Mom Hacks, Tips & Tricks

“How do I love thee, let me count the ways…” Elizabeth Barrett Browning was talking about her husband, not a kitchen appliance, but if she had had a slow cooker she may have said the same to it. I love my slow cooker.  I’ve never even looked at an instant pot, and while I may have flirted with the air fryer, my slow cooker is my one true kitchen love. (okay, not one, I actually own four). Why? Because they make my life easier.   Top Chef dreams, Mom Chef Schedule.  Recently, we decided to try one of those home delivery meal kit boxes. There are so many now, and it was hard to choose, so we went with a popular one...

1. A Planner:: A good planner does a world of good. Mine has a block calendar in the front and then a detailed day view along with a to-do list to help keep my house at a manageable level. It’s from the Passionate Penny Pincher and it’s literally been a game-changer. Find the perfect planner for you and use it! Knowing what is coming in the next month, week, and days helps me so much to know what to expect with minimal surprises. 2.Quick Pick-Ups:: Two 15 minute pick-ups a day. Put on some jams and set a timer for 15 minutes. Pick up and put up whatever you can in those 15 minutes. This does a wonder for not having random...

Whether you are looking for a yummy, healthy sweet treat for the upcoming summer months or you’re looking for a meal replacement shake, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve compiled my top 4 favorite protein shake recipes to share with you. All the recipes are super delicious and include protein so it is more than just a milkshake, though by the taste it'll be hard to believe. Another mega plus is most of these recipes only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes! You just gather the ingredients, toss it all in a blender, and it is ready to drink. Tips: Buy fruit already frozen Buy sugar-free pudding mix if you are going for low calorie Invest in a personal...

Early 2020: If you were like me, TikTok sounded like a playground for teens and those in their early 20’s. Catchy songs and dances were the last thing on my mind back then. I was more focused on virtual schooling our two children and the financial well-being of our family. Hard pass on the Savage Love. I needed sanity and clarity more than I needed to learn how to dance with my arms like my 12 year old does. Then, for whatever reason mid-year, I downloaded it. Probably out of desperation for a change in scenery. I fully expected to hate it as much as that other social media platform with the ghost as its icon. I literally could not...

Unfollow has become my favorite button. Recently, I realized (for the hundredth time) how much time I actually spend on my phone. And I'm embarrassed about it. Phones can be so addicting. I've set lots of limits for myself to get off my phone: turning off notifications, charging my phone across the room when I go to bed, etc. These ALL work well for me. HOWEVER, I started thinking about the TYPE of content I'm consuming when I get online and what it's doing to me. If it's not giving you life, get rid of it! I decided to do a SUPER inventory of who I was following on social media. Were these people adding value to my life? Do they make me...