Being a person is hard, and The Lazy Genius Podcast is here to help you be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t. From laundry to cooking chicken to making new friends, Kendra is here to welcome you into an easier way.
Here’s what we’re going to go through today: what the Instant Pot is great for, what it’s not great for, how to start using one including my favorite tools and resources, and my own personal Instant Pot rhythm. Because here’s the thing: not everybody needs an Instant Pot, and everyone that does have one uses it differently, for different types of recipes and different speeds of regularity.
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We’re less than two weeks out from Halloween, and of course my kids are already asking what we’re going to do. It’s uncertain times, y’all, and it’s tough to know how to do this Halloween thing. Let’s do a quick check on what matters and some ideas for people staying in on Halloween and people going out.
Helpful Companion LinksThis is a very unsexy topic but also a really important one because we all have to eat. I don’t think a single person listening has never tried at least one recipe. So while this is super personal which we’ll get to and that there is really not some magical system which we will also get to, I hope you leave this episode with one small step that helps you feel like your recipe storage is serving you, not you serving it.
Stuff MentionedI hear a lot of you say you wish you had a hobby but you’re unsure of where to start or how to start or you feel like they could be a waste of time. We want them, we need them, but a lot of us don’t have them or know how to get them. So that’s what we’re going to do today. Let’s get a hobby!
Stuff MentionedI’m not going to give you my single day and tell you to copy it. I’m not even going to tell you what should be included in your day. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. It rarely is. We’re going to quickly work through a lens you can use to plan your day, any day in any circumstance.
Helpful Companion LinksWhy fall reading? Like, what’s special about fall reading? How do you choose what to read? When do you read? Basically, I love making fall reading this amazing quest. I want to capitalize on the particular vibe of fall reading and make it feel legit. So let’s do this.
Helpful Companion LinksWe’re about halfway into September, and even though temperatures and even seasons depending on your hemisphere are different right now, something about life shifts when we hit September. And whenever I hit a shift, the importance of my environment is more obvious.
Creating a space that feels safe and cozy, whatever that looks like for you, is important for your mental health. This episode will give you steps on how to do that, but the important thing here is to name the importance of your environment when you’re in the middle of something long or at the start of something new.
Stuff Mentioned*Books mentioned above are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.
Now it’s not fall yet in weather or on the calendar, but it’s getting close. And while you might not think you’re the kind of person who would do a meal formula and very well could be right about that, I’d love to share with you how you might put one together to help your meals come together even more easily over these next few months.
Helpful Companion LinksLists are a big part of our lives, especially in these uncertain times, but I think we sometimes think there’s only one way to make them. That’s not true! So today we’re going to talk about list-making personalities and how we can support what matters in our lives even more with how we approach our lists.
Stuff MentionedA couple of days ago, I asked folks on Instagram what one word they would use to describe their current relationship with routines. There were very few positive words, words that would indicate that routines are working. Here’s what we’re going to do for the next few minutes. We need to examine our expectations of routine, reframe what routines actually are, and then give you a next step or two to resurrect them.
Helpful Companion LinksI know that top ten lists can be a bit rote, but honestly, there’s something super life-giving for me personally to hear what other people are finding joy in. It gives me ideas of course, but more than that, it reminds me to pay attention to my own life and be even more intentional about nurturing the things in my day that give me a lot of joy. So I hope this list does that for you today!
Stuff MentionedIn a turn of events that no one expected, least of all me, I’m a nail polish person. I ride or die for Olive & June nail polish.
Having a summer meal formula is saving me this summer. I talk about that idea here and share my own here.
I was influenced by Bri McKoy to get these joggers even though they cost around 80 dollars. For sweatpants. But my life is changed and here we are.
My beloved Penny and Sparrow have a new album out.
It’s our final bonus episode, you guys! Over the summer I’m talking to some Internet and IRL friends about Lazy Geniusing an aspect of our every day lives. Today, I’m talking to Erin Moon about morning routines!
Helpful Companion LinksYou can find Erin Moon on Instagram and online here.
The Lazy Genius Way is out now! Get your copy today from your favorite bookseller!Erin
I get messages all the time asking how a person can lazy genius their laundry pile or an awkward friendship encounter or online school or any number of things! The truth is that any challenge could use a Lazy Genius solution, and that’s why I wrote The Lazy Genius Way!
Helpful Companion LinksPreorder The Lazy Genius Way before midnight tonight (Monday) to claim your preorder bonuses!
Missed the episode on How to Go Back to School? Catch up here.
Details on opening and closing ceremonies and what they can be for you and your family.
On Saturday, you might have heard the audiobook version of the introduction of my book The Lazy Genius Way, and today’s episode is chapter one! I don’t want to make you wait around, so here it is! Chapter One of The Lazy Genius Way entitled “How to Think Like a Lazy Genius.”
Stuff MentionedPreorder either the print or audio version of The Lazy Genius Way and claim your preorder bonuses before August 11th!
Today’s episode is extra and very exciting. It’s the audio version of the introduction of my book The Lazy Genius Way! I’m so excited for you to get a sneak peek of the audiobook before it’s out in the world in all its glory.
Helpful Companion LinksMy book, The Lazy Genius Way, is available for preorder! You can find all the details here. Don’t sleep on it, you guys. Preorder bonuses end on August 11th!
Transitioning from summer to school routine is a legitimate thing, but this year? Well, clearly we don’t have to say a lot about this year. So how do we go back to school when we don’t even know what that looks like?
Helpful Companion LinksIt’s another bonus episode, you guys! Over the summer I’m talking to some Internet and IRL friends about Lazy Geniusing an aspect of our every day lives. Today, I’m talking to Kristen Howerton and she’s helping us Lazy Genius being a mom, specifically being a mom of teenagers down the road.
Stuff MentionedDid y’all know I really dig playlists? Like so much. And I’ve been told, especially after my holiday playlists last year and my quarantine groove playlist this summer, that I’m really good at them. I will agree with you. This is not a space I choose to be overly humble. I learned from the best.
Helpful Companion LinksThere is something so fun about getting a behind-the-scenes look at something like publishing. We all read books, but y’all the whole industry is something else. There’s so much happening, and it’s all really interesting! Well, some of it is. Today, I want to share with you five things I learned about launching a book that I didn’t know before.
Stuff MentionedVacations definitely look different this summer than they usually do, but trips aren’t just vacations. You’ll go see grandma, you might travel a state or two over when the holidays come soon. Basically, we’ll have trips long after this pandemic is over, and I get a lot of questions about doing a packing episode, so here you go.
Stuff MentionedIt’s another bonus episode, you guys! Over the summer I’m talking to some Internet and IRL friends about Lazy Geniusing an aspect of our every day lives. Today, I’m talking to Kate Strickler of Naptime Kitchen, and we’re Lazy Geniusing dinner without losing our minds. Kate is such a great resource for making regular life dinner, and she happily takes us along with her.
Stuff MentionedYou can find Kate on Instagram @naptimekitchen or on her blog at www.naptimekitchen.com.
My book, The Lazy Genius Way, is available for preorder! You can find all the deets here.
I’m not saying I fixed summer cooking because that would be stupid, but I think I found an approach that will be pretty awesome, especially if you’re three weeks into hot weather no school everyone home cooking and losing your mind a little.
Stuff MentionedSummer is a season of relaxation, of later bedtimes and loungy days, but we’ve also kind of already been in a weird season of pseudo-relaxation and later bedtimes and loungy days because of COVID-19. It’s safe to say that easing into summer rhythms is a little complicated right now.
Helpful Companion LinksThis is a very exciting and surreal episode for me to share because in case you didn’t know I wrote a book, and today is the first real day that I’m going to tell you about what is inside! On August 11th, you’ll get to read those words if you want, and in this episode I’ll actually share a couple of ways you can read those words sooner, but for now, I’m going to tell you why I decided to write a book, what my writing rhythm was when I was writing it, how I wrote 60,000 words that were never used, what kept me from quitting because I almost did a couple of times, and what’s inside the book.
Helpful Companion LinksSurprise! We’re doing fun bonus episodes over the summer where I talk to others about Lazy Geniusing an aspect of our every day lives. Today, I’m talking to Courtney Cleveland of All the Best Days, and we’re Lazy Geniusing staycations and a little bit of day-tripping. This episode will legitimately give you the tools you need to travel like a Lazy Genius.
Stuff MentionedThis summer, you guys, is the summer I truly begin my education of being an anti-racist. I want to begin taking steps in how I see my summer stack and even in what I watch and listen to. I also want to do that with my kids. And I invite you to join me.
Stuff MentionedI am no makeup expert by any stretch, but over 20+ years of wearing makeup, I’ve figured out one strategy that works for me, and I want to share it with you today.
Helpful Companion LinksThis week’s episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use promo code LAZYGENIUS to get $5 off your first book at www.bookofthemonth.com.
If you want to be a genius about makeup, follow Jamie B. Golden on Instagram. Do it. Go. And while you’re there, I’d love for you to join in on the Lazy Genius fun, too.
More words about the products I use on my four faces here.
My monthly newsletter, Latest Lazy Letter, goes out this Wednesday. There will be book news in it. I repeat, there will be book news in it. If you want it, get on the VIP list.
If you don’t have plans Saturday night (I mean, really, who has plans right now?!), join me for The Popcast’s virtual live show celebrating Knox’s new book All Things Reconsidered, which you can get here (affiliate link).
It can feel like our closing ceremonies are shot because of how things are within the setting of a pandemic, and that’s a very real thing. I’ve said it several times in episodes about a variety of topics, but there’s a lot to grieve right now. But here’s an important thing to remember: the magic of a closing ceremony isn’t really about what you do but that you just do something.
Stuff MentionedThis episode is sponsored by All Things Reconsidered by Knox McCoy, which is available on June 2.
Want a refresher on opening and closing ceremonies? Start here: Plan Your Opening Ceremony (119), The Lazy Genius Welcomes Fall (70), and The Lazy Genius Conquers Holiday Overwhelm (36).
Sarah MacKenzie at Read Aloud Revival can help you incorporate a read-aloud rhythm in your family.
Right now, we’re separated from each other in ways we never have been before, but there will be other times when we want to stay in touch with people we love when we’re far away from them, whether it’s across the country or six feet apart. So today, how do we stay in touch when we can’t actually touch?
Helpful Companion LinksMyquillyn Smith, aka The Nester, gave me the framework of “lovely limitations.” Her book, Cozy Minimalist Home (affiliate link), is my go-to Christmas gift for my kids’ teachers.
Instagram is where I hang out most on social media, and I’d love for you to join me there. You can find me @thelazygenius. P.S. Here’s that post about Annie’s birthday party.
If you’re stressed about all that’s going on, you might be sleeping less, not eating the same things because of apocalyptic grocery shopping, maybe you’re not able to read or run or get drinks with girlfriends, all things that normally make you feel really good on hard days. So yeah. I feel like it’s a good time to talk about what it means to take care of ourselves.
Helpful Companion LinksA few extra resources not mentioned specifically in the episode: The Lazy Genius Rests, The Daily Act of Kindness, and The Lazy Genius and Self-Care.
Last week, I shared ten principles of lived-in cleaning, but today, we’re diving into the specifics. Laundry, tidying, bathrooms, dusting and all the things. Just how do we keep our homes clean when everyone is in it all of the time? Let’s jump in.
Helpful Companion LinksThis week’s episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use promo code LAZYGENIUS to get $5 off your first book at www.bookofthemonth.com.
We talked about the 10 principles of lived-in cleaning last week, revisit that episode (or catch up on it) here.
Here are the most popular cleaning episodes from The Lazy Genius back catalog: laundry, laundry updated, and how to start a cleaning routine.
Looking to get rid of some stuff? Listen to The Lazy Genius House Purge.
Tackling the bathroom? Here’s how The Lazy Genius Cleans the Bathroom.
Here’s an affiliate link to my beloved Dyson vacuum. Cordless vacuums are worth their weight in gold.
The next Latest Lazy Letter goes out Wednesday where I talk all about what I’m reading, watching and listening to. Hop on the VIP mailing list if you’re interested in receiving it.
A lot of us are still sheltering in place, and that brings a new set of challenges when it comes to cleaning. Because there are so many challenges, we’re going to make this a two-part miniseries. Today, I’m going to share 10 principles of lived-in cleaning. Then next week, we’ll get into some specifics like laundry, bathrooms, dust, and crumbs on the floor. Here we go.
Helpful Companion LinksIf you’re active on Facebook, we’d love to have you in The Lazy Genius Facebook group. It’s a lovely resource and community.
The episode on How to Hire a Housecleaner if that’s something you want to consider when the pandemic is all over.
My pandemic Spotify playlist, Quarantine Groove.
I’m the most active on Instagram these days (and I’m sharing my results of The Favorites Files there, too). You can find me at @thelazygenius.
We’re still in a shelter-in-place situation in most parts of the country and part of this process includes not going to the grocery store as often. Thing are weird, and new meals don’t really fit in with our weird. We’re eating a lot of the same things over and over again, but I’m sharing five ways to add freshness to repetitive meals.
Helpful Companion LinksBri McKoy is great at a lot of things, but I love love love the sauces and dressings she comes up with. Here’s a link to her cilantro yogurt sauce which pairs perfectly with Change Your Life Chicken (if you like cilantro of course).
Speaking of meals that will change your life, Change Your Life Shawarma is a staple in our house lately.
Bri also inspired me to switch up our rice and make it in the Instant Pot with coconut milk.
The Favorites File is a free download that helps you be a genius about the things that don’t matter, like celebrities you’d be quarantined with, famous actor partnerships, and so on and so forth. It’s really fun, and 100% free.
Yes, we’re still in the coronavirus pandemic, but honestly, there are lots of times when time makes no sense. It’s a struggle to get a handle on how to manage our time when our regular average day and the regular average things you normally do to fill it gets turned upside-down. So today we’re going to revisit the three Lazy Genius pillars of time through the lens of time making no sense.
Helpful Companion LinksThe Favorites File is the entertaining homework you didn’t know you needed right now. Sign up to get your free download here.
Revisit The Lazy Genius and Time Management for more of my thoughts and opinions about time management.
Listen to more wisdom from Beth Silvers on her podcast Pantsuit Politics. She and her co-host Sarah Stewart Holland wrote a book called I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) if you’re interested.
I’m planning to be on Instagram @thelazygenius this Thursday around noon ET to chat about time management when time makes no sense, so be sure to follow me there.
My book The Lazy Genius Way is now available for pre-order at your favorite place to buy books.
Based on the number of downloads of past episodes related to reading, I know that there’s an overwhelming majority of people listening who really love to read. So when our regular reading rhythms are disrupted by odd circumstances, it’s nice to have a roadmap of how to get back to normal or how to create a new normal. That’s what this episode will do.
Stuff MentionedI’m planning to be on Instagram @thelazygenius this Thursday around noon ET to chat about this topic, so be sure to follow me there.
The Favorites File is officially available for your enjoyment. Sign up to get your free download here.
Whenever I share something about eating outside, the questions pour in on how to do it. Breaking things up a bit and getting into the fresh air sounds really good right about now, so lets Lazy Genius eating outside.
Helpful Companion LinksThe Lazy Genius Cleans the Kitchen is a good refresher on how to reset your kitchen after a meal, so apply the same dishes zone principle to eating outside.
If you have ideas on how to eat outside with more ease and fun, share them on Instagram using #lazygeniuspicnic. And as always, you can find me @thelazygenius.
These are weird, scary, surreal times, but, honestly, I am grateful for how this global crisis has already affected how we see. Here are five things to remember when you’re stuck at home…or maybe when you’re just stuck.
People and Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Incomparable Mister Rogers, who tells us to look for the helpers
Seth Godin, who reminds us the ocean is made of drops
Ralph Waldo Emerson, who encourages us to scatter joy
Ingrid Fetell Lee, who wrote the book Joyful
Myquillyn Smith aka The Nester, who asks us what we will wish we would have done when this is all over (here’s a link to get on her email list)
And as Emily P. Freeman reminds us, let’s do the next right thing in love.
Note from Kendra: This episode of The Lazy Genius Podcast was recorded before the majority of changes, postponements, cancelations and recommendations for social distancing due to covid-19 were enacted. Please know that I am thinking of the Lazy Genius community during these uncertain times. Be well.
Naming what you’re good at is a simple exercise in being kind to yourself. And to be a Lazy Genius, you need to do that! Your gifts and abilities and ways of seeing and being in the world are significant and have incredible meaning. And when you don’t name what those are, it’s like having a tool that you don’t use.
A Few Helpful Companion LinksI didn’t mention this specifically in the episode, but Laura Tremaine has an excellent episode exploring what you’re good at on her show 10 Things To Tell You.
If you’re not following me on Instagram, I’d love for you to join the party. We’re about to do something really fun where you can chime in about your favorite episodes of The Lazy Genius Podcast.
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to mark moments, make memories, and give our kids something to remember. Even if you don’t have kids, there’s still a high cultural premium on memories. Scrapbooking, photo albums, daily journals, the Gram. But if we try to manufacture memories, mechanize them, we’ll get overwhelmed by something that our brains already do. Let’s make memories like a Lazy Genius.
Helpful Companion LinksYou can listen to Ten Steps to Creating Your Own Traditions (even if it’s geared a little bit towards holidays) here.
Laura Tremaine’s family doing Sunday pancakes is a great example of a simple, but powerful memory-making practice. She also hosts a great podcast called 10 Things To Tell You.
My favorite app for documenting with video is 1 Second Everyday.
I also use a five-year journal (affiliate link) with a couple of lines for every day with space for five years.
More info on Chatbooks, which we use to print photos of our kids from Instagram.
Speaking of Instagram, I’ll be there on Thursday around noon EST to talk live about making memories. I’d love for you to join me.
In today’s episode, I’ll give you some ideas on how to move forward with a pseudo-traditional capsule wardrobe, but you’re a really smart person. If you pay attention to what matters, what doesn’t, and you create a few guidelines around those things, you can create your own process for building a capsule wardrobe.
Helpful Companion LinksMy book is about to be a real, physical thing in the world! You can check out the cover and preorder it here.
Join the Lazy Genius VIP mailing list here to stay in the loop on all things The Lazy Genius Way and to get this month’s newsletter (that goes out Wednesday). And if you’re into vulnerable Kendra, check out The Lazy Sisters Podcast over on Patreon.
Here’s that old blog post called Baby Steps to a Capsule Wardrobe.
I’ll be on Instagram on Thursday to answer your capsule wardrobe questions LIVE around noon EST.
What’s the problem with picky kids? It’s frustrating to make food that doesn’t get eaten. More than that, we worry that our kids aren’t getting the nutrients they need or that they’ll only eat brown and red foods for the rest of their lives. But really, when it comes down to it, it’s fear. Let’s flip the script and nurture kids who trust their bodies.
Helpful Companion LinksHere’s the first episode I did on intuitive eating and here’s a list of intuitive eating resources crowdsourced from Lazy Geniuses like you!
We love snack platters around our house. Here are some ideas in the comments to start using snack patters in your routine.
We explored living without food rules a few weeks back, and I think we can apply the same concept to feeding our kids.
Join me live on Instagram this Thursday around noon EST. I’ll be there to answer whatever questions you may have about feeding picky kids.
Listen, I know this is super specific. I know this topic is privileged and it comes with baggage. But I also know it’s important to talk about these things, particularly if you’re in a season of life where something’s gotta give. This episode has practical thoughts about hiring a housecleaner, and a little pep talk about letting go of the shame and embarrassment that often comes with asking for help.
Stuff MentionedI first mentioned hiring a housecleaner in my monthly newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. If you don’t receive it and wish you did, you can get on the list here.
I’ll be LIVE on Instagram this Thursday around noon EST answering your questions about hiring a housecleaner.
Today, we’re diving into the logistics of building community — specifically in our female friendships. We all want to get together with friends and do fun things, have traditions and all of that. So this episode is important in its simplicity because friendship matters.
Helpful Companion LinksThere’s a friendly space for Lazy Geniuses here on the Internet in the form of a private Facebook group. Join us and get help or give help in being a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.
I quote Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering multiple times in this episode. It’s a favorite.
Join me over on Instagram Thursday where I’ll go LIVE around noon EST to answer any questions you have in real-time. If you miss a LIVE, most of them are cataloged on my IGTV.
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link to a product and follow through with a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
I believe in a world where it is fun and not loaded to talk about our bodies because our bodies are awesome. Full disclosure: I haven’t always felt this way, not by a long shot. I understand the difficulty here, so let’s move into this topic together.
Stuff MentionedI got on my soapbox last week thanks to an episode on Living Without Food Rules. It’s a RUHL good time if you missed it.
Sarah of @thebirdspapaya is one of the most powerful voices I’ve encountered around thinking about our bodies. Reading her words was a turning point for me.
Let's play a game. Let's name all of the food rules you've experienced in your life. Yeah...we'll be here a while and we probably won't feel that great after we list them all out. That's why I'm so passionate about talking about living without food rules. We don't need them, y'all. Here's why.
Helpful Companion LinksI host a secret monthly podcast with my sister on Patreon. You can become a patron by signing up for The Lazy Sisters Podcast here.
Here’s The Lazy Genius and Healthy Eating episode if you need a refresher.
I’m reading Bill Bryson’s The Body, and it has made me so appreciative of my actual body and how it works.
Here’s my recipe for my chickpea bowl lunch that I make almost every week.
Two additional resources on intuitive eating are the podcast Food Psych and the Instagram account @no.food.rules.
I’m guessing there will be a lot of questions about this, so I’ll definitely be on Instagram this Thursday around noon EST to answer your questions.
I know that so many of you folks who listen to this podcast love to read. You love books and more books and finding more ways to get more books into your life. In today’s episode, we’ll create a quick and easy path to figuring out what to read this winter if that’s on your radar and how to make the most of your reading minutes over the next couple of months.
Helpful Companion LinksHere’s my winter stack if you need to see my titles in black and white pixels.
I take this seasonal approach to meal planning as well. You can hear all about it in Time to Make Your Winter Dinner Queue.
My completely digital, downloadable short ebook The Swap is available through the end of the month.
This episode covers the books I plan to read, but I share what I think of books I have read in my monthly newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. You can get on that list here.
You can finder older reading stack blog posts here: Fall Reading Stack, Summer Stack, and Special Edition Stack: Kids.
Follow me on Instagram @thelazygenius and share your own winter reading stack using #winterstack2020.
I love putting the proper importance on food and meals and gathering around the table but not wasting energy on the wrong things. Those wrong things look different for everyone listening, but today we’re going to figure out what matters and what doesn’t around your winter table.
Stuff MentionedThe list of actual meals my family is eating from my Winter Dinner Queue this season.
Hope*Writers is opening its doors to new members now through Friday, January 17th. If you already know you want in, you can click here to join using my affiliate link. If you’re interested in the From Dreaming to Doing webinar hosted by Lazy Genius mascot Emily P. Freeman, click here.
Here’s how I built my fall dinner queue and here’s what we ate last summer.
If you need a refresher on brainless crowdpleasers, here you go.
And here’s a link to last week’s episode on planning your time this winter if you missed it.
Today, I’m giving you two simple questions to ask yourself as you move into 2020 so that you can see your time in a way that makes sense for the season you’re in and makes a difference in your everyday life.
Helpful Companion LinksJanuary’s Latest Lazy Letter goes out on Wednesday, and I would love for it to land in your inbox if it doesn’t already. Join the Lazy Genius VIP mailing to get this once-a-month email chock full of book recommendations, podcast talk, and a little insight I don’t share anywhere else.
Instagram LIVEs are back after a little holiday hiatus. Join me there @thelazygenius on Thursday around noon EST to chat about being intentional with our time this season.
Goals aren’t so you’ll look or be the way you think you should. They’re not to make you fit in. They’re not to make you seem like someone who’s got their life together. They’re for you.
Helpful Goal-Related Companion LinksThe perfect solution to dealing with screwing up a goal.
If you’re craving something a little more tangible today, listen to The Lazy Genius Sets Goals or read How to Set Goals like a Normal Person.
If you’re great at setting goals but it’s hard to keep them going, listen to Set the Right Goals Without Fizzling Out.
And finally, if you think you need to lose weight in the new year, here’s the Lazy Genius approach to that. (P.S. This is the most downloaded episode of the podcast ever.)
Taking a little time for reflection is a great thing to do this time of year. Laura Tremaine has a new episode on her podcast about questions to help you reflect.
And my favorite Emily P. Freeman talks about self-reflection on The Next Right Thing. Here’s a link to that episode.
Christmas is in two days. Here’s a super quick pep talk that will remind you of two important things you can do during this season. Merry Christmas!
Helpful Companion LinksIf Christmas Eve Eve has you feeling squirrelly, listen (or relisten) to last week’s episode Ten Ideas for a Holiday Reset.
We have one week until Christmas, and it might already be time for a reset. No matter how intentional we are, how much margin we create, things surprise us. And that’s okay and normal and we’ll all be fine. Here are ten tips for a reset in case you need one.
Stuff MentionedA few crowdsourced Lazy Genius holiday traveling road trip tips. Make that trip to visit grandma enjoyable from the first mile through pulling back into your driveway. And here's a companion episode for holiday road trips.
I’ve put my favorite Christmas albums and nine mood-based holiday playlists I had the most fun making for you in this blog post.
Here’s a helpful episode about creating traditions for the holidays or for everyday life.
Andrew Peterson’s book Adorning the Dark (Amazon affiliate link)
If you’re interested, here’s that article on The Kitchn about Change Your Life Chicken.
Netflix has a show that’s just a fireplace burning. Bonus: You have control of the volume of the crackle.
If you want to try your hand at baking but you need a place to start, try my Baking Mini-Series here.
All of my baking-related podcast episodes: The Lazy Genius and Holiday Baking, The Lazy Genius Bakes Cookies, The Lazy Genius Bakes Bread, and Lazy Genius Baking with Jamie Golden.
Read this before you get started so your holiday baking will involve as little murder as possible.
The Lazy Genius Makes Soup; use this if you want to make your life easier later. P.S. There’s an Instagram saved story on how I make my tomato soup if that’s your kind of thing.
Two podcast episodes I recommend for taking care of yourself this season: The Lazy Genius Guide to Self-Care and The Lazy Genius Daily Act of Kindness.
Ideas and suggestions for gathering well: Lazy Genius Ideas for Your Holiday Party, How to Never Run Out of Food at a Party, The Lazy Genius Guide to Hosting Anything, The Lazy Genius Feeds a Crowd, The Lazy Genius Hosts a Holiday Party, and Nailing Your Holiday Vibe.
I love a good mood. I love a good vibe. And our holiday memories aren’t always what we did; it’s about how we felt. We remember the vibe, the feeling the environment gave us. Let’s focus on creating that vibe and let the activities happen as they will. Here’s how.
Helpful Companion LinksBackground music is the perfect way to add a little atmosphere to your gathering (or your workday). Here’s a post with my favorite Christmas albums and nine carefully crafted holiday playlists I had the most fun making for you.
Keep the playlist magic going by supporting The Lazy Sisters on Patreon, a companion show I do with my sister Hannah. Hannah makes seasonal playlists for our supporters, and OH MY WORD, they are the best.
If you missed The Lazy Genius Gift Guide, you can find it right here. Every single item on there I use or have used in my daily life, so consider it Lazy Genius tested and approved.
We’re all in gift-giving and gift-buying mode and spending a lot of time on it or least are gearing up to. I want to help you be happy with the gifts you give and be more strategic and thoughtful about the time you spend on finding and buying those gifts. We’ll go through a step by step process, and I think that by the end of this episode, you’ll feel so much better about things.
Stuff MentionedCheck out my Holiday Gift Guide chock full of gift ideas that are things that I have actually bought and use in my home all the time.
Join the VIP mailing list to get my monthly newsletter affectionally called the Latest Lazy Letter (the next one goes out Wednesday!). Y’all, I take great pride in making that letter something you look forward to. If you’re not on the list, you can put your name on it here.
Do you have thoughts or opinions about holiday gift giving? Share them with me over on Instagram. I’m @thelazygenius, and I’ll be LIVE on Thursday around noon EST.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post titled Ten Commandments of Thanksgiving Weekend. Looking back on it, I realized some things changed, and that’s okay. That’s why I’ve put together ten strategies that will help your entire Thanksgiving week whether you’re hosting or not. This can be such a beautiful time of year, especially if you think like a Lazy Genius and be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.
Helpful Companion Links For Thanksgiving WeekThe inspiration behind this episode is The Ten Commandments of Thanksgiving Weekend.
The first-ever Lazy Genius bundle will be on sale Black Friday through 8 a.m. EST on Saturday. Get The Swap, The Meal Plan, and The Holiday Docket for one discounted price! The best way to remember this limited time offer is to join my mailing list.
If you want to embrace brainless crowdpleasers for your meals leading up to Thanksgiving, listen to One Simple Step That Changes Meal Planning Forever.
The most downloaded episode of this entire podcast is The Lazy Genius Loses Weight. Spoiler alert: I do not think you need to lose weight.
If you are deadset on cooking a new recipe this Thanksgiving: read How to Know If a Recipe is Any Good first.
A fun, slightly messy, but delicious kid activity: Stupid Easy Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels.
I love the idea of being thoughtful and intentional about anything, and traditions definitely fit the bill. So today, we’re going to walk through ten steps to creating your own so you’ll be able to think about traditions like a Lazy Genius and then maybe actually do them. This conversation is all about creating your own traditions, so no matter what your family unit looks like, this conversation is for you.
Helpful Companion LinksThis week’s topic was inspired by a conversation during last week’s Instagram Live! You can find me there @thelazygenius. I usually host a LIVE Q&A on Thursdays around noon EST (except for this week), and you can re-watch previous Lives on IGTV.
The Lazy Genius Black Friday Bundle will be available for a one-day only flash sale beginning Friday, November 29. Hop on my mailing list so you won’t miss out on buying all three Lazy Genius products for one low price.
Y’all, we’re about to spend an entire episode talking about Thanksgiving turkey. Or just turkey if you periodically cook a ten pound bird when it’s not Thanksgiving. I want to talk through it a little because sometimes we need a voice telling us we’re doing okay, especially when we’re dealing with a giant dead bird and hungry, mildly judgmental family members.
Stuff MentionedI shared my absolute favorite turkey recipe a few years ago, and I still stand by it.
Watch the crowd from New Girl defrost a turkey in a dryer.
Do you have thoughts or opinions about cooking turkey? Share them with me over on Instagram. I’m @thelazygenius, and I’ll be LIVE on Thursday around noon EST.
It is the first week of November, and all of the holiday hosting is about to hit hard so I want to give you some tools to enjoy this time, not dread it.
Helpful Companion LinksGet this month’s Latest Lazy Letter by joining the Lazy Genius VIP list here.
I share ten Thanksgiving hosting tips along with three keys to hosting success in The Lazy Genius Hosts Thanksgiving.
If you’re already bracing yourself for the grating conversations you’ll have with family members you can’t not invite to things, listen to The Lazy Genius Navigates Family Tension.
Did your hears perk up at my description of my sister’s magical playlist making abilities? We share some of her beautiful playlists as an extra for our Lazy Sisters Podcast listeners.
No matter what you’re hosting, creating an environment that matches your purpose is such a gift to the people entering your home. I say more words about that in The Lazy Genius Hosts a Holiday Party.
The best podcast episodes though to go along with this are The Lazy Genius Feeds a Crowd and The Lazy Genius Guide to Flexibility.
If you need a tutor for food math, check out How to Never Run Out of Food at Your Party. It’s a proven method. By me. The Lazy Genius.
It’s about that time. Grandparents in faraway states are waiting, but getting in the car with all the stuff and possibly all the children can feel daunting. Hopefully, this episode will help that, but please note, this episode only covers being in the car, not packing or being on vacation or leaving or coming home. It’s just for being in the car, which is really the most exhausting part.
Stuff MentionedSee how other Lazy Geniuses tackle road trips with Road Tested Road Trip Tips, a round-up of the suggestions you shared with me on Instagram recently.
Speaking of Instagram, you can find me on the app @thelazygenius. I’m usually there every Thursday around 12:15 pm EST, but this week we’re holding that commitment loosely because of some family medical appointments. I’ll post about it on the feed if I can make it.
My travel guru is Tsh Oxenreider who says the more your kids travel, the better travelers they’ll become -- which is true of just about anything really.
Join the VIP mailing list to get my monthly newsletter affectionally called the Latest Lazy Letter. Y’all, I take great pride in making that letter something you look forward to. If you’re not on the list, you can put your name on this list here.
Chaos and frenzy pull me under. I feel stressed out, I get headaches, I get mad, my body physically hurts, and I don’t enjoy what’s happening right in front of me. That’s no fun at any point in the year or my life, but it’s a particular bummer around this time of year. None of us want to feel frenzied, but sometimes even with intentional plans, it happens anyway. Today, let’s talk about one small way to keep that frenzy at bay.
If you think you’ve missed out on The Holiday Docket, don’t worry. It’s still available here.
To get a jump start on your fall routine, there’s an episode for that -- The Lazy Genius Plan for Fall Routine.
Something I believe strongly in is using opening and closing ceremonies during hectic seasons of life (just like the Olympics). Here’s how to Plan Your Opening Ceremony.
Take dinner off your stressor list by taking some ideas from my fall dinner queue.
A few weeks ago, I shared how I plan a week like a Lazy Genius. That led us to a great conversation on Instagram about the many, many options available to us when we’re choosing a planner. But here’s the thing, there’s no perfect planner because there’s no way to manufacture a perfect life. This week, I’m sharing how to use planners as tools in being a genius about things that matter and lazy about things that don’t.
Links That Might Be HelpfulIf you’re looking for planners that I’ve used in the past or use now or planners my friends have used, read The Lazy Genius Guide to Planners.
Did you miss the weekly plan episode? Listen to The Lazy Genius Weekly Plan.
If you want to know when the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, which contains my ebook The Swap, goes on sale, click here to get on the list to be notified.
I’ll be LIVE on Instagram this Thursday at noon EST if you’re around. I usually post a photo in my feed before I go live, so if you have a question for me, leave it there. I’ll try my best to answer it.
There are lots of ways to approach shopping for groceries from where you go to making a shopping list, and today I’m going to share my seven principles for buying groceries like a Lazy Genius. We can, in fact, Lazy Genius just about anything, including how, when, where, and even why you buy groceries. I think you’ll really be encouraged and motivated by the end of this episode.
Stuff MentionedMy ebook The Swap is part of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Flash Sale that’s happening October 16-17. Sign up for The Lazy Genius VIP email list to get a reminder when the sale goes live.
Does your meal plan have House Hunters syndrome? Maybe your grocery shopping style has it, too.
Some more of my thoughts on grocery shopping can be found all over my website, including The Lazy Genius Shops at Costco, The Lazy Genius Shops at Aldi, and The Lazy Genius Shops at the Farmers’ Market.
Do you have thoughts or opinions about grocery shopping? Share them with me over on Instagram. I’m @thelazygenius, and I’ll be LIVE on Thursday around noon EST to talk about groceries.
I mention The Nester in this episode. She’s a delight and so is her annual Nest Fest that happens later this month.
Sometimes asking for help is the hardest thing to do, but you’re allowed to ask for help, no matter the circumstance. It’s good, in fact, to ask for help. And today, we’re talking about the ways to do it – the different kinds of therapy and different reasons why or why not you might pursue them. Plus, I talk about how to be a good friend to someone else who needs help. It’s a heavy topic, but one that I want to join in the flow of normalizing it.
Links You May Find HelpfulIf you’ve thought about joining Hope*Writers before, now is your chance! The doors open Tuesday, October 1 through Friday, October 4. Take the quiz to see where you are on the writing journey, and they’ll send you a notification when the doors open.
My friend, Laura Tremaine, hosts the 10 Things To Tell You podcast and normalizes therapy and mental health struggles in her Internet space. Check out her Instagram highlights or listen to her podcast. I suggest starting with the episode called 10 Thoughts on Anxiety.
Lazy Genius mascot and all-around beloved person Emily P. Freeman talks about how to be a good listener on her podcast The Next Right Thing in episode 94 called Ask the Second Question.
The Liturgists podcast recently released a series of episodes on the Enneagram, specifically about the instinctual postures and the 27 subtypes. If that makes no sense to you but you’re interested in learning about the Enneagram, I have two episodes about it: The Truth About Your Enneagram Number and How to Make Sense of Yourself.
The National Institute of Mental Health has a comprehensive overview of crisis hotlines and how to get started in finding a mental health provider in your area on their website.
October 3, 2019 Update: Some Lazy Genius listeners chimed in with some thoughtful commentary on terms and distinctions not included in this episode. I’ve listed them below: “In California, my official title is Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In my state, all therapists have to have a minimum of a master's degree plus supervised 3000 intern hours in order to be eligible for Licensure. I know all states have different titles for various offerings of mental health professions. The description you gave of counselors in the episode is what my training was, but we are known as therapists where I live. I thought it might be helpful for your audience to know that the area they live in may use different titles as they explore their options.” “Psychiatrists have a MD, not a PhD (although of course, some may have PhDs in another field). They go through medical school and a psychiatric residency.” “I am a clinical social worker, and beyond my master’s degree in social work, I had to get about 2,000 supervised hours, and pass a test at a clinical level. For most social workers who do not want to teach at college or do research/get a PhD, this is the highest level we attain to. Social work is a strengths-based area, instead of deficiency based, as some areas are.”
If you’ve ever purchased multiple planners in a year, this episode is for you. Today, we’re walking through three questions to ask when planning your week, and then we’ll use my own weekly plan for this week as a kind of case study to see how the questions are put into practice. It’s a simple approach but incredibly impactful.
Helpful Companion LinksIf you want to tackle learning how to freeze food this fall, don’t miss out on The Naptime Kitchen Guide to Freezing. If nothing else, give @naptimekitchen a follow on the ‘gram. Kate is an absolute delight.
I’m currently using the Sacred Ordinary Days planner, and it works well for me.
When I have a busy week, I lean on my list of brainless crowdpleasers to make dinner easier. Listen to One Simple Step That Changes Meal Planning Forever if you want to know how I develop that list.
I share my Meal Plan Monday every week on Instagram. Follow me there to grab the template and share your own.
Speaking on Instagram, I’ll be there LIVE this Thursday around noon EST to answer questions about this episode. Join me.
Snacks, homework, playing, chores, making dinner, not to mention those extracurriculars if your kids are into sports and clubs. The reason why the hours after school is over feel frenzied is because it IS frenzied. But a routine can help. In this episode, we will talk about why a routine is helpful, how to build one that works for you, and I’ll share our personal after school routine in case you need specific ideas.
Stuff MentionedIf you’re looking how to Lazy Genius a routine, take a look at my series on routines: Morning, Evening, Skincare, Exercise, Bedtime for Kids, and Cleaning.
Listen to How to Lazy Genius Kid Chores to learn more about Daily Sheets.
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to join me for an Instagram LIVE on Thursday around 12 or 12:15 p.m. EST.
Get behind-the-scenes info and my latest book, podcast, and music recommendations by signing up for the Latest Lazy Letter, a newsletter I send out every month.
Today we’re talking about books! And based on your responses to the Latest Lazy Letter (which has tons of book and podcast recommendations), you love talking about them, too. I’m sharing what I learned from setting summer reading goals and how I plan to use that information as I head into the fall.
Stuff MentionedIf you missed my episode on summer reading, listen to Summer Reading Plans 2019 to catch up before listening to my reflections here.
Check out my Fall Reading Stack here.
For reading on the go, I love using my Kindle Paperwhite. If I want to read in the margins of my day, it’s easy to grab it and read a few pages.
If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to join me for an Instagram LIVE on Thursday around 12 or 12:15 p.m. EST.
Get behind-the-scenes info and my latest book, podcast, and music recommendations by signing up for the Latest Lazy Letter, a newsletter I send out every month.
One of my favorite ways to approach a new season is to have a dinner queue to pull from when deciding what to eat for dinner. In this episode, I’m going to share my reflections from my summer dinner queue and give you how I’m taking what I learned as I build one for the fall.
Companion Links For This EpisodeGrab your copy of The Holiday Docket at the early bird price of $22 from now until September 5.
If you’d like some practical thoughts on how to plan for fall, listen to The Lazy Genius Plan for Fall Routine.
I reflect on our Summer Dinner Queue in this episode, which I first talk about in What I’ll Be Cooking This Summer.
The three cookbooks I’m pulling from this fall are The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook by Coco Morante, The Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer, and Made in India by Meera Sodha.
If you’re reaching for rice bowls, here’s a series on this: Basics, Flavors, Hacks & How-Tos.
Or maybe a noodle bowl is in your future. Here’s How to Make a Pretty Bowl of Noodles.
See the beginning of my Fall Dinner Queue here.
If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to join me for an Instagram LIVE on Thursday around noon EST.
Even though the fall/winter American holidays don’t technically start until Halloween, it does my brain – and likely yours – a lot of good to start thinking about time now. I want to create routines and view my time through the lens of what matters so that I can keep spending my time, even the time at the end of a busy day, in such a way that makes me feel more like myself. Here’s how you can do the same.
Useful LinksGrab your copy of The Holiday Docket at the early bird price of $22 from now until September 5.
I shared a way to look at a season you might not like earlier this year in Grasping for Summer Routine. That may help you as we head into a new season with bigger expectations and more things to do.
In Present Summer, Prepared Fall, I talk a lot about how to stay present in a current season while not careening head first into what’s on the horizon.
If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to join me for an Instagram LIVE on Thursday around noon EST. Or if you like a little more community, join our Facebook group to swap ideas and stories with other Lazy Geniuses from around the world.
Opening and closing ceremonies are the magic pill that can make different seasons and transitions come more alive. The problem with moving from one season to another, one holiday to another, one season of life to another is that we have our feet in two different camps most of the time. The transitions are relentless and can easily strip the joy away from seasons of life that we really love. That’s where opening and closing ceremonies work their magic.
Companion Links For This EpisodeGet your copy of The Holiday Docket at the early bird price of $22 from now until September 5.
If you missed me talking about opening and closing ceremonies in episode 36, listen to The Lazy Genius Conquers Holiday Overwhelm.
I mention Knox McCoy’s summer opening ceremony in this episode. He hosts The Popcast with Knox and Jamie alongside Jamie B. Golden. They are both lovely human beings, and their podcast is a delight.
Let’s talk a bit more about the Enneagram. The Enneagram has its own language in many ways. And if you aren’t familiar with the concepts, it all sounds like gibberish. In today’s episode, I go through a few of the main concepts of the Enneagram and give them some context in how they can help you make sense of yourself.
Helpful Links and ResourcesJoin the Lazy Genius VIP list to be the first to know about super secret announcements and monthly book and podcast recommendations.
If you haven’t yet listened to The Truth About Your Enneagram Number, I highly recommend that you stop what you’re doing and go listen to it first. It will make this episode make so much more sense.
The Enneagram Institute is hands-down the best resource on the Internet about the enneagram. If you don’t know your type, start by reading the type descriptions on this website to begin ruling out what type you aren’t.
This episode of The Liturgists podcast is a few years old, but you guys, it’s so good. The hosts talk to Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile, the authors of The Road Back to You.
Speaking of The Road Back to You, that is the best place to get your feet wet if you want to start reading a book about it.
If you’ve finished The Road Back to You, and you’re looking for more personal growth, I’d recommend The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz. It is my personal favorite of the bunch.
And if you’re wanting more of a textbook experience, check out The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut.
If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to join me for an Instagram LIVE on Friday around noon EST. It’s usually Thursdays around 12:15 p.m., but it’s still summer and we’ve got a pool date on the books.
Chores seem like a good anchor in the summer, but they really are a huge part of routine in the fall. But how do we do it? Allowance or no allowance, charts or no charts, how young is too young or how old is too old? All the things. Today, I share how I handle chores for my kids, but also how you can think about what matters and what doesn’t in relation to kids’ chores to create a system that makes sense for your family.
Stuff MentionedIf you want to hear more about our family’s complaining tally system, I talk about it in the Grasping for Summer Routine episode.
If you’re looking for your own magnetic white board for your fridge, here’s a good deal on one with markers on Amazon.
Join me live on Instagram around 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday to chat about kid chores.
If Facebook is your kind of thing, we’ve got a Lazy Genius community over there. Join us and make some friends.
Wednesday is the last day to let me know what you want to see more of on the podcast and blog by completing our audience survey. Plus, one lucky participant will receive a free Planetbox Rover lunchbox after the survey ends. Fill it out here.
Do you feel buried under mountains of kids’ clothes? Or you feel like you’re constantly running to the store to pick up pants that fit? Or maybe you’re tired of managing a closet full of tiny person clothes when your kid would rather wear a t-shirt with a cartoon plastered on it every day of the week? It’s a real struggle. But the good news is you’re not alone. Let’s spend some time today talking about the two decisions your kids’ clothes require and how to make those decisions in ways that work for you. I also share my five best tips on storing and transitioning those clothes.
Things You May Find HelpfulIf you have a few minutes, let me know what you want to see more of on the podcast and blog by completing our audience survey. Plus, one lucky participant will receive a free Planetbox Rover lunchbox after the survey ends. Fill it out here.
You may only need to sort and organize clothes a couple of times a year, but laundry happens every week. Check out The Lazy Genius Does Laundry and The Lazy Genius Does Laundry Updated! for a little extra support.
Crowdsource answers to your kid clothes problems over on Instagram with me this Thursday around noon when I’ll go LIVE to talk about kid clothes in real-time.
After a three week hiatus, we’re jumping into practical ways to start preparing for fall while still enjoying what’s left of summer. Have you ever noticed how we tend to wait to get the school supply list or for our last trip to end before we think about what’s coming around the corner? In today’s episode, I offer a few tips on how to stop waiting for someone else to say go to keep our transition from summer to fall from feeling so jarring.
Resources You May Find HelpfulMake sure you’re on The Lazy Genius Collective VIP list before next month’s Latest Lazy Letter. It goes out on the first Wednesday of every month.
Get a jumpstart on purging your house with The Lazy Genius House Purge and Reset the House Without Burning It Down.
If you’re bored (or overwhelmed!) with cooking this summer, take a look at my Summer Dinner Queue that’s helping me getting dinner on the table until fall arrives.
Here’s a helpful, but not at all comprehensive, list of school supplies you might need to replenish before the first day of school (or work).
Brush up on some past episodes about routine and new seasons with: The Lazy Genius Morning Routine, The Lazy Genius Evening Routine, and The Lazy Genius Welcomes Fall.
Now that we’re back from break, join me over on Instagram on Friday around 12:15 p.m. when I’ll be LIVE talking about being present this summer while preparing for fall.
A few months ago, I asked you to send me questions you have about the enneagram on Instagram. You guys went hard. So we’re going to talk about it in two parts over the course of the summer. Today’s episode covers the basics of knowing your type, how to figure out what type you are, and how the enneagram is a tool to becoming a truer version of yourself.
Resources You May Find HelpfulThe Enneagram Institute is hands-down the best resource on the Internet about the enneagram. If you don’t know your type, start by reading the type descriptions on this website to begin ruling out what type you aren’t.
This episode of The Liturgists podcast is a few years old, but you guys, it’s so good. The hosts talk to Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile, the authors of The Road Back to You.
Speaking of The Road Back to You, that is the best place to get your feet wet if you want to start reading a book about it.
If you’ve finished The Road Back to You, and you’re looking for more personal growth, I’d recommend The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz. It is my personal favorite of the bunch.
And if you’re wanting more of a textbook experience, check out The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut.
I’m taking a summer break for the next few weeks, so there won’t be an Instagram LIVE this Thursday. Don’t forget about our thriving community over on Facebook. I’ll be back with new episodes on July 22.
I know what you’re thinking…”Kendra, you’ve already done an episode on laundry!” That’s true. But things change, including how I tackle laundry. This episode and the one before is definitely not one size fits all. That said, I’m going to share the size that fits me, and hopefully, it’ll give you some ideas for your own laundry approach. But for real, if laundry doesn’t bug you, if you’re happy with your system, stick with it. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
All the LinksIf you’re new around here or just want a refresher, listen to The Lazy Genius Does Laundry episode from back in the day.
Here’s a helpful blog post on how to survive the laundry monster that goes along with that old episode, too.
Also, how to iron without an iron if you need one after leaving that load in the dryer overnight.
Join me live on Instagram around 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday to chat about my modified laundry routine.
Summer is officially here, and I'm honestly nervous about it. It feels so lovely and so awful all in the same breath to have the kids home all day, to deal with the heat, and to have glorious routine take a break for a while. It can be a lot, so today I'm sharing how I'm approaching our summer routine. Hopefully, it'll help you get some ideas on how to think about yours.
Helpful Links for the SummerThis episode is the third in a summer series. Don’t miss Summer Reading Plans 2019 and What I’ll Be Cooking This Summer.
Get a head start on the complaint monster with The Lazy Genius Summer Survival Guide. Grab what you need, and leave what you don't.
Join me live on Instagram around 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday to chat about summer routines.
If Facebook is your kind of thing, we’ve got a Lazy Genius community over there. Join us and make some friends.
Hi friends! We’re in part two of a three-part series that celebrates the changing seasons. Summer teaches us to slow down and be flexible. It’s a time to play and have fun on purpose. Last week, I shared my summer reading goals and what’s on my TBR list. This week, I’m talking about summer foods, and I mean ALL the summer foods. From breaking down breakfast to sharing the 21 meals on my Summer Dinner Queue, this episode has it all.
Stuff MentionedLast summer, I did a whole series on Summer Strategy. Listen to The Lazy Genius Summer Strategy episode about food here.
If you want to take a stab at grilling or just need a refresher course, listen to The Lazy Genius Grills. (Also, check out my guide to marinades here.)
Check out my Summer Dinner Queue here.
If summer breakfast is bumming you out, this can help.
Summer is the best time to shop your local farmers market because so many delicious things are in season. Here’s a beginner’s guide to shopping there.
If you missed last week’s episode on reading, listen in here.
Summer reading is a thing, right? We did it as students in school, our kids might do it, and it just feels like the time of year to have a stack of books ready to go. I want to share my personal goals for my summer reading and some titles I’m looking forward to, and I hope it inspires you to make one or two small moves toward your own summer reading approach this year.
Helpful Companion LinksCheck out all of the books on my Summer Stack here.
Get behind-the-scenes info and my latest book, podcast, and music recommendations by signing up for the Latest Lazy Letter, a newsletter I send out every month.
Take a look at what made Anne Bogel’s Summer Reading Guide this year.
The last in our three-part Food in a Bowl series, this week’s episode features hacks and how-to’s so you can build your best food bowls yet! Together, we will figure out the logistics of actually making food bowls a staple in your meal planning without feeling like you’re prepping literally everything always. This kind of episode is one of my favorites because we make can make life simpler but also more full . . . by filling it with things that matter, like delicious meals in a bowl.
Helpful Companion LinksAre you signed up for the Latest Lazy Letter? June’s edition comes out next week, so don’t miss it if you’re looking for a new book to read or a podcast to listen to plus I give readers an inside look at my book writing process.
I use Kokuho rice and a Japanese rice cooker that literally has no English words on it. If you don’t want to invest in a rice cooker, I suggest using Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything.
Looking for my fake fancy Asian lettuce wraps recipe? Here you go.
Yum-Yum Sauce makes every rice bowl better in my opinion. This is what we use. There’s a spicy version and regular.
If you have questions, join me this Thursday on Instagram around 12:15 pm EST for a LIVE Q&A session.
In part two of our Food in a Bowl series, we’re talking about flavors. There are so many ways to put together flavors because flavor options are literally endless. And that’s a little bit of why it’s hard, right? When we have so many options, it feels overwhelming and we just give up. In today’s episode, we’re going to distill flavor down a bit to help you think through how to put together your own dinner bowl.
Stuff MentionedIf you missed the first part in this series, listen to Food in a Bowl: Basics.
The Flavor Bible is my most treasured book in my kitchen. I don’t say that lightly, y’all.
Join me live on Instagram around 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday to chat about food bowl engines and destinations.
If Facebook is your kind of thing, we’ve got a Lazy Genius community over there. Join us and make some friends.
This episode is the first of a three-part series about serving food in a bowl. My family’s favorite foods are served in a bowl from pasta and soup to ice cream and cereal, but this series focuses more on dinner bowls, meals that are made up of multiple components layered together, not necessarily soup. In this episode, I break down the four basic building blocks to a successful dinner bowl so you can start where you are and use the ingredients your family already likes to add food bowls to your meal plan.
Companion Links for This EpisodeThe Swap is back with friends in The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, but only until tonight (Monday, May 6th) at 11:59 p.m. EST. If you want The Swap, don’t sleep on it.
If your preferred food in a bowl is soup, listen to The Lazy Genius Makes Soup.
Find the five quick and easy rice and ground beef bowl options on the blog.
Join me live on Instagram around 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday to chat about week one of food bowls.
Have you ever wondered how you can support The Lazy Genius Collective and this podcast? You can become a Patreon supporter, and as a thank you, you get a (really long) monthly episode of The Lazy Sisters Podcast, a show that Kendra does with her little sister, Hannah. It's fun, ridiculous, and the unedited Kendra if you were ever curious about that.
Here's a bonus episode of the most recent Lazy Sisters Podcast. If you ever want to hear more or just want to say thank you for The Lazy Genius Podcast, head to Patreon to become a supporter.
Thanks and enjoy!
We’re continuing our pizza conversation this week by talking about cheese, toppings, sauce, tools, and how you bake it. If last week’s episode on pizza dough didn’t convince you I’m a nerd over pizza, this one will. I’m realizing I have so much to say that I could have an entire series or even whole separate podcast on pizza. I love it so much and keep learning every time I make it. I hope the more you make it, the more you’ll learn and love it, too!
Links You May Find HelpfulJump over to listen to The Lazy Genius Makes Pizza (Part One) if you haven’t listened to that yet.
If you want to take cues from my pizza sauce recipe, you can find it on the blog.
Thinking about trying caramelized onions on your pizza? Here’s a recipe to make them in the crock pot and on the stovetop (I usually leave out the balsamic vinegar, but that’s just me).
Since I make pizza almost every week, it’s important to me to have a pan I love. I use this cast iron pizza pan. My friend Michael believes his pizza steel is best, and my cooking sister Bri McKoy uses a pizza stone. Use whatever makes you happy.
Having a pizza peel handy also makes pizza assembly a breeze. I use this wooden one (and store it with my cutting boards). They also make aluminum ones, so again, find what works best for you if you want to invest in one.
And as I said last week, a bench scraper is one of the best tools to have in your kitchen. Amen.
Bonus tip from Michael — how to make hot honey: Warm up honey in a little pan, add in chopped dried chiles, and warm that together for about 15 minutes on the stove. Then let it cool and put it back in a bottle. He drizzles that on pizzas when they come out of the oven or by the slice and swears by it.
The only thing that comes close to Change Your Life Chicken in emails and DMs on Instagram is Pizza Fridays. Anytime I post my meal plan for #ItsMealPlanMonday and it says Pizza Friday, I get a ton of DMs asking for my favorite pizza recipe, my favorite pizza stone, my favorite sauce. . .you get the point. Well guys, I’ve done my research, compiled the facts, and now, I’m ready to share everything I know about pizza with you! This week, we’ll talk all things pizza dough. Next week, we’ll talk about sauce and toppings and cooking techniques and everything else.
Stuff MentionedFirst things first, don’t let your pizza (or any of your food related plans) suffer from House Hunters Syndrome.
My favorite book to learn all the pizza things from is The Elements of Pizza by Ken Forkish.
I’ve linked my go to recipes for each dough I mention in this episode here: Neapolitan (crispy and chewy), New York (thicker and more common), Sicilian (thickest, square, and deep dish).
Once you get to the kneading and rolling out phase, you may want to consider using a bench scraper to make clean up a breeze.
But if you only want to add one new thing to your kitchen and you don’t have a digital scale, get yourself a digital scale. It’s really the only way to go when it comes to weighing ingredients like flour.
Does your van look like a thrift store on wheels? Me too. And I’m okay with that because I choose to be lazy about my car. This week, I’m sharing a few quick tips that help me keep a handle on the stuff in my van, so I don’t lose my mind every time I have to go somewhere. However, if you’re looking for tips on how to keep the exterior of your car clean, keep on searching. I basically have zero to say about it other than I guess it’s good to wash it sometimes?
Stuff MentionedKeep the cleaning train going and listen to the Lazy Genius Spring Cleans.
I share more thoughts about the cleanliness of my van in Why I Don’t Care that My Van is a Mobile Thrift Store.
To manage all the paper trapped in your car, may I suggest listening to The Lazy Genius Organizes Paper?
Check out Atomic Habits by James Clear if you want to establish better habits like cleaning the trash out of your car.
Sign up for The Latest Lazy Letter to get my monthly newsletter full of podcast recommendations, insider tips, and books….all the books.
This week I’m joined by the Lazy Genius Collective mascot, Emily P. Freeman. (Kidding, but not because you can play a drinking game with how many times I talk about her on all the platforms. ) Her new book The Next Right Thing comes out tomorrow, April 2, and what better way to celebrate than to have her on the podcast?! We’re talking about making decisions and how to find peace in those decisions when we don’t have much clarity surrounding them.
Companion LinksFollow Emily’s sister The Nester and the Internet’s resident ray of sunshine Bri McKoy on Instagram.
Buy Emily’s new book The Next Right Thing, which comes out April 2, or pre-order it today (April 1) and get pre-order bonuses!
The three episodes of The Next Right Thing podcast I mention at the end: Learn to Walk in the Dark, Take Off Your Crown, and Let Time Be Your Friend.
We’re finally talking about it, y’all -- how to Lazy Genius sickness. I’m chatting about the essentials that keep us mostly sane while we’re battling it out with germs and cranky kids. And I know what I’m talking about. Our family went through it in the first couple of months of 2019 with two bouts of the stomach bug, the flu, sinus infections, a cold that wouldn’t end… it was rough. The steps I share in this episode made it far less horrible for us, and I hope they do the same for you.
Stuff MentionedMy favorite kids gummy vitamins and probiotic gummies.
My Sick Kit is made up of: Clorox wipes, grocery bags, a bucket, good tissues, Zycam, and a clipboard for homework or coloring.
Some older blog posts that you may not know about: How to Use Trello to Track Your Reading, The Lazy Genius Guide to Food Prep, and When You’re Not Excited About Having a Baby.
Follow me on Instagram @thelazygenius. I hang out over there live every Thursday around 12:!5 pm EST.
Sign up to receive the Latest Lazy Letter. The next one goes out next week!
You guys, we’ve hit 100 episodes! How fun is that?! And the only appropriate way to celebrate, in my opinion, is to deep dive into Change Your Life Chicken! I never thought a chicken recipe would be my legacy, but here we are. This recipe is a staple in my meal plan, and I talk about every step in great detail in this episode. If you’ve never made it before, this episode will make it a regular in your rotation. I’m absolutely sure of it.
Stuff MentionedFollow me on Instagram where I spent most of my Internet time. You can always find me there for Meal Plan Mondays and my Instagram Lives on Thursdays.
Find the original post on Change Your Life Chicken with all the pictures and steps included.
My Instagram highlight of your CYLC experiences.
My interview with The Kitchn where I talk about Change Your Life Chicken.
It’s finally happening, y’all. I’m telling you how to feed a crowd this week! Or at least, I’m telling you how I feed a crowd and sharing things that are must-dos for me to keep my cool when I open our front door to welcome guests. I’m also sharing four ideas for crowdpleasers that we use at our community group when we host on Sundays.
Stuff MentionedFive ways to enjoy making dinner if you want people in your home for a meal, but you’re not loving the idea of cooking it all.
Pro tip: add salad dressing to the bottom of your serving bowl if you’re serving salad at dinner. You can listen to the Lazy Genius Makes Salad here.
When you’re building your to do list for a crowd, don’t forget to add “make a marinade.”
Change Your Life Chicken is a great actual crowdpleaser because you can make as much or as little as you need to feed your people. Plus, it’s Whole30 and Paleo compliant. Learn how to make it here.
If you want to grill chicken, here’s how I tackle grilling things.
Get breakfast for dinner ideas and inspiration here. The Pioneer Woman’s Thanksgiving breakfast casserole is a good one.
If you want to give the Greek feast a try, my favorite lazy hummus is Trader’s Joe but Smitten Kitchen’s recipe is a good one if you want to make it from scratch. I use tzatziki from Smitten Kitchen as well (just add more lemon, dill, salt, and garlic).
This pork shoulder recipe is my ride or die. It makes great tacos or nachos.
We’re talking fridge clean-outs this week on the podcast. This is one of those episodes we wish didn’t exist but also need very badly. We’ll spend a few minutes going over the seven steps to tackling this chore, the tools you’ll need to be successful, and a way to make it happen less often and definitely be less gross.
Helpful LinksDon’t sleep on The Meal Plan! I’m closing the doors on it March 7th. If you want to revolutionize your meal planning game this spring, this is it!
Here’s the Bizarro Meal Prep method I swear by when using up random ingredients left abandoned in my fridge.
How to stock your kitchen to eliminate those straggler ingredients that never get used and tend to make a mess.
Join me on Instagram! I’m there live every Thursday around 12:15 pm EST.
If you’ve been feeling like you’re not making anyone happy at dinner time (including yourself), this episode is for you! I’ve been talking about Brainless Crowdpleasers for a long time around here, but this week I’m breaking the concept down to set you up for success. I’m describing how to determine what counts as a brainless crowdpleaser and just how many people you should be able to feed with one. And I’ll teach you how to build up your list of Brainless Crowdpleasers and how you stock your kitchen based on your list.
Helpful LinksThe Meal Plan is available until March 7th. Don’t sleep on this if you want to get your meal planning game in shape before Spring!
Follow me on Instagram for Meal Plan Monday ideas, Thursday Instagram Lives, and crowd favorite series You’re Doing Great.
Listen to The Lazy Genius Stocks the Kitchen to learn how to stock your kitchen efficiently and effectively.
Some of my family’s Brainless Crowdpleasers: Change Your Life Chicken, Magic Instant Pot Curry Rice, and Make Your Own Hamburger Helper.
Although this is a frequently requested topic, I get that your situation might be very different from mine and from each person listening. I hope this episode is an encouragement on how to think about your own work, whether professional or what makes you feel like a person outside of motherhood, laundry, cookings and all the things.
Helpful Links For YouJoin the Lazy Genius mailing list. Don’t sleep on this, y’all. The Meal Plan is coming back!
Here’s a starter pack of episodes where I talk about productivity and household chores that you may find helpful: The Lazy Genius Finds the Best Way to Do Things, The Lazy Genius Cleaning Routine, The Lazy Genius Tidies the House, and The Lazy Genius and Time Management.
In all the time I spent dreaming and planning for this podcast, I never thought I’d spend an episode talking about marinades. But here we are. My DMs blow up every time I make something with a marinade. You ask, “What’s in that liquid?” You say, “My dinners never turn out like this.” And you worry about things turning out salty. A lot. Well, today we’re talking about creating your own magical marinades that can take an average meal from “meh” to “best meal ever!”
Important StuffCheck out the whirlwind of a 24 hours — including receiving a shout out from Pam Beesly Halpert herself —I had on Instagram last week.
Listen to the Lazy Genius Buys Meat for ideas and tips on buying things to slather in marinade before cooking.
Level up your cooking skills and learn how to cook without a recipe.
This week, we’re doing math on the podcast. Well, Freezer Math. Freezer Math will help you know how much to cook when you want to stock your freezer. Then, I share the Seven Rules of Freezer Cooking. This is serious business, y’all. So grab your calculator apps and let’s stock our freezers.
Links to Help You OutEvery month, I share books I loved, podcast episodes you should listen to, and stuff from me that I don’t share anywhere else in a newsletter. If you’re not on the list, sign up here. The next one goes out on Wednesday.
If you need help meal planning before you start stocking your freezer, there’s an episode for that.
Maybe you want to start stocking your freezer by stocking up on meat. Here are my words about buying meat.
Become a supporter of The Lazy Genius Collective on Patreon. Every month, my sister and I release a special show for Patreon supporters called The Lazy Sisters if that’s your jam.
Follow me on Pinterest to find freezer meal recommendations that won’t overwhelm you.
Are you afraid to go off script on a recipe? Or maybe you’re not afraid, but things never turn out just right when you riff in the kitchen. This week, I’m sharing a handful of concepts that if you understand them in concept will start to change your cooking experience tremendously. I’m not saying you’ll walk away from this episode a master chef, but your confidence and understanding of what can make you become better will definitely change.
Companion Links for this Episode:Download my super helpful eBook The Swap all month long to help you make a clear path through your stuff. It’s available through January 31. Have questions? Shoot me an email or send me a DM on Instagram.
My favorite cookbooks that teach you the only skills you need to cook: Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat (there’s a new-ish Netflix show of hers by the same name) and The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg.
Join me on Instagram on Thursday around 12:15 p.m. EST for my weekly LIVE discussion.
This week’s topic is one of the most frequently requested topics I’ve received via Instagram DMS and emails, but I know it’s not for everyone at this point in time. If you don’t have kids or they don’t give you trouble at bedtime, feel free to skip this one. But if you do have trouble at bedtime, I go through all the details of our kids’ bedtimes and what works for us and what doesn’t.
Helpful Links
If you don’t have a need for this episode, try listening to The Popcast with Knox and Jamie, The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman, or What Should I Read Next with Anne Bogel.
Download my super helpful eBook The Swap all month long to help you make a clear path through your stuff.
Routine Roundup Links: Morning Routine, Evening Routine, Skincare Routine, Exercise Routine, Cleaning Routine, etc.
If you’re having a hard time getting your little ones to brush their teeth, try listening to Gimlet Media’s Chompers. Two-minute podcast episodes that tell jokes or short stories that are great for kids and holds their attention while they brush.
Here’s a similar alarm clock that we use that lights up green when it’s time for the kids to wake up/leave their rooms.
Join me on Instagram on Thursday around 12:15 p.m. EST for my weekly LIVE discussion.
Have you ever noticed paper is like a magnet? The more you have laying around the more it attracts. In this week’s episode, I tackle the three biggest problems we have with paper and give you an inside look at how I lazy genius my paper situation at home.
Helpful Companion LinksDownload my super helpful eBook The Swap all month long to help you make a clear path through your stuff. If you have questions about The Swap, feel free to DM me on Instagram or shoot me a quick email at kendra@thelazygeniuscollective.com.
Here’s a similar basket option to the one that contains the kids’ art that lives near the art supplies.
Join the conversation over at The Lazy Genius Collective Facebook group.
Goal setting can be a dangerous game. We can go overboard and try to do all the things, but when we don’t, we feel like complete failures. This week’s episode, I share three steps to help you move from goal-setting that doesn’t work to a mindset that does so that January starts feeling more exciting than terrifying.
Links You May Find Helpful:Listen to last year’s New Year’s episode The Lazy Genius Sets Goals and read How to Set Goals Like a Normal Person.
Here’s Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing podcast (p.s. she’s coming out with a book by the same name in April!).
If you feel inspired in the new year to try something new, there’s a Lazy Genius way to do that.
Sign up for a free PDF of questions to guide your intentions each month.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of 2019, can you believe that?! In today’s episode, I talk about why it’s okay if you don’t have all of your goals and intentions for the year crystal clear by the time the ball drops tonight. And I offer three tips for resetting your home after the holidays in a (mostly) painless way.
Stuff Mentioned:Listen to last January’s The Lazy Genius Sets Goals or read How to Set Goals Like a Normal Person if you feel like you need some concrete goal-setting encouragement.
For you list makers out there, check out Emily P. Freeman’s “Make the Most Important List” on The Next Right Thing podcast.
The Nester recommends taking out everything from a room other than main furniture every now and then to let the space speak its mind and tell you what it wants to be. You can read more about decorating in the right order in her book The Cozy Minimalist Home.
Check out my ebook The Swap if you’re hoping to declutter and find a path through your stuff this year.
A gentle, loving reminder that you matter this Christmas season. . .even if you feel overwhelmed and those family traditions you care so much about fall apart.
Helpful Companion LinksWant to get a jump start on the new year? Listen to The Lazy Genius Sets Goals OR read How to Set Goals Like a Normal Person (or do both)
Looking for a bit of rest even though your kids will be home from school for two weeks soon?! Listen to The Lazy Genius Creates a Holiday Sabbath
There won’t be a new episode next Monday, Christmas Eve, but you can find me all the time on Instagram @thelazygenius
The holidays can be tough, especially when it comes to managing our expectations when making memories. It doesn’t take much to turn our meticulously planned, yet festive holiday light display route into an awkward car ride with a crying toddler and hot chocolate that’s basically chocolate milk. This week, I’m offering three steps to help you detach your personal value from memory-making success which will help manage the holiday stress.
Helpful LinksSign up for my monthly newsletter roundup of all the things I’m loving.
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, listen to The Lazy Genius Rests if you need space in your soul and The Lazy Genius Creates a Holiday Sabbath if you need space in your schedule.
Need a calendar overhaul? Read How to Plan Your Holiday Calendar and then embrace the ebb and flow of all the holidays by listening to The Lazy Genius Conquers Holiday Overwhelm and create those opening and closing ceremonies you’ve heard me talk about.
I know, I know. You were probably expecting a holiday-centric episode now that it’s December, but I can’t think of a better way to prepare for the holidays than talking about something that can help make mealtime easier. Even when it’s the holidays, we need to eat regular meals and buy meat. I hope this episode helps give you a clearer path in the grocery store.
Links You May Find HelpfulSign up for the Lazy Genius monthly newsletter! The first edition of the monthly newsletter goes out on Wednesday, December 5th.
Some of my family’s favorite brainless crowdpleasers that can be made meatless or can help stretch the meat you have on hand: tomato soup and grilled cheese, Indian coconut soup, noodle bowls, bare-bones chicken soup risotto, make your own hamburger helper.
Want to look into buying meat at the farmers market? Listen to The Lazy Genius Shops at the Farmers Market.
I’ve written many love letters to Kirkland Signature Frozen Meatballs. Maybe you will, too.
We’ve got a short episode for you today, but don’t sleep on it, y’all. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of your kitchen and pantry and all of the upcoming holiday baking and cooking, this episode is for you. Give it a listen, and check out some of the other episodes I mention in the links below.
Stuff Mentioned:I talk about finding the best list of essentials for your pantry in The Lazy Genius Stocks the Kitchen. Spoiler alert: the best list is made up of the things you actually use instead of what the Internet says you should have on hand.
Bizarro meal prep that changes the game (and gets stuff on its last legs out of your fridge!)
The Lazy Genius Cooks Chicken, and so can you! Also a companion episode is The Lazy Genius Meal Plans. Get your meal planning on, y’all.
Feeling overwhelmed at the idea of hosting a holiday party? Yep, there’s an episode for that.
Join our Facebook community! We’d love to talk all things Lazy Genius with you there.
Download a transcript of the shortest episode ever.
When you think of the words “meal plan,” I bet you think of dinner. But lunch is just as important. This week, I’m talking about ways to find strategies and recipe ideas to make lunch not feel like such a throwaway meal. Plus, there's an exciting new community on the Internet that I think you'll love.
Companion LinksThe Wondering Years by my Internet brother and The Popcast’s own Knox McCoy
Planetbox lunchboxes (my boys have this one)
Listen to this episode if you want to hear me talk about meal matrixes
The Tim Riggins Salad of my dreams
The Lazy Genius Collective Facebook group
I’m a big believer in listening to one person for different spaces, and my sister Hannah is that person for skincare. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from her over the years and a few of my favorite tried and true products.
Companion Links for this Episode:Our honorary third sister Erin Moon is taking over while Hannah is taking care of a tiny human. Follow her on Instagram for lovely anti-basic shaming pledges and #gnomeonyourhome updates.
I’ve rounded up all of the skincare products I use in this blog post.
We like to do it right. We like to feel like we’re not wasting our time. How do we seek after the best way to do something without being a slave to the process? As the holidays approach, it’s a great time to think differently about how you choose what you choose.
Helpful companion links to this episode:For When Systems Can’t Save - a helpful blog post when your brain gets spinny
The Lazy Genius Does Laundry - an episode on a potential best way to do laundry
The Nester is the one voice I listen to about my home, and her new book Cozy Minimalist Home will change everything for you.
The entire podcast is a collection of my best way of doing many things, so scroll through the archive in your podcast app or on the site and listen to an episode that grabs your attention.
Are you tired of keeping up with diets and food trends? Let’s reframe how we view healthy eating and listen to what our bodies are telling us it wants and needs.
Stuff MentionedIf you’re here for the healthy eating, I have a suspicion you might be curious about how to Lazy Genius an exercise routine
Follow me over on Instagram @thelazygenius
When was the last time you showed yourself some kindness? And I don’t mean in the Tom Haverford “treat yo self” kind of way. I mean showing yourself a small act of kindness that doesn’t come with qualifiers or require a certain number of checkmarks on your to do list to obtain.
Stuff MentionedMy guiding light Emily P. Freeman who reminds me to sit down on the inside
It’s mid-October, and I’ve already seen Christmas lights in stores. The holidays are coming, y’all! While they’re full of mostly happy things like baking cookies and seeing family and friends, the holiday season can wear you out if you don’t build in time to rest. Here’s how you can create a practice of Holiday Sabbath this season.
Stuff Mentioned:My thoughts and opinions on rest (and how to do it like a Lazy Genius)
Lauren Washer’s instagram post piled high in laundry
Easy brainless crowdpleasers Change Your Life Chicken and Make Your Own Hamburger Helper to help you put dinner on the table during your holiday Sabbaths
Are you feeling it, too? Are you feeling the itch to get rid of everything and start over? Do you want to make your home feel like fall but have too much stuff in the way? In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to purge the house like a Lazy Genius, how to see our stuff with new eyes, and how to give ourselves a break when we can’t seem to create the space we want.
Stuff Mentioned
Do you need reinforcement for how small steps matter? How to Set Goals like a Normal Person
I wrote a long post about what kitchen tools are essential. It may help you purge your kitchen.
Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing podcast
John O’Donohue’s book To Bless the Space Between Us
Nest Fest details and tickets for October 20th, and I’ll be a special guest at The Popcast Live Show that night, too.
A couple of months ago, I asked on Instagram what you’d like me to talk about during our times together, and when someone said rest, the likes on that comment started piling up fast. Can we get better at resting? Can we set better goals and push toward resting better? In this episode, we’ll talk about how we need to look at rest differently and then figure out practical ways to actually do it in our regular life.
Stuff Mentioned:My Penny and Sparrow playlist that always calms me down
Nest Fest details and tickets for October 20th
I’ll be a special guest at The Popcast Live Show on October 20th as well. Head over to my Instagram to see how you can win a pair of tickets
We’ve been waiting for this one, haven’t we? We’re finally talking about meal planning! Getting dinner on the table happens most every day, and we’re still surprised it has to happen. Here are three simple steps (plus one exciting announcement) that will help you get dinnertime under control.
Stuff Mentioned:Salt Fat Acid Heat, this cookbook talks about the principles of creating delicious meals using, you guessed it, salt, fat, acid, and heat
Mad Hungry, another favorite cookbook which is about feeding families with a focus on the teenagers taking over the reins.
Note: In this episode, I mentioned two levels of The Meal Plan. I decided to scrap that. We’re all VIPs, so there’s only one level!
We’ve all seen the lists online. Lists of all the foods you should have in your kitchen so that dinner is always close at hand. But if those lists worked, you’d make more dinner more often and be less stressed about it. That’s why we’re going to talk about how to make your own list that works for your family and your lifestyle because I’m guessing a jar of roasted red peppers and grasini don’t make the cut.
Stuff Mentioned:A few of my crowdpleasers: Change Your Life Chicken, Homemade Hamburger Helper, Japanese Curry Rice
Graze, my favorite niche cookbook
Do you have a creative interest you’ve been putting on the back burner? Maybe you think you don’t have time or you’re not talented enough. Here are 10 steps that will help you kick those thoughts to the curb and take a creative leap!
Stuff Mentioned:
A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman
Tired of buying a cookbook then never cracking it open? We’re talking about why that may be and how to fix it on this week’s episode. I also offer a fail-proof method of picking out a cookbook that will serve you and your family for years to come.
Stuff Mentioned:
Preorder Shannan Martin’s new book The Ministry of Ordinary Places here. Her previous book Falling Free changed my life, and I will forever recommend her beautiful words.
Hosting a book swap is a low-key way to meet new people and get some great books in the process. In this episode, we chart the path of a book at a book swap plus talk about food, music, and everything else to have a great party.
Curious about how many friends to invite? How to set up the books? How to collect the books in the first place? We cover it all here. Enjoy listening, and if you host your own, don't forget to tag me on Instagram and use the hashtag #lazygeniusbookswap!
Stuff Mentioned:Traveling is new to me, but I never want to go anywhere but London again. What an incredible city. In this episode, I share seven regular life lessons I learned from my time in London.
If you're interested in more travel details (what I did, what I packed, and how much I hated the flight), head to the show notes.
Interested in the watercolor dessert postcards? Make sure you're on my mailing list to hear about the flash sale the minute it opens!
School is about to start, but it's still technically summer. How do we transition between seasons and schedules and stay present and all the things we hope for? Enjoy this episode about welcoming fall without aggressively leaving summer behind.
Episodes related to this one:
August feels crazy because it is crazy. We're one step into summer, one step into fall, and feel like we're going to fall over. Plus, our kids have been with us for 578 years and we need a break. In this episode, let's reset our minds and change our posture a little. It's okay for motherhood to be hard, but it doesn't have to paint the entire picture. If you're home with kids, this episode is especially for you.
Related Info to Check Out:
In this last episode of the summer, I share the gift of trying new things. We're often afraid of failing, but if we fail to build up our Try New Things muscle, those new things we so desperately long for will be harder to find.
Hear what I'm working on this summer, what new things have entered my life, and why this summer break is part of that. I hope you try some new things, too!
The farmers market is a lovely place, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Do you haggle? Are the farmers mad when you buy from somebody else? How do you know if you like something or not? In this episode, all of your farmers market questions will be answered, and if they're not, join me on Instagram @thelazygenius to ask yours.
Yard sales sound good in theory, but the piles of stuff, mean hagglers, and rainy mornings ruin everything. Is it possible to have a yard sale and not hate the entire process? Definitely. In this episode, you'll be set up for yard sale success from organizing your stuff, signs, haggling, pricing, and everything in between.
What if you don't have a grill? What if you hate salad? What if your kids run purely on snack bar fries and won't eat anything you make? Let's take a super quick trip down Summer Food Tip Road. Even if you just take one tip from this, that one tip could make a huge difference. Listen in and find one that works for your life.
Companion Episodes:
Download the transcript for this episode!
And check out the giant blog post with every summer tip I have!
Sure, summer needs a routine but not quite the kind you might think. I'm not pulling a fast one; I really mean a different kind of routine. Listen in to get some new ideas.
Companion Episodes:
Download a transcript for this episode!
Check out Hope*Writers! The membership window closes this week!
We're looking at the summer as one huge batch of time, but breaking it down into categories helps. In this episode, let's look at all the ways you (and your kids) can spend your time so you don't confuse them and always feel tired.
Companion Episodes:
Even now in May, summer already feels overwhelming. We want to get a lot done, rest, have time alone and away from our kids, and figure out the perfect balance between structure and freedom. While that balance might not actually exist, a new mindset can certainly help you try.
In this, the first episode in a four-part series, we're going to develop a strategy for the summer, and as always around here, we begin with a little reframing. Listen in.
Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
We need some reframing when it comes to exercise. If you love working out, you might not find this topic necessary. If you think working out is the worst, you're probably girding your loins against the incoming guilt.
In The Lazy Genius Exercise Routine, you'll get zero guilt. In fact, I think you'll feel free to approach exercise in a way that makes sense without feeling like you have to look like an Olympian.
Stuff Mentioned In the Episode:
We've talked about how to clean bathrooms and kitchens, how to do laundry, how to spring clean, tidy, and clean our house without hating it. Is there really more to talk about? Actually, yes.
In The Lazy Genius Cleaning Routine, we figure out how to create an actual routine, a rhythm for keeping your house relatively clean on a relatively regular basis.
A good evening routine sets the stage for the next morning. It's like a game of life dominoes; we just need to knock over the right one. Learn how to slowly build an evening routine that gradually decreases your productive energy and helps you connect with yourself and the people around you.
Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
When we start the day with the right energy, sometimes things go better than we expect. How we develop a morning routine? Maybe not quite what you expect. Have a listen, and create mornings that make you feel like yourself.
Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
Roasting is one of the best skills to have in your cooking arsenal, and there's virtually no actual skill required. You just need a three basic rules and the cheatsheet below. Listen to an episode that is guaranteed to change the ease with which you get dinner on the table.
Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
Salads made by someone else are almost always better than ones we make ourselves. Let's remedy that, shall we? Learn the three salad rules and how to go from Matt Saracen salad to Tim Riggins salad.
Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
Bread is one of the oldest, best foods around. I have no scientific evidence of this, but it feels right. You can't really Lazy Genius bread, but you can start with great principles and have a better chance at great bread sooner than you think.
Stuff from this episode:
Soup is one of the most comforting foods around, but we often just dump everything into a pot and let it simmer for a few hours. There's a better (and quicker) way! Listen to The Lazy Genius Makes Soup and up your soup game big time.
And if you want to see the soup-making process in action, check out the video!
Helpful links:Kendra and Hannah are real life sisters keeping you from real bad choices. The Lazy Sisters Podcast is launching on Patreon this week, and here's a quick preview.
I appreciate all of your support for The Lazy Genius Podcast, and this new show is a fun way to say thank you for that support. Head to Patreon to find out more about how you can get more of these episodes and keep The Lazy Genius Podcast going at the same time.
Cooking chicken is basically required to be a human, so let's do it right! In this episode, you'll get a rundown of the main cuts of chicken available at the store, what grade I give them, and then a rundown of all the cooking methods you can choose.
Stuff from this episode:
Spring cleaning is just doing the things we don't do on a regular basis, and you don't have to reserve a horrible weekend to make it happen. In this episode, figure out the three steps to doing spring cleaning the Lazy Genius way.
Mentioned in the episode:
Tidying the house isn't cleaning the house; it's making it look clean. If you want some tips and perspective on the best tool in your Lazy Genius cleaning arsenal, this episode is for you.
Mentioned in the episode:
We often define our home by it's style, but that's only a piece of the puzzle and a dangerous place to start... unless you're ready to spend a million dollars at Target. In this episode, explore the three components of any home, no matter where you live or who you live with, and how naming them can enhance your life in significant ways.
Mentioned in this episode and/or helpful thoughts on home:
We don't have to mechanize our schedules to stay on top of our days. Learn three pillars of Lazy Genius time management as well as my favorite time-saving Lazy Genius Tip of the Week that's basic but so helpful in the rhythm of life.
Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
Join me on Instagram every Thursday at 12:15pm EST to talk about that week's episode!
Setting goals is tough without an overall purpose. Practically find yours with a tiny bit of Oprah woo-woo thrown in.
Stuff mentioned in the episode:
Lose weight, y'all - the right kind of weight, the right way.
Stuff Mentioned in the Episode:
It's a fresh start unicorn! January 1st AND it's a Monday! Before we jump on the roller coaster of goal-failing I mean goal-setting, let's talk. It's time to reframe our goals so we actually become the people we want to, Lazy Genius style.
Stuff mentioned in the episode:
I'll be live on Instagram Thursday, January 4th, to talk about the episode and to show you the planners I've tried and quit. That journal/notebook/planner graveyard is growing by the day, you guys.
Today's episode is about baking during the holidays, but there is not a single recipe or tip in sight. You might have just swiped to delete, but I sure hope not. Listen before you bake, friends. It might make your holidays a little sweeter. (Get it? I'll show myself out.)
After you listen, check out this post for my holiday baking roundup - recipes, tips, and the correct temperature of butter amen.
This is the last episode of 2017! If you're interested in hearing my roundup of the year (favorite books, etc.), be sure to join the mailing list. Enjoy the rest of your holidays!
It's easy to lose ourselves in the holidays... which is why we so look forward to the clean start of January. But do we have to wait with our shoulders clenched, crossing our fingers that we can present with the month also finishing quickly? I hope not, but you know. In this episode, let's talk about what it means to take care of ourselves during a busy season. Spas are optional.
Some of my favorite self-care items:Don't be afraid. It can be really fun to host a party, so if you're thinking of sliding one into your December calendar, I've got you covered.
Stuff Mentioned:
It's time to start buying for people, and while it's incredibly fun, we can inject a lot of stress into it, too. In this episode, we'll breeze through budgeting, how to choose a gift, and talk in detail about kids and gifts. As you can see, the links for this episode are plentiful, so read, listen, and get a better handle on how to give without feeling like Scrooge.
If you're looking for specific gift ideas, I'll send out an extensive gift guide to the mailing list this weekend, so sign up by December 2, 2017 to get yours!
Spending entire days with your family over the holidays can sometimes feel a little tense. There's a lot of history and things unsaid - or very loudly and aggressively said - and those car rides home can be little venting therapy sessions where you try and get your peace back. In this episode, we talk about how to leave those family gatherings with your peace still intact and maybe even an improved relationship along the way.
Mentioned in the episode:
Hosting Thanksgiving sounds great in theory but terrifying in execution. So many dishes. So much pressure. And the turkey! What if the turkey is horrible or raw or dry enough to sand the deck?
In this episode, I share the three keys to hosting success plus ten of my favorite practical tips. You can do this.
Don't forget to check out the only turkey recipe you'll ever need, and this Sunday I'll email The Lazy Genius Collective mailing list everything I have to say about Thanksgiving. Don't miss it, and join here!
It feels right to give thanks in November, but it also feels forced and annoying sometimes. Let's get back to the basics of gratitude and actually enjoy a season of giving thanks. No daily journals of thanks necessary.
Need all The Lazy Genius there is? Visiting your inbox is my favorite and might just become yours. Check out the mailing list here.
We want to save money, have extraordinary experiences, and not stress from paycheck to paycheck. But how? I share the four pillars of a Lazy Genius budget and a peek into our personal family budget and how we put it together, so listen in and grab some ideas for your own budget.
And don't forget to read specifically about budgeting during the holidays on the blog this week!
In this episode of The Lazy Genius Podcast, you'll learn the one life-giving decision that makes the holidays come alive again, no stress needed.
Instagram: @thelazygenius
It's possible to move through the holidays without going crazy. Your stuff and family are safe from your wrath if we can holiday game plan now!
After you game plan, check out How to Plan Your Holiday Calendar and get practical. And don't forget your game plan cheatsheet!
In this episode, I'll share the five organizing personalities and how you could totally be organizing your home wrong. Ain't nobody got time for that. Let's be Lazy Geniuses about our homes!
Stuff Mentioned in the Episode:
THIS WEEK ONLY, I'm releasing a mini-course on how to declutter for life. I want to help you clear a path through your stuff and create a home you love, a home you won't have to purge every year like you do now. It's only available until Sunday, October 15th, so please don't miss your chance!
This week, we talk about the benefits of Costco and the best items to buy (and skip) when you're shopping.
Here are all the things mentioned in the episode:
And don't forget to join me on Instagram @thelazygenius this Thursday at 12:15pm EST to talk more about Costco and get your questions answered!
The kitchen is the center of many homes, and when it's a wreck, we're not above contemplating arson. In this episode, you'll learn the Lazy Genius order to cleaning the kitchen. Yes, there's an order.
Enjoy the episode! And if you do, consider passing it along to a friend. The world needs more Lazy Geniuses.
Yes, we all know what a smoothie is, but in this episode, we'll dig deeper into smoothies than you ever thought possible. Why do we drink them? When should we drink them? What's the actual best way to make them? I've got you covered... in smoothie.
Show Notes:
Follow me on Instagram this Thursday (September 21st) at 12:15pm ET to talk smoothies LIVE.
You've heard lots of talk, seen all the photos on Pinterest, but let's figure out how to Bullet Journal for regular people.
Show Notes
Have questions? Join me on Instagram this Thursday at 12:30pm ET! I'll be on live to answer any questions you have. See you then!
I'm back after my summer break (party emoji!) and easing into a fall rhythm. If you need one, too, this episode is all over it.
We'll identify what parts of your life need a rhythm, how to find your reason for creating one, and five practical questions to get started.
Show Notes
Follow me on Instagram @thelazygenius. Every Thursday at 12:30pm we do an Instagram Live to talk about that week's episode, so come hang out!
Join me on Instagram @thelazygenius.
1. Get ideas from Pinterest!
The Lazy Genius Movie Night Pinterest Board
2. Here are a few things mentioned in the episode.1. Get grilling ideas from Pinterest.
The Lazy Genius Grills Pinterest Board
2. Check out what you heard in the episode.1. Get my favorite Lazy Genius cookie baking tools!
Here's a baking miniseries I did awhile back.
1. Read some stuff that goes with the episode.
Tim Ferriss interview with Derek Sivers, i.e. the bike ride story
Need some encouragement to be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't? The Lazy Genius Collective mailing list gets the best stuff. Join here!
1. Read what was mentioned.
If you're part of The Lazy Genius Collective, you get an exhaustive and awesome list of book/show/podcast recommendations every month. It's so nice to have someone do the searching for you.
1. Read a few things that were mentioned.
Join The Lazy Genius Collective. Your inbox and your sanity will thank you.
Stuff that's mentioned...
Follow me on Instagram! @thelazygenius
1. What's mentioned and what's helpful...
Have you subscribed yet? New episodes are released every Monday morning, so do the Lazy Genius thing and have them pop into your phone automatically. Head here to make it happen with one click. Or if you're already in your podcast app, hit subscribe! I'm so happy you're here!
1. Check out the stuff mentioned in the episode!
1. Read some posts to make the episode even better!
I talked about a record player... we were given a Crosley three-speed last year similar to this one but in teal. And our go-to record right now? The soundtrack from La La Land. Bonkers good. And if you like moody background music, this one by S. Carey is a personal favorite that's on repeat A LOT.
3. Get your freebie from the episode!1. Read this week's Lazy Genius post!
One of my favorite things I've ever written: Who's Your Cleaning Spirit Animal?
2. Check out the stuff mentioned!1. Check out the Pinterest board!
A good start on ideas for your walls as well as examples of The Rule of One.
2. Here are the posts and items mentioned in the episode.3. Join The Lazy Genius Collective!
Get encouragement in your inbox. The best stuff goes to the mailing list, so I hope you join us!
1. Read a few Lazy Genius breakfast posts.
A great place to start with ideas for sweet and savory items, toast toppings, and more. Use these to start your own board of ideas!
3. Never miss another Lazy Genius moment.Every Sunday afternoon, I send you an email so we can stay friends, and occasionally those emails include sneak peeks, early access, and any other perk friends get. I would absolutely love for you to join this community. I'm honored by every single one of you.
After you listen...
Follow Kendra on Instagram: @thelazygenius
A few things for after you listen...
In this episode, I share ways to come up with great gift ideas and actually remember them.
After you listen and what you heard when you did:
You should be shopping at Aldi, and if you already are, you could be shopping smarter! Kendra shares her favorite tips and items from the store that saves us all so much money.
For after you listen:
Emily and Kendra talk again but this time about their favorite lazy geniuses on television. Spoiler: a lot of them are jerks or kind of annoying. What does that mean?! But really they're just people who don't spend a lot of time worrying about what others think, and that can't be bad. Do your favorites make the list?
Where to find Emily: Instagram: @emilypfreeman Emily P. Freeman online
Where to find Kendra: Instagram: @thelazygenius The Lazy Genius Collective online
Emily Freeman is the perfect balance of boss lady and soul whisperer. She gets stuff done and has the work to prove it but her goal is to create space for your soul to breathe, and our souls can't breathe if we're drowning in hustle. Listen as Emily and Kendra talk about the difference in dreaming about your ideas and actually making them happen, how they get in their own creative rhythms, and how you can, too.
Where to find Emily:
Instagram: @emilypfreeman Emily P. Freeman online
Where to find Kendra:
Instagram: @thelazygenius The Lazy Genius Collective
He didn't own a cell phone until 2014, he does a mean Cookie Monster impression, and he's the laziest of all geniuses. In this episode, Kendra talks with her husband about their lazy genius marriage and the torrid story of how they met. It's a little scandalous.
Where to find Kaz:
Nowhere. He's an Internet hermit.
Where to find Kendra:
Instagram: @thelazygenius Visit Kendra online at The Lazy Genius Collective.
Introducing the coolest girl ever with the coolest job ever. Addie Jones is a stylist, decorator, and creative ninja. She's also incredibly kind and generous with her ideas and encouragement. Kendra and Addie chat about her jobs, the craziest thing she's ever hung in an Anthro store, and how to see your house with fresh eyes.
Where to find Addie...Her design business Twine and Twill Pinterest: /twineandtwill Instagram: @twineandtwill
Do you love The Nester? Not as much as this guy. Chad Smith is husband to The Nester and has been a teacher, youth pastor, coach, and dad to three teenage boys. He knows a lot about parenting and grace and people, and you'll learn a lot from his insights.
Where to find Chad:Chad's Instagram: @chadsmithis Site for Mantime Instagram for Mantime: @mantimeus
Where to find Kendra:
Instagram: @thelazygenius Want to be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't? Check out The Lazy Genius Collective online.
Jamie Golden, co-host of The Popcast, joins Kendra to talk baking. They share tips to help you not wash dishes ever again, how to make cupcakes that will change your life, and how chafing helps you remember the difference between baking powder and baking soda.
Where to find Jamie:
Instagram: @jamiebgolden Twitter: @jamiebgolden The Popcast with Knox and Jamie
Where to find Kendra:
Instagram: @thelazygenius Join The Lazy Genius Collective and always be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't.
Funny, honest, and a real Lazy Genius, Mary and Kendra have a conversation about kids, goals, marriage, and everything in between. Sometimes it's hard to be a person, and Mary gets that. She also makes you feel okay for not liking it all the time.
Where to find Mary:Mary's blog: Giving Up on Perfect Mary's Instagram: @marycarver Mary's Facebook: /givinguponperfect Mary's book: Choose Joy
Meg is creative, chill, and a mom of five teenagers. In this episode, she candidly and generously shares her experiences in parenting grown people who still live in your house. Her words are kind, honest, and freeing. I can't wait for you to listen to this episode and get encouragement from Meg.
Meg's post on raising teenagers that we all didn't know we desperately needed.
Meg's amazing Instagram feed that will make you so happy: @megduerksen
Follow Kendra on Instagram @thelazygenius.
Ever wish you had a television cheat sheet? Everyone keeps talking about this show and that show, and you simply don't have the brain cells to keep up. Today, Kendra and her pop culture brother Nick Flora are here to help. They break down the most popular television shows and give you all you need to know, including mic drop lines you can throw into a conversation even if you've never seen an episode. It's television Cliffs Notes at their finest, so you're welcome.
Plus, they take a surprising tangent down early 90s Christian culture memory lane, so have fun if you fit that demographic.
Where to find Kendra: Instagram @thelazygenius The Lazy Genius Collective
Where to find Nick: Twitter: @nickflora Instagram: @nickflora His music, tour dates, podcast, and all of it: nickflora.com
Emily is a therapist turned comedy writer who has been through more change than most of us experience in five lifetimes. If you've ever wondered what it's like to take a big (or little) leap when it comes to changing your life, this conversation with Emily is for you.
How to connect with Kendra:
Instagram: @thelazygenius The Lazy Genius Collective
How to connect with Emily:Twitter: @emilyvgordon Her book: Super You - Release Your Inner Superhero The movie she wrote with her husband about their early relationship that's getting crazy reviews and is fantastic: The Big Sick
Used with permission.
It's finally here! Welcome to season one of The Lazy Genius podcast!
Listen to a sneak peek of what's coming over the next ten episodes, and while you wait for them, go ahead and hop on iTunes or your favorite podcast app and subscribe to this podcast! And once you have a listen and like what you hear, do me a kindness and leave a review. The more stars and words and downloads the show gets, the more people will find it. And don't we want more people to be Lazy Geniuses? Of course we do.
I'm so glad you're here! Enjoy listening! Kendra
