I have a cabinet full of recipe books but over time, I’ve collected random recipes from Pinterest, family members and magazines. I was shoving them into a folder because it looked organized. The problem was that every time I went to find something it was useless. I spent more time digging and then reorganizing into a folder than cooking the actual meal.
In keeping with the purging theme and respecting the fact that we all have about zero extra minutes per day, this recipe organization is quick, efficient and costs very little.
My recipes were gathered in one hot mess.
Then I stacked them in piles. The key to organizing anything is putting “like” with “like”. What do they have in common? Here, I stacked in recipes labeled chicken, pork, fish, salad, etc.
Now I need something to put them in. Ah, a binder with tabs to separate the types of recipes (the piles). I also grabbed some page protectors (not pictured).
Done deal. Just like my jeans, this binder can’t take one more recipe. I should have purchased a much bigger binder and another set of tabs. I also want white, not green. But, hey, this was a quick project so I can quickly access my recipes. Maybe later in the year, I’ll pretty it up. For now, I’ll eat.
TIP: Add extra page protectors to the binder so when you add to it, you can easily slip the new one in the correct place.
Aaaaand, the amount of time the project took (including Instagramming a picture) and grabbing not one but TWO drinks for my son, starting a movie and digging Play-Doh out of his dump truck was:
A 5-year old threw off my game. I mean, seriously. He gets thirsty while I’m working? The nerve.
Will this work for your recipe collection?
Note from Tawsha:
Each time I dive into an organization-type project, I have these big beautiful plans that, in the end, aren’t realistic. I want a great end result that is pleasing to my eye but not at the expense of losing efficiency – the reason I started the project in the first place. I see it everywhere and I, too, want a picture-perfect result. Well, for us, it’s just not the truth 100% of the time and we won’t hold back if it’s not perfect. We’re committing to offering a realistic approach to creating structure and order in life. We’re busy, you’re busy and none of us are made of money.
Your comments and feedback have been awesome. We will continue to strive to be true to you, true to ourselves and not just go for the pretty picture each time we post a new blog. Your trust is important to us.
I’d like you all to meet my friend Coral. We’ve known each other since 6th grade. The two of us hadn’t kept in touch much since high school but a few conversations here and there. Social media has shown me just how incredible some of my long-time friends are and I’m so grateful to be brought back together. Coral is one of those people. She has done fitness in a way I’d like to follow. Her approach is so low-stress, the eating/diet makes sense and she doesn’t go all out with fads or gym memberships…AT ALL. Seriously, it seems impossible – at least to me.
I asked Coral if she would share her story. She said yes. We’re so honored and excited to introduce you two in the hopes that you may become close. Please comment at the end of this post and let us know your feelings. –Tawsha
“Getting fit for moms who ain’t got time for that sh*t” – Coral
I honestly can’t pinpoint one particular occurrence that sparked my interest in fitness. I think what did it was an accumulation of things that brought on a realization of how little control I have in my life as a mom, a wife, a career woman etc. I was lost and started feeling less and less like I had a grip on my life. I needed something to focus on that only I could control the outcome of. I needed a challenge that would yield positive results for myself but also positively affect my family so as to avoid the “mommy guilt”. As far as I could tell, I was the one putting food in my face. Who was it manning the controls to my arms and legs? Yup, me again. Game on!
Diet (As much as I hate that word):
I may be a freak but I love logging my food diary everyday. I use an app called My Fitness Pal (which I’ll explain a bit in a sec). By logging my food, I’ve learned how to tweak things nutrition-wise to get results while actually nourishing my body. I assure you I eat very well. No low calorie diets, expensive meal replacements, wacky supplements or diet products for this chick. No suffering just good planning, balance & a few simple tricks up my sleeve. I don’t feel that I need to deny myself constantly either but there is a better option for basically everything.
Exercise:
I’m a busy bitch. I just don’t have time to do extreme workouts & I’m not willing to take any more of my already limited time with my munchkins. I spend around 20 to 40 mins with the occasional hour tops on my at home workouts after the kids are in bed. I own a crap load of Jillian Michaels videos, a yoga mat, resistance bands, some dumb bells and my beloved kettle bells. That’s it. Bare bones with no gym membership.
Accountability:
This is where shit gets real. Ever tried to make a life changing long term commitment without telling anyone? How’d that work out for you? Seriously, why do you think we get married in front of a group of people? It’s all about support and let me tell you, if people supported divorce as much as they support falling mouth first off the fitness wagon we’d all be a bunch of bitter fools attending a speed dating event. Don’t get me wrong, there are some seriously awesome supporters in my life but usually they are the ones who are joining in the fight along side me. Those relationships I might add have become stronger in the process. There is nothing more thrilling than seeing those you love succeed. I was also fortunate to have built a great support system with my “cyber pals” on MFP’s social media. Super geek right? But really it helped to have people cheering me on for making awesome changes in my life (they have access to my daily food & exercise diary) as it was their path as well. Those women have a special place in my heart. I just had to find my support system and voice my goals. If it hasn’t been spoken it doesn’t exist.
Avoiding derailment:
I had to try like hell not to get disenchanted early on. I was beyond excited and frankly most people didn’t give two shits about what I was constantly yammering on about and would much rather I shut up & go out for cocktails instead. There was no lack of love or a desire to see me fail. They simply weren’t interested or wanted me to enjoy things WITH them and it can be difficult to accept when your loved one turns down what you’re offering. I had to remember that it’s ok to indulge as long as it’s part of the plan. It’s also ok to decline but good gawd please don’t be the fitness martyr. I made this colossal freaking mistake initially and I’ve found that it only makes things uncomfortable for everyone & brings on the eye rolls not to mention that it’s wicked disempowering. I made this commitment to be strong not to be the victim of a healthy life.
So I guess this is where I give some super easy tips on what the hell to do first. That’s how this sweet ass lil website works right? I’m no expert by any means but here goes….
Okay then…
Tip #1: I swear by kettlebells. It’s how I kicked off this whole mess and I still use them at least a couple days a week. I marched my booty on down to Marshall’s and spent a whopping $15 bucks on a 10lb cast iron bell that came with, I shit you not, a Kettlebells for Dummies DVD. So yes I felt super cool at the register. The big selling point is that it’s cardio and strength training in one so essentially you cut your workout time in half. Get one!
Tip #2: Download the My Fitness Pal (MFP) app on your smart phone for free and even if you don’t want to do it long term, log your food for a couple weeks. It’s not nearly as time consuming as you might think and there is a barcode scanner to make it super simple. If you have a clear visual of your eating habits it’ll make it that much easier to find what you need to eliminate or modify. If you’re still reading and aren’t completely tired of me yet, feel free to send me a request on MFP so you can creep my diary & see how wickedly simple it can be. My user name is “Spunktastik” which perfectly describes my ultimate goal. (Google it) LOL Just send me a little note and mention Organized Chaos.
If you are going to make a change or already have you’re a bad ass and I’m hella proud of you! I’m also right there with you as I change gears from pregnancy fit to finding my postpartum groove. Let’s gooooo!!
TIP OF THE DAY: Make Orange Campfire Cinnamon Rolls (Two Cooking Methods)
Cooking Method #1: On Pan Over Coals
- Cut four oranges in half, and scoop out fruit (eat for breakfast with your cinnamon rolls).
- Put one Pillsbury Orange Cinnamon Rolls in each of the orange halves (cinnamon side up).
- Put orange halves on old baking pan on grill over campfire. Cover loosely with foil.
- Bake until they rise and look done (keep checking on them).
- Cool a few minutes, then top with icing.
I’m a summer person. I love everything that has to do with it. Toward the end of the summer, I’m holding on to it for dear life. I resent the days getting shorter and the nip in the air that other people love. I eventually loosen my grip on summer and settle in to the reality of the cold and snow and the upcoming h0lidays. It seems that as soon as I’ve surrendered, I am overtaken with a weird desire to cook. Like a LOT. Huge pots of soup to divide and freeze, make-ahead meals, banana bread, pumpkin bread, etc. etc. I get caught up in the holidays and have a renewed interest in my cookbooks and dusting off my crockpot. Since the holidays bring more friends and family, I become obsessed with new drink concoctions, appetizers and party food.
Then it gets to this time of year when Spring is threatening and summer is right around the corner. Daylight savings time brings more sunlight and warmer weather. My mood improves. My interests shift to bike riding, less TV, gardening, and camping. The last thing I want to do is cook. This time of year I want quick and easy meals so I can be in and out of the kitchen and back to whatever I was doing outside.
So many of you are so much like us, we’re guessing you feel the same. So for right now, this will be our last “Meal Plan”. We’ll continue to post our favorite holiday, drink, dessert and party recipes, and depending on your interest, will bring back the Meal Plans in the fall. Hey, you think if we focus less on food from now until fall we may drop some of that weight we put on this winter? Oh… you didn’t? Well I sure as hell did, and I’ve got to get a grip soon or I’m gonna look pretty stupid in my one piece full length long-sleeved bikini this summer.
With all that being said, here is the fifth issue of our Weekly Meal Plan. All the recipes here are quick, cheap and easy, and all are pretty darn good! Here’s a visual. Click below the image to download the recipes.
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Help yourself to any and all of the past meal plans as well. They are all in the FREEBIES category.
Please comment below if there is anything you’re particularly interested in seeing in the future. And, as always, we love when you share your favorite recipes with us (please only share those that have few ingredients and are quick to prepare).
We do everything last minute here. It’s just how we roll. We love a challenge!
So you want to put on a party tonight but don’t know if you can pull it off in one day? Oh HELL yeah. Cake! You just need to be efficient and have a plan. Here’s how we do it…
Day of Party:
- In the morning, call your friends and invite them over for a casual get-together tonight.
- Hang up the phone and immediately start the 10-Step Quick Clean of your house. Don’t get all cray-cray, just hit the visible spots and tidy up everything else.
- Make out your grocery list and liquor list. Don’t dawdle (love that word, it sounds British or something).
- Grab your lists and head to the liquor store for your cocktail ingredients.
- Next, stop at the Dollar Store to get a few awesome decorations that nobody will believe you got at the Dollar Store. Remember to grab some napkins, plasticware, tablecloth, etc.
- Your last stop is the grocery store. Stay focused, and just systematically shop your list.
- Get home, put your groceries away, and take a break to have a little lunch.
- Refreshed? Okay. Now, do as much food prep as you can for tonight (might as well clean out that fridge before you store all your goodies away).
- Get out all your decorations, tape, Command hooks, etc. and make your house all festive. Set out your plates, napkins, glasses (turn upside down), etc.
- Take a quick look around. All good? Look at you go! Now go take yourself a shower and get ready.
- Make yourself a drink, pop anything that needs to be warmed in the oven, and wait for everyone to show up.
Pretty proud of yourself, right now? It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you just get yourself organized and keep things simple. Find your recipes below.
Green Cocktails
Cocktail Recipes…
Green Appetizers
Appetizer Recipes…
Have fun at your party, and YAY YOU!
Talk soon!
