Ever wonder if Thrive Market is right for you? Here's my open and honest Thrive Market review, with the good, the bad and the ugly. Can you save money? Is it really healthy? Come and read for yourself! Have you ever wondered if Thrive Market is a good deal or not? One of the best ways to save money is to dive deep into a store or service and see if it’s a good fit for you and your budget. I’ve tested ... Continue Reading
Showing all results for: meal plan
Homemade Pesto Hummus
This basil pesto hummus recipe is a Zoe's Kitchen copycat and is better than both Sabra and Costco! Make it easy from scratch (or just mix pesto and hummus) and serve over pasta or as a dip. Do you ever find a restaurant that you just LOVE, and you can’t help but want to make all the things you order there at home? When we did the Whole30, we searched EVERYWHERE for a restaurant that was Whole30 compliant ... Continue Reading
How to Budget for Bulk Purchases
Knowing how to budget for a bulk purchase means you can save money! Whether it's from a wholesale store or a farm, it's worth it to budget for bulk items! We all know that buying in bulk saves you money, and I've shared the best foods to buy in bulk to help you stock your pantry with plenty of healthy options. And I've shared how batch cooking can save you money AND time. But what about the BUDGET ... Continue Reading
How to Save Time and Money with Batch Cooking
How to save time and money with batch cooking, whether you're vegan or vegetarian or paleo. These helpful tips are great for beginners and experts alike! Every year I try to make small goals that help my family in our real food journey. This year, one of my goals is to use my freezer more. So far, I’ve done two official freezer cooking sessions under my belt (9 breakfasts in one hour and 10 dump ... Continue Reading
Homemade Chocolate Whipped Cream
As my family continues to quit sugar and eat more whole grains, I try harder and harder to find little ways to make meal time a little more special for the kids. Trust me here - I'm doing anything super crazy and the time investment is minimal. I know that my kids love chocolate, so offering a homemade peanut butter cup from the freezer or a homemade brownie bites as an after school snack really makes ... Continue Reading
Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes
Real food doesn’t have to be complicated. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a joy to create elaborate dinner plans for my family… slow cooker carnitas simmering all day, freshly made corn tortillas, freshly diced tomatoes and onions and cilantro and lime wedges… THIS is what will make my family think about dinner all day long. But sometimes, I need something simple. Like spatchcock chicken. Like homemade Caesar salad. ... Continue Reading
7 Harmful Household Cleaners to Avoid
Earlier this year I hosted a chemical-free living challenge, showing you how to replace dangerous chemicals in your house with natural cleaning options that were just as effective. We worked through one area at a time, focusing on the rooms and spaces that would affect us the most: kitchen, bathroom, laundry and personal care. I knew the chemicals in commercial cleaners were dangerous, but I had NO IDEA just ... Continue Reading
2017 Christmas Letter
If you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you know that it’s a tradition to write a Christmas letter to you our dear readers. You also know that I’m not really that great at keeping traditions (especially in the case of decorating Christmas cookies!). ... Continue Reading
The Best School Lunch Boxes (on a budget)
As of this post, I’ve packed over 1200 school lunches. (Yes, I know you can teach your kids to pack their own school lunches, but I’m not ready to let this part of my job go just yet.) I’ve packed for homeschool and traditional school, and I’ve even packed lunches for summer camps, hiking excursions, and 2500 mile road trips. I’ve packed for toddlers, elementary kids and adults (and have these 18 school ... Continue Reading
25 Insider Cruise Tips to Save Money
My husband and I have a "thing" with cruises. We took one early on in our marriage, and for various reasons - like paying off debt, having kids, moving across the country and saving to buy a house in cash - we didn't take one for 10 years. Then we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with another cruise. Not only was it an amazing way to celebrate, but it confirmed how much we love the food, the sound ... Continue Reading