day2day joys

Exciting Announcement {Day2dayjoys.com Relaunch & Giveaway}

2013-06-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm beyond excited to show off to y'all a little of the new design here at day2dayjoys.com (that will be happening soon!) . It's been long time coming but nevertheless, it's in the works and I couldn't be more happy!

Although I'm "relaunching" this blog with a new design and a few things will change, this is a little place in the blog-o-sphere that still remains the same. A place where mothers and women can connect, can talk about their experiences, their hurts, their joys, and still focus on faith, family and health.

If you've been a reader here for long, you'll know that my tagline has been "Finding Joy in it All" taken from the verse in James 1:2. No matter what you are going through (even if it's hard or unimaginable) I want to encourage you that it's part of your story, the story that the Lord is writing through you. And sometimes it is hard finding the joy in it all but my prayer is that I and you dear friend, can find a glimpse of joy in the valleys and on mountain tops.

While that verse's theme will be carried on, I have come up with a broader tagline that will encompass this blog's tune more eloquently. You probably noticed it up at the top of this post.

My hope, along with all of the (new) writers is that what we write in this little space will encourage you and will help you to be a better homemaker, mom, wife or mother in the making and woman, joyfully. Be on the look out for an introduction to the new writers but for now I'd like you to meet these lovely ladies if you haven't "met" them yet:

Jenn from The Purposeful Mom- veteran writer here
Kelly from Eyes on the Source
Kristen from Smithspirations
Jenn D from A Simple Haven
Liz from Now Let Me Rejoice
Kim from Simple Natural Health
Nell from Whole Parenting Family

My dear friend Mindy of Simply Designs and Creating Naturally did a fabulous job putting up with my endless requests, all my questions (although you might think I know how to handle "techy" stuff, I do not!) and hunt for the best color combinations. Turquoise & peach have always been a couple of my favorite colors. (My bridesmaids wore coral, don't know if they thought that was a disaster but I loved it)

Well.. now that all that's over with, the FUN part!

This blog has been such a blessing to me, I want to bless one of you! So without further ado, one lucky winner will receive a $75 gift card to Amazon!!

*note: this is not a sponsored giveaway, I paid for this prize and hope it blesses one of you tremendously! Must be 18 or older to enter.

All you have to do is use the rafflecopter form below, earn more entries by completing more of the options.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This day2dayjoys.com relaunch $75 giveaway ends on July 21 at 11:59pm EST.
One lucky winner will be chosen using rafflecopter and be notified by email.
The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their contact information, if they do not respond a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks for being a part of day2dayjoys.com whether you're new here or have been around for a while!!!

You should see the full site over the next few days so don't be surprised if you hop on to the website and it looks totally different.

Unhealthy Pantry Staples Remade

2013-06-20T23:08:00.000-04:00

I'm over at Keeper of the Home with a post about taking unhealthy pantry staples and replacing them with healthy alternatives.

sneak peak:

Back in the days before most of us were even born, when our mothers or grandmothers were girls growing up, pantries were stocked very differently than in today's world.

Here's a picture of a pantry from the 1940s:

image credit

Today, most pantries are stocked with stuff that is not even real food, with unhealthy fats, loads of sugar, BPA-laden cans of condensed soups filled with MSG and lots of other "junk" that most people have no idea is unhealthy for them.

Don't get me wrong: I am all for eating foods like Chick-fil-a or some Ben & Jerry's ice cream in moderation, but eating unhealthy foods in moderation is simply not the case for most people today. It's an everyday occurrence in our culture.

I often question: Do people not wonder why there is an obesity epidemic or why diabetes is on the rise? Do they not understand that what you eat really does matter? Food can be detrimental and harmful to your health, or it can help you to be vibrant--full of energy and life.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” -Hippocrates

In today's culture, food is not our medicine, the source that is supposed to sustain our bodies. It is, in fact, the opposite of that. Today's food (fake food, rather) is making us sick. Most of us... to read the rest click here.

How do you stock your pantry? Do you think the food you eat affects your health?

Dressed to Bless {Blessing our Husbands with Outward Appearance}

2013-06-19T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Kristen, Contributing Writer

It's Marriage Month over at my blog, and I'm excited to share a little bit of it here at Day2day Joys! My husband and I are celebrating our tenth anniversary this month, so marriage is on my mind.

I think it can be really easy to fall into the mindset of not worrying about our outward appearance as much once we've settled into married life and become moms.

Comfy old t-shirts, workout clothes, and ponytails might be the standard, but does it really matter? Our husbands love us for what's on the inside, right?

Well, yes, of course so, but to most men, a beautiful outward appearance can also be a big blessing to them! Valuing your husband's preferences with your appearance and taking a few moments to look lovely, even when you're just spending the day at home, might just make your guy feel extra loved.

Who can't use a few extra sparks in their marriage?

Modesty Matters

I'm a huge believer that dressing modestly is a way to honor our husbands. Why? When I made my wedding vows to my sweetheart, I promised that I would belong to him in a way that no one else could claim. My body isn't just mine anymore; it's his, too!

I value our commitment so much that I want to protect what I've promised to give to him. I don't want to dress in a way that allows other men who haven't won my heart, affection, and respect to get a peek at what only belongs to my husband. So when it comes to blessing my husband with my appearance, modesty is my first priority!

Clothing Colors & Styles

Let's say that I am into the latest trends but my husband is more of a traditional, consistent guy. He will probably have a different idea of what it is to look beautiful than I do. This doesn't mean that I should forsake all of my preferences when it comes to my wardrobe. Instead, I might stick with more traditional and classic items for the base of my outfit while adding a few trendy pieces here and there.

Does your husband rave when you wear a certain color, pattern, or type of outfit? Think about finding a few more pieces like that! My husband loves the look of flowing dresses, but this can be a challenge for me now while often nursing a baby or toddler. Rather than give up on the whole dress bit, I stay on the lookout for those that button or can still somehow allow me to breastfeed.

Accessories & Finishing Touches

Consider what your guy thinks about jewelry. Maybe he likes it when you wear a coordinating bracelet and necklace with each outfit every day, or maybe he doesn't like any extra sparkle at all. If he tends to like a simpler appearance, he may not complement your appearance if you are fully blinged to the max.

Again, this doesn't mean that you have to forsake all jewelry! Rather, you could just choose toned down pieces and perhaps only one or two of them. But if you tend to play the part of a Plain Jane, you might just catch his eye by adding a touch of jewelry when he isn't expecting it. What about your shoes or your hairstyle? What does your man most often compliment? Does he love to see your hair all up in a special hair clip, or does he swoon when it is simply down? Does he notice your bright teal flats, or does he cringe at the loud color? Don't just shrug off his reactions and preferences; respond to them!

Don't Forget the Clothes Only He Sees

Isn't easy to not give much thought to our pajamas, underclothes, and bumming-around-the-house attire? Worn out, stained, but super comfy tees seem perfect for jammies and lazy Saturday afternoons!

My thought for many years was "It doesn't matter. Only my husband really sees me in this." But isn't that thinking really backwards? My husband is the most important person in the world to me! Why should he see me in sloppy clothes when it's just him? Finding something pretty, but still very comfortable, when choosing these items doesn't really take much effort, yet it can be a very loving gesture.

For example, when it comes to pajamas, I've found cotton maxi dresses to be a perfect solution for me: comfortably, pretty, inexpensive, while still allowing me to nurse a baby if needed. Dressing up around the house just doesn't work for me, but I can wear colorful cotton tees that fit nicely with perhaps a practical denim skirt.

Balancing Personal Style & His Preferences

As I've mentioned a few times in this post, trying to bless your husband with your outward appearance doesn't mean that you have to give up on your own personal sense of style. Chances are, one of the things that drew your guy to you was your personal style!

But fashions and trends quickly change, and what you might fall in love with one season he think ridiculous. Allow for some compromise, and remember how you feel when you are proud of his appearance. He likes to feel the same! But what if he doesn't give you much feedback on how you look?

Try simply asking him for his opinion! He may not really have a preference on a particular outfit or item, and that's okay. Perhaps he really means it if he says that something is "fine". But be on the lookout for things that do catch his eye, or looks that give him the opposite reaction. Look for ways to bless him with your appearance.

Have you ever thought of ways to bless your husband with your outward appearance?

Kristen is a Bible-believing Christian, wife to her best friend and high school sweetheart, and mother to a growing brood of sweet little people.She spends her days keeping the home, homeschooling, gardening, cooking and baking real whole foods, reading, being crunchy and green, and blogging at Smithspirations. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.

Linked to: Works for Me, Mama's Moments, Titus Tuesdays, Encourage One Another

Healthy 2day Wednesdays

2013-06-18T21:25:00.003-04:00

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a sharextravaganza (said no dictionary ever) of healthy and natural living posts.

If you’re a blogger you can link up your wisdom, ideas, projects, recipes, whatever you think other people might benefit from reading. This is our weekly gathering of brilliant ideas shared by amazing people who love to experiment with new ways to improve their lives and their health. Browse through the collection… or add your own!

This is one of those linky parties that is hosted by several bloggers at the same time (see handy graphic below), and we take turns week-by-week choosing the top three posts. This week Steph chose her favorites. Enjoy!

Steph's top 3 picks from last week:

As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d by Steph. And don’t forget, your posts were pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

Natural 3-Ingredient Hand Sanitizer Spray from Eyes on the Source

Cherry Almond Ice Cream from Simple Foody

Hired Killers (great but ugly bugs for your garden!) from Brown Thumb Mama

Have you been featured as an H2W favorite?

We now have a button for you to add to your post or side bar! You can get different size buttons here.

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post.
Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!
If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

A Practical Guide to {Enjoying} Traveling with Kids

2013-06-17T06:30:00.000-04:00

photo credit

Written by Jenn D, Contributing Writer

Summertime is upon us and if your family is anything like mine, with the warm lazy days come day treks, weekend trips, and the possible week-long vacation.

These trips are lovely, but I've learned a special blend of preparation and flexibility is required when traveling with children. Since my oldest was born, we have logged 16 flights, countless overnight visits, a two-day cross country move, and a couple 18 hour car rides, one of which did in a single day.

My husband used to scare me senseless by suggesting yet another overnight family excursion which, in my mind, equated with grumpy, over-tired babies and no one (especially mommy) sleeping well.

However, I was just focusing on worst-case scenarios because our kids are actually fantastic little travelers. And, over time, I began to realize that Hubs’s assurance that “everything will work out just fine” was actually pretty accurate.

It doesn't mean that all will be perfect—indeed we've had nights of screaming babies even recently—but it does mean that with a good attitude, the trip can be enjoyed despite some bumps along the way.

Besides stocking your bags with snacks and saying hourly or a minute by minute prayer for extra patience and grace, I've found the following strategies helpful for planning, enjoying, and recovering from traveling with small children.

Before Leaving

*Make a Pack List
I keep a spreadsheet of items to pack for each family member. Then, before a trip, I’ll check the list, amend it as needed, and print a copy to use as a checklist when packing.

*Focus on the Food
I’m pretty sure that good snacks are the secret to traveling with children. I like to buy or make special snacks for car or plane rides, and pull them out incrementally, as everyone’s mood requires.

If I'm buying, it's those organic baby food pouches (even for the 3 year old!), raisins, or fruit. If I'm making, it's usually homemade granola bars or larabars.

Think small, non-messy bites that take a while to eat--I like to maximize snack-consumption time :). It doesn't hurt to have special stuff for mom and dad either. Many a trip has been improved by an iced chai.

*Prep the Car
The night before we leave for a trip, I pull out a stash of "travel toys" that I purposely keep out of the usual toy rotation so they feel new and special.

I pack them up in the car and over the course of the trip I pull them out incrementally, as needed. Like the snacks, I want the enjoyment factor to last.

Some of my kids' favorites include: a quiet book, coloring book and crayons on a string, a Magnadoodle, this reusable sticker book, a spare diaper + other baby gear for taking care of a favorite baby-doll, a handful of mega-blocks, and books. I also like bringing along books for reading aloud as a family and have been known to play videos of friends' babies on my phone. Repeatedly.

Crayons on a string...so nobody's favorite color gets lost in the car.

Enjoying the Trip

*Adjust Your Perspective on Behavior
While traveling can be fun for kids, it also means that their normal routine will be off, they’ll be eating different food, and sleeping probably won’t be ideal. So, I try to remember that they likely won’t be at their best and extend them extra grace. It’s that balance of not throwing out all of my expectations but realizing that their little bodies can only handle so much.

*Have Some Semblance of Routine
While some families are more routine-oriented than others, I would venture to say that retaining what you can of your family’s “norm” while traveling will help the littles function better.

I especially try to apply this to my kids’ naps—while everyone may not get to sleep at the same time or for the same length as usual, we still make an effort to arrange for at least one decent nap to take place. This usually requires flexibility, a good noise machine, and at times, creativity. To preserve a quality naps/sleeping we've put babies down in laundry rooms and (ventilated) closets and made forts of pillows around pack and plays to give toddlers the illusion of solitude in a room of multiple nappers.

Couldn't get everyone to sleep on trips without it.

*Blessed are the Flexible
Really, I should just preach this to myself daily. But it’s especially important for me to remember when traveling. It’s easy for me to think that a whole-day excursion will be a total disaster because it doesn't allow for the toddler’s nap-time or sleeping arrangements that place us all in the same room will automatically mean a crazy night of baby waking up big sister and vice-versa. Well, maybe all the worst-case scenarios come true.

Maybe toddler is a total wreck and screams through dinner at the restaurant. Maybe big girl and baby boy’s nighttime antics cause a sleepless night. The question I have to ask myself is, “Is it worth it?” Are the potential bumps in the road of a particular trip worth spending time with loved ones, exploring new place, and making fun memories as a family?

In most cases, I’ve decided that the answer is yes. So I try to remember that when I’m in the midst of a bump and choose flexibility over a funky attitude.

photo credit

Recovering from the Trip

*Acknowledge the Need for Recovery
It took me a while to realize that I’d need a good few days after returning from a trip to fully recover—in terms of laundry, sleep, and just getting back into a routine. So, I'm intentional not to fill up my schedule after a trip, acknowledge that I’ll probably be in pjs for a couple days, and give the kids margin to readjust, too.

*Do Laundry Before Returning
If possible, I’ll wash clothes before returning, as I find this makes recovery a bit smoother.

A Final Word
Traveling with children (especially small children) obviously has real challenges--which vary in number and degree for each family. But don’t let fear of challenges prevent you from enjoying a vacation, having some adventures, and spending time with rarely-seen loved ones.

What are your best tips for traveling with kids?

Jenn is a mommy of two children and two obese cats and wife to the Hubs. She enjoys finding beauty and grace in the midst of daily life, gets excited about natural remedies, and, after moving 11 times in 8 years, thinks embracing the home she has (wherever it is) prompts joys and hospitality.

Jenn blogs at A Simple Haven, where she writes about homemaking with intention, beauty and mirth.

Healthier Frozen Treats for the Whole Family

2013-06-14T08:52:00.002-04:00

Welcome Back to the Raising Healthy Family Series!

In this final installment, Kelly at The Nourishing Home is sharing a healthy way to beat the heat of summer without compromising good nutrition.

Making your own homemade ice pops and frozen treats is so easy and it’s fun too! And best of all, you’ll feel good knowing that your family is enjoying a healthy boost of wholesome nutrients in each and every yummy bite!

So be sure to join Kelly at The Nourishing Home as she helps us celebrate summer with some delicious and nutritious real food frozen treats certain to bring a smile to your kids faces, while keeping the ice cream man at bay!

What's your favorite frozen sweet treat?

DIY Father's Day Aftershave

2013-06-12T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Kelly, Contributing Writer

As much as your Dad or husband might want another tie for Father's Day ( ha, ha)...Perhaps he may get more use out of this homemade gift!

My husband has very sensitive skin and has tried several aftershaves and lotions hoping to find one that does not irritate his skin. Of course, the best ones are all so expensive!

So why not make your own? It is super easy to personalize to your skin type and scent preference.

So here's how to Do it Yourself for this recipe:

What you need:
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
1/4 Cup Witch Hazel (adjust these first two ingredients to be the consistency that you prefer)
2 tsp Liquid Lanolin
2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
2 capsules or 2 tsp Vitamin E Oil

2-4 drops of Essential oil

What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees, then turn off

2. Place Coconut Oil in an oven safe bowl in the warm oven for about 5 minutes or until melted3. Whisk together Coconut Oil, Lanolin, Avocado Oil and Witch Hazel

4. Lastly, add the Vitamin E and Essential Oil. I used Rosemary, but some other favorites for men are Lemongrass, Tea Tree Oil and Lavender. You could also add Peppermint Oil for a cool and refreshing aftershave.
5. When all ingredients are combined, pour into gift-able containers for Father's Day!

I made a double batch which yielded about 10 ounces. There are so many ways to customize this recipe! Try different oils such as, Almond Oil, Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil.

Use Vegetable glycerin instead of Liquid Lanolin. Try alcohol free Witch Hazel for very sensitive skin. Combine different Essential Oils to make a very custom scent. This will show him how much you (and the kiddos) love him!

Have fun, maybe even make some for yourself! This also, makes a great antiseptic for summer cuts and scrapes!

Are you making any homemade gifts for Father's Day?

Kelly is a busy mom homeschooling three boys with her husband. She is always hunting for ways to simplify life and make more quality time for family.

She enjoys crafting and researching natural health remedies. She blogs at Eyes on the Source on all things Home, Health and Kids.

*Linked to: Homemaking Linkup, Traditional Tuesdays, Titus 2sdays, Works for Me, Encourage One Another

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays

2013-06-11T23:09:00.006-04:00

Welcome back to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!

Great ideas await you in this week’s linkup. Others are sharing their fantastic ideas for healthy living – and you can too! We’d love to have you join us and share how you embrace your health!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions
Steph of The Cheapskate Cook

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

Anne's top 3 picks from last week:

As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d and Tweeted by Anne. And don’t forget, your posts were pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

Keep the bugs away from your family with chemical-free solutions,

plus tips for healing those pesky bites, from Jenn, contributor at day2day joys.

Tessa the Domestic Diva does it again with

an awesome healthy allergen-friendly recipe for peanut sauce."

Grain-Free diets are all the rage...

but is it possible to have too much protein?

Have you been featured as an H2W favorite? We now have a button for you to add to your post or side bar! You can get different size buttons here.

How to join this week’s fun:

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post.

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!
If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

Easy & Natural Bug Spray

2013-06-10T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Liz, Contributing Writer

In my multiple trips to the Dominican Republic, I’ve learned a lot.

Things like…

Plantains are God’s gift to His people.

The poverty we deal with in the US is filthy rich compared to that in the rest of the world.

And did you know that six people can fit on a moped? (You have to see it to believe it!)

But perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned…I am a mosquito magnet.

Yes, it’s true. Unfortunately, in one week’s time I’ve managed to acquire approximately 75 mosquito bites all over my body despite spraying myself down with 97% DEET three times a day, every day (yuck!). And these weren’t your average run of the mill bug bites either. They were quarter-sized and swollen, and they left scars. Of course I know the mosquitos are far more populous in that area of the world, but still! Since I wanted to avoid taking preventative malaria pills, this was concerning, to say the least. After it happened twice, I knew I had to find a better way.

So two trips ago, I decided to ask the midwife I was working for at the time, who is a natural remedy enthusiast, what the best natural mosquito repellent is. She gave me a three-word answer…bergamot essential oil!

photo credit

A bergamot is a citrus fruit that looks like a cross between an orange and a lime, and it grows mainly in Italy. I think it smells like fruit loops, but for some reason, mosquitoes don’t like it and won’t bite you if you are wearing its essential oil in a diluted form!

When I used this mosquito repellent in the Dominican, I got THREE (I repeat, THREE!) mosquito bites instead of the usual 75! I was floored. Let’s give it up for God’s natural medicine!

So here’s what you’ll need to make your easy, natural mosquito repellent:

-Distilled water (make sure it’s distilled or it won’t work!)
-Bergamot Essential Oil (you can get this at your local health food store)

-Spray bottle (this one is 3 ounces because I’m taking it in a carry-on for my trip to Tennessee)

What to do:

It’s unbelievably easy to make. Just fill your bottle with the distilled water and add your bergamot oil. If you’re using a travel 3-ounce spray bottle like me, add 15 drops of oil. But you can multiply or divide that amount for however much you’re making. To use, just spray it on like you would any other bug spray. It’s that simple! Bergamot essential oil is safe for use on children, babies, and pregnant women (unlike DEET, which never worked for me anyway), so feel free to use this on the whole family!

If you are really trying to avoid the bugs, another tip I’ve found useful is to use unscented everything (shampoo, body wash, deodorant, etc.) JASON has some fragrance-free stuff and so does Tom's of Maine. This makes a huge difference, too! Also, check out these ideas and ways to care for your bites naturally.

What about you? Have you found a good method for keeping the bugs away from your precious skin?

Liz is a student and aspiring midwife. She currently enjoys serving women as doula. She is a musician, figure skater, coffee lover and friend. Join her at Now Let Me Rejoice, where she documents her journey with the Lord and her thoughts on natural living.

How to Get Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables

2013-06-07T10:03:00.000-04:00

We hope you've enjoyed joining us each Friday these past couple of months as we've shared different ways to keep your family healthy and vibrant in a not-so-healthy world!

Be sure to join us next Friday for our final post in this series from Kelly at The Nourishing Home, as she shares delicious, real food frozen treats that your family can enjoy all summer long.

Today's post is written by Jill of Jill's Home Remedies

Getting a child to eat vegetables can be a monumental task that most moms hope to accomplish in their lifetime.

We all know that many kids balk at vegetables.

Moms therefore try to find ways to "hide" vegetables in meals and casseroles, hoping their children do not notice the "green and orange stuff" hidden within their food. They whisper to their older children that they "better not say the word 'vegetable' or their younger siblings won't eat supper!"

My girls eat vegetables every day. I'm not talking about vegetables hidden in food; I'm talking about fresh, raw, healthy vegetables! My girls cheer when they see I'm chopping up a plate of celery, carrots and green pepper!

Hop on over to Jill's Home Remedies for fun and practical tips on teaching your own kids to eat more vegetables!

Celebrating Mothers

2013-06-06T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Liz, Contributing Writer

note from Rachel: Please meet Liz, a new monthly contributor who loves motherhood although she isn't a Mom quite yet. She is learning to embrace motherhood as she helps encourage birthing mothers as a doula.

Since the beginning of May we've been inundated with advertisements for the upcoming day that all moms look forward to; Mother's Day. Everywhere we go we are reminded, until it gets annoying, to buy our moms jewelry, flowers and chocolate and to celebrate our mothers.

And then as soon as the day is over, we collectively forget. As someone who has made a job out of celebrating mothers, I appreciate this sentiment but find it incredibly ironic. Why?

As a whole, on every day except Mother's Day, our society does everything it can not to celebrate mothers.
Think about it. Our maternity care system pushes mothers into C-sections without considering the consequences. The ultimate removal of motherhood; abortion; occurs 3,500 times every day.

Unlike other countries, women are not usually granted paid maternity leave. Mothers are ostracized for breastfeeding in public; making them feel as though they have no other choice than to be hermits or to quit breastfeeding.

Yet the crunchy crowd judges mothers every chance it gets for choosing to formula feed, circumcise, birth in hospitals or use the cry it out method. So does it strike anyone else as odd that on one day out of the year, our society all of a sudden gets excited about moms and then promptly moves on the next day?

Mother's Day came and went about a month ago, but I don't want to forget. This year, I am making a vow to celebrate moms every day of the year. I am surrounded by mothers every day, and I will seize the opportunity to remember their worth.

So who do I celebrate?

My mommy, who gave me life.
My step-mom, who has been a part of my life as long as I can remember and is like a whole extra mommy figure to me (how lucky am I?!).
My four grandmothers: two who are with the Lord and the other two who like to visit with me every chance they get.
Midwives, who are mothers to all their mothers.
The mothers in my life who give me the opportunity to join them in the most sacred yet grueling time in their life that is called motherhood ; as their doula.
The mothers who have lost their children and mourn even when others have forgotten their sorrow.
The women who desperately want to be mothers, but have yet to get a positive pregnancy test.
The adoptive mothers who give their hearts to orphans.
The mothers who join each other across the world in every second of every day, birthing together and sharing in the pain and joy of that.
The mothers who are awake at any hour feeding babies, stripping sheets, changing diapers, caring for sick children.
The mothers in crisis pregnancies who see abortion as the only option and just need love.
The new mothers who are just trying to figure out this whole thing and maybe want to rip their hair out in the process. Or just take a nap. Or a shower.
The pregnant mothers with morning sickness, back pain, mood swings, exhaustion.
The mothers who get epidurals, birth in the woods (or just at home), breastfeed, formula feed, have elective C-sections, cry it out, co-sleep, babywear, use strollers, vaccinate, don't vaccinate, use donor milk, homeschool, send their kids to public school, send their kids to private school, work, stay at home, eat their placentas, get their babies' ears pierced, never let their kids get their ears pierced, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, disposable diaper, circumcise, don't circumcise, have natural hospital births, use an OB and a doula, use a midwife and a doula, use just an OB, use just a midwife, use an OB and three doulas, and those who do a mixture of some or all of these things.

Because they're moms, and they work their butts off to make sure they're doing what's best for their children.

And that's all that matters.

So can we all agree to work together towards creating a culture of constant appreciation of mothers? To not judge mommies no matter what, to reach out to our fellow moms when they need help, and to recognize them as an extraordinarily important part of society? Cause I think they deserve it.

Keep the Bugs Away Naturally {Plus Natural Care for Bug Bites}

2013-06-05T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Jenn, Contributing Writer

Yay, summer! I love summer and very much enjoy seeing the green grass, trees, flowers and garden plants springing up from the ground. Unfortunately along with the joys of summer come the annoyances, like ticks and insect bites.

There are a lot of ways you can repel ticks and treat your insect bites but most of them are very chemical in nature. DEET, for instance, can be very dangerous, especially for young children. I've looked around for some more natural options and here's what has worked for us so far, as well as some ideas I have yet to try!

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net/SweetCrisis

Natural Repellent Ideas to Keep Away Ticks

Garlic pills - found at the health food store or local pharmacy, garlic pills are said to repel ticks. It's mostly the smell that repels them, and, hey, it repels me too! You could definitely try taking odorless pills to see if that will keep the smell off your breath.
Tea Tree Oil - mix one part tea tree oil and two parts water in a spray bottle. This can be sprayed safely on humans, and is especially effective on your pant or shirt cuffs where they like to jump on. You may need to adjust the water/oil ratio as you go because tea tree oil is very potent. This is what we're going to try this summer!
Essential Oil Mixture - I found a recipe on Facebook the other day and and it says it works for both dogs and humans using lemongrass and eucalyptus. Check it out and give it a try!
Cover Up Your Skin - One of the best things you can do to prevent ticks from staying on your body is to cover up your skin. Kids don't like to do this but I always have my children wear pants tucked into their socks and shoes or boots if they're going into the deep woods at my parents' farm (it doesn't get incredibly hot where we live). By cinching your shirt and pant cuffs and making sure you have some repellent on your face and body, you can really keep them away!

Natural Repellent Ideas for Mosquitoes

Real Citronella Candles - This is a basic repellent for mosquitoes, but sometimes the citronella in the candles you find at the store have chemicals that just mimic the smell of the real thing. Here's a recipe for making your own citronella candles!
Lemongrass - Either lemongrass essential oil mixed with water and sprayed on the skin as well as having the actual lemongrass plant in your yard can be a natural deterrent to those pesky bugs.
Marigolds - Place some pots of marigolds on your patio or plant them in your garden. We really feel that this has worked for us, combined with the citronella candle on our deck! Marigolds are also good for keeping away rabbits in the garden. Thyme and catnip are also said to be great mosquito repellents (I've read you can even rub the leaves on your skin but have never tried it).
Homemade Mosquito Repellent - Surviving the Stores has a recipe for homemade repellent made with lavender, vanilla and lemon juice! This I'll have to try!

freedigitalphotos.net/piyato

Natural Care for Bug Bites

Baking Soda Paste - About a year ago, I was stung by a bee that flew under my skirt (and my skirt wasn't short, I don't know how he got under there!) Anyway, I remembered that my mom said to calm the burning and stinging, I should apply a paste of baking soda and water to the injured area. It really helped reduce the swelling and stinging! This is also effective for other insect bites and is a frugal alternative to store-bought remedies. **Do not apply this mixture to open wounds.
Lavender and Tea Tree Oil - Wash with warm water and then carefully swab the area of the bite with lavender and tea tree oils, which will both disinfect the area and help the swelling go down. You may choose to dilute the oils with a little water.
Mud Paste - I personally have never done this, but applying mud to bites is how my grandmother used to treat bites. It's worth a try!
Ice Packs - After you have treated your bites or stings, you can try applying a cloth-wrapped ice pack to soothe any remaining burning or swelling.
Honey - Drizzle some honey over your itchy bites! It has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and if you can use local, raw honey, that's even better!

How do you protect and treat yourselves when it comes to the summer bugs?

Jenn is a pastor's wife and a mother of 3 beautiful children.
Join Jenn at The Purposeful Mom where she shares how she is learning to live with purpose in the spiritual, financial and practical areas of life.

Her desire is that we would all :encourage one another and build each other up" 1 Thess. 5:11

Healthy 2day Wednesdays

2013-06-04T23:12:00.005-04:00

Welcome back to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!

Carrie’s top 3 picks from last week: As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d by Carrie. And don’t forget, your posts were pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

Have you been featured as an H2W favorite? We now have a button for you to add to your post or side bar! You can get different size buttons here.

How to join this week’s fun:

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post. Guidelines for this Link-Up:Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!

If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

Isn’t Exercise An Optional Activity?

2013-06-03T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Kim, Contributing Writer

**note from Rachel: Please meet Kim, another new monthly contributor. Kim's passions are not only her family but educating the public about healthy eating and living.

In all areas of health I like to begin with the question, “Was this part of God’s original optimal design for us?” I want to make sure that anything I've added to my life lines up with the God’s word.

Exercise is no exception.

John and I spent the majority of our life as couch potatoes, so I wanted to make sure if I was going to dedicate a portion of each day to this activity, it had to be something God agreed was a good investment of time. I became aware that even in the creation story God did not create our bodies to be sedentary.

In Genesis 1:26 it says that God created man to rule over his creation. I don’t really know what this entailed but I’m sure it wasn't a desk job. After the fall, God made it clear that providing food for ourselves would involve some physical labor, even some perspiration. “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (Genesis 3:19).

How many of you are breaking a sweat pushing that cart through the grocery store aisles? Furthermore, we see that Christ was a physically active man- walking almost everywhere, sometimes for days at a time.

So, that may seem like bad news for those of us who wanted to get out of it, but it looks like in God’s original plan physical activity wasn't just an optional hobby. If we have a job that does not require much physical activity, we probably need to plan some exercise into our lives if we want to have the optimum health that God desires for us.

Pretty much anyone will tell you that diet and exercise are essential to good health. The truth is, we can’t overcome a poor diet with exercise and we also can’t eat well enough to overcome the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. God’s original plan included eating well and being active.

Now I could go on and on with encouragements and tips on how to enjoyably incorporate exercise as a natural part of your lifestyle, but space doesn't allow.

But I do want to share enough thoughts and encouragements that you will be able to see how physical activity could become a regular part of your lifestyle. First of all, let’s dispel some of the common myths, negative attitudes and preconceived notions regarding exercise.

photo credit

Let's start with a little historical background. In the not-so-distant past, simply living our daily lives required a good deal of physical activity- in growing food to eat, bringing in water, washing clothes, chopping wood, getting from place to place and many other day-to-day activities.

In a sense, we now have the “disadvantage” of living in an age of modern convenience in which we can exert minimal effort in travel, food production and preparation, housework, and other routine responsibilities. We can take advantage of these conveniences, but we need to make up for the lost physical work with some planned activity.

Doesn't it seem a little odd that we drive to do a local errand, then get home and onto our treadmill? Or that we take the elevator while at work and then use a stair stepper at the gym? We use machines that provide convenience and time-saving, and then have to intentionally use other machines to prevent us from getting out of shape. And isn’t it super sad that we exert all this physical effort, yet get no actual work done (unlike in the olden days)? Crazy, huh?

Okay- that brings us to modern day times. What are some common fitness prescriptions? “45-60 minutes of aerobic activity at least 5-6 times per week”. That’s a little intimidating and discouraging for most.

photo credit

Or you might join a gym where a trainer pushes you to increase your intensity and duration of activity. You might get tired, discouraged and drop out. These are the usual disheartening experiences most people relate to exercise. It’s no wonder so many of us conclude it’s just not for us. (I remember one time my sister and I decided we were going to start exercising, went for a rigorous walk and our legs broke out from the increased circulation. We concluded we were allergic to exercise and didn't need to do that anymore!).

Most people quickly get discouraged and lose interest in the common externally-driven exercise motivation plans. When you’re doing something distasteful to achieve a temporary goal, it’s easy to give up (similar to being on a traditional diet).

The key to success in developing a lifestyle routine of physical activity is to find those activities which would be an enjoyable fit for you, to begin at a comfortable rate and length of time and to allow it to grow into a natural part of your lifestyle.

After the activity you should feel good and rejuvenated (body and mind), not drained, exhausted and dreading your next “workout time”. Being able to enjoy your physical activity outside gives you the added benefits of fresh air and sunshine. But it is really a matter of finding what is a “fit” for you.

download printable

Refer to the above Exercise Preferences and Motivations printable to help you discern what your exercise style might be. You may have concluded that exercise isn't for you when you simply haven’t found your “fit” yet. Use this information to help you develop a plan to begin some activity today- no matter how small.

The whole adage of “no pain, no gain” is just a plain bad one. We see it reported again and again that strenuous exercise is harmful. If we “push ourselves” with exercise (too strenuous or too long) we’ll get injured, discouraged and/or quit.

The moral of the fable of the tortoise and the hare is a good one to keep in mind’ “Slow and steady wins the race”. Not that we’re running a race, but we will stick with an activity longer if we begin comfortably and only increase the time and amount as our body is ready for it. Moderate exercise not only builds you physically, but also makes you feel better and gives your immune system a boost too!

photo credit

Here’s an idea- simply enjoy the experience of moving your body! Go outside for a walk in the fresh air for 15 minutes. Think about your feet as they contact the ground, notice your arms swinging. Take in nice, smooth breaths through your nose. Speed up or slow down as you feel comfortable.

Paying attention to our body lets us truly participate in and enjoy the activity as well as appropriately increase or decrease the rate. You will enjoy your activity so much more when you think about your body and its motion, your breathing, and the surroundings you are for a moment participating in.

You shouldn't really have to distract yourself in order to get through the “drudgery” of exercise (I remember having this mindset when I forced myself to use a piece of exercise equipment we had purchased). If that is your mindset, you probably need to find an activity that better suits you, because continuing with that activity is not going to build health in the same way an enjoyable activity would.

And don’t stress yourself out with time/endurance prescriptions and rigid goal plans (unless you find them motivating in a positive way- there are a few of you out there, aren’t there?!). Your goal is to develop a lifestyle habit of enjoyable physical activity, not achieve a certain weight/fitness goal by next month. This usually is best encouraged in a gradual, comfortable way.

And remember to “listen to your body” and be responsive to your energy levels. But, at the same time, don’t let your body (or maybe it’s your mind) talk you out of activity day after day. Even if I’m feeling a little under the weather, I make sure I at least bounce gently on a rebounder for up to 10 minutes, knowing that my system needs that encouragement- either in detoxifying or in boosting those “feel good” chemicals in the brain.

I can honestly say that I’ve never felt worse when I’ve taken a little time to give my body some activity- oftentimes I feel it gives me just the boost of energy and feeling of well-being I needed. If I’ve listened to some good Christian music while exercising, I’ve renewed my mind with some uplifting truths at the same time.

So, if you haven’t yet incorporated some exercise into your life, I want to encourage you to get out today and at the bare minimum, take at least a 10-20 minute walk. Begin small and aim to exercise more days than not. With this kind of consistent, pleasant experience, physical activity can develop into an enjoyable habit.

Consider it a non-negotiable (like brushing your teeth) and allow it to become a regular, essential, enjoyable part of your day.

Do you think exercise is optional?

Kim Wilson has spent over 14 years working with whole foods to develop recipes that satisfy a variety of needs, in a tasty, enjoyable and affordable way. Her recipes are free of animal products, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, yeast, sugar and other common problematic foods.

She currently has seven diet and health books in print that offer the practical information and recipes everyone from beginners to raw-foodists to those with extensive food allergies need to make healthy eating and living a do-able lifestyle. For more information visit her websites: Simply Natural Health and Good and Easy Eats.

Raising Real Food Kids

2013-05-31T08:36:00.001-04:00

Today's post is written by Emily McClements of Live Renewed

As you push your child in a cart down the aisles of the grocery store, they are bombarded by brightly colored packages and more choices then they would ever know what to do with.

The produce department is a full rainbow of fruits and veggies from around in the world, all looking like they're at the peak of ripeness. And the cereal aisle is a rainbow full of sugar, artificial vitamins and minerals, and toxic dyes that are meant to attract your child's attention.

So how do we teach our kids what real, seasonal, and local food actually is?

Emily McClements of Live Renewed gives us easy ideas to help us teach our kids what's on their plates, and where their food really comes from.

**This is a post from the Raising Healthy Families series - a fun and informative series designed to help you and your family thrive! Join us each Friday as we take a look at different ways to keep your family healthy and vibrant in a not-so-healthy world!

Simple Ways to Garden with the Kids

2013-05-30T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Jenn, Contributing Writer

**note from Rachel: Please meet Jenn of A Simple Haven, a new monthly contributor here! Jenn is a mother, wife, baby wearer and has a desire to steward well the gifts God has given to her.

Last year I gave myself permission not to plant my first garden due to a recent cross-country move, the birth of our second baby, and my husband starting grad school. However, the dust in my life has since settled and this spring I’m joining the ranks of the homesteaders of yesteryear. (Read: I’m dropping some plants in a mix of dirt-ish stuff that Mel Bartholomew says is awesome and hoping for the best).

So far I've mostly overcome my fear of killing everything and have successfully deterred rabbit raids. And while the crops I planted last week are growing at a painstakingly slow rate, I’m starting to enjoy the daily nurturing of our tomatoes, lettuce, kale, and assortment of herbs.

One unexpected hurdle, however, was the question of how to include my 1 ½ and 3 year-old children in my new horticultural endeavors.

While perhaps a non-issue for some moms, my backyard situation poses particular challenges to simultaneously maintaining crops and the safety of wee ones:

Our yard is fenced.
There’s constantly construction traffic/tools/activity in the lot behind our house.
A giant drain sits in the corner of our yard, beckoning curious limbs.
I have a fast and fearless 16 month-old who has obeyed me maybe twice in his life.
I have a daughter with an overzealous and indiscriminate passion for weeding. (She proudly “weeded” my day-lilies yesterday).

With these factors and the desire to include my babes in the joy of cultivating life in place, I’ve developed some simple methods of addressing both.

Simple Ways to Garden with the Kids
(Without losing them or the kale)

1. Set Expectations
As we go out, I’ll remind my 3 year-old of our backyard rule (stay in the backyard) and our garden rule (no walking on the plants). Simple, but I hear it’s helpful to keep it that way with littles. :)

2. Encouraging Participation
I’ll let big girl help water with her special watering can and pull weeds (with clear instruction). She loves to join in and even though it’s less efficient, I will happily trade efficiency for memories.

3. Immobilize the Baby
Strap that kid to something. I’ll either wear him in a sling or my Beco carrier or plop him in the stroller or baby swing. He’s an awfully good sport about the stroller, bless his heart.

See? Generally content. But I think he's just saving his energy for when we let him loose.

4. Take Breaks to Play

If I have multiple yard tasks to complete, we’ll often stop and swing, slide, or “chase” between front and back yard activities. If I'm tending flowers near the porch or patio, we'll bring out the sidewalk chalk or one of the vehicles (i.e. an old Radio Flyer "bike," etc.) in my daughter's growing fleet. And if I'm feeling particularly brave, I'll unstrap baby boy and let him explore.

5. Talk About the Miracle of it All

What a great opportunity to talk about the miracle of creation, the intricacies of plants and how they grow, and that it all reflects the power and goodness of the God who made everything. I, for one, cannot keep my mouth shut when I see our first rose blooming, seeds beginning to sprout, or a robin making her nest. I always feel closer to the Lord when I’m outside exploring the world and I want to pass that sense of wonder on to my babes.

Now that is some beautiful basil. Thankful for God's gifts!

6. Make it a Fun Learning Time

Though I was a teacher for 6 years, I don't tend to do a lot of formal pre-schooling with my daughter. Rather, I try to look for opportunities to naturally incorporate learning the alphabet, colors, numbers, and other big concepts in whatever we're doing. Which tends to look like us stopping at a stop sign to point out the letters and colors and count the sides of the octagon. Or drawing letters in the dirt and counting the weeds--er, day-lilies.

This isn't a crystallized educational perspective, just what's working for us right now. So, count those seeds, measure space between plants, and point out the squares in your square foot garden. It would be easier to just wait until nap-time to do the gardening (and, when initially planting, I did), but as much as possible, I want to include the wee ones in the homemaking—for their education and memories as much as mine.

How do you include the kids in your outdoor projects?

Jenn blogs at A Simple Haven, where she writes about homemaking with intention, beauty and mirth.

5 Fun Things to Do Outside With Your Kids {No Equipment Needed}‏

2013-05-29T06:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Sara, Contributing Writer

**note from Rachel: Please meet Sara a new monthly contributor. She is a mother who loves natural remedies and prepares wholesome real foods for her family and strives to abide in her home with joy.

Photo Credit: Lotus Carroll via Compfight cc

Now that warm weather is here, I feel it necessary to take my son outside at least once a day! Sometimes we get out more than that, but our favorite time outdoors is after dinner. It is cool and breezy, and the sun isn't beating down on us. Plus it wears him out for bedtime, which is always nice!

He hasn't been interested in all the usual activities (biking, walking, playing catch, etc.). He has been wanting something different, and I can't say I blame him. What means the most to kids is having our attention...the activity is less important. Make sure you are participating and having fun too! Having a choice of activities is so helpful.

Fun Activities for the Great Outdoors
Here are 5 activities we have been enjoying lately, and I hope you and your kids will too!

1. Fun at the Races
Kids love to race with Mom and Dad! Set a start line, and a finish line and make the "Ready, Set, Go" exciting. Let them win sometimes, but occasionally take the win, too. My preschooler gets upset sometimes when I win, but I remind him that it isn't fun if we all don't get a chance. If he persists, I sit down by the back steps and act sad...he realizes that it hurts to not have turns and gives me a hug right away and apologizes. Then back to the races we go!

Once plain racing gets old, add in some obstacles. We often like to make a rule to jump over every line in the driveway. If you are on grass, you can spin your way to the finish line. Leap, clap, do a funny dance...let your imagination lead the way! Set the rule before each race so that it is clear what is expected of them.

2. Act Like Animals
Choose an animal and go with it! See who can be the most life-like! Most of the time, we are being silly and hopping around like bunnies. My son likes to climb on my back while I am the Mama Bunny. Then he likes to pretend that I can climb on HIS back, and we both have a good laugh.

We also turn this in to a learning activity by me asking, "What other animals can hop?" Then we jump like kangaroos, frogs and birds!

3. Hide and Seek
This is a classic! With the way the world is now, I would make sure that you always know where your kids are, even if you have to peek! Then, pretend you don't know where they are hiding and take your time finding them. Kids love suspense! When you hide, choose a hiding spot where you can see the child(ren) from as well.

4. Mother May I
Another classic, well worth the time! It is best with a group of people, but younger children may like it even with just you!

All players line up on one line. One player (the "mother") stands at the finish line. The players take turns asking "Mother may I..." inserting creative ways to get to the finish line. Some examples might include "Mother may I take 3 big jumps?" Or "Mother may I please take 5 little baby steps?"

The "mother" responds with either "yes," or "no." If the answer is "no," he or she must give an alternative, like, "No, but you may take 2 little baby steps," or whatever they choose.

It is a fun game of trying to get the "mother" to allow you to cross the finish line!

5. Pretend Play
It is always great fun to "play house." Outside, there are flowers and weeds and leaves that can be used to make "dinner," rocks for plates, grass for beds, and anything else you can imagine. The possibilities are truly endless! Kids often love to be mother or father for a time, and have the parent be the child.

Remember What is Most Important
I used to be terrible at pretend play (and even outdoor play!). I am a pretty practical person. But when I realized my son wasn't playing pretend at all, I decided to change things up.

Just do the best you can, without worrying about the outcome. Your kid(s) will just love that you are playing with them, and they won't care if you look silly or not! Let go and have some fun, and enjoy some sunshine while you're at it! Have fun outside this summer!

What are some fun ways you like to play outside with your kids?

Sara blogs at A Joyful Mother.She hopes that she can learn along with you, to be the type of mother God desires all of us to be.

You can find her writing about parenting, natural health and remedies, real food and more! You can also connect with her on facebook and pinterest.

Healthy 2day Wednesdays

2013-05-28T20:01:00.003-04:00

Welcome back to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!

Rachel's top 3 picks from last week:

As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d by Rachel. And don’t forget, your posts were pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

Jill from the Real Food Forager breaks down the standard myths about sunscreen

and why she thinks it is important to be in the sun with out it!

Jacqueline from Deep Roots at Home gives us a simple homemade

vanilla recipe that will last forever and make a great gift!

One of my blogging friends Stacy brings you a delicious healthy

dessert everyone of your family will love!

Have you been featured as an H2W favorite? We now have a button for you to add to your post or side bar! You can get different size buttons here.

How to join this week’s fun:

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post. Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!
If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

Healthy Food Planning for Your Camping Trip {With 10+ Recipes}

2013-05-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's Memorial Day so that means hundreds of thousands of Americans went camping this weekend, including us. And today just marks the start of the busy camping season over the next few months.

We pack all our camping gear, food, and chairs up each year and head to Yogi Bear's Jellystone campground while we soak up the gorgeous nature views by day and relax by the fire each night.

One of the hassles of camping is planning the food... I'm not gonna lie, in the past, we have gave in and just bought the more processed foods, even the marshmallows, and conventional hot dogs, but as we have journeyed to a real foods diet over the years and understand the effects of the food we consume has on our health, we have made better food decisions.

And no, I am not Mrs.-Make-Everything-Myself, when packing I want to make it easier on myself... so I get a lot of our food from Trader Joe's. They have organic grass-fed beef hot dogs for a reasonable price along with baked beans, fresh fruit and other options like pancake mixes and hot dog buns, that have far less ingredients than the regular store bought varieties.

I know the packing and planning can be a lot of work so here are 3 things you can do when it comes to healthy food planning:

Fun with Yogi Bear and hiking in the Smoky Mountains

Buy it
Like I mentioned earlier, it is sometimes easier to just buy the food. Go to stores that offer natural varieties to pick out your pancakes mixes, marshmallows, hot dog buns and other foods. This takes a little time and planning.

Here are some stores that offer some natural & organic selections, there could be others in your area:
Kroger
Walmart
Costco
Aldi
Trader Joe's
Earthfare

Whole Foods

Azure Standard- if you plan well in advance

My husband roasting our hot dogs at our campfire

Make it

If you have the time to make at least a couple of homemade foods to bring or make while you are there, this will help create a camping tradition and your kids can get involved too! Plus you can avoid a lot of the "junk" ingredients.

If you are Mrs.-Make-Everything-Myself, you will love this round up of recipes:
Homemade Marshmallows
Going Camping Granola Bars
Campfire Hash
Graham Crackers
Cast Iron Baked Beans
Potato Salad
Pancake Batter ready to go
Camp Burritos
Breakfast in a Bag
Dutch Oven Cornbread
Campfire Chicken Stew

Ditch it
I'd say when most people think about camping food they often think of hot dogs, s'mores, sandwiches, eggs & bacon and the list goes on. You do not have to stick to these classic foods. You can ditch them and choose others!

Check out this post about HealthIER Camping Foods. Also, give your family grace if camping is something you only do once or twice a year, you have got to have s'mores no matter what kind of marshmallows you get!

Here was our menu:
We stuck with the same foods at every meal for our 3 night camping trip to keep it simple. For us, it was better on our budget and planning.

Breakfasts
-fresh eggs
-nitrate.nitrite free bacon
-pancakes & pure maple syrup

Snacks
-nuts
-trail mix
-strawberries
-cucumbers & carrots

Lunches
-sprouted wheat, turkey & cheese sandwiches
-pb&j's
-homemade potato salad
-chips & salsa

Dinners
-hot dogs
-baked beans

Desserts
-s'mores

How do you plan your camping menu?

Homemade Tea Recipes

2013-05-24T10:18:00.001-04:00

Welcome back to the Raising Healthy Families Series – a fun and informative series designed to help you and your family thrive!

Finishing the Homeschool Year Strong

2013-05-22T06:30:00.000-04:00

image source

Written by Kristen, Contributing Writer

Note from Rachel: I'd like you to meet Kristen, a homeschooling mama to 4 lovely children and a new monthly contributor here. I know you will be blessed by her writing, she has a subtle and encouraging voice!

If you are a homeschool family, you may find yourself facing the end of the year with children who are so ready to be done with this whole school gig.

In fact, if you're much like me, you're probably ready for a break yourself! It's hard to stay focused when the great outdoors, parks, gardening, yard work, and sprinklers are calling out for attention, but ending the school year with quality work can teach our children how to really finish something they've started. If you're in the same boat that I'm in, maybe you need a little inspiration to help everyone make the end of the school year count. Perhaps trying some of these ideas will help you finish strong!

Take It Outside
When the weather is nice, I love trying to do as much of our school work outside as possible. Some things require a table and chairs, so if you don't have lawn furniture (and we don't), those assignments might need to be done inside.

We do a lot of reading in our homeschool, and reading outside allows all of us to enjoy a change of scenery, get our work done, and soak in the sun and fresh air. Many other school assignments can easily be done outside: music listening, art projects, nature and science projects, journaling and free writing, and more!

Use A Timer

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I've found that setting a kitchen timer can be a real motivator for one of our children. Rather than seeing it as a threat, it gives him a very clear indicator of his progress and how much work I expect him to get done. Older students might do better with keeping their own schedule or watching the clock to gauge their work for the day. The main goal is to keep them from dawdling the day away while wishing they weren't doing school work. That scenario clearly helps no one!

Take More Outings
The end of the school year is the perfect time to get the children out of the house and take advantage of the many community resources available that promote learning.

Many of these may be free or low-cost, too! State and local nature parks are one of my very favorites, as is the local library. Is there a nearby farm that your family could visit and learn about business economics and the local ecosystems? Could a nearby nursing home use some singers for the afternoon? Does a charity in your area need some volunteers to weed and plant flowers? Almost any family activity can have learning incorporated, so don't be afraid to think outside of the box.

Use An Alternative School Schedule
I'll be honest. By the beginning of May, not only are the children struggling to get their work done, I'm struggling to stay on top of it! As a gardener, I want to be outside by this time of the year. Last year I decided to try a more year-round schedule by ending our school year earlier, starting later, and doing some work in the summer when it's too hot to be outside. I really liked it!

One of the great things about homeschooling is that it allows us to be flexible. If your children seem to completely fizzle out at a certain time of the year, consider taking a longer break then and picking up some work when public school children are off.

Mix Up Your Routine
While a reliable schedule is a great benefit to most children, I've noticed that ours start to get a little bored with the same routine every week. Finding some new learning games and activities, or breaking out some old favorites, may be just what your children need. Perhaps giving your young scholars a new activity book, a new reading volume, or even a new set of pencils or crayons will mix things up enough to spark some excitement and motivation in them. What about assigning them an interest-directed research project that incorporates many subjects into one large activity?

Let Them Move

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You might find that your studious children have turned into little wiggle worms at this stage of the game. Maybe they are always wiggle worms! Rather than fight it, see if there's a way you can work with it. Let them sit on a small exercise ball instead of a chair to do their work. Maybe doing math flash cards on a mini trampoline will do the trick. What about jumping jacks while answering a lesson's review questions?

When All Is Said And Done, Celebrate!
Many public and private school settings encourage recognition ceremonies at the end of the year to congratulate students on their year's work. I think doing that for our homeschool students can be a real motivator, as well!

Your local co-op or support group may do an end-of-the-year ceremony, but even if they don't, you can still do something special in your home. We also like to give our children a special gift that promotes learning like a DVD set on animals or a new book series that we know they'd like. If the budget it tight, simple words, a special meal, and a homemade certificate can make for a special ending, too.

Who has more ideas to add? I'd love to hear them!

Linked to: Kids in the Word, Works for Me, Weekly Wrap-up, Mama's Moments, Hearts for Home

Healthy 2day Wednesdays

2013-05-21T22:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!

Great ideas await you in this week’s linkup. Others are sharing their fantastic ideas for healthy living – and you can too! We’d love to have you join us and share how you embrace your health!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

Carrie's top 3 picks from last week:

As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d, and Tweeted by Carrie. And don’t forget, your posts were pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

Fox in the Kitchen Hazelnut Crusted Halibut

My Sister's Pantry - healthy pumpkin cookies

Oatmeal with a Fork- No bake chocolate cheesecake

Have you been featured as an H2W favorite? We now have a button for you to add to your post or side bar! You can get different size buttons here.

How to join this week’s fun:

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post. Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!
If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

Reestablishing Your Heath Route: Kelly's Story

2013-05-20T09:18:00.000-04:00

Have you ever felt lost in the medical route of health? Often times you aren't given answers, you're given a medication to cover up your symptom and no real solutions to get to the cause of the problem.

And more times than not, the problem keeps coming back, for example doctors have overly prescribed antibiotics for reoccurant ear inflections when research shows that usually they will clear up on their own and there are natural remedies to help ease the pain.

Reestablishing your health route is an 8 week series from real moms who share there stories of how chiropractic care changed their lives. Chiropractic care is not just for back pain, in fact that not the case at all.

Chiropractic care can change your life and your health. I invite you to read each mom's story of how they took a health route that wasn't mainstream but forever changed their lives.

Today I would you to meet Kelly of The Nourishing Home

Healing through Applied Kinesiology

Applied kinesiology is an alternative medicine approach used by highly skilled doctors to diagnose and treat structural imbalances, muscle and joint problems, and organ dysfunction. In addition, it is extremely useful in helping to detect food allergies and sensitivities.

About six years ago, my body began to turn on me. At least that’s what it felt like. I turned to conventional modern medicine for answers and to be honest, I had some pretty great doctors who quickly discovered some significant health issues.

But … their answers were all the same … take prescription drugs to alleviate the symptoms. And so, in desperation to escape the pain and discomfort, I did.

But then, I began experiencing new symptoms related to the various medications I was taking. I soon realized that I had a choice to make … keep taking the medications, or actually make some lifestyle changes and seek out a more holistic approach to my health issues – one that would strive to cure, rather than just mask the symptoms.

And so, with the Lord as my guide, I set about on a new journey …

The Lord was so good! I prayed continually for His direction and answers, as well as His strength to make it through some pretty grueling days when the pain would get so bad that I often would just lie awake crying at night. It was those times that He met me right where I was, and through His grace, He gave me hope and peace.

He also brought a very special couple into my life, who introduced me to the real food lifestyle, which helped me to slowly wean off all of my medications as my body began to heal and recover. That’s why, I am so passionate about sharing the benefits of real food with others via my blog The Nourishing Home.

And the Lord also brought about a providential encounter with a wonderfully talented chiropractor – Dr. Scott Vrzal – who quickly became a trusted partner in helping me to uncover many of the problems that were contributing to my chronic illness. And he’s still a valued ally today, helping me and my family to maintain the best possible wellness, thanks be to the Lord!

Applied Kinesiology as a Tool for Health & Healing

One of the advanced techniques that Dr. Vrzal uses to help patients is an alternative medicine approach called applied kinesiology, which is a strength resistance test based on the link between muscles, glands and organs. By utilizing a muscle resistance test, the strength of the muscle is measured based on touching various meridian points on the body. This helps the practitioner to determine the health of the organ or area of the body being tested.

The results of muscle testing then help the applied kinesiology practitioner to determine the best treatment for the individual, which may include the need for physical manipulation or stimulation of acupuncture points, as well as the need for dietary changes and helpful supplements such as herbal and homeopathic remedies, and/or vitamins and minerals.

Applied kinesiology is based on the philosophies of other holistic therapies, including osteopathy, chiropractic, meridian therapy, and physical manipulation. It

is most often used to treat structural imbalances, muscle and joint problems, and organ dysfunction. In addition, applied kinesiology is extremely useful in helping to detect food allergies and sensitivities.

How Applied Kinesiology Helped Me

Kelly is thankful for the expert care provided by her chiropractor and friend Dr. Scott Vrzal

As a highly skilled applied kinesiology practitioner, Dr. Vrzal was able to identify several key issues that were contributing to and exacerbating my autoimmune disorder. Some of these included issues with my colon and liver function, which have improved greatly through adopting a real food diet focused on enhancing gut health.

In addition, Dr. Vrzal was able to confirm several suspected food intolerances that were also contributing to my health issues – gluten intolerance being a key issue for me. This information was invaluable in helping me to further adjust my diet in order to achieve improved health and well being.

Today, I’m thankful to report that I’m feeling much more like my old self (or should I say younger self), praise be to God! It’s been quite a journey, and I am truly thankful to the Lord for bringing special people into my life like Dr. Vrzal. It’s been such a blessing to be able to go from being in constant pain and discomfort, to being able to serve the Lord, my family and others with lots of energy and zeal!

Yet, despite my amazing recovery, there are still periods in time when I experience a bout of painful symptoms. Often times, it’s unexplainable as to why? But I’m actually thankful for these unexpected times of discomfort, because they remind me that it’s God that I need to depend upon and trust fully.

So no matter what your health issue may be, I want to encourage you to take it to the Lord and ask Him to guide you as you seek to make wise decisions about your health and that of your family’s. May He richly bless you, as you trust fully in Him!

Kelly loves the Lord, her family, and sharing her passion for real food cooking and meal planning with others. She is a full-time homemaker who loves spending time with her awesome hubby and two sweet boys. Kelly's real food journey began six years ago when she was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder. Since then, the Lord has blessed her with an amazing recovery - a testament to His grace and the health benefits of eating real food. Kelly shares her knowledge and love for whole food cooking at The Nourishing Home, Facebook and Google.

Natural in a Normal Family

2013-05-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

Written by Sara Shay

Your Thriving Family shares about trying to eat real food and get back to natural products while keeping the peace with the extended family.

Natural in a Normal Family, finding the balance and putting relationships first, while feeling good about what is going in and on your family.

Natural Shea Butter Sunscreen

2013-05-15T05:30:00.000-04:00

Written by Kelly, Contributing Writer

Hi, Everyone! I am so very excited to be visiting with you at Day2Day Joys today! Thank you, Rachel!!

My name is Kelly and I blog over at Eyes on the Source.

Today, I wanted to share with you something relatively new to our family, but I am sure many of you have heard of or tried this product, already. We started using Shea Butter several months ago as yet another experiment to bring healing to my son's eczema and psoriasis.

I had heard of its super moisturizing qualities, but was uncertain of how it would react to his skin as he has a slight nut allergy. Shea butter is made from Shea (or Karite) tree nuts and I usually shy away from anything in the nut family for that reason.

Shea Butter is rich in vitamins A and E and fatty acids which helps the skin to retain elasticity, it also has antibacterial properties to speed healing. It encourages circulation and cellular restoration; it is rich in moisturizing nutrients the list goes on and on... So, hesitantly, we tried Shea Butter and it has worked wonders on my son's skin!

And it turns out that Shea Butter has innumerable uses! Shea Butter has quickly become my family's "go-to" remedy!

Here is a quick list of uses:

Calm and heal eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis break outs
Speed healing of sunburn and prevent peeling
Stops itching from insect bites (also, antibacterial to protect from infection)
Soften dry, cracked skin on heels and elbows
Soothe and speed healing of cuts, scrapes and burns
Soften cuticles
Prevent and provide relief from diaper rash
Fade stretch marks, skin blemishes and wrinkles
Protects from windburn, razor burn and chapped skin
Reduces joint pain and swelling
Deep conditioning hair treatment and prevents dandruff when used on the scalp
Natural sun protection of 4-5 SPF (from Vitamins E and F)

When I discovered the natural sun protection of Shea Butter, I couldn't resist the idea of making my own sunscreen. My son's skin is very irritated by regular over-the-counter sunscreen products and if you have done any research on sunscreen, you know that the chemicals on your skin are just as bad, if not worse, than getting sunburned. (check out the chemicals in any skin product here)

So, here is a simple recipe for Shea Butter Sunscreen!

The only difficult part of this recipe might be finding the ingredients! I had to order the Zinc Oxide online, but the rest of the ingredients I found at Walmart and the local health food store.

Shea Butter Sunscreen!

What you need:
1 C 100% pure Shea Butter

1/2 C Coconut Oil

4 ounces Beeswax (less if you want thinner lotion, but this if for water resistance) 1/2 C Olive Oil
2 t or more Liquid Vitamin E
3 T Zinc Oxide Powder

What to do:

Combine all ingredients except the Zinc Oxide in crockpot. I highly recommend a crockpot liner for easy clean-up! Heat on high until all ingredients are completely melted. Will be a clear golden color. Then slowly, whisk in the three tablespoons of Zinc Oxide. Carefully, pour into Mason Jars or other heat safe containers and let sit uncovered until cooled. The SPF on this recipe is about 30, but adding more Zinc Oxide will make it higher.

I am blessed to be with you all today! I'd love for you to connect with me on Facebook! Until next time~ Kelly@Eyes on the Source