Happy Herbivore - Blog

Minimalist Monday Weeks 10-13: Reduce duplicates, let go of "someday" items, make space (for me, a yoga spot!)

Lindsay S. Nixon — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:33:18 +0000

Happy Monday :)

Week 10: Reduce duplicates (utensils, towels, etc.)

Another week where I'm ahead of the game ;)

At the end of last year I reduced my towel and linens. We now only have 6 towels, which is more than enough for two adults and any guests we might have, and two sets for our bed plus one set for the air mattress if we have guests.

I posted the 'spare' towels and sheets via my local Buy Nothing group and they found a new home nearly instantly.

I also didn't have any spare or excess utensils (we only have a set for 6) so I looked around the house for other 'duplicates' we might still have.

I settled on reducing our blankets.

Did I really need multiple throw blankets? No.

I only need one for the couch. Two if I think my husband and I each need our own.

I also had several other blankets in varying thickness/warmness for our bed. Truthfully there is only one I ever put on my bed if it's very cold. I can't remember the last time we used any of the other blankets.

In the end I reasoned I should keep a second one in case we have guests during a cold snap but the rest? Donated.

The result? I now have so much more space in my very small linen closet. I can't believe how less cluttered/full the closet looks with a few less blankets.

Week 11: Let go of “someday” items

For many years we were "entertainers." We were always throwing parties, hosting during the holidays, hosting book clubs/movie showings/the big game at our house, and having people over for dinner every single week. I loved entertaining.

As a result, we had stacks and stacks of small party plates, several party food bowls, and other buffet-type supplies such as skewers, place settings, labels, you name it.

When Covid hit, I stopped entertaining, and then when the world "reopened", I was dealing with an autoimmune disease flareup and the forever fallout of having had H pylori.

I kept all my things thinking "someday" I'll be a hostess again.

Truthfully?

I doubt it. Even when I am feeling great, I am not quick to invite people over nor do I feel the same excitement or buzz I once did for hosting a gathering.

Plus, many of my friends are now at different stages of their life where they aren't as available as they once were for socialization. This is true for me as well.

It is time for me to let go of these "someday items" and embrace this new stage of life.

It made me so happy to see all my supplies and plates going to different people who are headed into the socialization/entertaining chapter in their life. This is one of my most favorite aspects of the Buy Nothing community/lifestyle.

Week 12: Clear one closet corner

I don't have much in my closet(s) now thanks to these challenges! so there wasn't anything in a corner I could remove or clear.

HOWEVER, I do have a cabinet in the kitchen that goes way back into a corner and this challenge made me realize I didn't know what was back there LOL

After pulling everything out to see what was in "the way back" I found 6 unopened paper towel rolls.

I haven't used paper towels since before Covid. I switched to rags years ago.

I also found a portable mini cooler (the kind you would use for lunch or a few soda cans) and a large glass bowl I can't remember ever buying.

All of these are now donated. The challenge will be not to shove anything else in that "storage space"

Week 13: Make space on one counter

Another week where I'm ahead of the game ;)

Years and years ago I realized clear countertops were one of the best ways to keep my space feeling spacious and zen.

Clearing your surfaces (especially kitchen and bathroom) is an instant, easy way to improve your space. Try it, you'll thank me!

The only thing I have on my kitchen counter is a bowl of fruit/vegetables that should not be stored in the fridge plus soap by the sink (dish soap, hand soap).

I've been keeping my keurig on the counter lately, but for a while I shuttled it back and forth to a nearby cabinet, which is what I do with the toaster, PC, and blender. Nothing stays out. It makes such a difference, especially in small spaces.

My bathroom surface is also clear except for hand soap and lotion. Even my toothbrush and makeup gets put in a drawer after use. The few extra seconds of time it takes to put things away is how my bathroom always feels like an oasis and looks like a pristine spa.

Not wanting to skip a week, I decided to to go through one storage bin in the garage.

The bin I chose had all sorts of shoes in it: running shoes, hiking shoes, bike shoes, water shoes, hiking boots, spare flip flops, and so on.

We haven't used our water/river shoes in well over 5 years.

There was a point in my life where I did a lot of water/river activities. I may do that again someday but not today, not this year, and probably not next year.

Will I be annoyed if I get back into river activities in five years and have to buy new water shoes? I doubt it.

I might even find a free pair from the buy nothing group or a used pair at Goodwill...

Still, the idea of MAYBE having to re-purchase something I already owned for no reason made me gag.

So, I switched my thinking around...

Would having 1 less storage bin in my tiny garage make my life better?

ABSOLUTELY.

It would have an immediate positive impact. It would also be a positive impact I felt every day for the next year.

If I got rid of two or three storage bins, I would be able to carve out enough space to make my own little yoga/barre/pilates workout area instead of having to do it in the kitchen/living room.

Having a dedicated private space for that is more valuable to me than hanging on to items I maybe, possibly, could eventually, might again use some day in the future.

This idea excited me so much that I didn't just gift the water shoes.

I ended up posting almost all of our camping gear, multi-day backpacks, duffle bags, skiing equipment, golf clubs, and hiking things on my local Buy Nothing group.

I can't remember the last time we went camping or backpacking, it has to be about 8 years. Scott also switched from skis to a snowboard more than a decade ago, so did we really need to keep his old stuff? He agreed if he ever felt spirited to go skiing, he could just rent some for the day. And golfing? We inherited that set and I don't think it ever left our garage.

It made me so happy to see all our stuff go to people who couldn't wait to use it and/or had an immediate need NOW.

THE BEST RESULT: I now have space to make my own little personal yoga studio.

I love Minimalist Mondays!

Why do we call them "deviled" eggs + world's easiest vegan deviled eggs recipe

Lindsay S. Nixon — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Ever wondered why we call them 'deviled' eggs??? me too.

The term “deviled” was popularized in 18th century England. Any time spices or bold flavors were used, it was considered "deviling" the dish.

While I personally wouldn't consider deviled eggs spicy or zesty I suppose it was a tangy revelation for the 18th century ;)

Other Fun Facts:

The origins of deviled eggs can be traced all the way back to ancient Rome! The Romans were the first to boil eggs and season them with spices and sauces.

In the Middle Ages, Europeans started stuffing boiled eggs.

By the 20th century, deviled eggs were considered a staple in American cuisine, especially during gatherings.

Here's the world's easiest recipe for vegan "deviled" eggs.

If you need more ideas for your vegan or vegan-friendly easter (or passover) here are 63 proven recipes to consider.

We got invited. I had to make dinner at their place. The Spinach Coconut Curry That WON

Lindsay S. Nixon — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:50:52 +0000

Happy Monday...

Make It Tonight with a story:

We received a last minute invite to visit friends about 3 hours away. When we arrived, our friends apologized that they didn't have anything for us to eat since they weren't vegan.

I asked if I could look through their fridge and pantry...

After a quick browse, I decided to make this dish that EVERYONE enjoyed, including our non-vegan hosts.

It's the Spinach Coconut Curry from the meal mentor app.

Dinner in less than 15 minutes??

Amazing.

p.s. you know they liked it when they asked for the recipe (!!)

SPINACH COCONUT CURRY

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1" fresh ginger root, minced

1 small onion, diced

1-2 tomatoes, diced

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained (or cubed tofu)

1/2 lemon

red pepper flakes (optional)

1 bag (16-oz) baby spinach

1 can (14-oz) light coconut milk

Directions:

Pour 1/4-cup water or broth in a large skillet.

Saute onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes, until onions are translucent.

Add coconut milk, chickpeas, and spinach.

Cover and bring to a boil.

Uncover and simmer until thoroughly warm and spinach reaches desired tenderness.

Add salt and pepper to taste plus a squeeze of lemon juice.

Serve with rice.

calories 415 — fat 10.3g — carbs 70.7g — fiber 12.5g — sugars 4g — protein 16.9g

For a lower fat option, substitute soy, oat, or cashew milk.

Want more easy dinners like this?

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ON THE MEAL PLAN THIS WEEK

Greek-Style Tomato Stew

Quick Burgers & Fries

Empanadas

American Chop Suey

Caribbean Tacos

Slow Cooker Thai Curry

Creamy Masala

Kidney Tikka Masala

Lazy Lentiladas

Spaghetti Squash Ramen

Very Verde Chili

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Broccoli Rice & Cheeze

Kung Pao Lentils

Get this meal plan free right here.

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Wow this is bliss!! Week 9: Simplify your coffee or tea setup

Lindsay S. Nixon — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

This week's mini minimalist challenge was another show stopper!

I can't believe what a transformation this had on my kitchen, environment, and morning coffee routine.

Week 9: Simplify your coffee or tea setup

Since I am the only coffee and tea drinker in the house, I switched to this small Keurig a few years back. (I got it on sale for less than $50).

Prior to this challenge, I had my k-cups along with my tea bags in a cupboard I use as a pantry.

It wasn't cluttered per se.

The K-cups were in a ziplock to maintain their freshness and next to my tea boxes that were stacked neatly on top of each other. My Keurig, meanwhile, was just a few steps away on the counter...

I was tempted to skip this challenge but decided to embrace the "challenge."

Was there still another way to improve my setup???

THE RESULT: Even better than I could have imagined!

This drawer is almost directly under the Keurig too!

It seems like such a small change (and it is) but I cannot put into words the joy this brought and how accomplished it made me feel.

Every time I open the drawer I get a jolt of pride.

Astonishing results for me. 1000x

AND I also now have even more space in my cupboard/pantry making it even easier to see what I have and not feel overwhelmed by a cluttered mess.

See week 3's post about the pantry here.

JOIN THE MINIMALIST MONDAY NEWSLETTER

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MINIMALIST MONDAYS 2026 INFO

Each week in 2026, we focus on minimizing one small thing.

No extreme decluttering. No aesthetic pressure.

Just small, thoughtful ways to clear space—for your time, energy, and peace of mind.

Tiny actions add up to big relief.

Here is the full year-long guide you can revisit every Monday.

Minimalist Monday Weeks 6, 7, & 8 Reducing What I Don't Use

Lindsay S. Nixon — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

We're halfway through Q1 (the first quarter of the year) and so much minimizing has already happened!

If you're new to the series... scroll down for info 👇 👇

Here is my latest accountability:

Week 6: Choose 3 kitchen tools you don’t need

I already did this in Week 2 whoops!

and I don't have any shelves to complete the next challenge:

Week 7: Declutter one shelf (just one!)

Why don't I have shelves?

For several years I lived in small apartments where I didn't have room for any furniture that wasn't essential. I could only fit a bed and small dresser in my room, for example.

Once I had a little more living space I didn't buy one realizing I would then have to acquire more things to put on it. Not exactly aligning with my minimalist agenda.

I recently convinced a friend who had moved to a smaller condo to let go of all her bookshelves if she wanted more space.

The Results: The photos that were on the shelves are now artfully arranged on a wall in her bedroom and all the other items (e.g. books and knickknacks) found new homes. She appreciates how much more space her apartment has without the bookshelves and she's thrilled to have one less place to dust. The only upset member of her family is the cat who enjoyed knocking things off the bookshelf LOL.

This brings up to:

Week 8: Recycle old papers/mail

Eeek, I don't have any of these either...

I shred/recycle mail as soon as it comes.

Still, I wanted to participate (I'm HOOKED on Minimalist Mondays and look forward to a new task every week) so here is what I did instead:

ALT. Week 6: reduce electric cables/charge cords.

I collected, sorted, and reviewed all of my cables and cords.

OMGGGGG I couldn't believe how many cables I had in total, how many were duplicates, and how many didn't go to any items I still possessed.

For example, I had FIVE chargers for my apple watch.

I kept the most recent one, a spare for my luggage, and posted the other three on my local Buy nothing group and repeated this with with old cables for airpods, iphones, etc.

By the end I still had about 10 cables that I was never going to use again so they went to e-cycling.

It's mind boggling to think how much clutter they caused and how much space they took up in drawers.

ALT. Week 7: Reduce mugs and water bottles

Scott doesn't drink coffee or tea, only I do, and truthfully there are only two I use daily/regularly, so why did I have 9+ in my cupboard?

Since we do have tea and coffee drinking guests with some frequency, I opted to keep 4 mugs total plus my two faves.

The rest went to my friend whose son is moving into his first apartment and had none.

As for water bottles, the same is true. I have three that I use regularly (one that fits my bike, one that I use for gatorade/electrolytes, and one for plain water) but there are at least 6 in there, not including the one Scott uses.

I donated those to a local sports charity for kids that accepts water bottles.

ALT. Week 8: Minimize Cleaning supplies

Much like mugs and water bottles, there are really only a few cleaning supplies I use but there were plenty under the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink.

I use a homemade water and vinegar spray for just about everything. Truly nothing works as well on my counters, floors, tables, or vanity.

I listed everything else I had on buy nothing and off to a new home they went.

In addition to the vinegar spray I make myself, I also kept my floor cleaner (my floors are prissy), toilet bowl cleaner, and rug spot remover (dogs!!). I cannot believe how much space is under all my sinks now!

In the end, the theme of these weeks was: Let go of what you don't use and lean into what you use all the time. Less is definitely more.... space!

MINIMALIST MONDAYS 2026 INFO

Each week in 2026, we focus on minimizing one small thing.

No extreme decluttering. No aesthetic pressure.

Just small, thoughtful ways to clear space—for your time, energy, and peace of mind.

Tiny actions add up to big relief.

Here is the full year-long guide you can revisit every Monday.

OR hop on my special FREE newsletter for the series here.

It's not too late to start!