How do you 'keep it simple' in the face of all the pressures of life? It seems the older we get the more important family really is. 'Keeping it simple' is the best way to cope with the stresses of life. The Simple Life is all about finding the rock bottom basics of life - thankfulness to God, and healthy living and finding the stress that we can do something about. Gardening, walks in the forest, riding bicycles, camping, gardening, frugal living - anything that involves living simply. Why let stress get to us?

Make a batch of jam from strawberries you picked yourself. Bite into a fresh tomato straight from the vine in your own garden. Bakes cookies with the grandkids, and go to the beach. These are just some of the things we explore. We also love to hear from members who send in recipes, tips and ideas.

"The Simple Life", which also appears in the Marion Press, a weekly newspaper in Michigan, is sent to members once a week. If you have recipes, gardening tips, ideas about saving money, or great family ideas, or would like to share something with the group, please reply and I will be glad to pass them on! It's just that Simple.

"The Simple Life" is available for sydication, by contacting thesimple_life@yahoo.com.

"The Simple Life" is created by Sheryl Simons. Her newsletter brings you simple ideas about families, money saving ideas, camping, gardening, recipes and some heartfelt inspiration. Sheryl's stories and articles have appeared in many Northern Michigan newspapers, many web sites including The Dollar Stretcher, Heartwarmers, Gardenwarmers, Hearttouchers, and Sheryl was a contributing author to the recent "Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul". Her story "Sunset in the Rearview Mirror" has had an impact on many. You can also visit Sheryl's website and read some of her stories at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thesimple_life/ under files.