I have been there so many times, and I have been finding new ways to live with more breathing room, making decisions that are positive for our family.  But only through simple small steps, and with God’s help.  All the small steps are leading to a big impact that is bringing me more peace, contentment and less sress.

I don’t have it all perfect or figured out, but I am taking it one day at a time. Would you like t0 join me?

10 Ways To Reduce Stress In Your Life

1. Unplug once a week. Take a day off of electronics, and normal weekly activities.  I honestly think smart phones aren’t so smart, they are robbing us of connecting face to face, not to mention our pocket books as well. As a society we are addicted to all things electronic, so we must be intentional about taking time off of these gadgets for the sake of our relationships and kids. Cutting out cell phones and computers for one day is a beautiful thing. Trade that time for engaging with family, and rest. Go to church, take a nap, and read a good book. You will feel so refreshed to tackle the week ahead.
2. Treasure your sleep. Getting proper rest at night will change your life. I have gone from being a night owl to waking up between 5:00- 6:00 AM. (nothing short of a miracle!) I now have much more energy and my days are so much more...

Read the whole entry... »

Here are the simple steps to follow to creating your own pedicures and manicures at home. So grab a good movie, a glass of your favorite refreshing drink and gather all your supplies, and get ready to pamper yourself! This is simple and relaxing.  What could be better than that?

Supplies you will need for your at-home foot and hand spa treatment

• Plastic tub, or foot spa bath filled with warm water
• Cuticle oil and cuticle orange stick
• Nail polish & polish remover
• Nail clippers, nail file, pumice stone or large exfoliating foot file
• 2-3 Towels (1 dampened and heated in microwave)
• Vitamin E oil or oil of choice, lotion, and favorite essential oils (see more about this below)
• Your homemade lavender sugar scrub and homemade citrus bath salts. Or your own favorite scrubs and salts.

Easy Salon Pedicures and Manicures At Home

Read the whole entry... »

60 Wonderful Ways to Use Baking Soda

1. Make your own “Soft Scrub”: Create a paste of baking soda and water, then add a bit of salt to  baking soda paste. Add a drop of lemon essential oil, and scrub the counter tops and sinks until they shine. The salt won’t scratch surfaces since it’s gentle, and the lemon will make everything smell fresh.

2. Clean jewelry: Make your rings sparkle by scrubbing then with some baking soda on a wet toothbrush.

3. Take out fish smell: If you have fresh fish, baking soda helps to reduce the fish odor if you marinate the fish in it for an hour before cooking.

4. Soothe insect bites and bee stings: Create a paste with baking soda and water and pat over the affected area. It...

Read the whole entry... »

Ingredients For Citrus Bath Salts

• 2 Cups Epsom Salts
• 1 Cup Baking Soda
• Fresh Grated Zest from 1 Orange or Lemon
• 20 drops of essential oil. Use Lemon, Orange, or Citrus Bliss essential oil. I combined lemon and citrus bliss for this recipe. You can do whatever you prefer.
• Glass bowl, metal spoon, and large bath salt jar (available at Walmart for $2.97) or use any clear glass jar you like.

How To Make Citrus Bath Salts

• Combine Epsom Salts and Baking Soda into a glass bowl.
• Grate zest of orange or lemon and add to bowl.
• Stir all of the above ingredients together.
• Slowly add in about 20 drops of essential oil and stir, until well incorporated.  I used lemon and Citrus Bliss which is an exclusive scent to doTERRA. (It smells a lot like a Creamsicle.) You could combine lime and lemon, or orange and lemon. Even grapefruit would be wonderful….you decide!
• Spoon the citrus bath salts into a clean empty jar and seal.
• Let your bath salts sit for...

Read the whole entry... »

Ingredients for Lavender Sugar Foot Scrub

• 1 Cup Sugar I prefer the natural cane sugar- it is a bit more course and I like the natural brown color.  You can use whatever you like.
• Approx 1/4 cup of Grape-seed oil, Sweet Almond oil, or any unscented body oil.  You will want the oil that is for body use, not cooking.  The NOW brand is a good one.
• 6-10 drops of lavender essential oil (depending on the strength of scent you want)
• glass bowl, metal spoon, empty jar (available at Walmart for $1.97 or you can use a pint size fruit jar.)

**This makes enough for one small jar of scrub-perfect for gift giving.

How To Make...

Read the whole entry... »

If your kids like strawberry lemonade they will love this quick recipe, and they will never know you were trying to cut out the high fructose corn syrup and add in some healthy fat! Coconut milk is a very healthy ingredient and your kids won’t even know it’s in there. They won’t taste any coconut flavor.

For this quick frozen treat you will only need 4 ingredients! It will take minutes and you’ll have the kids happy for a handmade treat from you.

How To Make Frozen Strawberry Lemonade (Dairy Free)

Throw these 4 ingredients into a blender.

• 3/4 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup pink lemonade (in this photo you see I used Newman’s which does have sugar in it, but not HFCS.  If you prefer to start with no sugar, you could make homemade lemonade.)
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• Honey to sweeten as needed.

Whip it all up in your blender on high for a minute or so.
Serve and enjoy with a straw!
This recipe made enough for two small glasses of frozen strawberry lemonade

What kind of sweet treats are you looking forward to making for your kids this summer? Let me know if you try this recipe.
Have fun...

Read the whole entry... »

25 Ways To Use Lemon Essential Oil

1. Spot free dishes: Add a couple drops of lemon essential oil to your dishwasher for spot free dishes.
2. Body cleanser: Add one drop of lemon oil to a glass of ice water for a gentle natural body cleansing in the morning.
3. Furniture polish: Combine lemon oil with olive oil for a natural furniture polish.
4. Kill aphids: Just like peppermint oil, you can Add some drops of lemon oil to water in a spray bottle to kill aphids.
5. Remove scuff marks: Rub some lemon oil on floors to remove scuff marks.
6. Homemade all-purpose vinegar cleaner: Add lemon essential oil to this citrus vinegar cleaning solution for a fresh and very effective cleaner.
7. Removes sap and sticky tar: Lemon essential oil will remove tar from your skin, carpet, or clothes.
8. Lemon iced tea: Add some lemon oil to fresh cold iced tea.
9. Sooth a sore throat: Add lemon essential oil to hot water and honey to soothe a sore and scratchy throat.
10. Freshens up stinky laundry: Ever have your towels and washcloths get stinky or mildew smelling. Add a few drops...

Read the whole entry... »

I know we always anticipate the time off from school schedules in our family, and look forward to a change of pace. But it can be a daunting task to come up with new ideas and ways to keep the kids occupied all summer long.

That’s why Susan, from The Confident Mom has created the perfect solution for us busy moms with the Summer Survival Calendar!

Susan, the founder and creator at The Confident Mom, is a personal friend, so I know first hand how much thought and time and exceptional work she puts into all of her wonderful mom resources. The Mom’s Summer Survival Calendar for 2013 is no exception!

You are going to love it!

What is the Confident Mom’s Summer Survival Calendar?

The 2013 Summer Survival Calendar is a four month calendar with over 120 activities to blast boredom and increase family time. It features at least one low-budget (and sometimes free) activity, craft project, or kid friendly recipe every day from May 1 to August 31. The calendar comes in a digital PDF download so you have it instantly, and most activities include a clickable link so you can easily view directions or supplies needed. The activities are mainly targeted for ages 3-12, but every family and child is different.  The Summer Survival Calendar keeps kids busy, happy, and engaged during those long, hot summer days—and moms will find it to be a...

Read the whole entry... »

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

20 Ways To Rejuvenate Your Body Mind and Spirit

1. Say no to something. I find summer is the perfect time to break off commitments and gives me time to re-evaluate my obligations before fall.  The summer break is a good season to prioritize what commitments I make for the coming ones.
2. Add something to your schedule that is for fun, such as taking a pottery or photography class.
3. Start a new hobby like knitting, or gardening for pleasure.
4. Turn off electronics often.  Summer is a time for being outdoors more and a great chance to debrief from electronics.  Leave your iphone or computer closed for a while and go out and breathe in nature.
5. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.  I love this time of year to get loads of nutrients in fresh veggies and fruits. This is the perfect time to change eating habits.
6. Drink water and more water.  Since we are out more in the sun, and more active, it is that much more...

Read the whole entry... »

So I wanted to share with you some fun and interesting ways to introduce foods to your kids, that will hopefully make you feel a bit more equipped to take up the challenge.  I have a feeling you may be seeing some changes and get quick results.

Keep it cold.  Raw veggies and fruits are so much better when served crisp out of the fridge.  I have noticed my boys lap up carrots sticks and crisp apple slices so much better when I do this.  You can even cut up veggies at the beginning of the day and have them ready to go, so your kids can run to the fridge and self-serve when they want to.

Offer a dip.  Ranch dip or hummus is the perfect thing to get more veggies in your kids.  It’s all about flavor.  Now my boys just eat carrots plain, but they used to need the dip.  As they have gotten used to eating fresh veggies their palates have changed, and they enjoy the plain sweet carrot.  Peanut butter and nut butters are a winner for dipping apples as well!

Spring LunchBox Ideas

Make food fun!  The same old way you serve foods isn’t going to work.  You are going to have to pull out all the stops and make the food appealing and kid friendly. I do a...

Read the whole entry... »