Project Unclutter: What it is

  I have discovered a new website: unclutterer.com.  So far I'm really enjoying it.  It has helpful tips and a bit of humor.  In exploring the site I found reference to a book Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin R Doland, Editor-in-chief of Unclutterer.com.  My reaction to the title: "Yeah, Right.  Like I could really get rid of all my clutter in one week."  But I did look it up on amazon.  The reviews were mostly positive and the sample pages looked like they contained helpful advise.  Plus I had another order to make and this book would qualify me for free shipping.  So I ordered despite my doubts about it's claims.
  It was then that Project Unclutter was born.  I decided that instead of just scoffing at the prospect of uncluttering in a week, I would put her claims to the test.  I have the first week of January off of work and I can devote that entirely to uncluttering.

   Project Unclutter will come in two parts.  First, I need to read the book.  I'll do this between now and the end of the year.  I plan on writing a review of what I find in a subsequent post.  Second, I will put it to the test.  I chose the week I was off, so I fully test the theory without distraction.  I will let you know how it goes.
   I still doubt I can completely declutter in a week, but I can at least make a dent in it. I know it's very early for a New Years resolution, but I will make mind now.  Here's hoping 2012 will involve a lot less clutter.  Who will join me in Project Unclutter?

Recipe: Texas Chili

  A couple of months ago my gym hosted a talk from a nutritionist.  In addition to all the helpful information she provided, she also gave us several recipes.  This is one of my favorites.  It is different from most other chili recipes I've tried, but I love it.  It's not spicy but very flavorful.  I added a couple of notes of my own to the recipe below.  It has quickly become a favorite in our house.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

1/2 lb ground turkey (omit for vegetarian)
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1 can of diced fire roasted tomatoes (I use 1 cup fresh diced tomato)
1 can sauce
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)  (If you cook your own 1 1/2 cup = 1can)
1/2-1 cup water
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 green bell pepper (chopped or chunks)
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder

In a large soup pot cook meat, onions, and garlic together.  If not using meat, add some olive oil to cook the onion and garlic.  Cook until onions are tender, add the rest of ingredients, stir and bring to a boil on medium heat.   Turn down to simmer for 30 min.

1/2 cup serving w/ meat and beans is 19g protein, without is 9g protein.
1/2 cup serving w/ meat 225 calories, without meat is 125 calories.

Huzzah!! No More Credit Card!!

   Woo Hoo!  My days of paying my credit card bill are at an end.  Monday evening I went online and paid off the remaining $249.  For the first time in my adult life I have no credit card and no credit card payment.
   When I was younger, I believed that credit cards were a part of life.  I fell for the line: "you need a credit card in case of emergency."  At first I rarely used it,  I maintained a zero balance for several years.  Then I needed a little extra one month, so I used the card.  I intended to pay it off just as soon as I had extra.  But the next month I was a little short as well.  I did not have enough income and I had no emergency fund.  Eventually, I stopped using the card, but I still had a large balance.  Some months I had to decide if I was going to pay my car payment or my credit card payment.  I needed my car, so the interest and penalties soared.   For the past couple of years I have cut costs, found a better paying job, and payed extra on my two cards.  About two years ago I paid off my Discover card, and now the visa is finally gone.

   Never again!  I am prepared now.  If an emergency were to happen today I do not need a credit card.  I have an emergency fund for that.  I will never again be under the thumb of a credit card company.  I can now handle emergencies without them.  Neither do I have to worry about my credit score, for I no longer intend to borrow money from anyone.  If I don't have the cash, I won't buy it.  And if I'm sort on money again, I have one less bill to pay each month.
   Now to work on the car payments.