Ingredients for Loaded Kale Salad

FOR THE SALAD:

• 6 c. chopped kale leaves (cut off thick ribs and wash thoroughly)
• 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
• 2 small/medium sweet potatoes (peeled, cubed, and roasted)
• 1 apple; diced (you can leave the peels on)
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 c. Craisins or dried cherries
• 1/2 c. golden or black raisins
• 1/2 c. feta cheese; crumbled
• 1/4 c. sunflower seeds
• 1/4 c. walnuts or pecans, chopped

FOR THE DRESSING:

• 1/4 c. olive oil (not pictured)
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 T. Dijon mustard
• 2 T. honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Substitutions

Kale — it’s sort of the foundation for this recipe, but feel free to substitute spinach, spring mix, or even Romain lettuce if that’s all you have in the house.

Quinoa — my family loves quinoa, and since it’s a great source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and all 9 amino acids, we eat it regularly. I cook it in my rice cooker and keep a container in the fridge (or freezer) so I can simply toss some in a salad or casserole at any time.

If you don’t love Quinoa, you can omit it or substitute other cooked grains like barley, amaranth, or even rice.

Sweet Potatoes — this is another one of my family’s favorite starches, so I usually have roasted, cubed sweet potatoes in the fridge. If you don’t love sweet potatoes, or just don’t want to take the time to roast them, leave them out for now. However, you should try it sometime — they taste amazing in the recipe and really keep you full!

Read more about how to quickly and easily roast almost any vegetable.

Apples — I love adding apples to any salad, so this is an easy addition for me. Again, feel free to omit it. You could also do diced pears, chopped strawberries, or whatever fruit sounds good to you.

Green Onions — I like green onions as they are milder in flavor, but you could also use red onions, yellow onions, or white onions.

Dried Fruit — I love dried fruit in salads, so I use a bunch in this recipe. They add a lot of flavor, but aren’t necessary. Pick one, try a bunch, or omit entirely.

Feta Cheese — I believe Feta is an excellent choice for this salad as it adds some tang, but other varieties of cheese should work well too.

Nuts and Seeds — My kids sometimes don’t like the nuts, but I love the extra crunch, so we almost always do sunflower seeds, and then I sometimes just add nuts to my own portion. Feel free to try another type of nut or seed, or omit if you don’t have any in the house.

Dressing — a store-bought vinegrette would work well for this salad, but homemade is pretty easy. The dressing recipe is good for a variety of salads, so I often keep a jar of it on hand throughout the week. (Note: the dressing does not need to be refrigerated).

You can mix up the vinegars, try different oils and mustards, and use sugar instead of honey if that’s what you have.

How to Keep Your Salad Greens Fresh:

If you want’d like to keep your lettuce, spinach, kale, and other salad greens fresher longer, simply layer them in a container with sheets of paper towel or thin cotton lint-free towels.

You’ll be amazed how much longer your greens stay fresh.

I explain the entire process in this blog post!

How to Make a Loaded Kale Salad

FOR THE SALAD:

1. Wash, dry, and chop kale (removing thick stems), and place into a large bowl.

2. Cook quinoa according to package directions, let cool for a bit, and add to kale.

3. Peel, dice, and roast sweet potato (375º for 30 minutes). Cool and add to kale.

4. Add apple, onion, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, nuts, and any other mix-ins you’d like.

5. Add dressing and mix well (see below).

.FOR THE DRESSING: (I usually make a double or triple batch)

1. In a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, combine all dressing ingredients (I often use a rinsed-out Dijon mustard bottle.)

2. Shake the bottle to combine dressing ingredients.

3. Pour half the dressing over the kale mixtures, stirring to make sure everything is coated well.

4. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

5. Pour remaining dressing over salad (if desired) when ready to eat. 

6. Store any leftovers in an air-tight food storage container. 

This salad also tastes fantastic as leftovers (which I love), and it’s great for lunches on the go as you’ve got fruit, veggies, starches, grains, and more, all in one bowl!

I hope you love it as much as we do!

Do you have a kale recipe you actually enjoy?

Check out all my delicious salad recipes here. 

Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!

If you hope to host overnight guests in the near future, here are 10 helpful tips to prepare…

1. Sleep in the room/space for a night.

Do a trial run before your guests spend the night in your space — just to make sure everything is as it should be.

This is the best way to quickly spot things you forgot or something you should adjust.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Is there an obvious place to charge phones or computers?
• Is there a place to hang a wet towel? Wet bathing suits? Bathrobe?
• Is there a place to put their suitcases or other bags without constantly tripping over them?
• Is there adequate privacy? (Curtains on windows, room dividers, locks on the doors, etc.)
• Are there hangers in the closet? Or at least somewhere for them to put their clothing?
• Is there a mirror in the room?
• Do you have a bedside lamp?
• Is there a clock and/or an alarm clock?
• Is the room too hot or cold? Do you need a fan, a heater, or an extra blanket?
• Is it quite noisy (people walking on the floor above), in which case you might need a noisemaker?

2. Be tech-ready.

Technology is a big part of travel these days. Making sure your guests can easily use their tech items in your space will go a long way to helping them feel welcome.

• Have visible and easily-accessible outlets for them to charge their devices.
• Post your Wi-Fi password on their dresser or bathroom mirror (or just text it to them).
• Have extension cords or power strips available in their room.
• Tape a quick “how to” note on the TV remote, DVD player, etc.

3. Remove your personal items.

Before your guests arrive, take anything you might need to use out of the space.

For example, if you keep your vacuum or extra dining chairs in the guest closet, you should remove them before they “move in” to the space.

It’s also a good idea to remove anything of yours that could get in their way (even if you won’t need to use it during their stay).

For example, if you store holiday decorations in the closet or extra beach towels in the dresser, remove them to make space for their items. You might just need to put them in the garage, basement, shed, or even your own bedroom.

4. Declutter the space.

Along with removing your personal items from the room, it will be much more welcoming for your guests to have a neat, clean space to settle into.

• Move knick-knacks (picture frame displays, office supplies, etc.) off surfaces that your guests may want to use.
• If furniture is too bulky, shift it to another location, if possible.
• Create enough usable space in the closet, dresser, or other storage areas they may need to use.

5. Clean the space.

Once you remove your personal items and extra clutter, you’ll also want to make sure the space is clean.

• Dust, sweep, and vacuum.
• Clean whatever bathroom they will be using.
• Wash all the bedding.
• Wipe down baseboards, door frames, and light fixtures.
• Clean mirrors and windows.

It also might be a nice idea to leave a container of sanitizing wipes or a dustbuster in their space so they have the ability to clean up any messes they make without bothering you.

6. Provide extra toiletries.

While it’s not essential to provide toiletry items for your guests, it can make their stay much easier and compensate for items they may have forgotten but are too shy or embarrassed to ask you for.

Consider creating a little care basket with some or all of the following:

• shampoo, conditioner, and soap/body wash
• lotion and/or sunscreen
• toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• feminine hygiene items
• nail clippers
• ear plugs
• diapers and wipes (if they are coming with a baby)

This could be a great way to use up sample-size products and hotel freebies!

7. Have snacks available.

Guests often feel awkward asking for a snack when they are hungry, so it’s usually a nice idea to have some non-perishable snacks available in their room.

• granola bars
• small bags of chips/popcorn/crackers
• dried fruit
• trail mix
• candy
• gum/mints
• water bottles

If guests are staying with you for several days, it’s also nice to offer a heads-up on your plan for meals.

• what times you normally eat
• what foods you plan to make
• when/where you plan to go out to eat

The more information you can provide without them needing to ask “when will we eat” or “what’s for dinner”, the more comfortable they will be in your home.

8. Explain your “house rules”.

I don’t think we should expect our guests to be robots in our home, but I do think it’s nice to alert them to how we normally do things.

• normal meal times
• normal wake and sleep times
• if you’re a shoes-off house
• if pets are or are not allowed on furniture
• if little kids or teens are regularly awake and loud at an abnormally early or late hour

Other house tidbits could be helpful for guests, too. Things like:

• Does your toilet handle require a little extra shake to get the water to stop running?
• Does the backdoor sometimes stick a little when it’s humid?
• Where are the extra towels if necessary?
• What is the code for the garage door?

These might seem like overkill, but they can make a big difference for your guests without much extra work on your part.

9. Add a personal touch.

A few flowers, a sweet card/drawing from your child, a fun photo of you and your guest, or a favorite treat you know they will love are simple, frugal, and very fun ways to welcome guests into your home.

10. Plan logistics and activities.

Before your guests arrive, take a few moments to think about their entire stay and the most important things you want to make sure to do together.

You may even discuss with them ahead of time so you’re both on the “same page”.

Once you have a mental plan, make work of creating actual plans, reservations, etc.

• Buy tickets for an event you want to attend together.
• Make reservations for your favorite restaurant.
• Scope out the weather forecast so you can plan outdoor activities on an appropriate day.
• Find a car or bikes for your guests, if necessary.
• Have extra carseats, cribs, highchairs, toys, or other baby/child gear, if necessary.
• Ask around for local gyms that might offer a free week’s trial, if this is something your guests would appreciate.

These are the things that aren’t totally necessary, but will make a huge difference in your guests’ stay — both for your guests AND for you.

Oh, and one more thing… try to relax a little and enjoy the time with your guests!

They came to see you, so don’t stress about making everything perfect (yes, I’m preaching to myself here too!)

Do you have other simple tips to prepare your home for overnight guests?

What is a No-Spending Challenge?

At its core, a no-spend challenge means pressing pause on all non-essential spending for a set period of time (as short or as long as you want). You still pay your bills and take care of your family’s needs, but the extras take a back seat. No impulse buys, no casual Target runs, no takeout just because it’s been a long day.

It’s simple in theory because you create your own rules and hold yourself accountable … but it can be surprisingly eye-opening!

A no-spending challenge should be fun! It’s not about deprivation or guilt, but rather about awareness, intention, and uncovering any negative spending habits.

For many, especially those trying to live more simply or stretch a single income, a no-spend month can reveal just how much money quietly slips through the cracks (note: it’s likely more than you think!)

Basic Rules of a No-Spend Month

Remember, YOU create the rules — these are just my guidelines.

The goal is not to create hardship, but to cut out unnecessary spending while still meeting you and your family’s needs.

Here are my general guidelines:

Allowed Expenses (Needs):

• Monthly bills (mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, tuition, etc.)
• Gas/transportation
• Medical expenses, prescriptions, and health-related needs
• Basic household necessities (toilet paper, soap, etc.)
• Groceries (with intention — this is a great time for an eat-from-the-pantry challenge)
• Investments that you have already set up to withdraw from your bank accounts

Not Allowed (Wants):

• Dining out, coffee runs, fast food, and takeout
• Clothing (unless absolutely necessary)
• Home decor and impulse purchases
• Entertainment purchases (movies, apps, subscriptions you can pause)
• “Just browsing” shopping trips that turn into spending

Feel free to adjust these rules to fit your season of life. The key is to be honest and consistent.

The Pros of a No-Spend Challenge

1. You Quickly See Your Spending Habits

It’s amazing how often we spend out of habit rather than need. A no-spend month shines a light on those patterns, whether it’s convenience spending, boredom shopping, or emotional purchases.

2. You Can Save a Significant Amount of Money

Even cutting out small daily expenses can add up quickly. Many families are surprised by how much they save in just 30 days.

3. You Learn to Use What You Already Have

I’ve often created some of our family’s favorite meals after experimenting with various items in our freezer and pantry during no-spending challenges. This is a great time to pick up a craft you already have in the house, or read a new book that’s just been collecting dust on your shelf.

4. You Build Discipline and Contentment

Saying “no” to unnecessary spending strengthens your ability to pause and evaluate purchases long-term. Over time, this mindset shift can lead to lasting financial change.

I always encourage myself, my children, and others to wait 24 hours before making a purchase. It’s amazing how many times you don’t feel it’s worth it after thinking things through for a day.

5. It Encourages Simpler Living

You may find that you actually enjoy doing less, staying home more, and focusing on what truly matters—family time, hobbies, and slower rhythms.

The Cons (It’s Not All Easy)

1. It Can Feel Restrictive at First

If you’re used to the convenience of quick purchases or eating out on a whim, the adjustment to not doing these things can feel uncomfortable and discouraging.

2. It Can Create Tricky Social Situations

Invitations to dinner, outings with friends, or events that involve spending may require some creativity, or just saying no (with an explanation of your no-spending challenge).

In my own experience, the friends who invited me out thought it was a fun idea and were often willing to change plans to accommodate.

3. It Takes Planning and Effort

Meal planning, using what you have, and avoiding last-minute spending requires more intention and organization.

This might feel like a “con” but long-term, it might prove to be a “pro” as it will help you develop those habits, which will likely save you a considerable amount of time, money, and stress in the future.

4. You Might Slip Up

Honestly, there’s a high likelihood that you will slip up at least once… and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress… and no one is grading your performance!

Also, a single mistake doesn’t mean the challenge is over. Just start back up where you left off.

Tips for a Successful No-Spending Month

• Plan several go-to meals ahead of time to avoid last-minute grocery runs or takeout.
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails and avoid stores if possible.
• Delete shopping Apps from your phone.
• Find free alternatives for entertainment — library books, family game nights, walks, or baking at home.
• Set a goal for the money you save – pay off debt, build an emergency fund, go on vacation, etc.
• Get your family on board so everyone understands the purpose.

Final Thoughts

A no-spend month isn’t about never spending money again; it’s about hitting reset. It’s about stepping back, evaluating your habits, and moving forward with more intention.

Whether you walk away with extra savings, a fresh perspective, or simply a better understanding of your spending triggers, it’s an exercise that can have lasting impact.

And who knows — you might even find that “less” feels a whole lot better than you expected.

Have you ever tried a no-spending challenge?

What was your favorite (or least favorite) part?

What I love most about this salad is how effortlessly it comes together. You can grill the chicken ahead of time, chop the veggies earlier in the day, and make the dressing in bulk for whenever hunger strikes. Then, just toss everything together when you need a quick dinner or an easy dish to bring to a gathering.

This is the kind of recipe that works just as well for a laid-back family meal as it does for entertaining friends on the patio.

And let’s be honest — when a dish is easy, nutritious, and a crowd pleaser, it earns a permanent spot in the rotation!

Ingredients for Chicken Fiesta Salad

• 6 c. chopped lettuce (I use Romaine)
• 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (15 oz.) corn; drained and patted dry (or cut fresh off the cob)
• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans; drained, rinsed, and patted dry
• 2-3 tomatoes; diced (I usually use Roma so they aren’t as juicy)
• 1 avocado; diced
• 1/2 red onion; diced
• 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
• a handful of chopped cilantro
• crushed tortilla chips (for garnish)

Homemade Fiesta Dressing: 

• 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 3 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 T. lime juice (or juice from 1 lime)
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• 2 t. honey
• 1 t. minced garlic
• 1 T. mild taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
• (optional) 1 Jalapeño pepper; seeded and finely diced

NOTE: You can make the dressing several days in advance and store it in the fridge.

Here’s what I use for the homemade taco seasoning (it’s mild)

• 1 t. Cumin
• 1/2 t. Chili powder
• 1/2 t. Paprika
• 1/4 t. Onion powder
• 1/4 t. Garlic powder
• 1/4 t. Oregano
• 1/4 t. Salt
• 1/4 t. Black pepper

Simpler Fiesta Dressing:

• 3/4 c. ranch salad dressing
• 1/4 c. salsa (mild or spicy)

Ingredient Substitutions

This salad will most likely taste fabulous even if you make lots of substitutions — so please don’t shy away from it just because you don’t have a few of the “right” ingredients.

Also, the measurements above are just suggestions — feel free to add less or more of any of the ingredients based on what you have on hand!

For example:

• Sub in taco meat for the grilled chicken and make more of a taco salad
• Omit the meat altogether (probably adding more beans, avocado, and cheese instead) for a vegetarian option
• White or yellow onion would be perfectly acceptable — and if you don’t like onion, leave that out too
• Pepper Jack cheese tastes great with this dish — or any type of Mexican shredded cheese blend.
• Leave out the cilantro if you hate it (but it does give a really great flavor!)

Just use what you have in the house and give it a try!

How to Make Chicken Fiesta Salad

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients for the dressing, mix well, and refrigerate until ready to eat.

In a large bowl/platter/serving dish, layer lettuce and all toppings EXCEPT tortilla chips.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with dressing and crushed chips on the side.

The flavors, textures, and colors in this dish make it hit — not to mention all the “stuff” that’s packed into this yummy main-dish salad.

However, my favorite part is that it can easily be made ahead of time!

Make-Ahead Options

As I mentioned above, the dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in the fridge.

The rest of the salad can be prepped earlier in the day, or even the day before — just wait to add the avocado and cheese so they don’t get “soggy”.

And, certainly save the chips for a last-minute addition too.

Grilled Chicken Fiesta Salad is a great option when you want to actually spend time with your guests, or when you need to bring a dish to a potluck, picnic, or BBQ

Yield: 6

Grilled Chicken Fiesta Salad

Print

Fresh, flavorful, and perfect for warmer days… this grilled chicken fiesta salad is a crowd-pleaser! Packed with bold ingredients that are easy to prep ahead, it’s ideal for busy weeknights and casual summer entertaining. Grab the recipe and bring a little fiesta to your table!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD

Toggle ingredient group

• 6 c. chopped lettuce (I use Romaine)
• 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (15 oz.) corn; drained and patted dry (or cut fresh off the cob)
• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans; drained, rinsed, and patted dry
• 2-3 tomatoes; diced (I usually use Roma so they aren’t as juicy)
• 1 avocado; diced
• 1/2 red onion; diced
• 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
• a handful of chopped cilantro
• crushed tortilla chips (for garnish)

FOR THE FIESTA DRESSING

Toggle ingredient group

• 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 3 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 T. lime juice (or juice from 1 lime)
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• 2 t. honey
• 1 t. minced garlic
• 1 T. mild taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
• (optional) 1 Jalapeño pepper; seeded and finely diced

Simpler Fiesta Dressing

Toggle ingredient group

• 3/4 c. ranch salad dressing
• 1/4 c. salsa (mild or spicy)

Optional Homemade Taco Seasoning

Toggle ingredient group

• 1 t. Cumin
• 1/2 t. Chili powder
• 1/2 t. Paprika
• 1/4 t. Onion powder
• 1/4 t. Garlic powder
• 1/4 t. Oregano
• 1/4 t. Salt
• 1/4 t. Black pepper

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients for the dressing, mix well, and refrigerate until ready to eat.

In a large bowl/platter/serving dish, layer lettuce and all toppings EXCEPT tortilla chips.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with dressing and crushed chips on the side.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 762Total Fat 42gSaturated Fat 11gUnsaturated Fat 31gCholesterol 245mgSodium 447mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 7gSugar 7gProtein 68g

Nutritional information is approximate and does not account for additional ingredients or added toppings.

Dave and I currently spend $55 per month (total) for a Verizon prepaid plan (read more about that in this post).

This summer, we will add Nora to our Verizon plan (for an additional $10 or $20 per month) as she’s headed to high school and finally gets her own phone (yes, she’s been counting down the days!)

However, we also have a SUPER frugal, $5-per-month data-free plan through Tell0, which we use as our home phone — a phone that stays in our kitchen and can be used by any of the kids to contact us if we’re gone for whatever reason.

Why We Chose Tello for our Home Phone

I often get asked about our home phone, how/what the kids use it for, when we decided it was a good time to purchase it, etc., so I thought I’d share a bit more.

Back in 2021, when our kids were ages 10, 7, 6, and 4, we decided we could start leaving them at home for short periods of time… as long as we had a way to connect with them and for them to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

We used one of our old iPhones paired with Tello as the service provider.

The main reason we chose Tello is because we could select a data-free plan… and because it only costs $5 per month.

FIVE DOLLARS!

What is Tello?

Tello is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network and offers prepaid plans featuring talk time, texting, and data at an affordable monthly cost.

In my opinion, Tello is a great option for tweens, teens, or even elderly people who don’t need data or lots of minutes.

You can even set up a “pay-as-you-go” plan where you simply add money whenever you’re running low on minutes.

With a quick swap of the tiny SIM card they mail you, you can start saving hundreds (maybe even thousands) per year on your family’s phone service!

Our Current At-Home Phone Set-up

Our “home phone” is not a “land line”, it’s a cell phone. But as the name suggests, our home phone stays in our home… with the only exception that Nora can now take it with her when she babysits for other families.

It’s our family’s phone — not one of the children’s personal lines, so anyone in our family can access it at any time. And the kids are only allowed to use the phone in our main living areas (kitchen/dining/living).

We have allowed Nora to add a handful of friends to the phone so she can text them (she might be the only person in 8th grade without a cell phone ).

We will likely let younger kids add a few friends’ numbers to the phone as they get older, too.

How Much Does Tello Cost?

We pay $5 per month (yes, only $5 per month!) for the “Build Your Own Plan” of unlimited texting and 300 minutes (no data).

There are many other plans, too — including plans that offer unlimited data, if that’s something you need.

If you don’t have a phone you want to use, Tello does offer a variety of new and refurbished phones for purchase.

They even have new flip phone options if you don’t want to mess with a smartphone.

I purchased this retro phone case so it would be difficult to lose the phone… and because Dave and I thought it was really funny! The kids love it too.

Tello Pros:

• Affordable: Depending on your needs, it will cost anywhere from $5-$29 per month. 
• Flexible: You can choose how many calling minutes and data you want — or if you don’t want any. So you only pay for what you want.
• No Contract: You are never locked in and can cancel at any time. You can also quickly and easily upgrade your data or calling minutes one month and then downgrade the next month with just a few clicks (no customer service calls).
• Unlimited Texts: Every Tello plan comes with unlimited text messages… which is the main way we’ll most likely communicate with our kids, so this was a big bonus for us.
• Keep your existing number: We obviously needed a new number since we were setting up a new line, but you can easily keep your existing number when switching to Tello.
• Good coverage: I think this is probably the main reason we opted for Tello — they have excellent coverage in West Michigan (and really across the US).

Tello Cons:

• No roaming: According to Tello, “we do not offer roaming services or national roaming at this time“. That’s certainly something to be aware of, but since our phone is just at home and T-Mobile has good coverage in our area, this doesn’t affect us.
• You must buy the phone outright: Due to the fact that the service has no contract, the phone cost isn’t bundled into the cost of your calling plan. That means it will cost a bit more upfront. This was also a non-issue for us since we were planning to use my old phone.
• Some issues with no data plans: Since we’ve opted for a no-data plan, we are unable to send group text messages. This is not a big deal for us, but something to be aware of. It’s also not a “Tello issue” but a no-data issue, whatever service you’re using.

A Few Tello Tips:

After several years with Tello, I have a few tips that might help if you’re new!

1. Manually pay to save more: while I normally have all our bills set to “auto-pay,” I realized that if I manually pay my Tello bill, I save the service fees. Just make sure you pay it 1 day early.
2. Be careful with the pay-as-you-go plan: I originally thought that the pay-as-you-go would be the cheapest option for our family because it’s only $0.01 per minute or per text message — but then I realized I had to pre-pay at least $20, and the credit is only good for 3 months. We would never come close to using $20 worth of credit in 3 months, so the $5 per month is a better deal.
3. You can still use WiFi: we have no data on our phone, and we took the internet apps off the phone, but we could still access the internet because the phone is connected to our WiFi for texting.
4. The Tello App: we originally thought we had to make all our calls and texts through the Tello App — but then we realized we could do it directly through the phone and text apps already on our iPhone. We just deleted the Tello App from the phone, and I manage our service through my Tello dashboard on my computer.

Our Plan for Kids’ Personal Cell Phones

We’ve held out for 14 years, but we plan to purchase Nora her own cell phone this summer… honestly, many things will be so much easier once she has a phone (don’t tell her that!)

For a variety of reasons, the easiest and best option seems to be adding a new phone to our current Verizon plan, so as of right now, that’s what we plan to do.

I initially wanted to get her a Gabb phone, but after a bit more research and talking with other parents, I think we’re going to give her an iPhone (with lots of limitations and parental controls)!

I know the kids can always get around these restrictions, but for now, we trust Nora to abide by our rules, so we’ll see how it goes this summer. I reserve the right to pivot down the road if necessary!

Meanwhile, we plan to continue using Tello for the home phone.

We’ve been very pleased with our Tello experience… and $5 per month is more than worth it for the peace of mind we have, knowing our kids have a way to contact someone in case of an emergency.

1. Starbucks

I don’t particularly enjoy coffee, and can’t remember ever purchasing coffee for myself from any coffee shop. However, I do occasionally purchase drinks for teachers or friends, or use a free drink coupon at our local Biggby’s.

That said, I have never spent money on Starbucks in my entire life… although my teen daughter has.

2. Perfume

I’ve received plenty of lotions and perfumes as gifts, and I’ve also redeemed plenty of freebie coupons at Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret, but I have no memory of paying for perfume with my own cash.

Again, my teen daughter could not say the same.

3. Credit Card Interest or Fees

I got my first credit card when I was 16 years old, and since then, I’ve paid off the balance in full every month. No fees, interest, or other penalties.

4. Alcohol at Restaurants

We rarely spend money on alcohol at home, let alone at restaurants — simply because it’s expensive, unhealthy, potentially addicting,  and unnecessary (in my opinion).

For the most part, we drink water — lots and lots of water.

We usually have fun drinks for Family Movie Nights (usually on Saturday evenings), and once in a while, we’ll get lemonade or pop (soda) at restaurants. Otherwise, water is better for our teeth, our brains, our bodies, and our wallets!

5. Dry Cleaning or Laundromat

I’ve never even been to a dry cleaning or laundromat facility… I know, it’s almost hard to believe!

I’ve become a pro at washing “dry-clean only” items at home and save time and money as a result. So far, I haven’t ruined anything yet (knock on wood!)

6. Delivery Fees

Although I’ve been tempted to order groceries and have them delivered, I’m just too picky with my produce to let someone else find it for me. Plus, I actually enjoy grocery shopping now that I can go when the kids are in school.

And believe it or not, we’ve never had food delivered to our home! Likely because we don’t eat fast food that often, but when we do, it’s usually because we’re out and about, so we just swing in and pick something up.

I’ve never had flowers or gifts delivered, and it’s a rare occasion when I’ve ever paid a shipping charge for anything (thank you, Amazon Prime!)

7. Manicures or Pedicures

My cousin did my nails for free (at her house) the day before my wedding… other than that, I’ve never had a manicure or pedicure, nor do I desire to have either.

I have super ticklish feet, and my nails are short and stubby, so I can’t imagine paying money to make them more visible.

8. Facial

Same thing… never had one, don’t really want one (although maybe I don’t know what I’m missing!)

9. Massage

I’ve never had a professional massage before — however, I do see the benefit in this and wouldn’t totally turn one down if I ever happened to be in the right place at the right time.

For now, our hot tub does the trick, offering a “free” at-home massage whenever I want one.

10. Hair Removal (waxing, laser, etc.)

I’ll admit, I’ve looked into laser hair removal and priced it out… but I just can’t convince myself to fork over THAT much money for hair removal, when shaving works fine (for now, at least).

I’m also sort of terrified of waxing (I’ve never tried it). Thankfully, I’m not that hairy!

One new-ish hair removal product I recently started using is a dermaplane razor for all the peach fuzz on my face. Wow, why didn’t I try that sooner!?

11. Hair Cuts for Dave and the Kids

Our children have never been to a professional salon, and Dave hasn’t paid for a haircut since we started dating.

I do pay my neighbor to cut my hair a few times per year, but I’m trying to convince Nora that she could learn how to do it.

NOTE: This is the hair trimmer I use on Dave and the boys.

12. Fake Anything (lashes, extensions, nails)

What you see is what you get with me.

No fake nails, lashes, hair extensions… or any other body parts.

13. Concert Tickets

My parents have taken our entire family to a few symphony concerts over the years, and I once won free tickets for a Point of Grace Christmas concert before we had kids. Other than that, I’ve never paid for concert tickets.

Dave has enjoyed a few concerts with fellow teacher friends, so I’m glad he can go with them and let me stay home.

14. Valet Parking

We don’t frequent many establishments that offer valet parking (unless Culver’s starts offering this service in the near future).

Also, Dave and I are very capable of parking our own car and walking a few blocks, if necessary.

15. Lottery Tickets

I’ve thought about purchasing one several times over the course of my life, but I’ve never actually done it.

Dave is a math teacher, and we know the odds of winning are horrible and that buying lottery tickets is basically just throwing our money away.

Yes, it would be pretty sweet to win the MegaMillion, but highly unlikely… so I’ll save my money!

16. Gambling

In addition to lottery tickets, we’ve never spent money on gambling (at least not that I remember).

I did, however, spend time in a Las Vegas Casino just after my 21st birthday (true story!) Dave and I were given $10 worth of coins to use in the casino, and we used them in slot machines until they were gone. We didn’t win anything (shocking, I know!)

17. ATM Fees

Would you believe that I’ve never even used an ATM machine before!?

I love our small local bank, and just wait until they open at 9:00 if I really need cash. Otherwise, Venmo, PayPal, or credit cards usually work just fine.

18. A Brand New Vehicle

We’ve never purchased a vehicle “off the lot” — but rather, through friends, relatives, or via Facebook Marketplace.

We still drive nice vehicles that are in good condition… we just save a bunch of money on the sticker price (and on our auto insurance).

19. Public Transportation

Although I’ve always driven used vehicles, I have always had a vehicle to drive… which means I’ve never had to pay for public transportation.

We have taken taxis and shuttles on vacation, but they were always included in the price of our plane or resort tickets.

20. Illegal Drugs

Ok, this one is a bit of a stretch, but I thought I’d throw it in there because it is true — not even for “medicinal” purposes (which, I’m told, is becoming more and more normal these days).

21. Tattoos

Wow, tattoos sure are popular these days.

Aside from the fact that they are expensive and I don’t like needles, the main thing preventing me from getting a tattoo is the thought of how saggy it will look when I’m old!

22. Real Gold Necklaces and Earrings

Aside from my wedding ring, my “mother’s ring”, and some jewelry I inherited after my grandma died, I don’t have any “real” jewelry — it’s all costume pieces I find at thrift stores or cheap places in the mall.

And if you really want to get technical, Dave purchased my wedding ring before we were married, my mother’s ring was a gift via a blog sponsorship, and the jewelry from my grandma was given to me — so I don’t think I’ve ever spent my own money on real jewelry.

23. Instant Pot

These were all the rage for years, and I sort of wanted to get one, but just didn’t want to store it.

I do use my 2 slow cookers and my toaster oven many times each week… so who knows, I might be missing out by not having an Instant Pot. So far, I haven’t made the purchase yet.

24. Botox

I know so many people my age who are doing Botox… but right now, I can’t imagine a world where this will be something I choose to spend money on.

The idea of being less wrinkly sounds great… but I’m also OK with looking my age!

25. Music Downloads

Back in the day, I had a little collection of CDs, but ever since music started going digital, I haven’t purchased a thing.

I do always snatch up the 3-free months of Audible or Satellite Radio whenever those offers pop up, but I’ve never paid for access.

26. Extended Warranties

We often buy things used… which means they don’t come with warranties at all, but even when we’ve purchased new electronics or appliances, we’ve always opted not to purchase any extended warranties.

We’ve found that, as long as we purchase products with easily-accessible replacement parts, any necessary service calls are usually fairly inexpensive… making it unnecessary to purchase an extended warranty.

Yes, we might get burned by this at some point… but not yet!

For the record, I do not feel deprived or like my life is boring. And, I realize there are likely many things I regularly spend money on that you might not (things like whole grains, a gym membership, Amazon Prime, car washes, specific yard tools, and renovation expenses).

Aside from the illegal drugs, there’s likely nothing wrong with spending your money on any of the things listed above — as long as you aren’t going into debt to spend it.

We all choose to spend our money in different ways, which makes me curious…

What would be on your list of “things you’ve never spent money on?“

It’s also a really fun meal for kids to help with — even really little kids can do it!

You’ll Love Strombli

If the reasons I listed above aren’t enough for you, just take a look at all the gooey cheese and savory pizza toppings stuffed inside a soft doughy crust with your favorite seasonings sprinkled on top.

It looks fancy, but I promise, it is not difficult to make.

I almost always use my homemade whole-grain bread dough for the crust, but you can easily use frozen bread dough or refrigerated pizza dough from the store.

NOTE: You should not use pre-baked pizza crusts.

How to Make Stromboli

1. Prepare your dough (either make it, buy it, or defrost frozen dough).

2. When you’re ready to assemble the Stromboli, preheat your oven to 375ºF.

3. Roll the dough into a large rectangle on a cookie sheet (I use these sheet pans).

4. Spread meats, veggies, and cheese, evenly down the center of the dough — leave roughly 4″ on each side. NOTE: I always end with cheese so it melts down through the rest of the toppings.

5. Using a scissors or pizza cutter, slice the extra dough on the sides of the toppings into 1″ strips.

6. “Braid” the strips by bringing one strip to the center, then pulling a strip from the opposite side over the first strip. Continue on, pulling strips from every other side, until toppings are enclosed.

7. Brush top crust with melted butter or oil (optional) and sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasonings.

8. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until crust is slightly brown.

9. Cut, serve, eat, and enjoy!

Stromboli Serving Suggestions

Just like pizza, stromboli can hold its own as a full meal… however, if you want to serve it up with a few sides, here are some we enjoy:

• any type of lettuce salad
• broccoli bacon salad
• shredded brussels sprout salad
• cold pasta salad
• raw veggies with dip
• fresh fruit
• chips (any type) with dips and/or salsas

How to Reheat Stromboli

Strobmoli is delicious as leftovers — but definitely tastes best when reheated in a toaster oven versus a microwave.

NOTE: This is our favorite toaster oven — we use it daily!

Stromboli is such a delicious meal any time of year, and for almost any occasion.

If you’re looking for a super easy meal to add to your weeknight (or weekend) rotation, give Stromboli a try… and then let me know what you think.

What are your favorite Stromboli fillings?

Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!

Don’t Sort Every Load

Gone are the days of separating lights, darks, whites, delicates, and everything in between. For most modern fabrics and detergents, sorting isn’t nearly as necessary as it once was.

Instead, consider washing similar-weight items together (like towels or jeans) and letting the colors mix. You’ll save time, reduce the number of loads, and simplify the entire process.

In our home, we actually “sort” by where the items will need to be put away — all the boys’ laundry is in one load, the girls’ laundry is another load, and Dave & my laundry is a load. That way, when it comes out of the dryer, it all goes to the same place.

Don’t Pre-Treat Everything

Honestly, I rarely ever pretreat anything, and I haven’t for years.

I just dump a Tablespoon of Oxi-Clean in each load, and 99.9% of the time, things come out spotless.

The few stains I try to remember to spot-treat are ink, dry-erase markers, and oil

NOTE: I do almost always use hot water, which helps with stains.

Don’t Avoid Whites

Many moms avoid whites because they seem harder to care for — but whites don’t have to be high-maintenance!

A little bleach or OxyClean White Revive can keep them looking fresh with minimal effort.

I honestly gravitate towards white towels, sheets, and even white slip covers because they are so easy to bleach without worrying about colors fading (and I’ve bleached many slip covers over the years!)

Don’t Use Too Much Detergent

More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. In fact, using too much detergent can lead to buildup, dingy fabrics, and even extra wear on your washing machine.

Try using less than the recommended amount — you might be surprised how well your clothes still come out (and how long your detergent lasts!)

Better yet, try using eco-friendly laundry balls instead of traditional detergent. We’ve been doing this for years, and things always come out clean.

I also totally skip fabric softener and use wool dryer balls instead.

Don’t Wash Clothes After Every Wear

Not everything needs to be washed immediately. Jeans, sweatshirts, pajamas, and even some shirts can often be worn multiple times before hitting the hamper.

We’ve gotten our kids in the habit of putting everything in the hamper each night (because their clothes are legitimately pretty dirty) but Dave and I regularly wear our clothing multiple times before washing.

We also have our own bath towels and only wash them once a week.

And sheets — I wash them every other week if I’m on top of things, but usually more like every 3 weeks, and we all live to tell about it.

Washing less frequently not only saves time and money, but it also reduces wear and tear on your machines and helps your fabrics last longer.

Don’t Let Laundry Pile Up

Waiting until you’re buried in laundry makes the task feel even more overwhelming and time-consuming.

Instead, determine what a good laundry routine might be for you and your current season of life (1 load a day, 1 laundry day per week, twice a week, etc.). Then, aim to stick with that routine until it stops working for you.

For the record, I consider “doing the laundry” to mean:

• washing everything
• drying everything
• putting everything away (not letting the clean clothing sit in baskets for days)

A little consistency goes a long way when it comes to laundry!

Don’t Forget Machine Maintenance

Your appliances will stay happier and perform more faithfully if you remember to maintain and clean them on a semi-regular basis.

For me, this looks like running a washing machine cleaning tablet through our washers every other month, and cleaning out the dryer vents a couple of times per year.

Want More Laundry Tips?

I’ve got a bunch!

Click here for access to all my time-saving, energy-saving laundry tips.

My grandmother would probably shake her head at some of these suggestions… but after 20 years of doing my own laundry, I’m telling you, they work.

For the record, I don’t actually mind doing laundry. I just like finding ways to simplify and streamline the process.

By letting go of unnecessary steps and outdated rules, you can save time, spend less, and create a laundry routine that actually works for your life.

Because laundry will always be there… but it doesn’t have to take over!

Do you share any of my laundry don’ts? Do you have any of your own?

Thankfully, I’ve made continual progress in my freshly-milled flour baking hobby!

I’ve found my stride and developed a handful of go-to recipes that (for me) seem to work well every time I make them. I even have a dedicated binder for all my whole-grain recipes.

Most importantly for our family, I finally landed on what we consider the “best”, softest, most delicious sandwich bread recipe — made with freshly milled whole grains.

It’s even good enough for PB&J, and that’s saying something!

This same dough recipe works for sandwich bread, dinner rolls, hamburger buns, cinnamon rolls, stromboli, pizza crust, and more.

I won’t claim my recipe is “foolproof” because if you’re new to making bread, or new to freshly milled grains, you will likely need a few rounds of trial and error before you find what works for you.

But, if you’re looking for a super soft loaf of whole-grain sandwich bread, my recipe has worked well for our family for many years now, and I think it will be a great starting point for you, too!

If it doesn’t turn out the first time, just make it into French toast or croutons!

Super Soft Sandwich Bread Made with Freshly Milled Whole Grains

This recipe can easily be halved or doubled… depending on your mixer capabilities and your need for whole-grain bread dough. However, as written, it makes enough dough for: 

• 4 loaves (8″ x 4″ — 25 oz.)
• 3 large loaves (9″ x 5″ — 33 oz.)
• 2 giant loaves (13″ x 5″ — 50 oz.)
• 10 mini loaves (5.5″ x 3″ — 10 oz)
• 48 dinner rolls or slider buns (2 oz.)
• 24 large hamburger buns (4 oz.)
• 45 cinnamon rolls (15 per pan)
• 3 large Stromboli (18″ x 6″)
• 5 Pizzas (12″)

Ingredients for Whole Grain Sandwich Bread

2 c. water — any temperature is fine. I always use city tap water, but others swear you’ll get better results with filtered water.

1 c. milk (or buttermilk) — I always use full-fat whole milk, but feel free to try whatever you have in the house.

4 T. butter — you could substitute coconut oil

4 T. honey — feel free to use granular sugar, brown sugar, or even molasses

1 egg (optional) — this helps the bread stay fresh-tasting longer. If you’re going to eat it in one day, you likely won’t need the egg.

2 t. sea salt — you will immediately realize if you forget the salt (speaking from experience )

2 T. Rice Bran — this helps to soften the texture of the bread. It makes a big difference (in my opinion).

2 T. Vital Wheat Gluten — adding additional gluten helps with the stretchiness of the dough, and creates higher-rising bread.

1,000 grams freshly milled hard white or red wheat berries (6-7 cups)

2 T. Instant Yeast — you can use active yeast, but it’s faster and easier with instant (I’ll explain more below)

melted butter for brushing — this helps to ensure a softer crust

Substituting All-Purpose Flour

If you want to try this recipe with all-purpose flour, you’ll likely need more flour. You will also be able to omit the rice bran and vital wheat gluten.

I’d say start with 6 cups of flour, and slowly add more until you reach the desired dough texture. You might need as much as 9 cups of flour!

You could also make this recipe with half freshly-milled flour and half all-purpose flour, if you’re not sure your family would like 100% whole grain bread yet (I did this for a long time).

I personally wouldn’t take the time to substitute store-bought whole wheat flour, as it creates very dense bread and doesn’t have any of the nutritional value of freshly-milled flour, as it has been sitting on store shelves for well over 24 hours.

How to Make Whole Grain Sandwich Bread 

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine water, milk, butter, and honey.

2. Microwave on high for 1 -2 minutes, or until butter is completely melted and the temperature is between 110º and 120ºF.

3. Pour melted butter mixture into a heavy-duty mixer (Kitchen Aid or Nutrimill) with the dough hook attachment.

4. Add egg, salt, rice bran, wheat gluten, and 600 grams of freshly milled flour.

5. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, or until combined.

6. Let this mixture sit at room temperature for 20 minutes (this allows time for the freshly milled flour to absorb much of the liquid).

7. After 20 minutes, sprinkle yeast over the dough and add half of the remaining flour (about 200 grams).

*NOTE: If you were using active yeast, you would need to “activate” the yeast with the wet ingredients, and it would start to rise while letting the dough rest for 20 minutes. This is why I choose instant yeast, because I can add it dry to the dough when I add the extra flour.

8. Mix on medium-low speed for 5 minutes, adding more flour as necessary.

9. Continue mixing the dough for 4-5 minutes, until it’s soft, sticky, and easily forms into a ball. (It should be a bit sticky, but not fully suctioned to the bowl or your hands.)

10. Form the dough into a ball and place it into a very large greased bowl.

11. Cover with greased plastic wrap or a wet towel and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

11. After the dough has risen significantly, punch it down and form it into another smaller ball by pulling the dough from the outside into the middle.

12. Divide the dough into smaller portions and form into bread, buns, cinnamon rolls, etc.

13. Place prepared dough into greased baking pans, cover, and let rise for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

14. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.

15. Brush melted butter over the tops of risen dough and bake according to the details below.

16. Brush melted butter over the tops again once the bread is removed from the oven.

17. Let bread sit in baking pans for 5 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely.

Baking Times

Remember… all ovens are different, so watch your dough the first time.

• four 8″ loaves = 40-45 minutes
• three 9″ loaves = 45-50 minutes
• two 13″ loaves = 45-50 minutes
• dinner rolls, buns, & cinnamon rolls = 15-18 minutes
• strombolie (after you fill it with toppings) = 20-22 minutes

If you’re an avid bread baker, I’d be honored if you tried my recipe and gave me a little feedback (and share it with others!)

If you’re still a wanna-be whole-grain-bread-baker, add my recipe to the list of recipes you’ll try until you find YOUR perfect recipe.

And if you have absolutely no desire to attempt your own homemade bread, I’d encourage you to try some of these (non-yeast bread) ideas to incorporate whole grains into your daily diet. 

How to Store Homemade Bread

Homemade bread, buns, cinnamon rolls, etc., should ideally be stored at room temperature and eaten within 48 hours to enjoy maximum freshness and softness.

However, if you want to bake in bulk, or if you find yourself with a bunch of extra bread, simply wrap it well in plastic wrap or in a freezer bag and freeze it.

Baked goods will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months with no freezer burn (if properly stored).

Do not store bread or rolls in the refrigerator, as they will dry out quickly.

More Whole Grain Recipes

• How to Substitute Whole Grain Flour in Almost Any Recipe
• 15 Easy Ways To Eat Whole Grains Every Day
• Beef and Barley Stew With a Kick!
• Baked Oatmeal
• Homemade Oatmeal
• From-Scratch Granola Bars
• Rhubarb Crisp With Whole-Grain Oat Topping
• Whole Grain Cornbread from Scratch
• Hearty Whole Grain Oat Pancakes
• Homemade Croutons
• Banana Bread with Whole Grains
• Monster Cookies
• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Rustic Whole-Grain Granola
• Whole Grain Apple Cake with Cinnamon Yogurt Whipped Cream
• Whole Grain Oatmeal Caramel Bars

My Favorite Whole Grain Bread Tools

• NutriMill Harvest Grain Mill (they are regularly out of stock — sorry!)
• NutriMill Artiste Stand Mixer (with dough hook)
• Huge food storage container with lid (to let the dough rise in)
• USA bread loaf pans
• USA extra-large sheet pans
• Large Baking Stone
• Colapsible Cooling Rack
• Bulk Instant Yeast
• Wüsthof Bread Knife 
• I buy my grain in bulk from Country Life Natural Foods, but you can also get it on Amazon

It’s a lot of information for one post, but I certainly hope it’s helpful for any of you who are interested in baking, eating, or simply learning more about whole-grain bread! 

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments, or contact me directly.

Happy Baking (and Eating)!