simplify Archives - Dine and Dish

Simple Solutions for Living

Kristen — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 19:54:45 +0000

My year as a SimpleHuman brand ambassador is winding down. Considering that my focus word for 2013 is Simplicity, this has been such a great partnership. If there is any company out there that personifies simplifying, it would be SimpleHuman!

Having SimpleHuman products in my life has definitely helped me to focus (without really focusing) on simplicity. Some other things I have done to simplify my life in the past 8 months are:

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Simplify Saturday – The Kindle Paperwhite

Kristen — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:45:03 +0000

If you follow Dine & Dish at all, you know I love to read. For today’s Simplify Saturday I’m telling you about the Kindle Paperwhite… a wonderful little e-reader that has simplified the way I read books.

Let me preface this post by saying I have tried and owned numerous e-readers before. We have one of the original Kindles, a second Kindle (my husbands), a Kindle Fire (my sons), a Nook and the Kindle app on the iPad. Until getting the Kindle Paperwhite, I really wasn’t a fan of e-books. I enjoyed the convenience of being able to download an e-book whenever I needed one but reading on the devices I listed just didn’t feel natural to me. I didn’t like the flow, layout, functionality of the other devices. Plus, I found with the devices that were more than just e-readers (Kindle Fire and iPad apps) I would get too distracted by the other apps and things on the devices, which would cut into the time I would spend reading. Even with all of those devices on hand, I found myself turning back to “real” books instead of my e-reader….

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Dine & Dish Menu Plan for January 20th – 26th

Kristen — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:50:27 +0000

First of all, it bothers the absolute heck out of me that I can’t take a straight picture to save my life. I swear my house must be crooked. Anyway…

This week I’m sharing our menu plan for this coming week as well as the recipe for Bush’s Black Bean Tortilla Chili that was a hit from last week’s menu. Here is what we have planned for this coming week:…

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Dine & Dish Menu Plan for January 13th – 19th

Kristen — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 23:51:33 +0000

I’ve decided to do a quick post on Sundays to share what’s planned for our menu during the week. I hope it gives you some inspiration of things to add to your own menu. At the very least, if I have it on my blog, I know I won’t lose it like I would the sticky note I write it down on. Have a great week!

Sunday, January 13th: Orange Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry (we had this today and it was amazing… a definite keeper!)
Monday, January 14th: Spaghetti Red (a family recipe – I’ll blog it for you after I make it and take pictures!)
Tuesday, January 15th: Garlic and Soy Baked Chicken Thighs
Wednesday, January 16th: Black Bean Tortilla Chili
Thursday, January 17th: Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Friday, January 18th: Pizza Night
Saturday, January 19th: Half Hour Chicken Gumbo

What’s on your menu this week?

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Simplify Mealtime {Recipe: Oven Roast Turkey Breast}

Kristen — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:00:51 +0000

This week started right on track, and I love it. I was able to sit down on Sunday afternoon and create a simple menu plan for our family meals. I made a list and went shopping and have truly appreciated how much time and money has been saved simply because I planned. I know that to keep my focus word for 2013 forefront, planning is going to be essential. Hopefully I can hold on to this feeling of “having my stuff together” so I can stay motivated to continue on the right track.

Over the weekend I read Amy Allen Clark’s new book “The Good Life for Less: Giving Your Family Great Meals, Good Times, and a Happy Home on a Budget“. Amy is one of those people I have always truly admired and I’m happy to call her a friend. Her book has some serious “ah-ha” moments for me… like the feature recipe for this post. Amy suggested buying a turkey breast and roasting it for lunch meat and meals instead of buying packaged lunch meat. It usually tastes better and it’s oh so easy! Why didn’t I think of this before?…

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Simplify in 2013 {A Rusted Chain Jewelry Giveaway!}

Kristen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:21:11 +0000

Happy New Year! What? I’m a week behind? The new year actually started last week?

Oh, I know, but I’m counting today as my new year. You see, the kids went back to school today and I always feel like I can’t really get started with all my new year plans until they are out of the house. So, cheers to you! Raise a glass and let’s celebrate the start of 2013!

Each year, I’ve blogged about my “word” for the year. A couple years ago it was “HAPPINESS“, last year it was “CONNECT” and I’ve decided that this year, my word is going to be “SIMPLIFY”.

I chose the word “SIMPLIFY” this year because getting back to basics and eliminating the physical and emotional “crap” in my life is important. I know that when I keep things simple, I’m happier and therefore my family is happier. Simplify in 2013 means:…

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