Guess What I Did Over Lunch

Ever feel like you're getting nowhere?

That no matter what you do, you bump into a roadblock? Or you just can't get ahead? (Just like a log-jam of bumper boats where no one is getting anywhere fast.)

It can feel that way when you are a working mom. I believe that often we are our own worst critics and we replay a self-feating message in our heads.

When you are working you can't shut off the back of your mind telling you all the things you need to be doing at home or all the errands you need to be accomplishing.

And once you're at home, you might be worrying about the deadlines you have looming at work or the grumpy co-worker who resents the fact that you scoot out of work at the top of the hour.

Having a job and determining to be a great homemaker at the same time takes a lot of thoughtful purpose.

Have you stopped lately and actually put thought to your actions?

life feeling stuck like a bumper boat jam? - photo by ikeephouse

You can do this.

Purposefully spend your time. But, not in a guilty and rushing way. Don't use your time with a grudge. Instead you need to be excited that you have time and you can choose what to do with it.

Don't waste today. It won't be coming back.

And in fact, remember to do something today that will pay you back in the future.

You wouldn't take a trip without booking tickets and knowing what day you're going?

You wouldn't play sports without a game plan?

Am I right?

make a game plan - photo by ikeephouse

One way to make some insurance for the busy days ahead is to wisely use your lunch time while you are work.

Yes, you could mindlessly surf the internet. You could chat with co-workers. You could get some exercise. Non of these things are wrong. But, if you are looking to make improvements in your homemaking you might want to consider changing your lunch routine.

Brainstorm some things you would be excited to do for yourself!

Here are 10 ideas to get you started. Be excited that you are a modern mom and a homemaker. You just happen to have a job right now too. Remember, prosper where you are planted!

1. look up new and interesting recipes
2. work on meal plans
3. cut coupons
4. write birthday cards
5. sort and label photos
6. write a good old fashioned letter
7. plan a party
8. brainstorm present ideas for your friends and family
9. comparison shop online
10. call family you've neglected to talk to lately

What is your favorite thing to do on a lunch break that saves you time later?

The Steps You Should Take When You Are Organizing Your Freezer

Have you opened your freezer lately and realized that although there seems to be a lot of food in there you have no idea what type of food is inside of your freezer?

Do you buy food to put in your freezer and then you forget that the food is in your freezer?

You can worry less knowing your household freezer is not the only one that is jammed packed with unknown food. When the economy is struggling that is the perfect opportunity for you to organize your freezer.

You can save money during your grocery shopping trips once you learn the techniques needed to clear up freezer space and better organize the food that is already in your freezer.

What Types Of Foods Do You Freeze Often?

Most people freeze certain categories of food so that they can defrost these items quickly and have a meal that is quick to prepare and serve. The most commonly frozen food items are:

•    Meat
•    Desserts
•    Precooked dishes
•    Vegetables

You should also consider who will be getting these foods out of the freezer. Children will grab ice cream quicker than a pack of chicken so you want to make sure that the ice cream and other treats can be accessed by your children easily.

Create A Separate Space For Each Type Of Food

You can organize your freezer quickly by making sure each type of food in your freezer has its own dedicated space. Freezer bags will also help you better organize the food. You will be able see the type of food without having to open or defrost the food first. It is also a good idea to place the date that the food was purchased or prepared on the package too.

This will help you keep better track of how long an item has been in the freezer.

Know What Items Are In Your Freezer Before Your Shopping Trip

You should take note of the items that are already in your freezer before you go to the grocery store. This will help you prepare your shopping list and you can even plan meals ahead of time. You will also save money because you will not purchase items that you already have in the freezer.

It is important to keep your freezer organized. An organized freezer will help you save money and it will also help you keep a clutter free area for your frozen foods.

More freezer tips:

How to Clean a Freezer | Cleaning Guides
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:33:13 GMT
The freezer tends to be one of the most neglected areas of the house. Because it stays so cold, it is not as quick to stink as the fridge can be. The.

Freezer Cooking Staples - Clean Lean Mommy Machine
http://www.cleanleanmommymachine.com Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:00:00 GMT
What comes to mind when you think about freezer cooking? Casseroles and crock pot meals, right? My view of freezer cooking is a little different, as I don't take an entire afternoon or even a whole day to make up a bunch of ...

4 Steps to a Successful Freezer Cooking Day | Creative Savings
http://creativesavingsblog.com Mon, 14 Oct 2013 04:09:46 GMT
There's certainly no need for a total Spring cleaning session, but the night before your freezer cooking day, or even the morning of, try to turn your kitchen into a pleasant environment rather than one you will dread working in.

Thanks for stopping by,
Suzanne

5 Days of Mothering and Homemaking

This is a simply lovely series for all you mothers and homemakers. I hope you enjoy it.
(P.S. This will take up some time...so don't start reading if you're supposed to be cooking dinner.)

photo credit: David Masters

• Christy at One Fun Mom – 5 Days of Fun Summer Planning (with printables)
• Jodi at Granola Mom 4 God – 5 Days of Using the Vitamix
• Lauren at Serving From Home – 5 Days to a Healthier Pregnancy
• Anne at Quick & Easy, Cheap & Healthy – 5 Days with Whole Wheat Flour
• Sarah at Sidetracked Sarah – 5 Days of Summer Activities with Children

photo credit: Kyle Rush

• Amanda at The Pelsers – 5 Days of Using Technology to Manage Your Home
• Jeri Lynn at Alabaster Box – 5 Days of Incorporating Inspiration into Your Routine
• Trillia at Woman of God Magazine – 5 Days of Saying No
• Kasey at These Five of Mine Plus Two – 5 Days of Getting Organized
• Leigh Ann at Intentional by Grace – 5 Days of 20 Minute Meals

photo credit: wisdomlight

• Chelsey at Joy Reflected – 5 Days of Essential Oils for Mama’s, Babies and Children
• Eileen at Edward’s Granddaughter – 5 Days to Better Communication
• Kelli at Lady of the Barn – 5 Days of Using Your Grain Mill
• Kelli at Adventurez in Child Rearing – 5 Days of Exploring God’s Creation
• Christin at Joyful Mothering – 5 Days of How to Clean House (and involve your children)

photo credit: the Italian voice

• Mary at The Encouraging Home – 5 Days of Using Essential Oils
• Honey at Sunflower Schoolhouse – 5 Days of Organizing Your Homeschool
• Kim at Not Consumed – 5 Days of Husbandless Homemaking
• Nicole at Faith in the Small Things – 5 Days of Virtue Training
• Laurie at Our Abundant Blessings – 5 Days of Children’s Birthday Party Ideas
• Stephanie at BowMania – 5 Days of Blessing Your Husband

Blessings to you.

Do You Need Some Kitchen Organizing Ideas?

When moms want to re-do their kitchens, one of the primary decisions often comes down to more counter space versus more storage. But you can have oodles of both and still have a frustrating experience in the kitchen if things are not organized. To get the most out of your kitchen, it pays - sometimes quite literally - to have things in order.

photo credit: anathea

Here are some ideas that may help.

1. Look up
One of the most overlooked areas for storage is the walls. Hooks, pegs, and shelves can be mounted to the wall easily for storage.

Rows of pegs are nice for aprons, hot pads, and so forth.

A couple of shelf brackets and a nice wooden board make a quick shelf for seasonings or dishes.

A row of hooks is good for hanging measuring cups and spoons. Screw eyes can be mounted to the bottom of wooden shelves, providing a place to hang pots and pans.

2. Magnetism
The refrigerator is about more than the kids' artwork displays and grocery lists. Use the magnetic surface of your fridge to mount inexpensive plastic file boxes. Look in the office supply section of your favorite store for these - they are made to mount to the side of a metal filing cabinet. They can really be a help on the front of your refrigerator.

While you are going for magnetic storage, look for magnetized hot pads and other kitchen items. (You can also make your own magnetic hot pad by cutting open a small slit on a hot pad, slipping in a magnet, and sewing the slit shut.) The hot pads can be stored on the fridge, or on the front of the dishwasher or oven door. Other items do nicely with a small magnet glued to them.

3. Lazy Susan
While rounded storage shelves are not necessarily the most efficient use of space, they do prevent waste because you can easily see what you have; forgotten food items do not deteriorate out of sight (while you buy new ones because you forgot you had them).

Items that require some wiping up - molasses, honey, and other condiments - do well on a Lazy Susan, because you can reach all the shelving to wipe it.

 

photo credit: rubbermaid products

 4. Easy to reach
Not every bit of storage in a kitchen can be easily reached; it's understood that some storage areas just won't be that accessible. Into these, put the dishes you use only at holidays or other special occasions. Keep your everyday dishes and cookware on lower shelves.

Let's see some other thoughts about kitchen organizing.

Guest Post: 5 Tips for Organizing Papers in your Kitchen
organize365.net

"Organization is in my bone marrow. It's not just what I do, it's who I am. Sure, my life gets out of control, just like anyone else. But when I put focused attention on organization, things get organized FAST! Except for paper."

Your 3 Biggest Kitchen Organization Failures - Manilla
www.manilla.com

"For many people, the kitchen is the toughest room in the house to keep organized. We've nailed down the 3 most common causes and their solutions."

i should be mopping the floor: Dollar Store Kitchen Organization
www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

"Dollar Store Kitchen Organization. If you are interested in the printables I created for the following post, click here to download them for free. My family and I have recently switched to Gluten Free/Low Carb eating. There's a ..."

Organize Your Kitchen With These 5 Innovative Ideas
www.stapletonmoms.com

"Kitchen organization does not have to be boring; it can be innovative, creative, and lots of fun. These five unique ideas go far beyond ordinary kitchen organization to offer creative solutions to common kitchen problems."

Do you have neat organizing trick?

Store Bought Eco-Friendly Products

Are They Truly Eco-Friendly or Is It Just a Fancy Name?

It seems that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon of the newest craze to hit the country, especially if that craze is profitable.  The eco-friendly market is no different.  However, some manufacturers may be promoting their products as being good for the environment without their truly being eco-friendly.  How can you tell if the products in the store are good for the environment, or if they’re just using the phraseology to make you think they are?

photo credit: Diego3336

There are no standards to verify a product as “green” or earth-friendly.  Some products on the market are listed as eco-safe, environmentally friendly, environmentally safe, green, or non-toxic. 

Any manufacturer can choose to use those labels.  But do these “labels” really mean that the products are safe for the environment? 

If you can’t tell if a product is environmentally safe just by reading the labels, how do you know if it is safe to use or not?  Until there is some type of certification to very that a product is “green,” the consumer is responsible for evaluating the products they use and whether the products claims are true.

• You can use household products like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils to make home recipes that would be very effective in cleaning your home.  
• Be sure to label the homemade cleaners clearly and store them where children cannot reach them.
• Also, NEVER mix ammonia and chlorine bleach; the results are extremely toxic.

One product that has been used widely to disinfect modern homes is chlorine bleach.  However, chlorine bleach has chemical compounds in it that should not be used in the home, and are extremely toxic.  If you need an alternative for chlorine bleach, try hydrogen peroxide bleach, leaving it on the surface to be cleaned for a minimum of ten minutes.  Wiping it up any sooner will not kill the germs.

What if you need another cleaner?  Throw your support behind companies that list each and every ingredient in their product.  One such company is Seventh Generation.  Although they are not required by law to list all of their ingredients, they are proving that the product is safe by doing so.

Choose a product that specifies how long it takes for them to decompose in nature.   Being labeled “biodegradable” doesn’t necessarily mean that you should choose this product.  Use a product that specifies that it will biodegrade completely in XX number of days.  You will know that after that time, the product will no longer affect the environment.

Here are some labels that you should avoid:  Corrosive, chlorine bleach, ammonia, phosphates, and petroleum products.  You will also want to avoid products that have artificial fragrances and those made with animal by-products.  All of these labels indicate that the product is harmful, not only to the environment but also to your family.

Finally, if you’re not 100% sure about a product, you can always call the toll-free telephone number on the product.  Ask them questions about the ingredients.  Request as much specific information about it as you can.  And, if the manufacturer refuses to answer your questions, you might consider finding another product.

Finding truly economic-friendly products that are safe and effective for cleaning your home is not impossible.  It takes a little time reading labels but the time is worth it.  The only other option would be to make your own.

These are not cleaners, but who can resist the cutest eco friendly baby products?
Mommy's Favorite Things: Apple Park - Eco-Friendly Products for ...
mommysfavoritethings4u.blogspot.com

"Apple Park - Eco-Friendly Products for Babies and Toddlers. Wanting to find baby products that are not only best for our babies, but are also eco-friendly, sometimes isn't easy. When you do find products that are, they tend to ..."

The other side of the fence - no eco friendly cleaners at all.
Why I'm Not Using Eco-Friendly Cleaners Anymore | Mommies With ...
www.mommieswithstyle.com

"There's something about the allure of the cleaning aisle...all those pretty bottles all lined up. Especially the eco-friendly ones. I find the packaging and..."

You'll have to click through the arrows to see all the products.
10 Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners for a Clean, Toxic Chemical ...
www.treehugger.com

"From floors to windows and counters to tubs, any one of these cleaners can help you keep things spic and span -- without the worry."

What are your thoughts? What have you changed in your home?

Clean Your House in Record Time

Are you expecting company at the last minute? Maybe you are just tired of the mess and want to clean your house, but it seems overwhelming. Sometimes, people put off cleaning their homes because they think it will take tons of hours - and who has that kind of time? Luckily, it does not have to take an entire weekend or even an entire day to clean your house.

There are tips and tricks to make the job go faster. Here are some of them.

1. Pick a spot
Sometimes, that overwhelmed feeling begins when you look at the big picture. Breaking the task up into small bits that you can manage is key. Don't even look at a whole room - pick a corner or an area of the room. A messy bookshelf, a pile of boxes or paper, or a cluttered corner are examples.

The point of this exercise is, getting that small area clean will help ease your mind and be done so quickly that you'll be motivated to do some more. Don't be tempted to "call it a day" after doing this small portion of the cleaning - otherwise, by the time you've cleaned the whole house, that first corner will be messy again!

2. Schedule it
If you were being paid to clean your home, and you were paid more for less time, wouldn't you do a good, fast job? Schedule your housecleaning time as you would a paying job, and take it just as seriously. This will also help prevent that tendency we all have to simply wait until we have time...someday.

3. Make it fun
You can at least make it bearable by playing favorite CDs, turning on a movie or TV show in the room where you're cleaning, or playing a book on tape or CD. The time will go by a lot faster with something going in the background to entertain you. Take care it doesn't distract you, though - if you want to clean your house in record time, you need to keep going once you start.

Help Me Grow: The Queen of Clean
helpmegrowutah.blogspot.com

*gasp* Unbelievable, I know! If you want to know how to super clean your home, with almost no effort and in record breaking times, please, continue reading. ... The key is to make it quick and FUN! Second tip; put a bin/basket ...

4. Keep things within reach
Keep cleaning tools all together in a special bin or container, or in a particular corner of a closet or storage space. That prevents you having to go all over the house gathering up cleaning supplies before beginning. Rags, mops, sponges, a broom, vacuum cleaner, etc. should all be in one spot.

How to Clean Your House Faster
www.premiumwoman.com

Although cleaning house probably isn't your favorite way to spend part of the day, it's one of those tasks that you have to make time for every now and then. And if you're not a big fan of house cleaning, it's time to pick up some ...

5. A place for everything
If you're in a hurry, you may not have a place for all the magazines, books, papers, and various sundries lying around. Toss these things into baskets if possible - baskets look nice on shelves and on top of furniture. Also consider putting items temporarily in a plastic bin or box with a note to go through them later and find a real place for them. Otherwise, they will find their way onto the middle of the floor again!

Easy Steps to Cut Your Food Bill

As more and more people are finding it necessary to stretch their monthly food budget, many are wondering what the best way is to reduce their monthly food bill. Keeping your food healthy is another concern - it might be easy to reduce your food bill by eating nothing but generic peanut butter and white bread, but you might find your savings offset by health problems! Here are some simple steps you can take to cut your food bill and still eat the healthy foods you need.

Whole foods --For some reason, many people think that eating fresh, whole foods is more expensive than eating pre-packaged foods. When it comes down to how much food you get for your dollar, it's often the other way around. For example, you will probably pay approximately the same amount of money for three pounds of potatoes as you would for a 13-ounce bag of potato chips. It's cheaper to buy flour and make your own bread than buy the store-bought equivalent of homemade, whole grain bread.  

Whole grains are also fairly inexpensive. Bags of brown rice, millet, quinoa, and other whole grains can be stretched far to feed a family.

Buy in season --There is something in season just about all year 'round. In winter, look for winter squash, kale, turnip greens, turnips, and sweet potatoes. If you really like seasonal favorites like summer squash, asparagus or bell peppers in the middle of winter, buy extra in the summer and freeze them at home. Another budget secret: commercially frozen vegetables are nearly as nutritious as fresh. If you want to buy out-of-season produce for almost-summer prices, look in your freezer section.

Combine coupons and sales --When you are trying to reduce your monthly food expenditures, you need to be willing to put in some time. There are entire websites dedicated to showing you how to ferret out the best deals, from alerting you to your local store's sales to providing printable coupons.

Take advantage of this information, and brush up on how to save. Try to combine coupons and store sales for great deals. Visit the websites of your favorite brands and products, and search for printable coupons on their site. Study the fliers that come in the mail from your local supermarket and grocery store. Don't be afraid to try a different store if they have good sales and deals. Sometimes, saving money is a matter of breaking expensive habits and being willing to try new things.

Cut back on meat --There are so many healthy alternatives to expensive cuts of meat that this article isn't long enough to cover them! From vegetarian options to meat substitutes to frozen fish, there are lots of options to choose from when you are trying to cut back on pricey meats.

The meats that are usually the most expensive are beef steaks, beef roasts, whole turkeys, and large hams. Think of meat as a side dish, and serve small portions with a meal that's heavy on the vegetables and whole grains. Meat can be stretched in stews and casseroles, too.

What other things do you try to cut your food bill?

8 Ways to Make Chores More Fun

Here are 8 surefire ways to change up the boring cleaning routine. It helps to vary the motivation to learn and do your chores well. (This sometimes applies to mom as well as to the children.)

* Make a sticker chart. Have the children pick out their favorite stickers and only use them for the chart.

* Use a rewards system, each chore= X amount of points and XY amount of points = getting to do Z. Come up with different rewards with varying amount of points. You can make the rules more complicated and allow points to banked from week to week. Or, you can keep it simpler and use the points at the end of each week.

* 15 minute dash, set the timer and see who gets the most done in 15 minutes

* Make it a challenge “I bet I can get this done before you. If you beat me I’ll make spaghetti for dinner (or other favorite dinner).

* Offer up a small allowance, money is a motivator even for kids

* Trade chore time for computer/video game/whatever time in equal amounts - 1 hour of completing chores = 1 hour of video games this week  (This can work for mom's computer time as well.)

* Make a duel scavenger hunt / cleaning chore list ~ clean this and find this, clean here and find that, clean over here and find this. 

* Do the fling.  Put a basket in the middle of the room and fling all the toys into it, or use the trash bin and fling all the trash into it, depending on what your clean goal is.

Learning to do your chores well and cheerfully is an important part of growing up. The chores one must do never go away and in fact continue to increase with age, but that doesn't mean it has to be a negative thing.

What do you do in your home to make chores more fun?

Understanding Domestic Economy

The following is a concisely stated summary of how wonderful it is to be a homemaker. Enjoy!

1. First let us understand what Domestic Economy means. "Domestic" comes from domus, a home or family. "Economy" comes from oikos, a house; and nomos, law, or management. These words together mean, "the management of the family house or home."

Domestic Economy is the science which teaches the right management of the family home.

2. The rightful home manager is a woman. On her the family depend for the food, clothing, cleanliness, and comfort necessary to health; and for the good nursing necessary in sickness. This science, which belongs specially to the education of girls, is of more importance than all the other arts and sciences put together. From well-managed homes go forth happy, healthy, wise, and good men and women, to fill every position in the world.

3. If a country were made up of such homes, it would be a nation healthy and happy, noble and good, wise and prosperous. The influence and power of girls are, therefore, enormous. They have more to do with success or failure, happiness or misery, than statesmen, philanthropists, and clergymen.

4. The object of this book is to help them in the acquirement of this their own most important science. Every girl who wishes to do her part towards making the world healthier, happier, wiser, and better, must study this science with a thankful sense of her own high mission.

5. The wisest man thus speaks of a good home manager: "She bringeth food from afar; she giveth meat to her household: she seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands; she is not afraid of snow, for her household they are clothed: she looketh well to their ways: her children rise up and call her blessed: her husband praiseth her: she will do him good, and not evil, all the days of his life."

Adapted from a 19th century women's book.