Why Nontoxic Living Matters: A Simple Guide to Protecting Your Family (part 1)

After losing my husband to cancer, I began a journey towards wellness. As a single Mom, it became very important to me to stay well for my kids, and I wanted to do everything I could to help my family thrive. 

For years, I thought being healthy was eating well and exercising. And while that’s a big piece of it, I didn’t realize that there were hidden chemicals in products I used every day that burdened our bodies and made health and healing difficult. I had no idea the damage that can be done to our wellbeing from everyday cleaners, makeup and even our hand soap. What I thought was freshening the air and cleaning my house was being absorbed into our bodies through our skin and lungs and causing interruptions to hormones and other important bodily functions. 

Have you ever thought about what’s really in the products you use every day? I certainly hadn't. From the lotion you put on your skin to the candles you burn in your home, many common items contain toxins that can harm your health. Understanding what toxins are and how to avoid them can make a huge difference in your well-being.
Read more...

Ultimate Camping Hack: DIY Bug Spray & Bite Relief

As I write this, we are getting ready to go camping for 12 days!! Camping is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. Each year we take 12-14 days and camp with my family on a lake and spend the entire time kayaking, swimming, playing games and of course, eating. 

Growing up we did a lot of camping. My grandparents would take a bunch of the grandkids camping, and we had such a great time. Some of my fondest memories are from our camping trips. We hiked, rode bikes around the campground, swam and floated in the river, created matchbox car courses under the tree roots, played games, and so many more fun things. It was the best!!
Read more...

Spreading Joy with Thoughtful, Frugal DIY Christmas Gifts

The holiday season is a special time of year, filled with love, laughter, and the spirit of giving. And sometimes we need a little help with ideas that won’t break the bank. If you are needing some last minute gifts that are budget friendly, look no further. These thoughtful handmade gifts will be a favorite this year. They are effortless to make, and you probably already have most of the ingredients.

Here are three simple DIY gifts that you can easily make with only a few ingredients.
Read more...

A Frugal and Natural Home Spa Experience

A Frugal and Natural Home Spa Experience
I am a firm believer in removing toxins from my body products, cleaning products and environment as much as possible and also being frugal with my money. I am an avid DIY-er and am constantly on the prowl for hacks and recipes for all things skin care and cleaning related. I hadn't done much of this prior to Jon's passing, but I found a need to be very careful with my finances in my new stage of life. What started as a need to trim expenses became a love of creating useful things that support our wellness. This post isn’t so much a DIY as it is a hack. 
Read more...