Claiming Simplicity | Simple Life, Natural Living, Cooking from Scratch, Intentional Living, Save Money, Simple Systems

EP 162 // Stress Free Steps to Transform Your Kitchen With Simple DIY Non Toxic Cleaning Recipes to Remove Toxins fromYour Home and Live More Naturally

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

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EP 161 // Preparing for a New Homestead Without Land and Learning Sufficiency Skills While You Wait

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

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EP 160 // No Spend Challenge Recap for 2024 Spending Only $14 on Groceries in January for Our Family of 4

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

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EP 159 // Simple Foods to Cook From Scratch and Stop Buying at the Grocery Store No Matter How Busy You Are

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!

 

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Love ya friend!

Monica

 

EP 158 // Do You Want to Live With More Contentment in Your Life so You Can Enjoy Time Doing What You Love

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.

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Chat Soon!

Monica

EP 157 // 7 Simple Ways to Get Your Home Business or Homestead Organized this Year so You can Enjoy Less Stress and Less Overwhelm

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.  

 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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! 
5. 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.
6. 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.  
7. 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

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EP 156 // Staying Healthy Naturally During Cold and Flu Season on a Simple Budget

Hi Friend

Since it is flu season and everyone seems to be getting sick, I just wanted to talk about what we do to stay healthy.  It is very very rare that my family gets sick and even though we are around sick people often, we really haven’t been sick in years. I will pick up shift on occasion in urgent care with very sick people and still don’t get sick.

One of the things that we added to our health routine about 5 years ago was we started eating  juice plus which is an extensively researched company and no matter how healthy we eat, our soil is depleted and just doesn’t have the nutrients that our body needs.  I believe this is the most important change that we made from being sick to healthy for over 5 years.  Let me know if you want more information and I would be happy to share it with you.  There are some other products out there that look similar, but they don’t have the research studies that this company has.  Many olympians and professional athletes take this also to improve their performance. 

 

Next, we try to stay away from processed food.  I used to think our family ate pretty healthy until I started reading labels and saw all the hidden ingredients and dyes.  We have slowly switched to making all our own bread & pasta products, many dairy products, and swapping out as many snacks and other items as I can easily make from scratch at home.  There really isn’t much time involved, it is just mostly figuring out how you can make the products you are already buying, so it does take a little research and planning, but I have a whole list of things I can’t wait to teach you so you don’t have to waste time doing that yourself!  

 

We also stick to mostly drinking water and try to stay away from any expensive or unhealthy drinks.  This keeps us hydrated and even in the winter it is just as important to stay hydrated for optimal health and wellness.

 

We do use home remedies too in case we start to feel off and that will usually take care of the illness before anything shows up.

 

I do believe that growing our own organic fruits and vegetables also helps keep us well. Many years ago we started buying the organic dirty dozen but it did get quite expensive, so that is another reason we choose to grow as much food in our garden as we can.  Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated either.  I did not grow up with a garden and so our garden is not a traditional garden, but we have made it so simple that I don’t have to worry about weeds, it gets watered on a timer and is simple so I can manage it even when on vacation for a few weeks.  We had our garden like this for 3 years, so I am hoping to keep it as simple as possible at our new home as well.  

 

Your health and wellness matter, so take control of it yourself and you will feel the difference!

Website:

Claimingsimplicity.com

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Fruits & Veggies -> monicabaker.juiceplus.com

 

~Monica

EP 155 // Did You Know Eating Seasonally as a Homesteader Can Save You Money on Food? 7 Ways to Reduce Your Grocery Budget in the Future

Hey Friend

Eating seasonally refers to the practice of consuming foods that are naturally harvested and available during a specific time of the year. This approach involves aligning your diet with the natural growing cycles of various fruits, vegetables, and other food items.

Eating seasonally means choosing foods that are harvested at their peak ripeness during a particular season. For example, enjoying watermelon and berries in the summer, or butternut squash and apples in the fall.

 

Seasonal eating often involves selecting foods that are locally grown and available in your region. This supports local farmers and reduces the environmental impact of transporting produce over long distances

 

Seasonal foods are picked at their prime, offering the best taste and nutritional value. Freshness and flavor are heightened when you consume foods during their natural season.

 

Seasonal produce tends to be more nutrient-dense because it is allowed to fully ripen before harvest. This means you get a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals in your meals.

 

Eating seasonally fosters a connection with the changing seasons and the natural rhythm of agricultural cycles. It encourages a sense of mindfulness about the origin and availability of your food

 

Here are some budget friendly tips to saving money on food.

~Purchase fruits and vegetables from local farmers' markets or directly from farmers. Local produce is often more affordable, and you support local businesses if you are not growing your own produce.

~Take advantage of bulk discounts when seasonal items are abundant. You can freeze or preserve extras for later use, ensuring you have affordable, fresh options year-round.  Since we moved last year, I had to buy more produce because I wasn’t able to grow everything myself last year.  Actually, we just recently took our frozen tomatoes out of the freezer and made our spaghetti sauce.  

~Farmers' markets often offer competitive prices, and you might find unique, seasonal produce that's more affordable than in supermarkets

~If you have any CSA programs around you, they allow you to buy a share of a local farm's harvest. This not only supports farmers but also provides you with a regular supply of seasonal produce at a potentially lower cost, so this is a great option too if you don’t grow your own food.  

~Tailor your meal plans based on what's in season. This helps you take advantage of lower prices for in-season items and avoids the expense of out-of-season produce.  We eat ALOT of zucchini in the summer……..zuchinni noodles, zucchini tots, fried zucchini, grilled zucchini and all kinds of great meals.  

~When seasonal fruits and veggies are abundant and less expensive, consider preserving or freezing them for later. This allows you to enjoy seasonal flavors throughout the year without paying a premium price.

~Prepare larger quantities of meals when seasonal ingredients are affordable, and freeze portions for later. This can save you money by avoiding last-minute, more expensive food choices

By aligning your grocery shopping with the seasons and being mindful of where and how you purchase your food, you can savor the benefits of seasonal eating while keeping your budget in check

Overall, eating seasonally is a holistic approach that considers the natural cycles of food production, supports local agriculture, and enhances the taste and nutritional quality of your meals. It's a wonderful way to enjoy a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle

~Monica

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EP 154 // How to Have More Contentment in Your Everyday Life When it Seems Busy and Overwhelming

Hello Friend!

God has put it on my heart to talk about contentment whether you are a beginning homesteader or just striving to get by every day as a busy mom.  I think in this modern world we live in, we are so focused on what we have and who has more instead of just being happy where we are at. If you are doing work you hate to just have more things, you are missing the joy in every day.  Day in and day out, you are just going through the motion instead of living the dream God has for you.  When you seek after Him like never before, you will find peace and contentment.  

I love John 14:27 Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  This means that unlike worldy peace, Jesus' peace gives us confident assurance in any circumstance.

I often think about if I am living my daily life the same way as if I only had a week or month to live and there are times I need to step back-especially in business because I love to be productive and I love the work I am doing, so it is easy to spend more time on it and this is where I have to set my boundaries. 

You can’t be happy if you are not content.  It is hard to have joy and purpose if you are not happy and I believe social media has ramped up this feeling of discontent because you are only seeing the highlight reels.  This is one reason I have a hard time posting on social.  I don’t want everyone to be envious of this life we have created.  I love it and enjoy it every day, but if you are still working toward this life of time freedom, it can make you become somewhat discontent and that is the last thing that I want for you friend.  

So many of you are dreaming of a farmstead or homestead, but there are so many things you can do right where you are to get there someday.  I can’t emphasize enough about learning!  When you learn the skills right where you are now, you are less likely to become overwhelmed when you actually get to where you want to be.  Remember, God’s timing is perfect, so stay content in where he has you right now whether it be an apartment or in the city and keep dreaming and asking God what His will is for you.

Not only will contentment bring you joy and purpose, but it also reduces stress and makes your life so much more enjoyable and there is such freedom in contentment to be who God created you to be and live the life you can only dream of.

Here are a few items for you to start your journey to contentment.  First pray~this is the most important thing you can do in every situation in your life.  Next, remove items from your home that you have not used recently and declutter as much as you can in your home and learn to be happy with less.  There are many studies about clutter and mental health.  Less stuff is so freeing and will also eliminate hours of time in managing the stuff and also less cleaning.  I was recently with someone that was stressed out about getting her house cleaned before someone came over, but once you have simple systems in place and less stuff, your whole life can change because you will have more time to make memories and less time managing your home and you won’t have to worry about someone stopping over!

 

I pray that you can find more contentment and peace in your daily walk.  

~Monica

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EP 153 // 5 Simple Routines to Keep Your Home Clean to Have Less Stress so You Don’t Have to Worry if Someone is Coming Over Unexpectedly

Happy Day!

I want you to have a home that is easy to keep clean and manage.  Once you get a system down, you don’t ever have to worry about unexpected guests coming over.  Really-you shouldn’t worry about that anyway because they are probably over to just enjoy your company.

Every year, I have to go through our inventory and also evaluate if there is something that isn’t working.  I talked a few episodes ago how things in our pantry were getting stacked up on the counter and we weren’t able to open the doors above that space and we had to put another stand in place to keep that from happening and this is similar to your systems for cleaning your house.

What is working?  Are you able to keep the counters clean and clear of clutter?  If not, what can you do to change that.  If it is mail that is coming into the home and getting stacked up on the counter.  Find a system that can stop that habit.  Mail has never been an issue for me.  I look through the mail as I come in from the mailbox, put any unwanted items in the garbage and then it you need to do something with some of it, have a bin for that and then have another bin for look at someday.  This would be something like seed catalogs or something you want to look at but don’t have time right now.  Did I mention seed catalogs?  Anyone else getting excited for our season?  Anyways…..If it is dishes on the counter and in the sink, can you make sure that you get them into the dishwasher or washed every evening so you don’t wake up to a mess right away in the morning?  You could also rinse and put them right into the dishwasher during the day as you use them.

If you are having problem keeping your bathroom clean, one thing that is so simple to do is to make sure to have your cleaning spray right below your cabinet and clean the counter off and spray it down right after you are done getting ready in the morning.  It just takes a few seconds.  If there are clothes laying around, put a basket to put them into or make sure you are bringing them to the laundry instead of leaving them on the floor.  If your toilet is dirty, just take a couple minutes to clean it after you are done using it.  These things don’t take much time, but if you let them get out of hand, they can get much dirtier and harder to clean.

Maybe it is your entry way that gets cluttered up quickly.  If it is coats, you hang some hooks so that it is easy to hang up.  My family is more likely to hang their coat on a hook than open a closet door and put it on a hanger.  Plus, many times, you hands are full when you walk in the door, so it is much simpler to have hooks.  If we get too many shoes in that area, I have everyone take their shoes to their room because you can only wear 1 pair at a time.  It seems like you have alot more shoes with girls than boys, thats for sure!

It could be your living room that is causing your stress and hard to keep clean.  Once again, evaluate where the problem is.  It may be that you have to declutter so you have less stuff to manage because that will not only keep your house cleaner, it will also clear your mind.  What can you do without?  If there is garbage laying around, have your whole family of putting it in the garbage.  What can you do to streamline this process?  

Start with one area of your home and create systems to keep that area clean and then once that is on autopilot, start on the next area of your home.  I used to spend hours cleaning my home, but once I simplified everything, decluttered and made simple systems, I feel like I rarely ever clean.  It just becomes a habit and you will have less stress once you get your systems in place.

Blessings!

Monica

Website:

Claimingsimplicity.com

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