By Deb Powell,
Healthy Planet Columnist
September is ‘back to routine time’. Summer is over, the weather is cooling down, new classes and projects are starting, gardens are being harvested, summer activity items packed away, ideas for fall celebrations are being exchanged, Christmas or winter holidays are being planned. September may be back to routine, but it’s a very busy month.
Here are some tips to help you do life better so you can win the ‘too much on my plate’ game. Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks aren’t always a sign of weakness, they can be signs of being too strong for too long, or having too many things to do. Take control!
Tip #1: Get organized. Being organized is priceless! It saves time, stress, money, and life flows smoother. Calendars, planners, sticky notes, fridge magnets, timers, bins, shoe racks, saying no, de-cluttering… are some keys to preventing lives of chaos. Read my ‘Organized for Life’ articles in this magazine for great ideas.
#2: Anchor draw strings. You don’t have time to rethread them. Hoodies, sweatpants, backpacks… So many. So easy. When you first get them, pull the string until it’s centred; then, sew 3 or 4 stitches in the middle attaching the string to the material. It can no longer be pulled out. Time, frustration, and mishaps, eliminated! If you have drawstrings already out, stick a safety pin or paper clip in the end and work it through.
Tip#3: Soak your legumes. Canned beans and lentils are quick and easy, but not as healthy as dried. Don’t believe me? Read their labels. One ingredient, compared to 10 or more. For dried: rinse them, soak overnight, rinse again. They cook faster, will be less gassy, and have no toxic ingredients. Saves time, money, and are much healthier.
Bonus: Fold your bread! Instead of cutting your sandwich and having the filling fall out, make them on each piece and fold it in half. Folded side won’t leak.
Life’s challenges can be doable if we know some tips and tricks. Like this butterfly knows what’s good for it, we too can make life better.
Join me next month for more Tips for Life!
For questions and feedback: debmag04@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you! ☺