A peaceful environment in your bedroom can go far to remove that as a stressor in your life. Take a few minutes to create in your mind what for you would be the ultimate restful space: what furniture, bedding, lighting, and storage would be there. Then resolve to make those changes that your time and budget allow. Plan to have at least one splurge in your changes: as simple as a lavender sachet, a new lamp, new paint, or as expensive as a new bed.

Creating a sanctuary in your bedroom can bring peace to your spirit and be a key part of your quest to rest and sleep.

Spices and herbs have been used since ancient times to enhance the flavor of foods. They were also used in medicines and as charms to ward off evil spirits. While we won’t be using them to ward off evil spirits we do want to make sure that they are potent enough to add seasoning to our cooking. The herbs and spices in your cabinet are most flavorful while they fresh. Periodically check their color and their aroma to see if they are faded or smell weak. If so, replace them.

To find out how old your herbs and spices are you can check a “best by” date if they have one or check with the manufacturer’s site for a code. Be sure to check the “best by” date before you buy new spices too because there have been reported cases where the bottle was several years old!

Storage guidelines are to keep them tightly capped and away from heat and moisture. Avoid storing them near a stove, sink, dishwasher, or bright window. Chili powder and its cousin paprika stay fresher if stored in the refrigerator. Do not pour them directly from the jar over a steaming pot as this may let moisture in and shorten their life. And don’t store them in the freezer as the condensation when they are removed introduces moisture.

An interesting tidbit is that if you have any Schilling products, they are at least 7 years old and probably past their prime. Also those little red tins (except Black Pepper) are at least 20 years old but don’t throw them away – sell them on e-bay. A recent check found that you could get $3- $5 each for them!

Closing Comments
Keeps these guidelines handy when determining the shelf life of herbs and spices:
• Ground spices 2-3 years
• Whole spices 3-4 years or more
• Seasoning blends 1-2 years
• Herbs 1-3 years
• Extracts 4 years
• Pure Vanilla indefinitely
• Teas generally 1 year

I would love to get your comments on this and other topics. PLEASE click the comment link below and tell me what is on your mind.

The following are some of the best hints, tips and tricks to setting up a perfectly functioning office space.

1. The key challenge when setting up a work place in the home is space. Most people cannot spare a room to be transformed into an office environment, so some level of compromise is immediately required. So the first thing that you need to do when organizing yourself a home office is to allocate space to the task of business.
2. Do not allow loose papers. Loose papers are a no-no when space is an issue. Every piece of paperwork should have a place where it belongs whether that is s file or a pile.
3. Set up a simple tray system for incoming and outgoing mail (see my blog on the Three Baskets and a Shredder system of dealing with incoming mail. Hint the most important basket is your wastebasket!).
4. When organizing your home office, use labels for everything – every file and ring binder, every drawer and tray.
5. Good lighting is essential, since your eyesight will quickly suffer in a dull light. If your office space is naturally dull, then investing in a light of some sort would be a great idea.
6. A small filing cabinet would be a great item to have, and would make a great home for your paperwork
7. Make use of the vertical space – shelves above your desk can store all sorts of files!
8. That space under the desk can be used too – files and boxes etc need a place to go. You should use every inch of space but be careful not to pack the office too full and sacrifice the flow and harmony of the space.
9. Have a simple place to stash all the tools that you need to keep them handy; it means you always know where pens, drawing pins, the stapler, scissors etc are.
10. A notice board is a great organizational tool, get one and use it well!
11. Bonus tip: The last ten minutes of every working day should be spent on keeping your office area tidy, not just because it is a part of your home, but also because it will reduce your stress when you can quickly locate what you will be working on the next time you sit down to your desk.

Working from home has many advantages, but there are challenges too that must be addressed if you are to be successful. By following these hints and tips you will be more likely to set up a productive office environment.

When you get down to basics you can tame the mail monkey with 3 simple steps. These are:
1) Designate a place for incoming mail;
2) Sort it by action to take;
3) Trash and shred as you go

Try these steps and the Four Baskets and a Shredder System and watch your stress with incoming mail decrease.

Please add your comments below. I want to hear from you both about this topic and other topics you might like covered here. Tell me what is on YOUR mind!

Now that spring is in full swing have you thought about spring cleaning? Not the kind your grandmother did beating rugs in the backyard (although that is okay too) but an opportunity to take stock of your clothes, your linens, your stuff.

This is a good time to clear out unneeded items. Also, if you live in a climate where you store off-season clothes, make sure they are clean before storing. For those clothes that have been in storage for the spring or summer seasons check them thoroughly for wearability as well as style. Give away anything that no long fits your style or your body.

You’ll find that spring it a great time to practice quantum thinking. Quantum comes from the Latin for how much; so Quantum thinking is evaluating just how much stuff do I need to keep, store, or use.

I recently had the audacious idea that it would be fun to write a book about my organizing philosophy. That is how Quantum Organizing was born.  A quantum leap describes a jump to a whole new level. This definition describes my approach to getting and staying organized.

The first step to quantum organizing is to clarify your vision for that space. The second step is to take action. Clearing out the clutter will leave you not only more organized but also more energized.