December 2018 - 5 Gentle Reminders for the Holiday Season

5 Gentle Reminders for the Holiday Season

There’s no doubt about it, the holidays can be a stressful time for most people. From shopping to cleaning to cooking, it may seem like you simply can’t keep up with the demands others put on you (not to mention the demands you’re likely putting on yourself). December should be a month of reflection, celebration, and enjoyment! It’s time to do yourself a favor - take a 5-minute break to read through my “gentle reminders” and consider how following them could bring you peace and joy in the coming weeks.

1. Write it down

If you’re at all like me, you have a hundred thoughts and ideas popping into your head throughout the days. People are probably counting on you to follow through on commitments. Don’t be the one to drop the ball! Write everything down in a single list that you can consult to check your progress. I like using the Notes app on my phone since I know I’ll always have my phone with me.

2. Make time for yourself

When was the last time you scheduled time for yourself? I often find if I just wait for some free time to find its way into my day, it will never come. Be proactive and plan ahead! Even setting aside just 20 minutes to read a book, work on a craft, or sit quietly without distractions can make a world of difference for your peace of mind.

3. Stay active

We all know it’s easy to be “too busy” to care for our physical bodies. Believe me, I know ALL the excuses (because I’ve used them). With all the stresses and sweets that come with the holiday season, we owe it to ourselves to try and stay ahead of those lethargic feelings that make us just want to lay on the couch or crawl into bed at 5pm. Don’t worry if it’s too cold outside to go for a walk or you can’t find the motivation to change into your exercise attire for a workout at the gym – there are other options! Search for a quick workout video on YouTube, go to the mall (just be careful not to let the activity become window shopping), or turn on the radio and dance around your living room!

4. Be grateful

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had a “Practice Gratitude” article pop up on my social media news feeds. Research boasts that the act of intentionally being grateful can reap great benefits. We are often reminded to be grateful around Thanksgiving, but I don’t think anyone would argue with my recommendation to incorporate into your lifestyle year-round. With the technology we have at our fingertips today, it’s easier than ever before. It only takes a few seconds to shoot off an email, text, or tweet to express your gratefulness for a friend or family member. If you’re really into it, you could keep a gratitude journal to make notes of what you are thankful for each day. I find that I’m most grateful during the holiday season, and I like to express my gratitude with gifts. Disclaimer: As a self-proclaimed “minimalist”, I am very careful to ensure my gifts are not adding undue clutter to anyone’s space. To each their own.

5. Embrace your space

You should treasure the space you spend your time in. Whether that’s your home, your office, your car – you deserve for that space to bring you a sense of calm. Make sure your space is clean and clear of clutter. If you’re expecting to receive gifts at the end of the month, this might be a good time to go through your current things and consider which items you could discard or donate. Out with the old, and in with the new. Iowa Professional Organizers is here to help – find an organizer near you!

December 2018 - Members Members Members!

December is here! Membership in the Association of Iowa Professional Organizers continues to grow and we would like to take this opportunity to highlight ALL of our spectacular members and to help you find just the right Pro Organizer or Efficiency Consultant for your next project!

IPO was created in 2006 in order to be a resource for Organizers and Clients alike, and has grown to include more diverse and experienced members while simultaneously becoming a stronger resource for clients! Founding members include: Jennifer Robb, Maggie Jackson, Lori Vande Krol, Donna Schoeppner and Noelle Carroll. This means your bases are covered from Council Bluffs, through the Des Moines and Iowa City areas all the way into the Quad Cities with seasoned IPO veterans.

Over the years, IPO has had the pleasure of adding new Organizers, from many areas of the state like Michelle Kuiken from NW Iowa, Linda Stoolman of West Branch, Jenny Fruin of Iowa City and Laura Lord, who travels between Riverside and Reinbeck as she Organizes AND cares for aging members of her family. In addition, Sidney Young is a fantastic Organizer who recently relocated to Iowa City from sunny Florida!

More recently, our newest members include Iowa City Organizers Britni Piegors and Katie Buswell (both of whom are also certified Yoga teachers, yay)! Anne Ahmann, Amy Maach and Daphne Christensen, all serving the Des Moines area, and Stacy Langan of Bettendorf, who's focus is on interior design and who serves the entire Quad Cities area! Last but certainly not least, our newest member, Renee Anderson, Owner of Sensible Space Solutions serves Mason City and Northern Iowa Clients!

No matter your needs or location, IPO is here to help. What are your goals for 2019? Is it time to overcome paper clutter once and for all? Is it to get a handle on your schedule, priorities and time? Are you ready to tackle that spare room, storage area or garage? Don’t Agonize. Organize.

November 2018 - Mindfulness During the Holidays

In stores across the country, on the first of November, the spooky costumes and miniature candies from Halloween are rapidly replaced by a sea of red and green. Holiday ads begin popping up on social media, TV, email inboxes, and in the physical mail. The bombardment of advertisement and societal pressure to buy material gifts, matched with the desire to feel love and connection during the holidays can sometimes lead to a bit of a frenzy.

The winter holidays are often nostalgic, a time when families are reunited and everyday problems are temporarily put on pause. For this reason, it can be easy to overspend and consume  in preparation, wanting to ensure happiness during the holidays. However, it is important to remember that money cannot buy happiness. The following are three ways to practice mindfulness this season:

1. When stress takes over, self-care is often the first to be neglected. Try not to let anxious thoughts dominate actions. Bring yourself back into your physical body by concentrating on your breath, doing some yoga, or taking a walk in nature if it is not too cold. It doesn’t matter what the activity is, as long as it allows you to feel grounded and find stillness. With the mind calm, it is easier to organize and plan for the festivities. This also allows you to put conscious thought into the gifts you choose to buy.

2. Across the country, materialism is evident. The overconsumption of material items leads to the build-up of clutter within homes and then in landfills once the items are discarded. Consider making DIY gifts, regifting an item you already have, gifting an experience rather than a physical item, or supporting a local business.

3. If you choose to shop for the holidays at the mall or at large department stores, try to enter the store with a plan rather than aimlessly wandering. Reduce the incidents of “impulse buys” by knowing exactly what you are looking for and what your budget is. Try to remember that buying something on sale that you would not have otherwise purchased, is still spending, not saving money.

Gadgets and shiny objects can be incredibly distracting from the true beauty in life.  There is magic to be found in the ordinary moments. The exchanges of laughter and feelings of love highlight the human experience. Focus on all that you are grateful for this holiday season and encourage those around you to do the same. Spread the love and joy to everyone you encounter. You never know what someone is going through or how a kind gesture can make someone’s day. Lastly, take the time to celebrate connection, between humans and the world around us.

November 2018 Feature! Britni Piegors

Welcome to November! The leaves have changed color and can ben seen daily, dancing in the wind. We are reminded that the cycle of nature continues, as we wind our way towards the close of another year. As we begin to transition into the sometimes stressful Holiday Season, it is more important now than ever to take time to reflect, to care for yourself and to set your intention for a low stress high vibration holiday full of laughs and love and Britni can definitely help with that. This month, it is my pleasure to introduce Iowa Pro Organizer, Britni Piegors. She is so much more than an Organizer, and we are extremely lucky to have her. Check her out!

Britni is passionate about health and wellness and her primary goal is to help clients and loved ones reduce stress in their lives. In addition to being a Professional Organizer and member or IPO, Britni is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and Owner of The Lavender Lotus Healing Arts. When she is not helping organizing clients, she can be found giving massages in her office at Eastdale Plaza in Iowa City. She also has a massage table and chair that can travel with her, so you can have a kick butt organizing session with Britni, and then receive a massage to keep the calm and relaxed feeling with you once your session is finished.

As if Organizing with Simple Organizing Strategies and Massage Therapy with Lavender Lotus wasn’t enough, Britni is also a Yoga Alliance RYT-200 Certified Yoga Teacher. That’s where Jennifer and Britni initially met and formed their bond professionally as well as an amazing friendship personally. Britni has been a great addition to SOS and is doing an amazing job caring for our clients and helping to care for our beloved yoga studio, Muddy Feet Hot Yoga as well.

Britni chooses always to see the best in every situation. She has a giant heart for her family, friends and animals as well. She and her partner Patrick met while Britney was doing service work with the Baltimore public schools through AmeriCorps and Patrick was receiving his AmeriCorps training. Together, they have 3 cats and a potbellied pig named Anakin. She loves traveling, spending time in nature and baking delicious vegan goodies. What can Britni help you with this Holiday Season?

October 2018 - Creating a Kitchen Command Center

How to Create a Kitchen Command Center

Dads get the home office and moms get a corner of the kitchen table.  Here are some tips on how to create a space for mom. A kitchen command center is a place where family members can go for quick information like important dates, current to do’s and school information.  Each center is different depending on your needs of the family but if done properly can help save time and keep your family organized.

Select the Right Spot- An area of the house that is passed though or easily accessible can be an effective location. Not all commend centers need to be in the kitchen.  You may have a utility room or a nook in the hallway. Yours doesn’t have to look a certain way or be a certain size. You will want a small desk or shelves to place items on and drawers are a big help.

You may have special needs for your family that you will want to incorporate. Is it tax season and you need a space for incoming 1099’s, Do you have a small business that you run from home are you the secretary of the PTA and need room for project supplies and documents. Tailoring your center to your specific needs will be a must.

Stuff for your Command Center- Create a list of the things you would like to have in this space. Most command centers have a calendar, a place for pens/ pencils, a chalkboard or cork board for important messages/ notes and upcoming events, hooks for keys and a charging station for electronics.  One of the most important things to have is a place for file folders, they will hold mail, coupons, receipts and other information. A wall file can be used, desk top file folder or tickler file it has to be easily accessible. Feel free to add some family photos, inspirational quotes or cute décor but be careful not to go overboard small places can get cluttered easily.

If you have cabinets or shelves in your command center grouping like items (scissors, tape, additional office supplies etc.) in bins and labeled it will help save space and avoid creating clutter. Clear bins with lids are great for stacking and fabric bins with windows can add color and hide stuff.

Get Rid of the Extras- Make sure to be aware of what belongs and what doesn’t.  Your command center is centrally located and maybe an easy drop spot for miscellaneous items.  Find homes for this stuff and let your family members know what belongs at the command center and what doesn’t.

There are so many things to take into consideration when creating your command center but the information above is a good start.  Don’t be afraid to tweak and make changes if the space isn’t working for you. And be sure to keep your new space clean and organized.  Have Fun!

October Feature! Sidney Young

Welcome to October! This month, I am pleased to introduce you to Sidney Young of Need Organizing? Sid joined IPO this year, after relocating from San Diego via sunny Florida. Sidney is here helping others get organized and she has brought an infectious tropical sunshine smile and a passionately positive attitude along with her! IPO and Iowa City Organizing Clients alike are lucky to have her! Welcome to Iowa Sid!

In 1999, Sidney started Need Organizing? in San Diego, California as she looked for fulfilling work helping people while earning her college education, she realized she was surrounded by friends and acquaintances who needed a little boost in the organizational department. This was before the rise of popularity of Oprah and HGTV organizing gurus. Need Organizing? has been featured on local San Diego news and published articles on Conquering clutter; "Getting Organized for the Holidays" and "Springing into Spring time".

One of the many perks of being a Professional Organizer is interacting with all the amazing clients she’s had an opportunity to work with; from a national greeting card entrepreneur and author, to a popular sports figure, two New York Times bestselling authors, a spiritual guru and frequent guest on The Oprah Show, from mom's and small business owners to a children's book publisher and an 80-year-old artist. Sidney is proud to have helped many people from so many walks of life in achieving their organizational goals.

Since relocating the company to Iowa City, Iowa, Sid is grateful to have figured out years ago how important Organizing is to the masses and look forward to sharing her expertise with you. Stay tuned for her mid-month blog about setting up a family command center, can’t wait!

Let's get ORGANIZED!

Sidney "Sid" Young
Professional Organizer and Efficiency Consultant

September 2018 - Hearty Fall Recipes

Ready for some killer fall recipes?  It time to break out the crock pot for some hearty fall soups, stews and chili's.  A huge thank you goes out to this month's IPO Featured Organizer, Laura Lord for sharing some of her favorite recipes with us! I can't wait to try the white chili with home made beer bread and whiskey butter! Enjoy! And, as always don't hesitate to let us know if you have questions or comments.  Happy Fall from Iowa Professional Organizers!

Skiers' Sweet and Sour Stew

3 TBSP vegetable oil

2 lbs round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

15-oz can tomato sause

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp paprika

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp salt

½ cup cider vinegar

½ cup light corn syrup

2 cups peeled and sliced carrots

2 cups chopped onions

1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares

1 4-oz can pineapple chunks, drained

6 small round loaves of sourdough bread (optional)

Makes 6 servings. Heat oil in skillet and brown round steak. Transfer to crock pot or large kettle. Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, salt, vinegar, corn syrup, carrots, onions, green pepper and pineapple. Cover and simmer for 6 hours or until meat is tender. Serve in individual bowls or hollowed-out rounds of bread.

Johnsonville Chiliville Chili

1 lb Johnsonville Italian Ground Mild, Sweet or Hot Italian Sausage

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

3 celery ribs, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 cans (14.5oz each) diced tomatoes with green pepper and onions

2 cans (16oz each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14.5oz) beef broth

1 can (6oz) tomato paste

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce

½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Shredded cheddar cheese optional

In a large saucepan, cook sausage and ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the onions, celery and garlic. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, beans, broth, tomato paste, brown sugar, chili powder, Worchestershire sauce, cumin and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese.

Creamy White Chili

2 cans great northern beans

2 16-oz cans chicken broth

2 lbs cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 14-oz jar medium salsa

1 can cream of chicken soup

4oz shredded Cheddar or Colby jack cheese

Serves 6. Simmer beans, broth and chicken for 5 minutes. Add soup and stir well. Add salsa and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add cheese before serving.

Whiskey Butter

On medium speed, beat 1 cup salter butter, at room temperature until light and fluffy. Add 4 tsp whiskey, 2 Tbsp chopped parsley and 1 clove minced garlic, mixing well. Spoon into a small crock or roll into a log and wrap in parchment paper; freeze until set (about 30 minutes) and chill until ready to serve.

Beer Bread

3 Cups flour – sifted!

3 tsp baking powder (omit if using Self-Rising flour)

1 tsp salt (omit if using Self-Rising flour)

¼ cup sugar

1(12oz) can of beer

½ cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix dry ingredients and beer. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake 1 hour, remove from pan and cool for at least 15 minutes.

Notes: This recipe makes a very hearty bread with crunchy, buttery crust. If you prefer softer crust, mix the butter into the batter instead of pouring it over the top.

If using non-alcoholic beer, add a packet of Dry Active Yeast or 2 tsp bread machine yeast for proper rise.

September Feature! Laura Lord

September is here! Our college football teams are gearing up for the season and Labor Day Weekend is upon us. With fall just around the corner, what better time for another Organizer Introduction? This month it is my pleasure to introduce Laura Lord, Owner of LL’s Organizing Services.  For over 20 years Laura has provided Organizing and Commercial Cleaning Services from Reinbeck to Riverside and we have a lot to gain from her attention to detail and years of experience.

Laura has spent many years caring for her aging parents and helping them through times of change and through transitions of life. Because of this, she splits her time between Reinbeck and Riverside, which means that she is an asset to the IC/CR corridor and beyond! Laura uses her knowledge of the planning, organizing, packing, moving, downsizing and aging process to help her clients, friends and family as they meet some of the same circumstances and challenges that she and her family have been through and learned so much from.

Laura has been married for 24 years and has raised 2 great kids. She enjoys helping others over anything, so Organizing is a natural gift she can offer everyone around her.  She enjoys travel, cooking, and Anything HGTV! If she could change anything it would be that she had more time to volunteer in her communities.

Thanks for sharing more about yourself, Laura! Iowa Professional Organizers is lucky to have you! For more information or to set up a consultation with LL’s Organizing Services, contact 319-331-5467 or LLsOrganizingServices@gmail.com.

August 2018 - The Meaning of Value

What is value? Is it the amount that something is worth? Is it the amount you pay for an item or service, or how much you save when you purchase it? It is something that is important to you? Something you stand for? Value has many meanings, and after spending hours philosophizing the true meaning of value, this is the conclusion I’ve reached. Please let me know your thoughts and share your comments on what the meaning of value is to you. We are all connected and we all learn from each other, so please sound off and feedback!

In 2004 I created a business based on the notion of value. The goal was to help people save time and money while reducing stress in daily life, by creating organizing routines based on individual strengths that are easy to create and maintain. To me, those were the most valuable services to provide, especially to clients in times of crisis, or who are undergoing transitions of life in some way or another, and who may either be physically limited or may be feeling too overwhelmed to know where to begin.

As the years have passed, my goals and actions have remained consistent, however my perception of value has changed. I still regard creating routines to save time and money while reducing stress as positive attributes, but my vision of the overall goal and finding the means to the end have shifted. What I know now that I did not know then is that my mother was right. Time goes too fast. We can’t plan for everything and there is no finish line.  Every day is the gift and we need to live in the present, caring for ourselves first to create true longevity and vitality, health and inner peace. To achieve balance once and for all, is to live a life that can be enjoyed and appreciated every day starting today, not wishing and waiting for someday to begin.

Personally, the last few years have dealt hands of deeply painful losses and transitions of life for myself and my family. From the death of my best childhood friend and a second true soul mate friend, to the loss of my parents; a mother who I loved deeply and spoke to daily, followed by the death of a biological father I barely knew. Hell, even my dog and cat died. But, somehow through these unexplainably tough days, from this place of darkness came crystal clear moments of reflection. It is a weird feeling not to have parents anymore. They're gone at an age that is 20 years older than my current age. I question, is 20 more years what I have left? Regardless, what I know is that it's quality over quantity and that I had better get a handle on this shit and start making the most of this life that I have right now.

I believe that love, time, health and creating balance are our most valuable resources. When loved ones are gone, they are gone, and our time is so limited. You can’t gain back time spent. You can't buy back your health. You have one body, so you better start treating it right if you want it to last. It’s time to start living the DREAM, literally. So, what does this mean?

D is for Diet. Put fuel into your body, not garbage. Eat for energy, not for pleasure or to mask pain. Start by swearing off of fast food or cutting out soda. Your body will thank you, and it’s easier on your budget.

R is for Rest and Rejuvenation. You must rest to refuel your body. Good rest. REM sleep. If this is not happening for you, then check into ERMD therapy.  Reprogram your processors. Get relief.

E is for Exercise.  Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. If you claim that you do not have time to exercise, I challenge you to get rid of your TV. I don’t have one. It’s possible. You can get a ton of exercise without a television. For real. And you're not missing much. Trust me.

A is for Adjustment. Not one to preach or to push ideas onto others, you can take what you need and leave the rest, but for me proper adjustment consists of regular yoga and weekly chiropractic care. Once a week whether you need it or not…removing subluxations feels like being high, only better. It’s amazing… and somewhat expensive but worth every penny as it is an investment in your body’s future.

M is for Mental Attitude. When my biggest cheerleader was silenced (aka, when my mom went to heaven) I learned to dig deep. No one will ever love or believe in you as much as your mom, it’s true. But you must, must, must learn to love and believe in yourself. NO MORE NEGATIVE SELF TALK! In our house, you drop and do a push-up for every instance of negative self-talk that arises. People rely on the strong ones, the empathetic ones to help lift them up, so we must be lifted ourselves. Of course, there are dog shit days when I can’t stop crying in my cheerios, but afterwards, I stand up, dust off and get back to making myself and my loved ones proud. And take time to meditate. It may be “boring” at first, but it gets easier. And it’s really, really, really good for your soul. Really.

In conclusion my point is, lighten up a little bit. Instead of bitching about exercising, or about the shape or size of your body, or how about un-flexible you are, or about how overwhelming your craft room or bedroom or kitchen is, just show up. Show up and be thankful that your arms and legs work and that you can work on your body, on your space, on your goals and on your visions for the future. Appreciate that you can make dinner to feed your family, or that you can laugh, dance and make memories with your friends. Laugh when your mom tries her best to keep up with your text messages, facespace posts, pintergram snappy chats, or whatever way parents are supposed to communicate with kids these days… and just be. Just breathe. Show gratitude and seek guidance. Be present. Be mindful. Be kind. Be silly. Be fulfilled. Be the person you desire to be.

And don't worry about what anyone else thinks. It doesn't matter.

Be well.

Namaste.

August Feature! Jennifer Robb

The dog days of summer are nearly here and on this rotation around the sun I hope you are finding balance filling your days with ice cold drinks and plenty of belly laughs as you make meaningful memories with friends, family and co-workers! August is the month that I get to introduce myself and my businesses to you, so thanks for the honor and I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

My name is Jennifer Robb, Owner of Simple Organizing Strategies and one of the founding members of Iowa Professional Organizers! Started in 2004 and for almost 15 years, SOS has allowed me the flexibility to be available to my family when they need me and the privilege to provide for them financially, all while helping clients "get it together." As business grew and family schedules got busier and more hectic, Iowa Professional Organizers was added and became a great way to maintain balance between work life and family. IPO created a professional resource group that utilizes peer networking to share ideas and support with fellow organizers, while also providing a trusted network of professionals available for client referrals based on their needs and location!

During the last year, the practice of yoga has become an integral part of my life, both personally and now professionally. With SOS and IPO thriving, I recently earned my RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Certification, which has allowed me to expand services to include Yoga and Meditation. When I think of what I can offer as a Pro Organizer, and what clients struggle most with, the solution is not as simple as where to place an item or what calendar system is best for time management. If someone is stuck or overwhelmed with a project or the emotions tied to that situation, then there is no magazine, Pinterest article or best-selling books with “tidy up tips” that will help. There is a root to every problem, and that is where yoga comes in to assist the Organizing Process. Yoga literally means meditation in motion and we use its tools of practice and renunciation to overcome obstacles and break the barriers that lead to emotional distress and chronic disorganization issues.

In addition to increased physical strength and mental focus, yoga and meditation teach self-care. The physical movements flush your organs and lymphatic system while the deep breathing cleanses your blood flow and clears mental clutter. Balance is what is most important in creating longevity, vitality, health and inner peace, so finding what works for you through routines, sleep patterns, nutrition, physical activity or through organization of your time and space is what we, as organizers can help develop, leading to personal and professional successes on this journey called life. Want to know more? Call an Iowa Professional Organizer today to get started creating healthy routines, or use this time to process your thoughts and goals and check back on August 15th to hear more about my perspective on balance when my mid-month blog, “The Meaning of Value” is posted. Stay tuned and start thinking about how you want your life to look 6 months from now. After all, the best time to start creating the life you want is today. There is no time to waste.