# \[REPLAY\] Being a Home CEO: Tips, Tricks & Hacks for the Home | Nicole Jaques

An episode of [Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1159498258), 1 Jun 2026, 31 min.

Audio: https://prefix.up.audio/s/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/clrtpod.com/m/mgln.ai/e/35/audio2.redcircle.com/episodes/f7ecf711-3468-446b-9290-298ee2cb8ad0/stream.mp3

Now is the perfect time to revisit this conversation with Nicole Jaques. As summer schedules fill up with gatherings, vacations, and kids home more often, many of us are looking for practical ways to keep our homes feeling manageable without spending all day cleaning. Nicole shares simple, non-toxic cleaning solutions, easy hosting tips, and realistic strategies for creating a home environment that feels both functional and welcoming. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by clutter, household upkeep, or preparing your space for guests, this episode offers tangible, actionable ideas to help you simplify your routines and enjoy your home more this season. Links Discussed in This Episode | • Order a Copy of Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity • Beneficial Resource: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport • Previous Episode: How to Confidently Create Connection and Community with Morgan Tyree (EP210) • Nicole Can't Stop Talking About: Lumebox • Connect with Nicole: • Instagram • Tik Tok • Website Episode Sponsors | The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal! Enjoy the Podcast? Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity. You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook. Our Sponsors: * Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com * Check out Cure Hydration and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://www.curehydration.com * Check out DeleteMe and use my code joindeleteme.com/MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://joindeleteme.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

## Transcript

[0:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Now is the perfect time to revisit this conversation with Nicole Jakes.
[0:04] \[SPEAKER_01\]: As summer schedules fill up with gatherings, vacations, and kids home more often, many of us are looking for practical ways to keep our homes feeling manageable without spending all day cleaning.
[0:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Nicole shares simple, non-toxic cleaning solutions, easy hosting tips, and realistic strategies for creating a home environment that feels both functional and welcoming.
[0:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: If you've been feeling overwhelmed by clutter, household upkeep, or preparing for your space for your guest this summer, this episode offers tangible actionable ideas to help you simplify your teens and enjoy your home more this season.
[0:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So with that, let's get into this replay of episode 33 with Nicole Jix.
[0:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Hello and welcome to the minimalist mom's podcast.
[0:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Today, I'm thrilled to bring you my conversation with Nicole Jakes.
[0:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with her Instagram account.
[0:47] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She graciously agreed to come on and share some of her best tips, tricks, and hacks for the home with all of you today.
[0:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Nicole places a heavy emphasis on living a non-toxic lifestyle and how she surge in her knowledge and social media.
[0:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We also talk a lot about posting in our home, in which she would say is one of her favorite kitchen.
[1:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: There are a few times during this interview that I was just blown away by her knowledge and I also felt like this was one just full of practical takeaways that you could implement after you hit stop.
[1:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I can't wait to get into this episode, but before we get there, I quickly want to share my minimalist resource of the week.
[1:19] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And this week I want to share the new book by Cow Newport.
[1:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You might be familiar with him.
[1:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: He wrote the book Deep Work.
[1:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: This one is called Slow Productivity.
[1:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: The last art of accomplishment without burn.
[1:31] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Some about halfway through this new book, but I really like how the basis it on three principles of doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality.
[1:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So far, this book has been full of good advice.
[1:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: His tip seemed easy to implement, which I always appreciate in a nonfiction read.
[1:46] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I will say I do wish for someone its productive as a new port to share a little bit more about his own life, like how he raises his children, hosts a podcast, teaches, and found the time to write all these books.
[1:57] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But nonetheless,
[1:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think there are some great takeaways here, and I highly recommend it so far.
[2:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'll be sure to include the link to this book in the show notes, again, the book is slow productivity, the last art of accomplishment without burnout by Cal Newport.
[2:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And then lastly, if you've been enjoying the minimalist mom's podcast or you enjoyed this episode, please number one, share it with a friend that could benefit from the content.
[2:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And then number two, if you haven't left or reading a review yet, that helps other people find the minimalist mom's podcast.
[2:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's simple and not very time-consuming that it makes a huge impact on the show, and to continue to bring amazing creators to you.
[2:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So with that, I cannot wait to share this episode with Nicole, so let's dive into it.
[2:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, the cool, this has been a year in the making.
[2:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You and I sitting down and talking together.
[2:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So thanks so much for joining me today.
[2:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Thanks for having me.
[2:48] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm happy that we finally made it happen.
[2:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I know, I'm sorry.
[2:51] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I know both of our schedules are pretty crazy.
[2:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And it looks like you're doing quite a lot right now.
[2:55] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I just was on your stories before we got on your launching a blog.
[2:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You have your own podcast, doing an e-book.
[3:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So you have had a full schedule as have I.
[3:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I'm just glad we're finally making the time.
[3:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I am recording from my car, but we're making it happen.
[3:09] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We are making it happen.
[3:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You know, that is the flexibility of moms or parents in general.
[3:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so I think we're pretty testament to this is real nice.
[3:19] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yes, yes.
[3:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I definitely try to be as authentic as I can in that way.
[3:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But why don't we go ahead, Nicole, I'll let you introduce yourself to the listeners today.
[3:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We're going to be talking about cleaning, hacks, tips and tricks.
[3:31] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You are so well known for that.
[3:32] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself and we'll get started.
[3:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm Nicole Jakes.
[3:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm a mom of two.
[3:37] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm a wife.
[3:38] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I live in Oregon and I have a neck for understanding the non-toxic lifestyle, especially in the cleaning space, whether it be produce or you're grown in your bathroom.
[3:50] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I have you covered.
[3:51] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I kind of grew up in a home with a Southern grandma who was a home, taught chess and she made all of her own cleaning supplies.
[3:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So these are things I've known for a long time.
[4:02] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, and my friends said, you need to start sharing this with the world.
[4:05] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so two years ago, I popped on Instagram and created a handle and started sharing and it didn't start in cleaning always, it started in recipes and kitchen hacks and fun lifestyle content and then evolved into me sharing.
[4:21] \[SPEAKER_00\]: kind of my repertoire of non-toxic, cleaning, decluttering, organization, and the community is why I stay.
[4:29] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I think social media lacks authenticity a lot of the time.
[4:32] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And we show these perfect homes.
[4:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And that's just not real life.
[4:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I really love my community for their kindness and that they come on to be empowered, but also because we just keep it real, we just do.
[4:45] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So.
[4:46] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I am here and excited to be on and talking all things, cleaning, minimalism, and all of the lifestyle in between.
[4:56] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's a little bit about your backstory, but for the listeners today, you are also here to share with them.
[5:01] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And we are going to just dive into the minute or top tips for cleaning and hosting kitchen hacks all of the things.
[5:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So first and foremost, let's get into cleaning tips and tricks.
[5:12] \[SPEAKER_01\]: What are some of your favorite cleaning tips and tricks these hacks that you have here for us?
[5:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I think it's a mindfulness about cleaning.
[5:20] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I think everybody really looks at cleaning and things, oh gosh, I have to go do that.
[5:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And I want to take the stress out of cleaning.
[5:26] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So my mantra is less mess, less stress, more success, because I think all of that how we perceive things.
[5:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So if we can think of cleaning as a cycle, our home is a living breathing object that is always going to be in constant motion, much like our telltira.
[5:45] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so, if we look at like laundry as a cycle where there are clothes that we're wearing that need to be wandered, there's clothes that are waiting to be wandered, ones that aren't being wandered, ones that are being dried, ones that are waiting to be put back in to being clean clothes, we break the stress of I have to get this done.
[6:03] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So, one of my number one tips is change your mindset about cleaning.
[6:09] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Number two is a potato can go a long way.
[6:12] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So take a potato and cut it in half.
[6:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It not only desogs, the starch really helps with mirrors and glass cleaning because as we rub these surfaces of glass or mirrors, they have a rough course texture.
[6:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They're not like how we view them in our eye, but if you put them under the microscope, they're rough and the starch actually helps to make it more level.
[6:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so it takes like,
[6:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: the ability for it to fog and it cleans it really well.
[6:39] \[SPEAKER_00\]: A cast iron, it cleans a cast iron magnificently.
[6:43] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Starch is one of those sticky substances that we don't think about as being completely non-toxic and it really has a great ability to break down fats and soluble.
[6:54] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But a potato is like always in my house to eat but also to clean with.
[6:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And totally random and then
[7:03] \[SPEAKER_00\]: don't underestimate or don't rewire your brain to what clean smells like.
[7:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So cleaning, that's not like anything.
[7:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Something being clean smells like nothing, but we've been wired to have it smell like bleach or to have it smell floral.
[7:19] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And that's just one of those things we need to say, that's outdated and probation.
[7:24] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Clean smells like nothing.
[7:26] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I love is a pumice stone so you can buy these scoring stones on Amazon.
[7:30] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They're really cheap.
[7:31] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They're made from volcanic ash.
[7:32] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They are amazing.
[7:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And they've seen toilet rings, mold, mill do oven grind.
[7:39] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They will not scratch surfaces and they do it in insane job at deep cleaning and all you need is the scoring stone some hot water.
[7:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Let it soak for a second and then take it out and it will clean.
[7:50] \[SPEAKER_00\]: your home in ways you never thought possible.
[7:53] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So those are probably like my clap four tips of things to use for cleaning.
[7:57] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay, you're blowing my mind right now.
[7:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Mostly because I'll admit I'm not
[8:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: the best deep cleaner.
[8:04] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm great at tidying.
[8:06] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I have my home in the position where it's easily tidied.
[8:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: However, the deep cleaning I leave up to my husband and he really gets in there.
[8:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, we definitely are a family that uses chemicals pretty much everywhere about the kitchen.
[8:19] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I appreciate the potato advice.
[8:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's very helpful.
[8:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Quick question.
[8:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: This is just personal for me.
[8:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm really into cooking sourdough right now.
[8:28] \[SPEAKER_01\]: How do I clean the sourdough pan because it seems to be so yucky in there and I don't want to ruin it because those are expensive.
[8:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Absolutely.
[8:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So anything with a pot, I usually use a baking soda mixture and tea.
[8:39] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay.
[8:39] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay.
[8:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: soda is one of those that is really abrasive.
[8:43] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It's alkaline is about an eight and it just has an incredible ability to break down dirt and grime.
[8:50] \[SPEAKER_00\]: and efficiently, where it can really levitate that gummies stick you stuff off of anything.
[8:56] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And okay, another thing we always underestimate is heat.
[9:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: He is such an incredible cleaner whether it be in steam or it be in, you know, baking up the like, if I take my liquor set and it's really gummies to keep it safe, make caramel.
[9:12] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I own water in it, baking soda mixture.
[9:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I put it back on the stove, I let it heat up, and then everything just falls off the pan.
[9:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[9:21] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[9:21] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm going to go do that this weekend.
[9:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's a very helpful tip for me.
[9:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So you are trying to be as chemical free as possible.
[9:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Are you using chemicals in your home or I should say I guess a better question would be where are you using chemicals if any.
[9:35] \[SPEAKER_00\]: nowhere.
[9:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So nowhere.
[9:38] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I don't really use any, I make all my own cleaners.
[9:41] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I say thousands of dollars a year on that, but I also just keep it to you free.
[9:46] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We live a low toxic lifestyle nothing's 100% because I have an auto and and that auto immune affects my esophagus.
[9:53] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so I will choke if I had a flare up.
[9:56] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So it's not like a no big deal.
[9:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so the low toxic lifestyle
[10:04] \[SPEAKER_00\]: what we do.
[10:05] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And I live in a mold free home and it's clean and tidy and it smells like nothing.
[10:11] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But how did you get the mold off that you're grow?
[10:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm like, I just heard them crocks side and a little baking soda and dish.
[10:16] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I think it's all about the ending, what and that some of these cleaners we've always exposed herself to, really caused more indecrain disruption for our own issues that help problems and asthma,
[10:33] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Not very, very serious at all, zero percent, but really when it comes to like meeting any sort of disinfectant, it's rubbing alcohol.
[10:43] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Think about what hospitals use.
[10:45] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You know, well, turn it up for so much out there.
[10:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, yeah.
[10:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So quickly, what do you use in your kitchen as your disinfectant or just a kitchen cleaner?
[10:56] \[SPEAKER_00\]: My favorite kitchen cleaner.
[10:57] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I heat up a little bit of white vinegar.
[11:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I add it to a water solution and I can spray on most anything and kind of get it out.
[11:04] \[SPEAKER_00\]: The biggest thing with vinegar is people hate the smell.
[11:07] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So use mine.
[11:08] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You know how we infused like cocktails?
[11:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[11:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I am fierce my white vinegar.
[11:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I have like pine in one.
[11:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I have orange peels in another and I up cycle food produce or floral in order to make my own like my whole home will smell like an orc group when I'm done cleaning it even though I used vinegar.
[11:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay, so you have the bottle of vinegar, you put the orange peels in there and let them sit for however long, and then you add it to your solution, that's how it smells, because some people's house is smell like essential oils, but I'm like, oh is that really expensive to be using all these essential oils, but it sounds like I can do this kind of cost efficiently.
[11:46] \[SPEAKER_00\]: totally so distilled right then agreed by it anywhere across your store target.
[11:51] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, but if you then or on Amazon it can get delivered to your front door nowadays.
[11:57] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, like duties that your kids like to eat a little, huh, or like sumo, you know those ones the little top on them, just throw them in a bottle of vinegar and then in two weeks you'll have this magnificent cleaner that can do
[12:12] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think one of my hesitations with ever giving my children chores around the house such as being the bathroom or cleaning up the kitchen has been, I don't want you touching chemicals.
[12:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I just want that to be my job, but if I can actually make this happen, it sounds like I can start outsourcing some of the chores.
[12:30] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Absolutely, so that my kids actually make some of the cleaners for me.
[12:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Am I going to put this?
[12:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Let's do that.
[12:37] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They're a great company that does a lot of this too.
[12:39] \[SPEAKER_00\]: If you're just too anxious to do it all yourself called Branch B6 and I love them.
[12:44] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They're women-owned and led.
[12:45] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm sure you've heard about them on social, but I think
[12:48] \[SPEAKER_00\]: My biggest thing was if I, if I can't give it to my kids to do, why am I doing it myself?
[12:54] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, that would make sort of sense.
[12:56] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I cleaned houses and college and thought that's what you're freaking me on.
[12:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm like, I gotta go get my hormones, check to know what happened during that time.
[13:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Because that was a good like three or four years.
[13:04] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I was cleaning multiple times a week using all kinds of chemicals.
[13:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So that's just a side note.
[13:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay, let's get into hosting, hosting a home with less stress.
[13:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: What are some of your best tips here?
[13:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay, my biggest tip is know your menu.
[13:20] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I have four recipes and that's all I'm making if you come over.
[13:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And they're easy, simple, five ingredients under 25 minutes and I don't have to stress.
[13:31] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So like the other thing with hosting is you want, you know, a protein, something that can be diet oriented to your group, knowing dietary restrictions is always a large one for me, just because I have elves.
[13:46] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Um, don't stress about dessert.
[13:49] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Buy the dessert.
[13:50] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like sometimes it's a book that really is what makes hosting more enjoyable.
[13:55] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So, I think it's all about knowing whom you're entertaining.
[13:58] \[SPEAKER_00\]: If you're entertaining foodies, you want them to just be on food.
[14:01] \[SPEAKER_00\]: If you're entertaining entertainers, you want it to be on the entertainment you're providing.
[14:05] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Knowing your audience is basically 99% of hosting.
[14:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So, for example, if I'm hosting families, the entertainment needs to be around the children, right?
[14:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I'll put like a big movie screen theater in my yard and I'll get each of them a little kitty pool with a blanket and I'll set up a popcorn scene and a candy station.
[14:26] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And the kids can be down there watching a movie cozy.
[14:29] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We're we're enjoying dinner up on the front patio.
[14:31] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Nope, you're audience, right?
[14:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like that is like number one.
[14:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And then just like knowing recipes that you can nail if you aren't.
[14:41] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And don't be afraid to outsource.
[14:43] \[SPEAKER_00\]: That's the help sometimes you need.
[14:46] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yes, absolutely.
[14:48] \[SPEAKER_01\]: One thing that people get stuck on is just the deep cleaning.
[14:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I definitely don't notice that when I go to my friends' houses.
[14:54] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, I think we have to give ourselves a little bit of grace to say, like, your base boards are okay if they have dog hair on them.
[14:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And some dust.
[15:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We're here for the connection and that's the most important part.
[15:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: If you're so stressed out that we can't have that in a nice manner, then they're probably going to be a bust regardless, you know.
[15:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: That'll be a bust.
[15:11] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, you really just have to realize that you're getting people together.
[15:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: No.
[15:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay.
[15:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So here is my saying for this.
[15:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It just John.
[15:19] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like, took me right back to this moment.
[15:20] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I always want to come see my house, give me two weeks.
[15:24] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But if you'd like to come see me come on over now.
[15:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yes.
[15:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Right?
[15:28] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[15:28] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah.
[15:29] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah.
[15:29] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I like that.
[15:30] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Again, as this minimalist mom, I am pretty decent.
[15:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You can show up probably within 10 minutes.
[15:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I can have everything tidy up, but don't look the baseboards.
[15:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Don't look in the corner of those ceilings.
[15:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Don't look at my stove top.
[15:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's not.
[15:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's not going to be good.
[15:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Don't look at the toilet because I have two boys.
[15:46] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I'm going to be rough right now.
[15:48] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[15:49] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Any other tips about hosting before we get into kitchen hacks?
[15:52] \[SPEAKER_00\]: enjoy it.
[15:53] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So make sure that you're not the one just running around when your gasket can you take out the drinks, make it a community oriented gathering.
[16:02] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You know, this isn't like hosting royalty where it's like, no, man, that's too formal.
[16:07] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Hosting needs to be about gathering people around food and entertainment and enjoying the memory.
[16:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But if you as your hosting are not enjoying the time you are putting on for other people, nobody will enjoy it, right?
[16:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: The more parenting, kids feed off your reaction as a hostess, it's the same.
[16:28] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So remember, you're at good, your joy is what's going to really set the tone.
[16:38] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I went to a deeper dive about hosting with Morgan Tyrie.
[16:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She all linked the episode in the show notes, but we kind of did go deeper with that.
[16:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: The one thing I was gonna say too is for me, I'm all about outsourcing too.
[16:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We do a pot luck.
[16:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We talked about that on that episode, but if you can do a pot luck and say, everyone brings something, I think an easy way to destress if you are overwhelmed in general with hosting.
[16:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Totally.
[17:01] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yes.
[17:01] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[17:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So let's move into kitchen hacks.
[17:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Again, there is so much content on your page.
[17:06] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I just kind of wanted to scratch the surface, all direct listeners over to you.
[17:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I want to get into some kitchen hacks, maybe with the the tools or just, what are you doing in there?
[17:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Not just cleaning, but how do we improve stress in the kitchen?
[17:21] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I think so much of cooking feels intimidating to people that didn't grow up doing it or are new to being in the kitchen.
[17:27] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They want to tackle all the goodness of it.
[17:30] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like sourdough, you miss sourdough and I'm like,
[17:33] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay, I'm coming to your house for that.
[17:35] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like, I don't do so.
[17:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I heard so.
[17:37] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So it's like knowing exactly what you want to tackle first.
[17:40] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Kitchen hacks came a lot for my grandmother.
[17:42] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I would watch her in a kitchen.
[17:44] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'd be like, why aren't you using a potato peeler?
[17:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And she'd be like, she was Southern.
[17:49] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So she was like, darling, we don't use potato peeler.
[17:52] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They hurt my hands.
[17:53] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like, I just put the potatoes in.
[17:55] \[SPEAKER_00\]: make a little cut, you know, around the circumference of the data, put them in the boiling water, they cook, and I can peel them with my fingers.
[18:03] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So she just take up, hold it, you know, like so, both ends in each hand, and then slightly pull and all the skins which follow us.
[18:11] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I've never owned a potato peeler in my life, like I just don't peel potatoes any other way.
[18:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I was kind of hot.
[18:18] \[SPEAKER_00\]: He's like,
[18:19] \[SPEAKER_00\]: generational tips of just how to make it easy and more efficient.
[18:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It became very trendy, right?
[18:26] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We see a lot on social media like here's a hack, but most of them hacks don't work.
[18:30] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I actually do a little segment every now and then call that hack is whack.
[18:33] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Meaning it doesn't work.
[18:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Don't try it.
[18:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Because we are just fooled into this again, kind of fake social media atmosphere.
[18:43] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So some of my
[18:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: is use the potato peeler one is my favorite.
[18:51] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I think that one is plus spiral with like 14 million views.
[18:54] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Is how to peel up a potato without using a peeler?
[18:57] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Some of my other favorite ones are usually my produce hips.
[19:01] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So like how to clean your produce is probably a big one.
[19:04] \[SPEAKER_00\]: There is like hopper.
[19:08] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So people are putting vinegar and baking soda on berries, which is a huge no, no, first of all.
[19:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: No, that's what I do.
[19:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: No, that can't look okay.
[19:16] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Back up.
[19:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We're going to help you here.
[19:18] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We're going to get your berries to laugh.
[19:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[19:20] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Two weeks in your fridge.
[19:22] \[SPEAKER_00\]: How about that?
[19:22] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay.
[19:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah.
[19:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So you're going to take your berries and you're not going to use anything but salt to clean them.
[19:29] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So salt is super, super abrasive, and has a crystalline structure that will get into the berries and clean off all that pesticide and dirt and grind.
[19:39] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So are you there?
[19:41] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And that really helps to kind of clean and then I rinse them, and I soak them for 30 seconds in like 140 degree water.
[19:48] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So it kills all the mold spores.
[19:51] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Your berries will have two weeks in the fridge in a container with a little paper towel at the bottom,
[19:58] \[SPEAKER_00\]: No lid off and I swear my strutters are in my fridge right now.
[20:03] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I've had them for two weeks I'm always testing.
[20:06] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I feel like I'm a scientist meets like Google
[20:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's funny, because as you've been talking, I'm like, she's kind of a scientist.
[20:13] \[SPEAKER_01\]: The sum of the beginning stuff we were talking about, I'm like, she's doing a little science experiment.
[20:17] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She was talking about the pH of baking soda, but she knows her stuff.
[20:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I can see why you've gone viral.
[20:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It totally makes sense.
[20:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think science is important, right?
[20:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm really big on like, why do we do what we do?
[20:27] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I don't like to know why we do it any different.
[20:30] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And I think being curious probably fuels that.
[20:33] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But produce text and probably one of my biggest ones because people just don't know how to keep produce fresh and it's a waste of money.
[20:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, oh my gosh, absolutely.
[20:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That is a stressor with lettuce.
[20:44] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I feel like lettuce will go soggy if you if you get those pre-packaged boxes.
[20:48] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's better to maybe not do that.
[20:51] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Would you say?
[20:52] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, so I just buy my lettuce at the farmer's market or whatever and then the back if you do it is don't wash it until you're ready.
[21:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So just put it in your fridge and then when you're ready to eat it, use your salad spinner to wash it and to dry it.
[21:08] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So the salad spinner is your cleaner.
[21:11] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You just put the lettuce in the salad spinner and fill it with water at a little
[21:18] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And put around a few times, drain it, put it back in.
[21:22] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I like to chop it first, put it back in, and then fry it.
[21:28] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And you've cleaned it, and you're ready to eat it, and it's ready to go.
[21:31] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But my lettuce will last like up to two to three weeks.
[21:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Fresh.
[21:35] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay, that's awesome.
[21:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm looking through your feed right now.
[21:38] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm curious to know, how do you create what you're going to share next?
[21:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: because you have such a variety here.
[21:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm seeing the strawberries.
[21:44] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I saw the A-L-E-Tardbone eggs just there are people reaching out to you saying they need help or what makes you think of these things.
[21:52] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I'm usually looking at what's coming up.
[21:54] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So like for the summer and looking at weddings and how I can help with weddings and recipes and hosting.
[22:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But yes, there's trans and yes, there's holidays built into my platform, but mostly I'm in my direct messages.
[22:06] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I do, I do now have a team.
[22:08] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I've only been doing this for two years, but I do have it helps me with a lot of it.
[22:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: The other that I will never lose touch of being in my DMs.
[22:18] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So when I hear from like, I average maybe 1,500 direct messages a day, and I'm the one in
[22:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm not answering you back, so I put in a voice mail, so people are hearing my voice, they know it's me, but I'm looking at what they're asking me.
[22:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So like right now, people are like, they're spiders.
[22:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So I'm like, all right, let me post my spider repellent for you.
[22:41] \[SPEAKER_00\]: that's coming out is like ants because they're saying they have ants.
[22:45] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They want to know how to plant a tomato plant.
[22:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But if I hear from more than like a hundred to two hundred people, I usually do a video for everything.
[22:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[22:54] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, how do we get rid of those ants?
[22:56] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm starting to get ants.
[22:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay, so non-toxic way to do it because all those things are either going to go kill them, which some people are fine with swashing at the community.
[23:08] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I just want my roses or my ponies, so they bloom well next year, so they're good for my art.
[23:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So what I was I buy cinnamon oil.
[23:18] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It's an essential oil.
[23:20] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You find where the ants are coming in to your home and you are going to apply the cinnamon oil to that area.
[23:26] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They will not
[23:28] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So cinnamon oil has a heat element to write you can kind of deal it when you eat it drink it smell it, but it will burn the ants beat.
[23:38] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So, and yes, so ants do not want to cross that barrier because of the huge and old effect in cinnamon.
[23:46] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So when I let they back far away and they will not come into your house.
[23:50] \[SPEAKER_00\]: That's a great tip, and I love that it's non-toxic.
[23:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's great.
[23:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yep, which segways into our last topic today, do you have any other big game changers might come to non-toxic living?
[24:01] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, so one thing at a time, again, I'm always going to pull everything back to being in your mind.
[24:07] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I commonly come on and say, how's your heart today?
[24:09] \[SPEAKER_00\]: How's your mind?
[24:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Like, are they on my platform?
[24:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And that's because our heart usually leads us in the right direction, but our mind stops us from going there.
[24:18] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And I think the
[24:20] \[SPEAKER_00\]: find the non-toxic lifestyle is very, very overwhelming.
[24:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It is daunting, dark, and I went through a dark period with it, and I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I went through to find my way to a lower toxic lifestyle.
[24:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So my largest tip is when a bottle is empty.
[24:40] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Okay, your Clark's bleach is empty, replace it with something non-toxic,
[24:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: step at a time.
[24:49] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And you will find that within a year, you are, you know, at least 30% less toxic in your home, just by using that method.
[24:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: That's great.
[25:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I love I know you do a lot of DIY.
[25:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I love thrive market and I've purchased a lot of my can soaps or soaks for the sink there, but again, I don't know like some things they'll say not toxic or they'll say that they're natural and then you find out that they're not but even I think small improvements are better than something completely filled like as a five is better than a nine on the toxicity scale, but again, trying to move towards that if that's something that interests us and we see the benefit to for sure.
[25:27] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, and I think the number one thing is remove fragrances.
[25:30] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So fragrances, one of those that disrupts so much of our internal working.
[25:34] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So if you just remove toxic handles, air freshener, we just start there, dry or sheet, like if you just start fragrance alone, you'll get really far fast.
[25:44] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So it, I mean, it is a whole game changer similar to minimalism, right?
[25:48] \[SPEAKER_00\]: When you're making that switch over to accepting the less cluttered for your mind and your body.
[25:55] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Take away of the non-toxic low toxic lifestyle, and it can feel overwhelming unless you have a guide or an expert to help you get there.
[26:03] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And that's exactly what my ebook will touch on is, here are 40 recipes you can whip up with like two ingredients.
[26:10] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And it's simple and easy and just try it, right?
[26:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Just, I think it is so much of it.
[26:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Do you know anything about incense?
[26:17] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Please don't take them away from me.
[26:19] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yes, so in-sense are codely fine.
[26:21] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I use them in high school.
[26:22] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah, okay.
[26:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: In-sense are usually fine.
[26:24] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You want to find a clean brand.
[26:26] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Most boxes that say all natural are not, but in-sense are great way to infuse a really lovely smell in your home without it being toxic or asthma affecting.
[26:35] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So, yes, you're on the right at there.
[26:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, I got rid of the candles a couple of years ago.
[26:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: However, the incense, I'm obsessed with Palo Santo and Cedarwood and my house, I want my house to smell like an old church, like an old Catholic church is what I want my home to smell like.
[26:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm sure not everyone loves that but I do.
[26:54] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I'm glad the incense are on the hopefully somewhat pure list.
[26:59] \[SPEAKER_00\]: They definitely are.
[27:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And I actually use them outside from mosquitoes.
[27:03] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'll do.
[27:04] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Oh, and inside and outside series for the summer on my Instagram page.
[27:09] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But in sense are wildly effective outside as well.
[27:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So you're on the right.
[27:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah.
[27:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: See, look at you.
[27:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Go girl.
[27:16] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Yeah.
[27:16] \[SPEAKER_00\]: That's awesome.
[27:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: No, I'm happy about that.
[27:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: All right.
[27:19] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, Nicole, you've given us so much information where else can listen or spine and connect with you online.
[27:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Again, you mentioned your ebook, but where are you online?
[27:27] \[SPEAKER_00\]: So you can find me at www.knaclejakes.com and Jakes is spelled J-A-Q-U-E-S.
[27:36] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It is very unique.
[27:38] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And then you can find me on my social media handles.
[27:40] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I'm on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, shorts, at it's Knuckles Jakes.
[27:47] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And all my tips and tricks are there, and I'm on their daily, especially on Instagram.
[27:51] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It's my name community for sure.
[27:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, absolutely.
[27:54] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I like that you say that you are still in your inbox and talking to people via voice.
[27:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I feel like that's also just easier.
[28:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I always voice message people.
[28:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I haven't been doing that with you.
[28:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's just a quick way to get it out and to be precise.
[28:07] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I like that you do that as well.
[28:08] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You're totally ran on.
[28:09] \[SPEAKER_00\]: I think you and I are so similar in that way.
[28:11] \[SPEAKER_00\]: That's why I love chatting with you today.
[28:12] \[SPEAKER_00\]: But, you know, I think there is this element of social media should be social.
[28:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And so if you're in a picture or your talent or whoever you're coming on to do each day is not being social with you.
[28:23] \[SPEAKER_00\]: What's the point?
[28:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, that makes total sense.
[28:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Total sense.
[28:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, quickly just to get to know you a little bit more before we wrapped up this conversation.
[28:30] \[SPEAKER_01\]: These are more rapid fire.
[28:31] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But what has been a beneficial resource in your life that you want to share with all listeners?
[28:35] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Well, you've been a beneficial resource to be kind of like thanks minimalism was something I was really intimidated by and as I did low no toxic I started to adapt a lot of your tips and tricks myself another one is fat truly honestly is find somebody local that sees the world.
[28:54] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It the same way you do having one court system through a lot of these things is really beneficial.
[29:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Oh, that's great, was some for sure.
[29:02] \[SPEAKER_00\]: All right, and then lastly, is what is something that you can't stop talking about?
[29:06] \[SPEAKER_00\]: My loom box, I started doing red light therapy for like wrinkles, mood boosting, lack of inclination in your body.
[29:13] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It like deep dive, what red light to get?
[29:17] \[SPEAKER_00\]: And I tried so many like to the tunes of thousands of dollars.
[29:21] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[29:22] \[SPEAKER_00\]: It has been more beneficial than my loom box.
[29:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: L-U-N-E-B-O-X.
[29:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay, cool.
[29:28] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'll check that out because you have great guns.
[29:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I would love to.
[29:31] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I love to check that out.
[29:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, and the cool.
[29:33] \[SPEAKER_01\]: This was incredibly helpful.
[29:35] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm going to implement some of your tips this weekend.
[29:37] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So thank you for joining me.
[29:38] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm so glad we could make it happen.
[29:40] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Thank you so much.
[29:41] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You have a wonderful day.
[29:44] \[SPEAKER_01\]: What did you think of the episode?
[29:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I hope you enjoyed the conversation.
[29:47] \[SPEAKER_01\]: To learn more about today's guest, including links, resources related to everything discussed today, visit the episode page at minimalismomspodcast.com where you can find the entire podcast archive as well as my book, minimalismoms, living and parenting with simplicity, or other ways to connect or work with me online.
[30:06] \[SPEAKER_01\]: If you'd like to support the podcast, the easiest and most impactful thing you can do is subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a rating or review of your favorite episode.
[30:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Lastly, sharing the show or your favorite episode with friends and social media is very helpful and will encourage others on their journey to think more in doing with loves.

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