Creative Uses for Coffee Filters

Who would have thought that coffee filters could do so much!  For a few nickels and dimes you can buy a package of a thousand of these filters and put every one of them to good use.

1. Cover food with the filters when you cook something in the microwave to reduce splatter.
2. Use them to clean mirrors, glass and chrome.  They are lint-free so windows will sparkle.
3. Place a sheet between your china dishes to help to protect them.
4. If you break a cork when opening a bottle of wine, there is no need to go fishing in your wine glass with a spoon.  Use a coffee filter to filter out the small bits of cork as you pour.
5. Use them to protect your cast iron-skillet.  Coffee filters will absorb moisture and help to prevent rust.
6. Ball up a coffee filter to apply shoe polish.  They are lint-free and help to bring your shoes to a shine.
7. Recycle frying oil but straining the oil through a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods on a kitchen scale, but keep your scale clean by placing a coffee filter on the kitchen scale first.
9. Use them as a wrap to hold messy foods like tacos and wraps, or hotdogs.
10. Prevent soil from being drained from potted plants by placing a filter in the container before filling it with soil.
11. Prevent a popsicle from leaking by poking a hole through the filter with the end of the popsicle stick.
12. Use strips of coffee filter to wax your eyebrows instead of using expensive strips.
13. Keep a stack in the bathroom.  They are handy for doing little clean up jobs you don't need a whole paper towel for, like when you get nicked with a razor.
14. Use them as an easy-tear backing for embroidering or to applique soft fabrics
15. Wrap baking soda in a filter and place in shoes or a closet to absorb odours.
16. Use them to strain soup stock or to tie herbs for cooking stews and soups.
17. Keep them handy in the kitchen so that you can use them as a spoon rest or to clean up small spills.
18. Use them to hold dry ingredients when cooking to save on dishes.
19. Wrap Christmas ornaments in coffee filters to protect them chips and scratches.
20. Use them to remove nail polish.  They are cheaper than cotton balls.
21. Press flowers between two coffee filters and then place in a heavy book.
22. Use as a disposable dish for chips and popcorn. 

Coffee filters are great because they cost so much less than paper towels.  They are versatile because they are lint free.  While they are not as environmentally-friendly as using a cloth or other alternatives, they are compostable.

You Get Out of It What You Put Into It

We come home from work, rush to get dinner on the table as quickly as possible so that we have time to bathe the kids and prepare for tomorrow's meeting at work.  We make phone calls while stirring the pasta, and update the family calendar while we distractedly help our kids with their homework.

Does this sound familiar?  This is the reality that millions of people live everyday.  We do everything in a hurry and pack as many things as we can into our day because, when we do, we feel as though we are doing something right. And it makes sense to, doesn't it?

The more efficient we are, the more we pack into our day, allowing us to do even more.  It allows us to accomplish more; we gain prestige, money, respect...

But this idea of doing more as efficiently as possible so that we can do even more might be coming at a cost. Sometimes, doing something in the most time-efficient, or cost-effective way and cutting out all that is not absolutely  necessary, also cuts out the joy.

When everything in our lives is task-oriented and results-based, we focus on what to do and how to do it rather than why we are doing it in the first place.  We'd never do anything just for fun.  It's important to take the time to put joy back into the things you do.  Things might take a few minutes longer, but we will be happier for it. 

It can be done with even the most mundane of tasks.  Instead of emptying the dishwasher while talking on the phone and supervising the kids, hang up the phone, turn on some fun music and empty the dishwasher while you and your kids sing along together.  It will probably take a few minutes longer, but you may have a good laugh with your kids that you wouldn't have otherwise had. 

In setting the table for dinner, get out some candles, the good placemats, and the silver.  It'll take a little longer, but the meal will be enjoyed more, your family will feel special, and you'll gain a sense of pride in the ambience you created.

Remember that you get out of life what you put into it.  That often means for-going efficiency, and instead putting in some time and effort to get, not money, prestige, or respect in return, but joy.

A Tip If You Have Things To Do That Aren't Getting Done

Often, the items on our "to-do" lists that have been there the longest are the ones that are giving us the most stress. 

It's decision time. 

Of those items that have been on your to-do list for more than a few days, a few weeks, or heaven-forbid, a few months, take a look at them and make a decision.  Either get the task over with and do it now, or decide that you just aren't going to do them, and take them off your list. 

You'd be amazed at the burden you will feel lifted once you make the decision and follow through. 

Project of the Day

There is power in giving. 

Scientists have now shown that how people spend their money can make a big impact on the level of satisfaction, and giving can be important to our well-being.  Do something to help out those in need today.  Either give to a cause you believe in, plan to volunteer your time, or simply spoil a loved one.  It will you do you as much good as it will the one you are helping. 

If you are interested in this principle of giving and how it can be applied to your personal and professional you may be interested in reading more about it in a book by Daniel Pink called Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.

A Tip For Those Who Are Constantly Distracted

If you find that you don't get a lot done because you are distracted or get easily side-tracked, divide the task you into a few manageble chunks, for example into 10 or 15 minute chunks.  Others might be able to plan for a 20 or 30 minute tasks.  Do what you think you can realistically manage.  You are better to plan for the distractions and not get them than to be overly optimistic and get frustrated from interruptions that are out of your control, or from your level of discipline. 
Get yourself prepared to do that first chunk.  Gather materials and get rid of distractions.  Turn off your phone, close your facebook page, and remove visual distractions.  Throw a sheet over the kids toys strewn on the floor when working from home if you have to, or turn your chair away from the door at work.  If you are working on multiple projects, store projects you are not currently working on behind you on a shelf where they cannot pull your attention away.

Now, get down to work and do that task, focus on getting it done.  When it is done, reward yourself with a quick facebook update, or to check your messages, and then do the next task.  The key is to keep the tasks short, quick and easy to complete.

You might be amazed at what you are able to get done in an hour, a morning, or in a day if you take this approach.

Honey, Do You Have the Plane Tickets?

Avoid the panic of wondering where your passport or plane tickets are enroute to the airport. 

Keep your important documents in a clear zippered folder and store it in the outside pocket of your carry-on or large purse.  It will be easy to access, and easy to quickly see inside to retreive what you need.  You can get the peace of mind if feel the need to check that you have everything you need enroute, and with it being in your carry-on, you won't have to worry about losing reservations and other important documents should your luggage get lost or arrive late.

Garbage Delight

Have you ever gone to toss something in the garbage and there is no garbage bag inside? 

If your garbage is in your master bath and your garbage bags are in the kitchen pantry, there is no wonder that the bag is not replaced!

Make life easier for yourself and store your garbage bags in the bottom of your garbage bins.  When you take out the full bag it can be replaced right away without any trouble.  Do this for every garbage bin in your house and you'll never be frustrated by a "naked" garbage bin again!