Podcast Summary: The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast Episode: 1KHO 488: How to Make an Overwhelming Life Easier | Emily Ley, The Simplified Cookbook
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Jenny Urch, Founder of 1000 Hours Outside
Guest: Emily Ley, Author of The Simplified Cookbook among other titles

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Jenny Urch engages in a deep conversation with Emily Ley, a renowned author and entrepreneur known for her dedication to simplifying everyday life. Emily shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a successful small business owner, emphasizing the importance of streamlining tasks to make life more manageable.

Emily's Journey to Simplification

Emily begins by recounting her transition from a corporate environment to founding her own graphic design company in 2008. Balancing work with motherhood, she realized the need for tools that could help simplify daily tasks. This led to the creation of the Simplified Planner in 2011 after a frustrating trip to Target where she couldn’t find a planner that met her needs.

Emily Ley [01:13]: "Life's overwhelming enough. We gotta make it easier."

Her mission has been to develop products that reduce complexity, allowing individuals to focus on what truly matters.

The Simplified Cookbook

One of Emily's significant contributions is The Simplified Cookbook, her 12th book, designed for those who love good food but dread spending hours in the kitchen. Unlike traditional cookbooks that often boast long ingredient lists and complex instructions, Emily's cookbook emphasizes simplicity and efficiency.

Emily Ley [08:15]: "We have a special qualifier and it's stupid easy. When I was developing all these recipes, any way that you could take a shortcut to make it a shorter amount of time in the kitchen or fewer ingredients, we went for it."

Key features of the cookbook include:

• Stupid Easy Recipes: With six ingredients or fewer and prep times under 15 minutes, these recipes cater to busy families needing quick meal solutions.
• Assembly Meals: A category Emily coined herself, focusing on meals that require minimal cooking and allow for customization, such as Cowboy Soup and Sheet Pan Nachos.
• Perpetual Grocery List: A starting point for weekly shopping to avoid the chaos of last-minute grocery runs.

Assembly Meals: A Game Changer

Emily introduces the concept of "assembly meals," which revolutionizes meal preparation by allowing components to be prepared in advance and assembled quickly when needed. This approach not only saves time but also makes meal preparation a collaborative and stress-free activity.

Emily Ley [12:19]: "An assembly meal is something that, like, you don't actually have to do a ton of cooking. You can just kind of put it together and you're assembling the dinner rather than standing over the stove."

Examples discussed include:

• Lunch Assembly Meals: Such as cottage cheese bowls, which Emily praises Good Culture Cottage Cheese for its versatility.
• Breakfast Assembly Meals: Like breakfast burritos that can be made in advance and frozen for quick morning preparations.
• Double and Freeze Options: Recipes that are easy to double and freeze, ensuring there’s always a backup meal ready for hectic days or unexpected situations.

Feedback and Impact

Since its release eight weeks prior, The Simplified Cookbook has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Readers appreciate the approachable nature of the recipes, which cater to both novices and experienced cooks looking for quick meal solutions. Many have found the cookbook instrumental in reducing mealtime stress and fostering family involvement in cooking.

Emily Ley [38:17]: "The biggest compliment to me is when someone is like, I have never been able to pick up a cookbook and feel like I can do it. Like, I've got this."

Expanding the Brand: Beyond Cooking

Emily's commitment to simplification extends beyond cookbooks. She has authored over a dozen books, each focusing on different aspects of organization and planning. Her range includes planners for weddings, gardening, teaching, and homeschooling, demonstrating her versatility and deep understanding of various life stages and needs.

Substack and Community Building

Emily also runs a highly successful Substack, touted as the "number one parenting Substack in the world," where she shares essays, life hacks, motherhood insights, and discussions on broader issues affecting women. Her Substack fosters a supportive community where subscribers can gain access to exclusive content, templates for family meetings, and practical advice on balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship.

Jenny Urch [25:12]: "You have these 12 books, including the cookbook. You've got your Substack. And then if people are interested in a planner."

Challenges as a Female Entrepreneur

During the conversation, Emily candidly addresses the challenges she faces as a woman in business. She highlights the significant disparity in investor dollars allocated to women-owned businesses, noting that only 2% of investor funds go to women entrepreneurs. Despite these obstacles, Emily emphasizes the importance of community and support systems in overcoming barriers.

Emily Ley [32:12]: "We encounter a lot more closed doors. Simplified. So we own Simplified 100%, me and my husband. But when you look at investor dollars, a lot of businesses have, you know, taken on investors and that sort of thing. 2% of investor dollars go to women-owned businesses."

Personal Anecdotes and Traditions

Emily shares personal stories that illustrate her values and the principles she incorporates into her work. From hosting cheerful Thanksgiving gatherings outdoors in Florida to creating family traditions like pizza party Fridays, Emily demonstrates how intentional planning and simplicity enhance family life.

Emily Ley [48:06]: "My dad took me fishing. He used to take me fishing, like, really, really early in the morning. Like, we'd wake up at three or four and we would always go to Waffle House. And then we would go to the Pensacola Beach Bridge, and he let me fish with gummy worms. And that was really fun. And I caught it."

Conclusion

This episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast offers valuable insights into the art of simplifying life through practical tools and thoughtful planning. Emily Ley’s approach to meal preparation, planning, and community building serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to reduce overwhelm and create more meaningful, manageable daily routines.

Jenny Urch [48:16]: "I love what you're doing. It's so helpful. Like I said, we already used the cookbook, so we got it, and it's one you just immediately can insert into your life."

Listeners are encouraged to explore Emily’s extensive range of books, subscribe to her Substack for ongoing support and inspiration, and incorporate her simplified strategies into their own lives to reclaim precious time and enjoy a more organized, fulfilling existence.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Ley [01:13]: "Life's overwhelming enough. We gotta make it easier."
• Emily Ley [08:15]: "We have a special qualifier and it's stupid easy..."
• Emily Ley [12:19]: "An assembly meal is something that, like, you don't actually have to do a ton of cooking..."
• Emily Ley [32:12]: "We encounter a lot more closed doors. Simplified. So we own Simplified 100%, me and my husband..."
• Jenny Urch [48:16]: "I love what you're doing. It's so helpful..."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the conversation between Jenny Urch and Emily Ley, highlighting key discussions on simplifying life, innovative meal prep strategies, overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, and fostering supportive communities. Whether you're a busy parent, a small business owner, or someone looking to streamline daily tasks, Emily Ley’s insights offer practical solutions to make life's complexities more manageable.