So, you’ve just decided due to massive hunger pains and dizziness that you desperately need to eat something now.

After a 10-hour day at work, driving down Highway 29 to get a bite to eat seems a bit much and since the “cook of the home” is out of town and the fridge has only breadcrumbs and pineapple juice in it, you’re perplexed. Pineapple crumble? Ugh … pass. Dashing to the phone book — if you can find it — you realize you have no idea what you are craving, but you also have no idea where any of these restaurants are located and if they have delivery. Suddenly, pineapple crumble sounds pretty tasty.

Living and dining in this valley can be so simple and so good, if you are organized. (I think it is one of the easiest places to live in the world; why else do you think I live here?) However, the trick is, how do you keep track of all your favorite restaurants, so that at home or on the road, you can immediately phone and have that evening’s dinner delivered or picked up on the way home from work — without having to wait? Or you may have the unexpected corporate client coming into town or need to plan an incredible romantic dinner at the drop of the hat.  

Don’t panic! There are a number of simplistic and dependable ways that can make dinning a non-stressful experience. You can record your favorite restaurants in your Palm or on your cell phone, but this may not be the most informative and is time consuming. I suggest something that is not only easier, but also more encompassing and fun. Here is a perfect, inexpensive and most importantly, useful solution for all of your dining needs.

To begin with purchase a regular 1-inch binder, and 10 tabbed business card pages (Avery are the best, and you can only buy them at Staples.)  Label the tabs thematically with the help of the computer or a label maker (the Brother $50 one is the best with 9mm tape) according to the cuisines you prefer and label the first pocket of the binder “Delivery” and the back pocket “Non-Delivery.” I would also recommend to leave a couple of blank sheets at the front of the binder for suggestions that you have either gotten from the paper, a magazine or from a friend.

When you enter the restaurant, take their business card and take-out/delivery menu and record certain things that you enjoyed such as the service or a certain item. Either write it down on the back of the business card or circle it on the menu. When you arrive home, simply put the card and menu in the binder, leaving the backside blank, so you are able to read what you recorded earlier.  

My suggestion is that you make a habit of it and put in all your dining inquires so they can be located in one book. Depending on your commitment to being organized, some of my clients have a “Business Card Book” that has a 72-card capacity that they leave in the car for dining emergencies. This can be helpful, but twice the work. However, for some families it is well worth the effort.

Developing a system that works for you is easy, fun and very rewarding. You can even take the binder to the restaurant and write down notes there with your family and friends. What you must remember is that there are only two rules in being organized: “Like with Like” and “Consistency.” If you have a great system in place, the only way to ensure that it is up to date and working for you is if you regularly use it and adapt it to your needs. You will not only find the benefits immediate, but everlasting. Bon Appetit!

Don’t forget, if you have questions or need any help, please e-mail us at info@organizedworld.com. We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction, or to offer you advice regarding any organizing concerns you may have.

Lanna Nakone is the author of “Organizing for Your Brain Type” and “Every Child Has a Thinking Style.” Her Web site is www.organizedworld.com. She can be reached by e-mail or by calling 524-9896.