21 day Reduce + Reuse Project. A unique guide to low tox living.

Welcome to the 21 day reduce + reuse project. We are looking forward to spending a few minutes a day with you talking through some ways you may not have thought about to simplify, improve and save in this sweet life you have in front of you.

This concept of finding creative ways to reduce expenses, reduce stress, save time, improve lifestyle is something quite fun. We are running this as an event over on facebook but we realized something… there are quite a few peeps dropping off of facebook to be a bit more productive, so why not add it day by day to our blog?

So here we are.

We’ll start by introducing ourselves. This Essentially Loved Crew reaches out farther than the two of us but we are the ones hosting this event. We are the mother /daughter duo who dreamed up this beaut.

As the event rolls along we will also have several experts joining in but the two of us will be here day in and day out with you to share the glory of it all and answer any questions you may have.

Over the next 21 days we will focus on 6 main areas.

We’ve been shocked as we have discovered so many hidden delivery systems secretly adding toxins to our daily lives. Some you may be aware of, and others probably not so much. Hopefully you’ll identify a few new ones that will help you clean up your act a little.

We will also be looking at some fun additions to help increase JOY. Because who doesn’t need more of that?

and let’s talk STRESS… enough is enough is enough. We have enough to do, enough pressure, and not enough time… we need to prioritize + simplify. But it isn’t always that easy is it? We are hoping some of our creative ideas will help you to identify some fun ways to restructure and refresh.

We know your load is already heavy so we promise to keep our posts short and sweet. Just enough to have you soak it in, evaluate the impact in your own life and decide if you want to implement a change. Simple, right?

Well, let’s get this ball rolling. Day one is on PLANT DETOX. Say what? Okay… you may immediately think this has everything to do with eating, BUT you may just be wrong on that one. Think NASA. More confused? Check out the next article.

Be Well,

Kimber

All Natural DIY Hand Sanitizing Spray Recipe

WHAT? SOLD OUT?

Uh-oh. Don’t worry, we have a recipe that will hold you over until the BEST of the BEST is re-stocked. And honestly, you may like making your own so much that you’ll just stick with it.

If you haven’t heard of this amazing germ-busting spray then we will tell you a little about why you need this. So… in our all natural community we have a FAVE product that we ALWAYS have on hand. doTERRA’s sanitizing hand spray. It is a BEAST when it comes to killing germs - and here’s why:

“doTERRA On Guard Sanitizing Mist purifies hands by eliminating bacteria and other germs on the skin. The moisturizing formula effectively cleanses hands without drying the skin, while the doTERRA On Guard blend of CPTG® of essential oils provides an uplifting citrus spice aroma.”

This product has served our families SO WELL over the years helping us from avoiding many of those little extras that try to stick to our hands and impact our bodies. However, as some of you may know this product has flown off the shelves just like toilet paper has. So, what’s a girl to do but recreate the recipe best she can.

I don’t claim to have their exact formulation down but the ingredients are the same that are listed on their label. You may want to play with the ratios a bit to find your perfect hand sanitizing spray solution.

DIY HAND SANITIZING MIST RECIPE

• 1- 30 ml fine mist spray bottle

• 1 tsp usp cert. ethyl alcohol

• 1 tsp Apple Fruit extract (pylus malus)

• 1/4 tsp glycerin

• 15 to 20 drops OnGuard EO

• top with distilled water

I have gone ahead and linked the ingredients below for you for ease of purchase.

(this post contains affiliate links )

You can easily multiply this recipes and put it Into a larger misting bottle to use on larger surfaces as well. I am thinking tables, handles, highchair trays, strollers, shopping cart handles. Oh, it’s really endless, isn’t it?

We hope you LOVE this handy recipe as much as we do. Let us know when you have tried it!

Be Well,

Kimber

Ugh. Unmanageable hair. Just me? Let's work on taming those tresses.

All my life my hair has given me problems. In my younger years it was too straight and too thick. I’ll let you decide which one of these I felt like.

In my pre-teen years my scalp decided to start producing this weird undercoat of what looked like electrocuted locks that shot straight off the top of my head. Tried as I might with product, by the end of the day those little tightly curled frizz bombs would find their way to stand at attention again. That phase stayed put for a good 3 to 10 years. The curling iron, the hot comb, the air brush, oh, they would give me some temporary hope that would hold for a couple hours maybe. And then POOF.

At some point in High School I managed to learn how to control it somewhat. I think it is when the aqua net EXTRA super hold aerosol hairspray, ultra hold hair gel and firming hair mousse came into their glory days. At this point I was pretty confident that the products and the tools would never fail me again.

And the next phase hits …

Give me the babies and I’ll give you:

• wavy with the firstborn

• bottom of scalp curly with the second,

• straight out curly uncontrolled mess after the third

Really? Why does no one talk about these things in the childbirth prep classes? Or am I indeed the only one, a true freak of nature?

Following the babes and traveling into my 40’s my hair decided it wanted to begin showing signs of its age by cropping up some doozies. You know, just those every day, extra stubborn, crazy curly hormonal shooters from my youth? BUT these guys would refuse to be tamed or hold any color. Now creep and creak with me into my fifties and you will find me a smoother, yet still frizzy, frosted grey. And this hair has streaks of won’t-hold-a-curl on the top back layer. What?

WHY? Oh, why must I have the always and ever hair struggle? Seriously, every single decade brought some kind of new challenge…. .

UNTIL the suppliers of all things for salon hair at home began providing professional grade tools for us to use. In fact, whoever it was that talked these into the mainstream shopping world deserves for us to seek them out and give them all the public accolades. They changed life for us stubborn haired girls, didn’t they?We eagerly WELCOME the FLAT IRON (Oh, someone sing a hallelujah with me here.)

I cannot even put words to how grateful I am for the introduction of the flat iron. I mean how would we have ever achieved Rachel from Friends hair status? I will say that this is something you need to be willing to invest a penny into. If you have stubborn hair AT ALL you want to get one that hits 400 degrees and has the features necessary to keep your hair from frying at that high temp. I REALLY like the BaByliss PRO 1-1/2” Ultrathin because it is thin, and small enough to get to the roots, while allowing you to manipulate your hair to do several types of style straight, wavy or curly.

I have to say I am LOVING the sticking around style of beachy hair. Tousled, loose, wavy, curls going every which way and that. PERFECTO! Usually I attempt it with my flat iron and just twist + turn it around as I release it. About 30 minutes later I am ready to go. Takes a minute but I really, really like it.

However, check out this brilliant tool I just found. It has the high temp to straighten the stubborn and a little wing curl part to naturally curl the hair as you run it through your hair. No major twisting and turning required. I think this flat iron / curling wand will save me a ton of time. I cannot wait to try this one.

Tools make ALL the difference in the world for getting your hair manipulated into a particular shape, but the product is what helps protect and hold it for the marathon. A lot of hair products out on the market are actually contributing to hair damage and health risks. Many are known to dry out and crack your hair with the chemicals in them. They get on your scalp and base of your neck where your body absorbs into the bloodstream at a pretty outstanding rate - right there at the base of your brain and top of your spine. And then there is the pulmonary system at work - the breathing, while spraying around your face. And toxins… no thank you.

The problem is there are not a ton of product lines out there that are honestly clean. In fact, there happens to be a ton of greenwashing out there that leads people to believe their products are “better” for them when indeed they ARE NOT.

So here is my all natural, power packed nourishment, product line for your hair. This helps your hair to stay full, thick, healthy and full of shine. The serum protects beautifully and smells SO incredibly fresh.

doTERRA’s Hair Product Line is seriously the BOMB. I have been searching for anything out there to come close and so far, I can’t. Their list of what they won’t include in their hair and skin products is a mile long! Why, because of the health risks. What they do include is incredibly clean ingredients that feed your hair and your body. So as you rinse the product off your hair you have nothing to worry about as it glides down your body finding its way to the drain.

I’d love to hear if you have had hair troubles of your own and what “good-for-you” products you have found to tame the unruliness of it all. Any favorite hair sleeking tools you can’t live without? Please do share! We uncontrollable hair girls need to stick together!

And stay on the lookout, I have a terrific all natural DIY dry shampoo mist recipe coming soon!

Be well,

Kimber

A BEAUTIFUL LIFE: even in the midst of a stormy sea.

Well, it's been a bit longer than I expected for this blog post. It's okay though. No worries on how this plays out. Not setting myself up for failure here, this is a free flowing, moving ship that will come in to port to rest when it wants. And then it will venture out on the next journey when it is stocked and ready to go. Who knows what water we will chart, or what the current will be. We can chart it, the current can redirect us and the weather can create a different set of plans all together. That is life in a nutshell. Thankful I know the creator of all these things. The one who holds it all in the palm of his hands and orchestrates it beautifully to work all together for the good.

This whole concept came to me as I was sitting at my friend’s ocean cabin. The weather outside was dark grey, pouring rain, while sharing the very same sky with bright blue, sunny patches paired with the wind a howling, pushing and demanding movement. Apparently they can all share space together and move through, together as planned. I LOVE that.

That witness brings me great comfort actually. I mean, think about it. How often do we set out on our day, week, month, life plan and have a set of ideas of what it will look like, SHOULD look like anyway. And then something different begins to play out, and our original focus get s a bit clouded. We begin to totally lose sight of it and begin reacting to the new things blowing in. When all of a sudden we remember.... wait... I am supposed to be doing this.."Dang it, I messed up and lost time. I can't believe I messed up again.. I am totally off track.” (Said while waving our hand frantically up in the air answering )"Yes, me, me me... right here, total failure!" Oh, the great slump of defeat.

But friends, look around at the sky. It all exists in the very same air where we take our life giving breath. The very thing that fuels our bodies moves around constantly within all of it. And here is the thing. It still works. It is still a life force. Does that bring anyone else here any comfort?

This is giving me a newfound grace for myself. Yeah... I may move off the path I have set out on but that doesn't take me out of the game... I am still in it and moving forward. I am still creating a journey to be shared, valued, respected and it is POWERFUL + LIFE-GIVING. I am excited to be learning how to navigate better - I think that comes with the balance of: slowing down, inhaling + praying. Yes, I am at the helm... setting the ship to sail in a certain direction. Yes the weather, currents and tides impact and aid or redirect me. But let's keep it real for a minute. God ultimately has the full authority over all: me, my life, my circumstances and whatever else has impact on my plans. And I love that! It brings a newfound freedom and excitement to see what adventures we will be taking together. I can relax a bit in the process of having to get it perfectly planned out and just seek His wisdom as I set out for my dream port.

And here is the thing. When we set out to do something and distraction comes our way. When we respond with a negative, I'm good for nothing mind set, what does it accomplish? Well, we are totally taken out of the game. We become a bi-product to defeat which leaves us incapacitated to move forward like a boat with a broken rudder, we are literally at a stop, stuck +hopeless. Oh please hear me, give yourself a break. Let the rays of grace soak into your skin, let your mind recognize the warmth that very grace has to offer. You my dear, simply cannot control everything, and you weren't ever meant to. God knows exactly how your days will count, and you just have to show up in His ask and say YES.

Set out on the course of your dreams, enjoy the distractions, pray through the challenges, find your strengths in the unforeseen adventures. Let’s begin by eliminating our need to steer + control our own ship while getting the wind knocked out of our sails when God re-routes us.

He then reached down from heaven, all the way from the sky to the sea. He reached down into my darkness to rescue me! He took me out of my calamity and chaos and drew me to himself, taking me from the depths of my despair! Even though I was helpless in the hands of my hateful, strong enemy, you were good to deliver me. When I was at my weakest, my enemies attacked— but the Lord held on to me. His love broke open the way and he brought me into a beautiful broad place.
He rescued me—because his delight is in me! Psalm 18:16-19

He DELIGHTS in you. He cares about your journey and has incredible plans for you. Let go of the need to control, relax + trust Him. He has incredible things planned for you. BREATHE it all in. It is a BEAUTIFUL thing, a BEAUTIFUL LIFE, even in the midst of a stormy sea.

Be Well,

Kimber

My entire story points to Him, even the dips and valleys.

Today I allowed myself a few minutes to dig back into my instagram posts from the last two years in order to allow myself to see where I have been and how far I have come. Because here is the deal, I have been feeling a bit stagnant, immobile, stuck in the thick of the grief. However, I remembered that a few months ago God reminded me how these seasons serve as a purpose to get us to the next hill to rise up on.

In October he showed me this:

“God has been carrying me in this valley. It is barely any effort of my own. Every time I try I fall flat. I just don’t seem to have the energy or mental space to sit and process with Him. Or maybe I am avoiding, skirting around and dodging the deep things? Not sure. Time will tell. But the question that keeps coming with my awareness of my avoidance is “Do I trust?” Is that what is stopping me from sitting in His presence?⠀
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I’ll be honest here- additionally Church has been a hard place to step into, so many memories. So, so many memories. Attending, leading, dreaming, building a family together, and healing. Healing happens in church, healing happens with God. ⠀
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Thankful for my kiddos yesterday- they all decided to gather and go... and I walked through the doors with them. And it was good. That first step gave me the strength to go with a couple of my kids to the worship event last night as well. SO GOOD. ⠀
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Which then led to me cracking open my Bible study this morning and journaling a bit as well. During that time God showed me this picture very clearly. Yes, the valleys and dips are tough... but He holds us tight by his right hand and lifts us up to higher ground. EVERY DIP + VALLEY CHANGES US, STRENGTHENS US, gives us a clearer perspective to be sympathetic, caring, loving, and world changers for the LOVE of Christ. ⠀
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For the LOVE let’s grab hands and go do hard things together.”

Sometimes looking back has its advantages. Just be careful you don’t stay there too long and get stuck.

Be well,

Kimber

Handcrafted Bath Bombs to Clear Your Mind + Relax Your Body

BEST Bath Bombs EVER

These bath bombs are one of my absolute FAVORITE DIY recipes to make. I love them because they are super simple and extremely effective at RELAXING my brain + body at the end of a stressful day.

And honestly, there is something incredibly relaxing and fulfilling about sitting down to mix these ingredients up in a bowl, deeply inhale the oils while scooping up the mix to form the beautifully imperfectly shaped bombs.

• 1 cup Baking Soda

• 1/2 cup Citric Acid

• 1/4 cup Extra Fine Epsom Salt

• 1 Tbs. Chia Seed Oil

• 20 drops Essential Oil

• dried fruit rind, flower petals, herbs

step ONE: In a large bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid and epsom salt and stir to combine.

step TWO: Using your hands, break up any clumps. If you can’t get them all, you can sift your mixture through a strainer to break them up.

step THREE: Add the chia seed oil and essential oils. Use your hands to combine the liquids with the powders breaking up any large clumps.

step FOUR: Depending on the moisture level of the current mixture, spritz the bath bombs with witch hazel. It usually takes between 5-7 spritzes, and the mixture should be wet enough so when you squeeze the powder in your palm, it will stick together. If you don’t have witch hazel, adding a few extra drops of chia seed oil will also help the powders stick.

{Note: You want to spray enough so that the powders stick together and isn’t crumbly. Be careful though because spraying too much can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely and ruin your bath bombs!}

step FIVE: Firmly press this mixture between both palms and press firmly and evenly from all sides.

It is just that simple! The beauty about these oils are that many can pass the blood brain barrier, so if you are feeling overwhelmed…. well, fear not. Just making these will help, let alone soaking in them. Talk about a brain detox.

And as for the dry ingredients you will add for color - lavender, rosemary, dried citrus rind all work beautifully. As well as rose petals. We like to add the dry ingredient that coordinates with the oil combo we have chosen in the bombs. In the photo we have chosen a citrus and herb, and lavender and balance. One is extra cleansing and one is superior for relaxation.

Let us know what your favorite combos are and why!

Be well,

Kimber

Good Grief, what does it even look like?

I wish someone would tell me what GOOD GRIEF looks like. I take that back. No, I don’t! And here is why…

It doesn’t look like one particular thing. It doesn’t look the same from person to person. It doesn’t look the same day to day, or even hour to hour, or sometimes even minute to minute. Show me someone who loved deeply and lost, and I will show you yet another way that grief will show up on the scene. It is complex and individual to the person. And…. long lasting for most.

And MOURNING… the act of processing the deep abiding, long-lasting, grief. That is another thing entirely. Show me people who do that well and I will show you the most raw, revealing, public, tear your sackcloth, scream in the streets display of wailing you have ever seen. Stop and really think on that for a minute, how would that make you feel to witness? Um… perhaps too emotional for you? I mean, what would you do with that? Could you watch it comfortably from afar? Would you gently step up and touch it? Would you try to approach and hug it away? OR would you shift your attention elsewhere? I think internally your heart would quicken its step a little at that emotional exposure. Are they mad (as in out of their minds)? Do they need emergency assistance? Why can’t they control themselves? Many would want to do something about it to make it stop because it is just plain uncomfortable. And it should be…and it will be. And so what is a person going through it to do? Our culture holds many silent beliefs about this.

Okay, let’s open this door for a second…should those grieving “contain and control” the majority of the time? Is it a private matter? And let’s talk about the speed of it. Should it change its appearance rather quickly? Like would it be appropriate if the deep, incapacitating grief lasted a month or maybe two tops, following the loss? Then around 2-3 months we should probably expect the person to start engaging more and stepping back into the “real world” as many say. Oh, but they still seem and act different, perhaps guarded, distant, gloomy. Well, by six months surely they will be well on their way back to normal. And by a year… BAM… rolling forward with serious strides… in fact… some may say the wounds of grief should be basically healed at this point.

Oh friends, I am sitting here telling you that (let me count) it has been eight months since my husband passed and I am not sure I feel like I have taken one step towards healing. In fact, I am feeling the depth of the loss more deeply. It’s funny how the reality of all that the loss touches takes serious time to press into your thinking bank. Memory serves us well, until it doesn’t. My memory still tells me from experience he is going to walk through the door, that I need to check with him, that he is the expert and I need to wait for his opinion, that I am hurting and he is the one physical space where I can rest and feel comfort…. that last one is literally killing me. The VERY thing I need him most desperately for (comfort) is present because I NEED him most (first place besides God in my life). That one makes me feel like I am going mad. Reasoning ones absence in our lives doesn’t come easy. It takes time, a ton of different emotions, a bazillion spoken (or written) words, and even more thinking through. It hurts to think, talk, do and so our brains naturally do their very best to avoid it. We are literally fighting within our heads ALL THE DAY LONG. The brain does all it can to avoid the pain and at the same time it is screaming at you about your inabilities. Inability to focus, to do, to remember, to work through it. It is like 10,000 gears are working in different directions and at one no certain point they just end up jamming. Shutting down. Frozen. This typically happens to me in the late afternoon. I find myself DONE and ready to just close my eyes, sleep the rest of the day, or just turn everything off around me. I am literally exhausted mentally and physically with the simplest of things seeming impossible to accomplish. My brain just won’t work anymore.

This leads me into my current stage of discomfort with my grief. I am BEYOND ready for this pattern to be over, and to move on. I have things to do, I need to earn an income, I need to flipping just plain feel happy. I fear I am exhausting my friends, and I am certainly exhausting myself in the trying. But one can’t just give up… I must keep striving.

I do however trust the good, some relief from grief, is coming. I cling to that hope. A day will come when I have held more happy than sad within my minutes. I will always remember, I will always be sad it went how it did, but I will also look forward to the new. For now… I’ll just continue to feel and process until that day comes. So that the day will come.

And for those of you who are walking alongside someone who is grieving, or even approaching someone who is grieving. You don’t have to understand it. In fact, you probably can’t. But you can have immeasurable grace and love for them. Ask to help them with tangible tasks. The collections of those are often the most overwhelming. And listen… don’t be afraid. Let them RANT and just listen, and care. As they talk they are processing it out themselves. Fill the space with love and grace.

Be well,

Kimber

Kid Kabobs - Snack on a Stick for toddlers

Raise your hands if you LOVE a good kabob? Why is that? I am guessing it is because they are typically appealing to the eye, fun, flavorful, they also offer a variety of textures, and have a certain ease to them. So it got me thinking, why not create a Kid Kabob for snack and learning time?

*Let’s just start off with a disclaimer… before the “Toddler Food Safety Police” begin hating on me… this snack MUST BE SUPERVISED at all times. It is fun, creative, helps the kids learn to problem solve a bit, and keeps them entertained a bit longer BUT as we know little ones will chomp their little grinders on things for quite some time, jab themselves, etc. SO…. please…. watch, pay attention, and remove that stick from their little grips before they chew their way towards splinters - or- poke their eyes out.

Whew, with the ugly part over let’s talk about how fun this is. I was watching cute little Baby E awhile back while his Mama was at work, and the boy likes his food… A LOT. Okay, let’s just slide that right on over to the LOVE category. He LOVES his FOOD. I was wondering what we could do with our time together to satisfy his little tummy and mind. Hm. What could we build, or do. We had already made edible play dough the day before. I’ll post on that soon. He “liked” that okay but honestly it didn’t have nearly the appeal I imagined it would. I could do better… I just knew it. Shosh to the rescue… (that is his name for me)

I landed on the idea of kids-kabobs. A healthy, nutritious snack that would keep his little brain thinking, his little fingers busy working and his tummy from a rumbling. This was so simple.

You just need a few things:

• a “loop” type cereal snack

• blueberries

• a wood coffee stir stick

That is to make the snack sticks up as pictured. Of course you can use a variety of ingredients: strawberry pieces, banana, pretty much anything your kiddo likes.

I would also suggest you try tossing on a couple new food options. This may be just the trick to introducing it in a fun way that keeps their mind open to enjoying it. I mean… after all that hard work, and the mind is eager to start on the next great thing!

One of my favorite things to do is to find new creative and fun ways to interrupt the regular, hum-drum routine pieces of life. We don’t always have the time for that, but when we do, why not? I know kiddos LOVE to be seen, thought of and have some special time with loved ones created. So cheers to a quick and easy recipe to accomplish a little more of that!

If you have some creative ideas for snack time, please share below! We are always looking for new ideas!

Be Well,

Kimber

Is Your Baking Soda Natural or Chemically Treated?

Who here signed up to make an educated choice selecting baking soda created by a treatment using ammonia? Uck. Not me, that’s for sure.

Until recently I didn’t even know this was a thing. The other day I read a post that stated that the common, do-it-all, orange boxed baking soda that we are all very familiar with should be used for cleaning while just a short list of brands ought to be chosen for baking. Um, what? And… why? First thing I wondered was if this was even fact.

Interestingly enough, it is true. After reviewing the history of baking soda, and finding the different methods used to create it, I found that one is formed naturally, while the other does indeed go through a chemical process.

The natural form is mined directly from the ground in their natural sodium bicarbonate state (also known as nahcolite).

The chemical process is where carbon dioxide and ammonia are passed into a concentrated solution of sodium chloride. Crude sodium bicarbonate precipitates out and is heated to form soda ash, which is then treated once again and refined to form sodium bicarbonate - this is the common baking soda you and I find filling our grocery store shelves. Actually, there are a couple methods used to create it but the Solvay method I just explained is most common practice here in the US.

So, what should you use for what and when? There are a few brands that I have seen listed as good choices for cooking / baking / skin care while the good ‘ole common brand is perfectly acceptable for cleaning. The two natural options mentioned most often are Bob’s Red Mill and Frontier. As can be expected the natural form will cost you a bit more than the bulk variety but hey, it’s worth it. Little changes made consistently lead to BIG transformations over time.

Tomorrow I am going to be posting my DETOX Bath Salt recipe which uses baking soda. Which type do you think I should choose for that one, does it matter? Let’s find out… check back tomorrow.

Spreading Christmas Cheer to the Delivery Drivers

This year we have really been making note of how tirelessly the delivery drivers work during this jam-packed online shopping season. In fact, just yesterday one of drivers asked to borrow the space in our carport to re-situate everything in his vehicle. Guys, this took him some time… and it was already dark out. AND he still obviously had a lot more to deliver.

I just kept thinking about how over the years I have heard my brother-in-law (delivery driver) talk about the jam-packed hours they have to work through the holidays. While they are busy delivering boxes and bags to those of us around the community eager for our packages to arrive, their families are at home eagerly waiting for them to arrive. Folks, they get home L-A-T-E and they work weekends. And so… we wanted to give them thanks, just a little something to brighten their day. We wanted to let them know that we understand they are sacrificing for us during this season that is meant for more meaningful family time. And… we wanted our gifts to them to be things that would really be appreciated in the bustle of the season.

So we collected some items we thought they would be able to put to good use without being bulky in their already overloaded day:

• beef jerky

• pepperoni sticks

• bang energy drinks

• coffee drinks

• nut mix

• good quality chapsticks

You know, things that are easy to munch, provide energy, or help to bring comfort to their overworked day.

We arranged them in a little tub that we already had on hand, lined it with one of our cute little fabric napkins from IKEA, and set it next to our door with a sign letting them know we would love for them to pick something.

It was a quick and super simple gesture and we are hoping it brightens their day just a wee bit. Honestly, it is fun giving opportunities like this that just give me a deeper sense of joy. Little things here and there that are unexpected and bring smiles to peoples faces.

I would love to hear ideas of what you would put in the basket, or other ideas of people you like to bless during this season.

Gratitude goes a LONG ways!

Creative Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family

Our family made the decision a few years ago to start drawing names. We wanted to save money and be more purposeful with our gift giving. We LOVE it, however to keep some surprises coming we have upped the ante in stocking stuffers. Everyone is now getting everybody a stocking stuffer of some sort. And the most creative basically win on Christmas morning. Win what? Our admiration. Haha. So here are some fun stocking stuffer ideas I found while perusing around. I thought I would share some of them that I loved!

For the Gardener:

This set of three Pollinator Push Garden is available at Uncommon Goods for just $18 - just $6 a piece. I am LOVING THESE!

For the HEalth / ENVIRONMENT Conscious:

We have all most likely struggled with the ever increasing paper straws being served lately. It’s a love / hate, yeah? I mean yes… let’s not fill the earth with plastic but hey… let’s get the drink into our bellies. Paper straw disintegrate within seconds. This collapsible straw, with cleaning brush and handy case are the perfect solution! Find this one over on Amazon: Collapsible Straw $8

For the want-to-be Fresh-Faced:

These I have already tried and I am IN LOVE. No joke. You just add water and give it a gentle squeeze, then make small circular motions around your face and BAM - fresh, no residue left, pure, clean skin. And one side is a little longer to give you a bit of an exfoliation. Brilliant. And a 5 pack for $7? $1.40 a piece? Please get some, you won’t be sorry. Amazon:makeup remover pads

For the techy:

We have several teach gadget options because basically everyone is a techy these days, even Grandma.

These screen cleaning pads are perfect for anyone who has a phone, ipad, kindle, computer… you name it. Because no one wants to be THAT person with the smudgey screen. It is $8 for 4 pads - so about $2 a piece plus shipping. Not too shabby. They are avail over at Amazon: Screen cleaning pads.

More techy gifts:

These are something that every single person could use. EVERYTHING comes with a cord these days. I LOVE the idea of having these handy reusable twist ties attached at all times for ease of use. They run about $4.50 for a 4 pack at Amazon.

This putty is what I would call therapy and a lifesaver. I absolutely love the idea of getting the annoying dust out from every crack and crevice. Amazon sells a 4 pack for $10.

for the handyman:

No one likes having a screw loose. So check out this magnetic wristband / cuff. It keeps all those loose parts stuck to one place, one very HANDY place.

Amazon has this available as well for just under $14. TOTALLY worth it!

the Coffee Connoisseur:

You like foamy coffee or tea, know someone else that does? This little treasure is the ticket. Easy to take with you wherever or have stationed by the coffee pot. SO easy to use! And the power, it’s frothed and ready in seconds. Amazon: Frother $15

For the politician:

Whether you are pro or anti - this microwave steamer cleaner sends a message while doing some hard work. $15 @ Amazon

Anyone with eyeballs:

My friend gave me one of these little tools a few years ago and it is dreamy. It gets right into the edges of your reading glasses or sunglasses and swipes them clean of all streaks and smudges with ease. SO HANDY. And they fit nicely in a purse or backpack. $7 for a set of five. GET THEM!

for Those with Ears, eyeballs, or anything that needs to be swabbed.

These right here are a super smart invention. Typically qtips / cotton swabs push ear debris into the ear. These reusable swabs have several different tips. One is a little nubby swab that grabs at (ew gross) ear wax and pulls it out of your ear. Then you just rinse in hot soapy water. So easy and way more effective. This set also has tips for makeup and other uses. SO handy and WAY more economical. $10 for the set @ Amazon.

If you have found other fun ideas please comment below! We would love to hear them.

Also - if you are an Amazon shopper would you consider purchasing on Amazon Smile from now on and selecting Pamoja Love as your charity of choice? A percentage of every purchase goes to our nonprofit while you still get all of the same incredible deals as you always do. We LOVE that Amazon does this! You can learn more about our nonprofit and the work we do over at www.pamoja.love or on our facebook page at Pamoja.Love.

For all the weary, scattered Mama's out there: a journal + planner + scrapbook all in one.

Is it just me? Or does it seem like the older the kids get the LESS time you actually have to do all-the-things you were going to do when they no longer needed you to, like: wipe their noses, change their diapers, fix their food, set up their play time, on and on ( you get it, right?)

Is it that our aging brains speed up time and spin us around?:

“right 'round, baby
Right 'round like a record, baby
Right 'round, 'round, 'round”

(and if you are singing this catchy tune from Dead or Alive all day… well, you’re welcome!)

I can’t tell if perhaps it is having more external things to see to.

Or could my grief brain be a bit gelatinous with to-do’s bouncing all over and getting barely anything done?

Maybe time is literally being sucked away from me (the older you get the faster it goes kinda thing?). No matter the reason, time feels shorter than ever and I want to slow it down, scoop it up and record it in my memory forever.

I used to be the crafty mom who had all the moments on well thought out, cleverly designed pages, all packed into one glorious album. I spent many a day layering, cutting, gluing and creating masterpieces for my children to someday snicker about because it is OH-SO-DATED now. But they still love to look at their childhood photos, and they know took the time to create it for them.

Somehow between the “there” of littles and the “here and now” with adult kids + one teen, daily life has really changed for us. We still do all kinds of things but the at home stage of creating together has drastically slowed down. And maybe the digital age has something to do with it too?

I have created a few digital photo books, and videos, However, they lack the personal touch and the journaling piece of it. I find the expanse of time between the event and the creation of the memory piece leaves many details lost. (Thank you for that brain)

Recently life changed even more abruptly for us. With the loss of my husband we are reminded that every single minute counts, and I REALLY want to start recording them again. As I grabbed my son and headed to Hawaii for a two week break, I decided I WOULD get something created as a memory of it. AND how great would it be to process some of my grief, oh and plan my daily schedule so I could be more productive when I return, oh… and dream and plan for the future. And now, here I am with about 10 different journals, or notebooks, or something to try and juggle and organize ALL OF THIS. Welcome to my crazy process people.

BUT - here is the thing. I actually had a new clever plan to organize all of this chaotic brilliance. A dear friend introduced me to the Travel Notebook. IT was EVERYTHING I didn’t know I needed. This system is so beyond perfect for my current life stage because you totally make it what you need. AND it TOTALLY takes the pressure off of getting it “just-so” . Every little booklet is a minimal investment, so if you mess up on a page, so what? Just keep going. I purchased a couple cute insert booklets on etsy, but they also have super cheap plain ones. They also have all kinds of embellishments you can use but I am going with a bit more of a minimalist approach for mine.

I had some gift certificates for Amazon left from my birthday and purchased an HP Sprocket to print sticky back photos and make a mini Hawaii trip memory scrapbook, I have my planner booklet, my God moments + teachings booklet and my random notes + to-do’s. This thing is GREAT! I cannot believe how much easier it is on my brain to have a place to jot something down in a relevant place where I can find it later. (anyone else relate to this?) And with my sprocket I can even screen shot different quotes or teachings and print them, peel and stick in the proper booklet. Guys, this travel notebook system is so worth investing in.

It is the perfect everyday and holiday, must-have, must-pack, must-carry-with-you-at-all-times treasure. It is bringing me back my sanity. no joke.

I haven’t tried to make it pretty yet - I am literally just doing the thing, filling it out, making notes. and I ADORE IT!

If you are looking for a fun gift for a creative friend or family member this is the ticket. If you are a frazzled mom who can’t seem to keep your brain focused, this is the ticket. If you are bored and looking for a creative outlet, this is the ticket. Keep it as simple or as decorated as you like. BUT for me it isn’t even so much about that as it is keeping my sanity and my memory in one place.

If you are already a travel notebook fan let me know some of your favorite products or resources. Oh, and for those who want a super cute zipper bag that fits the journal and printer in, my friend bought me this incredible black and white reversible bag from Kaulua’e. CANNOT say enough about their products, excellent workmanship.

Here is to staying sane!

Be Well,

Kimber

Festive Holiday Decor - how to make a Citrus + Cedar Garland

I’m in LOVE! There is something dreamy about having the fresh smell of cedar paired with colorful citrus that makes me so happy. It’s full of fun texture, crisp fresh scent, vivid colors, and the best part is it’s super inexpensive. 

This year we are simplifying. Less random junk, more intentional decor with a unique flavor of the minimalist style that we love. That goes for Christmas decorations too. In fact, I donated a whole box of decorations (that I didn’t love) during our recent move. That being said I was looking for something creative and fun to garnish our fireplace mantel with to make it festive for the holidays, without spending tons of money on something that is only going to be up for a season. Because, who wants to throw money away?

A fresh cedar garland with a string of sliced dried oranges would be just the fit.

The beauty is you can find all of these items at the grocery store, or for a total win use any citrus that you happen to have stocked in your house. And - for the uber frugal… if you don’t happen to have any oranges I say you toss out a post to social media land and ask anyone if they happen to have any oranges going to waste that they want to purge. You might be surprised how quickly people are eager to dispose of their hardening rind oranges. It helps you and it makes them feel good they aren’t wasting.

So let’s get slicing on the how-to’s of the Festive Dried Orange Garland

Here is what you’ll need: 

• 5-10 Oranges (I used 6 for this garland) 

• Sharp knife

• Twine or ribbon 

• Baking sheet 
  

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

1. Slice oranges about 1/4” up to 1/2” thick (try to keep the thickness of each slice as consistent as possible) , throw out the end pieces.

2. Use a towel to gently squeeze out the majority of the juice from each slice by pressing firmly on both sides with the slice flatly pressed in between

3. Place slices individually spaced out on a baking sheet. (you can use parchment paper underneath.

4. Bake for 2 hours. 

Let cool completely. 

Once cooled thread oranges onto twine or ribbon. If you need to use a plastic needle you can - just weave through one side front to back and the other side back to front.

In addition to the orange garland I also made the super simple cedar garland to pair it with. It took me about 20 minutes to go cut some branches from a tree in our yard and wrap them together with some floral wire. Or if you want to purchase one, or use an artificial that is totally fine too.

Ya want to push it over the top and go all-out on the citrus and woody vibe, then you should probably be diffusing some Douglas Fir + Citrus Bliss essential oils too. These oils + this garland = create + festive + winter wonderland all wrapped into one inside of your home!  

Do it! and let us know how it turned out!

Be well,

Madison

Trauma Permanently Changes Us

Trauma. It wasn’t a word I would have thought I would be using with such a common type of death as cancer. However, when you sit with your person, and go through the treatments, and watch them suffer, and eventually die… well, it is indeed traumatic.

As the days go by, and some of the memories choose to resurface, you know… the kind where you are back in that room again, with all the sights, sounds and smells. It is then that your heart begins to race, and your eyes leak at the gut punch of reality. Your brain wants to turn it off quickly while clinging to it at the same time. This is because for a brief moment your mind would almost choose to be there (even knowing the outcome) versus sitting in this empty void you have been left with. The uncomfortable space between yes, this is my new reality and no, I don’t want to do this. I am sitting here telling you no one wants to do this.

The gut punch ache never leaves, even though your brain is doing a pretty thorough job of trying to protect your shattered heart. But when the brain is triggered by God to let the walls drop a little… “It’s okay, she can handle that memory, drop that wall, let her remember.” And BAM it unexpectedly slaps you awake… it is right here in this space that you are beyond aware you, no doubt, have experienced trauma.

A lot of times I find myself wondering if I will ever be the same, and I have come to the conclusion that, no, no I won’t. Will I still have joy, yes. Will I continue to have moments where I laugh until I snort at the silliest of things? Yes. Will I be able to go a week without bawling? Maybe? Will life go on and will new life experiences be fulfilling. For sure. But still…

I found a lot of comfort in this article that I found by Catherine Woodiwiss: A New Normal: Ten Things I’ve Learned About Trauma. Here is an excerpt:

This is the big, scary truth about trauma:
there is no such thing as “getting over it.”
The five stages of grief model marks
universal stages in learning to accept loss,
but the reality is in fact much bigger:
a major life disruption leaves a new normal
in its wake. There is no “back to the old me.”
You are different now, full stop.

This is not a wholly negative thing.
Healing from trauma can also mean
finding new strength and joy.
The goal of healing is not a papering-over
of changes in an effort to preserve or
present things as normal. It is to acknowledge
and wear your new life — warts, wisdom and
all — with courage.

– Catherine Woodiwiss

I am different now. If you have experienced trauma, you are different now. It is okay. Don’t try to hurry your way back to an old state of norm to please the people around you. It won’t happen. Give yourself the gift of grace and patience as you discover your new life, day by day.

Cheers my friend, here is to a new life with warts, wisdom and all.

Be Well-

Toolkit Options for Teens, Kids + Anxiety

The stress and anxiety kids are suffering with these days feels like an epidemic, doesn’t it? We are seeing it being talked about on just about every platform you can find; Teens and Anxiety - Stressed-out Kids. Here is the deal, I really don’t think this is anything new. If I were to guess, I imagine it has always been lurking around, buried deep in hiding, unable to be freely shared with confidence.

Anxiety is something I have struggled with for decades and for the majority of my life I thought I was alone in it. It just wasn’t something people would easily talk about up until a few years ago. I think there was a fear of being seen as messed up, or broken. I know I was afraid that if I talked about it I would be questioned on a core level. It was scary to think about making myself vulnerable like that.

I have to say I am impressed with the parents teaching their kids it is a-okay to talk about it. I think this is the first key to breaking it down. Just talking about it helps to release some of the pressure and the shame factor that comes with it.

Reminding your kids that a certain level of anxiety is actually normal can feel quite freeing to them. We were created to have a large range of emotions day to day, week to week, month to month. Life is not rosy all of the time, we don’t always get it right, sad things happen, pressure and demands build at times, and YES we experience JOY, PEACE + LAUGHTER in the mix of it as well. We are meant to feel it all, feeling it and recognizing it makes for a really strong, healthy mind.

The problem is when we become what I call BRAIN STUCK. We aren’t able to shift our thoughts out of gear into a better space. At that point we may need a little assistance. The great thing is with a few easy options your kiddos will be able to help themselves relax their minds and take a deep breath. And if they have more than one choice to select from it can increase their chances to overcome it, Choices give them a sense of control, freedom and most importantly HOPE. They identify their struggle, they choose what they think the best option is to work through it. If it doesn’t quite cut it, they pull out another option. BOOM. And the great news is, these options are safe, gentle, and good for their developing bodies.

So, here are a few natural options for your child to use in their anxiety toolkit:

Tool #1

Breathe. It’s a technique paired with a respiratory blend of essential oils. Um, excuse me…. what?

Yes, trust me, deep breathing is a game changer, especially when you feel a sense of heaviness resting on your chest. Deep breathing can help get your body back to the “rest and digest” state where your breathing is normal, your muscles are relaxed, and your heart rate is normal. Breathe respiratory blend opens up your airways and allows more oxygen into your lungs + blood stream. By simply using a breathing technique and pairing it with essential oils your kids will experience a power-packed cleansing + calming effect. There are several options on how to use this respiratory blend depending upon the child and where they are located when it sets in. If at home you could have a diffuser on hand that fills the room with an ongoing refreshing scent. It will help shift the mood of everyone in the house.

However, to create a personal travel toolkit I would suggest you start with an inhaler - you can pick them up on Amazon (click here) for around $10 a set, that way you can have a few different inhaler combos in the kit. (Other oils choices would be: Vetiver and Lavender. They are extremely calming oils as well and have a powerful impact on the brain and nervous system.)

These inhalers are easy-peasy, compact and fit in a little bag nicely. Just 3-4 drops of essential oils in some Himalayan Salt, or you can use the little foam insert they come with. Have your kiddo practice taking a nice LONG slow inhale through their nose with the tip of the inhaler (with vent holes) just a small space below and then practice a slow exhale out of their mouth. This is a simple and powerful way to relax the nerves.

The essential oils will not only open the airways, they will also begin to send the brain calming messages prior to even recognizing the scent. It’s a brilliant option. Hold on a sec… I gotta grab my inhaler and get a little energy flowing for what’s next.

Tool #2

Roller bottles are an incredible little tool to have on hand. They not only make an impact through the scent with the limbic system but they also get to every cell within the body within 20 minutes. And, depending upon the oils you choose, they can help relieve tension in areas where you store stress.

Personally I use this technique all the time. It is probably my number one go to. I roll the bottle on the back of my neck, near where the spinal cord and brain stem are. Many oils are known to pass through the blood brain barrier, so you can imagine the possibilities here. After I swipe it 2-3 times on the back of my neck I rub it in with my hand, and then proceed to cup my hand over my nose and take in a BIG, slow breath. If I am holding tension in my upper shoulders and neck area I will roll on a little oil there too and gently massage it in.

For the rollers I would have a couple combos on hand.

• 5 drops serenity

• 5 drops balance

• 5 drops vetiver

• top off roller bottle with fco

  (that stands for fractionated coconut oil)

Together those create a powerhouse blend that will support your mood balancers nicely.

The second roller bottle would be an uplifting mint + citrus blend. There are tons of options but my favorite combination would be:

• 5 drops spearmint

• 5 drops citrus bliss

• 5 drops lime

• top off roller bottle with fco

TOOL #3

Would be a mini dropper bottle filled with equal parts copaiba essential oil and fco.

Here is a little history: over the decades Copaiba has been used to promote the health of cardiovascular, immune, digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems. It is especially known for the calming, soothing, and supportive benefits it brings to the nervous system. A drop or two under the tongue and you have some terrific support for soothing anxious feelings. AND an added benefit is the calming effect it has on the tummy. As you know, anxious feeling often come with a stomach ache, this will help to settle those tummy troubles. Please remember that not every essential oil is equal. In fact, there are VERY few on the market that are proven to be 100% unadulterated and pure. It matters anytime you are using essential oils AND especially when you are taking them internally. Don’t skimp on your health, it isn’t worth the long term cost.

So hey - what do you think about this? Isn’t it great? I love that you can take a few gifts from nature, with a few simple learned techniques and find a little peace in the midst of the storm. And hear me out, I am not saying there isn’t a time to seek medical attention - but there might be a chance you can avoid it by learning some new coping skills before they snowball into something bigger. Parents, you got this.

And while we are at it, why not make it extra fun for your children. I suggest creating or purchasing cute containers and putting them into a handy little bag of your child’s choice. Something that makes them happy, or laugh, when they see it. That way you know they will be excited to pull it out and use it whenever they have the opportunity.

Guys, there is SO much more I want to say about this.. like beyond this health kit. The importance of sleep, and gut health… but I’ll save that for my next post on parenting.

If you have any questions, or need help selecting the best oils for your child’s needs, just give me a holler in the comment section, or shoot me an email at: Kimberly@essentiallyloved.com

We have a TON of tips and tricks up our sleeves, we can help you find solutions.

Be Well-

Kimber

Teething, now what? easy natural recipe for relief.

Teething.

Every mother's worst nightmare. Okay, that might be a little dramatic but teething is terrible. The drool, red cheeks and pain that causes a super grumpy babe… which then leads to a super grumpy mama. 

Elliot is almost a year and a half and he has at least four molars coming in at once right now, so I figured it’s time to share my secret for all of you who might have a baby in your life or know someone who does. This protocol is what I used on Elliot from day one of teething, because it’s soothing and calming it has been a game changer! 

I apply this blend on his jaw line every three hours during the day and before bed. This also works great on babies but for 12 months and under you will want to use this recipe which is even more diluted for that sensitive baby skin. 

0-12 months teething blend

• 10 ml roller bottle 

• 2 drops Roman Chamomile EO

• 2 drops Lavender EO

• 2 drops Frankincense EO

• Fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil 

12+ months teething blend

• 10ml roller bottle 

• 5 drops Roman Chamomile EO 

• 5 drops Lavender EO

• 5 drops Frankincense EO

• Fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil 

In addition to these oils I also had little frozen teethers, frozen berries and even just a frozen washcloth for him to chew on to ease the pain. 

I am pretty sure this isn’t our last round in the teething circuit, so if you have other tips or tricks I would love to hear them! Comment below.

-Madison

Reminder: Only use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CTPG) oils on your babies. Other essential oils could have harsh chemicals or fillers that are harmful to their sensitive skin. 

When the “ABOUT US” changes: dealing with loss

I’m sitting here, in Hawaii. Dreamy right? It stirs up all kinds of romantic notions, yes? However, romance is the last thing on my brain. I’m actually sitting here thinking about how on earth I got here.

Oh, I know that I arrived here on a plane with an airline ticket that I myself purchased. That isn’t what I am referring to. I am talking about how on earth did I end up a middle-aged woman, sitting (possibly wallowing),  in the thick of immense grief. 

GRIEF

GRIEF because 20 months ago my husband was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.  

GRIEF because 12 months ago we found out it was tougher to fight than we thought. 

GRIEF because the next year would be filled to the brim with horrendous battle after exhaustingly unsuccessful battle. 

-GRIEF because six months ago he was SET FREE from the battle. 

But here is the unfortunate thing… I wasn’t. My kids weren’t excused either. The memories still swirl in our brains, poke at our hearts and physically shake us at times. We so wanted a different outcome. We wanted a victory story that would have us all on our feet dancing, singing praises of “Only God could do that.” as we grabbed Dave’s hands and raised them high in adoration. 

As deep as our longings were, as heartfelt as our prayers could have been, that wouldn’t be the conclusion to Dave’s story.

Our “ABOUT US” has changed and it is not what we would have chosen.

I brought my computer with me on this trip because God has made it evidently clear that he has some work for me to do. (I’ll get to that in a future post.) But this is the deal for now… I needed to update this website, and I needed to start with the about page. AND I hate that I am sitting here having to do this. That battlecry part of the story is over and now…. yeah, now what? What the heck am I about? As I go down the list of what used to be there are a lot of boxes to check of “not anymore’s”  - so then what is left? What is going to be? I don’t even know.

I do know one thing: the cancer battle for Dave is over which means the battle of making the memories serve us well is in full force. The battle of choosing to keep going and staying strong. The battle of fulfilling what God has in mind for us to do. YES. Every single day will reveal to us what that looks like. Our job isn’t to think too far out and become overwhelmed, our job is to be present with listening ears and a willing heart… no matter the cost.

God, help us to not waste a morsel of what you intend to use in us and through us. Help us to feel, to process, to pray, to grow closer to you in the thick of it all. Carry us through what we can’t muster the strength to trek on our own. 

I am posting below our old “ABOUT” contents because I don’t want to erase the past journey, I want to embrace it, hold it dear and use it to launch forward. 

(About page 2018/19”

“THE JOURNEY SO FAR

I was talking with my husband the other day about this life we have lived together. Battling cancer as a family has a way of walking you through the years and almost demanding you reflect on your story. Are the pages filled with all that matters? What chapters did we miss? Any we would choose to rewrite? Looking back I would say we have lived a fairly BIG life in our recently turned 50 years. I imagine the rising action and climax in our current storyline would be something people would dream about  happening at some point in their lifetime.

The pages of this website will be riddled with some of the stories of our glorious adventures with family, lake life, racing boats and cars, camping, taking teams to Tanzania and Kenya, partnering with a school in Kibera Slum, working alongside programs in Tanzania that help widows, orphans and young single mamas, starting a nonprofit, overcoming debilitating pain and more. Those are the peaks. Then there are the valleys of abandonment, abuse, anxiety, cancer, a stillborn baby, the division of a family business. The beauty in all of this is the good comes with a natural sparkle but the hard places… they have the ability to shine when you find the beauty in the pain. It’s always there just waiting to be picked up, dusted off and held high. 

My personal story is packed full with this type of rescuing. So, so many stories of being redeemed from the muck and mire covered in the thick weight of my earned distress. When that kind of grace and mercy show up in your life you are pretty eager to sprinkle it around like confetti. 

I hope you find the encouragement and help you are looking for here. We will be posting our upcoming workshops, simple DIY projects, devotions, keto recipes, and random musings along the way. “

Heart + Mind Work

Everything + The Kitchen Sink Scrub Recipe

Pinky promise - this is the WORLD’S BEST all natural kitchen + bathroom + laundry room + stainless steel + pots n’ pans + anything and everywhere else scrub. This will replace those chemical laden soft scrubs you purchase and the dry powdery shaker cans that leave you inhaling the swirling toxic air dust.

It will get rid of tough rust stains and is gentle enough to scrub your pots and pans with. It is EXCELLENT and let me just tell ya the essential oils in this make it a POWERHOUSE cleaner to knock that grime, slime and germs right down the drain.

DIY Recipe for the BEST all natural EVERYTHING + the Kitchen Sink All Purpose Cleaner

1.5 C. Baking Soda

4 T. Borax

1T. Rosemary

1T. Thyme

blend in blender then add:

5 drops Thyme eo

2 drops Oregano eo

4 drops Rosemary eo

blend again and put into container

Directions for use: sprinkle on surface, scrub with damp cloth and rinse.

To watch the our DIY youtube video click here

Adoption - the journey of two moms

I used to blog over on another site. Every once in awhile I go back and check the stats and comments and it never fails to surprise me how many people are still actively finding it. In fact just the other day a gentleman in Memphis found me on facebook to ask me a question about a recipe I posted years back. So fun these inter-webs. It has me thinking that blogging needs to be brought back. This kind… the casual, real chatter of everyday ordinary life and ponderings… so I’m bringing it back. Maybe a few of you will follow along and find a little fun or encouragement.

So, one of the most popular posts over on Sublime-Living is an adoption poem I posted by an unknown author. It talks about the two moms and their love for this one boy. It brings me to deep heart thoughts.

I do often think of where our boys birth mom is today. Is she okay? Does she long to know how he is doing? and so, so many other thoughts. I wish we could sit and talk about what led to her decision and I could share with her about the AMAZING God story of how he wrote all of our lives together. It still had to be immensely hard for her, no matter what she faced. I have written all kinds of story lines in this space in my attempt to wrap my heart around it. In my made up versions every story has the similar thread of some form of brutal hardship. Something made her walk away - a fear of her circumstance, a trust for his. I do hope God has given her a glimmer of peace in her decision.

I do hope she can in some way feel the deep love we have for her. Our lives are forever changed and enriched by her.

Trying to lose weight with a Keto Diet? Set yourself up for success.

So you have heard about Keto and you are ready to run with it? Or possibly you have been going about it but just can’t get it going smoothly. Oy, I hear ya.

Some of my BIGGEST challenges on Keto were / are:

1. knowing where to start

2. setting up the meal plan

3. planning ahead

4. actually following the plan

My VERY biggest challenge is allowing myself to get too hungry and then grabbing whatever is quick and easy. When you are hungry the prepping and time it takes to cook can seem like just too much and that cheese, chocolate, crackers… it all just sounds like a deliciously quick pop it in your mouth right this minute perfectly satisfying option. So yea, it happens for me.

It’s taken me some time to prep ahead or find no guilt, ready to go, snacks to have on hand. I’ll be sharing a list with some of my favorites very soon. The other BIG helper is to make a meal and arrange to have leftovers on hand in the fridge.

When selecting recipes I do a lot of online searching however my GO-TO Keto Recipe books are authored by Maria Emmerich. I just LOVE her food. I can’t even pick one that is a favorite… and she has quite a line up.

This one though Keto Instant Pot ? Instant Pot + Keto = DIVINE! Is she brilliant or what? So when you aren’t super prepared ahead of time or just plain short on time, this cookbook is where it is at.

Tell me, what your biggest challenge is so far with a Keto Diet?