Healthy snacks for weight loss By Rowena List Professional Organizer and Speaker

weight lossA personal trainer once told me that I ate like a garbage can. Can you imagine ever saying that to anyone? My goal was weight loss. image Creative Commons License Kevin Dooleyt

 

He asked me to keep a food journal for 2 weeks. At the end of the 2 weeks he came to this conclusion.

My weight loss wouldn’t happen with these eating habits!

 

What he meant was that I snack on small amounts of food during the day. He wanted me to have 3 meals and 2 snacks to aid my weight loss.

This way of eating has actually helped me to maintain a better blood sugar level. I find I only need an afternoon snack as my protein shake holds me till lunch.

What one idea will you try right away on weight loss?

Please leave your comment below.

If you like this video, click the “like” button and then share it with your friends.  And if you’re not in the “Getting it Together” community, head on over to gettingittogether.ca and get on the list.  You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less.

By |2020-06-07T20:52:49+00:00January 25th, 2012|Organizer, Self Care Organization|0 Comments

Global TV interview with Rowena List Professional Organizer and Speaker

One of my goals is to be on TV more. I love the idea of sharing organizing tips and produtivity ideas. It was so much fun and a real honour to be on “Global TV“.

Global TV is a Vancouver based newsroom.

They like to focus on news about town,events and showcasing local talent.

Check out the cool idea they asked me to share with their audiance. The response was very good.

I get my clients to do this.

Are you going to try this? Are you going to tell all your friends and family about this cool idea?

Let me know your response in the comment box below.

If you like this video on Global TV please click the “like” button and then share it with your friends.

Have you had your FREE 20 minute sesion yet? Why not grab a java and book your time now.
https://www.gettingittogether.ca

  And if you’re not in the “Getting it Together” community, head on over to gettingittogether.ca and get on the list.  You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less.

How to Live to 100, or More

Long lifeHow well are you taking care of yourself? Are you organized enough to prepare healthy meals for yourself?

Do you exercise daily?

Are you expecting to live to at least 100?

I am sure many of us would love to live to 100 or more as long as we are healthy in our minds and bodies. Well that is one of the tips.

Below are the top tips I have discovered to help you get the most out of a long life:

  • Keep your body active. No matter what age or fitness level you are right now, KEEP moving. A slow 15-30 minute walk everyday and a little stretching is a great start. Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Keep your mind active. A great way is staying up to date with technology. Reading and playing card games are another way to keep a sharp mind.
  • Eat a wide variety of well balanced foods. Lots of fruits and veggies, (as much raw as possible) moderate amounts of meat, chicken and fish and low amounts of carbs. Carbs meaning bread, pasta and rice.
  • Keep your portions moderate. When we were younger we could all eat like a horse and it not show. As we age our metabolism slows down. Eat smaller portions. Your digestive track will love you for it.
  • Long lifeListen to music. Have a wide variety of tunes. You might not like some of the most modern music of today however listening to it once in awhile will keep you young at heart. You’ll also know what your grandkids and great-grandkids are up to.
  • Meet new people. Get out and attend social events. Join your local senior centre.
  • Hang out with friends and family. You might not feel like cooking big family dinners anymore, however you can still have them. Order in, have a potluck or take everyone out to dinner.
  • Do your hair. Just because you don’t go out of the house everyday does not mean you do not have to comb your hair. Add a little lipstick (for the ladies who are reading this). Get dressed including accessories. You never know who might show up at your door!
  • Keep your independence. Drive for as long as it is safe and you feel comfortable.
  • Keep intimate relationships. Happily married people live longer. Sexually active seniors live longer. They are healthier and happier.
  • Give to others. Volunteer in your community. Help a friend in need.
  • Hang out with younger people. Younger people want to learn from us older folks. We are here to share our wisdom.
  • Stay positive and grateful. Hang out with positive people, read positive books and know that the world is a better place because YOU are in it.
  • Get and stay organized. You do not want to trip and fall over clutter. You could break a leg or hit your head. You’ll also want to stay organized in case you need hired help in your home. Housekeeper, nurse etc.
  • Downsize early. Don’t wait until it is too late for you to do it yourself. Downsizing frees your mind and your home of unwanted clutter.
  • Here is to all of us living long, healthy, happy lives. Celebrate in style and be sure to invite me to your birthday party!!

For more detailed information on health and longevity please call for a FREE 30 minute phone consultation.www.gettingittogether.ca

We will discuss your personal fitness level and where to start. Your eating habits and how to improve them and any other lifestyle changes. We can even discuss downsizing and what that looks like to you.

5 Simple Steps To Get Your Tax Receipts Together

Are you self employed?

Do you have a pile of receipts on every corner of your desk, in every pocket or purse?

Have you ever wondered how to organize your receipts for taxes.

There is no time like the present to get a solid system in place. This system will save you hundreds of dollars in bookkeeping fees, hundreds of dollars in professional organizing fees and will save you loads of stress at tax time.

Below are my 5 simple steps to creating a receipt filing system to get you completely prepared (early!) for tax season!

taxTip #1: Get yourself a basic accordion file box.

I have used the same one for almost 3 decades. It is called “canceled check file”. Make labels of the appropriate tax deductions for your business.

Some common ones are:

  • Entertainment (taking clients out for coffee or a meal)
  • Car expenses (includes fuel, repairs, insurance)
  • Parking
  • Supplies (pens, paper, envelopes and so on)
  • Phone (including mobile devices)
  • Rent or Mortgage Costs
  • You may have other expenses. These are only a few of the main ones.

The key is to file all your receipts every other day or at least at the end of each week. I file mine while I have my phone headset on, taking to a friend or family member. Yes I can do both tasks when it comes to this one.

Tip #2: Your next step is to add up all of your receipts. It is best if this is done at the end of each month. This is where people get themselves into trouble. They leave it for months or even years on end then the task becomes overwhelming.

Take all your entertainment receipts, add them up, and staple them together with the total on the front. Do this for each file you have set up.

Tip #3: Send all your collated receipts to your bookkeeper. They will then do all the data input and have spreadsheets ready for your account. I send 3 months worth at a time to my bookkeeper.

If you are totally electronic you can do this step yourself and simply input your receipts in the computer program you are using. Even basic computer programs like Excel will do all the totals for you.

Tip #4: Once a year, yes that is right once a year, pay a visit to your accountant and get your taxes filed on time. One of the most common items I come across while conducting hands-on organizing is overdue tax returns. The tax department does not like it when people do not file their tax returns. There are huge fines involved and BIG red flags go in front of your name.

Tip #5: Store all receipts and tax returns in an out of reach area. (Check out my video on crawl spaces for some tips, click here.) I like to put them in a plastic container so they do not get dusty, wet or moldy. The requirement in most countries is to keep your past records for 7 years. Once you put in a new year take out the oldest year and shred it. If you are applying for a mortgage you might be asked to show your last 3 years of tax returns. This is another great reason to be organized.

How would you like a FREE downloadable List  of labels of all the appropriate tax deductions for your business? Please contact me and we will set up a complimentary no-obligation 30-minute phone call on how to move forward with your dreams, goals and resolutions. If you arrange your FREE call with me, I will send this FREE list to you so you can get on the right path to organization.

www.gettingittogether.ca

Here’s to your success!

Rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

www.gettingittogether.ca

Get Organized Now…Electronically!

By Patty Kreamer, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Organized A to Z.com

Everywhere you look, people seem to be absorbed with technology. That’s no surprise, since high tech gadgets have made it easier and more convenient to do ordinary, common tasks. And while you can argue that too much technology can be a bad thing (and we would agree), there are ways to implement technology into your routine to bring more efficiency and organization to your life.

Besides using your Smart phone to make a call or access your e-mail anywhere, anytime, there are lots of other ways to incorporate technology into your life that may be less invasive and more attractive to those of you who don’t want to be tethered to your phone 24-7. Consider the following ways that you can organize electronically:

Ways to Organize Your Life Electronically:

  1. Calendars & schedules: There are many, free Web-based calendar apps that allow you to set up automatic e-mail reminders so you don’t forget important appointments, birthdays, or anniversaries. About One is one you might try—it’s a calendar and household organizer in one!
  2. Filing systems: By keeping scanned copies of documents on your computer, you can find information quicker by searching with keywords instead of flipping through lots of paper. Neat Receipts is an all-in-one scanner and information organizer that gives you the power to transform any kind of paper into live data directly inside the Office application you’re using.
  3. Paying bills: You can save time and money by paying bills electronically—no more postage or trips to the post office. Most banks offer bill paying for free, or for less than a stamp per transaction. In addition, you may be able to schedule recurring payments or payments in advance.
  4. Expense tracking or bookkeeping: There are lots of electronic options for keeping track of your finances, from simply balancing your checkbook to tracking household expenses and creating budgets. If your bank has online capabilities, choose software that allows you to download transactions from your bank or credit card account to save you from hand-entering all of your receipts.
  5. Healthcare – How many times have you needed important information about your health but didn’t have it readily available? Tools like the Jakoter Health Tag not only organizes your information but make it portable, too.
  6. Leisure – Ebook readers cut down on the accumulation of books on your shelves, and ebooks cost less than traditional hardback and paperback books.

Of course, as convenient as electronic organizing is, there can be drawbacks. First and foremost, you have to be willing to adjust to a new routine or “way of doing things.” Change doesn’t come easy for everyone, so be patient, flexible, and thoughtful about your needs and goals. Don’t go high-tech just to be up with the times. If your new system doesn’t save you time or make your task easier, you’ll only end up frustrated and bewildered, and your life will be more chaotic, not organized. Below are a few more possible downsides that you’ll want to plan for:

Potential Downfalls of Electronic Organizing

  1. Lost Information: Computers crash and Smartphones can get lost. You can lose everything if you don’t back up, and back up often! Luckily, there are many affordable services that back-up your data automatically so you don’t even have to think about it.
  2. Loss of Access to Information: If you store everything electronically, you could lose access to your information if you need to send in your computer, Smartphone, or iPad for repairs. Make sure you have multiple points of access to your calendar or other important information that you use every day. Use apps that sync with other resources or store data online.
  3. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: If you forget to use your online calendar or to-do list on a daily basis, you could miss important appointments or tasks! Electronic organizers and calendars have to be opened to be accessible, which isn’t helpful for those who need a tangible copy in plain sight to keep on track. If this is you, consider a hybrid system—use a notebook or planner to keep your schedule, but set up automatic reminders via e-mail or text message for the most important items.
  4. Security: The last thing you want is to allow the whole world access to your information. Make sure to choose sites and services that are password-protected, use encryption, and guarantee privacy.
  5. Passwords: Speaking of passwords, if you go electronic, you’ll have a lot of them to remember. Consider keeping track of them in a book that you can keep secure. Try the Deluxe Password Organizer for a single, centralized location to keep all your passwords safe.

The most important piece of organization is functionality, so whether you organize with apps, software, online, or with a paper, pencil, and a list, make sure you create a system that works for you! Best wishes for an organized 2012!

About Organized A to Z.com

Are you looking for tools to simplify your busy life? At Organized A to Z.com we are dedicated to providing the highest quality organizing and storage products to help you become more productive and simplify your life.
Owned and operated by Certified Professional Organizer, Patty Kreamer, and partnered with Professional Organizers all over the country, you are sure to find the best of the best in organizing products.

We are always adding new organizing products so you will be sure to find something to help you get organized and control clutter!

By |2020-06-07T20:52:50+00:00January 9th, 2012|Organizer|2 Comments

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