Guest Column By Julie Berling

As a working mom of two kids, the thought of simplifying frees my spirit. Because we all have drawers that won’t close and closets that can’t take another hanger.

Time to step back. Reduce. Get back to good.

The mission of Just BARE is to make fresh chicken simpler — from how it’s raised to the chicken itself to its transparent, easy-open and recyclable package to the ability to trace it back to the family farm where raised.

And the line has something for everyone: three hand-trimmed boneless skinless items (breasts, thighs and tenders), drumsticks and a whole chicken.

We owe our chickens our livelihoods. So knowing they’re happy and free to roam in comfortable barns under the care of independent family farmers is a must. It isn’t just right, it’s our rightful responsibility.

Then, Just BARE takes all natural beyond current USDA standards to meet the needs of today’s consumers. That means no added hormones, antibiotics, arsenicals, added solutions/processed ingredients, animal byproducts (vegetable fed) and cages — ever!

With Just BARE, consumers get a nearly 360-degree view of the chicken inside due to its totally clear plastic tray.

And each package’s 3-digit Family Farm Code takes transparency even further, authenticating the chicken’s origin by linking it to the Minnesota family farm from where it came. Consumers simply need to enter the code on www.justbarechicken.com.

The product’s plastic trays and paper sleeves are widely recyclable (goodbye foam!) — something that makes people like me who are trying to do more for the well-being of our planet, happy.

Its clear film lid (and the whole chicken bag) is leak-proof — eliminating the aggravation and safety concerns caused by messy leaks. And it peels away with ease! No need to touch the raw chicken or dirty a utensil to open.

And this less-is-more approach applies to the recipes you’ll find at justbarechicken.com, too — all fabulously delicious yet deliciously uncomplicated.

Just BARE also believes in giving back while going minimal — seeking out big ideas that make even bigger differences. But we’ve only started.

Consumers can go online to see what we’ve done so far, or share a cause that inspires them, and might inspire us. While there, take a breather with a few of our minimalist thoughts and learn where to find Just BARE.

Simplicity is calling. Don’t be too busy to answer.

-- Julie Berling is director of brand strategy and advocacy for Just BARE Chicken, which is distributed by Minn.-based Gold'n Plump Poultry.