Foods 
A recipe that graces our table often is this simple grain-free egg bake that is filling, hearty, and easy to throw together. One of the many blessings of raising chickens is an abundance of eggs. Sometimes an over abundance! But the blessing of having so many eggs is the joy in finding new recipes and discovering new family favorites. But it's not just because we have too many eggs that we eat them so often—it's the important part they play in our health. Why We Love This Grain-Free Egg Bake Recipe... Even after several decades, the myth that eggs are bad for your cholesterol still permeates the air. But ...Read More
It Can Happen To Anyone: One Habit to Never Forget Your Child in The Car
This is a must read post if you have young children. Okay, deep breath. This is something almost no one else knows. I asked Trisha and Luke if I could share this guest post anonymously because I'm afraid of the eager-to-call-CPS-busy-bodies out there, but I feel strongly about sharing this story. It happened almost three years ago, and I'm just now brave enough to write it. Here's what you need to know about me: I'm a helicopter mom, admittedly. I own almost three dozen outlet protectors, 5 baby gates, and at least 5 child proof locks for our cupboards. I had a doorwall put in for the express purpose ...Read More
Homeschooling How to Simplify Your Homeschool Day Without Sacrificing Quality
I was homeschooled K-12 and was given a fantastic Charlotte Mason education—a philosophy of education that emphasizes "living books" and no textbooks at all. During High School I actually read through some of Charlotte Mason's books myself. Even as a 17 year old I loved her philosophies and dreamed of the day when I could homeschool my own children with these amazing ideas. And then I had children. Life doesn't always turn out like you had planned. Circumstances alter your dreams and make you face reality. I had to face a few hard facts after some painful homeschooling failures. I'm not my mom, and I'm not ...Read More
Simplify Life: Use This One Word to Transform Your Life
It happens simply, almost innocently, with a phone call. A text. An email. We should get together this weekend, when are you free? They really need help with the four-year-old class . . . You should absolutely take advantage of this opportunity! It’s nothing earth shattering—surely I should be able to do this one thing. Yet my stomach makes that familiar flop, and anxiety settles in because I know in taking on this one thing, someone’s going to be disappointed. In the real world, it’s not just one thing; it’s one thing, after another thing, after another thing. I am a people-pleaser. I hate telling people ...Read More
Simplify Life: Use This 3-Step Checklist for Stress-Free Living
Before I had children I travelled a lot. All that traveling, packing, and unpacking taught me an invaluable lesson for homemaking and parenting. My job took me all round Europe. My husband travelled for work as well, and we’d often meet in odd places just to guarantee seeing each other—Majorca, Malta, Antigua. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t like the stress of packing at short notice because my boss wanted me in Barcelona tomorrow. With such a busy schedule, I needed to be able to pack on auto-pilot. That's when I learned the power of the checklist. Checklists do the thinking for you On 30 October 1935, the new ...Read More
Simplify Housekeeping: One Crazy Idea for Dealing with Kids’ Toys
I really have no idea what got into me. It was all so sudden and unexpected. Maybe it was stress that brought it on. Or perhaps it was a deep, spiritual insight. Then again, maybe it was just the heavy garlic in the pasta I’d had for lunch. In any case, the light went on.... We were burdened with too much stuff. More than I could handle. Certainly, more than this mom could manage. And, clearly, more than our children could control. I knew this because we couldn't seem to stay on top of it, no matter how hard I tried. To be perfectly honest, it had become a source of friction between them and me and I ...Read More
Simplify Life: The Minimalist Guide to Grocery Shopping
Today, I'm sharing this information about How to Simplify Life: The Minimalist Guide to Grocery Shopping. There are many tips on How to Simplify Life on this website. Check out these other posts: Simplify Life, Simplify Time: 5 Amazing Benefits of Going Green Beyond the Busy: Simplifying Family Life Using Routines Simplifying Housekeeping: One Crazy Idea for Dealing with Kids' Toys Simplifying Your Mornings: 3 Ways to Get Spiritually Grounded Now, back to The Minimalist Guide to Grocery Shopping... In September 2013, I had a one month old, the beginnings of chronic fatigue, a home and a blog to run, ...Read More
Simplify Life: Use this No-Fail Weekly Plan
Do you feel overwhelmed and frustrated? Do you sit down at the end of your week and feel like a failure as a spouse, parent, employee and friend? Is your time hijacked by mundane tasks which prevent you from accomplishing what is truly important to you? I understand. As a Christian homeschooling mom of four and a small business owner, I want to live my life in a way that is honoring to God and which enables me to fulfill my purpose. For the past couple of years I have been very intentional with the way that I spend my time and one of the most helpful tools I have discovered is creating a weekly plan. When I ...Read More
