Living Life To The Fullest

I have a ranch up in Utah that is my little piece of heaven. We have 20 acres of perfect pasture land that is home to our nine horses, two donkeys, two goats, two mini horses, one pig, 5 cats and ten chickens.

When the dream to build the ranch began percolating, my mother (who is also my producing partner, business partner and best friend) and I talked endlessly about all our hopes for the land and what kind of ranch and lifestyle we wanted to create. We built a greenhouse and an organic garden, learned the art of bee keeping and read up on caring for chickens. Badlands Ranch (named after one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs that seemed inappropriately appropriate) is quite literally a dream come true.

But the truth is, you don’t need a ranch, farm, or even much land at all, to live life to the fullest. All you need is a little imagination, some inspiration and a desire to make the most out of as many moments as possible. I’ve found that the best way to be in the moment, instead of overwhelmed by it, is to have as many tips, tricks and hacks up your sleeve as possible! Here are just a few of my favorite time savers!

Mealboard

Download Mealboard on the App Store

Check out Mealboard if you’re like me and have a tendency to grocery shop for things you forgot you already have, like to experiment with new recipes, change your weekly meal plans regularly, have a disorganized pantry or just hate making grocery store lists every week.

This app can import recipes from your favorite sites, generate your grocery list from the ingredients in the imported recipe, and keep it all organized by aisle. It keeps a list of stocked pantry items so you know what you have and what you need, and can share your list with anybody who might need to have it. Mealboard also has a calendar to help you plan your weekly menus.

Honestly I’m kinda obsessed with this app – obviously! Available on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Hanging Clothes

I hang as much of my clothing as possible. It not only saves me folding time, it makes it easier to see what I have. Instead of stacking folded t-shirts and jeans that have a tendency to get buried underneath one another and lost forever, I hang them so I can quickly see and access what I want to wear.

Yoga with Adriene

This gal is terrific and her YouTube channel yoga videos are perfect if you don’t have time to get to a class. I love, love, love her 30 days of yoga series. They’re quick, the longest is about 25 minutes, and they have done more to help tone, strengthen and ease tension than any other exercise I’ve tried, and I’ve tried a lot!

Insight Meditation Timer

Insight Timer is another brilliant app that makes it fast and easy to take a moment to de-stress and reconnect with yourself. It has hundreds of guided meditations that range in style and length so you can find the perfect one for you and your timeline!

Download Insight Timer on the App StoreGet Insight Timer on Google Play

Slow Cooker

The invention of the slow cooker is probably one of the greatest gifts to mankind ever! There are so so many recipes for the slow cooker that are delicious, healthy, fast and painless.

I probably do a least two or three meals a week in my slow cooker. I can start the meal late morning after I’ve gotten some work, chores, or exercise done and not think about it again until dinner time.

HydroPeptide Solar Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30

HydroPeptide Solar Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This stuff works wonders! It’s a hydrating, anti-aging, acne fighting, broad spectrum sunscreen miracle that self adjusts to your skin tone.

After I wash my face in the morning I slap some of this on over my serum, or if I’m crunched for time, I skip the serum completely and trust HydroPeptide has me covered.

It is a serious time saver and best of all my touchy skin loves it!

Homemade Cleaning Supplies

I keep white vinegar, borax, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, eucalyptus oil, washing soda and baking soda stocked in my laundry room at all times, so I can quickly whip up a batch of cleaning supplies that clean the way I want them too and smell the way I want them too, saving me the time and energy it takes to run to the store to buy them – because of course it’s always when we’re totally out of whatever I need, that I remember we need more!

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14 Comments

  • Jessamyn Wilson

    These are great tips! I have started branching into home made cleaning supplies as well. I would love to read more about what you put together to clean different things in your home.

    Also, your ranch is beautiful. I am glad that you have found a happy place for you and your family.

    April 6, 2016 at 5:32 pm Reply
  • Amanda Schmitz/Louise's Country Closet

    So excited to find your blog! I have to admit that I’m even more excited that you have chickens too! We have 20+ chickens plus ducks, turkeys, quail and rabbits.. not to mention the dogs and cats (haha). We live in Minnesota and grow a lot of our food from the garden and even make chicken saddles and diapers (yeah, those are really a thing!). I’ve even tried knitting but have no one to show me so nothing of mine turns out right.. but it’s fun regardless 🙂

    April 6, 2016 at 5:45 pm Reply
  • Terrell

    Such a beautiful blog! I marked it in my favorites, to view often for sure! Thank you for putting this out there!

    April 12, 2016 at 8:28 pm Reply
  • Moira

    That ranch sounds like heaven! My goal is for my fiancé and I to eventually have a farm and land complete with horses, chickens, goats and a garden. Concrete jungles get overwhelming sometimes. I find I get drained and drepressed far more easily in a city than in the country. Great blog!

    April 13, 2016 at 3:13 pm Reply
  • Cheryl

    Do you have certain recipes for cleaning supplies that you use? I’m interested in making my own as well.

    April 30, 2016 at 10:16 pm Reply
    • Katherine Heigl

      I do! I’ve perfected a glass and counter spray that I will absolutely being sharing on the blog, so stay tuned! xoxo, KT

      May 6, 2016 at 11:08 pm Reply
  • Magali

    Lovely post 🙂

    June 21, 2016 at 2:20 pm Reply
  • Denise Burta

    Given your lifestyle and obvious preferences for natural things, there’s a book called “CLEAN The Humble Art Of Zen Cleansing” by Michael De Jong that suggests there are only 5 ITEMS NEEDED for all your safe, healthy cleaning needs…These are Baking Soda, Borax, Lemon, Salt and White Vinegar. The rest of this amazing book describes how to apply each or combinations for specific cleaning jobs. It’s not only become my cleaning “Bible”, but has saved me a ton of money too!!! And my house has never been cleaner 🙂

    June 23, 2016 at 8:00 pm Reply
  • Andrea Stewart

    I’m so glad to see your blog- it’s great! In my mind I’d love to be a perfect blend of the talents of Martha Stewart, Giada DeLaurentis, and Nicole Curtis but in actuality my execution of these things is more like a day with Lucy & Ethel…., especially with a 3 year old boy looking for trouble all the time- a beautifully exhausting joy you will come to know soon. Congratulations to your family
    I so wish you would include a small section for simple DYI beauty or skin care- I also love to make my own scrubs & cringe when I see the ingredients & the prices on the store bought crap.. But I would also like to know a few of your favorite beauty products- I think you have such beautiful skin and always look so naturally pretty. Thanks again- what a great blog.

    June 24, 2016 at 5:47 am Reply
  • Tiffany Wheat

    Oh I would love to know which beauty and skincare products you love as well

    June 25, 2016 at 5:08 pm Reply
  • Denise

    Wow! That is some great amazing techniques. You should try couponing you may love it also 🙂

    September 5, 2016 at 2:43 pm Reply
  • Emma

    Could you write a little about your favorite skin care products!?

    September 10, 2016 at 11:27 am Reply
  • Rita

    LOVELY! I only subscribed today but I’m glued to your blog! You’re amazing.

    February 9, 2017 at 12:53 pm Reply
  • Sara

    I’m so happy to have found your blog!! I am one of your biggest fans and have been for many years. Congratulations on the latest bundle to bless your family.
    I would love to see photos or a tour of your home if you’d ever consider doing that on your blog!
    Keep up the amazing work! I was so bummed to hear your latest show was already canceled. I loved it!

    March 9, 2017 at 1:28 am Reply
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