Since beginning the USD, I have learned to make and rely on lots of lists!  Some of the ones that have been helpful to me so far, or that I plan to use in the future are:

  1.  Assemble the ingredients and the equipment for the breakfast shake ahead of time, and pre-measure the ingredients the night before, and bag them together, returning to refrigerator or freezer, if necessary.  I made myself a checklist to use for this so that I can read it instead of having to "think" early in the morning.  It has certainly improved my ability to leave home on time. I have also typed out a large-print copy of the shake recipe that I like best, and I leave it near the area where my blender is located.  Right now, it is hanging from a magnet attached to our range hood, but I am considering re-locating it to the inside of a cabinet door. 

  2.  I found a cute little magnetized horizontal pad at Target that has spaces for days of the week on it.  I am starting to write(in pencil) the things that I need to get done on a particular day, so that my often "lame" brain doesn't forget anything.  That way, I can check off the tasks when they are complete. I keep the pad on my refrigerator door except when I remove it to write things down.  I plan to use one sheet per week, and then tear the sheet off at the end of the week and start over.  Several sheets can also be joined together and used for menu planning when I expect to cook for guests who visit for several days.  I have a day planner in my purse, but since I now stay home more than I did when I purchased that, this weekly pad list saves me from having to dig around in my purse for my daily "to-do" list.  I still use the day planner when I am away from home. 

  3.  I make lists of things that I discover that I want to follow up on, such as information that family and friends are "feeding" me about recipe sites; checking Dr. Hyman's website for information, etc.  Right now, when I think of something, I may forget it in the next 1-2 minutes if I don't write it down.  I sometimes seem to have "Adult ADHD" right now, with so many things to think of.  I expect this "sidetracking" problem to improve at some point, but I don't know when that will happen.

  4.  I now keeping a "running" grocery list going at all times, and indicate beside each item where I think I will probably purchase it.  That way, when I am leaving for a shopping trip, I can take the list with me instead of having to write my lists on small pieces of paper. 

  5.  I haven't done this one yet, but I eventually plan to start keeping track of how much I spend on the products that I buy for USD(staple items) so that I will have a better idea of where to buy what item in order to get the lowest price. I plan to stock up on allowed foods and equipment when I find things on sale. 

  6.  I also haven't done this yet, but I also plan to check the local grocery store ads which come out in our Wednesday newspaper, make notes of sale items, and list them according to grocery store.  That way, if 2 or more stores have similar items and similar prices, I will be able to decide on what store I want to spend time going to for the most sale prices. 

   7. For travel purposes, I have a computerized trip packing list that I print out when we are preparing to go on a trip.  That way, I don't have to "re-invent the wheel" each time I get ready to pack.  I have 2 types of lists: 1 for a trip to the beach, since we go there for multiple days at a time, and another for "normal" trips, such as when we visit relatives.  My needs are different, depending on where we go and how long we plan to stay there. I typed up this list myself, based on the things I usually need to carry with me, and I left vacant lines on it for writing down what clothing and shoes I plan to carry with me. I will probably also need to type up a separate list geared especially for USD/UM, so that I can be sure to carry the things I need with me.  Since I probably will not want to carry glass and SS measuring equipment and cooking equipment with me, when we stay at a motel or condo, I may try to pre-cook my food at home and carry it with me, so I will need some "prompts" for that also.

    8. I made this list so I can keep up with all of the lists I have thought of so far....... It is easier to look here than to have to write it down somewhere and then try to remember where I put the list! 

    9.  I am making a "wish list" so that I will be able to recall what items of kitchen equipment, etc., that I hope to acquire eventually.  I am posting it on the refrigerator to jog my memory of things that I need to buy, and also so that others can see it for possible gift-giving ideas. 

    Stay tuned for more, in case I think of something else I need to write down!  "Us" people with September birthdays are pretty detail-oriented. 

If anyone else has any helpful tips, please post them here. Thanks.