So I’m back with another post in The Best From Before series. This is a monthly look at some of the best posts I’ve come across in all my blog reading, from any time. Not just the recent ones. As always, I’m giving you links to posts or articles that really struck a chord and brought value – for me, for people I know.

I’m keeping these fairly short because I’m really trying to bring you the best, not just a bunch of links.

And this month we even have a theme: Food!

Energy Ball Recipe For The Whole Family

Want a healthy snack that tastes like a cookie? I’m sure there are many variations of this recipe out there. But this one is easy and delicious. I’ve made it several times, and frankly need to make it again, since I’ve been snacking on leftover cookies too much lately.

A Simple Mealtime Hack That Will Get Kids To Eat Vegetables

Want your toddler to eat more vegetables? Duh. Well check this out. This concept really works too… I know because I semi-discovered a similar version of it on my own. There’s a season for kids to eat their vegetables “because I told you so”, and before that there’s a season to help them get there by building a healthy habit first.

The Simplest Way To Reduce Grocery Spending (And Time In The Kitchen!)

This title makes the post sound like it’s all about finance, but I think it’s also about ways to make your food life easier, from shopping to cooking. It’s a really great, practical, proven list. Note: I haven’t personally tried MyFreezEasy, but if you’re into freezer meals or want to be, you should check that out.

Hope you enjoyed these! Happy last few days of September!

The post The Best From Before – 2018 September Issue appeared first on Ma's List.

School is starting. It’s getting cooler. Or in some parts of the country, just less hot… New schedules and goals are starting up. That fresh fall wind of ambition is blowing and I think we all get a whiff of it.

So what’s been going on in mom blog land lately? You got it – lots of great posts that go with a back-to-school theme. So that’s our theme for today’s Best Lately, although we have a variety as always!

The Best Lately series hits on some of the posts that have caught my attention recently. Here you go, in no particular order:

Do We Really Need Back To School Shopping?

A new take on this topic. Especially love the idea of preparing “minds, hearts, and spirits” for the school year… not just material stuff.

5 Reasons Your Kids Need You To Abandon The Busy Life

Can you identify? I’ve caught myself saying “just a minute” way too many times to my toddler. And it’s so true that little people need eye contact too!

The Beginner’s Guide To A Minimalist Home

Want to get a minimalist home kicked off? Check out this quick tour of your house and how to do it.

11 Ways To Easily Speed Clean Your House

What we all need especially when we’re back in a busy season, fo sho.

Collect Memories, Not Things

Great story and reminder – the stolen jewelry was not your most valuable possession.

Chick-fil-A: Free 8-Count Chicken Nuggets!

I mean COME ON! What’s not to love about free food from Chick-fil-A?? Till Sept 29.

Podcasts, CrossFit, family photos, mountains, and more!

In this one, check out the “On my heart” section. How to make friends, especially as moms.

How To Hide a Postpartum Belly: The Best Shapewear For The Tummy Pooch

For those of us who don’t have the perfect bounce-back-from-baby-body… which I think is a lot of us! Lots of good info here on what pregnancy does and how to help your muscles recoup!

Being A Better Homeschool Teacher

Frankly these are tips for being a better mom, not just a better homeschool teacher.

The Self-Care You Need Is Spiritual

Check out this powerful idea of the self-care we really need. Definitely not the conventional take on this topic.

5 Ingredients to Boost Your Smoothie

Awesome nutrition to boost your day. Frankly I had never thought of yogurt. (Lame, I know)

Why We Live In An Apartment

Unconventional perspective on choosing the apartment life vs.  house life!

Lab Tests You Can Order From Home (Without A Doctor)

Who knew you could do a bunch of lab tests at home? Check this out. Good info.

Problems With Perfumes And Fragrances

Great overview. Be warned: fragrance compounds are considered trade secret, so companies don’t have to disclose all the chemicals.

How “Fun Lunches” Simplify Our School Routine

Make your lunch packing easier and your kids’ lunches more fun. Love all the photos.

Goals, Goals, And More Goals!

And finally! Get going on your goals! This post links to a bunch of posts on goals by the site author. Find an angle that interests you!

The post The Best Lately – 2018 September Issue appeared first on Ma's List.

How To Be An Action-Taking, Problem-Solving Mom – Allie Casazza

Problem-solving for moms! It’s not a topic you typically see on mom blogs. But it’s ultra practical because it gives you a key to improving a lot of different areas in your life… not just whatever specific area the post covers (like laundry, cooking, etc.). Try it out. It’s inspired me to develop a mindset to problem-solve, and it’s really helped me find ways to improve problem areas in our home and life.

-Allie is one of my favorite bloggers EVER and her site is featured on my list.

10 Habits of Highly Productive Moms – Sarah Nazarian

Sure, you can find lists like this all over the internet. I’ve read quite a few of them. And it’s not like most of these lists have proprietary information that the post writer invented. But anyway, this is a really good list. From my experience, it gives you some of the top suggestions ever. Try one or two today. The notecard, the brain dump, getting up early… they really work.

-This website isn’t on my list. But that’s OK – these Features posts are for any posts of value. And it did lead me to the author Sarah Nazarian’s blog, which is definitely on my list – Shine Bright Mom.

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