Random hacks tossed from the Minimalist Parenting writing cave

Poet and satirist Dorothy Parker famously said, “I hate writing, I love having written.” That quote sums up the pain writers go through during the process, and the relief and pride when it's over.

I love writing, but I've been there, especially when I was writing technical books in the late 90s. Which is why I'm so excited that the process of writing Minimalist Parenting is more fun than just about anything I've written so far. I find myself writing for hours (when I can find more than one hour to string together) then looking up wondering why my stomach's growling.

Being in "the zone" means I'm more likely to toss quick ideas out on Twitter rather than write a full post. Here are the random hacks that popped into my head today while in the writing cave:

Healthy treat with a shot of protein (good for toddlers on up)

Fave meal prep shortcut of the moment 

Think:

• Denver omeletes (ham, peppers, onions, cheese)
• Sausage, peppers, onions on top of pasta
• Burrito bowl component (part of my plan to automate dinner)
• Basis for pistachio curry (@woodenmask tweeted me the entire recipe and I'm totally cooking that some day.)

What to do with all of those empty Easter eggs

Great responses to this hack:

• I put them in my daughter's play kitchen. I even made felt egg insides for her one year. -- @amandaha
• A better idea is to refill them and deliver to a children's hospital. It teaches your children to give and appreciate. -- @pittweeter
• ...and several people questioned the washing. We live in the damp Pacific Northwest, so our eggs were a little muddy. No washing if unecessary!

Decluttering: should it stay or should it go?

(A little fantasizing there, the retirement in Manhattan. You never know.)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More by Doing Less will be available in bookstores Spring 2013. Join us on our book journey! Follow Minimalist Parenting on the Web,Twitter and Facebook.

More: Parent Hacks posts about Minimalist Parenting

Comments

[Kitterlee]

Love the random hacks.
The last one reminded me of my favorite decluttering question: "if the cat peed on this, would I work like mad to clean it up? Or would I be secretly relieved, and throw it out?"
Good luck with the writing!!

[Erin]

I have a couple of large plastic easter eggs out all year to send hard boiled eggs to school for lunch & snacks.

[Wendy]

Kitterlee, you are awesome!!

[sunglasses hut]

I have a question: why do you use Easter eggs?

[Asha Dornfest]

Sunglasses Hut: You look suspiciously like spam, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Are you serious about the Easter eggs?

[Sarah A]

When I cut up pepper or onions, I cut up twice as much as I need and throw the rest in a plastic bag in the freezer. It's not much more work than just what you need and is a big help for that day that you really, really don't feel like cutting up something fresh. It gets a little freezer burned but if you're cooking it, you can't really tell.