“Dinnertime in our home is special, though it certainly doesn’t always look Instagram-perfect. With three active kids in sports and activities, we’re often rushing in from different directions,” shared Emily Ley.
Emily is an entrepreneur, author, wife, and mom to three school-age kids. She and her husband Bryan have been married for many years, and are raising their teenage son Brady and twins Tyler and Caroline.
“By trade, I’m the founder of Simplified®, a brand of planners and organizational tools,” said Emily. “While I love organizing and simplifying life’s complicated parts, cooking has always been my biggest household challenge!”
Although Emily describes herself as the everyday household cook, it has always been the most daunting daily task.
“I find immense joy in creating systems and routines that make our busy family life run more smoothly,” shades Emily.
“That’s really what inspired The Simplified Cookbook – finding ways to reduce stress around mealtime so we can focus on what truly matters: being together.”
As a family, the Leys love spending time outdoors in Pensacola, where they live. The kids are heavily involved in sports and activities, which keeps Emily and Bryan constantly driving to and from practices. Emily refers to this season as “Kid Ubering.” Game nights, movie marathons, and beach days are some of their favorite ways to connect when schedules allow it.
“We try to eat around our kitchen table as often as possible, but sometimes we’re standing around the kitchen or eating in shifts between activities,” Emily shared. “What matters most to us isn’t the presentation or even what’s on the plate – it’s the few minutes we get to connect, share our highs and lows of the day, and be present with each other. In my cookbook, I talk about how dinnertime is about more than just filling hungry bellies – it’s about nourishing our bodies and our hearts. It’s a time to set aside the craziness of the day and focus on each other.”
Cowboy Soup is one of the recipes Emily quickly memorized as a young adult and believes it perfectly represents what food should be: simple, satisfying, and bringing people together. She describes it as the ultimate “dump and go” recipe – just open cans, pour, season, and simmer. The best part is that it requires minimal kitchen skills but delivers maximum flavor and comfort.
“It’s become a lifesaver on those busy weeknights when everyone is coming home at different times but still needs a warm, filling meal,” she said.
This time of year, the family loves finding ways to enjoy meals outside. Sometimes, they’ll have “picnic dinners” on the back porch or take their breakfast out to the patio on weekend mornings.
“With summer approaching, I’m looking forward to a slightly slower pace without school schedules dictating our days,” Emily shared. “I’m excited about simple outdoor meals that don’t heat the kitchen. We love easy meals like taco bars or cold pasta salads – perfect for those hot summer evenings. And truthfully, I’m looking forward to more margin in our calendar. During the school year, we’re constantly running from one activity to the next. Summer gives us a chance to have more impromptu game nights, movie marathons, and lazy mornings – the kind of unhurried time together that becomes increasingly precious as the kids get older.”
Cowboy Soup
Ingredients:
- 5 (15 oz) cans of beans (different kinds)
- 1 (15 oz) can corn
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (we like Rotel)
- 1 (1 oz) taco seasoning packet
- 1 (1 oz) ranch seasoning packet
- 1/2 to 1 cup water
Directions:
- Drain and rinse all beans. Add them to a large pot over medium-low heat.
- Stir in corn, tomatoes with chilies, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning.
- Add 1/2 to 1 cup water, depending on your desired thickness, and stir.
- Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to 2 hours. The longer you simmer, the better the flavors will mix.
Serve with toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, jalapeño slices, cilantro, tortilla chips, and lime wedges.
