It's time to give back!

With the holiday season fast approaching, there are many places and opportunities for people to give back to the community through various charitable organizations around the city. There is no greater feeling than knowing you have been able to help someone in need. Whether you decide to undertake a project on your own or with your family and friends, volunteering is a great way to give back to the community in a fun and rewarding way.

If you’re racking your brain for group gift ideas, or are dreading the thought of planning/attending another holiday party, consider starting a new tradition this year, and volunteering with friends and family. This way, you can give back to a great cause and spend time with the people you love. If a volunteer project isn’t a possibility this year, consider asking for financial donations to a charity of your choice, or hold a holiday event and collect non-perishable items for a food bank. There are many worthy organizations in Calgary that can use your help and support!

Recently, the team at Calm Order, together with friends and other volunteers, helped Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary to set up their new offices and homes. Servants Anonymous is a non-profit organization in Calgary that provides programs and support for women who have either experienced or are at risk of sexual exploitation or trafficking.

Calm Order and the volunteers sorted through furniture and other household items that were stored in the organization’s former facility and housing suites, packed up the remaining items, and unpacked them in their new location. This project was assisted by Just Junk, who also generously gathered household items that were donated to the new homes, and helped clear the old and worn items.

For Calgary residents, there are many projects and programs that are undertaken during the holiday season. However, keep in mind that many of these organizations operate throughout the entire year, and are always in need of any time or support you can offer.

The Calgary Food Bank, Calgary Meals on Wheels, The Mustard Seed, and Inn from the Cold all offer volunteer programs that individuals and groups can participate in during the holiday season (and the rest of the year). For a more extensive list of volunteer opportunities around Calgary, go here.

Fall Organizing Project: Get ready for the holidays!

That’s right – Christmas is coming! As December approaches, it’s time to undertake a fall organizing project to get your house ready for the holidays.

Many of us accumulate a lot of “stuff” during December. We have to bring out or buy a winter wardrobe, take out decorations and put them up, and of course, give and receive gifts with family and friends. These items tend to take up a lot of room in a home, and soon enough even more will be added.

Now is the time to undertake a fall organizing project of any rooms that will be affected during the holidays – any major gathering areas, storage rooms for decorations, or toy rooms where gifts are most likely to accumulate. Then, the sorting, purging, and organizing process begins! Carefully go through each of your items, and consider whether you should keep it, donate it, or toss it. Keep these questions in mind when you’re going through your items:

• Do I need this?
• Have I used it recently?
• Why am I keeping it?
• Does it still work, or is it fixable?
• Can (or will) it be replaced?

This process can be time consuming and overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of items to go through. Split the project up by room, and give yourself plenty of time to go through the items. Always keep in mind that the holidays are coming, and you will have even more items to store or put away. If you’re expecting a new gift, or know your kids will be getting new toys, then it’s important to make sure you purge some of these items to make room for new ones. When you’re going through decorations, check through ornaments and lights to see if anything is broken, and if anything is, either repair it or toss it. Christmas decorations can have a lot of sentimental attachments, but if they haven’t been used for decorating in the last couple of years or if you have no room to put them up, consider donating them to someone who can.

It’s difficult to add more closets and storage spaces to your home, but it’s easy to make room in your existing spaces. Take the time to go through the items you already have so your home is ready to accommodate any new additions during the holiday season!

Resolutions 2017 – How to eat healthier

Living healthier involves incorporating healthier foods into your diet, which can be difficult for people who may live busy lives or may not have the experience of cooking with fresh produce. To achieve this resolution, planning is key, and the most effective way to do this is by making healthy eating a seamless part of your everyday life.

Start your planning each week or whenever you go grocery shopping, and determine what you’re going to eat for that period. Make a list of what fresh produce and other items you’ll need by looking up recipes and creating a week-long meal plan. Purchase the ingredients that you need, and prep them for meals beforehand. Wash and chop up vegetables and store them in containers where they are ready to go. Make soup and freeze it in individual containers. If you have leftovers, freeze them in freezer-safe containers, or save them in your refrigerator for lunch or a leftover dinner night.

Eating healthy can become difficult when you’re eating out, whether it’s at a restaurant or a friend/relative’s home. When you’re eating out, avoid fast food restaurants, and consider healthier on the go alternatives, like a pre-made salad. At restaurants, look for healthier meat options or even salads, and instead of dessert, get a tea or fruit option instead and limit the amount of alcohol you drink. It can be hard to stay motivated when you are eating out, so try looking up the menu online ahead of time and picking a restaurant that has healthy food options you would want to eat.

This resolution also involves the cooperation of your friends and family, especially the people who you may be living with. It will be easier for you to stay on task if you notify them of your goal, to avoid them from potentially compromising your healthy diet plans.

Eating a healthier diet involves a lot of planning and preparation to make incorporating these foods into your diet easy and achievable. Consider taking a cooking class with friends to learn how to make different dishes, or search through websites online to find meal options that are appealing to you and easy to manage. Freezing homemade meals or saving leftovers is also a great alternative for ordering out or eating take-out food. With luck, this year-long resolution to eat healthier may be something you continue to do long after.