A Simple, Heartfelt Holiday Gift Guide (With Easy DIYs You’ll Actually Enjoy Making!)
If you’re hoping to give gifts this year that feel thoughtful, meaningful, and a little more personal, this guide is for you. Whether you love getting crafty or you simply want ideas that spark joy and support wellness, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite DIY projects along with some gifts you can purchase and wrap in minutes. These are simple, doable, and perfect for busy moms, friends, teachers, neighbors – anyone who could use a little extra encouragement this season.
Read more...My Personal Journey Toward Nontoxic Living
In the first post of this series, I shared how I used to believe that being healthy was all about diet and exercise. But as I learned more, I realized that the everyday products I was using—things I never even questioned—were filled with harmful toxins that were burdening my body. That discovery changed everything. I swapped out my toxic candles for a diffuser with high-quality essential oils, replaced chemical-laden cleaners with plant-based alternatives, and switched to nontoxic body products and makeup. The results were undeniable—our home felt fresher, the air was cleaner, and my body felt healthier. My body wasn’t fighting itself anymore and my autoimmune disease went into remission. Looking back, I only wish I had made these changes sooner.
How to Start Reducing Toxins in Your Home
Switching to nontoxic products doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small with these simple steps:
- Swap plastic containers for glass or stainless steel (mason jars are a great food storage option)
- Choose personal care items that are scented with pure essential oils
- Use plant based household cleaners for cleaning instead of chemical sprays
- Buy organic when possible to reduce pesticide exposure
- Open windows regularly for better indoor air quality
Meal planning and cooking healthy meals can feel overwhelming, but small steps can make a big difference. Here are ways I simplify the process to stick to my plan.
STOCK UP ON STAPLES
When making my grocery list, I include staple items if they fit my budget, even without a specific plan. These essentials—like sweet potatoes, canned green chilis, frozen veggies, ground meat, and almond butter—help me throw meals together quickly.
SIMPLE MEAL PREP
Within a day or two of shopping, I do small meal prep tasks that save time later:
- Cook ground meat with onions
- Chop veggies for salads and recipes
- Make and freeze burger patties
- Roast veggies for easy sides
COOK ONCE, EAT TWICE
I double recipes like soup, taco meat, or pulled pork and freeze extras. Even minimal prep—like chopping an onion—makes cooking easier on busy days. Having pre-cooked meals in the freezer helps me stick to healthier eating without stress.
Read more...5. Prioritize Sleep
We all know sleep is important, but many of us don’t get enough. Sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, depression, anxiety, hormone imbalance, brain fog, and so many more health issues. Women should be getting 8-10 hours per night. But how do we get enough sleep?
Here are a few tips that have helped me:
1. Keep a consistent bedtime every night. It’s tempting to stay up late on the weekends, but try not to. You will feel so much better when you’re going to bed at the same time each night, and with consistency, your body will have an easier time getting into a rhythm.
2. No screens at least 1 hour before bed. Two hours before bed is optimal. I like to read before I go to bed (in a REAL book, not on a screen). It’s relaxing, keeps me away from screens, and helps me unwind.
3. Use blackout curtains or a sleep mask. Having it completely dark has helped me sleep so much better! I use a sleep mask to block out any ambient light from the moon, cars or neighborhood lights.
Read more...2. Avoid drinking anything during a meal
Say what? You’re telling me to drink a lot of water, but I can’t drink while I’m eating? Not exactly.
You don’t have to completely abstain, but while you're eating you should limit how much you drink to no more than 2-4 ounces. When we drink anything while we’re eating, it dilutes our digestive juices, and makes it much more difficult for our body to digest the food we’re eating, causing acid reflux and indigestion. Many people with acid reflux could solve most or all of their issues by doing this one FREE thing! I suggested this to a friend who was suffering terribly with GERD, and it changed her life!!! She’s not having to constantly take antacids, and she can sleep at night without any reflux.
Solution: Drink a big glass 20 minutes before your meal and a big glass 20 minutes after a meal, but limit yourself while you’re eating.
