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***TOP 1.5 % Podcast*** Are you a busy wife and mom who wants more time for what matters most, but you have no idea where to start simplifying your life? Do you wish you could nourish your family with healthy homemade food but are too overwhelmed and end up going through the drive thru......again? Are you concerned about the toxins in your home and food but don’t know how to find simple, natural options to support your family’s health? I am so excited you are here! This podcast will teach you how to live a simpler life, make your own natural products, simple ways to garden, cook from scratch, and preserve your food to save money and reduce the items you have to buy at the store to become more self-reliant. Hey, I’m Monica, I’m a wife, mom of 5 kids, grandma, nurse and daughter of the King! I was overwhelmed with my full schedule and knew I wanted to create more time for my family by simplifying my life. I started small by swapping toxic products for more natural ones, cooking simple healthy meals from scratch, and creating modern homesteading systems without the stress and overwhelm! And I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with you! So grab that cup of tea, get cozy on the porch swing…..and let’s chat! Website: Claimingsimplicity.com Join our Community of Christian Moms https://www.facebook.com/groups/claimingsimplicity/ Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/
Episodes
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
EP 166 // Why are You Scared to Declutter and Simplify Your Life?
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Hello!
Decluttering changed my life so many years ago. I used to think that I didn’t want to get rid of something just in case I would need it again, but that is not the case. If I have something that I havent used in years and it would be less than $50 to replace, I donate it because I know how much energy it takes to keep that item, but honestly I haven’t missed anything other than a few weeks ago I was missing my heart pan to make pizza on or a big heart cookie for valentines day, but that wasn’t something I was going to buy again. Usually I can get away with using something else instead of that item-even though sometimes you have to get creative.
I love that living with less gives you more freedom mentally and more time to do the things you enjoy and that you value. Time is a resource that you will never get back and you don’t want to have regrets.
Because of the choices we have made in our life, I am able to be available to kids, grandkids and friends because my life is so much more flexible than it was when I was working for an employer building their dream.
I want you to think of this:
If you don’t simplify your life and don’t declutter, it can prevent you from acheiving financial freedom, it will keep you from spending quality time with people you love and possibly missing events with family that you will regret later, it will deny you the opportunity to pursue your own dreams, and it means your priorities are in the wrong places when you have too much stuff which will affect your faith as well.
Decluttering will reduce stress and overwhelm and help you focus on the true meaning in this world. You are a pebble that can make a ripple in so many areas, so I encourage you to simplify, so you have the time to make a difference in the lives of others. You don’t want to be to busy doing things that don’t really matter.
Remember, focusing on eternal rewards is far better than any item on this earth will offer us. Once again, we can’t take our possessions to the grave, so stop stiving to keep collecting stuff. We are on this earth for such a short time, don’t waste your time on achieving money to buy things that your children will have to get rid of when you are gone. Your family won’t remember the things you bought them, but they will remember the time you spent with them.
Instead of buying stuff, why don’t you donate money to kids or family in need, take a mission trip, or something to help someone else. We are here to love others and make a difference. Simplify your life and ditch the clutter so you aren’t bogged down mentally and physically and be the change in this world.
Talk soon!
Monica
Website and Waitlist:
Simple Homesteading for Christians->
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Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
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Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Hello!
Do you want to learn how easy it is to raise chickens? I'll take you through the simple steps of beginning with chicks and what you need to know to get started with raising chickens in your backyard or homestead. They are the gateway to more sustainable living and most likely you will get goats next!!!!!!
I know you have concerns about keeping chickens alive, but it is pretty simple. It is quite easy to spot a sick chicken, but we have rarely had anything happen in all these years, but we also let our chickens free range all year besides winter so I’m sure that helps. I open the coop door in the morning and then they go back in there in the evening to roost, and I close the door at night so nothing can get into the coop. We have had a few chickens drop over but those were also chickens that were quite old.
I would suggest you get chickens that are ready to lay eggs or are laying when getting started because the only care they really need is fresh water, chicken feed, nesting boxes and a place to roost. None of this has to be fancy-in our coop, we have some branches my husband cut down and then has those across the coop for them to sit on at night.
If you are going to get baby chicks, here are some tips to getting started.
First, you will want to prepare a brooder box. That is just a clean, draft free container or large box to accommodate the number of chicks you are planning to raise. You can use a cardboard box, plastic tub, wooden crate, or what we use is an old water tank because it has rounded corners which lessens the chances of a chick getting
trapped or wedged in the corner. When chicks are cold or scared, sometimes they will huddle up in the corners, so we try to prevent that.
Next, you will want to have a reliable heat source the first week such as a heat lamp, infrared bulb. My husband has a cover he made out of some old scrap wood and chicken wire and he puts that on top of the tank and hangs the lights from that. Gradually reduce the temperature each week until the chicks are fully feathered. We will start out with the light hanging lower and them just adjust it higher as they get older. We don’t ever suggest spending alot of money on this because it is a very short time the chicks will be in here.
You will want to add some safe bedding materials for the chicks such as pine shavings, straw, or even paper towels to provide a soft and dry surface for the chicks to walk on. Avoid newspaper as it is slippery and can lead to leg problems and don’t use cedar chips as they have an aromatic oil that can be harmful to the chicks.
You will want to buy chick starter feed and ensure it contains 18-20% protein to support healthy growth. You will need shallow waterers to prevent drowning accidents. You can add smaller rocks in there to make it easier for chicks to drink without getting wet. Make sure to keep the
water clean and fresh to keep it free of contaminants and monitor water levels to prevent dehydration especially in hot weather.
Monitor chicks for signs of illness, injury or distress. Healthy chicks should be active, alert and curious. Try to minimize stressors such as loud noises and overcrowding as stress can weaken their immune systems. Avoid excessive handling during the first few days when they are most vulnerable. And my favorite tip for chicks is to talk to them so they become accustomed to human presence.
When chicks are around 6-8 weeks and fully feathered, you can gradually introduce them to their permanent house but don’t let them be in an outdoor area unsupervised.
These tips will provide them with the best possible start in life and help them transition into healthy chickens.
Now I want to talk about basic care requirements for all chickens:
They will need shelter and the chicken coop should provide protection from predators like foxes, raccoons, owls and large birds. It should also offer adequate ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and respiratory issues, but it doesn’t have to be fancy or cost alot of money. You will want 2-3 square foot coop space per chicken plus an outdoor run or free-range area where they can peck, scratch, and dust bathe.
Chickens require a balanced diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Commercial chicken feed comes in various formulations tailored to different stages of life (starter, grower, layer) and specific dietary needs.
Just like with the chicks, clean water should be available at all times, preferably in a gravity-fed or automatic waterer to minimize contamination. I like to put a splash of Apple cider vinegar in their water about once a week-its good for everything, right?
I have no doubt you will enjoy keeping chickens, they really are fun to observe! If you have any questions at all, join our Simple Homesteading Group and ask me anything!
Website and Waitlist:
Simple Homesteading for Christians->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/claimingsimplicity/
Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/claimingsimplicity/
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Hey Friend!
As I get older, I think about what I can do to help others as that is very rewarding for me. I love being a nurse for this reason and even though I only pick up a few shifts around my family’s schedule. Its in my nature to give great care just as I would want my family to be treated, but I also like building my own dream and not someone elses for the freedom it provides which includes helping others as well.
Are you loving your life right now? I remember being exhausted with all the running we did with kids and working all the time that I had to reevaluate why we were choosing that crazy whirlwind of everyday life and we made some changes. If you want to make changes in your life, you have to know what changes you want to make and then you need to break that goal down and start to take steps toward that bigger dream so you aren’t in the same spot the next year-you have to take action.
Many times this will start with getting out of debt so that you have options. I would start with selling things you don’t need or anything you have payments on. Debt will control your life, so when you get rid of it, it will free up your life to be able to live your dreams and as we talked about in an earlier episode, you will also be more content.
Remember, how you spend your time is how you spend your life. Don’t let it slip away.
In order to love the life you live, you will want to remember that no life is perfect, so even though some things may look perfect for others, you are just seeing the highlights, so do not compare your life to other people’s life.
Next, you need to be true to your values~your best life is going to be lived by aligning your life with what is most important to you. Invest your time, energy, and money into those most important values and make sure you set boundaries for those items that do not fall in there.
I believe that in order to move from where you are at to where you want to be, you need to invest in your growth. You will want to read books or listen to them, learn from others, investing in personal development and courses are so important for you to move forward to transform your life. But remember that you need to put into practice what you are learning.
I don’t want you to stay stuck, so take a chance. You may be afraid to make some changes, but sometimes you have to go through uncomfortable things for them to eventually be comfortable and become who you are truly meant to be. Don’t let fear stop you from your dreams friend and certainly don’t let other people discourage you. If I would have let the naysayers influence my dreams, I would not be where I am today. Your dream is not the same as anybody elses and God has given you different gifts that He wants you to use. Do not let security keep you stuck, take a step of faith as God leads you.
I hope you can take this seriously to move your life in the direction you want to go little by little, step by step. You and your family deserve it!
~Monica
Website and Waitlist:
Simple Homesteading for Christians->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/claimingsimplicity/
Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/claimingsimplicity/
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Hello!!
I just got my vegetable seeds for my garden ordered! It sure seems like Spring here and so maybe I will be able to plant my seeds before the end of May this year! We have so much work to do on this new garden designed and trying to figure out where everything will go. We have plenty of land for several garden spaces, but we have to have good fencing as we have too many deer and animals that enjoy our vegetables and fruit just as much as we do.
I have never been one to buy prepared casseroles at the store that you just put in the oven because when I look at the cost of them compared to the ingredients to make that item, it didn’t ever make sense to me since I am frugal and I don’t like to spend extra money if it doesn’t make sense to me plus, I can’t imagine it would be as good as made fresh at home.
I will however, spend a little more on certain organic items just knowing that I don’t want pesticides on our food, but because it is more expensive, I can’t buy everything organic and that is why I choose to grow as much as I can at home and in our garden.
If you have not ever grown your own food, since I just ordered seeds, these prices are fresh in my mind. I can get many seed packets with 25-50 seeds in them for less than $7. Do you know how much produce just one of those seeds can produce? That just seems so crazy to me. I still have alot to learn about growing seeds, but to me, even if half of those seeds fail…….I am still hundreds of dollars ahead! I mean I just paid over $2 for just 1 pepper from the store, but 1 seed can produce multiple peppers. You are smart….do the math. You don’t need anything fancy to get seeds started, so I really encourage you to give it a shot!
Cooking with whole foods and nutrient dense food from scratch is not difficult. Once you realize how many meals you can make with just a few ingredients, you will be more likely to cook simple meals at home. My mostly used staples are potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, broth, flour, sourdough, eggs and then whatever meat we have from the freezer. I love helping people create simple meals from the items they already have at home to save money. I am going to open up a few more client coaching calls to help you simplify your meals, help you save money on food and learn to cook from scratch in a short amount of time, so if you want to do a 15 minute discovery call to see if this is a good fit for you, I will leave a link to the schedule!
Here are a few examples.
Beef stew
Chicken Soup You can make a huge pot for under $10 that a whole family of 4 could eat for a whole week if you wanted to. We raise our chickens, grow the onion and carrots, make broth from bones and vegetable scraps and use flour and eggs for noodles and it is really simple to make. We don’t need alot of extra snacks around because we always have food like these ready in the fridge to eat.
The more nutrient dense your food is, the less your family is going to need extra expensive sugary snacks from the store because they are satisfied after eating nutritious food. Keep cooking from scratch and nutrient dense food simple so you don’t get overwhelmed!
Blessings!
Monica
Website and Waitlist:
Simple Homesteading for Christians->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/claimingsimplicity/
Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/claimingsimplicity/
Saturday Feb 10, 2024
Saturday Feb 10, 2024
Hello!
I hope you are having a fantastic day!
Have you ever thought about what you are using to wash your dishes that goes on the plates and cups you eat from? I want you to know how simple it is to make your own dishsoap, dishwasher detergent, counter cleaner, and hand soap. These 4 items will take you very little time so you can easily transform your kitchen to using less toxins to become a more natural home.
Dishwasher
Dishsoap
Counter cleaner
Hand soap
If you are conscious of what you are eating, you will want to be aware of what you are using as well. It is super simple to make these DIY cleaning products and they will save you money and once you see how easy it is, you probably wont ever go back to using the toxic products anymore.
I’m so excited for you to try it, so please send an email and let me know if you have any questions and your experience once you make it!
~Monica
DIY Cleaners ->https://claiming-simplicity.ck.page/best-diy-cleaners
On Guard Concentrate -> On Guard Concentrate
Website and Waitlist:
Join our Community of Christian Moms ->
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Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
I know, I know, you are dreaming of having a farm or homestead, but you are patiently waiting and you get stressed out wondering if it will ever happen.
One of the most important things you can do is get out of debt and the next step you need to take is to read and learn as much as you can whether you live in an apartment or city. There are thousands of skills you can learn, so really map out what you want to start with. Maybe it is learning to cook from scratch and preserve food, maybe it is to learn vermicomposting-both of these, along with many many other skills, you can learn right where you are at. I started my worms in 2 rubbermaid totes and that is what I have used for the last 5 years and you don’t need a large space for the totes, but you will be happy to have black gold for growing your vegetables-even if it is in pots because you don’t have space for a garden. There is so much to learn and if you do it before you move to your dream location, you will be more prepared and you can learn other skills you will need in a larger space when you get there. If you are preserving food-even from a farmers market while you live in the city, you won’t be as overwhelmed when you are producing a ton of fruits and vegetables on your own farm, because you will already know how to preserve them so that will take some of the stress away. You will be so happy that you are not wasting your time while waiting for your farm or land. Learning new skills is very exciting and fun! Learn how to ferment food, make kombucha, yogurt, and simple items so you can see how easy it really is. Buy raw milk and start making your own butter and cheese along with making your own bread and pasta. You will not regret it.
Picture what you want your future to look like. I have done this for years and I think it is something you should do as well. Write down what your life looks like 1 year from now as you are already doing it. Next, write down exactly what you want your life to look like in 5 years, details of the house you live in, the landscape of your land and details of the way you live. Feel it as you are living it now. You will be amazed what this will do for you. I started this many many years ago and so many things that I have envisioned have come to fruition. In fact, the last home we lived in was exactly what I had written down several years before I even knew of the home. It was acres of land on water, front porch, everything on the main level including main floor laundry, fireplace-it was incredible how close this place was to what I had described.
There are just so many things you can learn in the waiting, but one of the most important is mindset and prayer. You get what you think about. Are you asking God for direction?
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Thanks for joining me!
Monica
Waitlist:
Join our Community of Christian Moms ->
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Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Hi Friend
2-5-24 EP 160 // No Spend Challenge Recap for 2024 Spending Only $14 on Groceries in January for Our Family of 4.
Well, the January no spend challenge is finished and it was another successful month. We did buy a buck goat, but that was so we can breed 5 of our goats for 5 of our females that are ready for June babies. We also sold some of our pigs for processing and also processed another one for ourselves, so we had to get our tomatoes out of the freezer. In order to make spaghetti sauce, I did have to buy green peppers because we didn’t have a garden last year, so I didn’t have any frozen, but I did have all the other ingredients. I was a little disappointed since I was trying to not spend anything on groceries, but it was nice to get our spaghetti sauce done.
When I was at a getaway with a bunch of friends I found a set of white plates at a thrift store that I have been looking for nearly a year, so I did breakdown and spend the $21 and I did buy raw milk for $4 since we were out, but other than that, we didn’t spend anything else.
I am continuing to use pantry items in February, but I do need to order some heirloom seeds for the garden and some chickens before they are sold out. We like to get some new chickens every year just to continue eggs every year as some stop laying eggs. We also are probably going to get broilers this year as well as we are almost out of chicken we raised 2 years ago. And I found another kune kune piglet that we should be able to possibly breed next year if it is big enough. Growing our homestead is something we are passionate about as we become as self-sufficient as we can be.
As the grocery prices continue to rise, we continue to save money on food. We want to get stocked up again to have at least a few years of food preserved for our family and also our kid’s families that are away from home. Yes, they are spoiled. I’m going to have them start canning with me so they don’t ever have to go without canned food if I am unable to do it for them. I really believe this is a skill that is going to be a good one to know for the future. Cooking from scratch is a skill that isn’t difficult and can be simple to learn. I am super excited to teach you how you can cook simple from scratch meals and learn how to rely less on the grocery store by making simple items at home that you are currently overpaying for. It is worth your family's health to make these swaps and I can teach you to do it in very little time so you aren’t stressed and overwhelmed. Remember, if you want to get on the waitlist, I will have a link in the show notes to sign up so you will be the first to know when I have this ready to release.
Have a blessed week and thanks for being here!
~Monica
Waitlist:
Join our Community of Christian Moms ->
https://www.facebook.com/groups/claimingsimplicity/
Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
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Friday Feb 02, 2024
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Hello!
So it has been brought to my attention that some of you might be thinking that cooking from scratch is not simple and it sounds overwhelming to you, so I want to break down a few items today that you can make yourself in a few minutes and I promise you-I don’t have time to do anything difficult or tedious and I have to keep it all simple because I honestly don’t like spending much time in my kitchen if I don’t have to~I would much rather be in the garden, with the animals, or just doing something outside!
As I have been learning more and more about the ingredients in the foods we buy and how food affects our bodies, the more I want to make as much as I can from scratch so I know what is in what we are eating, but I really don’t have much extra time, so quick and easy recipes are the only ones I make!
This is how simple it can be to make sour cream and it will be the best sour cream you have ever had and you won’t buy it from the store ever again!
Another thing that is very simple to make is crackers. I got this amazing healthy cracker recipoe from my friend shannon and it is so simple and my family also loves them!
These are just a few recipes that we love and if you are busy and are interested in learning how to make more simple recipes like this so you don’t have to rely on the grocery store, just go to claimingsimplicity.com and get on the waitlist!!!!! I’m doing videos to demonstrate each of the recipes and I think you are really going to love it!
Look for more simple recipes in the future to incorporate into your life!
Website:
Join our Community of Christian Moms ->
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Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/claimingsimplicity/
Love ya friend!
Monica
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Hello Friend!
Where are you looking for contentment in your life? Contentment refers to the state of being satisfied and at ease with one’s life and circumstances. Embracing contentment involves appreciating the present moment, finding joy in the little things, and cultivating a sense of fulfillment in the midst of life’s challenges. Contentment is the lifeblood of happiness. Your journey toward purpose and joy will be short lived without it.
Learning contentment is difficult in our society that says the more you have or do, the better, especially when you are constantly trying to keep up with others. If you are not content, discontentment will distract you from living with simplicity and deep meaning. That is why you have to CHOOSE contentment because otherwise discontentment will begin to take over. Every one of us has a different journey, but you can actually learn to be content with little and live an incredibly happy life when you aren’t always chasing stuff and wanting more.
Did you know that contentment not only brings you purpose and joy, but also reduces stress and makes your life enjoyable so you can live the life you were destined to live.
Are you looking for contentment in all the wrong places? When you realize that contentment is not found in accumulating more for yourself, but in giving more to others, your whole life can change. The less you need, the more you give. Giving your time and money will help you live a happier, more fulfilled life and generous people are healthier, happier and more satisfied with life and less inclined to search for it somewhere else.
I want you to think about this as you learn to be more content. A good friend is the best gift you can give-people naturally are attracted toward others who have an open heart to share. Giving of yourself improves lives and is an example to the world of a better way to live and can encourage others to do the same!
I want you to realize, you already have enough friend, so don’t be held hostage by the pursuit of more! Remember how really blessed you are.
Just like homesteading, when you start your contentment journey, keep it simple and start small. Maybe you could give of your time to a friend or someone in need. Make a meal for someone that had a baby or find a charity that aligns with your values and either volunteer or donate money.
As you start to give your time, money and energy, your life will feel lighter and you will start to learn to be content.
Website:
Join our Community of Christian Moms ->
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Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
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Chat Soon!
Monica
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Hey there!
I don’t know if you are like me, but there are still some areas I am working on to get organized in my business and homestead. I feel like my home has great systems, but when it comes to business there are a few things I will have to pay extra attention to and track now that we have more animals.
I just want to give you 7 tips that are working to organize our homestead and online businesses.
- Create a Master Plan: Outline your goals and priorities for both your business and homestead because having a clear plan will guide your organization efforts.
- Set Priorities: We all know that there are a million things you could be doing in business and farm, so you need to identify the most crucial tasks and projects and focus on what truly matters to your business and homestead success.
- Declutter your space: whether its your office or homestead, decluttering is key. Get rid of unnecessary items and creat a clean functional environment that you enjoy working in. Having clutter around me makes my brain spin, so I need everything to be in order so I can easily get projects started and finished.
- Time Blocking: Allocating specific blocks of time for different activities so you can avoid multitasking and it will help keep you focused on one task at a time. This really helped my squirrly brain!
- Digital Organization: I still have a hybrid system of paper and digital but I have been able to move alot of my business online which has helped for many things. Im hoping to add on team members to delegate work to soon, so I wanted to create a system that was not only for me to understand, but simple for anyone else to do as well. I’m still working on that as I would rather be working with my hands than spending time on an electronic device and I have alot to learn as I am technically challenged, but as learning! I just don’t like paper clutter either, so it has helped to get many projects paperless~that is a process as well.
- Delegating Tasks: Don’t hesitate to give jobs to your kids or husband or hire a team member when it is the right time. There are many things that they may enjoy doing and that they may be better with. I would gladly give away any digital jobs because they take up so much more time than an experienced person could do in just a portion of the time it takes me.
- Reflect and adjust: Take time to assess what is working and what needs improvement and then adjust your strategies accordingly
I hope this helps you organize part of your business or homestead. We all are so different that a one size doesn’t fit all, but just trying different ways to do it so that it works for you is key!
~Monic
Website:
Join our Community of Christian Moms ->
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Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com
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