Monday Mention – Practical Solutions for Everyday

We’re three weeks into January, and chances are, you’ve set a few personal or professional goals for yourself. I’ve noticed a lot of people diving into post-holiday organization, clearing out the clutter, and sharing their progress online. While I totally get the motivation, I also feel the overwhelming pressure to “do all the things.”

In full transparency, I’ve had to tune out the noise that constantly floods our social media feeds. Messages like: Do more. Buy this. Try that. Here’s the latest and greatest thing you absolutely need can quickly become too much.

It’s a lot.

Here’s where I’m at: I want practical solutions that work for our family. I approach organizing by first assessing what we already have at home. Then, I figure out how to make it work without overspending on trendy organizational products.

Two Pain Points in Our Home:

  1. Too many water cups sitting out around the house.
  2. Constantly digging through the pantry or fridge to find things—only to realize I have to move five items to get to the one I need.

If you’re tired of washing cups nonstop or filling the dishwasher’s top rack every day, let me introduce you to the simplest solution that’s been a game-changer in our home, magnetic cups! The best part? It’s affordable!

You can look at the various color options here, Magnetic Cups or Magnetic Cups with Lids

Want to know what happened when these small changes were made in our home? It gave our three boys responsibility they could control with their water cups. There was no longer a question about, “who’s cup is this?” Our 4-year-old listened to directions about how to use the cup one time and took ownership in getting his own water, dumping out what he didn’t drink, and putting the cup back on the fridge where he can reach it.

Kids want responsibility.

Now, let’s talk about the fridge and pantry. Do you have family members who open the fridge, take one look, and immediately ask you where something is? Let’s be honest—most of the time, they haven’t even tried to find it.

I came across these acrylic lazy Susans at our local TJ Maxx, and I instantly knew they could help. They’re perfect for organizing condiments, cooking essentials, and all those pantry staples we reach for regularly.

These two small, affordable purchases have made a huge difference. The counters are clearer, and it’s so much easier to find what we need in both the fridge and pantry. This two pack would be perfect, Lazy Susans

Cheap. Practical. Problem solved.

I’m reminded of a verse from Ecclesiastes 4:6: “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” It’s such a grounding reminder that more isn’t always better. Sometimes, less is exactly what we need—less stuff, less striving, and less pressure to keep up.

Let’s lean into finding solutions that work for your family—starting with what you already have at home. You might be surprised by how simple changes can make a big impact.

Double the Delight

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by creating a memorable mess in the kitchen with your little ones, by baking delicious themed treats that are sweeter because they helped.

These two kid-friendly treats are both interactive, delicious, and semi-healthy? Can a cookie be healthy? One of these cookies is topped with fresh fruit of your choice so let’s call it, healthy-ish.

First up we have mini fruit pizzas.

My memories of fruit pizzas go WAY back. I vividly remember my aunt and uncle bringing ingredients and the activity for fruit pizzas to one of our family gatherings at my grandparents home. 

All you have to do is make a classic sugar cookie, following any recipe of your choosing, and use heart shaped cookie cutters to make them Valentine themed.

Wash and prep fresh fruit for toppings and make this simple cream cheese frosting that you will use as the glue that holds the fruit on the cookie. 

After the cookies have cooled, fill a jar with icing and provide a small spatula or butter knife for the kids to spread the icing on their cookies. You may have to assist with this part. 

On a platter, arrange the fruit options that will serve as the toppings for their individual cookie pizzas and let them create.

The next Valentine themed cookie is a play on a classic thumbprint cookie. This recipe is vegan and gluten free too.

Instead of pressing a thumb into the center of the dough balls as you normally would for the classic version, you will help your little one use the side of thumb to press into the dough ball twice to form a heart. 

No two hearts are equal but that is the beauty of these personalized heart prints.

You can fill the hearts with a jam flavor of your choice. We usually have the organic strawberry preserves from Costco on hand. It has basic ingredients and is free from high fructose corn syrup.

Baking with kids can be an opportunity to bond and laugh with your little one. It isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the shared moments, the laughter, and the love that goes into making the special treats.

So, gather your ingredients, embrace the joyous mess, and enjoy creating sweet memories that will last far beyond the heart shaped bites.

Take HEART & bake, for Haven’s Sake.

Delicious + Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

I recently saw Jennifer Gardner share a recipe for pumpkin muffins on her pretend cooking show, which I love, and had to give them a go.  

After reading over the ingredient list, I knew I could make simple modifications to make them gluten free. 

Let me tell you, they are delicious and were loved by everyone in the family.

In the past when I’ve made pumpkin muffins, I’ve topped them with either unsweetened dried cranberries and/or butterscotch or chocolate chips. Our boys requested butterscotch on them this time. They add just a tiny bit of sweetness without being too much.

I hope you enjoy these as much as we did.

Whole 30 Top Meals for our Family

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Paleo Running Mama Stir Fry

Recipe Here

Crockpot Whole Chicken

Sheet pan meatloaf & veggies – Follow Skinnytaste’s Recipe but omit the oats and Worcestershire sauce, substitute coconut aminos and a splash of rice vinegar.

Marry Me Chicken

Recipe Here

See my first Whole 30 blog post where I shared several favorite recipes, below.

Whole 30 Recipes