "educational games" with flash cards and things like that in one, small "readers" in another, etc. etc.
6) After you get the clutter out, it is important to clean your floors very well to make them sparkling clean! You will more likely want to keep them that way after you worked so hard. If you haven't gotten all or most things off the floor after your organizing, you are not finished. You need to get bins, shelves or something to collect anything that is sitting on the floor so you can more easily clean the floors next time. One of my favorite inexpensive organizing items is just those Sterilite drawer bins. I keep my craft supplies in them, and a ton of my sons toys, science experiment things, legos, etc.
7) Have a family meeting. Talk about how everyone can help keep it clean. Talk about the peaceful feeling you and everyone else in the family feels when everything is picked up. Get the kids involved. Now, I know, this is going to be a PROCESS. I think this has taken me about a year to finally feel like I've got something working! I will do a separate blog post on how I'm getting my kids to help!
8) Once you get the big stuff done, cleaning and decluttering on a daily basis is WAY easier and you will truly have more time to do things you enjoy! It doesn't take as long, and the kids can help if you have easier places to put things.
Now take charge of your home and wage WAR on all that stuff!! You can at worst make some improvements to make everyone's life easier, and at best, truly make a peaceful home most of the time anyways! If I can make improvements (if you ONLY knew how bad I am)...I KNOW you can too!!! Please feel free to add any tips to this - I am still learning and can always use other tips!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Learning how to clean and the "illusion of clean"
I feel that it wasn't really until last year that I really learned how to clean my home. What I mean is, cleaning it to make an IMPACT on the home as a whole. And I'm not talking about "cleaning" with cleaning supplies necessarily - I'm talking about the "illiusion of clean" as my sister likes to say. Because, really, you can't really clean-clean until you can create that "illusion of clean" by picking up everything so you really CAN clean. Here's how I had to learn to clean:
1) THINK BIG. Ask yourself, "What big items can I do in about 10-30 minutes that will make the most impact, or 'WOW'"?
2) Put some upbeat, loud and rockin' music on to get you going and get your clean on. I like to use the same CD to get myself in the cleaning mode. This helps my children too to get focused. If they stop and start playing, I stop the music to get their attention and tell them that we can't play our music if they aren't cleaning. (They love the music, so they get busy again cleaning when I make that warning).
3) Move fast. Try to get it done.
4) Clean before an activity that everyone wants to do so they will go faster. For example, we will always clean before a) going somewhere fun b) eating c) watching t.v. or a movie d) going outside to play or e) reading a favorite book.
5) Sometimes you just need to throw things in a box to get a kick-start on your cleaning. I know this drives some detail-oriented people (like ME) CRAZY - but, I've decided that it helps me not to feel so overwhelmed, and it gets FAST results. For example, all those papers and tiny toys, barettes, earrings, CPR cards you need to file, papers your kids did for school you'd like to keep, progress reports, whatEVER - just throw it in a nice little wicker bin to go through LATER. Remember, BIG IMPACT FIRST, DETAILS LATER!!!
1) THINK BIG. Ask yourself, "What big items can I do in about 10-30 minutes that will make the most impact, or 'WOW'"?
2) Put some upbeat, loud and rockin' music on to get you going and get your clean on. I like to use the same CD to get myself in the cleaning mode. This helps my children too to get focused. If they stop and start playing, I stop the music to get their attention and tell them that we can't play our music if they aren't cleaning. (They love the music, so they get busy again cleaning when I make that warning).
3) Move fast. Try to get it done.
4) Clean before an activity that everyone wants to do so they will go faster. For example, we will always clean before a) going somewhere fun b) eating c) watching t.v. or a movie d) going outside to play or e) reading a favorite book.
5) Sometimes you just need to throw things in a box to get a kick-start on your cleaning. I know this drives some detail-oriented people (like ME) CRAZY - but, I've decided that it helps me not to feel so overwhelmed, and it gets FAST results. For example, all those papers and tiny toys, barettes, earrings, CPR cards you need to file, papers your kids did for school you'd like to keep, progress reports, whatEVER - just throw it in a nice little wicker bin to go through LATER. Remember, BIG IMPACT FIRST, DETAILS LATER!!!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Cabbage Minestrone Soup - GFCF
Cabbage Minestrone Soup Serves 10; A hit with the kids!
2 TB Grapeseed oil
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 medium onion chopped
3 celery stalks chopped with leaves
2 cups green cabbage
2-4 cups diced or crushed tomatoes (I used some frozen ones from our garden), but can use canned
4 cups of water (more or less for desired heartiness of soup)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 tsp basil; use 1/4 cup fresh if you have it
1/4 tsp oregano
1-2 cans of garbanzo or Great Northern White beans
Sea salt & cracked black pepper to taste
Variation: Add Chicken bits
Heat oil in stockpot and add garlic, onion, celery & cabbage - saute until tender but still have a crunch
Add tomatoes, water and spices. Simmer 20-30 min.
Add spinach & beans.
Stir and simmer for 5 minutes until spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.
2 TB Grapeseed oil
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 medium onion chopped
3 celery stalks chopped with leaves
2 cups green cabbage
2-4 cups diced or crushed tomatoes (I used some frozen ones from our garden), but can use canned
4 cups of water (more or less for desired heartiness of soup)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 tsp basil; use 1/4 cup fresh if you have it
1/4 tsp oregano
1-2 cans of garbanzo or Great Northern White beans
Sea salt & cracked black pepper to taste
Variation: Add Chicken bits
Heat oil in stockpot and add garlic, onion, celery & cabbage - saute until tender but still have a crunch
Add tomatoes, water and spices. Simmer 20-30 min.
Add spinach & beans.
Stir and simmer for 5 minutes until spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.
Our pain often becomes our passion...
I love this quote as I heard it today. It is so true in my case...so I will share my story of how my pain of an illness became a passion for health and nutrition. One of the most wonderful and one of the most difficult times in my life was when I had my first baby seven years ago. I can't describe the JOY I felt in holding that little guy for the first time!!! Wow. I just love thinking about it!
Well, this little guy was also a little difficult to say the least, and I only made it worse by my wanting to be the perfect Mama! I was bound and determined to have this child be 100% breast fed whether it killed me - and wow...it almost did! I apparently had some minor health issues before I had my first baby that spiraled into some major health problems later on...Here's basically how it went: lowered immune system to start + eating tons of sugar during pregnancy + LOTS of antibiotics from having a cesarean + not knowing ANYthing about probiotics at the time + low milk supply + baby not sleeping + new Mama not sleeping and the STRESS of baby not sleeping = Mononucleosis. I was diagnosed I think about 6 months after I had the baby. I was extremely fatigued and thought it was just new motherhood, or maybe a thyroid disfunction. So then...MONO + the depression from not being able to exercise (which I loved) w/ my new baby + isolation (I'm a major people-person) + digestion problems + nursing ALL the time...well, you get the picture. My whole persona had changed from a very happy, energetic person to a very mellow, melancholy person with not alot of excitement. It was too tiring to be excited. At one point, I remember sitting on my porch steps thinking, "Wow, I'd really love to walk and get the mail...which was about 40 yards away...but, I'd be wiped for the rest of the day, so it'll just have to wait."
Along in my journey of trying to get better, I remember reading something that said that sometimes, people that have Mono more than a year often times are diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Woah. At the time I read this, I had already had Mono for 10 months. I think reading this brought out my fighting self..."I've got a baby to take care of, and I can NOT get Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Sadly, my doctor did not have much advice to give me...so, I started researching ALL I could on Mono and all the other myriads of symptoms I was having. The main thing I kept reading was, "Eat as many RAW fruits and vegetables as you can." I learned that when your adrenal glands were fatigued, which mine were, you need the enzymes from the raw fruit and vegetables. Then began my journey...which included ALOT...to help myself to heal. So, now I am 7 years into my journey and feeling GREAT. Thanks be to God, I feel like my health was completely restored and then added to. I'm so, so very grateful for my health today and do not take it for granted. With all that the Lord took me through, I feel so very compelled to help others who may have a doctor that does not know the powerful healing that can take place through food. So, this is one of the big "whys" of my blog.
Just a side-note, I wanted to thank SO many people in this journey...
The Lord for taking me on this journey and helping me to learn so much, so that I can help other people; my husband for putting up with and helping me with the chaos at home during my sickness; my family for loving me through my stubborness and irrationality; my Mom and sister who made lots of meals for me; my Mother-in-Law for seeing that I really was sick and Paul needed to "step it up a notch"!; the one lactation nurse at Centennial that actually DID see that I was sick and told me to supplement; Andee Casey for introducing me to the book, "Patient...Heal Thyself" by Jordin Ruban; La Leche League of Williamson County for introducing me to the book, "The Yeast Syndrome;" Amy Hagely for introducing me to an easy way to take fruits and vegetables into my diet; Lisa Stafford for introducing me to the Vita-Mix blender; my Home Fellowship Group from our church that made so many meals for me; and I also want to thank all the people who prayed for my healing during this time - the Lord answered your prayers above and beyond what you could imagine!
Well, this little guy was also a little difficult to say the least, and I only made it worse by my wanting to be the perfect Mama! I was bound and determined to have this child be 100% breast fed whether it killed me - and wow...it almost did! I apparently had some minor health issues before I had my first baby that spiraled into some major health problems later on...Here's basically how it went: lowered immune system to start + eating tons of sugar during pregnancy + LOTS of antibiotics from having a cesarean + not knowing ANYthing about probiotics at the time + low milk supply + baby not sleeping + new Mama not sleeping and the STRESS of baby not sleeping = Mononucleosis. I was diagnosed I think about 6 months after I had the baby. I was extremely fatigued and thought it was just new motherhood, or maybe a thyroid disfunction. So then...MONO + the depression from not being able to exercise (which I loved) w/ my new baby + isolation (I'm a major people-person) + digestion problems + nursing ALL the time...well, you get the picture. My whole persona had changed from a very happy, energetic person to a very mellow, melancholy person with not alot of excitement. It was too tiring to be excited. At one point, I remember sitting on my porch steps thinking, "Wow, I'd really love to walk and get the mail...which was about 40 yards away...but, I'd be wiped for the rest of the day, so it'll just have to wait."
Along in my journey of trying to get better, I remember reading something that said that sometimes, people that have Mono more than a year often times are diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Woah. At the time I read this, I had already had Mono for 10 months. I think reading this brought out my fighting self..."I've got a baby to take care of, and I can NOT get Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Sadly, my doctor did not have much advice to give me...so, I started researching ALL I could on Mono and all the other myriads of symptoms I was having. The main thing I kept reading was, "Eat as many RAW fruits and vegetables as you can." I learned that when your adrenal glands were fatigued, which mine were, you need the enzymes from the raw fruit and vegetables. Then began my journey...which included ALOT...to help myself to heal. So, now I am 7 years into my journey and feeling GREAT. Thanks be to God, I feel like my health was completely restored and then added to. I'm so, so very grateful for my health today and do not take it for granted. With all that the Lord took me through, I feel so very compelled to help others who may have a doctor that does not know the powerful healing that can take place through food. So, this is one of the big "whys" of my blog.
Just a side-note, I wanted to thank SO many people in this journey...
The Lord for taking me on this journey and helping me to learn so much, so that I can help other people; my husband for putting up with and helping me with the chaos at home during my sickness; my family for loving me through my stubborness and irrationality; my Mom and sister who made lots of meals for me; my Mother-in-Law for seeing that I really was sick and Paul needed to "step it up a notch"!; the one lactation nurse at Centennial that actually DID see that I was sick and told me to supplement; Andee Casey for introducing me to the book, "Patient...Heal Thyself" by Jordin Ruban; La Leche League of Williamson County for introducing me to the book, "The Yeast Syndrome;" Amy Hagely for introducing me to an easy way to take fruits and vegetables into my diet; Lisa Stafford for introducing me to the Vita-Mix blender; my Home Fellowship Group from our church that made so many meals for me; and I also want to thank all the people who prayed for my healing during this time - the Lord answered your prayers above and beyond what you could imagine!
Welcome to my blog!
Hello! I wanted to officially welcome you to my blog! My hope is that you will be encouraged, learn something new that will hopefully help you, and maybe have a few laughs along the way. This blog will cover a lot of different topics such as health (mind, body & spirit), recipes, parenting, and just sharing life and hopefully helping each other. See you at the next post!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
So, I tried some yeasty mac-a-da-cheese last night...
I was so excited to try it - cheeseless "mac-a-da-cheese" as we call it in our house...this is far better for my kiddos because it had those nutritional yeast flakes in it...and that sounds nutritional! (Also, my son is supposed to eat a gluten-free, casein-free diet). And, pimentos, and nuts and just other things you can't really put in real mac-a-da-cheese. I even had my oldest boy (7) excited about helping me put everything in the Vita-Mix to mix it all up. But then, when it came time to eat it, he pushed it away pouting and said, "This is AWFUL!" among other pretty horrible comments. So, I calmly took that bowl of Mac-a-da-cheese away from the table and set it on the counter... and you would have thought that I took away the most cheesiest, most delicious mac-a-da-cheese you have ever SEEN! He started BAWLING his eyes out and telling me how HUNGRY he was and wanted that mac-a-da-cheese SO BAD!!! Meanwhile, Evelyn (my 3 year old) is just sweetly eating her new-fangled mac-a-da-cheese and telling me how good it is (I don't know if she truly thinks it is good, or is just afraid I might take HERS away too!) After 10 minutes of being quite upset in his room (because I sent him there for complaining about the food - which is something we are working on), I looked at him and said, "Well, I thought you didn't want it because you talked about how horrible and awful it was." "I DO want it!!! I DO want it Mama!!" he said. Then he proceeded to tell me that when he FIRST tasted it, it didn't taste very good, but then when he tasted it again, he kinda liked it! So, we calmly walked back in and I gave him back the yeasty no cheesies and he gobbled them right up! Happy Mama.
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