Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Clutter & Stress

I recently did an interview on a local tv station, KSBI-TV,  talking about how to de-clutter and de-stress.  You can view that segment by clicking on this link and then clicking on Monday, June 27.

I.                    Cluttered Surroundings = Increased Stress
II.                  Create a Clutter-Free Zone
III.                Make Bedroom a Relaxing Place
IV.                A Place for Everything & Everything in its Place
V.                  A Clean Home is a Healthy Home
VI.                Clutter Free→ Clean Home→ Healthy Body→ Healthy Mind→ Less Stress→ Peace of Mind

 

Ways in which clutter can lead to increased stress can include time wasted looking for things. Wasted time can lead to a lot of stress if you constantly have to look for things like your keys, or other essential items to start your day. If you misplace your bills and they don't get paid on time you can pile stress upon stress.  Clutter can also lead to fear that someone will stop by and see your mess.  You can also become overwhelmed by your clutter, to the point you can't get motivated to do anything because it all seems so much.  
A good way to begin to tackle your clutter is to create a "clutter-free zone.  If you can't seem to rejuvenate because of the amount of chaos in your life, try to establish an area or a room if you can, where there is no clutter.  Arrange or decorate it in a way that is pleasing to you.  You might keep flowers there, a favorite throw, a stereo to play your music.  The idea is to have a least a place to sit and reconnect with what is important to you.  A place to read, meditate, pray or just be alone with your thoughts.
The bedroom is the best room to start to de-clutter.  Most people leave their bedroom to last, or never get to it, because "nobody sees it."  So....you are willing to make other rooms pleasing to others, but don't get to your bedroom because "it's just you."  See something wrong with this picture?  If you are trying to get your serenity back, make your bedroom a serene place.  It is the room where you spend more time than any other and, more importantly, it is where you sleep.  If you have a lot of clutter in your bedroom, it may be interfering with your sleep.  If the last thing you see before climbing into bed is a beg pile of mess, then that may be what you go to sleep and wake up thinking about.  
When you start to tackle this issue of getting your house (or your office or workplace) in order, make a place for everything.  If you don't have a place for everything, then you may want to look at other solutions or get rid of some things.  Are there things you want to keep but don't use as often?  Maybe they can go into longer term storage, into containers and in the garage, attic or basement.  Maybe you need some shelving or cabinets to store some things longer term.  Another good rule of thumb is "don't bring anything into your home unless you take something out:  clothes, shoes, furniture, knick-knacks, magazines, you get the picture.  
If you want to be healthy and you want your family to be healthy, then you need a clean home.  From allergies to bugs to rodents; all can become a problem in a dusty, cluttered, unkempt home.
Clutter-free is necessary to be able to properly clean your home.  A clean home helps maintain a clean body.  Healthy Body helps contribute to a healthy mind.  A healthy mind and state of being can lead to less stress and can help you deal better with the little bumps in life.  Less stress can help lead to that peace of mind we all want.  
Good luck to de-cluttering your home, your office and your mind.  There's no time like the present to start this task. 


Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com
To contact Jeanie for counseling, training, or speaking engagements www.jeaniejones.com

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Cherry Limeade

I have loved Cherry Limeade since I was a kid.  In my hometown of Chandler, OK, there was a drive-in food place, Sprague's Drive Inn where they made the best Cherry Limeade.  One summer after my mom had surgery, I would frequently walk down there to get her a Cherry Limeade.  Braum's makes a pretty good one, but (maybe it's just a fond childhood memory) not like Sprague's!  I have loved my Soda Stream Soda maker since I got it and have loved experimenting with recipes.  See my previous post for a great Cream Soda Recipe I got from the Martha Stewart Show.  So, I got the idea to make my own Cherry Limeade!  The first one I made was with carbonated water, maraschino cherries and juice and fresh lime.  It was pretty good.  But this one, made with fresh cherries is the BOMB.  So, if you like Cherry Limeade, here it is:

Start with Cold Water and Use your Soda Stream Soda Maker to carbonate the water.

8 ounces Carbonated Water
Juice of One Fresh Lime
1/8 cup Cherry Syrup (recipe to follow)

Put the lime juice and one half the lime into the carbonated water and add the Cherry Syrup.  Stir, add your ice and enjoy!

Notes:  I found the Cherry Syrup to not make it quite sweet enough, so I added 1/2 teaspoon Splenda.  I think that it is a preference how sweet/sour you want yours, so don't be afraid to experiment.  You could also top it off with a maraschino cherry to add flavor, sweetness and color.

Cherry Syrup

2 cups fresh cherries (any variety) 
1/4 cup water 
3 tbsp. granulated sugar (I used organic turbinado sugar)

Insert a small paring knife into each cherry and cut around the hard center pit until you can pop it out, then discard the pit. (or use a cherry pitter) Wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water to prevent the cherry juice from staining your hands.
Add 2 cups pitted cherries into a food processor. Puree by holding down the "On" button for roughly three-second intervals until the cherries are completely blended, with no visible lumps. Continuously holding down the "On" button may make the cherries blend unevenly.
Place a large saucepan on the stove, then pour in the pureed cherries. Stir in 1/4 cup water and 3 tbsp. granulated sugar. Heating sugar and water produces a thick base known as a simple syrup.
Turn the stove to "high" and heat until the mixture starts to boil. Lower the heat to "medium" and cook the mixture for approximately 10 minutes so it can thicken.
Allow the syrup to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it's at room temperature. Pour into a jar and serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to a week for the best results.


Shop online at www.vacshack.com
In the Oklahoma City area shop www.acleanerplace.com