How Bad Is It...

 

...to leave a charger plugged in when you aren't using it?

I am notorious for doing this. Along with the majority of you I'm sure. But I learned in HGTV magazine, that while it's not a fire or safety hazard to leave your cell phone, laptop or camera charger plugged in, it is a pretty big no no.

So what's the big deal? Count the number of chargers you have in your home. We have an iPad charger, a iPhone charger, and the Bose speaker charger all in the kitchen, We have a laptop charger on the desk and another in my husband's office. We have two iPhone chargers in our bedroom. That's seven chargers in a house with NO kids that have their own devices. Having just those devices plugged in 24/7 adds an extra $25 to my annual electric bill. Not a bank breaker but every dollar should count if you're being smart with your money.

Now consider that there are 130 million homes in the US. According to Paul Scheckel, author of The Homeowner's Energy Handbook, if each one of those houses has 10 chargers, we're collectively wasting billions of watts each year. It takes dozens of power plants spewing out smoke and emitting potentially harmful waste to produce that kind of energy.

Moral of the story: Although it may be a slight inconvenience, unplug your cord every time you are done powering up your device. If that's just too much of a hassle, invest in a power strip that you can quickly switch off whenever you don't need your charger.

If you do one thing TODAY...

 

...you gotta to tune in tonight (Friday, 8/20/13) for the season premiere of Shark Tank at 9pm on ABC!!! My girl, Lynnae Schneller, a young entrepreneur from my hometown of Tacoma, WA, took her grandma's 100 year old pickle recipe to market and now Lynnae's Gourmet Pickles is blowing up! I am so so proud of this pickle princess!

Her pickles are legit. Some of the best I've ever tasted. The "Hot Mama" is a favorite in our house. So addicting with just the right amount of sweet and spice. Tip: Order in bulk. You will literally eat the entire jar as a snack.

"Mrs. Pickle" is the original recipe with a unique blend of sweet and sour. Again, better than any other pickle on the market.

So enough reading, get buying. And don't forget to watch these girls rock it tonight on Shark Tank!!

If you do one thing this week: Clean out your hairdryer

 

People always ask me how I manage to always have my hair washed, dried and flat ironed. Besides the obvious that I have to get up a tad earlier to make this happen, I do also clean the lint/dust trap in my hairdryer on a consistent basis which according to Glamour magazine and Harry Josh, celebrity hair stylist, will cut your get ready time down significantly.

By cleaning out the lint, the air flowing into the dryer will circulate better so it can continue to blow out with full force, so the process is shorter. Wow. What a aw-ha bit of information.

Wondering how often you should do this? Hairdressers do it almost daily as their hairdryers get used much more but for the average home use, once a week is recommended.

If the grooves on your hairdryer are small, I recommend using an old toothbrush or tooth pick. I will warn you, it is a bit tedious so don't attempt this on a morning you have to be out the door at a certain time. Once you have all the lint/dust cleaned out, take a damp cloth to wipe down the hairdryer.

If you do one thing this week: Put Summer on Ice

 

Imagine biting into juicy strawberries or crisp green beans...in January. With the help of your freezer and tips from Teri Gault, CEO of the deal finding website thegrocerygame.com, you can savor the deliciousness of colorful fruits and veggies all year round.

{FRUIT}

Stock up on :: berries, tomatoes, and stone fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines.

To preserve :: Wash and pa dry with paper towels. Hull strawberries and cherries and quarter tomatoes. Peel, slice and toss stone fruits with lemon juice and simple syrup to prevent browning. Place fruit in a single layer on a baking sheet (to keep it from sticking together) and freeze; transfer to zip-top bags.

Use within :: 3 to 6 months. Label the date of when you packaged with a Sharpie. Toss if you notice crystallization.

{VEGGIES}

Stock up on :: zucchini, green beans, peas, and spinach. Avoid produce with a high water content such as cucumbers.

To preserve :: Blanch first - drop vegetables in a pot of salted boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes, then plunge into ice water to halt cooking. After they've cooled, dry with paper towels, spread on a baking sheet, and freeze. Transfer to zip-top bags.

Use within :: 3 to 6 months. Label bag when packaged.

{HERBS}

Stock up on :: dill, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil, parsley, and cilantro.

To preserve :: Separate leaves from stems, then wash and pat dry. Chop and add 1 tablespoon of herbs to each well of a flexible ice cube tray and fill with water. Once frozen, remove cubes and store in a zip-top bag. The next time a soup, sauce, or stew recipe calls for fresh herbs, simply pop in a cube.

Use within :: 12 months. Label bag when packaged.

 

 

{HINT: When freezing produce in bags, leave a bit of space at the top for expansion.}

If you do one thing this week...

BRING BACK GOOD 'OL FASHION PLAYTIME.

This week I encourage you to bring back the art of having fun without any electronic thingamajigs. Think about your week ahead and carve out at least 30 minutes doing outdoor activities that will have the young and the young-at-heart jumping for joy.

My own personal observation is that parents nowadays don't partake in outdoor activities with their children like they used to. And should. I believe the majority of parents (some - not all) see their time shuttling the kids to and from practice, tutoring, music, etc as all they should do.

Sure you are spending time with them but is it quality time?

Through the eyes of a child, quality time spent is actually getting down at their level. Those moments that in five, ten, twenty years from now they will say, "Remember when we used to climb that big tree and pick the apples? That was so fun." Or "Remember when Dad used to throw the worst spirals?" Those are the times they will never forget.

I vividly remember my dad coming home from work and within five minutes was out in the front swinging the jump rope with us. Riding bikes. Throwing the Frisbee. Hopscotch. Tag.

Oh how I loved tag.

Duck duck goose. Kick ball. "Horse" on the b-ball court. Relay races.

I think I loved relay races the most.

You get the picture. They will be grown and gone before you know it.

Here are three versions of tag to get you started this week interacting with your littles:

1) "Manhunt:" Each time the player who is “it” tags a person, that person must link arms with the “it” kid (or another kid in the chain) and run with him. This continues until the last tagged child is added to the mob.

2) "Tornado Tag:" The “it” player can tag others only while he is spinning around with outstretched arms.

3) "Shadow Tag:" The “it” player tags other kids by stepping on their shadows. (Note: There is some degree of trust involved in this version. It might be wise to have someone stand in as the referee.)                          

If you do one thing this week...

DON'T EAT THE UNEATEN FOOD OFF YOUR KID'S PLATE.

Who eats the crust of the sandwiches, the left over mac n' cheese at the bottom of the bowl, a few pieces of diced chicken or cheese here and there? I do. And it's no wonder I can't lose those last 5-10 pounds.

I think I eat good. But then I catch myself finishing off the last of Chase's quesadilla or remaining Wheat Thins on Lance's highchair tray. Essentially I'm consuming a 4th meal - a meal that is not meant to be had. Mindless munching where calories add up. Accounting for an entire extra meal in my day.

I do. You do it. Hey it happens. And if you're not a stay at home mom that's finishing off the last of the PB&J, most likely you'll do it at work. The "I'll take just one more for later" cookie as your walking out of the meeting, a handful of jellybeans off a co-workers desk.

You might not realize just how quickly calories can add up though. An extra tablespoon of salad dressing can add 75-100 calories, an extra tablespoon of butter adds 102 calories, and that 1-ounce bag of chips with your sandwich at lunch adds 162 calories.

Tablespoon people? Do you know how little a tablespoon really is??? And c'mon on - 1 ounce. That 1 ounce bag requires you to mop the floor for an additional 30 minutes. No thanks - I'll skip the chips.

Now I know 102 extra calories doesn't seem like much but have that, "oh what's an extra dollop really gonna do?" mentality three, four, five times in your day and those bites here and there WILL pack on the pounds and sabotage your weight loss goals.

So this week - resist the temptation to clean someone else’s plate. And while you're at it - make a conscious effort not to clean yours either. Think about your waistline instead of the food waste. Consider the calories in small portions and recognize how quickly they can add up when portions are multiplied:

• 1 Twinkie: 150 calories
• 12 peanut M&Ms: 125 calories
• 1 ounce of French fries: 88 calories
• 1.5 donut holes: 100 calories
• 3 Hershey kisses: 75 calories
• 3 Oreo cookies:160 calories
• 15 tortilla chips: 142 calories
• 20 potato chips: 162 calories

Not worth it in my book. And always remember - "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!!"

If you do one thing this week...

LEAVE YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR.

Think of removing your shoes when you enter a home as the equivalent of washing your hands. First, it couldn’t be easier. Second, it allows for a more "green" home by prevents the outside gunk like car exhaust, chemicals, and pesticides from being tracked all over your home.  And third, it leaves the nasty outside world out. After walking into public restrooms, city streets, yards where there are animals, etc., do you really want all that bacteria and filth in your home?

There was a study by the EPA conducted in 1991 titled the “Door Mat Study.” It measured the amount of lead dust that was in homes. The study found that in homes where there was a doormat at the entrance and where shoes were NOT worn, there was a marked reduction (about 60%) of lead dust and other chemicals in the home. Not only that, but in homes where shoes are removed, there is a reduction in allergens and bacteria being tracked into the house. 

Try it for a day. A week. A month. Soon enough, it will become a painless habit for a healthier, more eco-friendly home.               

If you do one thing this week...

BE A 'REAL' FRIEND.

It's that time of the day - overnight guests are gone. lunch mess is cleaned up. boys are napping - and it's time to rally together an inspirational blog post for y'all before it's off to swim. When I sat down to the computer, I myself needed inspiration and thanks to Facebook, an article just popped into my news feed that is a great reminder for the week. So thanks to my "real" friend Jodi, here is a blog post from Marc & Angel's Hack Life on what it means to be a real friend (and a good partner) ---

As we grow, we realize it becomes less important to have more friends and more important to have real ones.

{Isn't that the truth? Something I feel I didn't really grasp until I hit my 30's. What a breath of fresh air.}

Remember, life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up really late. But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess. And most of the time, they aren’t even the ones who made the mess. These people are your real friends in life. They are the ones who matter most.

{Love.that.entire.blurb.}

Here are 15 things real friends do differently:

1) They face problems together. – A person who truly knows and loves you – a real friend – is someone who sees the pain in your eyes while everyone else still believes the smile on your face. Don’t look for someone who will solve all your problems; look for someone who will face them with you.

2) They give what they can because they truly care. – One of the biggest challenges in relationships comes from the fact that many of us enter a relationship in order to get something. We try to find someone who’s going to make us feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last, and give us joy in the long-term, is if we see our relationship as a place we go to give, and not just a place we go to take. Yes, of course it is okay to take something from a relationship too. But both sides should be giving. It can only be a ‘give and take’ if BOTH SIDES are GIVING. That’s the key.

3) They make time for each other. – It’s obvious, but any relationship without any face time is going to have problems. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life. Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they truly care about you, they will create one for you. (Read The How of Happiness.)

4) They offer each other freedom. – A healthy relationship keeps the doors and windows wide open. Plenty of air is circulating and no one feels trapped. Relationships thrive in this environment. Keep your doors and windows open. If this person is meant to be in your life, all the open doors and windows in the world won’t make them leave.

5) They communicate effectively. – It’s been said many times before, but it’s true: great communication is the cornerstone of a great relationship. If you have resentment, you must talk it out rather than let the resentment grow. If you are jealous, you must communicate in an open and honest manner to address your insecurities. If you have expectations of your partner, you must communicate them. If there are any problems whatsoever, you must communicate them and work them out. And communicate more than just problems – communicate the good things too.

6) They accept each other as is. – Trying to change a person never works. People know when they are not accepted in their entirety, and it hurts. A real friend is someone who truly knows you, and loves you just the same. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you. If you feel like changing something about your friend, ask yourself what change you can make in yourself instead.

7) They are genuine, and expect genuineness. – As Leo F. Buscaglia once said, “Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Don’t over-analyze your relationships. Stop playing games. A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.” Don’t play games with people’s heads and hearts. Remember, love and friendship don’t hurt. Lying, cheating and screwing with people’s feelings and emotions hurts. Always be open, honest, and genuine. (Read The Mastery of Love.)

8) They compromise. – Real friends meet in the middle. When there’s a disagreement, they work out a solution that works for both parties – a compromise, rather than a need for the other person to change or completely give in.

9) They support each other’s growth changes. – Our needs change with time. When someone says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes it just means you grown. Don’t apologize for it. Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know in your heart is right.

10) They believe in each other. – Simply believing in another person, and showing it in your words and deeds, can make a huge difference in their life. Studies of people who grew up in dysfunctional homes but who grew up to be happy and successful show that the one thing they had in common was someone who believed in them. Do this for those you care about. Support their dreams and passions and hobbies. Participate with them. Cheer for them. Be nothing but encouraging. Whether they actually accomplish these dreams or not, your belief is of infinite importance to them.

11) They maintain realistic expectations of their relationship. – No one is happy all the time. Friends must keep realistic expectations of each other. Notice when you’re projecting something onto the other person that has nothing to do with them, like a fear from a past relationship, and then make an effort to let it go. Recognize when you’re looking for that person to do something for you that you need to do for yourself, like making you feel lovable or take care of your needs, and then release those expectations and do it for yourself.

12) They honor each other in small ways on a regular basis. – Honor your important relationships in some way every chance you get. Every day you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by making small gestures to show your appreciation and affection. Remember, making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Your kindness and gratitude matters. Make an effort to really listen – not just wait to talk. See the other person as if for the first time. It’s all too easy to take someone for granted. Really notice all the wonderful things they do, and let them know what you see.

13) They listen, and they hear every word. – Giving a person a voice, and showing them that their words matter, will have a long-lasting impact on them. Less advice is often the best advice. People don’t need lots of advice, they need a listening ear and some positive reinforcement. What they want to know is often already somewhere inside of them. They just need time to think, be and breathe, and continue to explore the undirected journeys that will eventually help them find their direction.

14) They keep their promises. – Your word means everything. If you say you’re going to do something, DO IT! If you say you’re going to be somewhere, BE THERE! If you say you feel something, MEAN IT! If you can’t, won’t, and don’t, then DON’T LIE. Real friends keep promises and tell the truth upfront. (Read The Four Agreements.)

15) They stick around. – The sad truth is that there are some people who will only be there for you as long as you have something they need. When you no longer serve a purpose to them, they will leave. The good news is, if you tough it out, you’ll eventually weed these people out of your life and be left with some great people you can count on. We rarely lose friends and lovers, we just gradually figure out who our real ones are.

If you do one thing this week...

SWAP YOUR STANDARD CUP OF COFFEE WITH A GLASS OF HOT LEMON WATER.

It is recommended by nationally known nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, author of "Fat Flush for Life" and other books to start your day with a hot glass of water flavored with lemon. The combination can benefit your body in numerous ways, including helping you to lose weight and keep hydrated, improving your digestion and upping your vitamin C intake. You can even spice up this morning drink to boost its benefits.

Types: Gittleman recommends combining the juice of half a lemon with 1 cup hot water. If you don't want to squeeze your own lemons, you can substitute 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Make sure to use 100-percent organic lemon juice. You can spice up this drink and further rev your metabolism by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground ginger, Gittleman says. Lemons will keep for up to 10 days at room temperature, so you can shop for them weekly. You also can store fresh lemon juice in an ice cube tray without losing any of its potency.

Function: Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning stimulates your digestive system, according to Louise Atkinson's "Daily Mail" article, "Lose Weight for Christmas with the Lemon Juice Diet." This improves your body's ability to absorb nutrients. Poor absorption of nutrients can cause you to feel hungry, even when you are not.

Effects: Lemon water cleanses your palate on the way down. Once in your body, it helps to gently flush your kidneys and your liver of wastes and toxins, says Gittleman. It also can help cleanse your lymphatic system, another body system that eliminates toxins.

Significance: Both lemons and water are on Gittleman's list of fat flush foods. Water helps you stay hydrated. Your body stores more fat when you are dehydrated because your kidneys need help from your liver to function when your body is in this state. This hampers the liver's ability to burn fat. Water also is a natural appetite suppressant. Being dehydrated, in contrast, can cause feelings of hunger. Lemons may help reduce cellulite because they stimulate blood flow to your skin and help your body flush out waste. Lemon also boosts your body's ability to metabolize fat, Gittleman says.

Benefits: Lemon juice provides a high amount of Vitamin C, notes Atkinson. One lemon gives 30.7 mg vitamin C, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The recommended daily amount is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. People who consume more vitamin C have more efficient digestive systems than people who don't. Lemon also increases acidity of your digestive system, which helps you better absorb calcium. Calcium absorption helps you lose weight, says Atkinson, because calcium is stored in fat cells. The more calcium in your fat cells, the easier it is to stimulate their burn. Vitamin C also boosts your immune system, helps prevent coronary heart disease, and lowers your risk for stroke, cataracts and gout. This antioxidant vitamin also may help lower cancer risk when consumed via fresh fruits, according to Oregon State University.

Potential: Adding a tablespoon of lemon juice along with some of the lemon's zest can provide 1,600 oxygen radical absorbency capacity, or ORAC, units to your diet, according to "Women's Health" magazine. An ORAC unit is a measurement developed by the National Institutes of Health to measure a food's antioxidant capacity. The higher the value, the higher the antioxidant benefits, such as fighting cell-damaging free radicals. One antioxidant lemon juice provides is eriocitrin, which may protect against oxidative stress in the liver.

Want to lose some weight? Studies show that water can improve the speed of your weight loss too. Here's how;

Hot water, like the heat of hot tea, causes the body to begin to detoxify. Stored toxins slow the metabolism. When you flood the body with hot water, this causes the muscular action in the stomach, liver and intestine which squeezes and releases toxins. This moves toxins out of the bowel, liver, lymph system, and out of the body. Water is quickly absorbed in extreme temperatures. This helps stabilize blood sugar, which will stop food cravings as well.

Lukewarm water is even good for suppressing the appetite by depressing the activity of the digestive system. Hunger pains diminish and you tend not to overeat. 

The key to health with anything is consistency. If you start your day with a glass of hot lemon water and drink a glass of lukewarm water 15 minutes before meals and snacks, you'll be on your way to losing 31 pounds this year if you stick with it. Statistics show that you will consume 104 calories less daily as a result of drinking water which over the course of a year, averages to about 31 unnecessary pounds.

Water facts:

- 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
- 37% of Americans mistake the thirst sensation, which is weak for the hunger sensation triggering them to begin eating instead of drinking,
- Mild dehydration can slow the metabolism by 3%.
- Drinking just one glass of water can shut down the "midnight munchies."
- Lack of water is the number one trigger for daytime fatigue.
- 8 to 10 glasses of water can ease back and joint pain in 80% of sufferers.
- When you dropped just 2% in the body's necessary hydration you will likely experience fuzzy, short-term memory and have difficulty with basic math, focusing on printed work and computer media.
- Just by drinking five glasses of water daily you decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, reduce the risk of breast cancer by 79% and 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

If you do one thing this week...

FIX IT TOGETHER.

Ok ok, I know I'm a little late on the post. If you're an avid HHH follower, I usually post this on Monday but I had guests in town since last Wed, my son's first birthday, Easter and then I got terribly sick. Enough said.

What do I mean by fix it together? If you have somehousehold minor repairs say a leaky faucet, a furnace filter that needs to be replaced, a fence that needs to be painted, a tire that needs to be changed around the house, I suggest you never do it without your kids. Home improvements are a great way to spend time with them while teaching them about tools and life at the same time. The attic, basement and crawl spaces are wonderful classrooms for learning how things work and how to safely fix things. Hand them a flashlight and talk them through the job you are doing.

As they get older, moments will be seen as bonus chances for time with your kids amongst their busy schedules. An added bonus - they will know how to do things and fix a problem on their own. I feel the whole "work hard and figure it out yourself" mentality is lost. It's too easy to hire someone else or find shortcuts nowadays. It's our job as parents to set a good example while mentoring them about the everday things in life. These same children are going to be mothers and fathers one day so it's our job to teach them good work ethic and habits in the day to day things.

Don't have a child old enough to help? That's ok - sit them in the exersaucer or highchair and talk to them while you work. Babies are sponges. They need stimulation and love new sights and sounds. My husband did this last week while washing the car. When I got home my husband informed me that "Lance (my one year old) and him spend some good quality man-time together washing the car."

So if you do one thing this week(end), I encourage you to engage your children in little projects. And it doesn't have to be just something that needs fixing. Household chores such as folding laundry, vaccuming and dusting are wonderful ways to include your children.

While it might take a little longer, it's time well spent.

If you do one thing this week...

Use less - of EVERYTHING.

If you’re looking to save money, there are some obvious solutions; you might want to track your spending, avoid impulse buys or try going cash-only. But have you ever thought that you might be throwing savings down the drain, literally? Do you know how much you really need of things of consumable goods like like shampoo and dish soap?

Sierra Black of Get Rich Slowly recommends using half of what you normally would. The idea is to reduce half the amount of these things you use by doling out smaller portions. Normally use a quarter-size dollop of shampoo? Try cutting back to a dime.

There’s no need to stop at half, actually. You can keep scaling back your usage gradually until you hit a point where you actually don’t have enough, and then creep back up to the last place it felt good. Maybe that dime-size drop of shampoo isn’t enough for your hair, but a nickel-size portion gets the job done nicely.

This approach  - he calls the 50% solution - works. Stock up at Costco and it will take you forever to run out. Try this next time you come home from Costco - Pour your bulk product into smaller containers — at half strength. For example, fill the soap container next to the kitchen sink with half water and half soap. You'll use the same amount when washing the dishes, but go through the soap at half the rate.

In addition to basic consumables, you can apply the 50% solution to:

• Shopping for clothes.  Ask yourself - Do I need two of these? Stop buying multiples of the same things! (A problem of mine.)


• Going out to bars and restaurants. This is often another trouble spot for me, since I love going out. Scaling back that type of social activity by half lets me stay close to the people I care about without busting my budget.


• Over the counter medications. Take one instead of two. Or two instead of four. I wouldn’t suggest trying this with your prescription meds, but for simple over-the-counter stuff like headache medicine, I’ve found that a half dose is often perfectly effective.


• Groceries. Kids will eat a near infinite amount of fresh fruit, pretzels, and yogurt. How much is enough? The only way to tell is to gradually buy less until you run out and they complain. Cut your grocery budget in half by combining this with other grocery savings hacks.  This way too you won't waste any food. 


• Therapeutic appointments. Scale back on wellness appointments from twice a week to only twice a month. This saves time and money. As with all these measures though, the key is to get to enough. Cutting back too much on these appointments (massage, physical therapy, chiropractor) could cause pain and interfere with life. The balancing act is to be sure you get what you need, without over-committing resources that could be better used elsewhere.

Basically, try tapering off anything you routinely spend money on where you have some control over the amount you use. In general, this approach will save you money. But the more important thing isn’t how you save the money, it’s what you do with it. A dollar saved is only really saved if you don’t immediately spend it on something else. The savings from these gradual reductions in consumption are often harder to see than the clear figures one gets from canceling a subscription and saving the monthly fee.

I love the 50% solution because it acts as a checkpoint for purchases. Do I really need this? Do I need all of this? Could I make do with less? Being in the habit of asking myself those questions has saved me a lot more money than just cutting my shampoo with water does. It helps me stay in a frugal mindset when I’m shopping. That’s not easy to do. Stores are designed to push you towards impulse buys, and being armed with mental money hacks helps me fight back against their subtle (and not so subtle) marketing.

I also love this approach because it helps me find balance. It’s not about committing to a life of extreme austerity, it’s about avoiding waste. I often think of the curve at the beginning of Your Money or Your Life that shows a person’s happiness increasing as they have the resources to supply their basic needs, and then some comforts and finally a few luxuries. Beyond that magic point of "enough," the curve falls off as more and more luxuries are piled on but fail to satisfy. The 50-percent solution helps me know what my personal "enough" is. What’s enough soap? Enough entertainment? Enough snack food?

Scaling back incrementally lets me find those magic points on the curve and stay close to them. I get to have enough to be happy, without wasting resources like money, time and energy on acquiring more of something than I need or want.

Now it's your turn. Give it a try.

If you do one thing this week...

STREAMLINE YOUR MAKEUP.

If your mornings are a race against the clock, give yourself an edge by corralling your toiletries in the smartest possible way. Conquering your cosmetic clutter not only will save you time, but is also the easiest way to start making your looks a priority. Once you downsize to what you actually use - and use it - you will be looking pretty in more ways than one.

So to streamline your makeup, you need to separate your necessities from your nonessentials. Here's some tips how:

1) Designate a spot for your "5-minute face" - aka whatever products you use every morning to get you out the door. A drawer with dividers or a box lets you see everything you need. The goal is to not be digging around for the essentials. If you're tight on space, a makeup bag works too. Especially if you travel a lot or are on the go.

2) Part with the 10th place lipstick. The rest of your makeup (if you're the most of us) needs a serious purge. Dump what's expired of course (anything you've had longer than 18 months or six months for mascaras or other liquids used near your eyes). But don't stop there. Hit the heart of the problem by getting rid of the runner-ups. Lipsticks and glosses especially. Because we are constantly trying to find the right shade or hop from colors between seasons so quickly, we have a stockpile that accumulate. If you haven't used it in the last year, toss it. The same strategy goes for anything else you're prone to stockpile whether it's eye pencils or night creams. Ask yourself, "If all this was gone tomorrow, what would I miss?" Those are the items you should keep.

3) Be your own editor. If you're still attached to the 10 eye shadows or 20 lip colors you've used once each, put them in a covered box on your bathroom counter or toilet tank and apply a sticker dated their months from now. I love the Short Acrylic Box ($10 at The Container Store) which keeps everything in sight. Try a product every day or week and make a decision - incorporate it in your "five minute face"  or occasional items or toss it. Dump whatever you haven't bothered to try by your preset expiration date.

4) Simplify your storage. Anything left, like eye shadows you love for evening looks, can go in a drawer. Tight on space? Usually two sets of stackable drawers can fit under the sink. Divide items by categories  - eyeliners and mascaras, blush and bronzers, extra makeup brushes, etc. The Stackable Acrylic Drawer Organizers ($3-5 each at The Container Store) are very functional for this but I love the Antonius Basket Insert ($3 at Ikea) for drawers too. Heck you could even it up the $1 for plastic baskets. The goal is functional and organized so buy whatever you see fit. If you have a pedestal sink, use a clear shoebox which can double as a portable "drawer" that can fit in a nearby linen closet.

5) Stage an intervention. Often with drawers people start throwing stuff in, and then it's not organized. Beauty of the drawer is that you can shut it so it's out of sight, out of mind right? Wrong. If you're facing a jumble in a few months, take an extra measure and put every category in a small resealable bags and then in it's designated section or bin. That way, you'll be less likely to pile products on top of the bags.

If you want more tips on how to conquer your toiletry chaos, click HERE.

FYI - the Spring Organization Sale is going on NOW at The Container Store so stock up for all those spring cleaning projects.

If you do one thing this week...

DE-GUNK THE KITCHEN CABINETS.

The kitchen is one of the dirtiest rooms in our homes. Because it is usually a high traffic area that gets daily use, kitchens get dirtier, faster than other areas of the home. Kitchen cabinets are often the dirtiest area of the kitchen because we are often afraid to clean cabinets for fear of ruining them.

Kitchen cabinets can get really dirty over time though, if they are left unattended. Everything that comes in contact with them, or that is in the air in your kitchen builds-up over time and causes your cabinets to look dull, dingy and old. Grease, food particles, smoke, moisture, finger prints, grime, smudges and more are all found on the face of cabinets, with the bulk of it being found on handles and other high contact areas. In most cases, if your cabinets are starting to look bad, a good cleaning is all they need.

Cleaning kitchen cabinets can be a quick and easy job, but many people make it harder than it has to be. One rule of thumb is that the longer you wait to do it the more time it will take to complete. All that dirt will pile up over time if you let it. The main problem, though, is the grease. This sticky substance is like the glue that holds all of the other dirt and grime together and makes it so hard for you to remove.

Wondering what to use to cut the grease? Vinegar. All natural undiluted, white vinegar. Vinegar is one of the best cleaning materials in the kitchen. It's slightly acidic to help with the grime, but with no harsh chemicals to damage anything. Conventional household cleaners are usually not the best choice when cleaning your cabinets. They often don’t work as good as you would like them to, and sometimes don’t work at all. When they do work, you are still left with a sticky residue due to the chemicals in those cleaners. Your cabinets will sometimes look clean, but this residue actually attracts dirt and the stickyness causes it build-up faster. You will actually have to clean your cabinets sooner than if you used a cleaner that leaves no residue. These chemicals can also be dangerous for the cabinet surface, as well as hazardous to your health. The practice of spraying a bunch of chemicals all over the room where we prepare food and store all of our cups and plates can’t be too healthy though. This is why it is so beneficial to use a chemical-free cleaner in the kitchen. You won’t have to worry about damaging your cabinets or jeopardizing your health if you use an all-natural cleaner like vinegar.

So this week I encourage you to get out your bucket or spray bottle and step stool and get degunking for an instant, all natural - and free - facelift to that worn-looking, germy kitchen.

What you will need: Vinegar, spray bottle or bucket and rag.

Step 1: Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part warm water in a bucket or spray bottle, depending on the number of cabinets you need to tackle. Mix a stronger vinegar solution if the grease buildup on the cabinets is thick by altering the ratio to ¾ vinegar and ¼ water.

Step 2: Climb up your step stool and wipe off surface dust and cobwebs from cabinet tops with a damp rag. Rinse and wring out your rag.

Step 3: Spray down upper cabinets with the vinegar/water solution, or apply it generously with your rag. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Wipe the surface, using some pressure, in small circles, moving from the top of the cabinet face down. Open the cupboard door and wipe the edges of the door opening as well. Move to the next cabinet.

Step 4: Wring out and rinse your cloth frequently, applying additional vinegar/water solution and pressure to particularly tough areas. Allow the cabinets to air dry or buff with a dry cloth.

Step 5 (optional) - Buff the cabinets with lemon oil for instant shine and to hide the vinegar smell.

If you do one thing this week...

STREAMLINE YOUR SPICE RACK.

My mom always had the most disorganized spice cupboard. I am convinced it had (and probably still does) spices from the '70's. She's got at least two of everything. If not five. It's just a hodge-podge of randomness and it brings me anxiety any time I have to rummage through it.

If this sounds like you, it's time to do some spring cleaning. Contrary to popular belief, spices do have a shelf life and even if you possess a perfectly organized kitchen, a twice-yearly reassessment of your seasoning situation is smart.  You'll be amazed at how much faster meal prep goes after doing this.

To streamline your spices, follow these steps and you'll have it done in no time:

1) Gather all herbs and spices in one place. Empty your spice cabinets and spice racks. Grab seasonings from drawers, countertops, the fridge, or wherever else you've got them stashed. Gather everything on a clean table or countertop, so you can see what you've got and start to take stock.

2) Wipe down the cupcoard or drawer with  a warm, soapy rag. And tops of spice bottles/jars.

3) Divide and conquer - my favorite part!! First, get those jars in order. Group/sort cooking spices together, baking together. Next check for freshness. Use your senses: Are colors vibrant, or do herbs and spices look wan and washed out? Do herbs feel brittle and crumbly? Are spices still aromatic? Do the sniff test and if it's lost it's aroma or are expired, get rid of them. Next consolidate if you have open duplicate jars of fresh spices. Salvage the seasonings in near-empty bottles by making impromtu blends. And if you want to be uber organized and make your cabinet fabulously uniform, you can re-fill them into matching glass jars or bottles found at the Container Store and label them. How lovely does that look? This is a project in my next life.

4) Assess what you've got, and what you need. Which herbs and spices do you use most? Did you toss spices you like, and wish you'd used? Are your seasonings in useful form (I once got rid of some ancient ground oregano, because I only used fresh or dried leaves.) Next make a list of what you need. Are there recipes you pass over because you don't have the right seasonings? Have a favorite ethnic cuisine, but lack the spices to make it at home? Add them to your wish list. Not sure what's available, or what to do with certain seasonings? Check out this Herb & Spice Gallery for ideas.

5) Before putting them back, think about your storage needs. Do you want your spices out of sight, or on display? Where do you have room to store all or most of them? Did your old organizing system work or need an overhaul? Start by counting your spices: How many jars need storage? Are they uniformly sized? How many spices are on your wish list? Consider picking an organizer that can handle your collection as it grows. If you don't already have this, dedicate a storage space, and make sure it protects herbs and spices from light and heat (in other words, skip the windowsill or the drawer beneath your cooktop). Measure to make sure the space will hold your spices, and whichever organizer you choose.

6) No two cooks or kitchen are alike, so check out your organizing options. There are so many options and fabulous organizing systems out there now. Magnetic ones. Hanging. Traditional lazy susan or shelf option. I personally like the adjustable behind the door spice rack but my best advice is pick what works and functions best for you!

If you do one thing this week...

Disinfect your toothbrush.

Just get over a cold? Bristles not yet worn down? No need to buy new; just disinfect.

Here's how:

1. Disinfect a toothbrush in the microwave - Wet the toothbrush bristles and microwave for one minute.

2. Disinfect a toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide - Soak bristles in hydrogen peroxide for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water.

3. Disinfect a toothbrush with Listerine - Soak bristles in Listerine for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water.

4. Disinfect a toothbrush in the dishwasher - Dishwashers clean and disinfect our dishes so why not our toothbrushes? Just put in the silverware tray and run the dishwasher as usual.

Wondering if you can really re-catch a cold from your toothbrush? According to Slate.com, the answer is no, unless it's someone else's toothbrush (or someone else's cold). Much like the admonition from shampoo companies to "lather, rinse, repeat," the idea that a toothbrush must be replaced seems designed to sell more product. Once you've been infected with a particular strain of a virus, you develop antibodies that make the likelihood of re-infection very low. Even if the virus were still hanging out on your toothbrush after you recovered—colds and flus can survive there in an infective state for anywhere from a few hours to three days—those antibodies should keep you from contracting the same illness twice. Your toothbrush is no more dangerous while you're still sick, since the viral load on the bristles is negligible compared with what's already in your system.

It is possible to re-infect yourself with bacteria, however. If you were afflicted with strep throat, for example, a colony of streptococcal bacteria might end up on your toothbrush and remain there long enough to give you a second case after you'd taken a course of penicillin. But that threat might be mitigated by toothpaste, which sometimes contains antibacterial compounds. And, despite the claims of toothbrush manufacturers, this wouldn't apply to a typical case of the (viral) sniffles.

It is possible to catch a cold, a bacterial infection, or even a blood-borne disease such as Hepatitis B or C from someone else's toothbrush. (It's an especially bad idea to use a sick person's toothbrush while the bristles are still wet.) Even if you don't put it in your mouth, the infected implement might contaminate another toothbrush nearby: When two are stored in the same cup, their bristles sometimes come into contact. A dirty toothbrush might also pass bacteria or virus particles to the rim of a toothpaste tube, and then on to another toothbrush from there.

Despite all this, the American Dental Association isn't overly concerned over the microorganisms living on your toothbrush bristles. Generally speaking, our immune systems are up to the task of fighting off any illnesses that might result from them. The ADA does suggest rinsing off your toothbrush after brushing, storing it in a position that allows it to air dry, and keeping it away from other toothbrushes. The association also recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, once the bristles are frayed and worn, but not in the aftermath of every cold.

If you do one thing this week...

Sit down and eat dinner as a family.

Life is busy. We get it. But this is important. Studies have shown that kids who eat dinner with their families do better in school, feel more socially connected to their parents, have better peer relationships, and are less likely to try drugs and alcohol," says Grace R. Freedman, Ph. D., executive director of eat dinner.org, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of family meals. "Research also suggests that working parents feel like they're better at balancing their work and personal lives when they find time for family dinner, and families that eat together tend to have healthier diets.

Sadly, a 2010 Pew Research poll showed that only about half of families make dinner a daily ritual, and roughly one in five families eat together only occasionally, or never. The bottom line: Work as a team, make a commitment, start small, and don't get discouraged. Do it once this week. Try two times the next. It's worth coordinating and making time to do.

But don't just go through the motions. Actually engage in thoughtful conversation with them. Ask them questions in a non-threatening way. Encourage them to talk about what they are looking forward to, what made them discouraged. Genuinely ask them about their highs and lows were of the day. What their goals are for the week. You'll notice the benefits immediately. Nothing is more important than family so make time. You have the time.

If you do one thing this week...

WASH YOUR BED PILLOW.

Not just the pillow case. The entire pillow. Ten percent of the weight of a two year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings. Gross.

According to HGTV & Good Housekeeping, you are supposed to put your pillow through a spin in your washing machine every three to six months. My guess is that this is something you've never done. If so, this is the week so hop to it!

How to: Always wash two at a time and read washing instructions on pillow label.

For synthetic filled pillow - wash them two at a time, with detergent, on the gentle cycle with hot water. An extra spin cycle will remove excess water and keep bacteria and hold at bay claims Lisa Shives, M.D., a sleep expert in Chicago. Tumble dry on low, fluffing pillows every so often. When drying the pillows you can also add a new tennis ball or dryer ball to help the pillows retain their shape.

For pillows filled with down or another natural filling - follow washing instructions. Some might advise to be sent to the dry-cleaners. If washed at home, it is usually recommended that they be hand washed in warm soapy water and air dried.

For Memory Foam pillows - hand wash with warm water and soap and lay flat to dry. Do not put in the dryer.

And if you don't want to wash your pillow - you should replace it every two years. Use a pillow protector and you can get away with every four years.

If your not convinced - watch this video about what really gets into your pillow over time. While it's hysterical - it's not pretty. After you watch it, I think you'll put this on your list of to-do's this week!

If you do one thing this week...

Pencil in a car de-junking day.

Is your car full of old coffee cups, kid's socks, and crumpled water bottles? If so, it's time to conquer the chaos. It's amazing how quickly the car can get filthy when you're running from school to soccer, PTA meeting to music lessons. Snack (both the snack itself and the wrapper), changes of clothes, balls, school papers. It all seems to float from front to back and everywhere inbetween.

If you're embarrassed to open the door or are constantly making excuses for your dirty car, these six steps are going to help you tremendously;

1) Carve out 30 minutes to empty the entire car and vacuum inside. Sort stuff into two piles - what belongs in the car (registration, maps, napkins) and what doesn't (bubbles, hair brush, screwdriver).

2) Buy a "car-bage" bin. Don't get debris get too comfy. Besides being dirty, it's germy and certain things can become moldy and toxic. Outfit your car with a functional trash can. This particular one from Amazon can be anchored under a car mat to the floor, hung from a headrest or attached directly to the carpet. To take it a step further; put a small trash bin in your garage. Before going inside do a quick sweep of the car and toss any trash from the day on your way inside. This works wonders for me!

3) Limit passengers. Meaning - Barbie. Elmo. Woody. Of course, let the kids pack a friend or two for the ride, just not the entire toy box. Keep extra playthings in a tote that lives in the car.

4) Toss trash while you pump gas. One of my favorite multi-tasking activities. Spend half a minute throwing garbage into those convenient bins at the pump. Even if you only can get the front seat and cupholders cleaned of loose wrappers, it will help.

5) Don't let anyone leave the car empty-handed. As a rule - everyone should get out of the car with what they came in holding; soda cans, video games, homeworks, hats.

6) Put your trunk to work. You're most likey to clean the car if you don't have to run inside to fetch your keep-it-neat supplies. Two essentials worth storing in the trunk or in a small plastic bin in the back of your SUV; 1) a handheld vac (the Eureka Easy Clean 71B for $40 on Amazon gets high reviews) and 2) Car Upholstery wipes (try Armor All Cleaning Wipes, $5.50 for 25 at Walgreens).

Here's to a productive week ahead!!