My 5 Best Time & Money Saver Tips for Future Parents

Breastfeeding in public: always ready and always free!

Alright, so after 6 months with a baby, I feel that I've learned quite a bit about what helps to save time and worry. These are tips I either heard, or wish I had heard, before having our little girl.

1. Breastfeed!
   If you can, of course. I know a lot of women who've tried and where it didn't work out. But if you're still on the fence and there's no physical or practical impediment you can't work around, go for it! It will save you lots of time and money! And it's pretty much hassle free.
2. Diaper bag ready to go.
   It's been really handy having a diaper bag ready at all times. There's wipes, a few diapers, some burp cloths, a change of clothes and some plastic bags to take dirty clothes home. I just toss in a few of her favorite toys before we leave the house and I'm good to go. No need to worry about forgetting anything.
3. Use a baby carrier.
   It's extremely handy to have your baby with you at all times so you don't have to worry about not hearing him/her cry or whether or not they're still breathing. Baby loves it too, by the way.
4. Shop online.
   Supplies like diapers and wipes I buy online and have delivered to the door instead of going out for them. I buy disposable diapers for going out and use cloth ones at home. I use www.diapers.com.
5. Buy used gear/clothes/etc.
   So much cheaper and you're sure to get stuff that stands the test of time and the test of baby-gums! I actually asked people for used stuff as birth gifts as well and got some incredibly useful and unique items. 

I'll blog about some of these issues again, I'm sure, but for now that's what I want to leave you with. If there's anyone out there who might be interested in this advice, feel free to steer them this way.

If you have advice to offer on the subject, as I'm sure all Mom's out there do, share share share!

6 Reasons to Hang-Dry Your Laundry

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There's not a lot of situations where I actually prefer to go for the slightly longer less convenient path than the most efficient and easiest one, but when it comes to laundry, I change my ways. I hang-dry my laundry instead of using the drier.
Okay, so one of the reasons is that we don't actually have a drier (we have a very bad one, hardly counts), but even when it was available to me in the past, I would still hang-dry my laundry whenever possible. All you need is a bit of dry space and a line or rack to hang up the clothes.
How long does it take? I'd say about 5-10 minutes. No more than that. You get more efficient too as time goes by.

So why would you opt for hanging up the laundry instead of just popping it in the drier? Here are my main reasons:

1. Environment.
   Using the drier takes up a lot of electricity. You're wasting electricity where you could just use the air around you to accomplish the same job. Even if it takes a little longer, after you hang up the laundry, you don't have to look at it until you take it down.
2. Price.
   Running a drier costs money. You have to pay for the machine and for the electricity. Wind/air is free! You'll even notice the effect more directly if you usually go to a laundromat that charges for the drying.
3. Absorption.
   Laundry that has been machine-dried just doesn't absorbed water quite as well as laundry that you dry on  line. That's also the reason I don't use fabric softener (actually, the previous two reasons are also good for not using softener: they're expensive and entirely unnecessary chemicals. Yuk!)
4. Shrinking.
   When you hang-dry the laundry, it dries at room temperature. That means you don't risk shrinking it because of the heat in the drier.
5. Lint.
   The lint from one sweater isn't swirled around and automatically transported onto every single other item in the drier. I made the mistake of putting one of my sweaters in with some sheets once and was never able to get them quite lint-free again.
6. Static.
   I can't stand static. My hair goes in crazy directions and you end up with handkerchiefs stuck to your jeans while you're running out the door. Static may be harmful to your body as well as uncomfortable.

My mother brought us up to hang-dry the laundry. I'm sure she was mainly being frugal, just like her parents before her, but in these days of economic turmoil, that may just be the best reason there is.

What about you? Do you use a drier? Ever considered using a clothes-line instead? Is there something that prevents you from doing so (bad weather, small apartment)? Perhaps we could figure out a solution together!

5-Minute Foot Bath

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Winter is one of the times we really enjoy taking a foot bath because our feet tend to get so cold. Being a writer and computer geek, we spend a lot of time sitting behind our screens and both hands and feet get cold quickly. Foot baths help heat up our feet and are relaxing at the same time. They're also a great way to pay more attention to our feet in a time when we are usually wearing socks and shoes, so don't notice them nearly as much as in Summer.
Here's how to draw yourself a quick foot bath without it being a hassle.

You start by collecting what you need: a basin/tub that's big enough for your feet (but not too big). Also get a towel ready, a pumice stone, soap, bath salts, toenail clipper and whatever you want to use on your feet. A good moisturizer is great, and have some thin socks you can put over so you don't have to step on the floor with your feet covered in lotion.


Fill up the tub with water that's a little hotter than comfortable. You can always let it cool off and you will get used to the temperature. Dissolve your bath salts in the water and add anything else you may want to (my hubby adds Epsom salts and apple vinegar to help prevent athlete's foot). Then put your tub in a convenient location and get something ready for the mean time. It can be a video, a knitting project, a nice book, an old CD. Make sure you have all your necessities nearby (towel!) and ... dip in.

Foot baths are wonderfully relaxing. And they don't have to cost tons. You can have them in the comfort of your own home and it only takes a couple of minutes to get ready.
Enjoy!

5 Quick Ways to Stay Warm in Winter

Our friend Sookie staying warm in a Belgian Winter

It's December, which means Winter for those on the northern half of the globe. This morning, the puddles turned ice reminded me that it's time to start pulling out a few tricks to stay warm.

Today I want to share a couple of those tricks I've learned over the years. Maybe you already know most, but I'm hoping some of them may be new or helpful reminders to you.

1. Dress in layers.
   One of the best ways to keep your body temperature in is by using layers to trap the heat. It's animals with thick fur stay warm too: the air in between the hairs acts as an insulation. So instead of just wearing pants, put on a pair of tights underneath. Instead of wearing thick sweaters, wear three thin ones. Summer tank tops can serve as underwear in Winter, which is a great way to save money too!
   
2. Heat it up.
   Ever tried drinking hot water? It's very common here in China and it makes perfect sense to me now. Why drink cold water in Winter when you can have the added benefit of warming up when you drink it hot or warm? If you bring your water bottle with hot water, it also acts as a great hand-warmer!
   The same goes for milk and even juice (adding hot water to juice can help it get warm and reduce your calorie intake. Then it also won't get so hot as to kill all the good stuff).
   Another bonus: drinking coffee and tea is a lot better for you than drinking soda. As long as you don't put sugar, that is.
   
   
3. Stay active.
   No surer way to freeze than to sit down and stop moving. Stomp your feet. Clap your hands. Walk to places instead of taking the car and you'll find that you'll get just as warm as in a heated car. But you'll be getting in shape, saving money and helping out the environment. It's a win-win-win!
   
4. Eat 'warming' foods.
   The Chinese believe that some foods help you stay warm while others cool you down (yang and yin foods). Eating more of the warming foods can help your body keep in more heat. Some examples are dried fruits, nuts and oats. Thinking of muesli yet? You can find more on warming and cooling foods (with a list!) on this website: Raw Foods Diet Center.
   
5. Cover the sensitive bits.
   And I mean your head and throat. We lose a lot of heat from our head (why do new-born babies always wear those cute little hats?) and our throat is sensitive too. The same goes for wrists and ankles which carry blood to our hands and feet. Keeping the extremities warm helps to keep a good circulation going, not allowing parts to cool off completely.

Any more great tips on how to keep warm? Do you have a typical Winter habit that helps you get through the dark days?

Let me know in the comments below!

Worth Every Minute: Alternative Gifts

It's that time of the year that shop owners rejoice in the splendor of holiday spending. In my family we usually manage to keep things quite limited, but I can't help giving into buying gifts for friends and family from time to time.

Luckily, both my hubby and I have been out of the Christmas atmosphere for two years now (Christmas is not a big holiday in China), and it's been easy to avoid buying things like decorations and typical holiday foods. It's made December a lot less expensive than it used to be.

But looking forward to spending more holidays with family, we'd like to find more ways to keep the gift-buying to a minimum because neither of us is a big fan of 'stuff'.

That's why I was so happy to come across a ZenHabits post on alternative holiday gifts. I immediately felt like sharing (even though it took me about a week to do so).

Interested? Get all the goodness here:

The No New Gifts Holiday Challenge by Leo Babauta on Zen Habits.

For more articles and videos worth watching, check out the whole series of Worth Every Minute here.

Keeping Note Paper Nearby

Picture by Matt Reinbold

One of the things that always bugs me is when I have to write something down, but I can't fine a scrap of paper anywhere to do it. It happens in the house, when I'm on the phone, when I get an idea, or in class when a student talks to me and I need to remember to do something.
Since I get a lot of old notebooks from my students, I've now started keeping them in different parts of the house and in my school bag.

You can buy notepads, or you can make your own from scrap paper you have lying around. We used to staple together the last pages in school notebooks at the end of the year to make a new 'notebook' when we were kids. It's environmental and it saves you money!

Put your notebooks in different places. One for each room of the house works, though there are some rooms you can skip (I usually don't try jotting anything down while in the shower). 
Ideally you'd keep a pen with all the note paper too. 

I've found that taking notes on my phone doesn't really help me, because I can't do it fast enough and because I tend to forget about them once they're in there. Paper still does the trick for me.

What about you? Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to write stuff down but can't find a scrap of paper anywhere? What are your fixes?

Aim for Small

Mini-cupcake by Vancouver Bites!

Pregnancy and food are a dangerous mix. Especially pregnancy and junk food. But I know it's not only pregnant women that crave foods that are bad for them. We all have our weaknesses and sometimes it's just too hard not to give in.
My hubby is pretty strict with me when it comes to eating fast food (frankly, I just don't tell him everything), but I make allowances for myself. If I really want something, I feel better just giving in than obsessing over it and getting stressed out in the process.

So how do I lessen my guilt and keep my intake of junk food under control? I opt for the smallest portion size.

I know that technically you get more value for money if you buy big sizes (although it's best to check that because I've found that sometimes the big containers end up costing more per kg than the small ones!), but you will still save money if you buy a smaller portion. The reality is that if you buy the big portion, you'll most likely finish it all at ones. I've only rarely seen someone put away half a bag of potato chips (my personal nemesis). If you only have a small portion, I doubt you'll run back to the store to buy more.

The same goes for bottles of soda, pieces of cake, packages of candy. Buying the small portion may seem more expensive, but it will save you money in the long run and keep you healthier, because you will get used to only consuming the small portion.

So next time you're at the store looking for that snack to satisfy your craving, try to find the smallest bag/package/bottle/can available and buy only that one. Just having a taste can be enough to get rid of those nagging thoughts.
If there is no small size available, sharing can work wonders too cutting your portion at least in half!

Freeze Food to Save Money, Time and the Environment

Photo by Kathleen Franklin

I'm a big fan of the modern-day freezer. We don't have a big one, but it's quite alright for the two of us. Freezers actually use less energy the fuller they are, so we try to keep ours pretty stuffed. There's a lot of different kinds of food in our freezer. Not only meat and veggies, but also bread, left-overs and even cheese.

Even though I wouldn't recommend freezing cheese, sometimes the amounts of money you can save by buying big packages, is worth it.

Consider freezing everything you don't see yourself eating within the next week (when it comes to vegetables) or the next two or three days (for meat and left-overs). 
I find that sometimes we even have to freeze half a loaf of bread, because otherwise we wouldn't eat it fast enough. 

Before you put left-overs or big packages of something in the freezer, break it up in usable portions. We buy 2 kg packs of bacon here at the local port, and divide it into little packages of about 6 strips so it's easy to take out whenever we need it. If we need more, we just take out two sets. 

If you're not sure how a certain food will fare under freezing conditions, you can always try a sample first. Just put it in a tiny ziplock back and check the next day. 

Freezing food allows us to make sure we only take out what we eat. It limits the amount of food that we waste because we don't use it up fast enough. I just hate wasting food when so many go hungry.
It also forces us to plan ahead and thus think more clearly about our meals. A great trick to becoming more aware of eating habits and the variation in our diet.

PS. Cheese won't change in flavor if you freeze it, but it will become crumbly when thawed. That being said, if you would grate it and put it on a pizza or in a cheese-sauce, that would work just fine!

Worth Every Minute!

I love libraries! Whenever I do the 'Describe your favorite place'-exercise with my students, I give the library as an example. I love the smell of old books; the sound of pages being turned; the neat, endless rows of book cases.

And yet, I have to admit, I haven't set foot in a library in China yet. Why? I just haven't seen the point, really. I don't read Chinese. Period. Unfortunately, my love for books only goes as far as I can actually comprehend them to a degree.

But not for the writer of the following article. She talks about the other reasons why visiting a library can be wonderful. It's not only a great place to get books (usually free and very environmental!), it's a place where you can get 10 more great advantages.

Read for yourself!

10 Ways to Use the Library by Tiffany Larson on SimpleOrganic.net

For more articles that are worth every minute, check out the full series here.

Shiny Shoes Make All the Difference

Picture by Jay Springett

I have a friend who once told me that whenever she meets someone for the first time, she always looks at their shoes first. This is not some weird kind of shoe obsession. She says that she can tell whether the person is neat, organized and productive, from looking at how well they attend to their shoes.

Since then, I try to throw a quick glance at my feet before I leave the house, and keep some wipes nearby in case I need to clean them real quick. But really looking after your shoes doesn't have to take that long either. Especially with leather, frequency is more important than how careful you are about polishing your shoes.

Cleaning your shoes is a matter of minutes. First of all, brush them off with a dry brush. Then, if need be, wash with a damp cloth (only lightly, don't get them wet!). After that you can use some polish and rub it into the leather of the shoe. Let it sit for about three minutes to dry, then use a clean brush to get a nice shine.

About once a month should do the trick. Be sure to protect your clothes, furniture, pets, children, etc. Shoe polish is sticky stuff!

In the long run, taking care of leather shoes will make them last MUCH longer! I've had pairs of shoes last me over 5 years, and others waste away in less than 2 (depending on how hard my mom wagged her finger at us). So it's not only a good use of time, but a money saver too!

Do you polish your shoes? Do you notice when others do(n't)?

Five 5-Minute Breakfast Options

French Toast by Annie Mole

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you start off with a good breakfast, it gets your metabolism going and can provide energy for the morning ahead of you, preventing you from reaching for snacks before lunchtime. We eat a big breakfast every day, with two eggs, a piece of fruit, and a slice of bread with cheese. But from time to time we like to change it up a little and eat something different.
These following breakfast menus all take about 5 minutes to prepare.

1. Scrambled eggs with toast. Beat the eggs with a bit of milk, melt some butter in the pan, and keep stirring the eggs while they cook. Finished in no time!
   
2. French toast. Again, beat an egg with some milk, dip both sides of a slice of bread in the mix, and fry the eggy bread in some butter. Tastes great with jam! French toast is a great way to re-purpose stale bread.
   
3. Smoothies. In for a light breakfast? Put some frozen berries and a banana in the blender with some yogurt. Easy and fast!
   
4. Granola and yogurt. Cereals are easy but often a high-sugar/low-nutrient option. Go for a cereal without added sugar (granola can be made with only honey). It's even better if you take out some time to make your own muesli. Make sure you mix in some nuts so you feel full longer. Eat with milk or yogurt.
   
5. Ham & Cheese sandwich. Get some cheese and ham, slice some cucumber and tomatoes to go with it. Put it all between two slices of whole-wheat bread and voila! No need for mayo, tastes great without it. 

Now there's no excuse for not preparing breakfast for your family. It only takes a couple of minutes. Try to make sure you get a bit of protein (not included in option 3) too, so you'll feel full longer. And keep in mind that if you eat vegetables and fruit now, you've already taken a first step toward those 5 servings per day!

5 Reasons To Check the Weather Forecast

Storm over by Monday night

We've got a typhoon heading our way! By the time it reaches us, it won't be a more than a big storm, but still big enough to require some preparation (close windows, put screens up, etc). And how did I find out about it? We invited our boss out to dinner, and he said he'd have to wait and see what the typhoon did. I had to ask whether I heard him correctly. But sure thing, when I checked the weather report, it had the words 'typhoon' in bright red letters underneath.

Weather reports are one of those things we take for granted. Perhaps, we have forgotten how great they really are. 
It only takes you a couple of minutes to check a website that has the weather forecast. There's plenty of good ones available now. And what are the advantages? To name a few:

1. Save money. You don't have to buy another umbrella cause you made sure to bring your own when you saw the chance of rain. 
2. Be comfortable. You packed an extra sweater for that chilly weather on your holiday destination.
3. Plan ahead. You stocked up on groceries, so you don't have to run out in the snow.
4. Adapt. You postponed the BBQ, or got a tent, so your meat doesn't get soaked.
5. Warn others. Your neighbors, family and friends are eternally grateful to you for providing them with this excellent information! (Thanks boss!)

Are you a weather-forecast-checker or an I'll-take-it-as-it-comes kinda person? Have you ever wished you had checked the weather report, but didn't? Do you feel worse for knowing bad weather is heading your way?

I love to hear your comments (anyone still there?) and you can rate the posts below as well! Let me know which ones are your favorites.

Save Electricity by Adaptation

Chinese kids cooling down - Chengdu 2011

I got back from my trip through China last night, and as I arrived in Yantai the heat and humidity got to me pretty much instantly. This city isn't so bad in summer (compared to cities like Beijing and Shanghai), but I'm still only a Belgian girl, so not used to higher temperatures for extended periods of time.

So, as you can probably guess, the air conditioning system is my personal savior at this time. It's not something I am proud of, however. A/C and other cooling systems take up a lot of energy. And all of that just so that I can live at my maximum comfort level? Do I really need it? I've found that if I give my body time, it will adjust to higher or lower temperatures just fine. Therefore, I've started limiting the time I use air conditioning, and how high I put it, so that slowly, over time, I get used to the warmth.

When I visited Los Angeles in 2007 (for the second time) it was the middle of July. It was scorching hot, most of the days. The concrete streets and buildings did nothing to absorb the sun, it only got worse. But it didn't bother me at all. In fact, I was too COLD most of the time. Why? I spent most of my time indoors, in buildings that are kept at a cool 65°F (18°C). Sure, it's nice and cool when you come in, but coming from 100°, a balmy 80° would've sufficed just as well.

So when you get too hot (or too cold in winter) try to adjust the thermostat a couple of degrees in whatever direction that will save energy (and your money). Alternatively, set a timer so that the system is running long enough to cool things down for a bit, but not running while you're out and don't need it.

I hope you all have the luxury of feeling too hot at some time this summer. Enjoy it while it lasts, and remember it's only a couple of months before you'll be wishing you could feel this way again.

MWH Travel Tips: 7 - Split Your Cash

Picture by Christian Newton

Traveling can be a risky endeavor when you need to carry large amounts of cash, and you often do. When traveling to remote locations that don't have any big banks, you need to carry your capital on you to be safe. So how do you prevent pick pockets from stealing?

There's lots of small things you can do, like keep your money on your body, or hold on tight to your purse. But the best thing you can do is make sure you're okay EVEN if they do get you.

I suggest splitting your money into smaller portions, and keeping it in different spots. Keep a bit in your bag, a bit in your pockets, divide it over the different members of your traveling party.

How much should be in one spot? It depends, on how much you think is okay to lose at once, and how much money you have to keep on you. 
The safest spot to keep money is probably on your body. I put some cash in almost every pocket I have (if I have any). It'll take a lot for me not to notice someone going through ALL my pockets. 
I've found hotel rooms to be quite safe as well, and things like in between your clothes in your backpack. Put it in an inconspicuous spot.

Have you ever lost money to a pickpocket before? How did it happen? I've been fortunate so far. I have however lost large amounts of money because it fell out of my pocket while I was trying on clothes at a shop. Let that be another warning!

Worth Every Minute: Travel Edition

Every Wednesday, you can read the awesomeness of another author on the web through the Worth Every Minute series on MWH. As we are traveling around China while this gets posted, the article of today is also travel related.


Living in China is great, but it won't make you rich. Living in China, luckily, is very cheap, but traveling in China isn't. That means that we have to make do with little money. Also, we love to save wherever we can.


The article for today offers 50 tips on how to do just that: save money when traveling.


Enjoy!

50 Budget Travel Tips and Save Money on Vacations from Moneying.com

Any more advice on how to save money while traveling? I'm always interested to find out new and nifty ways of saving a buck or two.

MWH Travel Tips: 1 - Home Checklist

We'll be traveling to many wonderful places, returning on the 27th. I packed all the necessities yesterday, and unfortunately, the computer wasn't one of them. That means that for the next two weeks, you'll be reading updates that are pre-scheduled. This does mean that I won't be able to respond to comments. But don't let that stop you! I'd love to read tons and tons when I get back, and reply to them!

Because I won't be the only one traveling this summer, I'm sure, I've prepared some travel related Minutes Worth Hours for yo. Regular Wednesday and Sunday series will still run.

Today, I start with number one: the home checklist.

Going on a trip means our apartment will be unattended for two weeks. (I feel safe saying this here, since most thieves won't fly all the way to China for some clothes and chipped plates, I'm sure).
Since we like to save as much energy as possible during that time, and keep our apartment in the best condition possible in this humid weather, we usually prepare a checklist to go through before we lock the door.

• Think of all the appliances that are usually on in your house (or plugged in) that you don't really need. Can you disconnect any of the them?
  
• Is there something that you could store away to keep it safer? Our computers are an example of this. During these humid months, I like to store them on top of some rice-filled cloth that can absorb any moisture in the vicinity.
  
• Which plants/animals require care? Have you made arrangements for this? Don't forget to water plants before you leave.
  
• Leave a spare key with a trusted friend. Just in case you lose your baggage, or run into a pick-pocket, you have a back-up plan.
  
• Disconnect the gas. Turn off the boiler(s). Turn off your power strips. This is all quite self-evident.
  
• We try to make sure all the doors in the apartment are open, so that air can circulate and prevent mold. This is especially important for bathrooms and kitchens! But it also goes for the fridge/freezer if you've decided to empty it and unplug it. It will prevent mold from growing inside.

As you can see, there's plenty to think about before you leave your home. To make sure you don't pass out on these money-savers or time-savers, make a checklist that you can always go back to before you leave your home for an extended period of time. You'll thank yourself later!

Pay Right Away

Picture by Darren Kidd

The only thing bills are good for, is making you feel responsible when you pay them. Apart from that, all they do is cause headaches and anxiety. That's not something you want to deal with often, is it? So don't.
In our house, we have no bills coming in because everything is paid on the go. Yes, that includes electricity. But when we were living in Belgium it was different, of course.

What I tried there was to pay each bill as soon as it came in, and then shred it. Usually, they got picked up from the mailbox on the way home. Then it was just a matter of getting my e-banking going and voila.

Some people may try to do all their bills at one time every month, but that can be a bit of a financial surprise too. When you have all the money gone in one big chunk, perhaps it's more difficult in the weeks before that to estimate how much you can really spend.

When you've picked up a stack of bills, just turn on your computer and surf to your e-banking platform right away. Set up the payments and you're done. Now, shred the bills and never think about them again. What's done is done. You can't get the money back, so there's no need worrying about it. 
The one exception is a bill that was way too high and could have been prevented (phone-bill anyone?). In that case, it may serve as a reminder to put it up somewhere noticeable. 

One more bit of advice: if your bank gives you a percentage on how much is in your checking account, you can set up a delayed payment so as to get the most out of that. Just make sure you have enough money in your account when the payment goes through. And keep in mind the first paragraph: if all the money is transfered at the same time, it may be difficult to plan your purchases.

I like money, but I'm not too keen on doing all the financial stuff. Still, in our family, I'm the one who deals with the finances, so I would rather have it over and done with quickly. 
But the main advantage of paying right away, is that there's no risk of forgetting and having to pay the overdue fees.

Save Time by Doing Double

Hubby's Colorful Cooking

One of the things that takes up a certain amount of time during our day, no matter how much we try to streamline it and make it faster, is cooking.  With cooking, it's mostly the preparations that take up a lot of time, and the time it takes for foods to become tender, especially vegetables.

So I've gotten into the habit of cooking double portions when it's possible. We just put the food in the fridge for the next day, or the day after that, but you could also freeze it.

Cooking double portions of food is as easy as cooking single portions. You just double up on the ingredients, if you normally don't have leftovers. Also make sure your pot is big enough to hold twice the amount of food.

There is, however, one bit of advice which I think is paramount:
When you've finished cooking, remove the second portion BEFORE you start eating!

If you live with a husband like mine, who is a bottomless pit in which all food magically disappears without ever showing up in increased waist-lines, this is of vital importance. My hubby will keep eating, no matter how much food there is!

Naturally, freezing portions for later days, or parts of the meal (like sauces) is also a good way to save time. Making apple sauce for one afternoon can give you a whole set of jars for months to come!

The extra preparation time it takes to cook two portions instead of one, is quite small for most dishes. Unless there's a lot of dicing involved, the difference will be a matter of minutes!

Make a Standard Meals List

(source)

Ever wonder about what to cook for dinner? Or you're walking around the super market without any ideas as to which ingredients you should be buying? This happens to us all the time, and we sometimes just end up ordering pizza to avoid the problem altogether. Doesn't seem very efficient, does it? As we were fidgeting over what to cook for lunch for the zillionth time that month, it hit me. We should be able to organize this better.

Some people suggest you write up a weekly menu, planning every meal for that week and doing all your grocery shopping at once. Once we have kids, this will probably be how we do it too, but for now, what we have in the house depends on which vegetables we can find cheap and fresh at the supermarket. That depends on which day we go and what season it is, as well as on how many old Chinese ladies have gone through that morning picking up the cream of the crop.

So instead, I decided to write a list of dishes (Chinese and American/European) that we can cook well and without much trouble, so that all I have to do is look through my fridge, see which ingredients are available, and cook a dish based on that.

Take a piece of paper and a pen/pencil. This is really all you need. You don't really need a fancy notebook or organizing system. No need to over-complicate your simplification! 
Think of the different meals you've cooked last week, the ones that didn't require you to use a recipe because by now they've become routine. Write them down.
Alternatively, write down dishes based on which ingredients are prominent in them, or base them on the staple food of that dish (all pasta-dishes, all rice-dishes, all potato-dishes, for example). 
When you've finished this quick first list, check to see if all these dishes include vegetables and protein. If not, think of what you can add to them to make them complete.

Put this list on your fridge, or somewhere in your kitchen where it's easy to grab quickly. Keep a pencil close to it, so you can add as you go along and jot down other ideas for combinations or switching ingredients (we cook a Chinese dish that has eggs and tomatoes, for example, but can replace the tomato with some other vegetables, like zucchini for variety).

This can be a great way to economize as well, since it encourages you to use the ingredients you already have handy and not let anything go to waste. It's also a good reminder of how many various dishes you already know how to cook, and to eat a more varied and balanced diet.
Any ideas for easy, quick meals that take little time to cook or prepare?

Recycle Recycle Reuse

Recycling is now pretty much established as a standard practice in Western countries (I use 'Western' a lot since that's the word they use here.) In China, however, it's not really the common way. Most people just put everything in a trash bag. Afterwards they dump it in one of the big boxes outside, and the bags get searched for bottles, cans and boxes by the less fortunate, who can then sell it for a tiny bit of money.
We still recycle however, and pack the stuff separately. Either way, it helps someone.

Separating paper and plastic is common, right, but what about recycling other stuff? I'm talking about other items around the house that maybe you could reuse for another purpose instead of throwing them out right away. My grandmother used to be wonderful at this. A bed sheet went through being a sheet, to being a towel, to being a diaper, finally ending up as a cleaning rag at the end of its life cycle.

You don't have to do any stitching or be very creative to re-use items in your house. How about using a squeeze bottle as an easy oil dispenser? Or an old jam jar as a container for left-over sauces or soups? 
Here you can find great ideas on how to re-use an old yoga mat, and this site has some great ideas for what to do with glass jars.
If you have something that you don't really want to throw away, google 'reuse + your item' and see what pops up. You never know what your possible trash could be used for!

The picture shows some of the simple items I've reused in our home. A bamboo cup that split became a chopstick holder (essential if you live in the East and use them every day). A glass jar became the perfect home for my sourdough starter. I cover it with a piece cut from an old shirt of the hubby, it's held on their by the use of an old scrunchy that wouldn't scrunch no more. At the bottom is a spice container in which I put some chopped lemon zest and cooking oil. Makes a great massage oil!

Making all of these work was a matter of minutes!

I have three pairs of jeans that are worn,  but only in one spot. Any idea on what I could do with them without a sewing machine? I don't mind doing some hand-stitching, as long as it's not too much!