Mandi Ehman's Blog, page 144
February 5, 2013
Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box $19.31
(52 reviews)
Great deal!
Right now, this Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box is on sale for just $19.31 from Amazon. This would be a fun activity for little ones who are anxious to “go to school” like their older siblings!
Be sure to visit Jungle Deals & Steals for new Amazon.com deals every day! Or subscribe by email or in a feed reader so you don’t miss any deals.
Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box $19.31 is a post from Life Your Way
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February 4, 2013
3 Things You Can Skip Buying for a New Baby
The following post is from Rachel of The Minimalist Mom:
source: Jan de Graaf
Our second child arrived in January.
We are in the throes of soft newborn snuggles and middle of the night feedings.
It is a wonderful time, and I’m relishing these early days. The dark circles under my eyes will fade, but these first weeks and the feeling of a new life in my arms will stay with me forever.
Having a new baby in our home is different this time around.
Not only because we are second time parents but also because I have a different outlook on what we really need for a newborn.
With our first son I was a shopping fiend during my pregnancy. I had two diaper bags and a dozen pairs of BabyLegs before I hit the third trimester.
I poured over stroller reviews evening after evening and researched swaddle blankets and cloth diapers until I had the different models and brands memorized.
I was all about the stuff.
But when our baby arrived none of those gadgets and aids gave me more sleep and none of them soothed my child as well as a pair of loving arms.
The spoils from my shopping sprees? Those gathered dust in a closet and cluttered up our home for months until I slowly started giving most of it away.
In the excitement of pregnancy, or the sleep deprived state of being a new parent, it is common to think that everything on the latest ‘must-have’ baby list is a requirement.
The truth is that babies don’t need much other than nourishment, a place to sleep, a dry bottom and a loving parent.
Here are three things you can skip buying for a newborn:
Diaper Bag
It’s easy for a new mother to lose her sense of identity. Days in spit up covered yoga pants and limited, or nonexistent, personal time can leave a new mother missing her old self.
One way to get your old self back and save some money and space: skip the diaper bag.
Instead of a diaper bag use a large hand bag. Keep a set of small waterproof bags stashed with a couple of diapers and one or two changes of clothing for the baby ready for outings.
Baby Monitor
Can you hear your husband snoring in your bedroom when you’re in the living room? If so, you probably don’t need a baby monitor.
In a small home you can usually hear a baby, or child, crying from any room, and there is no need for a baby monitor.
Exceptions: if you watch television or listen to music at high volumes or if you regularly host large gatherings at your home.
Dress Up Outfits
Have you tried to put a pair of jeans on a six week old baby? The hassle isn’t worth the photo opportunity much less the probability that the jeans will be spit up on before you take that photo.
It’s easier, cheaper and simpler to keep your newborn and young baby in soft sleepers and onesies rather than complicated and cumbersome dresses and outfits.
Save the bow ties and tutus for your bigger baby.
Want more ideas for simplifying and living with less in the first year with a new baby? Check out my book, The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year.
What baby items did you skip buying?
Rachel Jonat is a former world medalist rower turned marketing professional turned SAHM/writer. At The Minimalist Mom, Rachel writes about living a rich life with less stuff. Currently living on a windswept island in the middle of the Irish Sea, Rachel owns two pairs of jeans, lives without a car and is attempting to become a tea drinker.
3 Things You Can Skip Buying for a New Baby is a post from Life Your Way
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February 3, 2013
Valentine’s Day Recipes, Projects & Printables
I love Valentine’s Day, and although it’s a so-called “Hallmark holiday”, I think it’s a fun one to celebrate. What’s not to love about sugary treats, pretty decorations and lots of hearts and “I love yous”? Here are some of my favorite treats, projects and printables from the archive!
P.S. Be sure to download the FREE Finding Cupid ebook for even more projects and recipes.
{Valentine’s Day Treats}
From classic cheesecake to easy marshmallow heart lollypops, celebrate Valentine’s Day with these tasty treats!
Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Strawberry Marshmallow Heart Lollypops
Heart-Shaped French Toast with Strawberry Syrup
{Valentine’s Day Projects & Decor}
Add paper hearts to the window, make your own conversation heart garland or decorate plates for your special Valentine’s Day meal!
DIY Personalized Valentine’s Day Plates
Hanging Conversation Heart Garland
{Valentine’s Day Printables}
Download and print these free Valentine’s Day cards, tags and more!
Printable “I Love You” Jar Cards
Valentine’s Day Printable Subway Art
Printable Valentine’s Day Tags
Printable “Flying High” Valentines
Valentine’s Day Treat Bag Toppers for Kids
What’s your favorite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Valentine’s Day Recipes, Projects & Printables is a post from Life Your Way
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February 2, 2013
Giveaway: Easy Homemade + Better Than a Box (10 Winners!)
There’s been a lot of talk across the blogosphere in 2o13 about real food, cooking from scratch and other food-related resolutions, and I’ve got a fun giveaway to help you keep those resolutions this year:
In my ebook, Easy Homemade: Homemade Pantry Staples for the Busy Modern Family, I share more than 60 recipes for homemade kitchen staples as well as kitchen tips, information about choosing various ingredients and more.
Last week, Katie from Kitchen Stewardship released her new ebook: Better Than a Box: How to Transform Your Processed Foods Recipes into Whole Foods Favorites, which is more than just a recipe book; it’s a tutorial in real food cooking, reverse engineering processed foods, and creative recipe development. Katie’s strength is showing you why and how things work in the kitchen, and this ebook is her best yet!
Enter to Win
This week, Katie and I are giving TEN lucky Life Your Way readers a copy of both Easy Homemade & Better Than a Box, plus all of their bonuses!
Be sure to enter because we’ll be sending a special coupon code to everybody who enters (don’t worry, your email address will never be used for anything else).
To enter, fill out the form below:
This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, 2/9. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email, and this post will be updated with their name as well. Open to U.S. residents 18 years old and above.
Giveaway: Easy Homemade + Better Than a Box (10 Winners!) is a post from Life Your Way
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Weekend Reading: February 2, 2013
source: mandiehman on Instagram
My favorite moment this week (maybe so far this year!) was the scene pictured above. The girls have finally gotten into a bedtime reading routine that doesn’t involve them jumping from bed to bed or running around like wild banshees, and they usually spending 30-45 minutes reading or crafting on their beds before lights out.
On this particular night, our 5-year-old was looking at a book when she exclaimed, “Mama, I read a word! C-A-T…cat!” Before I could respond, our oldest said, “Hey, do you want me to teach you how to read?” Next thing I know, they’re sitting on a bed together, huddled over a book, sounding out words. I’m pretty sure our 8-year-old didn’t follow any of the rules for teaching a kid to read, and chances are she was pretty bossy about it, but I hope they’ll always treasure that memory as much as I will!
Have you subscribed to our new weekly newsletter? Check out this week’s issue here and then be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future issues!
Here are some of my favorite posts from this week. As always, check out what I’m reading to see the other posts that make me stop and think. You’ll find new posts all week long!
Food {Eat Well, Spend Less}
This week our Eat Well, Spend Less series is heading back to the basics:
Back to the Basics of Feeding Your Family | Food for My Family
Lessons Learned from a Pantry Challenge | Life As Mom
How to Boil a Husband | Kitchen Stewardship
How To Cook Pasta Like A Pro | Denver Bargains
How to Make Roasted Brown Chicken Stock | Simple Bites
Food Goals for 2013 | Keeping the Kingdom First
Faith {Hard Lessons}
Dan and Me: My Coming Out as a Friend of Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A | Shane L. Windmeyer
“I give God 10%. Why do you get 18?” | Crumbs from the Communion Table
25 Point Manifesto for Sanity in 2013 | (in)courage
Tech {Tips for Your iPhone}
Wanted Lost iPhone: Reward for All Photos and Videos Returned | Get Me Geeky
Over 40 of My Favorite {FREE} Apps | Simple Organized Living
Have a great weekend!
Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Weekend Reading: February 2, 2013 is a post from Life Your Way
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February 1, 2013
Chicken and Noodles: A Bowl of Comfort
The following post is from Shaina of Food for My Family and Olmanson Photography:
source: Shaina Olmanson | Food for My Family
We’ve been hiding. Hiding inside our house behind the glass, curtains pulled closed to block out the winter wind. I’ll emerge again in February. February always seems closer to spring than farther from it. The promise of snow melting down the sidewalks, of the sun shining longer into the night seems to make the cold more bearable, even if the temperature has remained constant through the whole of the two long months of winter. Plus, Valentine’s Day means we can stop being healthy and start eating chocolate again, so that’s always nice.
For now, however, I’ll continue hiding in my hobbit hole, pretending that the adventure is buried deep inside books read around the fireplace (note to self: install fireplace), and I’ll feed my children warm bowls of food that doubles as lunch in their Thermos the next day. Warm food for cold nights and cold days is just what winter ordered.
Chicken and noodles is a lot like chicken soup. The difference is we use less broth in the stockpot and also use it to boil the noodles. The result is a creamy chicken and noodle dish that can be eaten just as easily with fork or spoon. The leftovers reheat easily, turning this into a family staple for us cold-weather types.
Chicken and Noodles
Recipe type: entree
Author: Shaina Olmanson | Food for My Family
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 35 mins
Serves: 8
Ingredients
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/3 cup flour
3 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1/2 cup sherry or white wine
5 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cup cooked chicken
1/2 pound uncooked pasta
Salt and pepper
Directions
In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add in the celery, carrots, onions, and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the flour.
Continue cooking, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes until flour starts to turn golden. Mix in the sherry and spices. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
When the broth is boiling, add in the noodles and continue to boil until the pasta is cooked.
Turn off the heat and allow to thicken as it stands. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
2.2.8
What foods keep you warm through the dead of winter?
Shaina Olmanson is the home cook and photographer behind Food for My Family and the author of Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats that Shine. She is a contributor to Babble.com’s Family Kitchen Blog and the food channelon Lifetime Moms. Shaina can usually be found cooking, at the computer or behind the camera.
Chicken and Noodles: A Bowl of Comfort is a post from Life Your Way
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Dear Readers…, Desktop Calendar & Sponsor Shout-Out {February 2013}
To download the image above to use as your desktop wallpaper, simply click the image (or this link: February 2013 Desktop Calendar) and choose Save Image As… Then, open the picture, right click and choose Set as desktop background.
Dear Readers…
Every year, the first day of February sneaks up and surprises me. Didn’t we just turn the calendar page on a new year? How is one month gone already? If nothing else, it’s a good reminder to savor each day — even those days filled with dirty diapers, bickering children and a mountain of laundry to overcome!
Be sure to download the February desktop calendar, featuring another image from our gorgeous white Christmas. While we’re still hoping for a good ol’ fashioned blizzard at some point this winter, we’ve been enjoying the snow showers and dustings since winter doesn’t always guarantee snow in these parts!
As we head into February (the looooove month!), we’ll be sharing Valentine’s Day projects, relationship tips and more here at Life Your Way. Watch for some fun printables and tasty recipes as well.
Behind the scenes, we’re also gearing up for a spring cleaning series in March, and I hope you’ll join us for bite-sized tasks that will make spring cleaning easy and refreshing rather than a task to dread!
Finally, the Life Your Way weekly newsletter launched last month, and I’m having fun highlighting the posts from each week in an easy-to-skim format for readers. Get a sneak peak at this week’s newsletter and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future issues!
And now, meet our February 2013 sponsors:
The Confident Mom
Susan at The Confident Mom offers a variety of practical tips and resources for busy moms. From her popular weekly household planner to her new ebook, Become the Confident Mom You’ve Always Wanted to Be, Susan is helping empower moms and strengthen families every day!
Save 20% on the DIY Family Manager Makeover with coupon code NEWYOU! Valid through February 28, 2013.
NeuYear
The innovative NeuYear calendar is more than just a desktop calendar. This gorgeous one-year calendar shows you the whole year at once so you no longer have to page through a traditional calendar (or your small computer screen) to see the whole year. Unlike other calendars, this one has no space between months, which helps you plan your weeks even when they span two months. And each calendar is two-sided so you can choose between a vertical and horizontal calendar.
Plant Therapy
As I learn more about essential oils and the role they play in natural health, I’m excited to partner with Plant Therapy this month to dig into this topic more. Plant Therapy was founded with one goal in mind — to provide the highest quality essential oils (and accessories) at a price that everyone can afford. Their oils are 100% pure, undiluted and therapeutic grade. They source each oil from top suppliers around the world, buy in large volume, and negotiate the best prices possible so that they can pass the savings on to you, the consumer!
Thanks so much for being part of the Life Your Way community. I look forward to your comments and emails, and you all truly make this site what it is!
Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Dear Readers…, Desktop Calendar & Sponsor Shout-Out {February 2013} is a post from Life Your Way
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Free Pancakes at IHOP {2/5/13}
Next Tuesday (which also happens to be Fat Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent) is National Pancake Day at IHOP, and all guests get a FREE short stack of pancakes. In exchange, they ask that you consider making a donation to Children’s Miracle Network.
I’ve mentioned before how much this organization means to our family, and I can’t think of a better combination than FREE pancakes and supporting CMN!
My mom will be here visiting from Florida, so we’re planning a special pancake lunch while she’s here.
Free Pancakes at IHOP {2/5/13} is a post from Life Your Way
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Life Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.
Free Pancakes at IHOP {2/5/13}
Next Tuesday is National Pancake Day at IHOP, and all guests get a FREE short stack of pancakes. In exchange, they ask that you consider making a donation to Children’s Miracle Network.
I’ve mentioned before how much this organization means to our family, and I can’t think of a better combination than FREE pancakes and supporting CMN!
My mom will be here visiting from Florida, so we’re planning a special pancake lunch while she’s here.
Free Pancakes at IHOP {2/5/13} is a post from Life Your Way
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Money Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.
January 31, 2013
7 Ways to Stay Organized All Year Long
The following post is from Becky of Organizing Made Fun:
source: Organizing Made Fun
Most of us make goals or resolutions at some point in our lives, whether or not it’s at the beginning of the new year doesn’t really matter. But, many of us seem to do it at the start of the new year. If you are like many, you have decided that you are going to get organized this year, right?
The stores play up on this fact, hoping you’ll buy lots of their organizing containers and bins. It’s true. We do it! We buy them up and vow to get organized. But, come mid-year, the organizing bug starts to wane. Where is the inspiration now?
Stay organized all year long with these simple strategies:
1. Enlist in organizing challenges.
Some people LOVE competition or a challenge to get them motivated. If you are like that, this is a great place to start. There are many blogs that have 30-day challenges or one-area-a-month challenges or weekly challenges and these can be great to get you moving and try out things. {Google “organizing challenges”, and you’ll find many}.
2. Read organizing blogs.
Many of the challenges are on organizing blogs that will keep you motivated. Visit Organizing Made Fun, Clean Mama, or Simple Organized Living for inspiration and motivation to organize. Type in “organize your home” in Google and look up some great bloggers who have similar taste and areas that they organize to what you can do.
3. Browse Pinterest.
My number one place to get motivated is Pinterest! I have many, many pinboards for organizing all kinds of areas in my life! I’m sure most of you are on Pinterest, so if you are, use that for your inspiration – especially if you’re stuck in a place where you don’t know how to organize an area. Type in your organizing area in the search bar and you will likely find plenty of inspiration.
4. Do a little every day – and keep it up.
My one advice to those who ask where to get started is to just start – one drawer, one small square foot, one small cupboard. I know it’s daunting for some. But, once you get that one area cleared of the clutter or trash or whatever you have in there, just maintain that. Then, move on to the next place. Little by little, 15 minutes a day of organizing.
5. Ask friends for accountability.
If this is an area you really do struggle in, I’d recommend that you have a friend help you out or hold you accountable. Maybe he/she can just check up on progress for you daily or maybe just encourage you to keep going. But, having a friend there to share with about trying to keep organized is always good motivation.
6. Have people over a lot.
Most of us clean up and get rid of clutter when people are supposed to come over – I do! I notice all that stuff out that I normally ignore and I start putting it away, throwing it out, clearing it out. I have people over a lot, so it has actually been a blessing to help me stay on top of clutter. I see something and realize it’s been sitting there for weeks, and I haven’t even put it back. That’s when it kicks in that THIS is a time to finally run around the house and put things back where they belong!
7. Hire a professional.
If you just feel like you aren’t ever going to tackle a huge amount of clutter and are organizationally challenge, it might be time to hire someone who is good at this. You hire someone to do your taxes or a contractor to fix your house. Why not someone who is able to help you organize your stuff? Sometimes it’s better having an outside person helping you, someone who isn’t attached to your stuff and can be honest and helpful to get your whole house organized. Hiring a professional organizer isn’t saying you can’t do it, it’s just saying that you can do it with the right guidance.
Keeping your home organized and clutter-free is a constant battle – even for the organized people. We live with others, papers constantly come in from everywhere, and we have to make decisions on what to bring in and what not to bring in. Finding ways to keep yourself motivated to organized all year long may be more of a task for some than others. I hope you are encouraged.
Are you an organizer or a not-so-organized person? How have you tried staying motivated?
Becky blogs at Organizing Made Fun. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 18 years and is a mother to two children. Becky organizes just about everything and she enjoys motivating other women to learn to organize, schedule, and run their home imperfectly but efficiently.
7 Ways to Stay Organized All Year Long is a post from Life Your Way
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