Organizing Cords

Remember how we talked about figuring out solutions to our own organizational problems? Well I thought I would share one of my problems and how I figured out how to solve the problem. I had a whole bunch of different kinds of cords that are out of control so I thought maybe I could figure out how to get them under control. At the local hardware store (Lowe's in this case) I found these rolls of Velcro strips (quick tie type things) that stick together to form a loop. You can loosen them or tighten them to be as big are as small as you need them to be. I use them for all sorts of things, but for today's hint I am using them to hold together all of my camera cords, Ipod and Zune cords and various types of computer cords. We store all of these cords near our computer because that is where we use them. I found a wire basket that I just throw my cords into after they are labeled and wound up withe the Velcro ties. I use a Brother P-Touch labeler, which I LOVE, and I print out a label for each cord. Each one of our family members have different cameras and different MP3 devices so our cords are always getting confused with someone else's. This has been a wonderful solution for me and the rolls of Velcro ties are only a couple of dollars so it is also a very cost effective solution. I also use these ties to roll and bind the many cords under the computer desk such as the printer cord, the phone cord, the speaker cords etc. to keep them under control. It has been a great solution for one of my organizational problems. How easy is that?

Best Kept Secret

Ok, so this really isn't a secret...but it is something that I don't think people take enough advantage of. THE LIBRARY!

Did you know that you can check movies out from your local library....for Free? They even get new releases!

Did you know that you can keep books for a month at a time?

Did you know that many libraries offer story times and activities for your kids?

Did you know that you can access your library's catalog online? That way you can see if the book you want is available or if it is checked out. Many libraries even let you reserve your books/movies online.

Did you know that you can use the internet at the library for free? Don't you hate it when your computer or internet is having problems...and you are waiting for an important e-mail?

Did you know that you can check out audiobooks online? You can even download them to your computer. Our local libraries allow us to download the books and the file is left on our computer for 1 week. If you cannot listen to your audiobook in 1 week...don't worry! You can burn the book to disks, or download it to your IPOD...where it stays until you delete it! I have a hard time justifying sitting down to read a book, but I LOVE to listen to audiobooks while I clean the kitchen or fold my laundry!

It is free to get a library card...and very easy! If you don't have a library card...make it a point to go get one! How easy is that?

Organizing-- You are Smarter than you think--Figuring Out Your Own Problems

What is your problem? I mean, what is your organizing problem? I have been on a quest for most of my married life (almost 29 years) to be totally organized. Now I have to confess that I have not yet achieved this goal, but I am still working towards it. Something that I finally concluded after many years is that I needed to figure out what MY organizing problems were and what my organizing solution style is. For example, I have tried many filing systems over the years that have been recommended by friends or other professional organizers. I found out that what other people recommend was not always successful for me. After trying several of them and being unsuccessful, I combined some of the the ideas into a system that works for me.

It is kind of interesting to me that it took me so long to figure this out. I had an ah ha moment one day. It finally dawned on me that I could figure out what works best for ME. My lifestyle and habits are not the same as anyone else. I figured I was a pretty smart person and could find solutions to my organizational problems. I still read organizational books and articles and surf the web looking for ideas, but I realized my problems are my problems and I needed to find out what worked for me and my family.

You can do it too. I will give you some of my ideas in upcoming posts and you can use them as they are or use them to spark an idea of your own. What works for me will not always work for you, but you might get some good ideas you could implement into your own organizing style.

How easy is that?

Diaper Cream

My two sons have inherited terrible skin, which brings about many unfortunate bouts of ezcema....and AWFUL diaper rashes. My older son has (and continues to have) very frequent diaper rashes, but unfortunately, we have tried about every cream out there and they all give him Yeast Infections. Ugh! Diaper rashes are awful, but add horrible bleeding "satellite pimples," and every diaper change turns into a screaming, crying, fighting mess.

Each time we finally got rid of a yeast infection, a new one would creep up. We would try various diaper rash creams, and he will end up with yet another yeast infection. The poor kid's bum could have been used for a textbook picture on terrible diaper rash/yeast infections!

We were feeling quite frustrated, and presented our concerns to our doctor. In order to treat the poor bleeding pimples, our family doctor recommended that we quit using diaper cream until the sores were gone...he also recommened that we try using Neosporin + Pain Relief instead.

I LOVE this stuff! It not only helps with the sores, but it hels with the diaper rash....and the pain. Neosporin with pain relief also includes a topical pain-reliever. It works quickly and very well. You can find the neosporin with pain relief in both a cream and an ointment form. Many stores also carry "off-brand" versions, which contain the same ingredients and work just as well. We haven't used diaper rash cream in over a year now, and have not had a single yeast infection! Hooray for that! If you're struggling with diaper rashes with your kids, give Neosporin + Pain Relief a try! How easy is that?

Rosemary Skewered Chicken (or beef) with Orange Glaze

Thank you Chef Curtis Stone (Take home chef, ya know, the cute British guy? He also does recipes for The Biggest Loser). I found this recipe online for the chicken, and thought it sounded easy and yummy. I decided to use stew beef instead of chicken (because that is what I had that was not frozen). I cannot believe how big of a hit it was at my house!! Kellen and Rykker had seconds, and Kellen couldn't stop telling me how delicious he thought it was! So, I thought I'd better share it with you!!

Rosemary Skewered Chicken (or beef) with Orange Glaze

Ingredients
Juice of 3 oranges (you can also use orange juice from concentrate)
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. honey
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger (or 1/4 -1/2 tsp dried, ground ginger)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
6 large sprigs of rosemary about 10 to 12 inches long, with half the leaves removed

Instructions
1. Preheat a grill or grill pan on medium high heat.
2. Place the orange juice into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the orange juice has the consistency of a very thin syrup. Add the Dijon, honey, garlic, and ginger and continue cooking over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat to allow flavors to meld and reserve.
3. Evenly divide the cubed chicken among the rosemary sprigs and skewer the chicken onto the exposed part of the rosemary sprigs. (Beef is a little harder to skew, so I stuck a real wooden skewer through it first to make a hole. Then I threaded the beef onto the rosemary sprig. This recipe wouldn't be the same if you just cooked the meat on a regular skewer rather than the rosemary).
4. Lightly brush the grill with oil and grill chicken for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
5. Remove skewers from the grill to a serving plate, drizzle with the orange sauce and serve immediately.

I served it with Rice Pilaf...and Kellen was wishing I had doubled the sauce, since he likes to put the sauce on his rice! Hope you enjoy!

No extenstions, substitutions, or refunds...

Have you ever been cooking, and you are missing 1 or maybe 2 ingredients? Ugh! I hate when that happens. You are making a recipe that calls for buttermilk, but you don't have any! What do you do? Do you drop everything, pack your kids into the car, and run to the grocery store for 1 ingredient? Do you call EVERY NEIGHBOR in your neighborhood or complex to see if they have some?

Well, there are better ideas! There are many ideas of substitutions available. Many substituions are available on the internet, or in magazines or cookbooks. Here are a few ideas:

1 medium clove of garlic = 1 1/2 tsp chopped, 1 tsp minced , or 1/2 to 1 tsp bottled minced, or 1/8-1/4 tsp of garlic powder.

1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tbs lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup (let stand for 5 minutes before using); also use 1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup corn syrup = 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup water

1/2 cup chopped onion = 2 tbs minced dried onion or 1/2 tsp onion powder

1 cup dairy sour cream = 1 cup plain yogurt (this is often a healthier choice, especially if you use lowfat yogurt)

1 cup red wine = 1 cup beef brother or chicken both (for savory recipes), 1 cup cranberry of cherry juice (for sweet recipes like desserts)
1 cup white wine = 1 cup chicken broth or 1 cup apple or white grape juice

1 package active dry yeast = 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1 tbs Fresh herbs = 1/2 to 1 tsp dried herb, crushed, or 1/2 tsp groupnd herb

Why go to the store if you can use things you have at home? How easy is that?

Apricot Chicken

I thought you might like an easy dinner recipe for tonight!! Spray your crockpot with cooking spray. Place 1 bottle Russian Salad dressing, 1 package dry Lipton onion soup mix, and one bottle of apricot jam in the crockpot and stir together. Place about 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the sauce and cook for about 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low, depending on your time and your crockpot. Serve over rice. This is one of my husband's favorite dinners. I love it because it is so easy. ANYONE can make this dish!! How easy is that?