As women, our bodies and hormones are constantly changing, our responsibilities aren’t getting any lighter, and we’re often so busy taking care of everyone else that it feels easier to throw money at the situation, hoping a new pill or program will finally “fix” everything that is apparently wrong with us.

But what if feeling better didn’t require another expensive habit, another thing to research, or another item on our ever-growing to-do lists?

What if we just focused on the basics?

1. Getting outside.
2. Drinking water.
3. Eating real food.
4. Moving our bodies.
5. Sleeping more.
6. Making space for real life.

Doesn’t that sound easier?

I don’t care what the latest internet trends say; you don’t need a new supplement, a time-consuming workout program, or protein Doritos to be healthier.

I’m not a trained expert, but after more than a decade of nerding out on health and wellness research, reading dozens of books, journals, and articles, talking with many doctors and wellness experts, listening to hundreds of health-related podcasts, and watching various trends play out in my real-life “circles”, I’m convinced that the best things we can do for our physical, mental, and emotional health are also the simplest and cheapest (and I AM an expert on “simple” and “frugal”).

These tips aren’t particularly exciting. They won’t make anyone rich selling a new product.

But they are practical, doable habits that real people like you and me can fit into our busy schedules to support our health and improve our quality of life.

Best of all, most of them are completely free!

If you’re tired of trying the latest trend to improve your health, take a deep breath and keep reading. I think you will feel more empowered and less overwhelmed at the end of this article!

1. Get Outside

When life gets busy, it’s easy to spend nearly all day inside our homes, cars, schools, and offices. Thankfully, a little time outside is one of the simplest ways to improve our physical and mental health!

Morning sunlight, specifically, is proven to lower cortisol and start our circadian rhythm — making it easier for us to fall asleep at night. (source)

Getting outside doesn’t have to become another fitness goal either. You don’t need to count your steps or close a ring on your smartwatch.

Just go outside because it feels good and it’s good for you!

A Simpler Health Goal = Spend 10 minutes outside every morning and evening.

Don’t wear sunglasses or sunscreen. Take a few long, slow breaths, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up some Vitamin D!

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…

• Drink your coffee on the porch (even in the cold winter months!)
• Take a 10-minute walk.
• Read for 15 minutes outside.
• Wait at the bus stop with your kids.
• Sit outside at your child’s practice (instead of staying in the car).
• Eat dinner on the patio.
• Set an alarm and head outside for 5-10 minutes between household chores or work assignments.
• Go for a family walk after dinner (this is great for digestion).

It almost sounds too simple, but the effects of a little extra sunlight (even through the clouds) can be profound.

2. Drink More Water

I’ve been preaching “drink more water” for years now. My own family (and thousands of you) are fully on board!

And yes, we just drink water… plain tap water from the kitchen sink.

Those special powders, electrolyte packets, flavored waters, energy drinks, and fancy sparkling waters look flashy, but they truly aren’t necessary for most healthy adults.

Unless you’re running a marathon or bodybuilding, plain water is just fine.

If you’re feeling a little dehydrated, put a pinch of Himalayan pink salt under your tongue (so you can’t taste it) and wash it down with a glass of water. This will give you a boost of electrolytes and minerals for mere pennies.

If you enjoy flavored water, add lemon, cucumber, berries, or mint.

Drinking more water is extremely beneficial for our internal organs, our brains, and our skin. Plus, it can help to curb snack cravings, as we often confuse feeling thirsty with being hungry. A simple glass of ice water might be all you need when those hangry feelings surface!

A Simpler Health Goal = Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day.

As an example, a 130-pound person would strive to drink 65 ounces of water, and a 160-pound person would shoot for around 80 ounces of water each day.

Here are some ideas to help you hit that goal:

• Keep a glass of water by your bed and drink it first thing when you wake up.
• Carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. (These are our favorites).
• Keep a pitcher of cold water in the refrigerator.
• Drink water with meals (this will save money too).

The goal here isn’t to create another rigid hydration rule or ban your favorite beverages. It’s simply to encourage you to reach for water first when you feel thirsty or hungry.

It’s an easy, inexpensive choice that will positively impact your health!

Related Reading: How to Drink More Water Each Day

3. Eat Real Food

Eating well has somehow become one of the most complicated aspects of modern life.

We apparently need more protein, fewer carbs, the “right” fats, “better” sweeteners, organic everything, and carefully calculated macros. One week, a particular food is considered essential. The next week, it’s something we should avoid. It’s nearly impossible to stay up-to-date on all the latest trends in “healthy eating”.

As much as I try not to let all this hype affect me, I can’t deny the fact that eating nutrient-dense foods makes a huge difference in our health and well-being.

I don’t worry about protein or macros or calories or sourcing all the cleanest ingredients, but I DO stick to mostly real foods as much as possible.

Fruits, veggies, meats, potatoes, whole grains, nuts, eggs, etc.

It’s been a long journey of small changes each year, but these changes have transformed the way our family eats.

A Simpler Health Goal = Swap packaged snacks for fruits and veggies.

It’s so easy to buy pre-packaged snacks and dole them out whenever the slightest hunger cue arises… but those snacks are often filled with junk ingredients and preservatives. Instead, offer fresh produce as a real food snack alternative.

Here are a few ideas:

• Keep a bowl of apples, bananas, and oranges on the counter at all times.
• Store washed grapes and berries in containers in the fridge.
• Have no-sugar-added dried fruit in the pantry.
• Use 100% fruit/veggie squeeze pouches for on-the-go snacking.
• Serve a veggie tray with fun dips for after-school snacks.
• Keep bags of frozen berries in the freezer for summertime snacks or smoothies.

Produce isn’t as cheap or fast as Goldfish crackers, but it’s significantly cheaper than going to the doctor all the time because you’re sick. Fresh produce offers so many health benefits (more fiber and nutrients, less junk and filler ingredients) and is an awesome snacking habit for kids and adults.

Related Reading: How We Make More Produce Work For Our Family

4. Move Your Body

You don’t need a gym membership, name-brand leggings, an expensive workout app, or overpriced exercise equipment to be physically active.

Walking, gardening, riding a bike, doing yard work, and playing with your kids or grandkids all count as movement.

And the benefits go well beyond burning calories or changing the number on the scale. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety, improve sleep, support brain health, and lower the risk of several chronic diseases! (source)

Regular movement is also a practical way to maintain strength, support bone health, and help our bodies continue doing the things we enjoy.

The trick is to stop thinking of exercise as something that requires a separate block of time we don’t have.

A Simpler Health Goal = Look for opportunities to move throughout the day.

Here are a few ideas for busy schedules:

• Stretch for 5 minutes when you wake up and before you go to bed.
• Walk around the neighborhood with a friend or while your kids ride their bikes.
• Take a 10-minute walk after lunch or dinner (with pets and family or alone).
• Work in the garden, rake leaves, or tackle a little yard work.
• Walk around the sports field while your child practices.
• Use a walking pad under a stand-up desk in your office.
• Set a timer every hour and take a lap around your house or office.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator when practical.
• Do a few squats or wall push-ups while dinner cooks.
• Balance on one foot while brushing your teeth.

Eventually, you might try a free workout video at home, or start lifting weights a couple of times per week… but the goal right now is simply to move more regularly each day.

Related Reading: Simple Tips to Move More

5. Sleep More

Sleep is often one of the first things we sacrifice when life gets busy.

We stay up late folding laundry, answering emails, finishing work, or enjoying a few minutes of quiet after everyone else has gone to bed.

Yup… I’ve been there too!

And then we wonder why we’re tired, irritable, and reaching for caffeine or sugar the next afternoon.

Unfortunately for busy adults, sleep is not a luxury or a reward for finishing everything on our to-do lists; it’s an essential piece of our health puzzle because our sleep affects every aspect of our lives.

We can’t always control when our children wake up, whether a family member is sick, or how much work needs to get done, but we can usually make small adjustments to promote more and better sleep.

A Simpler Health Goal: Create a Bedtime Routine

It might sound silly, but adults benefit from a regular bedtime routine too!

These tips will help you find a routine that works for you:

• Wake up at a similar time each morning.
• Get morning sunlight to jump-start your circadian rhythm.
• Set a reasonable bedtime and treat it as an appointment with yourself.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary snacks in the evening.
• Put electronics away 30 minutes before bed.
• Take a hot shower (your body cools when you get out, which makes you sleepier).
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and comfortable.
• Give yourself permission to leave a few chores unfinished.

If you have young children, a newborn, or a family member who needs nighttime care, getting enough uninterrupted sleep may be difficult. Do what you reasonably can, accept help when it’s available, and focus on the parts of your routine you can control.

And if you’re consistently struggling with sleep, especially if you snore heavily or feel exhausted despite spending enough time in bed, talk with a traditional or naturopathic doctor. Midlife sleep problems deserve attention, not just another cup of coffee!

Related Reading: Why We Hired A Sleep Consultant

6. Make Space for Real Life

Physical health is important, but feeling healthy also means having enough mental and emotional energy to enjoy your life. And this is where I think many of us could benefit from simplifying.

We spend so much time consuming information about how to improve ourselves that we forget to enjoy the lives we already have.

We compare our bodies, homes, routines, wardrobes, and family lives with carefully curated pictures and videos.

We read about what we should be doing, buying, eating, and changing, and before long, taking care of ourselves becomes one more source of stress, anxiety, and even depression (all of which will negatively affect our sleep, appetite, mood, and more).

A Simpler Health Goal: Take a social media break.

I stepped away from social media over 6 years ago (both my personal and business accounts), and I honestly don’t miss it. I know not everyone is like me, but I do think everyone should take regular social media breaks — whether it’s a couple of hours every evening, one day per week, a 40-day Lent fast, or whatever you decide.

The mental break from all that information will positively affect your health.

I’m trying to keep it simple, but I also want to include a few other ways to “Make Space For Real Life” (this is a big category!)

• Stop scrolling the News — especially anything that’s not local.
• Stop spending time with toxic people (I know you’re thinking of someone).
• Stop working a job you hate (not immediately, but start planning for a change).
• Stop signing your kids up for every possible activity. Stay home once in a while.
• Stop doing things out of guilt or because “no one else will do it” (this is so freeing).
• Stop wondering what others think of you — they are all only thinking of themselves anyway!

It’s amazing how much “extra” time we have when we stop constantly consuming information to improve our lives and simply focus on living the life that’s right in front of us.

Here are a few ways to fill your free time…

• Read an actual book.
• Join a Bible Study or local moms’ group.
• Call a friend to hang out (in person).
• Work on a fun project or hobby you’ve been putting off.
• Plan a date with your significant other, a friend, or one of your kids/grandkids.
• Take a nap.
• Bake (if you enjoy this) and give half the goodies away.
• Do a puzzle.
• Take a class in something you’re interested in.
• Go on a walk.
• Go to bed earlier.

Related Reading: 5 Tips to Touch Your Phone Less

NOTE: If you’re experiencing persistent anxiety, depression, or emotional distress, seek professional support. Simple habits can support mental health, but they aren’t a substitute for treatment when it’s needed.

Let’s Put it All Together!

The beauty of these simple habits is that they don’t all have to be separate activities that require more time, money, or planning.

With just a few adjustments, you can combine them into the routines you already have.

Here’s what a day of healthier choices might look like:

Morning:

• Wake up on time and don’t touch your phone or computer.
• Drink 8-10 ounces of water.
• Stretch for a couple of minutes.
• Eat a simple, nutrient-dense breakfast (eggs and toast, fruit and cottage cheese) and drink more water.
• Go for a 20-minute walk to get some fresh air and morning sunlight.

Mid-Morning:

• Drink another glass of water and grab an apple if you feel hungry.
• If you can hold off until 10:00 to drink your first cup of coffee, it’s better for cortisol levels.
• Do a minute of bodyweight squats or wall push-ups while you brew your coffee.
• Text a friend or family member to ask how their day is going or set up a time to get together.

Afternoon:

• Drink another glass of water or herbal tea
• Eat a nutritious lunch (I usually eat leftovers from the night before)
• Take a 10-15 minute walk outside.

Evening:

• Drink another glass of water.
• Add a few extra vegetables to your dinner.
• Spend time talking together around the table.
• Plan out the next day and make a to-do list.
• Prep breakfast, lunches, clothes, etc. for tomorrow.
• Put electronics away 30 minutes before your “bedtime”.
• Take a hot shower and stretch before you climb into bed.
• Read for 15 minutes.
• Turn out the lights and go to bed.

Nothing listed above will cost you any extra (in fact, you might save money by drinking water and eating at home). And in my experience, nothing listed above feels impossible to do with little children, older children, pets, or even a job outside the home.

There is certainly a place for modern medicine, appropriate medications, nutritional guidance, and professional healthcare. But for many of us, it’s worth remembering that the foundation of good health is not nearly as complicated as the internet makes it seem.

1. Get outside.
2. Drink more water.
3. Eat real foods.
4. Move your body.
5. Sleep more.
6. Make space for real life.

You can do this!

Instead of asking, “What else should I be doing to improve my health?” perhaps you should ask, “What simple things could I do a little more consistently?”

Maybe it’s going to bed 30 minutes earlier.

Maybe it’s taking a walk after dinner.

Maybe it’s putting your phone down and enjoying a conversation with your family.

Pick one small thing today, make it part of your ordinary routine, and give yourself time to build from there.

You don’t need a perfect body, a perfect diet, or a perfect wellness routine to enjoy a healthier, happier life. You just need to take reasonable care of the body and life you already have.

And that’s a wonderfully simple place to start!

I created a simple A.P.P.L.E. acronym to help you develop 5 habits that will eventually help you simplify your home and life without overhauling or overwhelming.

As you consider your home and life and all the many ways you might like to simplify and streamline, I encourage you to take a deep breath and work to implement one of these tips today.

E = Eliminate Excuses.

If you’ve made it this far into reading the article, you’ve likely thought of half a dozen excuses why my tips just won’t work for your life, your home, your family, your schedule.

Guess what? I guarantee those excuses won’t get you any closer to your goals either — so you might as well give my tips a try.

Or maybe you can relate to the following excuses…

• But it was a gift… (Who cares! If you don’t want it or need it, get rid of it.)
• But I might need it someday… (But you might not.)
• But it’s still in perfect condition… (Great, donate it and let someone else enjoy it.)
• But it might be worth something… (Then sell it and get it out of your home.)
• But I’m saving it for my kids and/or grandkids… (Give it to them now and let them decide if they want it or not.)

It’s not always easy to push past those excuses, but if you truly want a simpler, less cluttered home and life, you must stop making excuses and get to work!

RELATED READING: 10 Excuses We Make to Keep Our Clutter

What do you think… can you remember APPLE? 

If not, save the picture below to your phone screen or computer desktop to remind yourself!

My Favorite Apple Recipes! 

We can’t have a post about apples in the fall without sharing at least a few easy and delicious apple recipes!

Here are a few of my favorites…

• Whole Grain Apple Cake (pictured below)
• Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars
• Home-Canned Applesauce
• Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Zucchini Bread
• Apple Crisp
• Caramel Apple Salad
• Apple Bacon Pecan Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
• Apple, Berry, Banana Smoothies

Which recipe will you try first? 

Feel free to share your favorite apple recipe or your favorite simple declutter-busting tip in the comments.

The changes I’ve made are small, simple, and usually even easy… so the likelihood that I’ll stick with the change is very high. And you know what, I haven’t even thought about buying or using margarine, Crisco, vegetable oil, or any other seed oils in many, many years.

I made the switch. I changed how I bake and cook, and it has become a habit I never even think about anymore. In fact, my kids don’t know what margarine or Crisco are (I asked them earlier this week!)

The point I’m trying to make is not about what fats you cook with… but rather, the positive difference a few small, non-overwhelming changes can make over the trajectory of your life.

I speak from personal experience, hundreds of reader testimonials, and scientific evidence. (source, source, source)

You’ll Love Homemade Taco Seasoning

Today’s recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning is one of those small healthier changes I made over a decade ago, after realizing how much junk was in the store-bought packets… and how easy it was to make my own taco seasoning exactly how my family likes it.

Truthfully, it wasn’t an easy swap for me… because it required an extra step. It was easier to grab the $0.99 packet of taco seasoning at the store versus measuring out all the individual ingredients. I caved a few times and used store-bought, but then one day, I simply decided I wasn’t going to buy a store-bought packet ever again.

And I haven’t.

The recipe itself is extremely simple, using fairly common spices you likely already have in the house.

It’s also very easy to make an extra-large batch and store it in your pantry, so you won’t need to think about it again for many months.

If you’d like to make one healthier swap this week, this month, or even this year, give homemade taco seasoning a try. It might just lead you down a rabbit trail to make more homemade seasonings!

Ingredients for Mild Taco Seasoning

The list below is my family’s favorite (I do not add the Cayenne pepper). However, there are endless ways you can mix it up, based on your taste preferences or what you have in the house.

Also, keep in mind that the recipe below makes a large batch — you’ll only use 2 Tablespoons of the finished mixture in place of 1 store-bought seasoning packet.

• 1 T. Onion powder
• 1 T. Garlic powder
• 1 T. Oregano
• 1 T. Salt
• 3 T. Chili powder
• 3 T. Paprika
• 3 T. Black pepper
• 5 T. Cumin
• 1/2 t. Cayenne pepper (if you want a little spice)

How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning

The instructions are so simple, it’s almost not even worthy of being called a “recipe”… but here you go!

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Pour mixed spices into a glass spice jar or small canning jar with a tight-fitting lid.

3. Label and store in your pantry until needed.

How to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning

1. Use 2 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning mixture for every 1 pound of meat or beans (or for every 1 packet of store-bought seasoning called for in your favorite recipes.

2. Add 1/2 cup liquid (water, broth, lime juice, tomato juice, etc.) for every 2 Tablespoons of seasoning — just to help it stir into the meat mixture.

3. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Easy Recipe Ideas with Homemade Taco Seasoning

Keep in mind that many of the recipes linked below may still call for a packet of taco seasoning (that’s what I previously used, and I haven’t updated all my recipes).

Just remember, you can substitute 2 Tbls. of homemade seasoning for every pound of meat/beans or for every packet of store-bought seasoning called for in the recipe.

• Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos
• One Skillet Mexican Rice Casserole
• Taco Soup
• Burritos
• Wet Burritos
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Fiesta Chicken Salad
• Taco Salad

Use this recipe as a starting point! 

Tweak or change it to fit your tastes and preferences… and maybe as a springboard for other healthier food swaps down the road!

And remember to visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!

Clutter-Free Food Gifts:

We love food gifts!

In fact, it’s not uncommon for us to ask for a freezer meal or baked goods for a birthday or Christmas gift — and of course, Dave is always game for dinner at Culver’s.

Most of the people on my list also enjoy food gifts — and with all the fun gourmet and allergy-friendly options at grocery stores these days, food gifts really can be a wonderful clutter-free gift option (yes, store-bought gifts are totally acceptable!)

Some examples of my favorite clutter-free food gifts: 

• Home-canned and preserved goodies — especially jam.
• Caramel corn (or other “fancier” flavored popped corn).
• Jar mixes (like cookies or brownies in a jar).
• DIY Goodie Bags (I made 30 bags in under 30 minutes for under $30)
• King-Size candy (buy in bulk and save).
• Homemade hot chocolate mix.
• Specialty beer, wine, soda, coffee, juice, or tea (skip the mug/cup/water bottle).
• Homemade or store-bought snack mixes.
• A quarter of a cow or half a pig (Dave’s parents do this for us every year).
• Their favorite vitamins and/or supplements (if you know what they use).
• Lunches for the week (offer to pack or buy them lunch for an entire week).
• Bring them a meal (schedule it with them ahead of time).
• Make a candy-countdown chain leading up to a special event.
• A couple of freezer meals to reheat whenever.
• Buy groceries for the week (a very generous gift these days!)
• Costco muffins or pie.
• Favorite mints or gum.
• Special snack boxes (see picture below for ideas)

Related Reading: Clutter Free Food Gifts.

Clutter-Free Gift Card Gifts: 

Contrary to popular belief, giving a gift card doesn’t necessarily mean you “forgot” about a gift and waited until the last minute. And gift cards don’t need to be impersonal either.

I give gift cards all the time — I buy them in advance, and I enjoy giving them in thoughtful ways… keep reading to see what I mean.  

Some examples of my favorite clutter-free ways to give gift cards: 

• Amazon gift cards — they come in super cute (free) gift boxes!
• Gas gift card + car wash membership (get a month FREE at Tommy’s).
• Movie theater or Netflix/Prime/Disney+ gift card + popcorn, candy, and other common movie snacks.
• Restaurant or coffee shop gift card attached to a coupon for “free babysitting”.
• Spa or salon gift card with wine and chocolate.
• Any gift card taped to the back of a bar of our favorite Bend Soap!
• Hardware store gift card packaged with a favorite (edible) treat.
• iTunes gift card with another Apple product (like AirPods, Apple Watch, or even a new phone) — a bit pricier, but appreciated!
• Amazon Prime yearly subscription.
• Any gift card for a place you know they go regularly — wrapped somewhat creatively, or even hidden throughout the house in a scavenger hunt style. 

Related Reading: 5 creative ways to give money and gift cards.

Clutter-Free Cash Gifts:

Cash gifts often get a bad rap for being impersonal… but they don’t have to be.

There are plenty of ways you can give super fun and creative cash gifts to people of all ages.

And if you don’t feel comfortable giving an all-cash gift, think of a way you can pair it with a tangible gift — like buying the coffee maker they requested and stuffing the coffee carafe with $1 bills; or buying the book they wanted and lining the inside cover with cash.

Some examples of my favorite clutter-free cash gifts: 

• Put money inside balloons before blowing them up.
• Hide money inside a roll of trash bags (yes, you need to unroll them all first).
• Give several rolls of coins for a super heavy gift.
• Hide dollar bills inside a book, planner, calendar, photo album, or magazine.
• Put cash behind a picture in a frame.
• Simply buy a bunch of cute cash envelopes.
• Freeze money in a block of ice (cold hard cash).
• Give a “money tree” (there are lots of tutorials for this online).
• Hide bills inside a favorite snack or food item.
• Give a nice wallet that’s already filled with money.
• Fold bills into origami shapes (here are a bunch of tutorials on how to do this).

Related Reading: Creative cash gift ideas.

Clutter-Free Experience Gifts:

Whenever I mention “clutter-free gifts,” people usually think of experience gifts first — probably because there are so many fabulous clutter-free experience gifts.

Some examples of my favorite clutter-free experience gifts: 

• Trip to the zoo, museum, aquarium, amusement park, etc.
• Tickets to a concert or special event.
• Season tickets for a sports team or musical group.
• National Park Pass.
• Family pass or membership for local attractions.
• Plan a trip together.
• Have a “yes” day (you say yes to anything they ask for — within reason).
• Help them complete something off their bucket list.
• Plan a date with mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.
• Head to the spa or salon together.
• Go to a play, musical, movie, or concert together.
• A gym membership or online fitness program.
• An online subscription for music lessons, craft tutorials, or cooking classes.
• An Amazon Music Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, or Audible subscription.
• Organize and host a freezer-cooking day or craft day with them. 
• Host a grandkids’ slumber party (this can be a gift for the kids and parents!)

Related Reading: Creative experience gift ideas.

Clutter-Free Acts of Service Gifts:

Along with food gifts, Acts of Service gifts are some of my favorite clutter-free gifts — I’m guessing many mothers can relate!

While acts of service gifts aren’t for everyone, I know lots of people love them. If you’re on a tight budget this year, acts of service gifts might just be the way to go.

Some examples of my favorite clutter-free acts of service gifts: 

• Free childcare for a few hours.
• Prepare a meal and deliver it already cooked.
• Order a meal from their favorite place and have it delivered.
• Pack their children’s lunches for a week.
• Clean the house for them (or with them). 
• Do all their chores for the day (especially fun for siblings).
• Run errands for them for a day.
• Make a menu plan for them for the week or the month.
• Wash their car (inside and out).
• Give them a voucher to sleep in or to skip a certain chore (great for teens).
• Do the laundry for the week.
• Pull weeds for an afternoon.
• Plant flowers or shrubs (we planted several hydrangea bushes for my parents one year).

Related Reading: Creative acts of service gift ideas.

Charitable Donation Gifts:

Charitable donations are often the best gift idea for the person on your list who has everything. 

Whether it’s making a monetary donation in their name or volunteering together as a nice way to spend time together, there are lots of great organizations to choose from.

Some examples of my favorite charitable donation gifts: 

• Volunteer anywhere together (or as a family/group).
• Make a donation in their name to any church, school, organization, or cause they are passionate about.
• Sponsor a Child through Compassion International.
• Shop through the World Renew gift catalog in their name.
• Sponsor a local family during the holiday season — shop for and wrap the gifts together.
• Serve a meal at a soup kitchen.
• Support a disaster relief fund in their name. 
• Buy and donate books to the local library in their name.

Related Reading: Creative charitable donation gift ideas.

1. Make Time for What Matters To You

In order to have a simpler, more joy-filled holiday season, you need to do a little prep work (I guarantee it won’t just happen!)

Think through all the different aspects of the holidays and talk with your family about what you’d like to do (or not do) during those 8-10 weeks.

Pull out your calendar and physically add in all the extra concerts and performances and parties you plan to attend.

Then, add in the traditions, activities, and events that are most important and meaningful for your family.

Leave some breathing room for “real life” to happen, and last-minute events to pop up… or maybe just for a few nights at home doing nothing!

As you consider what you will and will not put on your calendar, ask yourself (and your family) these questions:

• Is this event/tradition still enjoyable for everyone involved?
• Does it cause unnecessary stress for you or loved ones?
• Does it feel forced now that you’re in a different stage of life?
• Are you simply going through the motions just because this is what you’ve always done?
• Is this something you’d like to skip to make room for something else?

These are hard questions… but you might be surprised by how your honest answers will help you simplify your holidays this year.

2. Celebrate when it works for you.

There isn’t a rule saying you must celebrate every holiday on the actual day… so don’t put that pressure on yourself!

I can speak from lots of experience that celebrating a holiday on a random day can be just as meaningful and often less stressful.

In fact, we usually don’t celebrate a holiday on the exact day, as there are often so many other celebrations happening that day.

For example, we rarely open gifts with our own family on Christmas morning. Instead, we pick a random date earlier in December (usually the first day of Christmas break) and plan a fun day of gifts, food, movies, and celebration.

This simpler, more practical approach spreads out the holiday excitement, gives up the entire day together with our family, and eliminates the need to rush through gifts on Christmas morning before shoving everyone out the door to church and then on to various holiday parties the rest of the day.

We’ve also had many Christmas parties in mid-January. It’s much less busy, and we can get discounts on all the party decor and gifts!

3. Say “no for now”.

If the holiday season feels more overwhelming than enjoyable, it might be time to scale back — maybe just for a year, or maybe forever.

If you’re in an extra-busy season of life, dealing with health struggles, caring for aging parents or tiny babies, moving, or changing jobs, this might not be your year for hosting elaborate parties or buying over-the-top gifts.

Fewer decorations, fewer gifts, fewer parties, less food, less hoopla. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

You can always pick these things back up in future years, if you want. That’s why I often say “no for now” when something doesn’t work for our family in a particular season.

Also, you can still appreciate special holiday things without implementing them in your own home and life.

For example, I love looking at beautifully decorated homes, but I personally only put out a bit of greenery, a couple of trees, and a few Nativity sets.

I also really enjoy buying gifts for special people in our lives, but I realize this is often overdone at Christmas, so I intentionally scale back.

4. Lower your expectations.

I’m convinced that one of the main reasons holidays and other special occasions are so stressful is because we have unrealistic expectations for ourselves and for others.

We expect our homes to stay perfectly clean, even though everyone is still living in them, and probably tracking in a bunch of muddy snow.

We expect everyone to be extra happy, but we’re dragging them to parties they don’t want to attend, staying out later than we should, and eating too much sugar.

We hope for thoughtful gifts from our husband and children, and are disappointed when they don’t pick up on our hints and purchase something last-minute.

We have grand plans for fun holiday parties, but people get sick, or something comes up, and all your work was for nothing.

When it comes to the holidays, try lowering your expectations (treat them like any other normal day) and see how far it gets you this season.

5. Skip the entire holiday.

In my opinion, skipping a holiday is an acceptable option if you’re just burned out (or for whatever reason).

A few years ago, our kids all got sick over Thanksgiving week, and we skipped Thanksgiving.

Of course, we still acknowledged the day with our own little family, but we skipped the big parties, the over-indulgent meals, the long afternoons, the big crowds, and the endless small talk.

I didn’t hate it!

We also regularly skip smaller holidays without even acknowledging them… no one seems to care or even notice all that much.

We wouldn’t want to skip holidays every year, but once in a while works for me!

Sit back, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that you really don’t need to DO all that much to make special times special for your family. 

Fewer gifts

Fewer events

Fewer extra things

Less stress

Less pressure

Less structure

Doesn’t that all sound lovely!?

There’s truly no “right way” to celebrate, so I encourage you to evaluate your traditions this year and consider if a few minor changes (or a major overhaul) might help your family enjoy a simpler, less stressful season.

If there’s something you don’t want to do this year… don’t do it, and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

If you want to start a new tradition… start it, and see what happens. It might flop, or it might not!

If you want to limit gifts… try it, and see how your family reacts. You might be surprised how much they don’t seem to notice or care.

If you want to totally skip the holidays and go on a 10-day cruise, by all means, do it (assuming you can afford it!)

Whatever the case, I hope you enjoy your holiday season this year!

What are your best tips to simplify the holidays?

Ingredients for this Simple Punch

• 2-liter of cold lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, Sierra Mist, Starry — diet or regular)
• 48 oz. bottle of cold white grape juice
• Frozen fruit* or ice ring (optional)

* NOTE: I use frozen fruit so it keeps the punch cold for longer, and I usually try to coordinate the fruit with the “colors” for the event. For example, I’ll use cranberries and limes for Christmas, blueberries for a boy’s baby shower, and lemons for a summer picnic. The fruit doesn’t add much flavor; it’s just for looks!

How to Make this Simple Punch

1. Pour soda and white grape juice into a large drink dispenser or punch bowl.

2. Add frozen fruit or an ice ring (see instructions below)

3. Serve and enjoy!

This recipe is easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd!

Optional Ice Ring Instructions:

Make your ice ring the night before.

1. Find a mold that will fit through the top of whatever container you plan to use for the punch; otherwise, you won’t be able to get the ice ring into the container (yes, I learned this the hard way!!)

2. Fill the mold 1/4 full with white grape juice, 1/4 with lemon-lime soda, and 1/4 with fruit — leaving about 1/4 of the container empty with room for expansion when it freezes.

Note: You could use water, but I prefer using soda and juice so the punch doesn’t get watered down.

3. Place on a flat surface in the freezer for several hours (overnight is best).

See, I told you it was simple!

If you have leftovers, just pour it back into one of the juice bottles and drink it over the next 48 hours, before the fizz is totally gone.

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

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NOTE: Every Wednesday, I send a free email newsletter that includes our meal plan for the week. If you’d like a little inspiration and some easy recipes, you’ll definitely want to get my emails!

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Bonus: Don’t forget why you’re planning.

The goal of meal planning isn’t really the meal itself. It’s less stress for you and more time with your family.

It’s sitting down together, talking about your day, laughing about something silly, hearing about what happened at school or work, and enjoying a few minutes together before everyone heads off in different directions again.

So simplify your meal plan. Repeat your favorites every week. Keep a few easy meals on hand.

The best meal plan is the one that makes your life a little easier and leaves you with more time and energy to enjoy the people you’re feeding.

Don’t overthink it.

Don’t overcomplicate it.

Don’t overdo it.

More Helpful Resources

Click the images below for free resources to help you simplify meal planning and freezer cooking!

Here’s a giant list of meals you can make in 30 minutes or less.

And here’s a detailed look at how I meal plan each week.

What do you have to lose?

Try it for one week — no strings attached. Take 10 minutes to jot down potential meals for the week, and make a list of ingredients you’ll need for those meals.

Then, enjoy the lack of chaos and stress at 5 pm when you gather your family around the table!

Of course, the ultimate goal isn’t to raise children who keep an immaculate bedroom or alphabetize their books.

The goal is to help them develop small habits and rituals that make staying organized second nature.

If that sounds good to you, here are a few tips that will help!

Give Everything a Home

It’s very difficult to teach a child to put something away if you aren’t even sure where it belongs.

Everyday items should have a simple, obvious home.

• Backpacks have a hook.
• Shoes have a basket or shelf.
• Coats have a hook.
• School papers have a designated spot.
• Sports equipment has a bin.
• Dirty laundry has a hamper.

The more obvious the home, the less mental energy your child needs to put something away, so don’t be afraid to make the system ridiculously simple.

A five-year-old doesn’t need a beautifully labeled organizational system with matching bins.

A big basket that says “toys” or “shoes” will likely work better.

Remember, the best organizational system is the one your kids will actually use.

Create Reset Rituals

One of my favorite ways to make organization easier is to attach little clean-up rituals to things your kids already do.

Instead of randomly asking them to clean throughout the day, establish a few predictable reset points.

For example:

• When they wake up: Make their bed.
• Before leaving the house: Brush teeth, brush hair, pack lunch and water bottle.
• When coming home: Shoes away, backpack hung up, lunchbox emptied.
• Before meals: Bedroom or play area gets a quick reset.
• After meals: Clean up their spot at the table and put their dishes in the dishwasher.
• Before bed: Shower, dirty laundry in the hamper, snack, water bottle, and backpack ready for tomorrow.
• Before starting something new: The previous activity gets put away.

These rituals eventually become automatic (even without any reminders).

You don’t have to say, “put your dishes away”, because they automatically do it after every meal. You don’t have to remind them to hang up their backpacks and coats because they are habits the kids don’t even need to think about.

It might take some time, but these “reset rituals” eliminate the need to constantly tell our kids what to do because they already know what is expected.

Use the One-Minute Rule

Kids are more willing to do something when they know it won’t take long.

So teach them to take care of little things immediately when they notice them.

If it takes less than a minute, just do it.

• Put the cup in the dishwasher.
• Hang up the jacket.
• Throw away the wrapper.
• Put the shoes away.
• Empty the backpack.
• Return the book to the shelf.
• Put the scissors back in the drawer.

It might seem insignificant, but you’re building a powerful mindset and really great habits.

We don’t have to wait for a giant cleaning session to make a space better.

I can take care of small things as I go.

Make Maintenance Easier Than Cleanup

Maintenance is my motto for home life… because I know how much easier it is to maintain something versus totally overhaul it.

A child who puts five things away each day won’t have to clean up fifty things later.

A child who empties their backpack every afternoon won’t have to dig through three weeks of papers when they can’t find their homework.

A child who puts dirty clothes in the hamper won’t have a mountain of laundry on the floor at the end of the week.

This is why those tiny habits matter so much (and truthfully, so many little tasks can be done in a minute or two (see the “one-minute rule” tip above).

We’re not trying to make our children clean freaks.

We’re teaching them how to prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

Finish the Job

When you take something out, put it away when you’re finished.

Not eventually.

Not before bedtime.

Not when Mom gets frustrated.

When you’re finished.

• Finished with the Lego set? Put it away.
• Finished with the art project? Put the supplies away.
• Finished with the shoes? Put them away.
• Finished with the snack? Clean up the wrapper and dishes.

You’re teaching them to complete the entire task—not just the enjoyable part.

This skill will help them long after childhood too.

Maintain Your Own Spaces

Our kids learn far more from what we consistently do than from what we repeatedly tell them to do.

If they see us putting things away when we’re finished, resetting the kitchen before bed, preparing for tomorrow, and taking care of little messes before they become big ones, they’re absorbing those habits.

We can even narrate what we’re doing occasionally:

“I’m putting this away now because I’ll need it again tomorrow.”

“I’m going to clean up the kitchen before I sit down so I don’t have to deal with it later.”

“We need to put all the laundry away so it doesn’t sit in baskets all week.”

“I’m putting my keys in the same place so I know where they’ll be tomorrow.”

These little comments help kids understand that organization isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making life easier for your future self.

Don’t Expect Perfection

Your kids are going to forget.

They’ll leave their shoes in the wrong place.

They’ll abandon a Lego project in the middle of the living room.

They’ll shove dirty (or clean) clothes under their bed.

They’ll need reminders.

That’s normal.

When they’re little, you do it with them, then you remind them, then you ask questions. Eventually, you expect them to notice and handle it themselves.

It’s a gradual process…some children will get there faster than others.

Remember: You’re Teaching Life Skills, Not Cleaning Skills

It’s easy to get caught up in whether our kids’ rooms are clean or not.

But ultimately, this isn’t really about bedrooms, backpacks, or shoes.

We’re teaching our children how to manage their belongings, their time, and eventually their responsibilities.

We’re teaching them to notice what needs to be done and do it.

We’re teaching them to take care of small things before they become overwhelming.

We’re teaching them to prepare for tomorrow.

We’re teaching them that a little maintenance today can save a lot of work later.

And perhaps most importantly, we’re teaching them that organization isn’t something you do once in a while when things get out of control. It’s something you practice in little ways every day.

Rather than constantly fighting with your kids about clutter and organization, look for one or two tiny habits you can begin practicing together (I listed several above).

Start small.

Repeat it often.

And give it time.

What are your best tips to help kids stay organized?

Whether you have a sunny flower bed, a shady corner, or a little bit of both, there are plenty of beautiful perennials that are surprisingly easy to care for. And once you find varieties that thrive in your particular landscape, you can enjoy them for years to come, with very little fuss.

If you’re looking to freshen up your landscaping without creating significantly more work for yourself, these are some of my favorite low-maintenance perennials for both sun and shade.

My favorite low-maintenance perennials for sun:

1. Double Blooming Knockout Roses

You might not think roses are low-maintenance, but I’m here to tell you these are! 

We have roughly 40 Double Blooming Knockout Rose bushes around our property, and the only thing we do to maintain them is to hack them back in the fall and throw a little fertilizer on them in the spring. 

They bloom continuously from May through October and look gorgeous all spring, summer, and fall. 

2. Sedum

Sedum is quite possibly the easiest perennial to grow, especially in hot, dry weather, as it’s basically a succulent.

Sedum also has fabulous year-round appeal because the “blooms” dry out and look great all winter long. I often cut some of the bright green stems for spring bouquets and then use the darker dried blooms for fall and winter bouquets. 

One of my favorite varieties is Sedum Autumn Joy or Sedum Autumn Fire. They are both extra-pretty in the fall.

3. Iris

I absolutely love Bearded Iris — specifically the miniature purple flowers (although my sister has tons of yellow and they are pretty too!) 

Irises are very easy to grow, they look amazing in large clusters or in small bunches as accents, and they are fantastic as cut flowers to bring inside! 

4. Dianthus

Dianthus are low-growing, almost ground-cover-like perennials that produce cascading “carpets” of tiny flowers.

Our Firewitch Dianthus perennials are the very first sun-loving perennials we see in the spring. They continue blooming throughout the spring and then again in the fall. 

If you need the perfect pop of color, give Dianthus a try! 

5. Black-Eyed Susans

Black-Eyed Susans scream “country farmhouse” to me, which is why I have big bunches of them throughout our landscaping.

I’ve always loved these bright yellow flowers, especially since they are so easy to maintain.

Black-eyed Susans do spread quickly — so keep that in mind if you want to plant them in a very contained area. 

Fun story: when we were first married, Dave couldn’t remember the name of these and called them “Brown-Eye Sallies”… we still regularly call them that.

My favorite low-maintenance perennials for shade:

1. Hostas

Hostas are possibly the easiest shade perennial to grow — it’s almost impossible to kill them!

And there are so many different varieties that you’re certain to find one you love.

They don’t get a great flower (I always cut the flower off), but they have fantastic foliage from early spring through late fall, which makes them a great “filler plant” for your perennial beds.

Many varieties will tolerate a fair amount of sun, but in general, they are a better plant for shady or partial shade areas.

If you’re looking for hostas, search Facebook Marketplace first, as people are always splitting hostas. You can likely find a great deal! 

2. Ferns

I love ferns… and yes, they can be perennials, even in colder climates.

You’ll want to look for perennial ferns that work in your area (I like Osterich ferns and Christmas ferns).

Keep in mind that ferns do spread quickly when planted in the ground, but I personally use them mainly for “filler” or foundation plantings to cover fence lines or the base of buildings.

If you’re looking for extremely low-maintenance planters for a shady area, go to Costco and get yourself a few Boston Ferns. Replant them in larger containers with a bit more potting soil, water them well once a week, and they will literally be almost zero-maintenance all spring, summer, and fall!

NOTE: Boston Ferns are not perennials in colder climates.

3. Hydrangeas

Hands down, hydrangeas are my all-time favorite flower. They are technically considered a “woody perennial” because they are more shrub-like, but with very little work, they will come back year after year and just keep looking better!

We may have gone a bit overboard planting nearly 40 hydrangeas throughout our yard… but they really do look amazing almost year-round.

Plus, I love using the dried blooms to decorate with during the winter months. 

Most hydrangeas prefer shade, but if you want a hydrangea that can tolerate quite a bit of sun, try the Limelight Hydrangea. 

4. Purple Coneflower

The Purple Coneflower is another perennial that just oozes country charm.

Similar to the sun-loving Black-Eyed Susan, the Purple Coneflower spreads quickly, so it’s great for large areas. 

It’s also an excellent cut flower to add bright pops of color to any bouquet. 

5. Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts were the very first “plant gift” I ever got.

After we moved into our first house, a plant-savvy neighbor stopped by and gave me a small Bleeding Heart plant.

I was amazed by how pretty it was when it bloomed, and knew I wanted to incorporate more into our landscaping.

Fast-forward 20 years, and we now have several clumps of Bleeding Hearts tucked away in various shady planting beds. 

They are the very first shade-loving perennials to bloom each spring… and other than cutting them back in late summer, they require no maintenance.