Home is where the heart is, and for many of us in the developed world it’s also where a ton of stuff is! Our home environment truly shapes the course of our day (especially as a homeschool family). I try to have a calm space that meets my kid’s creative needs with outlets for creative play, exercise, and learning… while still keeping the kid’s toys and clutter under control. It’s a huge challenge. In many ways, homeschooling sometimes seems the opposite of a minimalist lifestyle. After all, we’re trying to fit a classroom in our home! Whether you homeschool or…

Sausage-stuffed winter squash is an easy and healthy recipe that makes a great all-in-one main dish on a busy weeknight. We’ll also reheat it for lunch the next day. My kids love the squash “bowls”, and I love that these are a filling and healthy dinner. They’re naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free. Stuffed squash is fancy enough for a Christmas side dish but simple enough to have any day of the week. Stuffed Spaghetti Squash I used spaghetti squash the last time I made these, but any winter squash will work. You can make stuffed acorn squash…

What is it about a Christmas stocking? Old or young, waking up on Christmas morning to a stocking lumpy with little surprises has its own special joy. These healthy stocking stuffer ideas have the perfect gift for everyone on your list! It’s always fun pulling the hidden items out to reveal the small gifts inside. Even if it’s something as small as a pack of gum or as practical as a pair of fuzzy new socks! Having all of these ideas in one big list makes your holiday season shopping even easier (even if you did miss the Black Friday…

With 6 kids and multiple business ventures (and an indoor plant obsession!), it’s easy for things to pile up around the house. Amidst the holiday season gift-giving these gifts can lead to more stress for both the giver and receiver. Over the years we’ve embraced a minimalist lifestyle, including giving experience gifts whenever we could. After some trial and error, it’s now the norm… and the results are amazing! An experience gift can be easy to arrange and thoughtful, even if it’s last minute. They’re also rewarding to both the giver and receiver. And you don’t have to live near…

It’s so easy to let the commercialism of the Christmas season take over. Over the years though, I’ve found that the simple things are often the most meaningful. Store-bought gifts certainly have their place but homemade gift ideas are usually budget-friendly and a great way to give a customized gift. We also focus more on experiences than material gifts (for the most part). There are so many great gift options for DIY homemade gifts, and I hope that you’ll consider joining me in gift-giving this way. Below are a few of my favorite handmade gift ideas and some suggestions for…