Day Hiking with Kids

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer One of our family's favorite things to do together is to get out in the woods and explore. Sometimes we venture farther off into the mountains or state parks, other times we keep closer to our home and stick to nearby environmental centers and local parks.  It's a free and fun, and a great source of exercise for all of us.  There are times when fatigue or forgetfulness make me prefer the comfort and ease of staying home, … [Read more...]

Quick and Easy Homemade Brown Sugar

Written by Contributing Writer, Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life It's true that too much sugar isn't good for you, but I'm not likely to completely give up on the occasional sweet treat.  Instead, we focus on limiting sugar in our day to day diets and choosing healthier alternatives to processed desserts.  Making our own treats is healthier and it saves us money to boot. I've also found that I can simplify my grocery shopping and save more money by learning to make own of the basics … [Read more...]

Easy Hospitality Meal for Every Eater

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer Inviting people into our homes to share meals together seems to be a habit that happens less and less these days. And I get it. It's hard. We're busy. They're busy.  It's true. Practicing hospitality can be a challenge and especially daunting in today's world of Pinterest-perfect idealism (just let it go!). It can also be confusing to plan a meal while taking into consideration potential food allergies and simple food … [Read more...]

5 Easy Ways to Bring Spring to Your Home

Written by Contributing Writer, Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life As I write this, there is a fresh coating of snow on the ground at my house. It's our token snowfall of the year. We aren't likely to get any more snow, which has one very significant meaning to me-- Spring is on its way!  Winter has never been my favorite season. Far from it. January and February are usually hard months for me when, tired of being cold all the time, I am impatient for the return of sunshine and warmer … [Read more...]

DIY Kids’ Art Display

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer A couple of years ago, my oldest child started doing art projects and I found myself needing a place to be able to display his work. I have strong aversions to clutter and I was hoping to figure out a way to display our kids' work that would keep our home looking tidy. Just as important, I wanted our kids to know that we valued their work and enjoyed being able to show it off.  Soon after, I was perusing the aisles of … [Read more...]

Raisin, Date, & Walnut Muffins

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer The New Year is almost here!  For many, that means resolutions and goals and hopefully a large dose of healthy optimism. My head is full of plans and ideas, mostly centered on getting us back to a normal routine and menu plan after a couple of months full of festivities and party foods.  How about you? Thinking of your own resolutions? Maybe you're resolved to eat healthier, whole foods? Or less sugar? … [Read more...]

12 Days of Christmas {Day 2: dōTERRA Essential Oil}

Today is the 2nd day of the 12 days of Christmas Reviews & Giveaways 2014! Written by Lisa from This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer  On the 2nd day of Christmas, day2day joys gave to me... A high-quality essential oil blend from dōTERRA perfect for fighting the sore throats, runny noses and congestion that come with the chill of winter days. This oil blend smells great and helps to quickly relieve respiratory discomfort.   dōTERRA is a well-known essential … [Read more...]

A Plan for a Less Stress Holiday Season

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer In parenting three small children, keeping my home, and attempting the occasional personal pursuit, I often find myself vacillating between loving my life and being overcome by the blessing of it all, and loving my life but just being plain overcome. The days are full and busy and beautiful and FULL. And these are just the normal days. One such normal day recently went like this: I set my alarm the night before. Actually, I set … [Read more...]

Felt Fall Banner

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, *NEW* Contributing Writer Every year we decorate the mantle for Fall. And every year the routine is basically the same. Pull off current decor. Pull out boxed Fall decor. Turn on Christmas music (I know, I know. But this year I have a good reason). Try to find an arrangement of things we already have on hand or have acquired cheaply that suits our simple, clean style. Send pictures to my best friend for a second opinion. Because she is a … [Read more...]