Menu planning is one of the habits that makes the biggest difference in our family's budget and my stress level. By taking a few minutes each week to plan out our menu and create a shopping list, I avoid buying food that we don't need and won't eat and eliminate the whole "standing in front…
My pregnancies are typically marked more by food aversions than food cravings (with the exception of the Eggo waffles incident). Still, one thing I have been consistently craving this pregnancy is cinnamon. Oatmeal with fresh apples or nectarines and tons of cinnamon? Yes, please. Sweet potatoes with ghee and a generous coating. Mm-hmm. Apple slices sprinkled…
My sister was shocked when she realized we no longer have a microwave...and that we chose to get rid of it and aren't planning on replacing it! "But...why?!" Although I've read a fair amount about the dangers of microwaves -- and at times have wondered if the very aggressive cancer that took my grandmother suddenly…
Admittedly, we didn't download any special apps before our 16-hour road trip a couple of months ago, but the beauty of the app store is, of course, you can download new apps anytime you realize a need for them! As we drove, we began searching for apps to help us make better decisions about when…
Yep, I said it: It's not okay to yell at your kids. I know, I know. Who am I to judge you or your parenting style or your circumstances?! The good news? I'm not. I'm really, truly not. I yell -- more often than I'd like -- and I'm not condemning other parents who yell.…
I've already let the cat out of the bag here on the blog and on pretty much every social media site, but in case you missed it,yes, we found out that we're expecting a BOY this fall! Who woulda guessed it?! After our (very early in the morning) ultrasound, we headed out for breakfast with…
The tick population has been out of control at our house this year. The season started early, and with a vengeance, and by the time we headed to Florida for our vacation, we were ready for a break from them. Unfortunately, two-and-a-half weeks without mowing meant that our yard was quite jungle-like when we returned,…
For the past two years, I've had fun compiling and sharing a list of fun, memorable summer activities for the family. We rarely make even a small dent in these lists during the summer, but putting it together always inspires me to be more intentional about our time and to look for ways to embrace…
After a long, cold, gray winter, I think we are all more than ready for spring! One fun way to add instant color and life to your home is with a wreath. Wreaths aren't just for the front door. They can be hung on interior doors, on bookcases, over a mantel, or as a work…
This month's Eat Well, Spend Less theme is the embracing the transition from winter to spring in your kitchen! For better or worse, snacktime is a big deal in our house, and our girls look forward to their mid-morning and post-quiet time snack every. single. day. Since we're already preparing three meals a day, delicious…