My Self-Care List + 10 year challenge

Back when Eden was clusterfeeding almost always, I felt like I had absolutely zero time to myself. My patience was wearing thin. I was starting to feel absolutely crazy. The advantage I have had this time around was that I truly know the tiny baby stage doesn't last forever. I had a lot of trouble with Ada because she was my first . . . and then with Eloise because I had forgotten so much.

Regardless, I whined a lot on Instagram to pass the time. And some of you guys sent me the sweetest and most helpful messages. One person, in particular, gave me an idea that I have been using ever since. She told me that I needed to make a list of self-care things to do so that when I DID get a spare moment -- I wouldn't use up precious time figuring out what to do with myself (or -- worse -- just mess around on my iPhone).

Her approach is genius. Make a list of things you can do that take, say, an hour. And another list of things that take just 10 or 15 minutes. (Because we know that free time comes at a premium -- and it often is given out in short bursts.) Now that Eden is a bit older and taking bottles, I've also included a few things I do if I get several hours to myself on a weekend.

I thought I'd share my list with you today. To keep it brief, I chose my four favorite things for each category. But before I get to the list, I thought I'd share my 10-year challenge with you. My first photo from Facebook is actually from 13 years ago (!!!) and then 5 minutes ago.

HOUR SELF-CARE

• Long walk -- I consider running (30 minutes or so 5 days a week) just part of life, so it's not self-care.  A long walk can be really restorative. I'll often stop and get a warm drink along the way and listen to an audiobook.
• Long shower (I don't do baths) + play with my stash of bath + beauty products.
• Baking -- Solo time in the kitchen to go at a bread or brownie recipe I've been eyeing.
• Journal -- I have a Breathe planner I bought this year that's more than just simple to-do lists. I like to spend time thinking/writing in there. And -- yes -- it is something I can spend an entire hour doing.

QUICK SELF-CARE

• Shorter shower -- better than no shower...
• Quickie YouTube yoga or barre session
• Quickie YouTube guided meditation (with ear plugs in, if necessary!)
• Light a candle and just sit quietly in a dark room (I'm big on silence -- I crave it)

OTHER SELF-CARE

• Bookstore outing to browse with a warm drink for a couple hours
• Studio yoga class (I've worked this in once a week now) 
• Drink with a few friends after bedtime (I stay local -- 5 minutes away -- in case of random wakeups from any of the kids)
• Longer afternoon out -- either going to lunch and a movie OR recently Stephen encouraged me to take a day trip to visit one of my best friends in Ithaca. (Remember how I love quiet? My favorite part of that trip was the hour drive to/from where I didn't listen to anything but silence!)

I feel fortunate that my husband is so willing to care for all three kids so I can get out. That sounds weird to say because he's just as much a parent as I am. But I think you know what I mean. We trade off so that we each get time on our own (and it isn't always easy with three different sets of needs to care for), but he's been prioritizing my time in these early months. It doesn't go unnoticed. 

It's also been very helpful that we started bottles just before six weeks. I waited longer with the other two and they never really took to them. If I could go back and do one thing differently from the start of becoming a mom, it would be to do bottles sooner.

Anyway, I'd love to hear what your favorite self-care activities are. 

Share them in the comments!

Read more...

Aldi // Foods Picky Toddlers + Kids

I get lots of questions about my favorite Aldi foods. So, today I thought I'd give you guys a quick post about what foods I get for Ada and Eloise. Ada's pretty good about trying new things and getting at least some variety. Eloise, on the other hand, is asserting her toddler independence and is a super picky eater, so it's a challenge finding things she will try and potentially love.

As I have mentioned in the past, we are raising our children vegetarian, so the foods I'll be mentioning are all vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Here's what's in our pantry right now. We have actually eaten through a good chunk of what I bought last week (we adults snack on a lot of these foods, too)!

In no particular order.

• Simply Nature White Cheddar Puffs
• Clancy's Veggie Straws
• Pretzel sticks
• Multigrain tortilla chips
• Graham crackers
• Simply Nature Fruit Squeezes
• Fruit + Veggie Pouches (we used these when E was a baby)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Rolled oats (for making homemade snacks)
• Fresh bulk produce, especially when it's local and in-season
• Freeze Dried Strawberries 
• Plain nuts and various trail mixes
• Lookin' Sharp Granola
• Little Journey Yogurt Bites
• Happy Farms cheese sticks, in bulk when possible
• Hummus, various flavors -- but my kids like plain best
• Guacamole
• Yogurt tubes and pouches
• Organic canned beans
• Simply Nature Organic Mac + Cheese
• Simply Nature Organic Frozen Fruit Bars
• Rainbow organic baby carrots
• Broccoli slaw
• Avocados
• Clementine oranges
• (I realize I mentioned produce, but those are some favorites)
• Frozen peas
• Coconut water, mix in with plain water in a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio
• Sparkling water, Ada doesn't like but Eloise LOVES
• Simply Nature Organic Juice Boxes
• Breakfast Best French Toast Sticks
• Simply Nature Organic Apple Instant Oatmeal
• Organic pasta
• Organic pasta sauces

I provided links where they were easy find with a quick Google search. Otherwise, we just get whatever they have at the store. It's usually just one brand for a lot of the things I didn't link. Occasionally you'll come across store brands at good deals, like LaCroix, so we do take advantage of those.

Here's an example of an all-Aldi nibble tray I made for Eloise this week.

Some kid stuff we don't tend to buy at Aldi include things like peanut butter, bread, frozen fruit, granola bars, and gummies. It's not that we don't like the Aldi brand, we're just able to buy larger quantities for less money elsewhere (like Sam's or Wegman's store brand). I thought it would be good to include a list of things the girls DON'T like from Aldi, but honestly . . . they pretty much eat everything we've bought. So, now I'm wondering why I called Eloise picky!

Scratch that. We DO NOT like Aldi bananas. They are always green at the store and either don't ripen OR they get REALLY weirdly mushy. My girls love bananas, so we buy them at Wegman's (we also get our non-dairy milk, tofu, and a few other items, like large jars of peanut butter there).

Oh, and if you're curious about how we organize our kid plates, etc.

While writing this post, I also discovered that Aldi has a section on its website with snack recipes using their products! And I am also sure I'm missing a whole swath of things I usually buy. Be sure to share your favorites in the comments!

Also: I need to update my Vegetarian Staples at Aldi post! They have so many more options since the last time I wrote about it. Still no tofu, though. Boo!

Read more...

My All-Purpose Bread Mix

I've been in a great groove with homemade meals lately. For us, bread often makes the meal. This isn't to say we don't eat heaps of healthy whole foods. But if we're trying to be successful with resisting takeout and meals out of the house, making tasty pizza and other bread-y things is essential. So, I want to share with you the ONE recipe I've been using to make all of it.

I use this mix for garlic knots, pizza dough, and naan.

It does it all!

What you'll need . . .

• 3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2-1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups warm water or non-dairy milk

Method . . . 

1. In a large bowl, whisk together 3-1/2 cups flour, the sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Add in water if you're making garlic knots or pizza dough. Add in milk if you're making naan.
3. Mix with your hands until a ball forms. You may need to add more flour if it's too sticky to handle.
4. Knead for 5-10 minutes. I find it's best when I really take the time, but five minutes will do in a pinch.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel.
6. Let rise in a warm spot for 2-3 hours, until doubled in bulk.

To bake . . . 

• Divide into small balls to make garlic knots. Bake for 10-13 minutes at 425 degrees F, until golden.
• Divide into discs to make pizzas. We place this dough on well greased pans and press it thin. Bake with toppings at 450 degrees F for 10-13 minutes, until golden.
• Divide into fist-sized balls and roll flat for naan. Bake on a pizza stone in a well preheated oven at 500 degrees for a few minutes until golden.

What's your favorite multi-purpose recipe?

I hope to be back into another blogging groove soon. Ada woke up with the stomach bug and I have some big deadlines this week. But we'll all survive! What would you like to see next? Any requests?

Read more...

6 Foods That Make My Life Easier

I still love Aldi, but there are several foods that I've had to shop elsewhere for recently. Eloise has been a picky eater since, well, forever. But it was especially bad in the last four months. She would literally not eat anything. In retrospect, I do think a lot of it has to do with the fact that she has 16 teeth when many of her peers have far fewer. Poor girl has probably been in pain for a long while.

That said, I have slowly found some things she loves to eat. As much as I'd like to say they're all whole foods, I have also had to rely on a few "products" if you will. But I'll get to those in a minute. Let's just jump in . . . and I'd love to hear your make-life-easier food suggestions.

I've included Amazon links so you can check out more reviews, ingredients, and just more general info. Always price-compare, as I've found that grocery of Amazon can either be good deals or AWFUL.

JUST. Mayo

There are a variety of flavors of this mayo. Stephen and I are addicted to chipotle mayos of various brands. The just. chipotle mayo is consistently the least expensive and gets high marks on taste. It's also vegan -- at least I know that several varieties of it are. Another favorite is the sriracha. We put it on veggie burgers, use it as dip for fries, and as a spread for sandwiches.

Don Pepino Pizza Sauce

Our family absolutely loves Don Pepino's pizza sauce. Stephen it biased, since it's made in NJ. It's slightly more expensive than some store brand sauces I buy, but the texture and flavor make it worth it in my opinion (especially since homemade pizza costs so much less than takeout). I know I included the Amazon link, but I highly recommend checking your bulk stores for this brand as well. I once found GIGANTIC tins of it at Sam's that I then divided into smaller portions and froze.

Mueslix, etc.

I don't necessarily endorse this brand of muesli over another (there are SO MANY). I'm just addicted to the stuff. I have a thing for cereal and I feel like this is healthier than other varieties I enjoy. I used to make my own muesli, but these days I haven't made time for it. Hoping to get back into that mode at the start of the new year, though.

Stonyfield Whole Milk Yogurt

Here's one of those foods that Eloise will eat without fail almost every day. So, we have had this issue where she doesn't want to drink milk since her first birthday. Not that she necessarily HAS to drink milk, but I think it's a good source of calcium and protein in a vegetarian diet. Anyway, we're working on the drinking milk thing. In the meantime, she's been eating this yogurt and having cheese sticks. I've made my own yogurt in the past (and love it!), but she digs this flavor.

Kodiak Cakes

And this is often Eloise's lunch. I know, I know. I mean, it's protein waffles. Sort of strange to push on a toddler. But she likes muffin texture, and I like that Kodiak Cakes has added protein and it's fast. It also comes in fun flavors -- of which we like chocolate and peanut butter best. Have you guys tried this stuff? I want to get plain buttermilk next.


Bob's Red Mill Soup Mixes

These dry soup mixes have been A LIFESAVER and have massively improved our slow cooking dinners. We got into a soup and chili rut, so I decided to branch out one day and buy a few different varieties. Anyway, this one is my favorite. The prices on these guys on Amazon aren't good, so I include the link only for reference, ingredients, and such.

You must try this recipe on the back of the bag, by the way.


And if you DO plan to try it, I recommend adding a can of coconut milk in place of two cups of water and added a heaping tablespoon of miso to the mix. I like adding the gourmet mix of mushrooms I get at Wegmans and plenty of fresh ginger.

Related:

Expanding Our Homemade Pantry
Homemade Almond Milk
Our Go-To Pizza Dough
Homemade Ciabatta Bread
Homemade Muesli
Adventures in Cereal-Making
Homemade Bagels
White + Whole Wheat No Knead Loaf
Three Seed Crackers
Homemade Flax Crackers
Homemade Pancake/Waffle Mix
Awesome Couscous Crackers
My Favorite Hummus
Stephen’s Homemade Pickles
Homemade Applesauce
Red Curry Kimchi

Read more...

Last-Minute Gifts // My Real-Life Suggestions

I am not going to make any huge adult gift list this year. But I will share a few things Stephen and I are actually getting under the tree. (Not TOTALLY done shopping yet!) I headed out to browse at physical stores over the weekend and was overwhelmed with traffic, parking, etc. So, this is all stuff you can find on Amazon if you're doing things last-minute and want to avoid the crowds.

I'd rather bake and decorate cookies.

Ashley

• Cat Draft Stopper. I shared this idea a few years ago and finally took the plunge this year. It arrived yesterday, and it's AWESOME. I can't wait for the girls to see it. And for it to block that draft by the front door.
• KOZiKICKS Slippers. I'm a sucker for a good Shark Tank product. I couldn't resist these when I actually saw them in the store. They are really comfortable and seem extremely well made.
• Spinning Vanity Organizer. Woohoo. Exciting! No, really. My mom got one of these recently, and she said it was life-changing. LOL. I'm hoping it'll help tame the clutter.
• New Robe. There's a theme here, I guess. Things to be cozy. I haven't decided on exactly which robe, but it has to be really warm and hopefully have sherpa on it.
• Aromatherapy Necklace. I've wanted one of these for a while. I don't do tons of oils, but I do like the scent on me from time to time, especially lavendar or balsam fir. Yes. I like to smell like a Christmas tree.

Stephen

• Yaktrax. Stephen is a trooper and runs even when it's super slick outside. We both use our running snowshoes when the powder really accumulates. But I thought these would be helpful if it's icy, which often happens.
• Fandango Gift Card. Since we don't have family around, Stephen and I often don't go on dates. Well, at least together. We each love going to the movies, so I got Stephen a Fandango gift card. They come in varying amounts, but I just did $25 -- enough for about three movies/matinee.
• Carharrt Hat. You can never have too many of these hats. We steal them from one another and sometimes can't find them when we need them, so I got a backup to the two we already have. 
• Guitar Stuff. Stephen actually picked out his own gear, and I have no idea what he chose. I know he got a distortion pedal for his electric. Anyway, gear for their favorite hobby is usually a safe bet!
• Power Bank. He's wanted one of these external iPhone batteries for a while. Honestly, I sort of want one, too.

Girls

Here are a few things I got for the girls to fill in the gaps, so to speak. Since I did my shopping early, there have been just a few things I've wanted to get since then. Mostly, the girls have both taken to playing with the toy kitchen. Together! It's awesome. But Ada's stash of play food has dwindled over the years.

I got them:

• Melissa + Doug can food set. You can open the cans and they're under $10 shipped free with Prime.
• Melissa + Doug snack food set. You can put the little pretzels, popcorn, and cookies in resealable fabric bags.
• Melissa + Doug sip and tip set. A set of juice bottles that you can pretend to drink. Tip and the liquid disappears.

Family

Alright, so this one is something I saw and thought could have gone one of two ways. First, it could have been a really stupid flop. Or, alternatively, it could be AMAZING. I was unable to contain myself, so I gave our family this gift over the weekend. AND IT WAS A HUGE, MASSIVE HIT.

What is it? An Indoor Snowball Fight kit. 

I know, I know. Ridiculous.

But you basically get all these large white pom balls that feel like real snow compacting when you squish them. There's no secret, you just throw them at one another. We have literally played this for hours already (Ada begged to play before school today), and I've recommended it to all my friends. It's a good way to get moving indoors when it's extremely cold (it "feels like" 0 degrees F here today).

More gift lists

And if you'd like to look back at my suggestions from previous years, have at it! I stand by everything I've posted. In fact, I still use those ideas today. Like I said, I finally bought that cat draft stopper, and I couldn't be happier.

• 30 Gifts for $30 or Less // Gents
• 30 Gifts for $30 or Less // Ladies
• 30 Gifts for $30 or Less // Kids
• 30 Gifts for $30 or Less // Babies
• 2017 Kids Gift List (What Ada + Eloise are getting)

PS: Don't forget to check out my Christmas messy house tour.

Read more...

Frugal Accomplishments

I popped into Walmart this weekend because I needed sugar and was traveling in that part of town. I had a couple last-minute things on my Christmas list too, so I had to trek over to the toy section. I was absolutely flabbergasted with the number of people trolling the aisles. They were basically ripping toys away from one another in the quest of getting their shopping done. I mean, I get it. We all want to be done shopping, but being rude to a stranger about a plastic doll isn't going to magically make it all better. But that's not really the point.

In this time of excess, I'm trying to keep a level head. We're still dealing with a good deal of debt and always striving to be more frugal than not. So, here's some of the things I've done lately to stay in the green, so to speak.

// Thrifted Decorations, etc.

One of the best places you can find holiday decor is at the thrift shop. Sometimes you'll luck out and find stuff that's brand new. I got a tree topper for a dollar and a package or ornaments for a couple bucks. I also found some cute beaded Santa boxes to use as wrapping/gifts. Ninety nine cents each. A steal, right?

I didn't need too much, but I found nativity scenes, outdoor decorations, garlands, faux trees, and more. It's definitely worth a look if you want to add a bit more cheer on a dime.

// Thrifting Running Apparel

Speaking of thrifting, I've been looking for a decent running coat to add to my collection. I have a bunch of old ones that don't fit well anymore. I was able to find a nice, basic fleece Columbia number for $4.99 that also happened to be 70 percent off. No holes, rips, stains, or other defects. The only catch is it's a weird shade of green. I run mostly in the evening, so that doesn't matter!

I decided to take a look around and found a new Nike running top (short sleeve -- so for treadmill time) for just $3.99. I also snagged a nice pair of yoga pants for a few bucks. Now my athletic clothing is refreshed! I wish my motivation would do the same . . . 

// Lice Spray

Last year there was this little girl in Ada's class who ended up having lice the entire year. I decided to mix up a batch of homemade lice spray . . . and, guess what?! Ada didn't get lice once. I've made it part of our morning routine now, and I have to say it's working. Ada has my type of hair -- very fine and stands straight up with static. I had lice often as a kid despite being well groomed and taken care of. 

Anyway, I'd say a spray bottle of this stuff lasts several months. I just spritz it through her hair each morning before she goes to school. Bonus is that I swear is makes combing her hair easier.

Combine:

• 10-15 drops lavender essential oil
• 10-15 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10-15 drops tea tree oil
• 5 drops peppermint oil
• Fill the rest with water

Combine everything in a small spray bottle. Mine is 4 ounces -- an old lavender room spray bottle. FYI: I use all Aura Cacia essential oils that I buy either on Amazon or at Wegmans. I've used them since I was in college!

// DIY Table Runner

I wanted to mention this frugal thing I did at Thanksgiving. We don't have tons of fancy linens and such to use when we celebrate holidays. I wanted to dress up the table a bit, but also make it fun for the kids. So, I rolled a bit of paper lengthwise across the table and gave Ada a bunch of markers and crayons. She drew pictures, wrote little sayings, and it kept her occupied while we cooked. I plan to do the same thing for Christmas. 

You can use any paper (see my photo, above), but we happened to have a roll of Melissa + Doug easel paper on hand. It was perfect!

// TTC Tricks

Oh, gosh. If you've ever been deep in TTC (which I'm not yet this time around -- just saying from experience) and spent literally #allthemoney buying pregnancy tests, ovulation strips, supplements, and other stuff -- save yourself. Since I take progesterone, I have to pinpoint my ovulation day, which means either taking my basal body temperature or using ovulation strips. I choose to do both, as my temperatures are quire erratic (thanks to waking up often at night -- my own doing, Eloise sleeps great).

Anyway, I finally bought one of those sets with 50 LH strips and 20 pregnancy tests for just $20. I used to spend that much just buying a couple pregnancy tests. It seems like a silly thing, but I know many of you are trying to conceive, and month after month . . . it gets expensive. Do yourself a favor. The LH strips work really well for me -- I get clear positives (line darker than control) and the pregnancy tests are apparently as sensitive as First Response. I personally got a positive on one last time around when my HCG was like 12 coming down from my D&C.

I love sharing frugal accomplishments. What are some of your most recent wins?

Till next time! 

Read more...

Christmas 2017 // Kid Gifts

So, what are we getting the girls for Christmas? I actually have all my shopping done for them already. Say what?! You may know that I'm always a late shopper, and I wanted it off my plate early this year. Here is a list of the things they are actually getting or that we already own -- not just stuff I think would be cool and that I don't intend to buy.

// 1: Play Silks

I bought two of Sarah’s enchanted play silks -- one in rainbow and the other in blossom. I love how they could be used for anything from dress-up to fort-making. Open-ended play items are my favorite because they foster so much creativity . . . and they don’t require batteries!

I had alternatively considered buying the girls a set of these polyester play cloths. They’re a bit less expensive but have good reviews. In the end, I got roped in by the fun blend of colors.


// 2: Hanging Pod

As a joint gift from Santa, the girls are getting a hanging pod swing for the basement. I’ve seen these so many places, but I found one that is a cotton canvas on Amazon for just $23. It got good reviews and can hold up to 170 pounds, so anyone in the house can use it. We’re going to hang it in the basement from a beam.




// 3: Play Tent, etc.

As another joint gift, I purchased a new pop-up play tent in the shape of a castle. I like how it's sort of gender-neutral (a lot of them were pink and purple). It's 53' tall, so even Ada will be able to stand inside of it. The best part is that it folds away easily and can be toted around the house because it's so light.

Oh, and I got them this pack of felt crowns to share on their adventures.



// 4: Mermaid Sensory Board

As yet another joined gift, I bought a yard of sequin mermaid fabric and I'm going to make a large sensory board (by fixing it to either a large cork board we have or maybe using a frame) with it so the girls can draw and play. We saw this at a local children's museum, and I immediately thought it would be an awesome idea!


// 5: Plush Toys

Then Ada's getting a stuffed bear made with alpaca fur that we bought at a festival in my hometown.

Eloise is getting a stuffed llama because llamas are her favorite.



// 6: Girl Gifts To Each Other

The girls got each other gifts as well. Ada got Eloise a set of plush donuts (she has a thing with donuts) for the play kitchen. Eloise "got" Ada the game Pie Face. I'm thinking that one will be fun when the whole family is visiting at Christmas.


// 7: Name Puzzle

I got Eloise a personalized name puzzle for her birthday, but it didn’t arrive on time so I saved it for Christmas. I figure this is a nice, heirloom sort of gift. I also just love her name.


// 8: Art Stuff

I love the idea of giving things that the kids will really use, and they always need art supplies. For Eloise, I picked up some of these beeswax crayons. They’re rectangular, so perfect for little hands. I looked through a variety of brands and these seem to get good marks for quality and price.

I am also getting some watercoloring supplies for both girls. A nice big pad of paper and a huge set of colors.


// 9: Magnet Blocks

While we already own these, I highly recommend magnetic blocks of some kind. We’re a Magformers family. I love how they are perfect for big and little hands. We build things with them but also make pictures on the refrigerator. They may be the toy that’s most often picked out of everything in the box.


// 10: Dolls

I bought a cute cloth doll by HABA for Ada years ago . . . and I never gave it to her. I set it aside as a gift for a future child. So, Eloise is getting the doll this year along with a sleep outfit for her. Or him. The one we have is quite androgynous, which is actually kind of nice.


// 11: More Dolls

What’s Ada’s big gift? Well, it’s something I didn’t expect to buy -- but she really (REALLY) wanted it. So, it’ll end up being a joint gift from me and my grandparents (they always give us money). I tracked down one of those Luvabella dolls this summer. I didn’t pay the crazy prices they’re going for now. It’s got AI and crazy robotics stuff going on. Kind of creepy, but she’s obsessed.

This list is almost complete, but there are a couple other items I got second hand that I intend to write about in the next week or two. I have some stocking stuffers I’ll be sure to share in that post as well. I’ll also be back soon with some gift lists for the men and women in your lives. Stephen and I aren’t getting much this year. Our recent furnace repair took care of that for us.

But I hope to post a bit about our Thanksgiving menu tomorrow. Maybe? My kids have been sick. It’s no fun at all. I’ve mostly been focusing on my freelance work, so I do apologize for neglecting the blog.

Happy Tuesday -- I’m off to Ada’s first choir concert!

Note: These are linked to Amazon, so if you purchase through the link I get a (very) small kickback. 
Thanks for supporting the blog for all these years!

Read more...

Our Week's Meal Plan

Do you have a favorite cookbook? I do. Well, I actually have several. I'm a big fan of the Martha Stewart Baking Handbook. It's where I learned how to make anything from bagels to ciabatta to English muffins. Lately, I'm digging the Fit-It and Forget-It Vegetarian Cookbook. The recipes are really easy to make, and you can easily search by ingredient to find the ones that will use up what you have in the fridge and pantry.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my meal plan for the week. We started getting our CSA recently, so there will be a great injection of fresh, local produce into our lives. Sometimes I don't know what to do with all of it! But that's part of the fun.

I go back and forth on the going-out-to-eat line in our budget. On one hand, it's an obvious thing to cut out to save money. On the other, going to restaurants is fun. You get to try new things. How I feel about it right now -- today -- is that I'd like to save it for special events. As a result, I've been spending a bit more on our weekly groceries so I can make satisfying meals Monday through Sunday.

Meals:

MONDAY

Roasted asparagus with BBQ tofu (from the book) sandwiches

TUESDAY

 

Beans + Greens (from the book) and yogurt biscuits.

WEDNESDAY

Veggie burgers with kohlrabi slaw and baked sweet potato fries.

THURSDAY

Summer Risotto (from the book) with eggs +  sauteed Swiss chard on the side.

FRIDAY

Homemade grilled pizza topped with whatever veggies we're in the mood for.

SATURDAY

Coconut yellow curry tofu + veggies with 5-minute naan.

SUNDAY

Sloppy lentil Joes with side California Salad (from the book).

Frugal tip:

I have been buying supplemental veggies in the freezer section. I sometimes even get the fancy stuff, like bags of cauliflower rice or marinated mushrooms. (And, yes, I have to go to Wegmans for this a lot of the time. Aldi doesn't have the same cool stuff you'd find at Trader Joe's. You lucky people with Trader Joe's!) While the price point may not seem smart compared to fresh in some instances, I find we actually save money having ingredients on hand that cook up fast versus submitting to takeout.

More good stuff:

• Here's a typical rundown of food costs in our house.
• Here's more about my shopping with Aldi. 
• Here's more good stuff about meal planning. 
• And here's some good info on once-a-month grocery shopping.

What's on your menu this week?

Read more...

Want, Need, Wear, Read // Her

Hey, guys! I'm planning to hop on and give you guys an awesome recipe for slow cooker chili -- with delicata squash -- tomorrow. Before that, though, I thought I'd share the last gift list with you today. This one is for the ladies, and it's about as close to my own personal gift list as I can get (hint, hint, real life family + friends!).

There might be a dining room table on this list, but I'm sticking to it. I mean, that's basically my ultimate want right now. And you might see just how obsessed I am with both Hamilton and Fixer Upper if you keep reading.

Bellabeat Health Tracker

Instax Wide Camera

Essential Oil Diffuser

Aura Cacia Essential Oils Kit 

Bath Bomb Set

Pedestal Dining Table (REALLY!)  

TOMS Slippers

Salt Lamp

NutriBullet (I need to write more about my love for this thing!)

Queen Wool Blanket

Medicine Ball

Cat Apron

bareMinerals Up Close + Personal Set

Bee House Tea Pot

Hemp Hand Cream

Glass Water Bottle

Essential Oil Diffuser Necklace

Kendra Scott Drop Earrings

Kendra Scott Elisa Necklace 

Solmate Finger-less Gloves 

Smartwool Infinity Scarf

Handmade Leather Tote

Sorel Out 'n About Boot

Pendleton Socks 

Hamilton Soundtrack

Magnolia Story

We Should All Be Feminists

Book of Joy

Calm the F*CK Down Coloring  

Hamilton Book 

Images of America Books 

Premium Color Pencils

Also check out . . . 

• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Kids
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Baby
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Women
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Men
• Gifts for Kids, 2015 Edition
• Gifts for Him, 2015 Edition
• 2016 Gift Guide for Kids
• 2016 Gift Guide for Baby
• 2016 Gift List for Him  

Read more...

Want, Need, Wear, Read // Him

I decided to save the ladies for last. Today I'm giving you my gift list for men. Men like Stephen, I suppose. I consulted him for items on this list (and for ideas because I have to do my own shopping). I am pretty squared away with what I plan to get him now. And, for the record, I want that LEGO Yellow Submarine for myself!

Enjoy:

Drone with HD Camera

Yeti Beer Cooler 

Fender Distressed Guitar Strap

LEGO Yellow Submarine

DeWalt Drill + Driver Set

Suspension Gym

Shaker Bottle

Bluetooth Headphones

Power Bank + Flashlight

Sandalwood Beard Comb

Post-Workout Muscle Soak 

Cast Iron Skillet

LED Headlamp

Every Man Jack Body Wash 

Yaktrax Cleats

J. A. Henckels Chef Knife

Columbia Down Vest

Sorel Cheyanne Boot

Smartwool Beanie

5-Pack Winter Socks

Weekender Travel Bag

Fleece Bathrobe

FitBit Alta

Herschel Wallet

Hamilton: The Revolution

Modern Romance

Backgammon Wooden Game

Anything Stephen King

High Fidelity 

Any Dinosaur Jr. on vinyl

What the F*@# Should I Make For Dinner?

The Power of Habit

Also check out . . . 

• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Kids
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Baby
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Women
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Men
• Gifts for Kids, 2015 Edition
• Gifts for Him, 2015 Edition
• 2016 Gift Guide for Kids
• 2016 Gift Guide for Baby 

 

Read more...

Want, Need, Wear, Read // Baby

Hope you enjoyed my Gift Guide for Kids yesterday! Today, I'm focusing on all things baby. And most of the things on this list are either what we've bought Eloise for Christmas or what we've requested from others.

We actually already gave Eloise the Rainforest Jumperoo because she needed an activity center like that. Her loot under the tree will be somewhat lean. Funny story: We had purchased another jumper, I assembled it for a good half hour, and then we didn't like how it didn't bounce very much. So, I disassembled, returned it, and we bought this classic one. She lives in it now!

Without further ado, here's the baby gift list:

Wooden Rainbow Stacker

Rainforest Jumperoo

B. Squeeze Blocks

Taggies Lovey Toy

Pop-Up Tunnel

Plush Rocker (assorted!)

Star + Moon Ball Pit

Wooden Activity Cube

Reindeer Wubbanub

ezpz Happy Mat

Natural Rubber Teether

Bamboo Feeding Spoons

Magic Mat

Doidy Cup

Baby Bullet System

Training Toothbrush

 

Nursing/Car Seat Cover (assorted!)

Organic Cotton Bonnets

Car Seat Coat   

Bandana Bibs

Baby Leggings

Aden + Anais Dream Blanket (assorted!)

Zutano Fleece Bootie 3-pack

Merino Sleep Sack

Whose Feet? Soft Book

 Baby's First Year Book

Babylit Classic Board Books

Baby Farm Animals

Baby Signs

Moo, Baa, La, La, La

Wee Gallery Bath Book

On the Night You Were Born

Also check out . . . 

• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Kids
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Baby
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Women
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Men
• Gifts for Kids, 2015 Edition
• Gifts for Him, 2015 Edition
• 2016 Gift Guide for Kids

 

Read more...

Want, Need, Wear, Read // Kids

It's time to start sharing my annual gift lists! This year, I'm going with the whole "something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read" that you have probably seen on almost every blog every written (including my own). The thing is, this gifting philosophy makes sense for so many reasons. It simplifies matters, it resists over-consumption, and it may even help keep your house clutter-free.

Today's list is all for the kids in your life (I'll have another one specifically for baby). So sit back, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy!

Unicorn Cycle

Rainbow Silk Streamer

Hanging Pod Chair  

Classic LEGO Box

Tree Blocks 

MasterChef Jr. Cooking Essentials Kit

Pop-Up Rocket Ship

Flip + Doodle Desk with Stool

Toy Hammock

CamelBak Water Bottle

Wet Brush De-tangler

Easel Drawing Pad 

LEGO Baseplate Mat

Animal Print Flannel Sheets

SWOOP Bag Storage

Divided Plates

Acorn Slippers

Animal Knee Socks

Animal Knit Hat/Scarf Set (assorted!) 

Organic Cotton Underwear

Fleece-Lined Gloves

Rocket Pajamas

Colorful Headbands

Rabbit Print Leggings

Mom, I'm Bored Activity Book

Charlotte's Web

Ada Twist, Scientist 

James and the Giant Peach

I Can Read: Frog + Toad Set

The Secret Garden

Brain Quest Cards

Dry Erase Coloring Book

Also check out . . . 

• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Kids
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Baby
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Women
• 30 Gifts Under $30 // Men
• Gifts for Kids, 2015 Edition
• Gifts for Him, 2015 Edition

Read more...

Country Store Essentials

My mom and I went to the sweetest little farm store over the weekend. It's only 10 minutes from my house, but it was my very first visit! Stephen and I have these grand visions of moving to the country. Someday we will, I just know it. But the timing is off and Ada's loving her new school, etc. Still, I love dreaming about having an acre or two, an old barn, chickens, and the whole shebang.

How perfect is this place?

I thought it'd be fun to replicate my shopping experience for you.

Each and every corner of this place was packed with the most wholesome ingredients (including the farm's produce!), cozy home accents, and other country fare. I filled my canvas bag pretty full with decorative gourds, dry soup mix, apple turnovers, and a block of NY maple cheddar.

Checkered pillow 

Bourbon Maple Syrup

Petspotters Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Cider mulling spices

Wheat grass wreath

 

Stanley Travel Mug 

Cast Iron Deep Skillet

Organic Goat Milk Soap

Stonewall Kitchen Red Pepper Jelly

Frontier Veggie Soup Mix

Large Waldorf Building Blocks

Pumpkin Cheese Ball Mix

Solemate Mismatched Socks

Beeswax candles

Rustic Chalkboard

Hope you enjoyed our little jaunt into the country today. I already need to head back to this place to get more of that maple cheddar. It was absolutely perfect in a batch of cheesy apple cider biscuits I made to go with some slow cooker potato + leek soup for supper last night. Yes. I just typed supper. I'm from the mountains of Pennsylvania, after all. Anyway, those recipes are coming later this week.

So, stay tuned!

Read more...