Simple living lifestyle challenge 5 clean a drawer

/

simple livingThe change: clean a drawer

Most everyone I know has a junk drawer or multiple junk drawers.  It is the drawer that you keep throwing miscellaneous items into because you do not have a set place for the items to go to. For myself, I would keep throwing items into that drawer and when the time came to look for those items, it seems I could not find them.  I would then resort to purchasing it at the store.  The problem is that we sometimes will turn most all of our drawers into junk drawers never making it easy to find what it is we need to use.

Why make the change:

Having a “catch all” junk drawer makes it easy for us to be lazy.  It is so much easier to throw everything into a drawer never seeing it again, instead of actually putting it where it belongs.  In our simple living lifestyle challenge, we are looking to simplify our lifestyles not make it more complicated. We need to eliminate the junk drawer and find a place for all of those miscellaneous items.  We need to adopt the rule, “A place for everything, and everything in it’s place.”  Having clean drawers will give you a sense of satisfaction. You no longer will feel like you need to “shut out” the chaotic clutter in your life.  Get rid of it!  Simplify, make less stress and strain on your life.  Throw away the “could of- should of items,”  give away the ones you never use, and put to use the items that are “lost” in the drawers instead of buying more.

How do we do that:

Take one drawer this week and do the following:

  • Dump out the drawer.
  • Throw out the trash.
  • Separate items that already have a place to go to like game pieces, or sewing supplies.
  • Put those items away:)
  • Separate the remaining items into piles of similar uses–like super glue and paper clips, screwdriver and nails, etc.
  • Find a drawer organizer that fits your drawer.  You can use silverware compartments, or small plastic containers from the $1 store.
  • Place “like” items into the compartments.
  • Label the containers to help others know where to put their “junk.”
  • Maintain your drawer by putting it on your cleaning schedule.

If you feel like you accomplished something and are pleased by what you did, I challenge you to take a drawer a day and organize them!!!  You will feel less cluttered and more empowered by having clean drawers in your home.  Don’t believe me—–try it!!

Simple living lifestyle challenge 4 drink more water

/

simple living

The change: Drink more water

For years, I would deal with nonstop headaches and lower back pain.  I would reach for the Tylenol and it pretty much became a regular pill I would take.  When I started my weight loss a few years ago, the first thing I did was to drink more water.  I replaced all my pops, juices, and coffee drinks with water.  I drank so much that I would have to goto the bathroom all of the time it seemed.  By doing that it helped me to lose 70 lbs, not gorge on food anymore, completely stopped my headaches, and has cured my back pain.   Water has become an essential staple in my life.  When I am feeling sluggish, or achy I don’t reach for the pain reliever or a cup of coffee first, I guzzle a cup of water.

Why make the change:

There are a myriad of health benefits from drinking water here are just a few:

  • helps promote weight loss–fills your belly up instead of eating so much food
  • when you think you are hungry you are usually just thirsty
  • boosts immune system–you are less likely to get sick when you drink lots of water.  You are constantly flushing out toxins and bacteria from your body.
  • Most common cause of daytime fatigue?? dehydration—guzzle some water and feel great
  • less headaches–flushes out the toxins from your body.
  • cures back pain, prevents sprains and cramps—lubricates your joints and helps keep your muscles elastic to prevent joint pain.
  • Improves skin complexion—moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing, and smooth.  The best anti aging treatment around!!
  • Most adults are popping pills for ailments and diseases that could have been prevented from properly hydrating and flushing out toxins from their bodies.
  • Makes you rich—-even if you buy bottled water, it is still cheaper than Starbucks and soft drinks.

How do we do that:

Okay so we know all the health benefits of drinking water,  but how do we go about replacing our current drinks with water?  You might think, “I really love my can of Diet Coke everyday and can’t live without it.”  I would say, don’t drop it completely.  Slowing start adding water to your daily routine.

For myself,   I set up my “triggers” so that I know when I am supposed to drink them.   I fill a 24 ounce container and I have to drink 2 before I eat lunch.  I make sure to drink 2 more before I have an afternoon coffee.  Then 2 more before dinner.  So for myself I know that I look forward to that cup of coffee in the afternoon, if the time rolls around and I haven’t had my water, I quickly guzzle my cups before I have my coffee.  Same goes before I have a meal.

Set up times that you have to finish your container of water or you will not get that next thing, whether it be lunch, snack, a pop, etc. When you set a goal with a trigger it is easier to remember to drink the water.  Otherwise it will sit on your counter top for the entire day.

In time, your body will start eating less food, you might even lose your cravings for your pop or other high calorie drinks.  You will definitely notice that you do not need a cup of coffee to keep yourself going for the day.  Plus your body will start feeling amazing by flushing out all the toxins.

Pay attention to your “triggers.”  Notice when you start to feel sluggish, notice a headache coming on, notice when you start feeling hungry.  Immediately down a container of water, see the benefits almost immediately.

Ways to make water taste better:

Even though I drink a lot of water in one day, I still do not like the taste of it.  For myself I add a peppermint tea bag to my water bottle and leave it in there for the whole day.  I get a nice taste to my water.  Other options are:

  • add a squirt of lemon juice
  • squeeze a lime wedge
  • add a mint leaf
  • add an orange segment
  • add a dash of peppermint extract—I used to do this it is very refreshing
  • add a natural tea bag to your water
  • add a packet of vitamin C
  • for a natural detox, add 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup and a squirt of lemon juice

How much should I drink

It used to be drink 8 glasses of water per day.  But that was false information.  Most doctors would agree to drink until your urine is a light pale color.  It is rare to over hydrate your self but you can surely under hydrate yourself.  For me I drink a little more than half my weight in ounces.  So if your weight is  140 lbs drink 70 ounces of water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scroll to Top