For the Love of Lists

Engineering life one step at a time

Archives for May 2015

Quick 10: Healthier Alternatives to Pizza

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Healthier Pizza

My husband would be the first to tell you that, no matter how much I try to eat healthy, I almost always cave to pizza night.  Maybe it’s a New York thing.  If you’re battling pizza cravings as well, here are some healthier alternatives:

  1. Tortilla Pizza
  2. Matzah Pizza
  3. English Muffin Pizza (whole wheat/multigrain muffins are best!)
  4. Pizza Rolls (use reduced fat crescent dough)
  5. Margherita Sandwich
  6. Margherita Pasta
  7. Gourmet Flatbread Pizza
  8. Pizza Stuffed Peppers
  9. Cauliflower/Zucchini Crust Pizza
  10. Sausage Pizza Burger – Pile a turkey sausage patty, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and all the veggie toppings you like on a whole wheat bun

All of these recipes can be made healthier with low fat mozzarella cheese (go light!) and homemade pizza sauce.  They’re great ways to indulge your craving without completely straying from your nutrition goals.  So next time you’re looking to order in, try out one of these recipes instead!

For more ideas on how you can beat food cravings and use them to your advantage, check out my post on the Food Swap Plan!

The Secret to an Easier Morning: Kitting

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How does your morning typically go?  Likely scenario: you snooze through the alarm (alarms?), scavenge through your dresser drawers for an outfit, root through your makeup bag, and quickly gather up your work supplies and maybe a granola bar before you head out the door.  As much as we’d like to have a calm, organized start to our day we begin with too many decisions and too many items to remember.  Thankfully, I have a solution for this.  It’s called “kitting”.

When assembling a launch vehicle (rocket), there can be hundreds of parts that go into the installation of a single component.  On top of that you’re trying to follow a detailed procedure, monitor safety, check quality, and juggle an array of tools and equipment. That’s a lot of keep track of, especially when you consider that a single missing piece can lead to catastrophic failure.  So, rather than continuously running to grab parts and tools as needed, we create “kits” containing everything we need to complete a single task.  These boxes are checked ahead of time to make sure every part is accounted for, so all we need to do is show up with our procedures and get right to work.

So how does building a rocket relate to your morning rush?  You can create kits of your own to make your day run more efficiently.  Imagine how much more smoothly your morning would go with the following kits:

– A guided checklist detailing outfit items to pick out the night before (articles of clothing, undergarments, jewelry, footwear, etc)
– An outwear kit: scarves, gloves, earmuffs, umbrellas, rainboots, sunscreen
– An “everyday” makeup bin: foundation, concealer, mascara, blush, brushes, etc
– A purse essentials kit: makeup bag(s) containing wallet, keys, chargers, chapstick, tissues for easy switching
– A “grab and go” breakfast kit: ziploc bags containing oatmeal, dried fruits, cereal, nuts, spoon, napkin, bowl

Kitting

The trick to these kits is to not only include the main items (like the oatmeal) but also the supporting items you’d forget in the moment (like the spoon and bowl).  The more complete they are, the less work you have to do to use them.  Here’s how to set one up:

1) Choose an action you’d like to simplify (ex. cleaning the bathrooms)
2) Brainstorm all of the items you use to complete the action.  In our example that could include: glass cleaner, floor cleaner, disinfectant, toilet bowl cleaner, toilet brush, sponges, paper towels, air fresheners, mop, trash bags, toilet paper, clean towels, rubber gloves, and hand soap
3) Identify which items you can store together permanently and which would be impractical to kit (ex. mop, towels).  The latter can be included via a checklist.
4) Find a container to house your kit.  This can be a box, bin, basket, shelf, room section, or a bag.  Make sure it’s big enough to contain all of the items you need but small enough it’s portable if you need it to be.  Locate extra items close by.
5) Build your kit.  Include any checklists you need (instructions and/or reminders of additional items needed).

Here are some ideas for other kits you can create:

– Study kit: pens, pencils, highlighters, white out, paper, snacks, headphones, playlists, professor contact info, textbooks, syllabi
– Craft kit: washi tape, transparent tape, scrapbook paper, scissors, ribbon, markers, loose fabric, layouts
– Home decorating kit: command strips, nails, hammer, level, pencils, stud finder, magic eraser
– Airline travel kit: neck pillow, blanket, eye mask, ear plugs, snacks, headphones, hand sanitizing wipes, chapstick, travel bottle, first aid kit
– Stationery kit: stamps, envelopes (multiple sizes), address labels, address book, notepaper, greeting cards, pens, post office schedule
– De-stress kit: journal/pen, meditation music, bath soaks, aromatherapy oils, sketchpad, emergency chocolate

Be creative and you’ll think of plenty more ways to organize with kits (for further ideas, check out my post on 10 new uses for makeup bags).  The goal is to reduce the amount of time you spend searching for things so you can move through the day smoothly and efficiently.  Good luck, and happy kitting!

Quick 10: Unique DIY Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Every year Mother’s Day sneaks up on me, sending me into a mini rush to make sure I don’t forget to send a gift.  I currently live 3000 miles away from my mom, so it’s not as simple as trying to spend the day with her and take her to dinner.  And while I went traditional with my gift this year (no, Mom, I’m not ruining the surprise), I started thinking about some unique homemade gifts that nearly any mother would appreciate.  Here are 10 that I may use in the future:

1. DIY Spa Gift Set – Search and you’ll find tons of recipes for homemade lotions, scrubs, masks, and bath soaks. Pair it up with a pair of comfy socks, eye mask, and ear plugs and your mom can have a relaxing afternoon.  If there are still young kids around the house, offer to babysit for a few hours as well.

2. Vacation-in-a-Box – Let’s say your mom has always wanted to go to Hawaii. Fill a box/basket with location-themed music, movies, candles, recipes, and fun items to help get her in the spirit until she can travel the world.  For mine, I’d include a lei, coconut drinking cup, Elvis’ Blue Hawaii, Polynesian music, and recipes for pina coladas and popular Hawaiian dishes.  Wall calendars and links to Google street views can also add to the experience.

3. Family Tree Book – If you don’t have one already, why not start an album detailing your family tree? Collect information on your ancestors by reviewing family records, asking your relatives, or searching on Ancestry.com.  Organize your findings in a dedicated book/journal or setup software like Family Tree Maker for continuous updates.  Be sure to include information on your family’s education, jobs, travels, homes, pets, etc to round out your research.

4. Memory Frame – This can be done a few ways, but is best with a folding frame (2-3 panels). We recently got married, so as a thank you gift to our parents we put their wedding photo, a baby picture of us, and a spot for our wedding photo.  For grandparents this can be their wedding photo, your parents’, and yours.  Another idea is a succession of family photos: yourself/siblings as babies, as teenagers, and as adults.  Or a series of photos of you with your mother and her with her mother.  If you don’t have enough photos to fit the theme, you can always fill a remaining panel with one of her favorite quotes.

5. “Words of Wisdom” Book – Is your mom the type who always has something to say? Record her most famous words of wisdom in a journal and present it to her on Mother’s Day.  Include her favorite stories she used to tell and quotes from her favorite books/movies.  You can also include your favorite memories of her.

6. Cook the “Family Dinner” – A lot of families seem to have a “family dinner”, a classic recipe Mom was always known for making (in our case it was London broil with baked potatoes and red rice). For Mother’s Day, show your mom that you’ve learned from her by cooking the entire dinner on your own (enlisting help from other family members is okay, just let Mom relax).  You’ll all enjoy passing the tradition along.

7. Handwritten Letter – While it’s easy to give a quick call or send a Hallmark card, there’s no reason you can’t go back to the classic days of sending a handwritten letter detailing your gratitude for everything your mom has done for you. As much as email is easier, it’s still nice to get something in the mail beyond bills and advertisements.  Find some nice stationery and a good pen and write a good long note.

8. Family Travel Map – This one’s good if yours was the type of family who either moved a lot or took a lot of road trips. Get a nice print of a map (U.S./world/state) and a frame to match it.  Put pins or stickers in all of the cities you’ve visited.  Plot out road trips with string/thread between the pins.  Place special marks in those locations you’ve actually lived.  This would also work by making a smash book out of a road atlas, using washi tape to secure travel photos to their respective locations.

9. Write a Song/Poem – If you’re a musical or writer type, you can create an original work for your mom. Brainstorm some ideas of what she’s meant to you and get out your pen.  You can perform or give it to her in person this Sunday, or post it to social media if you’re at a distance.  Another idea is to perform a cover of one of her favorite songs and share it with her.

10. Family Storybook – How much do you really know about your mom? Do you know what her favorite extracurricular activities were?  Or what her dream job was/is?  What about her favorite foods?  Come up with a list of questions you’ve never asked, and either use a tape recorder or notes to preserve her favorite memories.  Be creative and come up with your own questions, or use books like Listography as a guide to get started.

For those of you leaning towards a more “traditional” idea, here are 10 classic favorites:

  1. Flowers
  2. Chocolates
  3. Jewelry
  4. Sibling Portrait
  5. Actual Spa Day
  6. Chore Coupon Book
  7. Fruit Basket
  8. Photo Album
  9. Restaurant/Movie Gift Cards
  10. Anything from Bath & Body Works

I hope this has helped you choose a great gift for your Mom this year.  And if you’re an early bird who’s already ahead of the game, these make great gifts for almost any time of year.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Free Printables: A Week of Daily Planners

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As much as I have tried, I’ve never found a planner I could stick with.  Some didn’t offer enough detail, and some overwhelmed with too much.  I could never find the right “fit”.  So, inspired by yet another Pinterest binge, I realized that it was time to make my own.  Now I’d like to share my planner with you.

Daily Planner

I had a couple of requirements before I started to develop my planner.  I started off focusing on a daily sheet for the following reasons:

  • It keeps me focused on a specific to-do list
  • I can vary the sheet for work days and weekends
  • I have room for all my scribbles and notes
  • Every day feels like a fresh start

One of my biggest productivity problems is the never-ending to-do list (are you with me on this one?).  Using the daily sheet, I limit my task list to only 3-5 slots per type (i.e. work, business, personal) plus separate items for chores and errands.  I also automatically prioritize (yay color-coding!) and schedule my tasks on the adjacent calendar.

My planner seems complex at first, but it works for me because I can categorize all of my tasks and activities at a glance.  It is also important for me to include information on meal planning, fitness, budget, and daily inspiration (typically Walt Disney or Henry Ford quotes).  Even when I’ve had a rough day previously I can turn over a fresh page and start off new.

Here’s a breakdown of my planner:

  • Date/Weekday – Each sheet has different task slots and chores, including “fun” categories for weekends
  • Daily Activities – The “Pray/Read/Journal/Plan” section is for motivating activities I try to do every day
  • Inspiration – I love inspiring quotes, and I try to find a new one each day
  • Book – A reminder of which book I’m reading that day
  • Challenge/Reward – I set a specific challenge each day tied to a reward (ex. completing 3 tasks = an episode of Gilmore Girls)
  • Schedule – The shaded areas represent my non-work hours, and I block schedule tasks and activities throughout the day
  • Tasks – I try to accomplish these in priority order (red-orange-yellow) and check them off when they’ve been completed
    • Work – I’m a full-time engineer so this is where I track my assignments
    • Business – I use this for blogging and organization (AIAA) tasks
    • Personal – This one’s for everything else in my life
  • 10 Minute Tasks – I like to write down a few mini tasks I can get done even if I don’t feel like I have time to check anything off my list (ex. shredding papers, clearing the dresser)
  • Contacts – A list of people I need to contact (email/call/etc) for work and home
  • Errands – A list of places to go and things to buy
  • Chores – We have different chores assigned to each day, with room for items that need extra attention
  • Nutrition – Here I track my meal plan for the day, preps I need to take care of for the next night’s dinner, and check box reminders for vitamins, health monitoring, and my food log.  I also have 10 bullets at the bottom to track water intake.
  • Fitness – I’m usually working with a 30-day challenge, and I like to write down options for physical activity I can do throughout the day.  The total records the amount of time I spend exercising in a day.  I also keep a reminder box for nightly stretches.
  • Budget – I use this to try to stay accountable for any spending decisions throughout the day
  • Notes – For any reminder or thought that doesn’t fit the sheet, I keep this open.

Here is the link to my daily planner.  It includes all 7 days of the week in one file, so you can print a week at a time and get prepared each Sunday.  Let me know if you like it!

Free Printable Daily Planner