We found 53 results tagged with "organizing"
4 Articles
4 Articles found
A Chef's Insider Tips for Kitchen Economizing
Learn from a professional chef how to cut costs without sacrificing good nutrition or taste.
Take Time to Slow Down
Slow living is all about being more present in the moment.
Organize Your Office for Relaxation
Liven up your personal space in your work environment using these easy suggestions.
Stocking a Natural Kitchen
Take a step toward bringing health and wellness into the very center of your home.
49 Challenges
49 Challenges found
Challenge
Organize your summer vacation photos
Is proof of your fabulous summer getaway still languishing on your camera or computer? Photo albums are a thoughtful and much-appreciated holiday gift for family and friends. (Grandparents adore family photos, and friends you shared time with last summer will appreciate the gesture, too.) Today...
Challenge
Green your garage
Often given short shrift for being out of sight and therefore out of mind, garages are often hotbeds of poorly stored chemical products and environmentally unfriendly materials. What can you do to improve yours? If you’re aiming for a total revamp, natural lighting, recycled insulation...
Challenge
Get keyed up
Find yourself futilely searching for the right keys to door or car each day? You can streamline your key organization system cheaply and easily by marking keys with different colored nail polish. It’s a great way to help keep tracks of spare sets, too, and increase efficiency and safety in...
Challenge
Tap into trays
Trays of all types are a boon to organizers. Not only do they add style to your home and come in many sizes and materials, they catch drips or spills; pull together loose, disparate shelf items; and keep things where you need them so you don’t lose track of what you have. Today, challenge...
Challenge
Everything and the kitchen sink
Does your sink area look like a rummage sale—for kitchenware? Here are some simple steps for organizing and beautifying one of the busiest areas of your home. Plus, keeping track of what you have ensures that you only buy what you need, and waste less. Today, challenge yourself to spruce up...
Challenge
Clean out your fridge
Refrigerators have a way of collecting stuff that doesn’t get eaten. It’s important to remember that most foods have a shelf life even if they seem to last longer. This is especially true of condiments, which often spend far more time in your refrigerator than they should.
Today...
Challenge
If the shoe fits
Organization—or lack of it—is a major cause of not using what we have (and, consequently, buying stuff we don’t really need). A couple of well-placed over-the-door hanging shoe holders can solve that problem. Today, challenge yourself to place several neutral-looking canvas shoe holders...
Challenge
Go "bowl"ing
Bathroom or kitchen clutter got you in a muddle? One easy fix is to invest in several beautiful, counter-worthy deep bowls. When guests are imminent, if you don’t feel like organizing, or if you simply need an interim solution that will last you, well, a while, dig out those pretty basins and take...
Challenge
Learn the burn
How many calories do different activities burn? If you’re like us, you’ll be surprised! Some of your favorites may be more beneficial than you think, whereas the ones you dread may be less effective than you’d imagine. Plus, you should learn about “invisible” work like heavy cleaning. Turns out...
Challenge
Maximize doctor visits
Healthcare and busy lifestyles being what they are, many of us see our physicians for specific annoyances only, and are in and out of their offices without taking full advantage of the visit. The next time you visit the doctor, challenge yourself to create a list of questions. Some tips:
• Write...
Challenge
Update your sport sunscreen
The latest sunblocks and sunscreens contain exciting – and effective – new technology for people who like to sweat outdoors. Agents that block the sun – titanium and zinc oxide – continue to be made from sheerer, more comfortable, materials. And, most exciting, newer chemical ingredients that...
Challenge
Reduce on all fronts
Dusty dumb bells, ab cruch contraptions, and a pile of broken-down jogging shoes – who doesn’t have relics of workouts past haunting them still? If your home is stuffed with workout equipment and fitness gear you’ve never used or that is past its prime, it’s time to clean house. Today, challenge...
Challenge
Prime your playlist
How about some new workout playlists for the new year? Think about what kind of music brings out your best in you - from the meditative thrum of Indian chanting for yoga to the empowering beats of rock music. Today, challenge yourself to create a playlist for every active occasion that motivates...
Challenge
Be calculating
Ever thought of taking a calculator with you to the grocery store? You can use it to keep track of costs, number-crunch what you need from bulk products, and factor nutrition info. It won’t take much time, and you’ll leave with a much more refined food selection (as well as a potentially healthier...
Challenge
Grow one thing
Not a green thumb? Think again! Herbs, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries – depending on your area, various foods can be almost effortless to grow yourself. Start with something relatively simple and see how far you can take this wholesome habit! Today, challenge yourself to find out what...
Challenge
Have fitness, will travel
Whether you have a gym membership that travels or need to find other ways to work out on family visits, doing some research ahead of time ensures you have the right gear and, more importantly, a reason to keep up your routine when you go away. Today, challenge yourself to come up with a master plan...
Challenge
Be a quick fitness study
Barebones or basic workouts in a pinch are fine – but do you have one? A little research will yield a handy list of strength moves, stretches, and weight-bearing exercises that you can take with you anywhere. Today, challenge yourself to write these moves down or, better yet, print out photos...
Challenge
Sanitize your sponges
Ever find yourself wishing you could scrub your sponges? Here’s a better idea: microwave them or run them through the dishwasher. In 2007, the Agricultural Research Service (the principle research agency of the USDA) did a study comparing how many pathogens, yeasts, and molds were killed by various...
Challenge
Have fitness, will travel
Whether you have a gym membership that travels or need to find other ways to work out on family visits, doing some research ahead of time ensures you have the right gear and, more importantly, a reason to keep up your routine when you go away. Today, challenge yourself to come up with a master plan...
Challenge
Write a stretch cheat-sheet
For many people, winter means cold weather when outdoor exercise is simply out of the question. Stay in touch with your body by creating – and following – a home stretching routine that keeps you limber and relaxed. Today, challenge yourself to write down 5-10 of your favorite stretches to do every...
Challenge
Make fitness a to-do
How often does exercise rate your daily to-dos? Is it just something you hope to fit in after you’ve accomplished everything else? Today, start by challenging yourself to keep to your regular standards – or raise them – by adding your exercise goal to your written to-do list every single day...
Challenge
Reduce your debt
Anyone who has high credit card debt knows that it can cause stress. And stress has been consistently proven to be bad for your health. Today, look for ways to reduce your credit debt and make a plan to achieve it.
Challenge
Home-bake your presents
There's something about receiving gifts that have been baked from scratch - they taste delicious and they're thoughtful too. Today, challenge yourself to look at your holiday shopping list, singling out the people you suspect would really appreciate home-baked goodies. Then, identify a healthy...
Challenge
Wrap it up...responsibly
Discarded newspaper, comic strips, clean used aluminum foil, notepaper...there are many ways to wrap a gift attractively without using new paper. This weekend, challenge yourself to create the ultimate reusable gift-wrap box. Here are some tips to get you started:
• Fill the box with scraps like...
Challenge
Lose the shoes
When you take your shoes off before entering your house, you keep your carpets cleaner. Plus, you avoid tracking-in outside pollutants, which can potentially lower your indoor air quality.
This weekend, challenge yourself to set up a system for reducing the transfer of outdoor pollutants into...
Challenge
Drain naturally
Is your sink clogged up again? Instead of using toxic products to drain it, try a homemade baking soda and vinegar mixture instead. Today, challenge yourself to create a list of alternatives home solutions. That way, the next time your sink does back up, you'll know just what to do. Here are some...
Challenge
Learn about the ‘dirty dozen’
That $4 organic avocado got you stymied? Good news: According to the Environmental Working Group, some produce retains relatively low pesticide loads, including avocados, onions, pineapples, mangos and sweet frozen corn. However, other produce retains pesticides at much higher levels. Here’s a list...
Challenge
Vet your vegetable oil
Just because vegetable oil often appears on lists of so-called “good” fats doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carefully consider its nutrition. Many processed foods, for instance, contain hydrogenated forms of the oil, a process that turns unsaturated fats into more harmful saturated ones. Today, challenge...
Challenge
Get it done with one
Some household and beauty products can be used for a variety of needs. Some ideas:
• Essential oils can function perfumes or as bath salt fragrances
• Honey is ideal for both baking and as a moisturizing facial mask for dry skin
• Vinegar does double duty as a salad dressing ingredient and a...
Challenge
List 5 non-essential appliances
If you’ve ever felt like your life and your home was bursting at the seams with the gadgets, now’s the time to take stock of what you really need. Hairdryer, toaster oven, DVD player – what’s it going to be? Decluttering not only frees your mind, it frees your countertop. It also saves on your...
Challenge
Green up your garage sale
Existing for the sole purpose of passing on pre-owned items, yard sales are inherently earth-friendly. Why not aim even higher? The next time you throw a garage sale, challenge yourself to go even greener:
• Package small or fragile items in reused or donated boxes or packing materials
• Donate a...
Challenge
Plan charitable giving
Philanthropy feels great when you’ve budgeted for it in advance. Today, challenge yourself to create budget and include charitable donations as part of your monthly spending.
Challenge
Freshen up your spice rack
Did you know that dried herbs and spices have a shelf life? As they age, they lose a lot of their color and flavor. Depending on whether they’re whole or ground, herbs and spices can last anywhere between six months and two years. This weekend, clean up and organize your spice rack. It might even...
Challenge
Inspect your cutting boards
When was the last time you examined your cutting boards? Disinfecting these frequently used cooking surfaces is a necessity. What are the best practices? Some tips:
• Use separate boards for handling meat and veggies/breads
• Wash with hot soapy water after each use
• Handle tough stains with...
Challenge
Soup up your leftovers
When food was scarcer and resourcefulness was essential, meat and veggie scraps were rarely discarded. From potatoes and carrots to chicken and squash, almost anything can be thrown into a soup pot or collected for a tasty broth. Add a little salt, pepper, herbs, or spices and you’re sure to cook...
Challenge
Spring clean your media storage
Recycling your CDs and DVDs is as easy as contacting the Compact Disc Recycling Center of America. Currently sponsored by several CD/DVD manufacturers, this organization runs recycling centers and even provides collection boxes if you need to mail them – and it’s all free! Now that you’ve gone MP3...
Challenge
Schedule exercise in your calendar
One way to make fitness a priority is to write it down in your calendar and treat it like an important appointment that you can’t miss. In the next 24 hours, block out some time for your favorite exercise routine one day during the next week. Make a commitment to keep your appointment. _Always...
Challenge
Organize your cupboards
When was the last time you reviewed you cupboards? Are there things in there that you’ll probably never use? Today, challenge yourself to take stock and organize your cupboards. Put aside unused items for your local food bank.
Challenge
Recycle your clothes
Giving away or reselling your gently worn clothing reduces waste, plain and simple. This month, challenge yourself to go through your closet and collect anything you don’t wear. Then, plan ways of recycling your clothes. You could host a clothes swap, give them to charity, or trade them for dollars...
Challenge
Start a scrapbook
Not just for new moms and school kids anymore, scrapbooking is an ideal way to cultivate a passion or memorialize the people, places, and events you cherish. This weekend, get creative and start your own scrapbook. Share what you’re doing with everyone here.
_(We’ve given you 2 days for this...
Challenge
Create a sleep-friendly space
What could be more essential to wellbeing than sleep? In the next 24 hours, make your bedroom more sleep-friendly by identifying - and eliminating - anything that interferes with a good night’s rest.
Challenge
Make family time happen
Sometimes it’s important to reassess our schedules and our commitment to family life. If you’ve been feeling like you don’t have enough quality time with your loved ones, challenge yourself this weekend think about ways you can better organize your time. Then make an effort to get together and do...
Challenge
Keep an exercise diary
This is another wonderful idea for keeping yourself motivated toward achieving your fitness goals. And there are lots of different methods for doing it. You can use websites that are designed for this purpose (many are even free). Or you can opt to track your activities on a paper calendar...
Challenge
Write out an exercise plan
Seeing your exercise goals written down can really keep you motivated. Do you want flatter abs? Or do you dream of being able to run a mile or two? Whatever your fitness goals, make a plan for achieving them. This could be as simple as committing to doing 30 sit-ups three times per week or running...
Challenge
Set goals for the year ahead
Looking forward to a successful new year is a lot more than just following through on a New Year’s resolution. It’s about setting tangible goals for yourself and marking your progress along the way. Plotting small daily and weekly achievements towards larger life goals can really help you feel a...
Challenge
Cook ahead
Sharing food with family and friends is one of the joys of the holidays. But if it’s your job to cook the meals, you may find yourself spending more time in the kitchen than enjoying the festivities. Not that cooking isn’t fun. However, being prepared ahead of time can make the process a lot more...
Challenge
Clear a closet
Clutter prevents you from finding things and it can also cause stress. This weekend, take some time to organize one of your messiest closets.
Challenge
Plan a week's worth of dinners
Incorporating natural foods into your daily meals takes some effort and thought. That's why it's a great idea to plan ahead. When you know what you're eating every night, you can have grocery lists ready for shopping trips. And, you can stock foods in your pantry for every meal on your menu...
Challenge
Make a workout playlist
Exercising is so much more fun when you're listening to your favorite music. Today, take the time to select some of your favorite songs and add them to a playlist.