What are the odds your son or daughter will tell you they're gay? If Gallup Polls have anything to say about it, and all other things being equal (which they rarely are), your child has a less-than-4% chance of identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. So the odds are small. Regardless of what you think about same-sex attraction, for many parents those smaller odds allow them to breathe a sigh of relief. No one wants their child to grow up feeling "different" or "weird." And yet those smaller odds means for those kids to do experience same-sex attraction, they feel all the more alone. As a Christian parent, ...Read More
Archives for 2018
Beating the Winter Blues with Essential Oils
I live in the cold north of Michigan, and while I love it here—and I even love the winter—I must admit, the short, overcast days of the winter occasionally get me down. It just gets greyer and greyer here as December moves into January moves into February. But given my love for oils, I wondered: can you beat the winter blues with essential oils? What are the "Winter Blues" If you feel as gloomy as the weather looks, you're probably experiencing the winter blues. Feeling sad, but not for a specific reason? That's the winter blues. Feeling lethargic and like your get-up-and-go got up and went...yup, that's the winter ...Read More
Foods Can I Garden in the Winter?
Have you ever wondered if you can garden any time other than summer? Can you garden in the fall? Yup (check out this article on fall gardening). But can you garden in the winter? That just doesn't seem possible. Well, surprise, surprise: you can. You can garden in ANY season. It just looks different than what you've become accustomed to thinking of when you think "gardening." Things to Consider to Garden in the Winter A winter garden needs more protection than your typical summer garden, and yes, even more than a fall garden too. While frost may pose a threat in a fall garden, actual snow is a likely possibility in ...Read More
30 Minute Recipe: Parmesan Salmon and Veggies
I have a confession to make. I don't like salmon...or any other fish for that matter. However, my kids and husband love this parmesan salmon and veggies recipe. And I want them to love it (even if it means I have to hold my nose while I'm cooking and diffuse some extra essential oils to clear out the fish smell!). Salmon is a powerhouse food and I don't want them to miss out on all its benefits just because mom is a party pooper. Are you looking for tips for going gluten free? I’ve gathered them all together in this Everything Gluten Free page. Many regard wild-caught salmon one of the healthiest fish ...Read More
What are Essential Oils (and do they really work)?
What are essential oils — and do they really work? If you're like me, when you first heard of "essential oils," you might have thought it all sounded like a bunch of hippie voodoo and snake oil. There was a time when I scoffed at the use of essential oils because I didn't understand them. I didn't know exactly what these oils were, what made them "essential" in the first place, and just what kind of research had been done on their effectiveness. Now, I use them every day in my home and regularly teach others about the amazing benefits they bring. One of the first things I didn't understand was the name: ...Read More
Gluten-Free Spices: the brands you can actually trust
It might seem silly to write an article about gluten free spices, since on their own, individual herbs and spices do not naturally contain gluten. When my family first went gluten-free, I didn't bother to check my spice cabinet. However, I soon found out that it was booby trapped! Many companies are tempted to add anti-caking ingredients when they make spice blends. This includes gluten products or by-products. Unfortunately, you can't take for granted that you're consuming gluten free spices! Are you looking for more tips for going gluten free? I’ve gathered them all together in this Everything Gluten Free ...Read More
7 Things Your Teen Needs to Know About God
My oldest daughter is almost fifteen. I'm not sure how that's possible since I would've sworn she was a newborn in my arms just last month. But alas, one look in the mirror at my own reflection confirms that time has indeed passed and we are both getting older. There are things I know my teen needs to know about God before it's time to launch her into the world. As I ponder how to make the most of these last couple of years with her at home, I've been wondering: What conversations do I need to have with her? What truths are more important than any other to relate? What lessons are the most crucial to ...Read More
Pregnant without Health Insurance: How I Saved Thousands
"Fill out these forms and I'll need your drivers license and health insurance cards." I told the receptionist, "I don't have health insurance"—and noticed her raised eyebrows. But I quickly followed up with, "But I am part of a health sharing plan, so the bills won't be a problem." She looked skeptical, but nodded. Through my pregnancy, every time I had to tell someone I didn't have health insurance, I was a little worried at what they'd say...what they'd think. It was my first pregnancy with no health insurance, and truth be told, I was also a little worried about the bills. At first. While we'd had ...Read More
