How to Plan a Weekly Menu

It is very important to have control over the meals that we eat at home.  I find that it saves me time, energy and money whenever I go to the grocery store well prepared in advance.  With proper planning, you can assess the needs of each family member, accommodate their requests and favorites and look out for ways you can save money.

There are a few simple methods to keep everything organized. This way, you refrain from buying things that you don't really need or probably already have in your pantry.  Don't you just hate it when you come home from shopping only to find out you're missing a few important ingredients for dinner?  Let those days be a thing of the past.  Here's how...

1. Check the family schedule.

It is important to know when to make meals that are quick and easy for days when no one is around and what day everybody is home.

2. Make a note of what you already have in your pantry.

When you know what you have at home, you can build your menu around that. You may already have the main component for certain dishes, so all you need to buy are the missing ingredients. This is also the best way to use up your supplies before expiration.

3.  Keep your meals simple.

I do believe in varieties and trying out something new once in a while.  But by sticking to what works and what the family likes, you don't end up with a lot of waste.  So consider that when you plan out your menu.

4. Plan for leftover meals.  Make certain dishes in big batches. 

There is nothing wrong with eating leftovers.  It gives you time to do other things.  Also, there are a lot dishes that taste better over a period of time.

5. Make a list and stick to it.

This is an effective tool to save both your time and money.  It takes no more than 5 mins to write down the things that you need.  Trust me, it makes shopping faster and more efficient.

6. Watch out for sale items.

Take advantage of coupon books that are displayed by the entrance.  Take a minute or two to check what's on sale and stock up on those.  I usually keep my eye out for canned vegetables like corn, peas, water chestnuts, canned tomato sauce etc.

7.  Stay within your budget.

It is very easy to get carried away at the grocery store but keep in mind, that it is a weekly trip and if you don't practice self discipline by sticking to your budget , it will add up.

8.  Eat first before you go shopping.

It's a rule of thumb.  When you go shopping hungry, you end up with a cart full of food that you don't necessarily need.

Clean House, Clear Mind

Home-caring, the very act of cleaning, organizing and sanitizing your living space can be an energizing and stress relieving activity.  Look at it as an opportunity to move around, think and give your mind a break from life worries that tend to clutter our thoughts.  Personally, I love doing house work.  I find that it does more good to me than just being able to sit on a dust free sofa.

Boo!

I understand that it's not for everybody.  I, too, have days when I can't be bothered to lift a finger.  I could probably swing it for a day and a half without cleaning but let's be honest, who wants to live in a dirty space?  I know for a fact, the rewards of living in a clean and orderly home is reason enough to look past spending an hour or two puttering around the house.

There are ways to incorporate doing house chores into our day without it feeling like a monkey on our back. Understandably, the resistance to get it done sometimes weighs more than the promise of squeaky clean floors. Thankfully, these ideas suggest that it is possible to infuse some fun into the mundane.

First, let me share with you some tips on how to make cleaning simple and easy.

• make sure everything has a place
• wash dishes after every use
• pick things up as you go
• de-clutter and get rid of the unnecessary knickknacks that only collect dust in your house
• put things away right after use
• clear your surfaces
• have all your cleaning supplies in one easy to carry basket/bin
• put dirty clothes straight into the hamper
• fold laundry as soon as they come out of the dryer.  (easier said than done I know!)

Here are some tips and tricks on how to make home caring enjoyable.

• turn it into a work out session and sweat out all your frustrations
• listen to music or play your favorite funny TV show in the background
• listen to motivational audio books
• sing your heart out, dance a little
• turn it into a meditation session focusing on one task at a time
• use it as a time to think deep thoughts
• compose a letter/email or a blog post
• talk to yourself  (I do that all the time and it may seem crazy but it's fun!)

A well maintained space promotes a peaceful state of being and mental clarity.  Without the distraction of things scattered around the house, we can direct our energy into more important matters.  My advice is to find something that motivates you.  These ideas continually help me see cleaning not as a humdrum task but rather exciting and fun.  Give it a try.

Happy house cleaning!

Do it Now!

Graz, Austria

I will clean my fridge...someday.
I will start running again...someday.
I will enroll in photography classes...someday.
I will join a book club...someday.
I will go to church..someday.

And the list goes on...

Does this sound familiar to you?  Newsflash, my friend!  Someday, is not a day of the week.

Meet my number one nemesis.  Procrastination.  I can not tell you enough how many important matters I've put off doing until the last minute out of pure laziness and truth be told, just habitual carelessness.  I have wasted so much time, hurt the people I love and brought nothing but undue stresses into my life.  It is a vicious cycle and I'm determined to put an end to it.

First, we need to identify the reasons why we fall into this nasty habit.

"It is difficult"  We often put off a difficult task and attend to things of easier nature.  Choosing the path of least resistance often leads to being unproductive which, in time and continued practice, eventually advances to personal failure.

"I don't have time for this"  Yes, you do! You have control over what consumes your time.  If it's really that important, make time and attend to it.

"I don't know anything about it"  Knowledge, by definition is information and skills acquired through experience and education.  You won't know until you give it a try.  That lame excuse is not valid. All the more reason why you should start way ahead.

"I'm afraid to fail"  Let me throw in a cliche' here.  It is better to try and fail than never have tried at all.  There's just nothing worst than spending your life wondering what could have been if only you tried, is there?

"Procrastination is the thief of time." -Edward Young 

What is the cure?  Some of you might ask.

Do exactly the opposite, do it over and over until it locks in.

I, for one, am a work in progress.  After all, it is (or was) my Achilles heel.  And, like most areas of my life, I still struggle with my daily limitations, fears and habits. With awareness and acceptance, I believe we are all off to a good start. A fast track to overcoming procrastination, so to speak.  The benefits are endless. I look forward to stress free days, more time for myself, increased productivity and most importantly, just feeling good about myself for making better choices.

Kickstart the Simplifying Process

"Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Purge:  Toss all the excess.  Rid your life of all the unnecessary things, thoughts and unwanted feelings.   Essentially, this is the first step.  As your space gets clearer and more open, you'll realize that something larger than just the obvious physical aspect is changing.  You are changing too.  It is a beautiful revelation.

Pursue hobbies that are fun and inexpensive:  Find leisures and creative pursuits that don't require buying/storing a lot of stuff.  There are numerous activities out there waiting to be dabbled on.  You just have to find what best suits your interest.

Reduce media exposure: Often times, we don't even realize that we want a new pair of shoes unless we see it on television or magazines.  That's advertising and marketing tricking us into believing our pair of beige-y nude pumps must be replaced by a blush-tone nude this season.  It's like being lured to enter a buffet restaurant at times when you don't even realize you're hungry.

Stay away from the mall as much as possible:  Be gentle with yourself, if you know you're more likely to be tempted, stay away.  Eventually, the wanting of things will go away.  Until then, find other ways to cure boredom.  
Listen to your heart: There are no rules when it comes to simplifying your life.  No one else can set the limits for you.  What is "enough" for others may mean something else to you.  Don't let anybody tell you that you're doing it wrong.  Everything you need to know about the subject, you already know.  You just have to listen to that inner small voice that speaks the truth.

One a Day

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

One less thing that is.

The goal is to get rid of one thing every day until the end of the year.  As a result, by January 1st next year, I will be 88 things lighter and freer.  That way I am building my simplicity muscle, forming a habit that will eventually transform into a character through practice and repetition.

Why now?  Why the change?  Some of you may ask.

Why not?

It was made apparent through the purging process that my attachment to things falls under the "fling category." It was temporary and had very little meaning.  It took me no more than 2 days to go through mountains of unloved stuff and reduce it to a molehill of loved and needed belongings.  I couldn't think of a reason not to give it a try.

This article written by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits and mnmlist.com sums up my take on this subject.  I thought I'd share it with you.

Less is better.

Less means you spend less.  You need less storage.  You need a smaller house.

Less means you worry less.  You search for things less.  You are less bogged down by clutter.

Less means you're lighter.  You're freer.  You can focus on better things.

Less means you can travel more easily.  You spend less time with stuff, and more time doing stuff.

Less is more sustainable, more beautiful.


Well said Leo.