Unexpectedly expecting a baby? You can take care of yourself and process your feelings using these strategies for coping with a surprise pregnancy. I don't know about you, but I am not really a happy pregnant person. When I found out in early December that I was unexpectedly expecting our fourth child I wasn't super thrilled about it, because me and pregnancy just don't mix very well. And while sometimes I just want to curl up on the couch and have a nine month long pity party, I know … [Read more...]
Simple Changes Can Lead to a Greener, Happier Life
From the beginning of my green and natural living journey, I have always believed that making small changes to my lifestyle would have a big impact on my home and family, and also on the world around me. And that those small changes would add up to greater overall lifestyle change over time. Then, the small steps I took would add together with the small steps I was encouraging other people and families to take, and together we could change the world. While that might seem like a lofty goal, I … [Read more...]
4 Easy Steps to a More Natural Pregnancy
My own journey toward more green and natural living began when I found out I was pregnant with my first child, and I think this is true for many women. When you're expecting a baby, you become more aware of the kind of lifestyle you are living. You think about how the choices you are making will effect your new baby, as well as how the environment around you will affect your baby both in utero and after she is born. You may be considering, for the first time, how to make green and natural … [Read more...]
12 Ways to Make Your Day Better When You’re Feeling Down
Do you ever have one of those days when you just want to sit on the couch and watch Parenthood all day? (If you do, make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy!) Or sit on social media and read articles, look at pictures, discover beautiful things on Pinterest, and waste your day watching other people live their lives? Or maybe you have those days where you just feel blah and unmotivated. It's February in Indiana and the sun is not shining much these days. It's really easy for me to get into a … [Read more...]
On Marriage as Mutual Submission
After my post last fall about the lessons we've learned in 12 years of marriage, a reader asked if I would expand on my thoughts about being equal partners in marriage. I must admit that I am a little nervous about this post, because I realize people on both sides of the issue hold strong ideas and opinions. And I don't pretend to be an expert or have all of the answers. No two marriages are the same and there is no one perfect formula for a happy and fulfilling marriage. However, I truly … [Read more...]
5 Simple Castile Soap Cleaning Recipes
Replace five conventional household cleaners with these simple castile soap cleaning solutions. Save money and eliminate toxic cleaners from your home! Castile soap is one of my greatest green and natural loves. It is made from plant-based oils and free of artificial foaming agents, harsh cleansers and detergents, petrochemicals, and anti-bacterial agents like triclosan. I use castile soap as the base for almost all of my homemade natural cleaning recipes because it is so effective. … [Read more...]
When You’re Not Thrilled About Being Pregnant
Two lines. Two lines. What in the world?! How is that possible? No. That can’t be right. I’m pregnant? Two lines. I’m pregnant???! I can’t. believe. I’m. pregnant. These were the thoughts running through my mind as I took a pregnancy test at the beginning of December and it came back obviously positive, within seconds. No waiting 3 minutes for that thin blue line to appear. It was there as soon as the liquid moved across the test strip. This was completely unexpected. A … [Read more...]
And The Gift Goes On
One of my very favorite things about Christmas is the traditions. Growing up, my family had a tradition of playing Sandi Patty's song "The Gift Goes On" on Christmas morning as we handed out our presents from under the tree. The lyrics say, "And the gift goes on, the Father gave the Son, And the gift goes on, the Son gave the Spirit, And the gift goes on, the Spirit gives us Life, So we can give the gift of Love. And the gift goes on and on and on." As cheesy as the song may now … [Read more...]
Winter Gear Storage Solution: Simple DIY Shelf & Bench
This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Behr. The opinions and text are my own. Winter is right around the corner here in Northern Indiana, and for all of us who live in cold and snowy climates we know that along with winter comes lots and lots and lots of winter gear. Our entryway becomes overrun with snow boots, coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, and scarves, in addition to our regular bags, backpacks, shoes, and more. Since we use this gear for as much as five months out of the … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Clean with Salt
One of the very first changes I made when moving toward a more green and natural lifestyle was to ditch all of the chemical filled conventional cleaners I had simply assumed were the best way to clean my house. Since that time I've experimented with many, many different natural and non-toxic cleaners and homemade cleaning recipes. I've found my favorites that have a permanent spot in my cleaning supply cabinet, as well as made some mistakes along the way. I continue to be amazed that there … [Read more...]
