My Morning Routine As A Homemaker

My morning routine has definitely shifted over the last few years. Over the last year though, I've manged to regain my morning routine and also re-invent a more intentional approach to how I start the day. All while keeping in mind that having a toddler means being flexible and letting some things fall by the wayside. I used to try very hard to wake up before my son did but I found that I just valued sleep a lot more than anything else. Besides seeing his smiling face first thing in the morning is literally the best thing ever. So with all that being said here is . . .

My Morning Routine As A Homemaker

1. Wake up and eat a small snack. I try to have a small snack before breakfast to fuel my body after such a long time of not eating. A healthy trio of carb + protein + fat is a great way to balance my blood sugar, keep stress hormones away, and provide nourishment prior to eating a full meal. Plus it gives me a little more time to start breakfast. 

2. Put on some calming piano music and attempt to write in my gratitude journal. Unfortunately I am get stressed fairly easily but I've found that if I start my day slowly, and calmly I am in a much better mood for the rest of the day. And music helps me do just that. I also try to write in my gratitude journal but with a little one that isn't always possible.

3. Get a load of laundry going. Each day I do one load of laundry. For such a long time I hated doing laundry and I recently discovered that I only hated it because I was waiting until all of the dirty laundry had piled up. Which resulted in a literal mountain of clothes that we had to fold. It was torture! One load a day keeps the folding to a minimal and ensures that my family always have clean clothes.

4. Empty the dishwasher. If you aren't loading up and starting your dishwasher the night before I suggest you try it. Every night I clean the kitchen, start the dishwasher and empty it's contents every morning. It's a great way to maintain a tidy kitchen. And once breakfast is finished all the dishes get put into the empty dishwasher.

5. Start breakfast. Since my little one and I had a "wake up snack" the breakfast process is less rushed and more enjoyable. I often have my son help me with making breakfast for this very reason. We enjoy a limited revolving breakfast menu made up of eggs with homemade breakfast potatoes, Greek yogurt with raw honey and bee pollen, homemade waffles topped with Greek yogurt and fresh berries, or homemade pancakes with bacon. Sometimes we even made biscuits from scratch!

6. Get ready for the day. I'll be honest - if we don't have plans to go anywhere, I usually stay in my comfy clothes and leave the makeup untouched on the shelf. But when we do have places to go I end up taking my makeup basket out to the dining room table to get ready. I have two reasons for this . . . Number One: better lighting than the dark cave that is our bathroom and Number Two: my son is usually playing in the living room. He's really good at independent play but I still like to be near him in case he needs me or he feels like chatting.

 

So that's my morning routine. Super simple but slow, easy going and intentional. I'm a firm believer in how you start your day sets the tone for the rest of your day. Running around like crazy doesn't make for a great day, at least in my opinion.

I do want to add that there's a big misconception when it comes to homemaking. Homemaking isn't the same as being stay at home mom. You can work outside of the home and still be a homemaker. You can not have kids and still be a homemaker. For some reason, homemaking got lumped in with being a stay at home mom and it's just not something I agree with. My mom worked full time outside of the home and she's one of the best homemakers I know. And surely there are plenty of stay at home mom's that don't view themselves as homemakers. I work part-time outside of the home and I 100% view myself as a homemaker. It's definitely two different terms that, for some reason, tend to intersect.

What does your morning routine look like? Any tips and tricks that you'd like to share?

Meal Planning Made Simple - In Four Easy Steps

When Alex & I first started living together, he was really the one who made all the meals. After all, he was a chef, and me . . . well I was really good at baking. But over time, I started to take a more active role in cooking and yes, I even started to enjoy it. In the beginning, meal planning was definitely not on my radar. Once our little one made his way onto the scene I started diving into meal planning because sticking to a budget became a bigger priority. And let me tell you, once I got our meal planning routine down, taking care of the meals (and our budget) got a lot easier. So today I wanted to share four simple steps to make your meal planning simple.

Step One: Designate a grocery shopping day and determine what you already have.

Saturdays are my grocery day and because it's essentially set in stone it makes meal planning a breeze. I essentially have two days to get our meals for the week in order. First check to see what we already have in the fridge (including remaining leftovers) and the pantry. Now since our grocery store's flyer comes out on Thursdays, the flyer sets the tone for most of our meals because it makes it lends itself well to budgeting. Which leads me to the next step . . .

Step Two: Browse the flyer for ideas and sales.

If I'm stuck on what to make certain nights I'll use the flyer to come up with meals that coincide with any current sales. It's pretty straightforward - let's say ground beef and shredded cheese are on sale. Guess what we're having for dinner one night . . . you guess it, tacos! What's really great is when there are buy one get ones. I usually stock up on those and repeat a meal two weeks later.

 

Step Three: Keep a running list of favorite meals as a backup plan.

If nothing good is on sale, or I'm having a hard time coming up with ideas, I tend to rely on my running list as a backup plan. You could even have set days like meatless Mondays, Slow Cooker Sundays, etc. Or even a list of everyone's favorite recipes. Anything that you find that helps you with your end goal of setting a meal for each day and sticking to it.

 

Step Four: Use a meal planning template and laminate it.

This step has been an absolute game-changer. I used to use meal planner notepads but I always found myself scratching days out and rearranging the meals, which in turn wasted a lot of paper. One day I decided to laminate two sheets of the meal planner notepad and use Vis A Vis maker and viola! If I have to change a meal for a day, I just wipe it off and write the new meal in. I use the second one as a catch-all throughout the week if my family mentions any cravings and add it to a meal planner for the next week. That way I'm one step closer to having the following week filled out. If you'd like me to share one, let me know in the comments below.

 

What do YOU do to make meal planning easy? Do you do what I do? Do you have a tip that I didn't share? Let me know in the comments below.

A Guide To Spring Cleaning + A Free Printable

With Spring right around the corner, I thought it would be nice to share a simple checklist that I use to help me tackle all the tasks that need to be done around the house during this season. Now here's the thing . . . I'm not obsessed with cleaning. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a clean and tidy house - but I don't always have time to regularly do all the deep cleaning that I'd like to during the year. So, once Spring rolls, around I make it a priority. Below you'll find a guide to getting all the things done. 

To make things easier, I created a printable that you can download and use. Just download it to your computer, it out, and add it to your homemaking binder! You can download the checklist here. 

Spring Cleaning Checklist

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

• test and replace smoke and alarm batteries
• replace air filters as needed
• clean all light fixtures, including lamp shades
  
• clean all ceiling fans
• clean air vents/registers 
• clean all windows and windowsills
• wash all curtains
  

 ENTRYWAY

• sweep and mop floors
• wipe down the walls and baseboards
• clean the door and handles
• shake out or wash any doormats
• remove unnecessary clutter

KITCHEN

• clean the stovetop
• deep clean the oven
• clean the microwave and deodorizer
• clean the refrigerator
• clean the dishwasher and deodorizer
• wipe down drawers and shelves in the fridge and freezer
• discard old or expired food in the pantry, fridge, and freezer
• remove everything off the counters and do a deep clean
• de-grease cabinet doors and backsplash
• remove items from cabinets and thoroughly clean the shelves 
• clean fridge/freezer seal
• dust high up places
• mop floors
• clean floor mats

DINING ROOM

• dust and polish all furniture
• wash all table linens
• vacuum and spot clean cushions
• vacuum or mop floor
• wipe down the walls and baseboards 
• donate unused items
  

BEDROOMS

• dust and polish all furniture 
• wash all bed sheets and duvets
• organize the closets
• donate unused clothing
• vacuum floors

BATHROOMS

• discard expired personal care products, makeup, and old medication
• clean the mirror, sink, and countertops
• deep clean the tub/shower
• clean the showerhead
• clean or replace the shower curtain liner
• wash the shower curtain
• deep clean the toilet
• vacuum and mop floors
• wash any rugs
  
• wipe down the walls and baseboards

LIVING ROOM

•  dust and polish all furniture
• clean the television
• wash all blankets
• wash pillowcases
• vacuum the couch
• vacuum/mop floors
• dust all electronics
• sanitize remote controls
• organize entertainment center
• donate unused items
  

 LAUNDRY ROOM

• clean the washing machine (inside and out)
• remove lint from the lint trap
• clean the outside of the dryer
• check the dryer hose
• organize laundry supplies
• wipe down the wall and baseboards
• vacuum/mop floors

The Best Apple Crisp - Just in time for Thanksgiving . . .

Last year during the quarantine we bought a lot of apples and I spent the majority of my time at home perfecting the recipe. This recipe is super easy; it has no oats - just flour, butter and sugar. I think it's the best because one: it tastes SO good and two: my dessert hating husband LOVES it. This apple crisp is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, which lends itself for both dessert and breakfast. Trust me, it's that good.

 INGREDIENTS

5-6 peeled and sliced Fuji apples

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon + extra for the apples

1 unbeaten egg

1/3 melted butter

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add some olive oil to a 8x8 glass baking dish, spreading around the bottom and edges with a paper towel.

Peel and slice the apples, sprinkle with cinnamon (just eyeball it). You can also add ginger and clove, if you're feeling festive. Mix until evenly coated and add to the baking dish arranging them evenly.

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and egg. Pour the mixture over the apples, making sure that the apples are properly covered.

Melt the butter and pour it all over the flour mixture. Take some olive oil and pour on just the top sides of the apple crisp.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is nice a golden. Top with homemade whip cream if you're feeling indulgent.

Gratitude Journaling

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been mildly keeping a gratitude journal. I say mildly because sometimes I go three weeks without writing in it. Womp womp. Even with those gaps in writing, I've found it to be rather helpful. I love creating a habit that encourages me to be mindful because it can be quite a challenge with a little one. Over the past few months, I've found a few tricks when it comes to writing my gratitudes down. This one especially: it's best to write a sentence about one thing you are grateful for and list five reasons why you are grateful for them. I wish I could say that I came up with this idea, but I didn't. Unfortunately, I can't recall where I discovered it either. 

Another gratitude journaling trick I came across is from Delilah of Loeppkylife. She suggests to, at the end of the day, write down your negative comments and spin each one of them into a positive statement. For example, My husband always leaves his dishes in the sink . . . a positive spin on that could be My husband doesn't leave his dishes all over the house. It's really just another way of being thankful for what you have. I love it because it is such a great reminder to treasure what you have in your life. 

I'm also trying to take her suggestion one step further and not say anything negative or complain. Instead, I'll write them down in my journal, do the positive spin, and if I'm still bothered by the end of the week I'll say something.

I've also taken to writing inspiring quotes that I come across on random pages in my journal to find later on. Like this one by Ram Das, "When somebody provokes your anger, the only reason you get angry is because you're holding on to how you think something is supposed to be. You're denying how it is. Then you see it's the expectations of your own mind that are creating your own hell. When you get frustrated because something isn't the way you thought it would be, examine the way you thought, not just the thing that frustrates you. You'll see that a lot of your emotional suffering is created by your models of how you think the universe should be and your inability to allow it to be as it is."

In the spirit of sharing, I figured it would be fun to show you one of my journal entries:

I'm grateful for my husband because . . .

1. He is such a great father.
2. He always cooks us a delicious dinner.
3. He's funny and weird.
4. He always gives me head-pets and backrubs.
5. He is caring and loving.

I'm grateful for my son because . . .

1. He helps me slow down in life.
2. He is helping me be patient.
3. His smile makes me so happy.
4. I love how his laugh is contagious.
5. He feels like home.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post - it has been AWHILE since I last posted something substantial and it feels good to be back at it. Even if I don't know how long it'll be until I post again.

Cherry Clafoutis

Sometimes there's a bag of cherries sitting in your fridge that is getting too close to being too ripe. So, when life gives you cherries (that we're thankfully on sale) sometimes you just have to make a cherry clafoutis. This simple and rustic French dessert is perfect for summer days and is delicious served both cold and warm. As I was making this cherry clafoutis last night, I noticed that it was very similar to the Swedish Apple Cake I made back in May. So, with that in mind - if you don't have or even like cherries - go ahead and substitute in whatever fruit your heart desires. You won't regret it!

Traditionally the French leave the pits in, claiming that when baked, the pits give off a almond flavour. But, the idea of biting down on a pit doesn't seem all that appealing. So I simply cut the cherries in half and removed the pit, and threw in some almond extract. If you want to go the traditional route, I commend you. Alright, let's get on to this silk and creamy recipe!

CHERRY CLAFOUTIS

INGREDIENTS
3 eggs
2 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted
2 tablespoons butter, melted & cooled
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unbleached whole wheat flour
pinch of salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
butter to grease the baking dish
1-2 tbls of granulated sugar for the baking dish

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 F, take a stick of butter and generously coat the sides and bottom of a 9 inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with granulated sugar, tapping to make sure that the dish is evenly coated. Go ahead and pit the cherries (I just took a knife and cut them in half) and arrange them in circles on the baking dish. The bottom of the dish should be completely covered with cherries.

In a bowl mix the eggs, sugar, salt and extracts until well blended. Then pour in the melted butter and mix until smooth. Next you'll add in the flour, mixing until the batter is completely free of lumps (I used an immersion blender for this step and it worked great). At this point the batter should be really thin. Also here's a tip: the smoother the batter, the better. Because if it isn't 100% blended it won't be the clafoutis won't be as silky as it should.

Immediately pour the mixture over the cherries and bake for 35-45 minutes. The goal here is to have the clafoutis puff up and be slightly golden brown in colour. Just make sure you don't overcook it or it will be rubbery. Yes, the middle will be slightly wobbly in the center - but it's completely fine. It will cook as it cools and nce it cools, cut it up and enjoy the deliciousness.

I just love how rustic this dessert looks. It is so simple to make and deliciously rewarding. If you're feeling adventurous, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. I think next time I'll be making this with blueberries. Let me know if you try this recipe! I'd love to know if you like it or not.

My Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Here’s the thing . . . deep down, I actually love cleaning. Especially vacuuming and dusting - you know the ones that have immediate results. My least favorite chore is laundry. Don’t get me wrong - tossing clothes into the washer and dryer are the easy part. It’s the folding that gets me. But as much as I enjoy cleaning it is still something that isn’t always on the top of my list. Yet as a homemaker, if I don’t make time for it, it piles up and I’m left with having to spend the whole day tackling something that I could have spent thirty minutes a day on.

With that in mind, I found that having a weekly schedule of daily cleaning tasks makes it a lot more manageable. Now there are things that I do daily to help make my life easier - and more home a lot more tidy during the in between. 

Looking for a reusable print out? Head over here.

Here's what my Weekly Cleaning Schedule looks like:

MONDAY Laundry: bed sheets and towels + clean bathrooms
TUESDAY Dust + Laundry: Olive's bedding
WEDNESDAY Vacuum all areas
THURSDAY Clean fish bowl + Mop all areas
FRIDAY Remove expired food from the fridge
SATURDAY Laundry: Delicate/Regular + Deep clean all water tumblers

Some daily tasks to keep things tidy:

• Sweep living room, dining room and kitchen.

• Start the dishwasher every night after dinner and unload first thing in the morning.

• Clean the kitchen counters and the stove. Sometimes an extra vacuum session.

• General tidiness -remove any random messes and put things where they belong. This includes laundry. If it takes less than a minute to do - do it!

Obviously, this isn't something that is new to any of you, or rocket science, but I always enjoy finding out how other people stay on top of things. Or how they implement it. Do you have a cleaning schedule that you stick to? Does it differ from mine? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Swedish Apple Cake w/ No-Churn Honey & Sea Salt Ice Cream

Yesterday Alex & I popped over to IKEA. We didn't really need anything, but we just felt like going. I know - we're weird. Either way, we discovered a little cookbook of theirs called, Food's Ready! and we found a salmon fishcake recipe that we ended up making for dinner that night. As for dessert, I made their Swedish Apple Cake and instantly fell in love with it.
I tweaked this recipe just a little bit and it still turned out delicious. Alex was pretty stoked on it too. Which isn't that much of a surprise because Alex is a sucker for apple pie. In fact for our first Thanksgiving together we made a bacon latticed apple pie. But this cake gave that pie a run for it's money. Even though this recipe originally called for vanilla topping, my homemade no-churn honey & sea salt ice cream hit the spot. Just a heads up, you'll need a 9 inch springform pan to make it. Oh and since the recipe called for milliliters, it's best if you have a measuring cup that does both. If you don't have one, I included the cups next to the milliliters.

SWEDISH APPLE CAKE

INGREDIENTS
2 red delicious apples
1 fuji apple
3 eggs
200 ml sugar (about .84 cups)
150 ml neutral oil (about .63 cups)
300 ml flour (about 1.26 cups)
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp allspice
sprinkle of ginger on top
oil for the pan

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350°F. While it's preheating, peel and slice the apples - don't forget to remove the seeds and core. Then line the springform pan with parchment paper and oil the inside walls of the pan.

Then beat the eggs and sugar until it's light and fluffy. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Then slowly fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Add in the vanilla extract and pour the cake mix into the springform pan.

Next you'll want to push the apples slices down into the cake mixture. You can do this a variety of ways. For me, I just lined the apples next to each other. I started on the outside and worked my way in. Don't worry about overlapping - it's fine. Just go with it and if you have to cut some of the slices to fit into any gaps, go for it. And if you can't fit anymore apples, eat 'em! Just be sure you push them down. The further they get pushed, the more apples you can put in.

Then place the pan on the middle rack in the oven and let it cook for 60 minutes. It's done when a skewer comes out dry. Leave the cake in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then let the cake cool out on a rack. You can serve it cold or hot with no-churn ice cream (recipe below).

Seriously, look at the layers of apples in this thing. Delicious! It's even good for breakfast with coffee.

Alright, so if you're still reading this I'm pretty sure that you want to make the ice cream. Which is awesome - because it's really easy! Now, I don't have a photo of this - but just trust me - it's good. And if you don't trust me, just google it. Just an FYI, I used a stand mixer, so I'm not sure how it will turn out with a handheld mixer. And P.S. you'll need to make this the night before, because it needs to stay in the freezer overnight.

NO-CHURN HONEY & SEA SALT ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS

14 oz can sweetened, condensed milk
16 oz heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup honey

DIRECTIONS
Add the sweetened, condensed milk and heavy whipping cream together in the stand mixer's bowl. Whip the mixture until it's light and fluffy. Then quickly fold in the sea salt and honey. Pour the mixture into a freezer safe container and stick it in the freezer overnight. If you really can't wait that long (I couldn't) just let it chill in there for at least 6 hours.


Let me know if you try either of these recipes! I'd love to know if you like it or not.