The Monthly Organizer

February 2007

Monthly Motivation

Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life

I love Ellie's show and, so far, I am just as satisfied with her book. I decided to feature her book as this month's motivation tip, not only because I suggest it as a great read, but also because I love the message it delivers.

It is very easy to get frustrated and lose your motivation when you become overwhelmed by the big picture. Whatever the challenge, focus on one little piece of the puzzle at a time and you will achieve your goals in no time.

Monthly Organization Tip

Do you have a lot of family heirlooms? Do you intend to pass on certain objects to your children in the hopes that they will become family heirlooms? If you answered yes to either of these questions this tip is for you.

How sad would it be if, generations from now, somebody sold a family heirloom at a garage sale because they had no idea what it was. Stories can get lost in translation from one generation to the next. Don't let this happen to you. Create a family heirloom binder. Take a photograph of each treasure and place it in a binder or photo album with a written account of what makes that item so special.

Years from now when your grandchildren's grandchildren can see a picture of you baking with the same rolling pin they are holding in their hands, they will know exactly why it is so special.

Money Saving Tip

If you are like me, you have at least one, if not several, jars of loose change around your home. Like me, you probably have no idea how much money is actually in those jars.

When school started for my son this year I went into my purse to get him lunch money one morning and realized that I had no cash. As I began digging around in one of my loose change jars an idea came to me. Why not use the change for lunch money? I started doing just that.

My son has been in school for approximately 80 days so far this year and lunch costs $2.00 per day. I have saved $160.00 that I would have otherwise taken out of our bank account, all the while ignoring the pile of money I had laying around the house. Instead, I never touched my bank account and I have gotten rid of the pile of loose coins that I would have had to roll and haul to the bank. I'd say that worked out pretty well.

How much loose change do you have laying around your house that you could be putting to better use?

Recipe of the Month

Don't be concerned that there is no sauce to this dish. The smoked mozzarella melts all over the spaghetti noodles and, combined with a little bit of the pasta cooking water, forms a melt-in-your-mouth sauce all on it's own.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound asparagus, snapped
• 3/4 pound spaghetti
• 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips
• 8 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, finely diced
• 15 fresh basil leaves, sliced into thin strips

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2-3 generous pinches of salt and the asparagus. Blanch for 2 to 3 minutes and remove to a bowl of ice water to shock.

Return the same water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook according to package directions.

Meanwhile, remove the asparagus from the ice water and cut into one inch sections. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Saute the garlic for 30 seconds. Add asparagus and season with salt and pepper.

Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the cooking liquid. Add the pasta and the cooking liquid, a small amount at a time, to the pan, until you have a nice creamy consistency but not a pool of water in the pan.

Remove the pan from the heat. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella and basil. Toss to combine.

Entertaining Idea

Make it formal because everyone feels more special when they are dressed up. Serve champaigne and make a special meal that will show each guest how much you care.

To keep within the theme, put a little box of chocolates and a single red rose at each place setting and give each guest a Valentine's Day card with a personal note inside. I guarantee that nobody will leave without feeling special.

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