I have had Simplified Dinners since August and I’ve been internally wrestling with how to write this review.    Mystie sent me a copy of this ebook and let me know that I could take several months to adequately test it out before I wrote the review.   And I did.   But only kinda.   This is no ordinary cookbook and so no ordinary review will work.

Here’s my story.   I have a freezer full of beef & pork.   And a full pantry.   And I never have anything to eat, know what I mean?    Then I got Simplified Dinners and read through it.  It’s only 16 pages long, but the content is revolutionary to me.    As such, I’m not going to tell you what about it was so amazing because I don’t want to give her whole idea away.

But, what I will say, is that it’s well worth the $12.95 asking price.   I wish I could tell you that I used some of her “recipes,” but I didn’t.    Some of them, I had a similar recipe for, and some of them weren’t my family’s taste.   And there are a few on my list to try, but we don’t have that kind of meat or a slow cooker right now.   But the way she outlines her method for simplifying dinner and how she always ensures that there is something to eat has been life-saving for me.

In fact, I refer to Simplified Dinners regularly because it helps me identify options that I haven’t tried in a while and reminds me of family favorites for which I have everything on hand.  I haven’t even used Plan To Eat in months and I used to use it all the time.     I’ve even started thinking about making a similar plan as her dinner plan for lunch and breakfast, just to keep my brain together, especially as life gets busier.

So yeah, 300 words to say that I really liked Simplified Dinners and it’s revolutionized the way I think about dinner (and breakfast and lunch) without ever having tried a single recipe.     Because really, it’s not about the recipe — it’s about getting it done.   So if you perpetually struggle with cooking regularly, like I do, give Simplified Dinners a try!

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Last week was exhausting; my 2 year old is teething and so is a little grumpy and not sleeping well.   When she doesn’t sleep well, neither do I .

Diet

Again, though, I was pretty happy with how well I ate, considering.   I had lots of veggies and fruit.   I even ordered a new blender part so I can have smoothies again every so often.    Our CSA has included a large number of squash lately and I LOVE squash.

Fruit/Veggies:  daily

Juice: 1 (oj on Sunday)

Pop: 0 over goal

Choices over water: 1 (egg nog — yum!)

Eating Out:  same as goal — we had pizza on Halloween, due to unexpected family in town and I think we went one other time, but I can’t remember now.

Overall

I’m doing as well as I can expect for this particular season in my life.   We’ve had some major changes to deal with that I will share with you all in the next month or so.  Until then, go check out all the ladies participating in the Get Healthy & Fit Challenge at Sidetracked Sarah’s!

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Photo Courtesy of tinymine

My husband and I were married for seven years before we had kids so I was an EXPERT at making our bedroom a haven.  Since then, I have had two daughters and not only have we nursed & co-slept with  both of them, but they stayed in our room until after they weaned.  One was about 3 before we all moved downstairs so she could have her own room.  The other is 2 and counting and has had her own bed since about 9 months.

 

Go over to read my 5 Ways to Make Your Bedroom a Refuge and love on your hubby.  I will be .

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Today, I am going to start a series of 10 posts (God-willing) about cultivating a spirit of giving & gratitude for kids.  And let’s face it, it wouldn’t hurt me to think about it myself so these posts will also be my guides during the 30-Day Giving Challenge.

In the Catholic faith, yesterday was All Saints Day & today is All Souls Day and so I thought that beginning in prayer was a good way to start.  One of the spiritual works of mercy is to pray for the living & the dead.

One Verse

At Allume last week, I learned of a company called One Verse.  One Verse is a bible translation company who is working feverishly to translate the bible into the various indigenous languages around the world.  It seems to make a world of difference to the people who hear God’s word in their native tongue.  One of the ways you could support their mission is to pray for one of their translation projects.  Of course money is always useful, too, but we are talking about praying today .

Pray for the Dead

Since today is All Souls Day, it would be a great opportunity to pray for the souls of the deceased, such as grandparents, parents or other loved ones.  If you are Catholic, this is a treasured favorite.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Traditionally the celebrate a very similar thing in Mexico.  Yesterday was the Day of the Innocents & today is the Day of the Dead (el dia de los muertos).

For Non-Christians

You could also choose to specifically pray for one of the many unreached ethnic groups of the world.  The Joshua Project tracks those groups and shares then by email or a widget like below.

For Someone You Know

Alternately, you could always select a family member or friend in need of prayer to make it more concrete for your children.  Perhaps your grandparents have failing health, or someone is having a hard time in their pregnancy.   Or maybe someone simply has the flu.  Nothing is too big or too small to be prayed for!  For the next 3 or 4 days, pick someone to pray for.

This post will be linked to Catholic Bloggers Network’s Monthly Round-Up.

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I had the most fabulous time at Allume this weekend and I’m so grateful that Lorrie Flem at Enternal Encouragement Magazine helped sponsor my trip!    Last week, I shared my review of part of her newest audio series, The Power (and Peace!) of a Positive Attitude.

Just a few days ago, I got word that it’s part of a collection of 30(!) audios on the subject.  She also has a new membership site coming online next year and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.  Her materials really are valuable in helping me become a better mom and homemaker and I’m sure they would help benefit you, too.

Thank you again to Eternal Encouragement for helping me get to Allume.  I can’t wait to share what I have learned and the changes to my blog (and especially my family!) should be fabulous!

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Surprise him with his favorite candy or Little Debbie type treat.  If he doesn’t have a clear favorite (or already has a stash), make him a Candy Bar Love Note!

Click here to see all posts in the 31 Days to Serve Your Spouse series.

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Wow, was last week a whirlwind!   I was at the Allume conference (formerly Relevent) and so last week, I was pretty much in the conference or in a car!   Some good progress on the goals, though, and I’ve been eating MUCH less sugar than normal.

Exercise

Like I said earlier, I spent all week in a car or in a conference so I got NONE done.

Run/Cardio: 0 of 3

Strength : 0 of 2

Abs : none

Diet

Diet-wise, I was actually pretty happy with how I did.  I think I had a salad with both lunch and dinner every day of the conference.  I only wish I had gotten more fruit.  I love fruit!   Obviously, it was hard to get fruit on the road.

Fruit/Veggies:  2+ days

Juice: 0

Pop: 0 over goal

Choices over water: 0

Eating Out: daily

Overall Goals

I’m glad to be back home where I can have more sensible choices that are easier to get!   Go check out all the ladies participating in the Get Healthy & Fit Challenge at Sidetracked Sarah’s!

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Yeah, guys aren’t really talkers, per se.  I will say, though, that there are probably a fair number of ladies who used to spend their dating years having deep, intimate conversations with their future spouses until all hours of the night.    Next time the opportunity presents itself, give him the gift of your time and fully listen and participate!

Click here to see all posts in the 31 Days to Serve Your Spouse series.

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Sometime this week, call him and ask if you can bring him lunch.  If it’s hard to take him lunch due to his work environment, maybe getting up early to cook him a hardy breakfast would be better.   But go a little out of your way to make sure he’s off to a good start for the day!

Click here to see all posts in the 31 Days to Serve Your Spouse series.

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I have to admit that many times I just don’t think to do this.   I’m so caught up in making sure I’ve got everything and everyone, I often don’t think about holding my hubby’s hand.  The next time your hands are empty or even maybe just sitting on the couch, hold his hand.

Click here to see all posts in the 31 Days to Serve Your Spouse series.

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