Seeking Simplicity

Great Deal: primo bathroom brush and paper holder

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on July 8, 2010.

Chiasso is currently having a summer sale with several great deals including free shipping.

This primo brush and paper holder was $48 and is now only $12 shipped.

Link: http://www.chiasso.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=55761&sale=1&from=sale

Site Spotlight: Listbean.com

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on July 6, 2010.

Want to create a checklist but don’t know where to start? Listbean.com has done the hard part of pulling the lists together. You can use the lists as is or use them as inspiration to create your own customized checklists lists. The site is totally free and only takes a few seconds to register!

Here are a few examples of lists available:

• Indoor activities for kids
• Budget
• Camping
• Classic books
• Declutter room by room
• Baby shower

Be more efficient, effective and deliberate in everything you do. With checklists covering most things you need right at your finger tips you can just get on with what needs to get done.

Sites that are spotlighted are not affiliated with SeekingSimplicity.com and are not compensating us. These are just sites we really like and recommend checking out!

Simple Design: Pure White Bedding

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on July 1, 2010.

Run a Marathon

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on May 18, 2010.

This may seem like an insane goal to some, but nothing will build your confidence more than running a marathon. Almost anyone with a good training plan and a little time each week can accomplish this aspiration. The keys are not to push too hard and do not set a time goal.

Setting an impossible goal will give you the chance to find your limit and then cross it. Even if you have never run before it is possible to grow into marathon distance with some patience and effort.

Side benefits include losing weight and getting into great shape. A race is a huge motivator to stick with a fitness program.

Still think it is impossible? Try some of these resources:

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ Jeff Galloway created a system of running and walking that has helped thousands achieve a finished marathon. His method also seems to reduce injuries and allow for a faster recovery than most programs.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1570281823 The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer is an incredible and inspiring book filled with information for the beginning runner. The author’s David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener, and Tanjala Kole present a 16 week program that will get you to the finish line.

http://steverunner.blogspot.com/ Phidippidations is an excellent podcast about running, training, and the sport in general. An inspiring show that will make you realize ordinary people can run marathons. Also make sure to check out other great running podcasts at http://www.runningpodcasts.org/

http://www.marathonguide.com/ This website will help with the selecting of your marathon. The reviews by actual participants in the events are very helpful when trying to choose your goal race.

The physical and mental effort to prepare for a marathon will improve many areas of life. The marathon is a perfect chance to see how planning and persistent effort pay off. Other goals will seem easy and approachable when using the same mindset that brought success to the marathon.

Once you run a marathon, you will feel like you can do anything!

Cleaning Schedules

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on May 4, 2010.

Do you have a cleaning schedule?

Scheduling your housekeeping needs can help keep your home in order by reminding you and your housemates of daily tasks.

The image above shows my cleaning schedule.  Of course I do other things like dishes, wiping surfaces, and taking out the trash whenever necessary and don’t need to be reminded of them.

Everyone’s list will look different depending on your household needs. You can download a template of the schedule below and edit it to fit your needs. Be sure to post it somewhere you can view it easily every day! I put mine on the inside of my kitchen cabinet like this:

» Download Cleaning Template

Some items you may want on your list are:

• Laundry
• Sweeping/Mopping Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Vacuuming
• Trash Collection
• Washing Linens
• Dusting
• Meal Planning
• Lawn Care
• Bill Pay
• Clean Desk
• Project Item – I have project item listed in my schedule twice a week. This is for tasks such as decluttering, cleaning garage, making a repair, or any other projects or chores that will inevitably come up.

The Best Tip for a Clutter-Free Life

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on May 3, 2010.

Own Less.

Okay, easier said than done but owning less is truly the ultimate answer to living a clutter-free life.

The need for storage containers, baskets, and organizing items will just add to your clutter. Getting rid of items that you don’t need eliminates the need to organize them. De-cluttering can be a time consuming and frustrating process. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Start with one room
2. Make a pile of everything you do not use, need, or want. This will be the hardest part. Be honest. Have you used this item in the past year? Would you take this item with you if you were moving to your dream house?
3. Go through the room again. A second pass will often lead to another pile of items to get rid of.
4. Throw away the trash and put the usable items you have gathered in your car and take them to the Goodwill or other donation location. Most Goodwill’s make house calls for furniture or other large items that are  hard to transport. Contact your local Goodwill to find out whether or  not pick-up service is available in your community.
5. Stop bringing items in your home to help prevent clutter.
6. De-clutter regularly

Organization containers can help contain visual clutter but before placing an item in the containers consider if you really need it and how often you will use the item.

30 Fun Family Activities

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 28, 2010.

1. Visit a zoo in a nearby town – if you are like my family you have been to your local zoo numerous times. Why not change up the scenery a bit and visit a nearby zoo?
2. Go camping – you can camp at your local State Park or even your own backyard.
3. Make smores – you don’t have to have a campfire to enjoy smores. Put a marshmallow on a wood stick or fork to roast over your stove. Add to a graham cracker and chocolate and enjoy!
4. Play frisbee
5. Make a collage – use old magazines, newspapers, and other items you have around.
6. Have a picnic
7. Bake a treat – treat yourself and try a new recipe.
8. Go on a nature trail hike
9. Family movie night – rent a movie, make some snacks, and snuggle up in front of your TV for a family movie.
10. Play a board game – break out the old Monopoly, Scrabble, Trouble, or other fun board games that you have.
11. Play “find the toy” – hide a small item in the backyard and have the kids find it (my kids love this game).
12. Make playdough – mix the following ingredients together: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons cream of tartar.
13. Make slime – there are many recipes for homemade slime, here is my favorite.
14. Visit the library – you can borrow CDs, DVDs, books, and more at the library.
15. Color – grab your crayons or paint and print a summer themed coloring page online.
16. Make a piñata – how to make a simple pinata
17. Go swimming or to a water park – Google “public swimming pools” to find public pools in your area.
18. Visit a museum – Museum Day 2010 is on September 25. Check for local events here.
19. Visit a national park – find your nearest national park
20. Make a terrarium – making a terrarium is great fun for everyone! Here is a getting started guide.
21. Go to the movies
22. Go roller or ice skating
23. Have a water balloon fight
24. Make crafts – there are a multitude of online craft ideas. Here is one of my favorite resources.
25. Eat dinner at a restaurant – find out where kids can eat for free.
26. Clean the house together – turn up the music and have a cleaning party!
27. Go for a bike ride
28. Decorate your driveway – use sidewalk chalk and get creative.
29. Family Volunteer Day – participate in a family volunteer day.
30. Visit a local theme park – find your local park.

Simple Design: Gray Sofas

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 23, 2010.

Simple Design: Wall Clocks

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 16, 2010.

Simple Fitness

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 15, 2010.

Who doesn’t want to be fit? How many New Year’s resolutions revolve around getting fit?  How many people really follow through with this goal?

Exercise. For many people this is an ugly word, but it doesn’t have to be. Find something that is fun and start there. A simple fitness routine requires little or no equipment and can be done anytime and anywhere. Too many people get hung up on starting complex routines and buying expensive gizmos.

Jumping out of the gate doing hours of tough workouts will just lead to burnout or even worse injury. Start out gently!

Fitness is based on three key elements:

Cardiovascular Health

Go for a walk most days. It might not seem like much, but a thirty minute walk five days a week is already more exercise than most people do! Walking is easy, requires no equipment and is very safe. Walking is a natural and gentle entry into exercise. This habit can become a gateway into running. Spending time outdoors is a wonderful way to stay healthy!

Strength

A very simple routine of pushups, squats, and crunches can be done with no equipment at all. For motivation there are iPhone apps for Hundred PushUps, Two Hundred Squats, and Two Hundred Situps (Crunches), but they are not necessary. These three exercises will hit virtually every muscle group.

Flexibility

Finally, flexibility is the third key component to being fit. A simple stretching routine after walking, running or resistance training is all that is needed. Yoga is great for stretching and can have some elements of cardio and resistance training.

Fitness is about living life to its fullest while maintaining good health. The time invested in a simple fitness program will pay huge dividends.