Patty Pan in a Pot

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We love patty pan squash! When they come to the farmer’s market I load up! They keep for weeks, just store in a cool dry place. Patty Pans should feel similar to a zucchini to the touch. The old ones have tough skin, so it’s important to pick them before they get old on the…

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How to Declutter: The Junk Drawer

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This is what my junk drawer looks like. Admission: Before becoming a minimalist I had two junk drawers that were so full of stuff it was breaking the drawers!   I can’t NOT have a junk drawer. (Because it’s way easier to say “Junk drawer” than it is to say “The garage door opener drawer”) How…

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Kefir Pops- Perfect for Summer Weather!

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Looks like a nice creamsicle, doesn’t it?! And Kefir is excellent for controlling seasonal allergies! No guilty feelings about sugar or food coloring! Kefir Pops Ingredients: 4 cups milk kefir 1 cup fruit 2 tablespoons honey Directions: Blend all together and pour into popsicle molds. Set in the freezer and after a couple hours, pull…

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How to Declutter: Bathroom Towels

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Color coded towels. Each person in our family has their own towel color. That’s all we ever use. We have 7 people in our family so we have 7 different colored towels. I keep 2 extras in the cabinet for when we have company from out of town. Colored coded towels save time and loads…

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Grilled Hake with Cilantro and Lime Butter

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I’m always trying new takes on grilled meat over the summer… Well, anything on the grill is good in my book! Grilled Hake with Cilantro and Lime Butter Ingredients: 4 Hake fillets 1/2 cup butter 2 limes, juiced 1 bunch cilantro, chopped Directions: Melt butter, mix in lime and cilantro. Spread over hake fillets and marinate 1-2 hours.…

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The Enemy of Minimalism: Sentimental Feelings.

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Oh Sentimental feelings… The quilt that Great-great-grandma made… The coffee cup one of the boys painted for me in school… but I can’t use because he painted the inside and it wasn’t non-toxic paint… The antique doll stroller that was my moms and probably my grandma’s… Oh and I heard an interesting one today: The…

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The Best Shrimp Scampi. Ever.

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Can there be a better main dish?! Being in land-locked Montana has some benefits: I can get awesome grass fed beef and locally grown grains. But I would love to shop in a fresh seafood market on the coast… Just to make this: The Best Shrimp Scampi. Ever.   Ingredients: 1 lb cooked/frozen diveined shrimp…

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Grilled Sausage and Pineapple

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Needing a simple summer dinner that looks and smells fabulous? This will have everyone running to the table in anticipation! Grilled Sausage and Pineapple Ingredients: Polish Sausage (sugar and nitrate free) Fresh or frozen pineapple (I used frozen) Coconut oil Directions: Preheat grill to 400 degree F. Drizzle pineapple with oil, place large pieces directly on grill or…

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Minimal Toys

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Wooden blocks have been wonderful with a couple wooden cars and plain wooden people.  16 years worth of parenting and we have gone through a ridiculous amount of toys. All those wonderful educational toys… that never got played with. We had birthday gatherings and all the family members would bring incredible new toys for the kids to enjoy.…

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Cabbage, Apple and Raisin Salad

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This simple salad is quick and easy to put together and tastes delicious! It’s perfect with friends during these warm summer months! Cabbage, Apple & Raisin Salad Ingredients: 1 small head of cabbage, chopped 1 large red apple, chopped 1/4 c. raisins (more or less to taste) 1/4 c. mayonnaise (Just enough to moisten the salad)…

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