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Here is Some Important Information if You Plan to Raise Chickens as a Busy Mom and You Are Stressed Out Thinking About Adding More Responsibilities on Your Little Homestead

If you are planning on raising chickens, this episode will give you some important information about them to give you peace of mind as a busy overwhelmed mom because I know…..it is just one more thing to take care of!

 

Really, truely caring for chickens can be simple.  Caring for chickens involves providing for their basic needs including food, water, shelte and you are going to want to do your research before you get some!  I want you to come away from this episode today feeling confident that you can raise your own backyard chickens and it is not difficult.

 

I would really suggest that you find someone that is selling or giving away  larger chickens if you are just getting started.  There is just a little bit more work to raising baby chicks that are just hatched.  We have gotten several chickens from different people that were moving and giving them away or they were selling some to reduce their flock and this was nice for us when we got started even though they were not all laying anymore, they still took care of the bugs in the yard which I appreciate!  And they really are so fun to have around!

 

Chickens are not needy at all-Keep them fed and watered and they will be fine!  If you are going to be gone for a few days, they will be ok as long as they have access to both.  We don’t feel tied down with chickens, we can still go away for a couple days and not worry a bit about them unlike other animals,  but if we do go away longer than that, we will have someone come over every few days and make sure they have water and feed.

 

It is simple to raise chickens and they don’t take much time out of your day to care for at all!  Keep them fed and watered and gather eggs!  Every once in a while you will have some chickens picking on other ones, so you might have to deal with that, but really, for the most part, they are super simple!

 

I can’t wait for you to get started!  I have one more episode coming that I will give you everything you need to start raising chickens so you can get started right away!

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Have a Blessed Day Friends!

Monica

Protein is Such an Important Piece of Your Diet, but it Can Get Expensive. 3 Simple Tips to Get More Protein in Your Diet on a Budget as a Busy Mom

Hey There! 

I hope you are having an awesome Monday!  I can’t even believe this, but we are almost to 100 episodes, so I am so excited to be giving away a few $25 amazon cards when we hit the 100th episode!!!!!  The only thing you need to do to be in on the drawing is add a 5 star rating and review and take a screenshot of it and email me at monica@claimingsimplicity.com.  I will read your reviews and announce the winners on the 100th episode!!!!!!!  Get your rating and review in now!!!!  I can’t wait to hear from you!!!!!

Getting more protein in your diet on a budget can be challenging, but it's certainly possible with some smart planning and food choices. Here are 3 tipsto help you save money.  

1. Incorporate more eggs into your diet.  Eggs are excellent sources of protein and are generally more affordable even since the prices have gone up in price in the last year.  There are so many different ways to make eggs.  Since we do have chickens and have our own eggs, when we get more than we can eat, I will make up eggbakes, breakfast sandwiches, bowls and breakfast wraps and freeze them.  This is such a great way to use up eggs, but also have the convenience of breakfast already ready on busy mornings when you don’t have time to make breakfast.
2. Another great way to get more protein on a budget is buy in bulk: Purchasing larger quantities of protein sources, such as chicken breast or ground beef, can save you money in the long run. You can portion them out and freeze them for later use.  We usually buy ½ beef when farmers around us are butchering, and if you have the space to raise your own chickens-that is another way to cut cost and you probably won’t buy chickens from the store after that because homegrown taste so much better! Also, to save money, if you are buying meat from the store, you can opt for cheaper cuts of meat: Cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thighs, ground beef, and pork shoulder are just as nutritious as more expensive cuts like chicken breasts or steaks, and they often have more flavor. Slow cooking or marinating these cuts can make them tender and delicious.
3. Plan your meals: Planning your meals ahead of time can help you choose more affordable protein sources and prevent waste. You can also use leftovers to create new meals and save money.

This is just a start of how to save money and reduce grocery expenses for protein, but it can save you quite a bit of money over the years.

Hugs!

Monica

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Can You Live a Simplified Life Without Being a Minimalist? 5 Additional Ways For You to Simplify Your Life

Can You Live a Simplified Life Without Being a Minimalist? 5 Additional Ways For You to Simplify Your Life

As I have been packing up our house to move, it made me realize that I would never be called a minimalist because when you homestead and preserve food, you do have alot of items.  I have simplified my life so much that it seems very minimal and simplified, but I honestly didn’t even think about all the things we do have because everything had it’s place, but once you are packing and packing and packing, you realize quickly the amount you have.  I wouldn’t say that we have anything in excessive amounts and I do get rid of anything we are not using, but canning supplies and jars can add up over the years, but we do use them over and over each year.

It is possible to live a simplified life without being a minimalist. While minimalism is a popular lifestyle trend that advocates for living with fewer possessions and reducing clutter, there are other ways to simplify your life.  

For example, you could simplify your life by:

1. Cutting down on unnecessary commitments and obligations.
2. Streamlining your daily routine and eliminating non-essential activities.
3. Focusing on what's truly important to you and letting go of things that don't matter.
4. Prioritizing your time and energy on people and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
5. Cultivating mindfulness and being present in the moment.

The key is to identify what aspects of your life feel overwhelming or cluttered and find ways to simplify them in a way that feels authentic and sustainable to you.

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Love ya friend!

Monica

Do You Want to Raise Chickens in Your Backyard? 5 Benefits of Having Your Own Chickens When You Are a Beginning Homesteader

Hello! 

I am going to warn you right away…..we are talking about chickens and they can be an addiction!  They are so fun to watch and I love having fresh eggs every day and  I dont ever want to run out, so I like to get some new chicks each year and now we are up to about 24 chickens.  Some are not laying daily, but they are so beautiful and they sure are good bug pickers, so I just can’t get rid of them!

Before we get into todays episode, I want to remind you that I will be doing a drawing and giving away $25 amazon cards with my 100th episode because I want you to know how much I appreciate all of you.  

Have you thought about getting chickens, but are not even sure if it would work for you.  I just want to give you the benefits of raising your own chickens.

Chickens are the first animal I would suggest when beginning your homesteading journey.  Here are __ benefits to having your own.

One of the most obvious benefits to having chickens is having access to fresh eggs.  Chickens can lay eggs almost every day and the eggs you collect from your chickens will be much fresher than the ones you buy at the grocery store. Home-raised eggs are considered to be much healthier and alot more flavorful.

Another thing I love about chickens is that they are natural pest controllers!  They eat insects, slugs, snails, and even mice and snakes!  This can be very helpful when you have a hobby farm, live in the country or have a garden.  My favorite thing they like are woodticks, so we have had so very few woodticks the lst several years which is so very nice!

If you have a garden, you will find out what a great fertilizer chicken manure is!  It is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are all important nutrients for plants.

Keeping Chickens can also become part of a larger self-sufficiency strategy.  By producing your own eggs and raising meat chickens, you can reduce your dependency on grocery stores.

There are also so many educational benefits to raising chickens, especially if you homeschool your kids!  It can teach valuable lessons about responsibility, animal care, and where our food comes from.

And one of my favorite benefits to having chickens is the entertainment they provide!  They are just so fun to watch because they each have their own personalities and watching them interact with other chickens, animals and caretakers is such enjoyment.

Overall, chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience that provides many benefits including a source of fresh eggs or meat, helping with gardening, and educational and sustainability benefits.

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Have an incredible day!

Monica

Do You Like to be in Control? How to Have More Patience in the Season of Waiting

Hello

Surrendering and giving control to God can mean different things to different people. However, here are some general steps that may help you surrender and give control to God:

1. Develop faith: Having faith in God is the first step towards surrendering to Him. Read the Bible, pray, meditate, and cultivate a sense of trust and confidence in God.
2. Let go of attachments: Identify any attachments or desires that are holding you back from surrendering to God. These could be material possessions, relationships, or even certain beliefs that are limiting your spiritual growth.
3. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment and observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This can help you let go of negative thoughts and surrender to God's will.
4. Practice surrender in small ways: Start by surrendering small aspects of your life to God. For example, you could surrender a decision about what to wear or what to eat to God. This will help you build trust and gradually surrender bigger aspects of your life.
5. Surrender your ego: The ego is the part of us that wants to control everything and often gets in the way of surrendering to God. Practice letting go of your ego and acknowledging that you are not in control of everything.
6. Seek guidance: Seek guidance from spiritual leaders or mentors who can help you on your journey of surrendering to God.

Remember that surrendering to God is a continuous process, and it may take time to fully let go and trust in God's plan. Keep practicing and cultivating your faith, and trust that God will guide you on your path.

Please rate and review this podcast on apple podcast or wherever you listen and you will be entered into a drawing for $25 amazon gift cards to celebrate 100 episodes!  I appreciate you listening!

 

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6 Benefits of Living a Simpler Life and 5 Ways You Can Begin to Live More Intentionally Right Now, Enjoy Your Life More and Reduce Your Stress

Happy Monday Friend!!  

If you have been enjoying learning about living a simpler life on this podcast, please take 30 seconds and leave a rating and review and let me know what you are loving about this podcast  because that is how more people can learn about this podcast!  Thank you so much!!!!!

There are so many benefits to living a simpler life and after living the chaotic life for many years, I can’t even imagine going back to that.  I never have guilt that I am unable to attend events and activities because now my schedule is flexible and I don’t have to miss out on anything and there is just an everyday enjoyment to life because my focus is on the things that matter to me and that I value.  I want you to have this pure joy every day as well so here are 6 benefits you will enjoy when you slow down and live with more intention.

1. By simplifying your life, you can eliminate many of the things that cause you stress, such as clutter, excess possessions, and a hectic schedule. This can help you feel calmer and more relaxed. How would you like to reduce some of your stress?
2.  Simplifying your life can also free up more time for the things that really matter, such as spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies and interests, and spending time doing things you enjoy.  Who wouldn’t enjoy spending time your way.
3. Living a simpler life often means spending less money on things you don't really need, which can result in significant financial savings over time and I’m sure you are looking to save money right now since groceries and regular expenses keep increasing.
4.  When you have fewer distractions in your life, you may find it easier to focus on what's important and make decisions with more clarity and purpose.
5. You may have more time to prepare healthy meals, exercise, and get enough rest when you simplify which will help with overall better health.
6. Living a simpler life often means consuming less and producing less waste, which can have positive environmental impact.

 

Getting started on a simpler life can be a gradual process, but here are some tips to help you begin:

1. Declutter: Start by getting rid of things you no longer need or use. This can help you create more physical space and mental clarity. Donate, sell, or recycle items that are still in good condition and focus on keeping  the things that are truely important and meaningful to you.
2. Streamline and Simplify your schedule: Take a look at your daily schedule and see if there are any activities or commitments you can cut back on or eliminate altogether. Prioritize the things that bring you joy and fulfillment, and let go of the rest.  Focus on saying "no" to commitments and activities that don't align with your values or goals so you can make sure you are doing things that are important to you.
3. Practice mindfulness and take time to be present and fully engaged in the moment. This can help you appreciate the simple things in life and reduce stress and anxiety.
4. Reduce screen time and digital distractions: Limit your use of technology and social media to help you disconnect. Focus on being present in the moment and engaging with the people and activities around you
5. Practice gratitude: Take time to appreciate and be thankful for the things you have in life. This can help you find contentment and satisfaction with a simpler lifestyle.  Explore living with less and finding joy in the simple things in life.

Simplifying your life is a process and it won't happen overnight. Start with small steps and be gentle with yourself as you make changes. Over time, you may find that living a simpler life brings greater joy and fulfillment to your daily life.

 

Website:

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xoxo,

Monica

3 Easy Steps to the Best Boiled Eggs. It is Simple to Make the Perfect Easy to Peel Boiled Eggs and You Will Have Beautiful Deviled Eggs as Well.

Here is a quick bonus episode!

I boiled 3 dozen eggs last night so I can make deviled eggs for Easter because we love deviled eggs even for a snack if they don’t all get eaten on Sunday and I remembered how many of my friends have trouble with getting their boiled eggs to peel easily and how long it took me to learn this simple way to make them, so here is a quick bonus episode so you can enjoy boiled eggs not only at Easter, but every day!  It is such a good snack and we always have a bowl in our fridge and you can too!

 

First, bring plain water to a rolling boil.

 

Next, lower them carefully into the boiling water and try to be as gentle as possible so they dont crack and boil.

 

Lastly, drain hot water off of the eggs and run cold water on them and then put a bunch of ice over them.  Let them sit and cool for at least ½ hour and then refrigerate.

 

Enjoy easily peeling them when you are ready!  If you have ever had trouble with eggs not peeling well, you are going to be so excited to see how simple this is and well it works!

 

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Happy Easter!

Monica

Make This One Change to Reduce Food Expense! Homemade Bread or Sourdough Bread is Simple and Healthier Than Store Bought Bread Plus it Will Save Money

Hello!

I can’t believe it is Easter this weekend!  I hope you are able to celebrate the joy of Jesus' resurrection!

When it is cold outside, we like to bake an extra amount and then freeze items for when our schedules are full and we are extra busy.  This works out great to always have food that is nutrient dense and keeps up from spending extra money at the store for convenience items.

When the prices in the store are rising, there is hope that you can save money and reduce expenses!  Making your own bread is so much cheaper, healthier, and simpler than you may think.  I now make sourdough on a regular basis, but even regular homemade bread doesn’t have all the harmful ingredients in them that a loaf of store bought bread has.

I always wondered if it would make sense to take the time to  make my own bread as a busy mom when my family enjoys that walmart sandwich bread for a buck. And then I read the ingredients!  So many benefits to making your own bread. Once I made it a few times, I then had a schedule down and we do buy bread every once in a great while, but for the most part, we always have fresh bread on hand or in the freezer.

I think so many people think that making bread is hard.  It is so simple that you will wish you started making it yourself years ago.  Sourdough bread only consists of 3 ingredients which are water, flour, and starter!  I really enjoy making sourdough and when I first started making it, I bought a starter from king arthur and that is where I order my flour as well as from azure standard.  Make sure you are using a high quality flour when making your sourdough.  That may be the reason yours is not turning out, so try some good flour before you give up.

Make this one change for 6 months  and see how you like it!  I don’t think you will ever go back to buying ibread from the store!!!!!

 

Have a Blessed Easter Day!

Monica

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Having Peace Knowing God is in Control Can be a Result of Cultivating Faith and Trust in God. Here are 5 Simple and Practical Steps That Can Help You Find Peace in Your Chaotic Life as a Busy Mom

Happy Monday!

We have been on this crazy journey the last month and there is so much peace knowing and trusting in God's plan.  I know you can find this incredible peace as well even as a busy overwhelmed mom.

Here are 5 simple and practical tips that can help you have more peace Trusting God and knowing He is in control.

1. Spend time in quiet reflection, prayer, or meditation to connect with God and seek His guidance every single day. There sure is a difference in a day that starts out in prayer and being with the Lord and one that is rushed and out of control because it didn’t start with Him.  This can help you build a deeper relationship with God and develop a sense of peace and trust in His plan.
2. Reading and studying the Bible can help you understand God's character, His promises, and His plan for your life. This can help you develop a greater sense of trust and peace in God's control.
3. Practice gratitude can be life changing. Focus on the blessings in your life and express gratitude for them. This can help shift your perspective to a more positive one, and help you trust that God is in control and working for your good.
4. Let go of worry and anxiety which can be hard: Worry and anxiety can be a barrier to trusting in God's control. Practice mindfulness, and when you feel anxious, focus on surrendering your worries to God and trusting that He will take care of you.  I heard someone say that worrying is worshiping the problem~isn’t that the truth!
5. And Last, serning others is so important. Serving others can help you shift your focus away from yourself and onto helping others. This can help you develop a deeper sense of purpose and peace, and help you trust that God is using you to make a positive impact in the world.

Remember that developing peace and trust in God's control is a lifelong journey, and it may take time and practice. Keep seeking God's guidance and working to strengthen your faith and trust in Him.

I love hearing from you!

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xoxo,

Monica

 

5 Ways to Save Money and Simplify This Easter. Easy Tips for a Budget Friendly Celebreation as a Busy Overwhelmed Mom

Hello

Easter and Holidays can get expensive if you let them, but I have some money saving tips and tricks to reduce expenses, so you can cut costs without sacrificing the fun.  You can have an elegant budget friendly celebration without breaking the bank! 

We usually host most holidays and it usually includes about 20-30 people, so not too crazy, but it does cost quite a bit of money and takes time to prepare all the food for that amount of people.  If we aren’t careful we could easily overspend and can have a ridiculous amount of food that could go to waste, so you really need to think about the main portion of the meal first. 

Make sure and ask for help.  Many times each family will bring a dish to share, so that is another way to help with the cost to save money and also give you less to prepare, so that you have more time. You want to enjoy your time with family, so the less you have to do, the better!

Plan ahead!  Start planning early and create a budget for expenses.  This will help you avoid overspending and impulse purchases.  Ideally, you would put this in the budget at the beginning of the year, but if this was missed, try to look at future holidays and put them in the budget now, so it doesn’t sneak up on you. If you have the items for your meal, you can watch for sales on those items and try to do your shopping at least a few weeks prior to the holiday because many times as you get closer to it, more people are shopping and sometimes they run out of items and also, you can watch for sales.

Next, reduce decorations or DIY decor because most people won't even notice and you could spend alot of time and money on something that really isn’t necessary.  If you feel that you need to decorate, try to find something after the holiday to get on clearance that you can use year after year.  I used to decorate as a young mom because I thought I had to, but now I realize what a waste of money and time it is and I would rather put my money towards something more meaningful.  Now if you enjoy decorating, then plan your budget accordingly….it just isn’t something I value.  I think of how many kids could be fed with that amount or what I could do for those in need with that money, but we all have different values and that is ok!

Reduce gift giving.  Think about what this celebration is about.  It is not about gifts or the Easter Bunny-it is all about Jesus, so keep the focus there.  Some simple gift ideas would be some Christian books about Easter or something they may need. 

With the seasons changing here, I do like to get an outfit for each kid as many times they grow out of their summer clothes from the season before, but I tend to stay away from too much candy.  We do a small easter basket each year, but we have reused the same Easter baskets since they were young. 

We do a large Easter Egg Hunt for all the kids, grandkids and cousins.  I have small eggs that I fill for the younger kids and larger eggs for the older kids and that seems to work really well here and then we just reuse the eggs year to year.  Also, you don’t have to get expensive candy.  The kids just have so much fun finding the eggs!  Our focus is more on our relationships with family than material items, so think about that this holiday season as well.

Most of all- keep it simple! Holidays are to enjoy time with people you love and not about perfection, so simplicity is key to reducing overwhelm.

 

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Monica