Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Can we have a little order, please?


Ah January!

I actually quite adore January.  It is my birthday month, the beginning of a new year for both me and the calendar.








January 2014 Calendar 


We make all sorts of resolutions, January and I, most of which we will either forget about or cast aside as being too ambitious, or ill-thought-out in the early glare of a hungover January 1st.

But one thing I can always count on is the need to re-organize and put some order back in both the house and myself.

I am genuinely kind to myself, so my resolutions are gentle, whispers of sweet nothings about health and vitality.

I focus on small steps.  For example, I have vowed to do yoga ever day for the month of January.  I am now 7 days in and feeling like a million bucks.  I know if I can stick it out I will be all limbered up by the end of the month and will keep it going, since by then it will be a habit.

As for diet, I am denying myself nothing (except for alcohol on the VERY odd Saturday this month and even then only 1.5 glasses.) but I am committed to eating at least 3 different vegetables each day, 2 different fruits and to eat a varied and interesting diet.  I am not snacking between meals.  I only drink tea in the evenings.  I am giving my system a well deserved break in some areas and a jolt in others and am already feeling the positive effects of doing so.  And yet, and yet....oh I do miss you Christmas cakes!

And I am doing a couple of little things each day, a la the January Cure.  The other day, like my friend Dani, I took on the spice and the baking drawers in the my kitchen cupboard.



It is an interesting experience to clean out one's cupboards.  I discovered I have a lot stupid amount of baking chocolate.  And cupcake liners.  And vanilla.



I reordered all of my spices, put them in alphabetical order and was gobsmacked to discover that I had 3 little boxes of saffron.  Given the price of saffron, finding three is the equivalent of finding a $20 bill lying around and now I must look up some more recipes with saffron as a reward.


 This is only a fraction of the spices, only to letter K - we are spice fiends and I have never met a spice I didn't like and want to bring home and put in a jar...


We have also done a year-end look at the budget.

As my one of my favourite Dickens Characters, Mr. Micawber, was wont to say:

"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery."  
I believe Barry and I fell squarely within the former category, but still see room for improvement, including our food consumption.  Healthy food is indeed expensive, but so is not being as good at managing the food one has and I am committed, from both a moral and a financial perspective, to do better in this area.  I will keep you posted!

There is a tremendous groundswell recently of educating people of how much food they actually toss.  You can read more about it here, but there is lots of great information on the web about this.  I am committed to being very judicious about my grocery shopping in 2014 so that we throw away very little, which will involve more and better organization and more trips to the grocers, but I am confident that we will see a huge difference with a little more attention.  I think it is especially difficult for families with children, and while this is a rationalization on my part, I am convinced of it!

What's next?  Oh the tedium of a good fridge clean, a cupboard go-through in the family room, none of which I will continue to bore you with. Just know that I am out there, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.  And still reading the bloody Goldfinch, which while excellent, has made me crave a short magazine or a chapbook as my next read!!!!

How about you?  How are you spending these cold days?  Stay Safe out there!













45 comments:

  1. Hi Wendy, HNY to you and happy birthday month! I rarely make any kind of resolutions at this time of year, as I find Jan to be a hard month to deal with anyway, without the added stress of self-control!
    It's hot here and I'm missing the beach and feeling very blah to be back at work... oh well!
    Love your spice drawer - ours are in chaos, as is most of the house, but there seems little point in order, as our upcoming renovations will mean we have to move out and the whole back part (including kitchen) will be demolished!
    Well done on the yoga - I do a small daily practice, and it keeps me sane and pleasant!

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    1. Well it is easy to do it here as it is so bloody cold that there's not much else to do! I do 20 minutes of gentle yoga each say and I do love it!

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  2. Oh! aquarius or capricorn?
    going gently by doing yoga every day! what are you like when you are hard core??? yes re spices when i was packing i had 5 different types of peppercorns and I dont even cook that much. Envying everyone's editing so much...

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    1. Capricorn! My yoga is very gentle Naomi - was hard first 3 days but much easier now! I know re:spices - I have 3 kinds of peppercorns and vow to use them all! Lots of Indian spices, which when organized has got me dreaming of curry!

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  3. I went through my spice drawer when we moved and now really need a re-stock. How fun to find surplus saffron!

    I am doing the cleaning/organizing dance as well. I love to do it in January.

    I feel you in the long book, as I'm just starting book 3 of Game of Thrones. So long, but worth it!

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    1. Those books are on my list Melissa - my son has read them and loves them!

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    2. I loved them and they are not very slog-like. Each one is of massive proportions but they read like a trashy magazine -- you literally kind of gobble them up.

      I hear you on the food waste issue -- we have SO much food waste it is a little appalling. Evening plans get changed up so frequently between my and my husband's work and somehow I am sitting down with a hardboiled egg and a wedge of cheese and tossing an expired chicken breast a lot more than I would like.

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    3. mich, is hard with little kids, but I am really keen to taje this on!

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  4. Fellow Cap here! Hope your b-day won't be as cold as mine....oy, that was cold. -44C with the windchill. Ouch.

    Also doing more decluttering, cleaning, etc here. I am almost rid of all the boxes we accumulated over Christmas, yippee! I loathe boxes. This year I want to focus on being healthy and cooking healthy. I started last year by researching quite a bit, paying attention to what we ate and what our bodies were reacting to (i.e. I am positive I have gluten and dairy sensitivities). Hubs and I are both feeling so much better since we have started doing this and we have so much more energy just by eating better. I have learned quite a bit from a) one of my friends, she is a single mom and is celiac, so she has to be very careful of what she eats but she never compromises when it comes to food -- she tries to go all organic when she can for her and her kids, and they eat a mostly plant-based diet and b) Green Smoothie Girl -- I am big into the Green Smoothies now, it's my go-to breakfast in the morning and it's a brilliant way to get extra greens into my diet. Even Hubs is on board with it (you can't taste the greens once they are blended in a fruit smoothie) and I got away with serving them to our nieces when they stayed at our place over New Years. They loved them. My sister-in-law was taking note... :)

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    1. -44 such a long winter! I do smoothies with spinach and kale and berries most days! How do toy blend yours? I keep contemplating buying a juicer....

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    2. This winter has been horrible!

      I have a Hamilton Beach blender and it still works ok but I'm saving up for either a Vitamix or a BlendTec. I usually blend the water and greens first so the greens are well-blended, then I add the frozen berries, banana and either a bit of Oasis Antioxia juice or water to help blend it well. I've also experimented with avocado and other fruits too.

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  5. Oh, you are a whirlwind! I have good energy in January, too, all that newness and need to keep warm. You will be limber at the end of the month, good for you!

    I am reeling at what a closet pack rat I've been. My linen cupboard is stuffed with old sheets and towels in case 30 people come to stay at once, twin sheets although there are no twin beds, future rags and dropcloths I may "need", frightening old pillows to ride out the apocalypse, in case there is a shortage. ALL going. I have a lovely antique trunk in my room to sort out tomorrow; this one contains historic nightgowns, I think. NO MORE!

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    1. Lane keep going! Sometimes we don't even notice all of the stuff that we have "saved". It's very liberating to lighten the things around us and move them on to a better place isn't it!

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    2. Yes keep going! It is hard work though!

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    3. This is it-- I don't notice because it's "neat". I have to ask myself, why were you saving this? If not a good answer, out it goes. Really, some of the old pillows...embarrassing! I would never put them on anyone's bed. I think no more containers, less stuff, is the way.

      Thanks for your encouragement, ladies!

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    4. Lane, that's utterly hilarious! I've only ever had two sets of sheets and two sets of towels.When we got married and people handed towels and little presents to my mum for me, I gave them all away the same day I received them, I can't bear clutter.

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    5. I cleaned out our linen closet last fall again and wondered similar things, Lane. Tabs - I am so worried as to what you will think when you visit us!

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    6. Remember, there is only two of us! I still live like a singleton.

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  6. Yes its all new beginnings which is just so great, you have a fresh start at life. I am going to do my darndest to finish this book plus feel more perky. Love that quote in the middle. All about acceptance. My sister has nary to spare at the end of the month and though they are frugal they live life to the fullest and don't miss anything that I can see, its camping,not motels in her future and she seems ok with that.

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    1. I agree- we often think we need more than we do, don't we? The key is wanting what we already have

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  7. Good organizing you are doing! Saffron, how delicious. I've been cooking Jamie Oliver's saffron rice, it is gorgeous. Perfect way for you to use up your saffron and vegan friendly. I am still editing my closet, I have all of those pink and coral things saved for Florida that I have to go through, and worse try on. It's going to be awful! I wish you were here to laugh about it with me!
    I keep editing and cleaning but why is there still so much to do? The food waste is a big problem, I try with this best I can, walking to get my groceries makes me even more determined to do so (especially when it is -30) but still it is tough. And what about those Rascals who throw away half of their dinner! Then I give them small portions to start and they complain.

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    1. I love that saffron rice recipe too! I am serving less these days and they complain, but then I tell them to get something else! Are you not liking the corals anymore? I always loved your Florida outfits!

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  8. Hi Wendy, so far I have done the floors as per the weekend January Cure assignment ([m playing catch-up since we were away for the weekend). I'll have another look at my pantry, but I did a clear-out in September, so it shouldn't be too bad. I can't believe you have all that chocolate!!

    I got a call from a charity yesterday asking for donations, so that will help me do another clear out.

    I'm also trying to detox a bit - I bought a Nutribullet before Christmas and was doing quite well, having a green smoothie for breakfast and drinks other drinks throughout the day. However, I got waylaid by Christmas, plus I'm preferring porridge for brekkie with this cold weather.

    I'm really more into non-fiction books at the moment - just finished Tish Jett's Forever Chic and I'm on Linda Grant's The Thoughtful Dresser. Before Christmas I read a book by Kim Johnson Gross (of Chic Simple fame) called What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life - it's a few years old but full of really useful thoughts about style at that certain age!

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  9. I'm craving some history, but my gosh, my reading pile is huge these days! Barry did the floors today - it is all gleaming!

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  10. Hi wendy! I have made progress on reducing my wardrobe and aim to not buy anything clothing/accessory related (unless absolutely necessary) for all of Q1. The husband and I do eat out a lot so I'd also like to cut down on that and try to cook more (but some nights with a small kitchen and varying hours makes it hard). And, I am thinking of joining a gym and greatly cutting down on alcohol and fatty foods (except for tonight as it is cause for a bit of a celebration). Other than that.... being nicer to myself and loving my body are up there too. :)

    Happy 2014!

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    1. Hi Laura - for some reason, I am leaving my wardrobe alone for now. Will revisit at the end of the season I think! I have done so much purging and then re-buying that I realized that the purging was not as helpful as it could be. But we shall see. We only eat out once a month or less - mostly because we just don't have great restaurants around here - I do better at home!!!

      Ah loving our bodies - that is the secret to happiness!

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  11. Hello Wendy,
    It is so good to read you. I wish you a wonderful and happy New Year. I have not work on my resolutions yet. I tend to make very few of them and I tend to be gentle in order to plan something realistic. We got on the train on healthy food some time ago and I think you can really eat healthy on a budget. There are millions of ideas on Pinterest. I also think by planning you can reduce waste, therefore you grocery bill. I also think that by doing a lot yourself instead of buying ready can help you save quite a lot. We started Juicing in 2013 and this ensure us a good consumption of fruit and veggies. If you are interested I can recommend you (I think I did already) several documentaries and web sites which help me to find inspiration.
    With everyone going around on January cleaning, organizing and decluterring, I find it personally very motivating to do the same in my home! Keep going Girls!

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    1. Hi Steph - we eat very healthy, but I do find we slip up from time to time!! We also never buy anything premade - all is cooked from scratch here and I agree, that does make a big difference.

      The decluttering is satisfying, isn't it!

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    2. I wish I would slip only from time to time! Xmas is definitely what's killing me! I am so weak when it comes to sweet treats.
      Yes decluterring is good... But like many things I find that once you stopped or significantly slow down, it is hard to get back to it...

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  12. Hey Wendy!
    I did the ice rack too! I will send you pics hahaha, see you shortly, Ger

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  13. Good morning miss bundle of energy. I feel such a slouch compared to you. Still in holiday denial mode, I have not done yoga in a month. And I must since I can feel and see more "gentle valleys" that need to be firmed up fast.

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    1. I have no gentle valleys these days - there is the grand canyon across my belly. Need to do some serious firming!

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  14. What was with all the baking chocolate? I noticed it before you said a word. I have a drawer full of spices much I have only used once...mace...wth is mace...I have it though. I need to get moving but am in a bit of a rut. Watched the movie "Mine" last night. About the pets of Huricane Katrina. Hunter and I cried. Have a funeral to attend this afternoon. Will this week come to a close please. Come bake me something with all that chocolate.

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    1. It was so disorganized I couldn't see what was in the drawer! Time to make some truffles!

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    2. Yeah what is mace wise form the medieval swinging thing?

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  15. It's best to be realistic with your resolutions. We all feel better when we make some progress, however small, rather than setting ourselves up for disappointment with unobtainable goals.

    I constantly obsess over my kitchen contents, which is probably no surprise. I have my spices in THESE and love that I don't have to use measuring spoons. So quick and easy to measure with the dial, shake or spoon it out if you wish and the little window lets you know when it's time to refill.

    We follow a set menu week by week and a monthly target of so many meals containing fish, spinach, etc. It's fun to work the spreadsheet while shopping the flyers and merge everything together. I read THIS ARTICLE today, hoping for some new advice but there was nothing new. I'm going to go check out the link you provided now.

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    1. Love that spice rack. That would break my bank however, as I would need a lot of them - I have something like 45 jars of spices!

      I can tell you are a MBA by that great organization of meals! I could never manage that, as I like to be spontaneous, within a fixed group of ingredients, but I know you work so hard so that must really take the stress away!

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    2. The spice racks are stackable so you could always start with one or two racks and build from there. I have several sets stacked in a tower and it is so nice to have everything at my fingertips.

      Spontaneity is not my strong suit and I envy you for having it. Maybe I will learn to loosen up a bit over the next few years.

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  16. I really need to cut down on my grocery bills, but I buy a lot of organic and tons of fresh fruit and vegetables. It adds up so fast. I have tried buying just a few things at a time, 5 apples instead of 10 and if we run out then so be it. It has definitely helped with tossing food. I need to read up more on this. I try to plan out meals, but it doesn't always work out so well. I marvel at the women who meal plan and stick to a budget.

    Stay warm Wendy!

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    1. Well we are a work in progress, too, A - it is hard to achieve and make sure you have all that need and eating healthy is at least 20% more expensive than not eating healthy according to a recent study!

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  17. Your spice cabinet looks extremely well organized! I am envious - whenever I open the kitchen cupboards, I despair over the jumbled mess inside. Oh well. I am taking a bit of a mini break right now, and I am slowly working away at organizing various little corners of the house. Right now I am working on the little home office corner in my bedroom. I gave up on major New Year resolutions years ago, now I just set up a list of small goals. If I can get at least half of them done, then I feel like I accomplished something. Happy birthday month!!

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    1. Thanks Louise! And I am with you - it is all about pacing ourselves and feeling that we are going whatever it is we need to do. And with little kids, you just have to be zen about the clutter! I always was and I am only a little odd..

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  18. Good for you on the yoga front. After my poutine-laden holiday, I need a healthy month. Pity that lying around on the sofa watching Downton seems so much more appealing!

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