I always considered myself an organized person, but sometime in the 1980s, I started saving everything from – old lesson plans; grocery receipts (from recipe testing); scrap papers with numbers (no names); clothes (from size 2 to 24); my son’s artwork; Journals; textbooks, VHS; cassettes; broken phones; wires.. the list is too long to include everything here.
I started to go through my collection of “stuff” to see what I had and what I no longer needed. I knew this would be a massive undertaking; this was over 30 years of my life collecting dust in boxes, files, drawers, cupboards, closets, the garage, and the attic. In just 3 months, I had thrown out over 15 large garbage bags of junk and still did not feel I had made a dent.
This week, I decided to focus only on one part of the house. I chose my office, which is connected to my bedroom. I would not be going through my clothes yet, but it was on the to-do list. I gathered all the boxes from my office, bedroom, under-the-bed, cupboards, shelves, drawers, filing cabinets, and the hidden closet. I placed everything in my den to use as my staging area. This was also the only place in my home that still had a record player. I thought while I’m going through this massive amount of paper, I would listen to some of my old favorites before I donated (or threw out) my albums. I have to check to see if they are recyclable.
Who Is NAPO? The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a group of about 4,200 professional organizers dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. Their vision is to have the world recognize the value of organizing and turn to NAPO as the leading organizing authority. Their mission is to develop, lead, and promote professional organizers and the organizing industry. In addition to serving professional organizers, they aim to help consumers and those interested in becoming professional organizers.
Get Rid of Clutter
Benefits of Organization Organization improves one’s work, life, financial situation and frees up time and space.
10 Benefits of Getting Organized 1. Stress levels will go down, and there will be less chaos and a more relaxed life. 2. Efficiency gets projects done quicker with less time wasted on looking for things and being able to make quicker decisions. 3. An organized person is able to fit in time for friends, family members, and helping out in the community. 4. Getting organized helps you feel better about your environment, and you are more likely to invite people into your environment without embarrassment. 5. You'll be a better role model for your children. 6. Get organized, and you'll have more than enough time to exercise and cook healthy meals for yourself and your family. 7. An organized environment also tends to be a much cleaner environment. 8. An organized person gives a much better business impression than someone who can't find a phone number, has an office piled with cardboard boxes, or is always late for appointments. 9. When you're organized, you'll always know what you have before you buy more. 10. Organized people find ways to eliminate tasks that aren't necessary and to streamline those that are taking too much time. This leaves plenty of time to work on achieving your goals. “Organization brings a level of peace and tranquility to your life,” says Jennifer Snyder of Neat as a Pin! Organizing Experts. Snyder also advises people not to keep things around “just in case.” “Clutter makes noise; it makes energetic noise. It sucks your energy from you.” Clutter also attracts dust and pests. “Clutter is basically sending a message there’s something in your life that you need to get at. Snyder organizes for no more than four hours at a time to give her clients time to adjust to the improvements. “It didn’t get that way overnight. It’s a lifestyle change. You’re changing the way you think about things and becoming more emotionally healthy,” she said. What to do with castoffs. Once space is organized, there will be bags of items to discard. An itemized list of donations to receive tax deductions and discard things properly, such as erasing computer hard drives before dropping them off at a donation center.
Being better organized can provide energy, time and happiness.
I read that one should take a photo of one's child's artwork, and then the boxes of schoolwork can be thrown away. I had one problem—my son. As I was admiring the years of his efforts, he came by to see how I was doing. With a look of shock and horror, Jake told me how I could throw away his work. "I made it for you, Mom." So here is the photo. I ended up keeping his cherished work. I guess I'm not ready to get rid of everything yet.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the National Association of Letter Carriers will do its part to Stamp Out Hunger across America. Now in its 33rd year, the Stamp Out Hunger effort is the nation's largest single-day food drive, collecting more than one billion pounds of food since its inception in 1993. In 2012, Americans donated more than 70 million pounds of food, marking the ninth consecutive year at least 70 million pounds were collected.
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive provides food to local food banks and pantries that rely on donations. With more than 50 million Americans at risk of hunger, food banks nationwide continue to experience record demand for emergency food assistance.
Donate items, such as canned meats, fish, soup, bottled juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal, and rice that do not require refrigeration. Please do not include expired items or glass containers.
Help out
Place non-perishable food products in a bag and leave them on your mailbox. Your Letter Carrier will deliver the food to local food banks.
Where did the colored Easter eggs come from? The egg is a symbol of new life, rebirth, and the celebration of spring. The early Christians describe the egg as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.
After a long hard winter with small amounts of food, an egg for Easter was quite a treasure. Later, Christians abstained from eating meat during Lent. Easter was the first chance to enjoy eggs and meat after the long abstinence.
Nutrition Facts
A medium-sized chicken egg is only 70 calories and rich in protein. Check the chocolate eggs below and compare.
Holly: The Beagle Who Howled Her Way Into Our Hearts
Holly came into our lives on Christmas Day, 2013. We met her at the Broward County Animal Shelter. Jake was immediately drawn to her—something just clicked. We had never owned a beagle before and didn’t know much about them, but that didn’t matter. Holly had already chosen us.
On the drive home, she looked around, then let out a long, loud howl. Jake and I jumped, startled, then burst into laughter. “So that’s what a beagle sounds like,” we said. It was her way of saying thank you—and announcing that life with Holly would never be boring.
At home, we quickly learned a few more things. Holly loves people, does not love other dogs, and has a habit of running off to explore. Fortunately, we had put her name and phone number on her collar, which turned out to be a blessing—we’ve met over 75 neighbors thanks to her little adventures. Holly may not like other dogs, but she brought our community together in her own way.
She tolerated the other dogs in our home, as long as they gave her space. And they learned quickly: Holly was the queen of her domain.
Over the years, she’s stood by us through so much—devastating hurricanes, a house fire, hard times and healing. She didn’t need to say much; her presence was enough.
When we learned Holly had Epitheliotrophic Cancer, I felt a lump in my heart. We always knew this day would come, but knowing doesn’t make it easier. She’s now on palliative care, and we’re making the most of every moment—soaking in her howls, her stubbornness, her warmth.
Whatever time we have left, it will be full of love, gratitude, and the sound of a beagle who changed everything just by being herself.
Celebrating World Art Day Through Edible Expression
#WorldArtDay #FoodArt #EdibleArt
Art isn’t limited to canvases and galleries—it’s also found in our kitchens, bakeries, and dinner tables. This World Art Day celebrates creativity in one of its most delicious forms: food.
Whether it’s a beautifully styled salad, a hand-painted cake, or a sculpted charcuterie board, food has become a powerful and accessible medium for artistic expression. It blends color, shape, texture, and even emotion, inviting us not just to eat—but to experience.
A Plate Is a Canvas
Artistic food isn't just for chefs or professionals. Anyone can turn a dish into a masterpiece. From the swirl of a sauce to the placement of a garnish, each detail adds to the visual impact of the meal. Think:
Rainbow sushi rolls arranged like a mosaic
Layered smoothie bowls that look like abstract paintings
Charcuterie boards that resemble still-life arrangements
Decorated cookies and cakes that rival fine art
Food art brings joy, surprise, and wonder before you even take the first bite.
Why Food Art Matters
Creating food art invites us to slow down, appreciate ingredients, and find beauty in the everyday. It engages all the senses and connects us to culture, tradition, and memory. And let’s be honest—nothing sparks conversation like a cake that looks too pretty to eat!
Get Inspired
This World Art Day, try creating your own edible masterpiece. You don’t need fancy tools—just imagination and a few ingredients. Try:
Styling a colorful breakfast bowl
Designing your own cupcake toppers
Arranging a fruit platter with geometric flair
Turning leftover veggies into a vibrant stir-fry display
Snap a photo before you dig in—tag it with #FoodArt and #EdibleArt to share your creation.
Art Is Everywhere—Even on Your Plate
World Art Day is about honoring creativity in all its forms. Today, let’s celebrate by recognizing the beauty in the bites we create and share. Whether it’s a family recipe or a fun experiment, food is more than nourishment—it’s a chance to make art every day.
The ground has thawed from the winter, at least in most areas. Many people decide whether to start a garden or what crops to plant this year.
Plant a Seed, Grow a Dream
Gardening is a passion of mine. I initially started my studies in agronomy and later changed to nutrition. The cooperative extension became an important part of my education and a wonderful resource. It was also my first job as a dietitian, teaching nutrition in a summer program through Cornell University Extension.
What is the Cooperative Extension?
The Cooperative Extension, also known as the Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, is a research-based educational program designed to help people in the areas of agriculture and food, home and family, the environment, community economic development, and youth and 4-H. The service is provided in every state's designated land-grant universities.
NIFA is the federal partner in the Cooperative Extension System. It provides federal funding to the system and, through program leadership, helps the system identify and address current issues and problems.
History
The Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant universities to educate citizens in agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other practical professions. Extension was formalized in 1914 with the Smith-Lever Act. It partnered with agricultural colleges and the USDA to provide cooperative agricultural extension work.
Over the last century, the extension has adapted to changing times and continues to address a wide range of human, plant, and animal needs in urban and rural areas. The Cooperative Extension focuses on education in six major areas:
1. 4-H Youth Development 2. Agriculture
3. Leadership Development 4. Natural Resources
5. Family and Consumer Sciences 6. Community and Economic Development
Below are educational videos prepared by various Cooperative Extensions across the United States.
A Grilled Cheese Journey: From
Classic to Creative
Cooked bread and cheese are popular in many cultures around the world. In the United States, the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s. Bread and American cheese were inexpensive and readily available during the Great Depression.
A grilled cheese sandwich is assembled and then heated until the bread crisps and the cheese melts, sometimes combined with additional ingredients such as tomatoes, bacon, ham, peppers, and assorted fruits. Several different methods of heating the sandwich are used. Common cooking methods include cooking on a griddle, grilled, fried in a pan, broiled, or made in a panini grill or sandwich toaster.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Grilled Brie Sandwich with Apricots and Sliced Almonds
Ingredients 1 slice Pumpernickel Bread 1.25 oz Brie 2 tsp Apricot Fruit Spread 4 g Sliced Almonds 20 g Dried Fruit (Apricots, Raisins)
Directions Spread Brie on pumpernickel bread. Grill until melted. Top with apricot fruit spread and sliced almonds. Serve apricots and raisins on the side.
Ingredients. 2 slice whole-wheat bread 1-1/2 tsp olive oil 1/2 granny smith apple (peeled cored and thinly sliced) 1/3 cup swiss cheese (shredded)
Directions. Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil. Place 1 slice of bread, olive oil side down into the skillet, and arrange the apple slices evenly over the top. Sprinkle the Swiss cheese over the apple, and then top with the remaining slice of bread, olive oil side up. Cook until the bread is golden brown, flip the sandwich over, and cook until the other side is golden brown and the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 more minutes.
Grilled Muenster Cheese on Whole Wheat Sandwich Round with Pecans, Blueberries, and Green Onions. Serve with Sliced Yellow Squash and Raspberries
Studies have found that: • Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. • People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. • Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax. • Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than those without pets. • Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without. • Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
Caring for a pet can help with those healthy lifestyle changes by:
• Increasing exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to involve boring repetition at a gym. Taking a dog for a walk, riding a horse, or simply chasing a kitten around are fun ways to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule.
• Providing companionship. Isolation and loneliness can make disorders such as depression even worse. Caring for a living animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and take the focus away from your problems. Most pet owners talk to their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles.
• Helping meet new people. Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners. Dog owners frequently stop and talk to each other on walks or in a dog park. Pet owners also meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes. • Reducing anxiety. A dog's companionship can offer comfort, help ease anxiety, and build self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world. • Adding structure and routine to your day. Many pets, especially dogs, require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or stressed—you’ll always have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for your pet. • Providing sensory stress relief. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. This could involve petting a cat or taking a dog for a walk.
Pets and older adults The key to aging well is to effectively handle life’s major changes, such as retirement, the loss of loved ones, and the physical changes of aging. Pets can play an important role in healthy aging by: • Helping you find meaning and joy in life. As you age, you’ll lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. You may retire from your career or your children may move far away. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure and help boost your morale and optimism. Taking care of an animal can also provide a sense of self-worth. • Staying connected. Maintaining a social network isn’t always easy as you grow older. Retirement, illness, death, and moves can take away close friends and family members. And making new friends can get harder. Dogs especially are a great way for seniors to spark up conversations and meet new people. • Boosting vitality. You can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by taking good care of yourself. Pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and exercise, which can help boost your immune system and increase your energy. Resources and References American Humane Association 5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health
"People who laugh actually live longer than those who don't laugh. Few persons realize that health actually varies according to the amount of laughter."
James J. Walsh, MD
Having a good laugh usually makes us feel good about ourselves.
I Love to Laugh
Research published in the International Journal of Obesity discovered laughter can be beneficial in weight control.
Laughing helps burn calories by increasing the heart rate by 10 to 20 percent: The metabolism increases as well, meaning you will burn more calories at rest once you have stopped laughing.
Scientists calculated 15 minutes of laughter a day will burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on a person’s weight and the intensity of the laughter.
Laughter can relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which promotes an overall sense of well-being.
Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which may benefit the cardiovascular system.
Laughter may benefit people with diabetes. One study showed after watching a comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after listening to a boring lecture.
Laugh because it feels great, because it is healthy for you, and because we take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to lighten up. “Laughter is the best medicine.”
There’s something magical about witnessing transformation up close.
In late February, tiny monarch caterpillars began devouring the milkweed in our yard. By March 23, one had formed a chrysalis. A week later, on March 30, the casing turned translucent, revealing those iconic black and orange wings. Just 32 minutes later, she emerged—a brand new butterfly.
I waited to watch her take flight… but Lola, our curious 2-year-old dachshund, had to investigate first. Still, I was able to catch the butterfly fluttering into the world.
Now, a new wave of caterpillars is back on the milkweed. The cycle continues. Life keeps moving.
The primary difference between deep-dish pizza and most other forms of pizza is that, as the name suggests, the crust is very deep, creating a very thick pizza that resembles a pie more than a flatbread. Although the entire pizza is very thick, in traditional Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas, the crust is thin to medium.
Deep-dish pizza is baked in a round, steel pan that is more similar to a cake or pie pan than a typical pizza pan. The pan is oiled to allow easy removal and create a fried effect on the outside of the crust. In addition to ordinary wheat flour, the pizza dough may contain cornmeal, semolina, or food coloring, giving the crust a distinctly yellowish tone. The dough is pressed up onto the sides of the pan, forming a bowl for a very thick layer of toppings.
Carrots are root vegetables, usually orange in color, though purple, red, white, and yellow varieties are available. When fresh, they have a crisp texture. Carrots add sweetness and color to stews, soups, stir-fries, slaws, and cakes, and they are also an excellent source of Vitamin A and fiber.
Nutritional Information
Carrots are known for their rich supply of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Research has focused on the health benefits of vision, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Recipe: Carrot Ginger Bisque
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: about 1 cup
Ingredients
2 cup Vegetable Broth, low-sodium
1.5 cups Carrots, diced
1/4 cup Cranberries, dried, sweetened
1 box (17.6 oz) Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque, Pacific Natural Foods
3/4 cup White Beans, unsalted, drained
Directions
Heat the vegetable broth. Add diced carrots and dried cranberries. Simmer until carrots and cranberries are tender. Using a strainer, separate the carrots and cranberries from the broth. Reserve carrots and cranberries.
Combine the broth and "Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque". Heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Add the white beans and reserved carrots and cranberries. Mix and reheat to serving temperature.
Notes. To lower the sodium content of the cashew carrot ginger bisque, I used a low-sodium vegetable broth. To increase the fiber content, I garnished the recipe with white beans, diced carrots, and dried cranberries.
Nutrition Information
Growing Carrots: Red, Yellow, Purple & Orange
Selection.
Carrots should be firm, smooth, crisp, fresh, deep in color, and free of cuts.
Storage.
Remove tops of the carrots. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in a plastic bag.
Serving Ideas.
1. Add shredded raw carrots to salads.
2. Add carrots to soup or puree carrots to make carrot soup.
3. Combine cooked carrots with dried fruit
4. Snack with a low-fat dip or plain. Resources
1. Fruits & Veggies More Matters: Carrots
Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 35 years of experience. A great service for the Recipe Bloggers, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN at recipenews@gmail.com
Tuscan White Bean Stew
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*Just wanted to share a simple and flavorful soup that's nourishing and
perfect for any season!*
*Ingredients*
- two diced celery stalks
- 2 cans of...
