If you use and love essential oils and you love your pooch, you may have wondered whether you can use essential oils for dogs. The answer is a qualified yes—but there are some things you need to know first. Since dogs metabolize essential oils differently than we human folk do, we have to be cautious. But with a few safety guidelines and some quick tips, you'll be on your way to oiling up your pups in no time! There are a number of essential oils that are safe for dogs, and there are some essential oils that are very bad for dogs. In this post we'll chat about what essential oils you can safely use around dogs ...Read More
Take the quiz: What’s your family mealtime style?
Since all people have to take in some form of nourishment to live, wouldn’t it make sense that fulfilling this most basic human need should be as easy as breathing? Why must family mealtime be so challenging? All I want to do is bring my beautiful family together for a healthy, happy meal. And yet it sometimes feels like I've gone out in the wilderness and brought back kids who've been raised by wolverines. Look, some nights everything goes alright—nights when my precious family should grace the cover of Look at This Perfect Family Eat Dinner magazine. But then there are the dinners I’m convinced need to be ...Read More
5 Things Every Good Christian Mom Does
Before I got married, I knew exactly what life would look like in my home when I started having babies. Visions of the perfect family swirled in my head... The kids awaken cheerfully to get ready for the day (and never miss doing their morning chores). Everyone would peacefully sit down at the dinner table, cordially pass dishes, while chatting about their day. Devotions would be easy and the kids—peaceful and engaged. But somewhere between my dreams of having children and the reality of life-with-5-crazy-boys, my definition of what a "good mom" underwent an overhaul. My dreams looked something like a Normal ...Read More
Summer Essential Oils: must-haves (and some precautions)
Summer is quickly approaching...well, at least that's what the calendar says. If you live somewhere like I do, it seems the weather is a tease — a few days with warmish weather where the kids get out and play and we can take family walks followed by bitter cold and snow. But I must believe that summer truly is on the way! When the sun comes out, it's important for those of us who are essential oil users take a few things into consideration. Not only are there some extra precautions to take, but there are also some essential oils that are must-haves for your summer toolkit! Precautions with essential oils: ...Read More
Foods Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Poblanos (low-carb)
Packed with cheesy, spicy deliciousness these bacon wrapped stuffed poblanos will be your new favorite Mexican themed treat! I love Mexican food. I love it so much, my husband and I had our post-wedding dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant (we had a small wedding with just family there). #TrueStory A girl who chooses to have her post-wedding dinner at a Mexican restaurant and celebrate nearly every birthday in recent memory at said Mexican restaurant, knows her Mexican food. I've also brainwashed convinced my kids that Mexican food is the best! But the problem with going out for Mexican is the ...Read More
Homeschooling Homeschool Planning 101: Creating a Sane Schedule
The secret to successful homeschool planning is to work backwards. If you don't know where you want to go, it's hard to know if you're getting there. Work Backwards... years...months...weeks...days Instead of beginning by planning out our days, we have to start with the big picture and work our way backwards. When you look at your school year this way, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But don't worry, I promise it will all come together! In our first homeschool planning 101 post, we chatted about setting realistic goals (if you haven't had a chance to read that one, be sure to start there). The school ...Read More
Lavender Essential Oil Bath Bombs
I'm not really a bath person, but every once in a while I have the urge to get in the bath if for no other reason than to use one of these fizzy lavender essential oil bath bombs. I know. Goofy, right? I'm not one of those daily, weekly, or even monthly bathers (showers for this girl—in and out, get the job done!). So when I finally take the time to slow down and take a bath, it's always because I'm tired, sore, and usually achey. The hot water and the ingredients in these lavender essential oil bath bombs are the perfect before-bed recipe for relaxation and relief! Key Bath Bomb Ingredients What makes these ...Read More
Rich and Delicious Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Brownies
I'm not really big into chocolate (don't be a hater, that is just the way it is), but my kiddos and husband really enjoy chocolate and occasionally I can enjoy nice gooey brownie batter ummm...I mean brownies. Ok, I admit it, I'd rather eat the batter than the brownies. I'd rather eat cookie dough and cake batter than the cookies and cake too. Why does it taste so much better in the raw state? Never mind that. Even I can enjoy these rich and delicious, gluten-free, sugar-free brownies topped with some homemade whipped cream (of course). They make my tastebuds happy and I don't have to feel guilty splurging on ...Read More
