How we live without a microwave...

Yes, you read that right!  We don't have a microwave.  About a year ago (and after a strange "zap" our microwave quit working.  "Why don't we just not replace it?!" I said to K.  He easily agreed.  So, we have been without a microwave for a year.

"But Jen,"....you say, "How do you heat up leftovers?"

Well... the same way as we cook them - the oven or the stove. (or sometimes the toaster oven).  And you know what?!  Food and leftovers actually taste better.  They even taste the same as when they were cooked in the first place.

Ever had microwaved leftover chicken? Yeah, gross!  How do we cook sweet potatoes? In the oven.  Yes, it takes a bit longer, but they taste SOOOO much better.  I just try to plan meals better so I am making the most efficient use of my oven (like cooking meat and potatoes and veggies in there all together).

We weren't necessarily concerned about the harmful effects of microwaving food.  It was more just a sense of simplification for us.  Why keep another appliance that takes up valuable counter space if we really don't need it?  We (okay, mostly I) have been trying to make an effort to simplify life and eliminate things we don't need, love, or are extremely useful, so not replacing the microwave seemed like a no brainer to me.

I am working on a plan for de-cluttering and simplifying in the new year and I plan to share it soon.... so stay tuned.....and Happy New Year!!!

Evolution...

I found that in the last few years, as life gets more hectic, the way I want to decorate my home has really evolved.  I want my home to feel more calm and serene.  So, I have been thinking a lot about how to accomplish this.

There are two major solutions that I have come up with: De-clutter and lighten and brighten everything!

I plan to scrutinize everything and decide if we really need it & love it, or if it just adds clutter.  This has been pretty hard for me in the past since I am a "collector" by nature.

If you are working on de-cluttering challenges like me, here are some great tips from Leo Babauta at Zen Habits (one of my favorite blogs to read for inspiration.)

Now go organize something!

Efficiency....

In everything I do, I strive to be more efficient.  To me, that means a lot of things.  It means being able to get healthier, save money, be more organized and keep my house clean and in order (and spend less time doing it), keep my family happy, spend time on myself and my goals, and the list goes on and on...

I want to do all these things more efficiently so that my family and I can be as happy as possible and spend less time worrying about all the small stuff.  

So many posts on so many blogs seem to dedicate so much space to all of these things from organizing, to cleaning, to cooking once-a-month, to making everything DIY.  I guess that means that everyone else is inspired to become more efficient too.  The great thing about that is there is such a plethora of information out there for people to research.  

One of the best reasons to become more efficient is to save money.  Who couldn't use a few extra bucks in their bank account?  Implementing a budget has been one of the hardest things for my family to do, especially when being creative means I have a new plan for a new house project every week!  I am finally going to make it happen people (the budget that is, not all the new projects, but hey maybe I will get extra creative and do both!)  

I plan to do a lot more research and find some great resources for becoming more efficient in everything I do, and as I find them I will share them here with you.

I was really inspired today as I read Blissful and Domestic, a blog written by a woman named Danielle who has certainly embraced a more efficient and frugal lifestyle and it seems like she has fun doing it.  Check it out...and let me know what do you do to be more efficient?