Career Homemakers

Have you felt discouraged lately? You are not alone. Let today's words and prayer uplift and encourage you.

In today's episode, Kim takes us through the steps to ensure our finances are blessable.

Mentioned in episode:

In this episode, Kim shares how finances are a way of walking out our faith. Our family is ours to look after and provide for, which takes money. Unfortunately, life in America takes a lot of money. We see our spouses work and toil daily to bring home a paycheck. In this partnership, our responsibility is to spend this money wisely. She also shares how giving is a part of this faith.

In this episode I share how you can keep the right perspective as you serve your family by feeding them each day. It's a large responsibility, and a huge task so listen to be uplifted.

In this episode, Kim will share how to build contentment in your workday—by getting enough sleep, starting the day in prayer, adhering to a schedule, and having a good work-rest balance.

This is the second of a two-part lesson. The first was A Homemaker's attitude towards work.

An episode in Nov 2023 discusses morning devotions, Bible reading, and starting your day. Look at this if you missed the episode.

In this episode, Kim shares how our attitudes affect our work production. She shares how our negative attitudes of shame, dissatisfaction, anger, malice, boredom, or feeling unappreciated have affected our work.

This part one of two episodes on this subject.

In this episode Kim shares the basics of cleaning the different rooms of your house, apartment, condo or Flat.

In this episode Kim discusses 3 different house cleaning schedules.

1. All in one day

2. Tasks and Laundry spread throughout the week

3. Room a Day

In this episode, we discuss contentment during the Christmas time, even if one suffers great losses during the year.

Have you ever had too much on your "plate"? I have. Let's dive in and discuss.

This episode is the end of our Peaceful Morning Series. This time, we discuss how Homemakers Raising Children can still have peaceful mornings.

This episode talks about prayer and journaling prayers.

Homemakers thrive when they start their day contemplating and learning about God and His word. Listen to Kim's ideas. Enjoy

In this episode, we discuss how each homemaker has unique strengths for blessing their family. Also, I've covered what to do when you are bored with homemaking.

What is a homemaker? Listen to the basics of Homemaking.

Do you have a 1000-hour habit? Most of my friends would say theirs is social media. I

I encourage you to look at how you are spending your time. Open in settings, screen time, and check out how you’ve spent your time on that screen for the last month. Click on Daily Average, “see all activity,” and click on Show Categories to so you can see what time is on social versus entertainment.  (I’ll have this in the show notes.) Then, if you slightly slide your finger up, then at the top of the screen, you have the option to see this week, or there is an arrow to check out the last few weeks of screen usage. 

This episode provides a solution to scattered recipes.

Do you have recipes scattered across various platforms? One issue is that our recipes are scattered everywhere - in digital format, on paper, note cards, books, and magazines. Finding a specific recipe can be a challenge if we can't recall where it came from. Although digital storage may seem convenient, it has its own limitations, like the need for power or the internet to access recipes.

To tackle this problem, I opted for a recipe program that allows me to print out a recipe book. There are many such programs available, but I prefer Homecookin for its simplicity and efficiency. With this program, I can customize my recipes into different sizes and formats. This isn't an advertisement. I just wanted to share what worked for me. There are many programs available for making a family recipe book. These would work for this project as well.

Children’s education in America has undergone significant changes over the decades and centuries.  The decline in the quality of public education led to the push for school choice, as parents wanted more options for their children’s education. Now, families in America have numerous school choices, and parents strive to provide the safest and best educational environment for their children. Listen to know the pros and cons in each school choice.

In this Podcast, I talk about how It takes time to develop these deeper relationships. But each friend sets the tone for the relationship. What friends do you want to have? I want praying friends who share deep as well as special moments with each other. How about friends who model loving their husbands and children, don't gossip or waste time? Let's explore A Homemaker's Friends together.

Buying and freezing meat for the month

Meals for our families are a large part of what a career homemaker does. I’ve found ways to streamline this responsibility. I have done this by buying and freezing a month’s worth of meals. 

Freezer

The freezer is more for storage because you can keep food here for longer. Well, except for ice cream, this usually rotates out quickly. But a freezer left to itself can grow into a place no one can find anything. Make it easier for yourself and your family. Go through your freezer every 3-6 months.

If you are just going through the freezer food, then you can keep your freezer on, but if you want to do a very thorough cleaning. Go ahead and turn the freezer off. 

• Wipe down shelves with a dry cloth. If there is discoloration, wipe with hot soapy water and immediately dry with a cloth or paper towel. 

• Take everything out and place it on the counter or table.

• Toss anything your family didn’t like.

• If you don’t remember when you bought it, toss. 

• Go through meat and see if there is any freezer burn. Toss if needed.

• Condense or put into smaller bags or containers. 

• Think: does this food deserve to be here. 

• Remember, this is high-end real estate in your home—probably the highest because you are paying for refrigeration and freezing. So be mindful about what you store inside there.

If it is in there, it must deserve to be there.

Freezer Storage

Temperature needs to be 0 degrees fahrenheit or below and -18 celsius

Hot dogs, bacon and lunch meat 1-2 months

Ground meats 3-4 months

Chops, steaks and roast 4-12 months

Holiday ham 1-2 months

Chicken 9 m- 1 yr

Fish 2-8 months fatty fish like salmon and tuna, less long, closer to 2-3 months and lean fish much longer closer to 8 months

Shell fish 2-4 months

Soups, stews and left overs 2-3 months.

Cooked meat or poultry 2-6 months

Home management and housekeeping are part of our responsibilities as homemakers, whether we hire it out, have our family do it, or do it ourselves. It doesn’t go away. And the house is more enjoyable and ready for company if we keep up with it. Sometimes we forget how easy it is to get a task done. Is there a task that you put off when you get busy?

Companies use the power of suggestion to get us to buy their product or go to their store. Influencers do what? Influence.  But what if we could use the power of suggestion to our advantage? Listen to find out

Ironing is not my favorite homemaker chore. For years, I didn’t have to iron, but now I have summer clothes that need ironing and shirts m husband loves that also need ironing. I have found a few tricks that make it easier.

Now many homemakers have told me they would never iron. I understand, but at some point, you will want a dress, shirt, or even a cute pair of shorts pressed perfectly. So when you do, remember these tricks of the trade.

Parents are now thinking about this school year. It is a huge decision. We love our children. We are willing to sacrifice for their safety and our peace of mind. One option is homeschooling. I hope to answer some of your questions concerning homeschooling. Listen to hear information and benefits to homeschooling.

Sites Mentioned:

Recently, I made a few projects that made my box of remnant fabric overflow. Because I want to “keep a lid” on how many fabrics I collect, I keep my craft/fabrics in one box. When it overflows, I know it’s time to go through the box and remove what’s unneeded. I have a few fabrics I’m keeping for unfinished projects. But other than that, it’s remnants. 

Listen for ways to go through your craft and fabric remnants.

When was the last time you tried to move or lift an object but hesitated because you didn’t know if you had enough strength? I couldn't lift luggage over my head a few years ago because my arms had become weak due to lack of use.

When we don’t use our muscles regularly, they become weak. Then when we need them, we question their strength. One can get a well-rounded workout by strengthening, stretching, balancing, and cardio. It prepares us for day-to-day activities where we may need to use muscles.

So, what does that have to do with faith?

As we use our faith, it grows stronger. However, when life becomes predictable and effortless, we mindlessly seek pleasures. When you engage your faith in Jesus, you trust God, who cares and considers you precious. He sees your condition and has compassion for the trial you are in. You are His beloved. So when you have faith in Him instead of depending on others, you please Him.

Listen to enjoy more of this episode.

In this episode we talk about adding Frozen fruit, dried or canned fruit to meals during the summer. Here are some drinkable/frozen fruit recipes

For a family of four:

Fill up the blender with frozen fruit 

then add enough liquid to barely cover the fruit. Which can be milk or a milk substitute, juice or water  

If sweetener is desired, then add two tablespoons of sugar or a tablespoon of jam,

For a smoother texture or creaminess, either a splash of heavy whipping cream or a banana.

Our favorite Strawberry Smoothie

Fill Blender with frozen strawberries

Add a tablespoon of strawberry jam or 2 tbsp of sugar

Add milk to just under the strawberry line, then splash with heavy whipping cream. Blend.

If it will be for dessert, I put pretty drizzles of Hershey syrup on the cup or glass-like coffee places do and squirt heavy whipping cream on top. 

Date Shake

Another option I like to make is date shakes. I buy pitted dates and blend them in the blender with milk and ice. It takes 4-5 dates per 9 oz tumbler cup. I serve them in smaller cups because of how sweet they are. They are so refreshingly sweet and simple. 3 ingredients; you can’t beat that. 

Tropical Julius

Lastly, if you like a tropical Julius, then try this shake. Fill your blender with tropical pineapple/mango frozen fruit mix add 3 tablespoons of orange juice concentrate and water so it barely covers the fruit. Then add one envelope of dream whip then blend. Mix till smooth. You can use a can of pineapple but then add ice.

Serve smoothies in a 16 oz red party cups that can be thrown away after use, rather than using glasses or cups that require cleaning. If there is any leftovers in the blender,  pour any into 9 oz disposable clear plastic party tumblers and place in the freezer. When the drink is frozen, I stack these prepared mini-smoothies in a gallon freezer bag for my child to enjoy as a healthy snack later. 

Thanks for listening.

In today's episode of the Career Homemakers Podcast, we will discuss the common challenges homemakers face and offer valuable lessons and encouragement. For example, One great outlet for homemakers is volunteering, which can provide numerous benefits when you give your time to your child's school, local non-profit, or church. Let's dive into these benefits together.

Have you ever gotten tired of cleaning the same thing week after week? It’s hard to remain enthusiastic about our work, yet the Bible says to work with enthusiasm. Let’s unpack this in today’s Career Homemaker podcast.

In the Bible, it says:

Ephesians 6:7-8 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do.

When I clean our home’s toilets, I can’t say I’m enthusiastic about it. On the contrary, I’m more excited about being done than doing that job. I love having clean bathrooms: sinks, floors, toilets, and tubs, but cleaning them, well, not so much. 

Having a family makes it so my work will be negated soon. The bathroom will be messy again, sooner than later, and I will be back to cleaning up the messes they leave behind. 

I need to keep working for the Lord rather than people. I choose to please Him by keeping my house sanitary and nice. He wants my family to have a clean home to live in too. 

Doing the will of God from your heart. V.6

What is God’s will for us to do today? If we are to do our work for Him, have we asked Him what’s best, or are we trying to figure it out ourselves? Sometimes I rush into my day and do what I think needs to be done, whereas here, we are called to stop, ask for God’s will, and do it from our hearts. 

Have you noticed when some teens do their chores? They put no effort into it, and it shows. Are we like that? 

Our hearts drive us. When we want something nice, we put a lot of effort into it. But if we are bored or don’t care, we do a quick job. 

Have we lost our enthusiasm? It may be because we are doing it for the wrong reasons. Maybe we forgot who it’s for.

Did that verse resonate with you? It definitely did with me. I struggle with having the right attitude and finding enthusiasm for housework, but I've learned that keeping a positive mindset throughout the week can make a big difference since this is my chosen career. My attitude is sometimes the hardest of all to clean. 

Listen often to stay encouraged, for you are not alone in your Homemaking Career. I’m your host, Kim Griffin 

In this Homemaker Inspiration, we delve into the daily challenges of homemaking and offer encouragement and insights gained from years of experience. In today's episode, I share a personal treat that I indulge in each month when I pay the bills - Chocolate Truffles. My husband kindly buys me these delectable chocolates as a reward for completing this task, and I believe it's a fair trade. However, these treats have also taught me a valuable lesson. Tune in to discover what it is. 

It's your choice to decide if Chocolate Truffles should be included in your bill-paying routine. However, it's important to remember that God wants to assist you in being financially responsible. God understands your needs better than you do, so make sure to seek His guidance more often.

Listen often to stay encouraged, for you are not alone in your Homemaking Career. I’m your host, Kim Griffin 

Today's Tricks of the Trade episode is about the benefits of exercise for homemakers. Staying healthy and physically fit is crucial to easily perform daily household tasks and avoid injuries. It also has the added bonus of making us look and feel better. As someone who struggles with this myself, I wanted to share a blog post from myheartscry.org, my personal blog site, that has encouraged many of my readers. I hope it inspires you as well. 

How about you? How are you taking care of your health? Do you need outside encouragement like a gym or a walking group? Leave a review and comment below, I'd love to hear from you.

Welcome to Career Homemakers, where we aim to help homemakers achieve a fulfilling and creative career. Today's topic is centered around faith.
Don't worry. Many homemakers are learning to rely on faith when shopping for groceries or clothing for their families. Previous generations of grandmothers have had to do the same. These challenging times are where faith can grow. Matthew 6:25-35

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I encourage you to Stand fast through these turbulent times. God alone is your hope and courage. I implore you not to look at your money or anything that could rescue you but to look to Jesus, the savior of your soul. He will lead and guide you. He knows the path to your future. To give you a future and hope.

This is a Homemaker Inspirations: I will discuss our day-to-day challenges as homemakers, then offer encouragement and lessons I’ve learned from years in this vocation. Have you ever struggled with a feeling of overwhelm regarding housework? Do you get lost in other more interesting pursuits in life, and then your home looks like a cyclone has hit? Yea, me too. Let’s check in with Career Homemaker’s fictional homemaker named Charity. Maybe if we can help her, we can help ourselves too.

A well-thought-out plan that keeps the basics in mind and her body’s limitations must be implemented. 

I call this Housework Automation. This is where a homemaker can map out what to do on each workday to spread out the work so it’s easy to maintain, won’t be too stressful to your body, and, when done faithfully, will dig yourself out of a messy house. With a plan, you can keep the basics done in 15-minute increments daily. And having it written down, you don’t have to think or plan it repeatedly. 

I’ve created a worksheet for you to think through the housework tasks and carefully plot them out into 15-minute increments. So whether you have a busy family or pain issues or just don’t want to think about housework much, you can have the plan to stay on top of it.

This is a Homemaker Inspiration, and I will talk about the day-to-day challenges we face as homemakers, then offer encouragement and lessons I’ve learned from years in this vocation. In it, I will convey how getting work done while ensuring the kids are safe and not making a mess can be a balancing act. I tell a funny story of trying to do both and failing.

Do you have a funny story about balancing caring for your children while getting projects or housework done? Then, could you come to my website and write it in the comments section? I may even read yours on a podcast. 

Listen often to encourage you, for you are not alone in your Homemaking Career. I’m your host, Kim Griffin.