DE-CLUTTER Clean Up Your Act
Today I want to talk about something that can distract you from reaching your own health goals. It’s not food, it’s not drink, it’s not even about exercise, but it is something that will distract you and keep you from reaching your best potential. It’s something I am working on currently in my own house.
I’m cleaning up my act.
What I mean is I am letting go…of things! These things have been holding me back. You see, Ive held on to things from childhood. Things that I had forgotten about. That is, till I decided I needed to get rid of clutter everywhere, to clear my minds. For our sanity!!!
I’ve collected a lot of things I thought would be cool to have for decoration, things we bought for amusement because they were a buck or two, and things…just not willing to part with.
There are mementos and objects from my grandmothers, trinkets from childhood, remember those? I am now in my 60’s, trying to clean out, and live a little simpler.
I know I am not the only one with this dilemma. I think to some extent, we are all guilty of putting things out-of-sight to deal with at another time. We tell ourselves we will get to it, but then we don’t. We keep pushing it off. So why is this an issue?
Things are just things. Yet I find I can’t move forward without being able to let go of the past. Yup. Some things are healthy, but too much of anything can turn into mental and sometimes physical clutter. So you may be wondering, “what can I do to let go?” Well, I’ll tell you. Here are my tips.
7 Tips to Let Go of Clutter
- Take it a little bit at a time:
Don’t try and unload or go through all your stuff in one sitting. Try a couple of boxes a night, or space it out so it doesn’t become overwhelming. It can be hard to go through things if there are memories or sentimental feelings attached to them. Heck, sometimes you may want to weed through a box, and then do a second pass to get rid of more from that container. I do that. It helps me let go gradually.
- Try the “If I haven’t used it in a year, it goes” rule:
Honestly, if you aren’t using it and you don’t see yourself using it within a year, then it’s time to consider getting rid of it.
- * Ask yourself “Does this bring me joy?” (my favorite)
If the answer is “no,” it’s time for it to go.
- Know that things are just things.
That’s right. Things are just things. Things cannot replace people. They may remind us of them, but that’s what’s great about the digital age. We can keep endless photos of people, events, and things even.
Have a hard time giving it up? Maybe take a photo. Then donate or gift the item if it has value to someone who will appreciate it. I know some kids in our family that are going to love some of our collectibles. You have to realize there is no reason to feel guilty of getting rid of things you no longer need, even if it was a gift. This is hard for some. Knowing you are not throwing away the thoughtfulness of the gesture helps.
- Organize a neighborhood event.
My neighbor did this a number of years ago with the intent of getting rid of/trading clothes. It was a potluck, too! It became a great idea for a social gathering. Everyone brought what they were willing to get rid of. What was left over you could take back, or donate locally.
- Try consignment shops.
Do you have some really nifty goods? Wanna make a buck or two? Try consignment stores. I like this better than having a garage sale because you won’t be tempted to bring it back into your home.
- Donate.
You do the world a favor when you donate. Depending on what organization you prefer – Goodwill, Savers, Salvation Army, a local thrift store that takes donations, churches, or US Again. There is somewhere that is willing to take your stuff.
I hope this helps you! I think we all feel better when our home is free of clutter. It can be cathartic to let things go. Who knows? You might make space and restructure things for a little zen area for yourself.
To Your Health!
Spark your summer with this tasty produce list
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the main things missing in most unhealthy diets. But if eating these items becomes a treat… you’re more likely to stick to it.
And when you do, they will start replacing calorie-dense foods in your diet, making it easier to slim down. Listed are the freshest, most in-season produce on the market right now. Enjoy! 🙂
Apricots: Delicious raw when ripe, but if you have trouble finding perfectly soft apricots, try grilling slightly under-ripe fruit to bring out the sweetness. Serve with a little plain yogurt and bittersweet chocolate for a great dessert.
Fennel: This earthy plant tastes faintly like licorice, and it’s delicious with seafood. Try tossing it in olive oil and roasting with orange zest and onions for a great side dish.
Jicama: This vegetable tastes a bit like a rm, less-sweet pear… and looks a little like a potato. It’s sturdy, so it’s great for dips like hummus, guacamole, and caramelized onion dip.
Blueberries: Delicious as a quick snack, blueberries Consider tossing them into a salad or even a stir-fry for an addictive punch of sweetness.
Garlic: Available all year round but especially fresh and pungent in the late spring. Look for tight heads of garlic with no soft spots, and the paper outside still intact. And if you see garlic with purple streaks, that’s a good thing! Try roasting your garlic in the oven until golden brown and soft to mellow out the pungent flavor.
Jicama: This vegetable tastes a bit like a rm, less-sweet pear… and looks a little like a potato. It’s sturdy, so it’s great for dips like hummus, guacamole, and caramelized onion dip.
Mushrooms: If you see fresh mushrooms, pick them up immediately – when they’r
e in season, the flavor is incredibly earthy and rich. And any mushroom works beautifully sautéed in a hot pan with olive oil, sea salt, and a little thyme – just make sure the pan is hot and don’t over ll it.
Parsley: More than just garnish on your plate. Parsley (especially ultra- flavorful Italian parsley deserves to be treated like a vegetable in its own right. Finely dice parsley and toss with beans, brown rice, and tomatoes for a flavorful treat, use it to make pesto, or chop it into a salad.
Strawberries: They’re so good on their own that you really don’t need to do a thing to strawberries, but if you end up with an under-ripe batch, here’s a tip: slice them thin and sprinkle with the juice of an orange and a TINY bit of almond extract to highlight the natural sweetness.
Turnips: This root, gets mistaken for a radish, are earthy and delicious when simply roasted. They’re also a delicious stand-in for potatoes. Just steam them and mash with a little butter.
Mustard Greens: Kale’s peppery cousin, mustard greens are delicious sautéed with garlic, olive oil, and raisins. They also work as wraps, cooked into soups, and thinly sliced into stir-fries.
Rhubarb: This sour stem is unusual, in that it’s mostly used in sweet dishes, and it’s a classic with strawberries. Dessert aside, its delicious pickled, roasted with onions and carrots, and shaved thin over a salad with a little goat cheese.
To your health!
Ever wonder what vitamins you are getting from the food you eat?
Ever wonder what vitamins you are getting from the food you eat?
Here’s a great chart showing what vitamins come from…..
#chart #fruit #veggies #vegitarian #freshisbest #veggiesheal #fruitheals #healthyfood #healthychoices #healthylife #anappleada
To your health
Feeling Ill? Fruits and Veggies that will make you feel better
Which fruits & veggies are good for what illnesses? Here’s a great chart to point you in the right direction!
#chart #fruit #veggies #vegitarian #freshisbest #veggiesheal #fruitheals #healthyfood #healthychoices #healthylife #anappleada
To your health
Get Out and Go Hiking – Explore Mt. Charleston
It’s Summertime!
What a great time of the year in Southern Nevada. A favorite pastime of mine is to get out of the heat from the city and take a short drive up to Mt. Charleston. Mt. Charleston is part of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
If you haven’t been up there lately, you MUST check out the new Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway. The Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway site is a destination in itself. This 128acre complex has reclaimed land from a golf course into public buildings, trails, exhibits, and more. 
Also, check out the great number of trails and hikes that are suitable for all levels of activity.
Always remember when you go up to the mountains, out in the wilderness or hiking for an extended period of time…do the following:
- Hydrate! Bring enough water.
- Wear the correct clothing. Hiking boots or protective shoes.
- Sunblock. Don’t forget to protect your skin.
- First Aid Kit. Even if it’s small. Bring a few things in case you get a “boo-boo”.
- Food for the Day. Snack on some yummy things like fruit, nuts and cut veggies.
- Map. Know your surroundings. Here’s a trail map of the area.
Enjoy yourself!
To your health
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