So many people struggle with falling asleep each night. With this DIY Lavender Pillow Spray, you can use the power of essential oils to help you fall asleep.
Moms, the day that’s all about you is almost here—Mother’s Day! With everything you do as a super mom, you’ve earned a day of “R & R.” The trouble with a lot of the “Sleep Help” products and recipes out there is that they are full of fillers or chemicals you might not want on your pillow while you sleep at night!read more
Adam and I love to travel! In our first five years of marriage, we had traveled to New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Rome, San Antonio, Atlanta, New Orleans… we LOVED every minute of it!
(I was actually pregnant when we were in Paris)
So when we became parents… we had to decide should we still travel??? (or could we???)
We didn’t have a lot of vacation days to work with, and we didn’t have a lot of disposable income either. But it really was something that we wanted to do more of and experience with our girls, it was a question of how we coulddo that.
The “how” turned out to be starting our own home based business that we could run from anywhere. Our business gave us the financial and time freedom to be able to travel like we always desired.read more
It is a special time for a new mom following the birth of a child.
So many emotions are going through a new mom’s head: I’m not pregnant any more! This is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen! Will I get my waist back? I’m already exhausted! Will I ever sleep through the night again? Are they breathing? Am I doing this right? They are so tiny! Oww I need a Tylenol… And this is just in the first 5 minutes!
Everyone wants to help a new mom out, but sometimes we forget what they need the most. Moms need to relax and recover for at least 2 weeks following birth. Having a baby is no easy task for a mom’s body to go through. If they push themselves too soon, they could hemorrhage or develop mastitis.
This is the perfect time to offer to help them out and let them do what only they can do: Take care of the baby.
Here is my list of ways that my family and friends helped me the most following my births:
1) Keep the older kids entertained.
Aidalyn was 2.5 years old when Annaleigh was born. Luckily, Aidalyn did well with the extra TV time that she had while we were all recovering from Annaleigh’s birth. My mom was such a huge help to us before Annaleigh was born and right after. She stayed with us for about 5 weeks total, helping me with Aidalyn and the house. Not having to worry about Aidalyn helped me give my full attention to recovering and taking care of Annaleigh.
2) Cook meals for the family
Following both of my births, my church family really helped me out by cooking meals for 2 weeks. Having a hot meal coming each night was so amazing. I didn’t have to worry about what we were going to eat and it helped us all recover by being able to relax at dinner time. We used Sign up Genius to schedule meals and it made the process so easy.
3) Do laundry
Births and babies generate a lot of laundry. Adam’s mom and my mom both helped me with laundry following the births of my girls. It is not glamorous by any means, but it is such a HUGE deal to a new mom to not have to worry about.
4) Clean the kitchen and put dishes away.
Just like the laundry, this is not a fun job to do… but some things just have to get done and we don’t want our new mom to feel like it is her job. Ask her what would make the biggest help to her (maybe it is unloading the dishwasher or wiping down the counter tops). Everyone has that one thing that bugs them, see if you can scratch that off her “to-do” list.
5) Let Mom get a shower
Getting a shower and feeling normal again is so important to a new mom. She will be pouring all of herself into this new little baby and forget she needs to care for herself too. Newborns will want to be held all the time, so showers and baths become a luxury.
6) Text her to see if she needs anything from diaper cream to coffee.
New moms don’t always know what they need until after the baby arrives (or they run out of something faster than expected!) Don’t call, just in case she is sleeping or dealing with the baby. A text allows her to get to your message at her convenience. She can reply and let you know if she needs anything from the store.
7) Let her know you are there if she needs to talk or ask advice. read more
Hi, my name is Angela and I am addicted to shopping on Amazon.
I am a prime member so I get free 2 day shipping. Plus, I use subscribe and save any chance I get to save 20% on items I buy on a recurring basis. I buy toilet paper, diapers, wipes, flour, vitamins, coconut oil, batteries, dish soap, shampoo, tooth paste… If I can buy it on amazon… and save 20% – I will do it! Given that, we may have 5 tubes of toothpaste in our bathroom drawer at this moment… but I did save 20% on them!
This app allows you to search for discount codes and coupons. You can use these coupons online usually and save easy money. What I will do is search for a store in their database and see if there is a current coupon code. This works great for popular stores like shutterfly and oldnavy.
Both of these apps will show you the deals of the week and store your coupons for you. You wouldn’t want to miss Hobby Lobby’s 40% coupon just because you didn’t have a paper coupon printed off.
Cartwheel is Target’s app for coupons and sales. You can search the app for what’s on sale and easily use the coupons directly from your phone at check out. Adam and I did this a few weeks ago and got 20% off shoes for Aidalyn and myself.
Ebay is an online garage sale. I use ebay’s app for searching for hard to find toys and used items like clothes. We all love ebay! I bought Aidalyn some cheap DVD’s and also some princess crowns.
Etsy is an artisan’s shopping mall. I use Etsy’s app for handmade items and personalized items. I also like searching on there for ideas that I can copy and make myself.
We all love a good deal. Groupon is a way to get huge discounts on restaurants and spas. Using the app allows you to have the Groupon handy and keep track of what Groupons you have available when you are trying to figure out what you want for dinner. We currently have a pizza deal in our Groupon account we need to use.
Both these online stores are discount flash sale type of shopping. They have items up for sale for a limited time and have a limited supply. When you purchase something you only have to pay shipping once then you get free shipping the rest of the day on the rest of your orders. Sometimes shipping seems kind of slow, but I have gotten some great deals on clothes and books from these stores.
9) ShopStyle
The ShopStyle App is the mobile version of ShopStyle.com. ShopStyle searches the web for you, compiling basically anything you could ever buy online. You can customize a search for a specific product by color, price, if it’s on sale… It’s Amazing! Looking for a red sweater for a Christmas Party? You can narrow it down to only looking at Red Sweaters from all over the internet in one place! This is a must for a mobile shopper!
With all this online shopping I do, I use Paypal to keep everything organized and safe. Having the app on your phone allows you to manage your transactions easily.
Online shopping is a great way to save time and money. What are your favorite online shopping apps?read more
What you need to have for your home birth kit in 20 items! Prepare for your home birth by collection this home birth kit.
How to Build a Home Birth Kit in 20 Items
I have been blessed to be able to have 2 home births now. You can read my two birth stories by clicking here: Annaleigh’s Birth and Aidalyn’s Birth.
Both experiences were amazing and there is very little I would change about either. I was fortunate to have 2 amazing midwives attend my births and felt very prepared for when the time came.
My first home birth was in 2010 (Aidalyn’s). I was able to have her in my master bathroom’s garden corner tub. It was easy clean up and a really a great experience. For Annaleigh’s birth we were in a rent house, so my midwife brought a large tub for me to use to birth in. It was even better because the water was able to be deeper. I wasn’t in the tub for more than 10 minutes though because she came so fast.read more
This low carb broccoli tuna casserole bake is the perfect easy and budget friendly recipe your family will love to see on the dinner table. Anything that you can throw in a casserole dish that fills your family up and tastes delicious is a win in my book. We love a good keto friendly tuna casserole with broccoli!
Embracing a Low Carb and Keto Lifestyle: A Mom’s Guide to Health and Wellness
Today, let’s delve into a topic that’s been making waves in the wellness world – the low carb and ketogenic (or keto) lifestyle. If you’ve been curious about what these diets entail and the benefits they offer, you’re in the right place! read more
How to keep growing and to have life among the growing.
Life Among the Growing…. What does that actually mean to me?
This phrase really speaks to me deeply in several ways.
First, I think about how I want to be continually growing into a better person with each day and opportunity I get. If you aren’t moving forward, you are moving backwards. If you aren’t growing, you are dying.
This is in my personal life as a wife and mom. In my spiritual life, I want to continually study and grow in God’s words.
Secondly, I think about my little girls. I love life with them as I get to watch them grow. Time flies by so quickly and I’m blessed that I am able to stay home with them in this fleeting stage.
Thirdly, I like to think about life. What is happening in my life and around me. What am I learningthese days?
What are some ways that we can continue to grow and not become stagnant?
1) Try something new.
Visit a new town, a new restaurant, a new museum.
2) Read a book.
How many books have you read recently? I prefer nonfiction for sure, but last summer I got into some mystery novels that were fun to read as well.
3) Learn a new skill.
Always wanted to know how to fix something by yourself or understand how something works? Find out!
4) Be around others who are growing.
Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.read more
Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but you still have time to get your plans in order to make the day special for everyone with these whole food Valentine’s Day recipes. Here are some great recipes and ideas from all my wholefood friends across the web. Are you planning a special dinner? Maybe you need some tips for saving money this year? Do you want to bake something special for dessert? You will find everything you need right here for having the best Valentine’s Day yet. =&0=&
Valentine’s Date Ideas
Ah, the day of love is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some enchanting date night ideas for Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re a long-time couple or just stepping into the realm of romance, make this day memorable by thinking beyond the conventional dinner-and-movie routine.
How about a cozy home-cooked dinner together, complete with your favorite dishes and a touch of candlelight? Or perhaps an evening under the stars with a blanket fort, stargazing, and sharing sweet nothings. For the adventurous souls, a themed at-home movie marathon or a virtual cooking class can add a delightful twist to your evening. And don’t forget the magic of a scenic outdoor walk, hand in hand, appreciating each other’s company. Whatever you choose, make it personal, make it intimate, and most importantly, make it a reflection of your unique love story.
Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a nourishing and delightful dinner that speaks to your heart – literally! Forget the clichés; this year, let’s make Valentine’s Day a celebration of health and happiness.
Picture this: a table adorned with vibrant, nutrient-rich dishes that not only please the palate but also contribute to your well-being. From a colorful and crisp salad to a lean protein main course, and perhaps a guilt-free dessert, let’s craft a Valentine’s Day dinner that not only honors your commitment to health but also indulges your taste buds in the most loving way possible. Get ready to savor the joy of a healthy and hearty Valentine’s Day feast with your special someone.
Love is sweet, and so should your Valentine’s Day treats be! This year, let’s celebrate the day of love with an extra dose of goodness by indulging in some healthy and heartwarming treats that are whole food based. From fruity delights to guilt-free chocolatey pleasures, we’ve got the perfect recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising on your commitment to health. Picture digging into a plate of delicious strawberry and dark chocolate skewers or savoring a decadent yet nutritious avocado chocolate mousse. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening for two or a self-love celebration, these healthy Valentine’s Day treats are here to add a dash of love to your day without the sugar overload. Get ready to treat yourself and your loved ones to these delightful, guilt-free bites that are as good for the soul as they are for the taste buds.
Chicken Nuggets are such a staple in most kid’s diets (and some adults too!). We love the taste of fried chicken in little tasty bites… But all too frequently American’s feel trapped into getting fast food Chicken Nuggets.
We know that McDonald’s isn’t health food, but we expect to be eating only fried chicken and breading when you order their chicken nuggets.
It can’t be too bad, right?
Natural News.com released a forensic investigation to find out what was in McDonald’s chicken nuggets. The chicken nuggets that were inspected were from a McDonald’s located in Austin. Tx.
The investigators found several items in the chicken nuggets that were not chicken or breading!
1) Dark black hair like structures
Where did these come from since chickens don’t have hair?
