frugal living

5 Quick Tips for Stress-Free Wellness (part 2)

5 Quick Tips for Stress-Free Wellness (part 2)
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.


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5 Quick Tips for Stress-Free Wellness (part 1)

5 Quick Tips for Stress-Free Wellness (part 1)
When it comes to working on our health and wellness, we sometimes feel like it’s going to be overwhelming, take a lot of time in our day, and cost a lot of money. We see the fitness gurus on instagram that promise results, but it often comes at a steep price tag, both physically and monetarily. 

As a widow, my wellness has always been important, but I didn’t realize that what I was doing was actually stressing my body, not helping it. I burned the candle at both ends and pushed too hard in my workouts. I thought I needed to exercise longer, to run faster and to get up earlier to be healthy.  But I have learned that wellness doesn’t mean working harder. Nor does it mean spending a lot of time or money. There are simple things you can include in your everyday life that will boost your health, are gentle to your body and mind, and are completely free.
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Creating a Healthier Home: Pure Air Freshening Solutions

After losing my husband to cancer, my quest to pursue wellness for myself and my young kids was very important to me. I wanted to do what I could to use non toxic products in my home that didn’t burden our bodies unnecessarily. I am the gatekeeper of my home, so what comes in is generally because I have allowed it. 

Toxins can be hidden in the most unexpected places, and I was surprised to learn that the things I was using to make my house smell good could be dangerous.

Candles, Air Fresheners, Plug-ins, Oh My!
I love the smell and the ambiance they give. I used to burn candles all the time and have an air freshener in the bathroom. I would look for a sale on my favorite scents, so I would never run out. As I learned more about a non toxic lifestyle, I was alarmed to realize I was using products that were harmful to our health.
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Eating Well with a Frugal Budget: Three Kid-Friendly Recipes

Sticking to a budget can be challenging as a young widow. There are many expenses that we have no control over, but the grocery budget is one area that I found I can bring my monthly expenses down. I have control over what I buy, and when meal planning is applied, it can make such a difference in this area. Today I am sharing three easy, versatile, kid friendly recipes that are easy on the budget.

Black Bean Soup 
2 16 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 ½ c. chicken broth
1 c. chunky salsa
1 tsp. ground cumin
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My Financial Journey as a Young Widow, Part 4

Budgeting is not always the most exciting topic, but it’s and imporant part of how I was able to make ends meet as a widow with young kids.

Having been budgeting for several years, I had a pretty good feel for it. But after Jon passed, I got out of the habit and struggled with motivation to continue. I was tired, sad and overwhelmed by life, and budgeting just seemed like one more thing. I had reduced our living expenses quite a bit  and didn’t think I needed to account for every purchase.

Something Had to Change
I became aware of how important a monthly budget was several months into my journey as a widow. We were halfway through the month, and I only had $50 left for the month to buy food, and the fridge was looking bare. While my kids were only 5 and 7, they had healthy appetites. I couldn’t continue to leave it to chance. I needed to make a change.
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Meet Lisa Bailey

 
Life hands you things you don’t expect sometimes.  

When I was 33 years old, I lost my husband to cancer after a 3 ½ year battle.  At the time, I had two small kids and was trying to do it all - homeschooling, run a small business, single parenting, make everything from scratch, eat healthy and take care of myself. I was afraid of stopping. I was afraid of feeling.  I was afraid.

Eventually, my body crashed.  I was grieving deeply, struggling physically, dealing with anxiety, and I didn’t know how to move out of that place.  God orchestrated circumstances and placed people in my life to help me deal with these issues through counseling, moving, and starting fresh.  He opened the door and helped me heal both emotionally and physically, and placed resources in my life that have made a huge difference. 

I now feel better than I have in many years and have healed from many things. Grief still shows up, and I have to pull back and work through it, but because I am healthier, it doesn’t consume me. Restoration and healing didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen.

You don’t have to do this alone.  Let me walk this journey with you to hope and wellness.

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