Simple Meals + Honest Book Reviews + Practical Living
We had our fourth and final baby. Her name is Sophia, and she completes us. We’re a hop, a skip, and a throw away from her first birthday, so it’s probably time I sat down and wrote out her birth story. So here we are.
It’s been a fantastic (and very full) week over here. We’ve had contractors inside the house, contractors outside the house, and what feels like every home project my husband and I have been queueing up finally coming together at once. And honestly? It feels so good.
We’re about 95% finished with our backyard renovation, and it’s everything I hoped it would be. A fully fenced yard, fresh turf, playground mulch, curved planting beds for trees and flowers, a fountain, and brand-new deck furniture. Sitting outside in the evenings has been pure bliss — truly one of the best feelings. And with all that goodness happening, it felt like the perfect time to talk about something very real and very necessary: keeping the playroom under control.
Let’s not dance around it: America’s food supply is a mess.
Our grocery stores are packed with ultra-processed foods, chemical additives, and “ingredients” that are banned outright in many other countries. Flip over almost any package and you’ll find things you can’t pronounce — or worse, things labeled bioengineered with zero explanation.
Between corporate corruption, weak regulation, and a healthcare system that profits more from treatment than prevention, the result is predictable: rising obesity, chronic illness, and kids consuming far more sugar and additives than their bodies were ever meant to handle.
So instead of spiraling (tempting!), I’m focusing on what is within my control: making a handful of simple foods at home. None of this is extreme or crunchy-for-the-sake-of-crunchy. These are realistic swaps that save money, reduce garbage ingredients, and give you peace of mind.
Here are 10 foods I now make at home instead of buying at the store 👇
Our youngest baby is dairy-free, currently, and I’m always looking for ways to surprise us both with delicious dairy-free options. This tomato soup really hits the spot. I’m also a fan that it’s loaded with cashews!
Right now is a great time of the year to walk around your home with a trash bag and a donation bag, and just go to town. The new year energy is fresh, and strong, and sometimes just powering through an hour long declutter session can make a world of difference.
Monday holidays always throw off my entire week. I don’t know. It just does. It was a really fun filled week, lots of snow showers, though it’s a bit too warm to accumulate into actual snow. We had lots of hot chocolate, and great adventures. I’m giving this week a B- for meal planning.