Quit Procrastinating

Photo courtesy CollegeDegrees360

“I’ll do it later.” “Maybe tomorrow.” “I just don’t feel like it.” Sound familiar? Sure, we all have things we don’t want to do, but we probably spend more time thinking about doing things than it would take to actually DO THEM. Real Simple offers some advice on how to quit thinking and start doing.

Do the Worst Thing First
Maybe this is the last suggestion you want to hear. But there’s a good reason to start with the tough stuff. “We have a limited, depletable supply of willpower and resources,” says Piers Steel, Ph.D., a professor of human resources and organizational dynamics at the University of Calgary and the author of The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Things Done($26, amazon.com). Attack the hardest task when your energy is fresh and you give yourself the strongest chance of success. Doing otherwise can have a damaging domino effect. “Putting off the dreaded item on your list saps your strength,” says Eva Wisnik, who conducts time-management training for lawyers and corporations in New York City. Ultimately all your other tasks suffer—stressing over that worst thing “makes you not completely present with anything else,” says Wisnik. So identify and get started on the most heinous project, which is not necessarily the biggest job but the baddest. “Checking it off will make you feel super-productive,” says Wisnik, thus infusing with you with gung-ho, it’s-all-downhill-from-here enthusiasm.

Start Your Day Over at 2 p.m.
What’s more irritating than witnessing your morning fly by without having dealt with your to-do list? Watching your afternoon roll right along with it. Combat this by implementing a reboot: “At 2 p.m. every day, assess how much you’ve accomplished, remind yourself of what’s critical, and alter your plan so you can tackle the most important thing,” says Wisnik. In other words, grant yourself a second morning in the middle of the day (complete with your caffeinated beverage of choice). And if there’s a new project that has become high priority, you still have the time and the energy to start it at 2 p.m. “If you wait until 5 p.m. to evaluate your day,” says Wisnik, “you’re out of time—and in crisis mode, putting out fires.”

Make the Job Smaller
It’s natural to get overwhelmed by the size and scope of certain tasks. Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., a psychology professor at DePaul University, in Chicago, and the author of Still Procrastinating? The No-Regrets Guide to Getting It Done ($16,amazon.com), says this is a case of “seeing the forest and forgetting that it’s made of trees.” His advice: “Cut down one tree. And if you can’t cut a whole tree, cut three branches.” Instead of being disheartened by how much you can’t do, look at how much you can. If you have 12 boxes of clutter to sort, do only one. On the other hand, if you simply have to get it all done, think about this: Sometimes shrinking a task is aboutquality rather than quantity. Says John Perry, a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside, and a cohost of the radio show Philosophy Talk: “Ask yourself, ‘How good a job do I really need to do?’ Some things are not important enough to warrant perfection.” It makes more sense to do top-notch work when updating your résumé, for example, than when drawing up flyers for a block party.

Create an Audience
It’s easy to blow things off when your commitment to yourself is the only thing at stake. But make yourself accountable to a friend and suddenly potential embarrassment becomes a powerful motivator. It’s “positive pressure,” says life coach Cheryl Richardson, the author of Take Time for Your Life ($14, amazon.com). Just as you’re more likely to exercise when you’re meeting a friend at the gym, you may be more apt to fill out critical paperwork if you have a partner looking over your shoulder (even virtually). Fear of letting someone down might be the perfect motivator. Call a friend or a sibling (not the warm-and-fuzzy kind—the tough-nut, no-excuses kind) and tell her what you plan to get done. Ask her to check in and crack the whip at an appointed time. Then let the fear of disappointment work its dark magic.

Race the Clock
Having trouble even beginning a burdensome project? Try the old trick of setting a timer for 10 minutes. Work in a focused, perhaps even frantic manner for that short stretch, and watch what happens. “Anyone can do 10 measly minutes,” says Debbie Mandel, a stress-management specialist in New York City and the author of Addicted to Stress: A Woman’s 7-Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life ($23,amazon.com). “You may get engrossed and end up working even longer.” Once a sense of satisfaction replaces the dread you felt before, there’s a decent chance you’ll continue. Another trick to moving past that initial paralysis is to create what has been called an “implementation intention,” says Pychyl. Instead of simply identifying your goal, establish how and when you’ll actually accomplish it. For example: Saturday morning at 11, get the kids to figure out exactly which printer cartridge we need; go to Staples at noon.

Don’t Interrupt Yourself
If you get pulled away from tasks by every ding, whistle, and ring on your digital devices, well, you’re like most of us. But keep in mind that other people aren’t interrupting you; you are interrupting yourself. (This is tough love, folks.) The way to break free from technology is, ironically, to employ it: There are a slew of applications you can download to block electronic distractions. Freedom (macfreedom.com, $10) disables all roads to the Internet for an allotted amount of time. And cheating isn’t easy—to sneak back online early, you have to reboot your computer. RescueTime (free, rescuetime.com) tracks your every online move and provides easy-to-read, painfully revealing charts. Seeing your wasted time in pretty graphs is a bracing slap in the face. (That’s how many hours I spent on Facebook yesterday?) And LeechBlock (free, addons.mozilla.org) works with the Internet browser Firefox so you can block certain sites—or all of them—either perpetually or during specific periods. If you have an addiction to those online sample sales with new offerings every 15 minutes, you can use this app to take away temptation. Same principle as keeping your favorite cookies out of the house.

Plan an Unprocrastination Day
Gather your most neglected tasks and a no-nonsense companion and head off on an odyssey of productivity, vowing not to return home until your long ignored to-do’s are done. 

How to Make a Small Kitchen Count

Photo courtesy of Carrie McBride

If you have ever lived in an apartment with a tiny kitchen, you know the struggle of balancing creating MORE space with creating YOUR space. Here are some tips from Apartment Therapy’s Carrie McBride on how to spruce up the kitchen that even your landlord will approve of.

1. Over-the-Stove Cutting Board: small kitchens are a challenge not just for storing things but for actually cooking. To gain a bit more usable counter space I purchased this bamboo cutting board that fits across two burners. If you don't use your stove much you could leave it there most of them time. Or, of course, you can just bring it out when you need more surface area to work on. I used it for an easier quesadilla assembly line recently and it was a great improvement. If you're curious, the one I have is by Lipper International and available through Amazon, Wayfair, Bed Bath & Beyond and more for around $23.

Photo courtesy of Carrie McBride

2. Vertical, Affordable Recycling Holder: Do you recognize this piece? It's from the kids' section of IKEA and is mainly marketed as a toy bin. I use it to hold recycling and it's just big enough to hold nearly a week's worth for my family of four. It's a TROFAST frame ($29.99) with two TROFAST storage boxes ($5/each).

3. Mini Dust Pan & Brush Secured to Fridge: Tired of getting the broom out of the closet every time there was something small to sweep up in the kitchen (like a bit of flour, coffee grinds, etc.) I had the idea to get a very small dust pan and stick it on the fridge. See below for an adhesive method that did not work - what did work was Scotch brand fasteners (adhesive on one side, Velcro-esque on the other). The mini dust pan is by Oxo ($6) and they also make a similarly small, but differently shaped one for a buck more.

Public Service Announcement: I first tried to hang the dust pan on the fridge with glued-on magnets. I don't know if the glue I was using wasn't up to the task (Gorilla Glue Super Glue) or if the plastic surface wasn't porous enough, but this method only lasted a few tries before the magnets came off and stuck to the fridge instead of the dust pan. Maybe you can make this method work, but I recommend skipping the frustration.

4. Double Magnetic Knife Holder: I wrote at length about this space-saving improvement recently and included some purchasing and DIY options. I'm still happy with this small, but effective tweak which freed up some wall space, which I used instead to add...

5. Vertical Shelving: With my knife holder off the wall, I had a few feet to use to put up some shelves (in this case, some very cheap IKEA shelves, the Ekby Laiva shelf with Stilig brackets). I haven't maximized the storage potential yet, but so far I'm using them to hold some canisters of grains and paper towels (remember, I caved and started buying them in bulk?).

6. Attractive storage baskets: I included this tip in a post about my small home. Adding stylish baskets above my cabinets has been the happy medium between underusing the space (with the benefit of an uncluttered appearance) and overusing the space (with big and visually heavy storage bins). My baskets are holding things I rarely use like cookie cutters, plastic easter eggs and extra light bulbs.

Photo courtesy of Carrie McBride

7. Cookbooks above the fridge: Yes, no 
space is sacred in a small kitchen. I've whittled down our collection of cookbooks considerably, but prefer to have them close at hand in the kitchen if possible. Why not above the fridge? I turned a galvanized steel bookcase we were getting rid of on its side and it can hold most of our cookbooks. I'd like to whittle down even more so there isn't overflow on the top, but I'm getting there.

8. Microfiber drying mat: My small kitchen doesn't have a dishwasher and my dish drainer doesn't hold much more than a meal's worth of dishes. This is especially bothersome when I'm cleaning up after having company over and we have twice as many dishes to wash and dry (I know, I could hand dry as I go, but I prefer to let the air do my work!). When I purchased a microfiber drying mat to use under my drainer, I decided to get two for when one was in the wash. But I've also found it's great to pull out for overflow dish drying.

9. Simple pot lid container: This tip isn't just for small kitchens. My uncontained pot lids were making me batty and taking up much more space than they needed to. I researched, I pinned, I plotted, I planned. And found many terrific ideas and products. And then I just happened to see this simple plastic tub that was the right size and shape and solved my problem in perhaps not the most elegant way, but in a quick, cheap ($9), efficient way. It is actually intended to be a pull-out container but there is a lip (not pictured) on the bottom of this cabinet which would make that tricky so I decided, for once, to make things easier on myself and just forgo that functionality and simply use the bin to contain my pot lids. Nothing fancy, but it does the job just fine.

10. Magnetic Hook: This is such a tiny thing it barely warrants mention, but I wanted to give a little shout out to my new magnetic hook which I use to hold a kitchen towel. All my life I've hooked a towel around the fridge door handle because it was easy and it was there and I just didn't give it much thought. This gives the fridge front a more streamlined look and is another easy way to use the vertical surface of the fridge. This one cost $7 (from Amazon) and they also sell a double hook version.

So, there you have it, 10 ideas from my own small kitchen, maybe, to yours.

See the Many Sides of Berkeley...on Stage

If you grew up or have spent a lot of your adult life in the Berkeley area, you know all too well that there is no singular Berkeley, but several Berkeleys. From its political history to its fantastic food scene, there are lots of different sides to the city we live in and love.

That's why director Rebecca Novick and playwright Dan Wolf put together the new play "Daylighting: The Berkeley Stories Project." 

After spending two years interviewing locals about what Berkeley means to them, their show, commissioned by the Shotgun Players, finally opens today at The Ashby Stage.

From SFGate.com:

"We didn't just get a bunch of old revolutionaries who now drive vegetable-powered BMWs into a room to preach to the choir...We got a wide swath of people to illuminate their own version of Berkeley."

"Dan and I were kicking around ideas about what we think we know about Berkeley," says director Novick, 42, who launched the Triangle Lab in 2011 to generate civic dialogue through community-engaged performance. "Even outside the Bay Area, people think of that iconic image of Mario Savio in Sproul Plaza as if Berkeley's frozen in time. But that was 50 years ago, which is ancient history in terms of the pace of cultural change. So what's Berkeley's story now?"

Daylighting: The Berkeley Stories Project

Opens 8 p.m. Friday. 

Also 8 p.m. Saturday, 

5 p.m. Sunday. 

$8-$25. Through June 22. 

The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org.

Is Your Kitchen Clutter Free?

(Image courtesy of Barney Livingston)

This one is for all the cooks out there. How many times have you been so engrossed in cooking a complicated recipe only to discover half-way through that you’ve fun out of counter space?

If this problem seems to come up more and more often while you’re cooking, it may be time to look at the appliances in your kitchen to determine what you really, truly can live without. Don’t believe us? Read through this list courtesy of builddirect.com and we’re sure you’ll be rethinking some of your less-used appliances.

1. Toaster

Let’s start radically by challenging tradition, shall we? While a toaster might seem like a can’t-live-without item, it’s really an unnecessary kitchen tool when you really look at it. The pop-up toaster was only developed in the way we recognize it by 1913. Before that into the late 1800s, a broiler or a skillet was used for making toast. You can do that too!

To use the broiler for toast, put bread on a baking sheet and slide it onto the top rack of the oven. If you prefer to use a skillet, set it over medium-high heat and flip the bread from side to side until it turns that golden shade of brown. No problem!

2. Microwave

“Ack! Are you insane???”

Well, it might seem even more radical to suggest that a microwave should be anything less than totally central to your kitchen. But, one thing to consider is the relationship that you have with your kitchen as far as what you actually do while you’re in it. For instance, how central is your microwave, really, to the daily meals you’re preparing in your kitchen? Ask yourself this question, and then decide whether or not the counterspace or cabinet space your microwave takes up is really justified.

Also, think about where your microwave might serve you better outside of the kitchen. If you use your microwave to make popcorn, warm up hot chocolate, or to heat up other snacks while you’re spending time in front of the TV, or on board game night, or kids craft time, then maybe the microwave should be more central to those activities in family rooms, or living rooms.

You could do worse than to match up the function of your microwave with the kinds of activities it supports. And it’s your house, so you get to decide where everything goes, even if tradition says otherwise.

3. Sandwich maker

In your quest for a minimalist kitchen, small appliances that have only one function (like your toaster!) are prime candidates for demotion on your countertops. Sandwich makers have a certain appeal. But, unless your really expanding on ways to use it, or are maybe writing an eBook about the versatility of the sandwich in modern cuisine, it might be time to give your sandwich maker its walking papers when it comes to taking up countertop space.

And again, is there a better place for your sandwich maker? Basement family rooms, bar areas in recreation areas, and even in outdoor dining spaces might be a better choice for single-function appliances like this.

4. Extra dishes

You know that hideous floral dinnerware that your well-meaning neighbor gave you? Drop it off at the nearest secondhand store. You might keep stuff like that around in your cupboards and cabinetry, just in case you ever have more guests than your regular set of dinnerware can handle. But if that happens, renting plates from catering companies or borrowing them from friends and family are always viable options. Your well-meaning neighbor won’t even notice.

5. Deep fryer

While your doctor probably wouldn’t argue with you if you gave up completely on those treats from the fryer, getting rid of your deep fryer doesn’t mean you have to go without the goodies. A sturdy saucepan and a thermometer will get the job done, and you’ll have one less bulky item hogging your counter or cupboard space.

6. Rice Cooker

Here’s the thing. You don’t really need a rice cooker. All you need is a saucepan with a lid. Cooking rice on the stove top is almost as easy as using a rice cooker.

My method? It’s one-part rice, two parts water, cover and set to boil, turn off the heat completely when boiling is achieved. Then, let it sit with the lid on for about 15 mins. Easy peasy.

7. Popcorn maker

You got rid of the microwave in the kitchen, and now the popcorn maker is on the chopping block, so what are you going to eat on movie night? Once again, making popcorn on the stove top is a solution. Granted, making popcorn on the stove isn’t as easy as throwing a bag of popcorn in the microwave or using the popcorn maker, but you still end up with a delicious treat—and a new skill to add to your growing list of culinary feats.

And like you did with your microwave, maybe this is just a matter of re-location rather than changing your approach to making a buttery treat. Move that popcorn maker into the family room where you play your boardgames, or watch movies. Redefine where your appliances are according to your needs. This is your space. You get to decide where things go. Simple.

8. Extra knives

That big wooden block sitting on your counter probably only has a few slots that see frequent action. A chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife are all essential, but that’s really all you need. Keep them sharp, keep them clean, and say farewell to all the knives that you kept around for reasons that may now escape you.

The same goes for that drawer (you know the one, everyone has one …) with the jumble of mysterious implements with uses that remain to be a mystery. Clear that out and be brutal about how often you use each item in there. You’ll thank yourself later.

Support Music in Berkeley High Schools This Sunday!

Do you remember your high school music classes as some of the most fun classes you took? If so, consider supporting the future of music in Berkeley's local high schools this Sunday!

On May 18, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the Fourth Street Shops, Berkeleyside, and others will be hosting the 19th Annual Jazz on Fourth benefit music festival for Berkeley High School's Jazz Program. The event is free for the public and will feature jazz performances by: 

BHS Ensemble and Combos

Ed Reed

Sista Monica Parker

Tito y su Son de Cuba

Over the past 18 years, the Jazz on Fourth festival has raised over $165,000 for the Berkeley High School Jazz program. And this year, local businesses will be getting involved as well, by donating to the event's raffle and lining the streets with fun merchandise and activities. There will also be special kids menus at certain restaurants, with free face painting for kids and professional photos being taken courtesy of Photolab. 

From the FourthStreet website: 

Jazz on Fourth is an shinning example of the high value the Berkeley business community places on supporting the arts in our public schools, but more than that, it's an exciting musical event---a FREE outdoor jazz festival that's fun for the entire family. Come join us and hear why Berkeley High School's Jazz Ensemble and combos enjoy such a great reputation." -Sarah Cline, BHS Jazz Director. Website & Music here

Click here to learn more about the 19th Annual Jazz on Fourth concert!

Warm Days, Cool Wine

(Image courtesy of Gitta Zahn)

Now that summer is here, many people forego heavier drinks for light and fruity cocktails - but what get together would be complete without a fantastic glass of wine? If you’re like us, the idea of sipping a heavy red wine during the hot, sticky summer months just doesn’t sound appealing.

If you want to give your wine list an upgrade for the summer, this article from apartmenttherapy.com has just what you’re looking for. Peruse this list of light, fruity summer wines to find your next favorite!

Vinho Verde

In Portuguese this translates to green wine and it’s the perfect drink for hot nights in Lisbon. A young, tart white wine this one is a crowd pleaser as it’s easy on the palette and great for drinking in the sun or after a long day in it.

Caprice de Colombelle

This French wine is robust for a white and has great notes of pear that evolve on the tongue. It goes well with chicken dishes or Brie cheese. This wine is pretty widespread as far as its exportation in the States so ask your local wine merchant if they carry it (and if they don’t, to start to!)

Santo Wines

These Greek wines from the island of Santorini are all delicious! From the sparkling wine to the dry red Vedema (as seen in the image) these wines are Dionysius approved. If you ever get to Santorini, a visit to this winery is a must as it sits high on the hills giving a view of the entire island and the caldera.

Wollersheim Winery’s Prairie Fumé

This semi-dry white wine believe it or not comes from Wisconsin. Naturally yes, it pairs well with cheese being from the land of cheese, but the experts at Wollersheim Winery, who won Winery of the Year at the San Diego International Wine Competition in 2012, know what they’re doing. The Prairie Fumé has won more awards than we can list here, including, “Blockbuster Wine of the Year” for its delicious orange and grapefruit flavors. Pairs well with grilled foods, pasta and seafood.

Sineann Yates Conwill Vineyard’s Pinot Noir

You don’t have to say goodbye to reds in the summer but you will want to lighten your palette’s load. Do that with a great Oregon Pinot Noir, fruity and light but still with plenty of evolution as it travels down the tongue, this wine is one to savor on a special summer night – we recommend the 2012 vintage.

Do you have a favorite warm weather wine or recipe? If so, share it with us!

Rescued Dog Pageant in Berkeley this Sunday

Looking to put the “bar” in “bark”? Starting at 12:30pm this Sunday, May 4, at the Missouri Lounge, will be a benefit for Berkeley Humane. This isn’t just any fundraiser: This is a Rescued Dog Pageant, featuring ten dogs owned by the establishment’s bartenders, as they strut down the runway and compete in a talent content. Finally, there will be an awards ceremony, with the bar’s regular customers serving as the judges.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to win raffle prizes redeemable at local businesses and, of course, will have the opportunity to adopt a rescued dog on-site. There will also be drink specials!

According to East Bay Express, the idea started out as a joke, but when the idea was pitched that the dogs be rescued dogs, it became reality. The event will be hosted by local DJ Paul Pot, who also runs the bar’s weekly open mics.

You can surely expect to see some dogs in costumes and some tricks! So come out to support Berkeley Humane, and have a tail-waggin’ evening this Sunday. If you’re unfamiliar with Berkeley Humane:

From our humble beginnings in a renovated former pool hall in West Berkeley, Berkeley Humane continues to expand and adapt the services of the organization to meet the ongoing needs of the community's animals and their human guardians. Berkeley Humane's work would not be possible without its strong partnerships with local animal welfare groups and the support from animal-loving friends who share the Society's vision. Today, Berkeley Humane has thousands of supporters and volunteers, and remains steadfast in its practices to curb pet overpopulation in the East Bay and give pet guardians the tools they need to ensure that their pets remain happy and healthy in their homes for the rest of their lives.

Click here for more information about the Missouri Lounge Rescued Dog Pageant!