But here’s the truth: weeknight dinners don’t have to feel like a second job. With a little planning and a few go-to strategies, you can get a meal on the table without losing your sanity (or resorting to takeout every night).

Here’s how to simplify weeknight dinners during busy seasons. These are realistic tips that work whether you’re cooking for yourself or a family.

1. Lean on a Small Rotation Easy Dinner Ideas

You don’t need 30 new recipes to keep dinner interesting. In fact, a short rotation of 3-5 reliable meals is often the secret to making weeknights easier. Having a good rotation of favourites will change the way you approach weeknight dinners.

• Taco night with a mix of proteins (ground beef or chicken). We are living for low-carb tortillas in my house.
• Sheet pan dinners (chicken + veggies roasted together = now lift and nutritious).
• Stir-fries with frozen veggies and rice.
• Pasta night with a quick salad on the side. Everyone loves a good spaghetti bolognese.
• Treat yourself to an easy takeout on Friday nights and order a little extra for Saturday leftovers.
• Make Sunday a “clear out the fridge” day and enjoy a buffet of leftovers. We call this our “potluck” in my house!

Write these down, keep them on the fridge, and rotate them throughout the week.

2. Meal Prep Once, Enjoy the Benefits All Week

Meal prepping doesn’t have to mean spending your entire Sunday chopping vegetables. Instead, try small, targeted prep that saves time all week:

• Wash and chop produce ahead of time. Keep prepped fruit on hand for an easy snack, especially if you have little ones.
• Cook a batch of rice, quinoa, or pasta to use in multiple meals throughout the week.
• Double a recipe and freeze half for a future weeknight. Pasta sauces and soups reheat very well.

Even 20 minutes of prep can save you hours when you’re rushing midweek.

3. Keep a “Rescue Dinner” on Hand

Some nights everything falls apart. Meetings run late, the kids melt down, or you just don’t have the energy to stand in the kitchen after a long day. That’s when a rescue dinner saves the day.

• A frozen pizza with a quick side salad. We’ve been loving the President’s Choice Sweet Heat Pepperoni flatbread.
• Store-bought rotisserie chicken with bagged salads.

The key? Don’t feel guilty. A rescue dinner is still dinner.

4. Use the Right Tools

The right kitchen gadgets can make dinner easier and faster.

• Air fryer: reheats, roasts, and crisps in minutes. We’ve been living without a microwave for almost three years, and our air fryer is such an underrated appliance.
• Slow cooker: set it in the morning, dinner’s ready when you walk in. I have been loving slow-cooker ribs. Serve with the rice you prepped earlier in the week and an easy veggie such as a cucumber salad.
• Storage containers: make batch cooking and leftovers easy to grab.

5. Involve the Family in Dinner Prep

Even if your kids are small, giving them tiny jobs (washing veggies, setting the table) makes dinner less of a solo burden. Don’t hesitate to delegate cooking or cleanup so that everyone can wind down even quicker.

6. Lean on Meal Delivery Services

Sometimes the simplest way to get dinner on the table is to let someone else do the heavy lifting. Meal delivery kits and services can take the stress out of meal planning and grocery shopping, especially during your busiest seasons.

• Meal kits like Goodfood, HelloFresh, or Chef’s Plate provide pre-portioned ingredients and simple recipes so you can skip the “what’s for dinner?” debate.
• Prepared meal services (like Factor) give you ready-to-heat meals for nights you truly don’t have the motivation to cook.
• Grocery delivery can also be a game-changer when you’re pressed for time. No more 6 p.m. supermarket runs during rush hour.

Final Thoughts

Simplifying weeknight dinners isn’t about elaborate recipes. It’s about reducing decision fatigue and having to think on your feet. By keeping a short rotation of meals, doing a little prep, and giving yourself permission to lean on shortcuts, you’ll free up more time (and energy) for the things that actually matter. Like cuddling on the couch and catching an episode of your favourite show before bed.

Dinner doesn’t have to be perfect to be good.

RELATED: 10 Small But Powerful Systems To Make Mom Life Run Smoother

The post How to Simplify Weeknight Dinners During Busy Seasons appeared first on Told By Jo.

This season is the perfect time to pause, take stock, and make your everyday life feel lighter and more intentional.

Here’s how to do a fall reset with small rituals that will ground you now and carry you into the rest of the year.

1. Clear Out the Summer Clutter

The quickest way to invite fresh energy? Let go of the stuff you don’t need. This is sometimes a tough one because summer isn’t entirely over in September, but it is slightly warm in the afternoons and cool in the evening.

• Swap out summer clothes you didn’t wear and tuck away swimsuits + sandals. If storage space is an issue, consider getting these storage bag organizers that you can store under your bed. It’s a great way to do the seasonal swap and make room in your closet for the current season.
• Do a quick fridge refresh: out with wilted produce and those leftovers that have been tucked away in the back. As farm season rolls back around, bring in the fall staples for cozy meals like soups.
• Create one “drop zone” for keys, mail, and random kid stuff to avoid piles everywhere. An easy-to-install holder like this is perfect for the inside of a closet near the front door. This way, it isn’t an eyesore, especially in small spaces.

2. Simplify Your Morning Routine

Mornings set the tone for your whole day, and if you’re anything like me, they can spiral fast. A reset doesn’t mean a 5 am wake-up call; it means cutting the friction and making fewer decisions in the moment.

• Lay out outfits the night before (yes, even if it’s just casual pants and a cardigan).
• Prep coffee or fill your water bottle ahead of time.
• Keep your everyday makeup essentials in an easy-to-reach place.

→ These 5-minute beauty hacks can help you get out the door even faster in the morning.

3. Make Evenings Cozy Again

Summer nights are all about being out late. Fall is when home starts calling again. Your favourite shows are back and it starts to get dark a little earlier. This is the perfect combination for cozy nights.

• Light a candle after dinner and make tea instead of reaching for your phone.
• Catch an episode of your favourite “comfort show” or book for winding down.
• Pick one small nighttime ritual (skincare, journaling, stretching) to signal to your brain that the day is done. This doesn’t have to be an elaborate step, just something small and intentional that you can repeat most days.

4. Revisit Your Goals and Resolutions for the Year

We’re entering the last stretch of the year, which can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, this impending doom of the year coming to an end makes you realize that you have very little time to accomplish your goals.

Instead of stressing over what you haven’t done, focus on one or two areas you’d like to end the year strong. Don’t underestimate the power of creating a “tada!” list of things that you did accomplish.

• Write down 3 things you’d like to feel proud of by December.
• Break each down into the tiniest next step possible.
• Let go of the rest. Progress over perfection.

5. Add a Touch of Seasonal

This isn’t about pumpkin spice overload (unless that’s your thing). It’s about leaning into little joys that make the season feel special.

• Fresh fall-inspired flowers by the front door or as a centrepiece at the dining room table.
• A new playlist for your commute or morning coffee. Lofi playlists are my morning vibe as I am getting ready and drinking my coffee.
• Bake something once this month, even if it’s just a box mix. I am all about ginger in the fall – hello, ginger molasses cookies.

Adapting a fall reset routine isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about creating just enough structure to feel grounded while leaving space for cozy, everyday joys.

Here’s to easing into fall with routines that support you, not stress you out.

Need a deeper reset? Grab the free Busy Woman’s Reset Guide for realistic ways to recharge on days when you just can’t. → Download it here

The post How to Do a Fall Reset: Easy Habits to Feel Grounded This Season appeared first on Told By Jo.

From the moment we placed our mattress order, I knew we had entered a new realm of adulthood. Nothing says ‘adulting’ more than the excitement you get over furniture and home decor. I’d slept on the same mattress for most of my teenage and early adult years so this was a big deal. I mean, how often did your parents buy you a new mattress growing up? In most households, mattresses were passed down amongst children, like a family heirloom, if you will.

The ordering process was simple and delivery was free and lightning-fast.

When our Endy mattress was delivered, I could not wait for my husband to get home for me to unbox it. The unboxing process was simple and quick – I was 8 months pregnant and was able to help with most of the unboxing. The mattress and pillows came vacuum sealed in their respective boxes so once they were opened, they didn’t take long to plump up.

About the Endy Mattress

Endy prides itself in helping you rest easy with the comfort and support its products deliver. The Endy mattress is made with Comfort Foam, providing maximal support and comfort while you sleep. No more sinking into your mattress! The reduced motion transfer allows you to get in and out of bed without disturbing your partner.

The Endy mattresses (and pillows!) have covers that zip off for easy machine washing. This is great for families with children to help prevent long-lasting mattress stains. Endy is also proudly Canadian, vegan, cruelty-free and offers a 100-night trial for their mattresses. This means they stand behind their products and are confident that it’ll be love at first sleep!

How Our Sleep Has Changed Since Switching to the Endy Mattress

Since switching to the Endy mattress, we have been sleeping better than we have in a long time. Our previous mattress started to sink in the parts where we slept the most, making sleep very uncomfortable. My husband has seen a huge improvement in his back pain since the switch and attests that the Endy mattress is the perfect balance between firmness and comfort.

I have noticed that I’m not overheating at night and owe this to the Comfort Foam’s breathable technology. The Endy pillows have also been a lovely addition to my sleep routine. I cannot remember the last time I woke up with a sore neck from sleeping uncomfortably.

5 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

No matter how great your mattress is, it’s important to practice good sleeping habits. Your nightly sleep routine doesn’t have to be elaborate to be effective. Here are five things you can do each night to ensure that you’re getting the best sleep possible.

1. Invest in a comfortable pillow and mattress.

2. Avoid having your last meal too close to bedtime.

3. Unplug and try to eliminate screen time at least thirty minutes before bed.

4. Use a humidifier.

5. Keep your bedroom at a comfortable and cool temperature.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we could not be happier with our mattress and we have vowed that any mattress we purchase from now on will have to be Endy. We want our guests to experience the same great sleep that we do!

As new and first-time parents, sleep is very important to us. While we don’t always get a full eight hours of sleep every night, we can be certain that the few hours we get are comfortable. I love that if I need to get up in the middle of the night to feed and change the baby in bed, my husband can still sleep soundly and be well-rested for work the following day.

I asked my husband what his one takeaway was over the past couple of months with our Endy mattress and he said:

“I sleep much better through the night because of our new mattress. It is comfortable yet firm and sturdy so my back doesn’t hurt as much anymore.”

Without question, we would recommend the Endy mattress to friends and family. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, I promise that your search ends here. Check out Endy and take them up on their 100-night risk-free trial. It’ll be one of the best decisions you make this year.

The post The Key to a Good Night’s Sleep with the Endy Mattress appeared first on Told By Jo.

Automate reoccurring bills to ensure that you’re not missing payments

One of the easiest ways to stay on top of your finances is to make sure that your bills are paid on time. By automating payments through your bank, you reduce the risk of forgetting. Most institutions (such as your credit card company) will penalize you for late payment by hitting you with interest fees. A few dollars here and there spread out across all your accounts certainly adds up.

By now, most (if not all) service providers have the capability of setting you up on direct debit. I’m a big fan of the “set it and forget it method”.

Go through your bank statements monthly

Make it a point to review your bank statements on a monthly basis and look for suspicious charges. While it doesn’t happen often, sometimes companies accidentally double charge you for services. I once paid for a coffee using ApplePay on my phone and was told the payment “didn’t go through”. I was asked to insert my card and key in my details as normal. Later on, I checked my bank account and realized I had been charged twice.

In this instance, the damage was only a few dollars but it can certainly happen on a larger scale. This is a common occurrence with credit cards. With most spending so much time online shopping, we run the risk of getting our information compromised.

It’s not unheard of for banking information to land in the wrong hands via the internet. The sooner you spot a mistake on your bank statements, the sooner you can get the issue rectified.

Learn to not spend more money than you have coming in

Before I got a credit card, my biggest fear was spending a whole bunch of money that I wouldn’t be able to pay back. As I have become more financially literate, I understand that credit cards are not a means of supplementing your income. I’m a strong believer in not putting a purchase on your credit card that you cannot afford to pay for in cash.

Your monthly income may fluctuate but you should have a general idea of what is coming in. If you have inconsistent pay, create your budget using the lower end of the spectrum.

Budgeting does not always mean creating an extensive excel spreadsheet and accounting for every penny spent. Having a well-thought-out plan of how your money is going to spend can be quite simple. Doing your research can certainly help you get on track. There are tons of online resources for people looking for actionable budgeting tips for the new year and beyond.

Check up on cancelled subscription services and “free trials”

If you’ve stopped subscription services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) make sure that the companies stop billing you. It doesn’t hurt to also check the fine print in the agreements to make sure that you’re not bound by any terms. Another major problem is free trials. We all sign up for them to find a way around getting things we don’t want to pay for long term.

The problem with free trials is that we often forget to cancel before it’s too late. The longer the trial (some go for months!) the less likely you are to remember to cancel. This is a big one that often gets overlooked. I’ve been charged one too many times for services that I intended to only use for a short period of time.

The clincher with free trials is that the service is often so pricey that you don’t actually want to extend past the trial. If you must sign up for trials, keep these pointers in mind:

• If possible, avoid entering your credit card information prior to starting the trial. Some services don’t require this during the trial period – you simply lose access once your time is up.
• Set a calendar reminder a few days before the end of the trial, in case cancellation takes time to take effect.
• Start up another trial with your secondary email address. This isn’t me saying you should go create multiple email addresses to mess with the system. No, not at all. Most people have at least two email addresses (we all have that one that junk mail goes to). In the name of saving money, sometimes it’s necessary.

Even if you’re in debt, there is always a way out

If you are looking at this post and thinking to yourself “I’m so far gone”, you’re wrong. It’s never too late to get things right. Getting yourself out of debt might mean tightening up on your spending for some time. The process will take time and it certainly won’t be easy but it is possible. Click here to learn the six-step process that can help you get out of debt.

I will continue to mumble in frustration at the school system for not teaching financial literacy. If you are not fortunate enough to learn money skills at home, you’ll likely learn the hard way. Unless you’re very resourceful and know where to look (like reading this post, for instance).

Learn to enjoy your money and treat yourself in moderation

This article from The Everygirl talks about the misconceptions of overspending. Having your daily or weekly dose of Starbucks is not the epitome of reckless spending. Find your balance and figure out what works for you!

Related: Money Hacks to Help you Save for a Big Purchase

The post Budgeting Tips for the New Year and How to Start 2022 off on the Right Track appeared first on Told By Jo.

With the current climate of the world, it seems like working from home is the new normal. Before the world pandemic many people, myself included, were not accustomed to the work-from-home life and had some major adjusting to do. In this post, I’m sharing ten tips for practicing self-care while working from home.

It is very easy to fall into a slump and dread the very mundane process of going from your bedroom to you workspace with very little change of scenery. The novelty wore off very quickly and I think like many of you, I actually miss my morning commute!

There is something about morning traffic, overpriced cups of coffee, and office chatter that I wish I could experience again. I definitely took this all for granted at one point in time. By creating a sense of normality in my new working-from-home routine, I find that I am able to get work done and feel accomplished at the 5 o’clock mark. Let’s get into some of my working-from-home tips.

Tips for Practicing Self-Care While Working from Home

1. Wake up early and have a morning routine

One of the best ways to get a good start to your day is to wake up as if you’re going to work as normal. I find that on days when I shower first thing in the morning and put on something other than pyjamas, I feel refreshed and in a more productive mood. Throw your daily skincare routine in the mix, brush your hair, and I guarantee you’ll feel ready to take on the day.

If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, make a fresh cup and take the time to actually enjoy it. I love my coffee maker which still gives me the “going to the café” feel without leaving my house. I like to either listen to some of my favourite podcasts in the morning or take the time to do my daily devotional.

2. Plan out your day and create a to-do list

Use a planner specifically for work that allows you to see your daily tasks and week at a glance. Not having people around or a team to bounce ideas off of might make getting the work day started a bit tough. Creating a to-do list of things that you need to get done not only helps you visualize your day but also helps you stay on task. I love these planners from Amazon that are under $6!

3. Create a dedicated workspace

Not all of us are fortunate enough to have a home office or a quiet space where we can go to get some work done. My dining room table and I have become very well acquainted in my working from home days. Where you set up your workspace doesn’t really matter, as long as you use it well.

There’s nothing wrong with having your computer or laptop set up in a common area like your dining room or the kitchen table, as long as the is a distinct difference between where you work and where you “play”. The goal is to simulate your “normal” working environment. You wouldn’t typically be working on the office couch and watching the lunch room tv, would you?

4. Utilize your most productive time slot and do the most important things first

Getting the most out of your preferred time of productivity can really help with prioritizing tasks throughout the day. If you’re most productive in the morning, get a strong start on your to-do list early on.

If it takes you some time to get into full work mode and you work better in the latter part of the day, finish strong. For the most part, working from home does allow you the freedom to work at your own pace (within reason, of course). Find your peak time for performance and use that window of time to be as productive as you can be.

5. Take your lunch hour and leave your work area

I cannot stress this one enough. Step away from your workspace during your lunch break and eat your meal in a different area. Even if it means you’re just moving to the couch or the kitchen counter. If you can avoid it, try not to take your lunch and eat while working.

If you can prep your lunch the night before or have something ready to whip up to eat, this will help you make the most of your lunchtime. Use this time to go outside and get some fresh air, catch up with friends on the phone, or pop out to grab a coffee. 

Stepping away from your workspace and having time away from your work will help you come back with a fresh set of eyes. You might even find that second wind of energy that helps you push through to the end of the day.

6. Minimize unnecessary distractions

Treat your at-home work day just as you would if you were going into the office. It might be tempting to turn on Netflix and binge-watch your favourite show or call your best friend to chat. If you must have background noise, opt for podcasts (can you tell I’m a big fan?) or music instead. 

7. Take regular breaks throughout the day

There is nothing wrong with working in time slots and taking regular breaks while doing tasks. I can’t be the only one whose eyes start to gloss over if I’ve been staring at the computer screen for far too long. Even if your five-minute break consists of brewing a fresh cup of coffee or tea, getting a snack, or walking around to stretch your legs.

Consider the amount of time you spend during the day at the office walking around, chatting with coworkers, and going back and forth to the printer/photocopier. You are not constantly glued to your desk and expected to be in 100% work mode for 8 hours straight.

Give yourself some grace and break up your work day. Chances are you’re not working on an extremely comfortable office chair so a short walk around the house to get a good stretch will do you some good.

8. Have an end to your workday

The work day ends when you’re at the office thus it should also end when you’re working from home. It’s important to draw the line in the sand that keeps you from overworking yourself. We all have our fair share of work projects and files that often don’t adhere to the 9-5 day but know when to shut it down.

The idea of working from home doesn’t mean you are suddenly on the clock 24/7 just because your work computer is within arms reach. Work-life balance still exists from home. Surely employers are not expecting their staff to be working at all hours of the day and night.

9. Don’t forget to take care of yourself

Working from home may sometimes lead to us neglecting our self-care. Since there isn’t a distinct separation between work and home, we won’t often give ourselves the time to unwind and take a breath. Personally, I catch myself getting up from my workspace and heading right into the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

With so many responsibilities that we juggle in our personal lives, there isn’t always an opportunity to “turn it off”. Make time for a nice bath (or steamy shower) at the end of the day, cozy up on the couch, read a book, or do something that will bring you peace and joy at the end of day.

10. Join virtual co-working spaces online

This is something that I’ve recently discovered and I think it is really cool. If you’re someone that used to taking advantage of co-working spaces this virtual twist is a great way to connect, increase productivity, and bounce ideas off of people if that’s your thing. This is a cool platform to check out!

Being productive while working from home takes a lot of discipline. We are all adjusting and learning as we go. To enhance your productivity and practice self-care while working from home, remember these helpful tips: drink lots of water, get a comfortable chair if you can, open a window and let some fresh air and sunlight in if possible, and meal prep so that you are not just snacking all day long, and get outside as much as you can. These are simple things that often get overlooked. 

WORK FROM HOME ESSENTIALS

The post 10 Secrets to Practicing Self Care While Working from Home appeared first on Told By Jo.