First things first...
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you click on them, I may receive a small commission when you purchase the product! How cool is that? You get the product and also support my business, which then allows me to keep bringing you more free content (and maybe a little wine money too). I ONLY RECOMMEND products that I have personally used and love. Thank you so much for your support!
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you click on them, I may receive a small commission when you purchase the product! How cool is that? You get the product and also support my business, which then allows me to keep bringing you more free content (and maybe a little wine money too). I ONLY RECOMMEND products that I have personally used and love. Thank you so much for your support!
Ok, so whether you’ve been here for a while or you’re just reading for the first time, there are a couple things you should know. 1. I’m a mom and stepmom. 2. I hate fluff and bullshit. 3. I love to save a penny (see #1).
Another thing about me is I love using plant based, natural products in my home. One of those products is my laundry detergent. I mean, think about it – our skin is our largest organ. Within seconds of a chemical being placed on our skin it is absorbed into our bloodstream.
That being said, it makes perfect sense to start with your laundry detergent and household cleaners if you’re ready to move toward better products for our health. My laundry detergent of choice, is the Thieves line offered by Young Living. At over $30 a bottle this can make you want to put on the breaks and crawl back to the stuff filled with synthetic fragrance (which give me such a headache). Stop. Right. There.
Grab my hack below on how you can stretch your laundry detergent to stretch your budget. Like many other detergents on the market, the Thieves laundry detergent is highly concentrated. So, I split mine into thirds in order to stretch it further, without sacrifice the cleaning power.
Rather watch a video? You can see how super simple this money saving hack on my YouTube channel here.
What you will need:
- 1 bottle Thieves laundry detergent
- Thieves household cleaner concentrate (you will need about 6 capfuls for this recipe, so save the rest for a tub scrub, an all-purpose spray, and store the rest for refills and grass stained knees!)
- Purification essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- 3 pump bottles. I use these bottles from Amazon.
- warm water
Directions:
- Split the bottle of Thieves laundry detergent between the 3 bottles
- Add 2 capfuls of Thieves household cleaner (I recommend using a funnel for this…I didn’t use it last time and well, if you check out my video you can see my mess)
- Add 20 drops of Purification essential oil to each bottle
- Add 20 drops of Lavender essential oil to each bottle
- Slowly fill the bottles with warm water, being sure to leave room for the caps
- Cap the bottles with the pumps
- GENTLY shake the bottles until mixed
That’s it! Use about 2 pumps per full size load of laundry. I tend to not pay attention and probably add 3-4, but that’s not necessary. You should gently mix the detergent before use since the different parts will separate some over time.
This gives my family of five, about nine months of detergent, doing about one load every day. If you need to grab some of the products listed above and you don’t have an account or don’t already have someone to help you, shoot me a message below and I’d be happy to help!
We all know that motherhood is no joke. It’s so easy to look at other moms and think “wow, she’s really got it all together”. The Truth though? None of us have it “all together”. None of us truly knew how to be a mom before we became one, so remember that next time you’re scrolling, and you start playing the comparison game.
The hardest thing I’ve had to learn as a mom? No, it wasn’t that we are all out here winging it and not really know what we were doing. It was to LET GO. To let go of things we can’t control…and even some of what we can. I don’t talk about my divorce much because quite frankly, I don’t let that define me. I’m not “a divorced mom”, no, I’m just a mom. However, through going through a divorce and then starting a relationship with someone that has children as well, I’ve had to learn to let go a lot – like a lot a lot.
Now, rather than throwing myself into a full-on anxiety attack, I use the tools that I’ve learned to cope. No, I’m not talking about my glass of wine (that I do enjoy by the way). I’m talking about thinking things through and asking myself a few questions.
Questions like: Is this going to matter in 5 years? If the answer is no, then I ask “Is this even going to matter in five minutes”. If the answer to both of these is know, then I allow myself to let it go right then and there. If the answer is yes then I ask myself WHY. You see, most of the time, us mamas want to control our kid’s worlds because we think we know best. And we do know best. However, we don’t always know BETTER. What I’m saying is, there is more than one way to parent, more than one way to do things that will still get you the same result. The result being every parent’s objective to raise good, happy, and heathy, thriving human beings. That’s really all there is, right?
That being said, there are absolutely times where lines need to be drawn either for real safety concerns, or even for your own sanity. Everyone needs boundaries.
However, I challenge you, the next time you’re about to lose your shit because things aren’t being done “your way” as yourself the questions above. Sacrificing your sanity is not worth being “right”. It’s just not.
In a blended family, there are many different dynamics where conflict can occur. Whether in co-parenting with our children’s other parent or a disagreement between my fiancé, things can pop up in an instant. It would be quite easy to spend days bitter and angry and arguing over, when you really think about it, things that are so trivial. We all have the same goal, as I said before. As long as our families and our kids are happy, and healthy and thriving, the logistics really don’t matter.
Nobody ever said someone failed as a parent because they let their kid have candy, or because they had different bedtime rules, or because they ate dinner in front of the television. So mama, when you are at your wits end. When your partner or co-parent isn’t hearing you, I urge you to ask yourself whether it’s worth letting that issue steal your joy, and at what cost? At the cost of your anger being redirected at your child? At the cost of your child hearing you say something negative about someone they love?
Let go mama. It’s your ego talking, we all have them. But please hear me out and make like Elsa. Let it go. Your mind, your soul, and your heart will thank you for it.
The hardest thing I’ve had to learn as a mom? No, it wasn’t that we are all out here winging it and not really know what we were doing. It was to LET GO. To let go of things we can’t control…and even some of what we can. I don’t talk about my divorce much because quite frankly, I don’t let that define me. I’m not “a divorced mom”, no, I’m just a mom. However, through going through a divorce and then starting a relationship with someone that has children as well, I’ve had to learn to let go a lot – like a lot a lot.
Now, rather than throwing myself into a full-on anxiety attack, I use the tools that I’ve learned to cope. No, I’m not talking about my glass of wine (that I do enjoy by the way). I’m talking about thinking things through and asking myself a few questions.
Questions like: Is this going to matter in 5 years? If the answer is no, then I ask “Is this even going to matter in five minutes”. If the answer to both of these is know, then I allow myself to let it go right then and there. If the answer is yes then I ask myself WHY. You see, most of the time, us mamas want to control our kid’s worlds because we think we know best. And we do know best. However, we don’t always know BETTER. What I’m saying is, there is more than one way to parent, more than one way to do things that will still get you the same result. The result being every parent’s objective to raise good, happy, and heathy, thriving human beings. That’s really all there is, right?
That being said, there are absolutely times where lines need to be drawn either for real safety concerns, or even for your own sanity. Everyone needs boundaries.
However, I challenge you, the next time you’re about to lose your shit because things aren’t being done “your way” as yourself the questions above. Sacrificing your sanity is not worth being “right”. It’s just not.
In a blended family, there are many different dynamics where conflict can occur. Whether in co-parenting with our children’s other parent or a disagreement between my fiancé, things can pop up in an instant. It would be quite easy to spend days bitter and angry and arguing over, when you really think about it, things that are so trivial. We all have the same goal, as I said before. As long as our families and our kids are happy, and healthy and thriving, the logistics really don’t matter.
Nobody ever said someone failed as a parent because they let their kid have candy, or because they had different bedtime rules, or because they ate dinner in front of the television. So mama, when you are at your wits end. When your partner or co-parent isn’t hearing you, I urge you to ask yourself whether it’s worth letting that issue steal your joy, and at what cost? At the cost of your anger being redirected at your child? At the cost of your child hearing you say something negative about someone they love?
Let go mama. It’s your ego talking, we all have them. But please hear me out and make like Elsa. Let it go. Your mind, your soul, and your heart will thank you for it.
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I’m always looking for ways to keep my 4 year old busy, learning, and entertained. Especially right now. I’m currently working from home, playing mom, teacher, biologist, and entrepreneur. Honestly you guys, just typing all of those things out made me tired!
So, I want to share with you this easy DIY “sand” recipe that I made with my daughter today. It's super easy whether you're a total DIY Pinterest mom, an Amazon Prime mom, or somewhere in between. I definitely fall into the in between category. Don't give me something with too many ingredients or too many steps or I'm over it. Ok, on with it...
First, my recommendation is to do this outside if possible, and/or be prepared for some mess. It was however super easy to clean up, and a great sensory activity for her.
For this play sand you will need:
- A large bowl or pan for mixing and for them to play with the “sand” in. I used a baking dish and it worked perfectly!
- 2 cups flour (I used whole wheat flour because that’s what I had on hand, and it helped it look like actual sand as well – win!).
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. I added slightly more to get the right consistency.
- Optional: 2-4 drops of essential oil of your choice.
- Mix, and Play!
Some fun extras we used were a plastic cup to make a “sandcastle”, and play dinosaurs (to knock down said castles, obviously). Allow them to use their imagination!
From making the sand, to playtime, this activity kept my 4 year old occupied for a good hour. Anything garnering that much attention deserves to be shared with the universe! Don't you agree?
Like this content? Join me in the (re)inspired and mindful moms group here.
First things first...
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you click on them, I may receive a small commission when you purchase the product! How cool is that? You get the product and also support my business, which then allows me to keep bringing you more free content (and maybe a little wine money too). I ONLY RECOMMEND products that I have personally used and love. Thank you so much for your support!
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you click on them, I may receive a small commission when you purchase the product! How cool is that? You get the product and also support my business, which then allows me to keep bringing you more free content (and maybe a little wine money too). I ONLY RECOMMEND products that I have personally used and love. Thank you so much for your support!
There’s a reason everyone is crazy over lavender and referring to it as the “swiss army knife of essential oils”. While I’m sure there are uses for lavender that I haven’t even encountered yet, I sure do use it for about everything. Many people know lavender is used by many for relaxation. The same properties that make lavender a go to in promoting a relaxed state, are those that make this oil have an incredible number of other uses as well. When in doubt, this is the oil I reach for first. Skeptical? A quick google search of the uses of lavender should change your mind. Here are the top 5 ways that I use Lavender regularly.
Read to the end and grab my free recipe for simple, DIY makeup remover pads.
Read to the end and grab my free recipe for simple, DIY makeup remover pads.
1. Burns/cuts
Ok, so burns and cuts are technically 2 different things. The point is, lavender is great for your skin. Have a cut or scrape? Throw a drop or 2 of lavender on it, rather than reaching for an OTC medicated ointment. In my experience, cuts heal faster, scar less, and burns? Lavender has been a lifesaver for me whether it’s after a day that I forgot to apply my sunscreen, or if I burn my arm cooking all the toddler snacks…Oh and dinner…that too.
Ok, so burns and cuts are technically 2 different things. The point is, lavender is great for your skin. Have a cut or scrape? Throw a drop or 2 of lavender on it, rather than reaching for an OTC medicated ointment. In my experience, cuts heal faster, scar less, and burns? Lavender has been a lifesaver for me whether it’s after a day that I forgot to apply my sunscreen, or if I burn my arm cooking all the toddler snacks…Oh and dinner…that too.
2. Skin/Beauty
While I already mentioned how great lavender is for skin, it goes beyond help with the occasional injury. I add lavender to my skin daily! The shampoo I use already has lavender in it (mom win). Another way I use lavender is in my mascara. One drop to a new bottle not only smells amazing, but it also helps give my lashes some growth support! As I mentioned above, I also make a DIY makeup remover and I add lavender to that as well.
3. Outdoors
I have lavender plants around my back deck to keep those summer time pests away. No wonder then, that the oil helps with this as well. When I do forget my insect repellent or essential oils and I get a bug bite (they love me), I reach for lavender every single time for skin support (see above) to help take the itchiness away and decrease the swelling of my bites.
4. Sleep Support
This is the one that most people think of when they think of lavender. Every baby product and product designed for relaxation has, or claims to have lavender in it. The key to getting the best results is using quality essential oils.
5. Cooking/Drinking
Say what? Yes! Dip a toothpick in the bottle and stir into a glass of lemonade, or add a drop to a lavender cookie recipe!
Here's the recipe I use for my DIY makeup remover. It's super easy, effective, and leaves my skin feeling great!
Ingredients:
- Round Cotton pads. I use and recommend these.
- A 4oz glass jar, like these.
- 1 TBSP witch hazel. You can find it here.
- 2 TBSP Fractionated coconut oil. This one is my favorite.
- 2 TBSP water
- 4 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Frankincense essential oil
Recipe:
- Place as many cotton rounds in the 4oz jar as will fit comfortably.
- Combine the liquid ingredients in a small measuring cup.
- Gently pour the liquid over the cotton rounds.
- Seal the jar.
- To use, take out one cotton round and wipe makeup away!
