There is a book I'd love to read that I don't own (shocking, I know!). It's called Lifehacker and it's subtitled "88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day." The author defines life hacks as "clever shortcuts and lesser-known, faster ways to complete a task." So using this concept loosely, I thought I'd share a few of my health and homemaking hacks, or H-Hacks, perhaps.
To get consistent with vitamins and supplements: Buy a pill keeper. You know, one of those thingies with multiple compartments for the days' meds, that I used to think only old people used. About a month ago it occurred to me that what keeps me from consistency is convenience. I believe multivitamins and glucosamine would be good for me. I just don't do anything about it. Well, that's changed. I now load a week's worth of supplements (I take the aforementioned ones, plus maca root which is supposed to be good for muscle recovery) into the container -- it feels a little like dealing cards! -- and I'm good to go for the week!
To save money on hair and skin-care products: Drag out all the half filled bottles that you shelved when you found a newer option and use them up! I suppose I'm not as bad about this as some, but I have my share of last week's "miracle" for shiney hair, smooth skin, and the like. Today I ran out of shampoo, but not really. Although the bottle in the shower is empty, it has several half-filled cousins in the cabinet. And one of those bottles is not front and center in the shower!
To include a crazy amount of nutrition in every day with relative ease: Drink green smoothies! Google "green smoothie" and you'll find a million options for making them. Although they look like a drink for Shrek, I promise you can't taste the spinach (right Katie?). And they help to keep you insanely healthy.
Update
Diet Pepsi-free me! Yes, it's been over a week since I've had a Diet Pepsi or any other soda. Yeah, it's hard and I miss it. But hey, what do you expect when you're trying to break a habit that's been decades in the making, right? To anyone who wants to know how I'm doing it, I'd say two things. First, I've heard some pretty horrible stories (thanks Jennifer and Diana!) about problems friends have had from artifical sweetners. And secondly, it's like anything you're trying to change: it's one day at a time!
Cool video from Atom Ant: Atom send this link for a video about an amazing ultra runner. Thanks so much Atom!
Grocery bags seem to have generated a lot of conversation. To clarify, I ALWAYS have bags in my car, yet I forget to bring them in. And even if I remember (usually when I'm in the checkout line) I don't go to get them. Well, today I REMEMBERED!!! I guess the memory of carrying out an awkward armful of foodstuff yesterday was enough to remind me. UnRuly25 suggested carrying small bags, which is also a great idea, especially as I love large handbags to fitting a Chico Bag in wouldn't be a problem at all. And Matt you're right -- we are just beginning to get the hang of reusing bags here in the U.S. Better late than never, right? Right???!
5 comments:
I've been a fan of the Lifehacker blog for a long time. Glad it's now in book form. Gina's frequently featured on news programs too -- her tips really are great.
I got a Chico Bag from a friend as a gift and it's been great. I too carry around cloth bags for groceries and forget about them 25% of the time. I think it's a habit that takes awhile to stick. I think we'll also get a boost when plastic bags are banned statewide.
And congratulations on remaining Diet Pepsi Free!!!
I love green smoothies and drink them all the time. Yum!!!
Cheers,
Kristen
Leslie's right .... you can't taste the spinach .... and if you add the frozen berry mix to the blender, it's more of a purple smoothie with a hint of green!
Kohl's has a great foldable reusable bag that I bought my mother-in-law for Christmas ... I've been thinking of going back and buying some for me.
The only problem with supplements though, is some people can tend to take too many, when they don't need them.
I'm not saying that's something you'd do, but some people can get to the point where they believe they need anything and everything, and sometimes it can cause things like mineral / vitimin competition, or toxicity, and may interfere with some meds as well, so some people need to really do their homework in some respects before taking anything, irrespective of who they know uses them, which individuals promote them, and what they can do and can cost.
I hope everything goes well for you.
Take care and best wishes.
:-) :-).
Matt
I love having a pill container! It makes life so much easier when it's time to take your supplements.
Happy to hear you've cut out the soda...that stuff is not good for anyone!
I have bags in my car too, and I noticed I stopped using them mostly because they never stand up when you're trying to pack them, and the clerks take longer to pack them too. I just make sure I save my plastic bags and bring them to the store to recycle.
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