I remember when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I was scared. I was nervous. I was planning my wedding. I quickly went from reading The Knot magazines to What to Expect When You Are Expecting books. I planned. And I don’t mean I just sat down and thought, “I am going to have a natural birth, it will be beautiful, and I will breastfeed, and it will be glorious.” I mean, I sat down, wrote lists, weighed options—and I planned. I am pretty sure I had a list and a plan for every little detail of my pregnancy, birth, and hospital stay, all the way down to what books I was going to bring to read while I was ...Read More
Foods Table Salt vs Sea Salt: What’s the Difference?
Sea salt, table salt—what's the difference? A quick search online and you'll find a multitude of opinions on the matter. This month's wellness challenge is to change the kind of salt you use. In this post and I'm going to compare the two and you can decide for yourself which you'd rather be putting in your body. I have a feeling I know which one you'll choose! How Table Salt and Sea Salt are the Same They both originate from sea—either straight from the sea or from an inland ocean bed. They both have approximately 40% sodium content (this varies a little bit in different types of sea salt). They both make your ...Read More
Broccoli and Beef Stir Fry (Soy, Wheat, and Corn Free)
I wanted to make broccoli and beef stir fry but I couldn't find a recipe that would suit our families dietary needs, so of course, I decided to make up a recipe myself! I hope you enjoy it as much as my family has enjoyed this recipe. There is one ingredient in this recipe you may not be familiar with: coconut aminos. Coconut aminos are a fantastic substitute for soy sauce. Just take a look at the ingredients listed on the back of a bottle of soy sauce: ...Read More
The Pilgrim’s Progress (Week 12 of 13)
Tickling Itching Ears: The Flatterer The Flatterer is one of the villains the pilgrim's meet in their journey in The Pilgrim's Progress. While the Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains prepare Christian and Hopeful, both fall into the Flatterer's trap. In our study of the "bad guys" of Pilgrim's Progress, this scene helps us understand the great importance of listening to the counsel of those who have charge over us. Getting Started: Read all of the eighth stage and the beginning of the ninth stage of Pilgrim's Progress. 1. The pilgrims come to the Delectable Mountains (another picture of the church) a. These ...Read More
Natural Thrush Treatment for Mom and Baby
When you're breastfeeding, thrush can happen at anytime. Let's talk about a great natural thrush treatment for mom and baby. I remember it like it was just yesterday. We had finally gotten the hang of breastfeeding. He was off the nipple shield, his latch was set, the pain had stopped. I felt like a champ. I wanted to hold signs wherever I went pointing it out: look at this, look what I'm doing with my body. Then came the thrush. Ugh! It just started out as general itching for me. I thought nothing of it, nothing at all. Then the thrush turned to searing pain, the kind of itching pain you feel when you've ...Read More
Wellness Wednesday Challenge: Make the Switch to Sea Salt (link-up)
Happy April! I hope it's been a fantastic beginning to this new month. With a new month, comes a new Wellness Wednesday topic. This month we're going to be talking about salt. I thought after a challenge like lasts months sugar cutting challenge, we could all use something a bit easier. :) As you probably see from the title, I'm not going to be harping on you to cut down on salt, but to simply switch the type of salt you're consuming. There is a lot of conflicting information out there on salt. Some places you'll read that salt is salt and there really aren't any differences. I'm hoping to give you a play by play ...Read More
Breastfeeding a Sick Baby or Child
Breastfeeding a sick baby or child can be one of the most comforting and yet one of the most distressing things for a mother and baby. Breasts are not beakers with a side view to show volume and little bellies aren't a one-size-fits-all. Hospitals love exact measurements, and one thing that's hard to measure is how much milk your babe gets "straight from the tap." Then add in the personal opinions of others who disagree with the idea...and you wonder if you should or shouldn't nurse a sick kiddo. The breastfeeding experts say yes you should—with the exception of rare metabolic disorders. Breastfeeding offers health ...Read More
5 Great Ideas to Help You Choose Bible Memory Verses for Kids
Many Christian parents desire their children to memorize Scripture, and for good reason. With a strong parental tone, Solomon instructed his students to treasure his commands: "bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 7:1-3). But what passages are best to memorize? All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). You will not find some verses "more inspired" than others. But if we are looking for a place to start, we should start in the places the Bible itself defines as central. Below you will find 5 tips for finding Bible memory verses for kids. 1. Choose creedal ...Read More
