Today was seriously a 100 item day. We cleaned out my youngest daughter’s room. We took out the glider rocker and ottoman which cleared a whole corner. I gave away a bagful of “baby” toys on freecycle. I threw away lots of little parts to toys, old plastic Easter eggs, and random bits of trash. Why do I not do this more often? Most scary was under her bed where all her “playfood” for her kitchen set apparently migrates. We also finally hung up some pictures that have been waiting for several months. She was literally beaming when she went to bed, saying “I love my pretty room.” So sweet! Clearing out is a simply, savvy idea!
75 Day challenge – days 5 and 6
May 12, 2011 at 4:59 pm (Uncategorized)
Day 5 brought an emergency so it was not a day to purge. Hubby got really sick that we had to make a trip to the ER, but thank God he is better. It made me think about how life is constantly bringing ups and downs. Even though a day is missed, it is important to just continue onward.
Today, I focused on my own nightstand. I removed 14 pieces of paper and 12 more random items that were garbage! Wow! That is 26 items in literally a matter of minutes! I am well over 100 items now, and it has only been 6 days. I will continue to keep plugging along…
75 day challenge – day 4
May 10, 2011 at 10:29 pm (Uncategorized)
Today I threw away a tote bag made by my daughter. It was a darling bag she made with Grandma for me which had her handprints on it. The problem was that it had a huge ink stain on the bottom. I used the bag everyday for several years. I stopped using it because of the giant ink stain. Why would I keep this tote bag? For sentimental reasons: she made it for me, it had her handprints, grandma spent time on it. But should I keep it? In this case the answer is no. It is not of enough sentimental value to keep. If it is not being used or loved, it needs to go. This tote bag got me really thinking about sentimental items. I truly love and cherish some items. Some items are just mediocre though, that is not enough to keep.
75 day challenge – day 3
May 9, 2011 at 2:38 pm (Uncategorized)
Today I cleared 15 knitting books from one cabinet. I am an avid knitter and love knitting books. As a knitting teacher, I receive used, random knitting books from students and others. I am realizing a few things: a) I could politely say no, b) I can accept and then give the books away, c) clutter is anything I do not want, d) I do not want most of these books. So I bagged them up and put them in the car ready to give away tomorrow at school. One of the office gals knits also and may really enjoy these “unloved” books. So in three days I have cleared 75 items! I do not even miss them. This blog is keeping me accountable, add in the comments section what you are purging. Clearing out is a simply, savvy idea!
75 day challenge – day 2
May 8, 2011 at 9:53 am (Uncategorized)
Seriously, I must have cleared 60 items today. First, the fisher-price little people have found a new home, courtesy of freecycle.org. Then, I hit my messy corner of my room. I got rid of 2 tin boxes, 2 baby hats, 9 children’s clothes items, a hat, an old Easter basket with 7 plastic eggs, and 3 old magazines just in one corner! I threw away a grocery bag of random junk from daughter’s room: party favors, broken toys, random puzzle and game pieces. Feels very freeing to see it all leave. The corner in my room still needs work, but it is way better! I even swept away the dust bunnies. Look out clutter, here I come!
The 75 day challenge – to clear out
May 6, 2011 at 3:42 pm (Uncategorized)
Well, I feel like my insides are nice and clean after doing Cambiati. Now, it is time to really work on the outside- my house more specifically. We simply have too much stuff! I do not want to become an extreme minimalist. We have two young children, so we “need” some stuff like books, toys, games, and dress-up gowns. I want to become a “realistic minimalist,” keeping toys and games that are used and enjoyed. We no longer have a baby so why do I need baby toys or clothes.
I heard about the 75 day challenge on Dr. Laura, the radio program. Interesting and simple concept: get rid of one item for the next 75 days. That’s it! You will be rid of 75 items! You can give, sell, or trash the item. Just get it out of your house! So today I will start in my no-longer-a-baby room. I will keep you posted….
Make an impact thru Trade as One
January 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm (Simple living, Uncategorized)
Look at this shipment I just received. What fun! I used some of Christmas money (thanks Gram) on Trade As One monthly shipments. Check out there website: www.tradeasone.com. The idea is to promote fair trade products. It allows third world products to be purchased with first world money. As you can see by the photo, the shipment includes a variety of items. This month’s shipment includes: eco bag made in India, honey from GloryBee, pearl quinoa, ground cinnamon, waffle mix, chamomile tea, and two photo cards. There was also a chocolate bar…sorry I ate it before the photo was taken :>. All Trade as One products are certified fair trade, meaning the farmers and laborers were paid a fair wage and the money actually benefits the people who produced the product. What a simple and easy way to impact the world! We all need to buy consumable products, why not use our dollars to help struggling people? Trade as One is a simply, savvy idea!
Cambiati inspired breakfast
January 13, 2011 at 3:29 pm (Uncategorized)
Look at this yummy Cambiati inspired breakfast! It is a simply, savvy breakfast. Mix two eggs with a little water. Scramble the eggs in some olive oil. Once cooked removed and saute 3 mushrooms, a handful of spinach and some sliced tomatoes. While cooking, sprinkle on some seasoning such as 21 spice (from TJs). Once cooked, add to eggs. This whole process takes only a few minutes! Yum!
Alter a pair of pants YOURSELF
January 7, 2011 at 12:34 pm (Sewing)
I have lost enough inches on Cambiati that literally my pants were falling off me. I purchased a couple new pairs, but could not afford to replace all my pants. I found this video on YouTube and altered my own chino gap pants! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8si0c4Oogk I watched the video and thought to myself “I could do that!” The only change I made was to turn the pants inside out, put them on and mark on the back seam where to sew. It did take about an hour. This was my first attempt so I think it would get quicker with more practice. But besides my time it was FREE! Thanks MOM for teaching me to sew. Altering your own pants – a simply, savvy idea!
Cambiati Cleanse – Where I am now, about 6 weeks later
January 6, 2011 at 12:05 pm (Cambiati cleanse)
Many of you know I completed Cambiati Wellness’ 28 day cleanse. It was 28 days of eating healthy. At first it seemed liked going without, but moved into choosing what to eat consciously. Now, 6 weeks later I continue to practice what I learned. I have found that I feel, and especially think, better when I am eating healthy. I have maintained all of my weight loss. I have reintroduced “off-limits” foods to a certain extent, like whole grain bread, chocolate, and coffee. I still have an Arbonne shake with fiber nearly everyday. I am much more aware and thoughtful of what I eat now. These positive changes are all because of Cambiati.
My food philosphy now is to eat “80/20.” A friend said she strives for this ratio and it is a good one! 80% of the time I eat what I would call clean, or to the Cambiati program – foods that I learned thru Camniati are best for my body. Then about 20% of the time, I eat food I like that is not “clean,” like See’s candy. I LOVE See’s candy, and now have about a piece a day, but that is all – not the whole box :>! I eat lots of veggies and fruits, whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, and limit my red meat intake. I figure there are about 21 meals a week, and 4 of them would be 20%. I sometimes blow a meal – like have a burger and fries at Fuddrucker’s. It is worth it to me sometimes. During the work week though I mostly eat nice, wholesome, clean food. So far it has been working for me!
Daily, I still try to do interval training. I have seen and felt substaintial muscle tone by doing this. I also contiue to weigh myself every morning. As soon as I am up 1.5 pounds, I eat strictly “clean” until I am back at my goal. I am slowly purchasing new pants as my old ones are literally falling off me. I will continue to eat by way of Cambiati.
