Protein power house for organizing day!

Behold the mighty chickpea!  Most of us think of it smashed into hummus but it also makes great burgers.  Here's a recipe from Forks Over Knives a great web site promoting cruelty free healthy living. Be sure and click on the link Plant Powered 15 to meet the master chef behind this wonderful concoction.  She's promoting this recipe for kids but I say feed your brain on organizing day and banish 'decision fatigue!'

Sneaky Chickpea Burgers

From Plant-Powered 15
Makes 7-8 Patties

Ingredients:

• 1 cup carrot, cut in discs
• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 medium-large clove garlic
• 2 cans (14-ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (can substitute natural ketchup)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
• freshly ground black pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary leaves
• 1 cup rolled oats

Instructions:

In a food processor, first add carrots, bell pepper, and garlic, pulse until finely chopped.  Add remaining ingredients except rolled oats and process through. Stop processor a few times and scrape down, and continue to process until smooth. Then add rolled oats and pulse through. Remove bowl and place in fridge to chill mixture, for about a ½ hour. When ready to shape patties, take out scoops of mixture and form burgers in your hands. To cook, place patties on a non-stick skillet over medium/medium-high heat. Let cook on one side for 7-8 minutes, or until golden brown. Then flip, and let cook for another 5-7 minutes on the other side. Alternatively, these patties can be baked at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping half way through, however I prefer the sear and texture that pan-cooking offers. Serve on buns, or in tortillas or pitas with fixings of choice!

Kiddo Note: Although most children do not like dijon mustard, garlic, or some fresh herbs, they will likely not notice these ingredients at all! Our daughters devour these burgers without ever noticing the seasonings (or the veggies)!

The glory of an old dog!

As everyone familiar with this blog knows I just adopted a puppy.  Charlie was 9 months on the 19th and as adorable as he is I have to say adopting an older dog means someone else has had to teach a baby everything he needs to know like when to bark, where to potty and how to walk on a leash.  Puppies are exhausting so if you are in the market for a new family member don't go to a rescue with the idea that only a baby will do.

The product I'm sharing is just one of many that can make life for your older dog easier.  If he's a senior he might need help getting onto the bed, the couch or into the car (there are ramps for that). I once adopted a 15 year old Golden who stayed with me till he was 17 1/2 and until the last week of his life he was never sick once. Don't assume an old dog will come with huge medical bills!  A dog is a member of the family and you'll have a lot of fun integrating him or her into your home and lifestyle. If you're open to learning some dog psychology try any of Cesar Millan's books or DVD's.  And if you're in the Los Angeles area and need a trainer contact me because I've got a gem.

I've noticed that dogs are happier in organized spaces.  When I start a project in someone's home the dogs are very often a bit agitated.  They have no idea that the mess I am making is temporary.  And they really don't want to relinquish all that floor space to me. It's funny to watch them get a bit upset and then look ever so satisfied when it's all in place and they realize I gave them the gift of space and a happier master.

Create a folder for your dog in your file system and keep his medical records and any other important papers relating to his health and well being together for ease of retrieval. You'll want to make a special place in the kitchen for his food and treats.  Don't forget to microchip him so that in the event you are separated a reunion will be easier for the folks who find him.  There is some initial expense to be sure but after the first volley of bills you can sit back and enjoy the kind of best friend you've always wanted.  And he'll be so grateful you have his life organized!

Small efforts pay off big in the world of organizing!

I love this quote because it reminds us of the power of small gestures.  They are certainly powerful in the world of getting organized. Take a look around your home and if you are dismayed to find pockets of chaos everywhere don't give into recriminations and self destructive mental chatter.  Rather devote your time and attention selecting seemingly small yet specific steps you can take toward change. 

Many years ago I was the resident organizing expert at an on line site that addresses women's interests.  When I was asked to lead a 6 week 'challenge' to get the community organized I began the first week with a request to make small changes. I remember a near revolt!  I asked the ladies to trust me.  I wanted them to concentrate on small actions that would have big results in the way the home ran and touch the lives of everyone sharing the space. Let's just say the changes were near miraculous.  Many of the participants told me that husbands were helping out for the first time .. without being asked!  In addition small consistent steps in an arena that has stymied you will increase your self esteem and build your confidence as an organizer.

When the 'energy' shifts in the home everyone feels it and it's a great way to get the entire family on board for change.  Why does it work?  Because everyone is being invited to something that works rather than being brow beaten or belittled into participating.  Those tactics never yield lasting results. All of the books in my One Year to ... series are filled with positive habits for you to cultivate that will influence your family members, room mates or pets! (Dogs and cats don't like clutter any more than humans do).  

Here are my all time favorites:

1. Put your keys in the same spot every single time you enter your home.
2. Don't allow dirty dishes to languish in the sink.
3. Put clean dishes away whether they have dried in a dishwasher or on the counter.
4. Check trash cans every day and empty when full.
5. Put your mail in the same spot when you enter your home and then deal with it at the same time each day.  
6. Get rid of junk mail instantly.  A small cross cut shredder is a great first line of defense in the war on identity theft so pop your junk mail in and be done with it. If you work from home you might be able to deduct the price of the shredder.
7. Put magazines and catalogues in containers designed to hold these items.  When a new catalogue arrives toss the old issue and don't keep magazines longer than 2 months. If you haven't made time to enjoy it by then chances are slim to non it's going to be enjoyed.  It will just become out dated clutter over time. Desperate to read a particular article?  Clip it and file it in a To Read folder.

You can pick and choose the habits you'd like to cultivate from the above and check out my books for more ideas.  It doesn't matter where you begin.  Just (as the Nike slogan suggests) do it! Soon you'll see the power of small gestures in the world of getting organized.

Bad habits die hard

A huge surprise in the organizing process can be how tenacious old habits are. They may not serve us or propel us forward but oh how comforting they are! Expect a bit of struggle and be patient and kind with yourself. The person who succeeds is the one who is tenacious.  Those 'bad' habits got ingrained because you worked on making them an intrinsic part of your life.  Yeah, I know, it wasn't conscious but still you were relentless and devoted.  Shift your time, energy and intention to the new habits that will help make your life and environment better.  It's a matter of choice, practice and desire. One day those new and improved habits will be an ingrained part of your being.  

Here a few tips to help ease the journey:

1. Be specific about the habit(s) you want to cultivate.  Know why they appeal to you.
2. Don't take on more than 2 at a time.  Build on small successes rather than overwhelming yourself with a bevy of new and improved habits. 
3. It takes 21 consecutive days to ingrain a new habit so mark off the days on a calendar and start over as many times as it may take.  
4. Plan a reward!

When I come home I have a choice to fling my keys into the space and create a big problem when I need to leave or I can place then carefully in one designated spot each time.  One action is not more complicated or time consuming than the other.  But the results are remarkably different, aren't they? I think you'll find it to be so with all of your 'bad' habits. Be as generous with your praise and patience as you would with a child.  Perspective is everything in life.

Give procrastination the boot!

I was trolling through Pinterest looking for images to accompany a new project that launches soon and found this delightful cartoon.  There are any number of reasons we humans are so good at pushing things to the last minute.  We might be afraid of success! If you do a big project at work and it's cheered by all as a great success a part of you may fear an increase in projects coming your way.  Conversely you might fear you will fail and then have to live with shame in front of your colleagues. Or perhaps you grew up with parents who did everything at the last minute and that sick to the stomach race to the finish line is mother's milk to you. 

Books have been written about procrastination and my thoughts here can only open the door a crack for you to consider 'Why?' How about this for motivation? You'll have more time for what pleases you if you get the hard stuff out of the way.  This ironically was my mother's philosophy.  I was never allowed to put any project off to the last minute. There are so many things my mother taught me that I now teach my clients.  I was being prepared for a profession that didn't yet exist.  Thanks, Mom!  Give it a try because what do you have to lose except the same old, same old guilt, fear and self recrimination?

No projects begging for your time?  What about getting organized so that when they do come calling you'll be ready to face them down.  Guess what?  The holidays are around the corner and they always require a bit of extra effort.  A project doesn't have to be a report for work or school, it can be Thanksgiving dinner.

Dancing with Chaos ~

We all have guilty pleasures and one of mine is watching Dancing with the Stars. From the time the cast is announced we're pretty certain who the good dancers are and who will exit early with our respect for their courage to try something for which they clearly have no natural aptitude. It doesn't matter, does it?  What matters is that they show up for practice and do their best.  Many of us wince in understanding because we know in our heart of hearts we wouldn't do any better.  Oh to have such courage!

If organizing isn't your strong suit why compare yourself to those who have a natural aptitude? Why waste time belaboring your past unsuccessful achievements?  Why not throw yourself into the experience with your whole heart with the only objective being that you will do your best, celebrate whatever you achieve and enjoy the journey. And above all else why not secure the services of a professional organizer? The show reminds us how far a great teacher can take us.

See? Guilty pleasures sometimes yield golden insights!

A New Chapter Begins ~

About a month ago I moved into my new apartment and two weeks later my boy Charlie joined me.  He's still a puppy (just 9 months today!) so I wanted all the boxes and packing materials cleared out before he arrived. Even with an organized, clutter free environment I find myself correcting him 100 times a day.  Charlie can find things to chew faster than I can scream: "No!" But then he looks at me with that smiling, innocent face and I remember that he's going to be a baby for a long time and I need to be patient. I downsized from 1200 sq ft to 700, gave away furniture and other items I loved and moved to a completely different part of the city just so we could be together.  I said 'yes' to this journey.  I better enjoy every minute of it!

As of tonight I plan to return to daily blog posts with Friday devoted to animal products and Saturdays to healthy recipes.  Moving is traumatic and even an organized person can be done in by the demands.  Eating well, getting exercise and a good night's sleep are always your allies in the 'War on Chaos' but when you're moving they are truly your lifelines.  I'm delighted to say I followed my own advice and can assure you from personal experience that these seemingly random activities will indeed help you enormously.

I wish to give a shout out to my wonderful friends who all helped in one way or another to make this transition a reality.  You know who are and you know how grateful I am.  I am equally grateful to my readers who have patiently waited for me to return.  We may grouse about some task or project but when your life is in boxes you realize what a privilege taking care of the details of life really is. Faced with a seas of boxes to unpack I would have given anything for a simple afternoon of paper work!

It's late on a Saturday night and Charlie is asking for last spin around the block.  His puppy heart is full of love and he lives to find people and pups on whom he can shower his affection.  Charlie is sometimes corrected by bigger or older dogs who don't want to enjoy his love explosion.  He has been to the emergency room and started life with distemper.  Remarkably he lives completely and totally invested in the present moment willing to let it go when the experience ends absolutely certain that the next minute is going to be the best.  Charlie is unencumbered by the past.  May we all live like Charlie!