Fresh produce and sunny weather always puts The Organizing Blog in a #brunch mood. The good news is that you don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money to have a great brunch, Easter or otherwise. Pick up some early season vegetables such as asparagus, peas and morel mushrooms at the farmers market, add some eggs, and enjoy a delicious, fresh meal, Serious Eats says. Many recipes are easy to make and crowd-pleasing, so invite friends and family to your #springtime brunch fare to help shake off the last vestiges of your #winter #hibernation. #EasterBrunch
Tag: clothing donations
Start Your Spring-Cleaning Engines!
Thursday, March 20, marks the beginning of #spring. The Organizing Blog’s favorite season, spring gives people everywhere a great incentive to #clean and #organize their homes.
#Spring #cleaning is a time-honored tradition. Over a long winter shut tight against the cold, homes tend to gather dirt and grime. It’s time to throw the windows open and sweep, mop and wipe away that buildup.
Four out of five American households engage in spring cleaning at least once a year, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), and nearly as many — 78% — spend an average of six days spring-cleaning their homes.
ACI’s survey notes that Americans don’t like to clean hard-to-reach places that attract considerable dust and grime, such as vents. Most would rather clean their own homes than do their own taxes, however, and often concentrate on windows, floors and toilets. Still, it can be tough to get started.
The first step is to get rid of #clutter — clothing that doesn’t fit, old paperwork, broken knickknacks and other stuff that’s just taking up space. Put these items into the trash, storage or a #donation bag; cleaning will proceed more quickly with them out of the way. And as always, contact ClothingDonations.org for any lightly used castoffs you’d like to get rid of for good.
Next, make sure you have the equipment and supplies necessary to do a thorough cleaning, including gloves, cleansers, sponges, rags, and a good broom, vacuum cleaner and mop. A new broom sweeps clean!
Create a checklist of to-dos in order to make what might seem like a monumental task more approachable, The Spruce says. “Walk through your house and take note of the things that need to be done and tackle those first,” says Clean Mama Becky Rapinchuk.
Having an immediate impact on your home environment may make you want to tackle more tasks, so continue down that list. You might not get to everything in a week or month, but you’ll see progress toward a #cleaner, #healthier home — and that can get you energized to do more. Start your spring-cleaning engines!
#SpringCleaning
Shop for Fitness Gear at the Thrift
Want to start a #winter #workout routine to stay fit even in when the weather is bad, but don’t have any suitable gear to wear to the gym or pool? The #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org are a great place to shop for lightly used sweats, shorts and other athletic gear, as well as exercise equipment. Start a routine, and you might just drop a couple of sizes! Then you can contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup to get rid of those ill-fitting clothes for good. Somebody might be able to use them, but not the fit new you! #ColdWeatherFitness
Stay Motivated to Exercise
Motivation is the first challenge when attempting to stay fit in the #wintertime, says Colorado Advance Orthopedics, especially if you’re used to staying active outdoors. Make workouts part of your weekly plan and set a goal for the number of days a week you plan to exercise. Set times based on when you’re most likely to exercise based on your rhythms, or target a minimum number of days or hours to create a flexible routine. And make your exercise fun! “Exercise shouldn’t be a chore. You’re much more likely to stick with your routine if you choose activities you enjoy.” #ColdWeatherFitness
Satisfying Your Midwinter Fitness Goals
Recommendations say that adults ages 18 to 65 years should attempt to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise five days a week, but that’s difficult during the cold, dark days of #winter. To meet goals even when the weather is treacherous, Brown University Health says, bring your exercise indoors. Join a gym, subscribe to an online fitness class or download a smartphone app that meets your fitness goals and current capabilities. Track your steps. Or stroll through your local office building, mall or big-box store. Any physical activity is healthier than doom-scrolling on the couch! #ColdWeatherFitness