Three Things for Thursday Products Referenced

The omega 3s in fish oil can help support reading and math skills, improve sleep, and help support children with ADHD and depression. Early exposure can even help reduce the risk of allergies in kids.

I’ve shared before about how much I love cod liver oil, but I know some kids just can’t handle the taste. 🐟

I discovered Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA that are available in small beads. Older kids can swallow the beads, but younger children can also chew them. They have a pleasant strawberry(ish) taste without any fishy aftertaste. The bead part is a little chewy, but not still much more tolerable than regular cod liver oil.

This book came into my life at the perfect time. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer.

I laughed; I cried (more like blubbered) and was convicted. As a result of reading this book, I implemented some changes such as:

Significantly reducing my phone use. While an iPhone is very convenient, it is also very dehumanizing. If you go to the grocery store, post office or even look around at a stoplight, everyone is on their phone. 😭 We don’t communicate with people like we used to. I’ve deleted many apps that distract and kept the essentials. I have time limits set on my iPhone daily.
Celebrating Sabbath each week. From sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, I CHILL. No running errands. No cleaning house. I focus on things that support rest and worship. My whole family gets in on the fun with playing games, preparing yummy food and celebrating the accomplishments of the week. Sounds like such a simple and outdated practice but long-time Sabbath practicers say it’s truly GAME CHANGING!
Simplifying life. My mantra is: I can’t do it all. What can I eliminate or simplify in 2022? Purging “stuff” regularly. Stacking errands. Combining extracurriculars. Doing what we can as a family to keep our lives simple.
Driving the speed limit. Not 5 or 10 mph over. 😜 Not only is this the right thing to do, it helps to s-l-o-w me down.
Keeping God first. Intentionally carving out time with God each day. Not giving Him the leftovers but my heartfelt devotion.

Comer’s book is LOADED with practical tips and tricks you can implement for a life more satisfying, soulful and human. If you are feeling fried, frazzled and depleted, be sure to check out his book!

What would you say to your postpartum self? ?‍?

We received such great feedback on our pregnancy affirmation cards that I’m back at it again — this time for POSTPARTUM mamas! Once again, I’m crafting 50 positive affirmations and messages, and working with the fabulously talented Claudia Schoen to bring them to life with beautiful collage artwork.

Here is a preview of her talent…

cell salts by Hyland’s

The 12 Cell Salts ?

Speaking of fascinating stories, do you know the story of the 12 homeopathic mineral cell salts? ? They were discovered by W.H. Schuessler (1821-1898), a German medical doctor and homeopath, by analyzing the ash of cremated human remains. ? In them, he found 12 mineral salts in significant quantities. Dr. Schuessler believed that deficiencies in these 12 minerals were the source of common health problems, and by using these minerals, you give the body what it needs to be well.

I’ve used Hyland’s cell salts for various issues from skin issues (silica), adrenal fatigue (Nat Mur), and mucoceles (Calc Sulph) with great success.

Here are the list of the 12 cell salts and how they can aid the human body. (Keep in mind that these are very gentle and non-toxic but always talk to your doctor before adding a new supplement to your regimen.)

#1 Calc Fluor: Colds, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, morning fatigue and chapped skin ?
#2 Calc Phos: Gum or tooth sensitivity, improves vitamin D absorption and great for improving moods ?
#3 Calc Sulph: Great for skin issues from acne to eczema and boosts motivation and drive ?‍♀️
#4 Ferrum Phos: Fevers, minor swelling, and fights the over-inflammatory responses in the body ?
#5 Kali Mur: Think “white” with this remedy for things like white-coated tongue, white pus, mucus and it can be used externally for burns ?
#6 Kali Phos: Great for the nervous system! Addresses stress, nervous tension, headaches, mental exhaustion or overstimulation ?
#7 Kali Sulph: Think “yellow” with this remedy such as yellow discharge from coughs, colds, boils or fungus. Supports healthy hair and nails too. ?
#8 Mag Phos: Natural “pain reliever” for things like muscle cramps and spasms, tooth pain (teething), and shooting pain ?
#9 Nat Mur: Maintains proper water balance in body so good for swelling, dry eyes, dry skin and constipation. Can help with headaches and heartburn, too ?
#10 Nat Phos: Indigestion, gas, hyperacidity. Think of this as a natural “alka seltzer”. This remedy eliminated Paloma with her acid reflux in early infancy! ?
#11 Nat Sulph: Think detox helper. Stimulates liver, pancreas, and intestines to release toxins and relieves nausea, vomiting and diarrhea ?
#12 Silicea: Supports health hair, skin and nails, combats crow’s feet, and targets connective tissue. It also helps to expel things from body like boils and splinters ?‍?

Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Straw Bottle with Silicone Straw & Sleeve

Want to reduce your plastic exposure? Try this water bottle for kids 9 months to 9 years old. The straw is made of silicone, so it has zero plastic.

More ?, less ?

The Invisible Corset: Break Free from Beauty Culture and Embrace Your Radiant Self by Lauren Geertsen. An essential guide for any woman who is ready to go from struggle, discomfort, control, and shame to pleasure, confidence, freedom, and soul-fulfilling purpose. Lauren is the author of Empowered Sustenance and her mission is broad and powerful. ❤️

Food Babe Kitchen by Vani Hari offers an array of quick, easy, REAL food recipes that make cooking fun, healthy, and delicious. This book will inspire you to take control of your health and ditch processed foods for good. Vani remains on the front lines, forcing major food companies to do better with their ingredients. I love this beautiful book. ?

Ancient Remedies: Secrets to Healing with Herbs, Essential Oils, CBD, and the Most Powerful Natural Medicine in History by Dr. Josh Axe. This book explains the whole concept of individualized health care and the use of ancient remedies like traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greek medicine. ?

100 Days of Real Food Meal Planner by Lisa Leake. Packed with 52 weeks of meal planning and grocery templates, 2 laminated menu planners for school lunches and dinners, plus 20 one-dish dinner recipes. Lisa has inspired millions of people to cut out processed foods! ?

Tapping for kids ?

As a parent, I love giving my kids tools to help them in life. We often pray together when dealing with hard situations. We also pray for our “enemies” in order to shift our perspective and practice compassion.

I am showing my kids Paloma (7) and Griffin (10) how to tap to help them process difficult emotions. Because it instantly shifts our body from the “fight in flight” mode to a more calm and restful state, it can be SUPER helpful for little ones. I also love how it teaches kids to unconditionally love themselves, even in the midst of intense emotions.

We are currently reading this book, which describes tapping in a kid-friendly way. ?

Wizards Wish book Brad Yates

Oral health products & resources

Keeping your mouth’s microbiome healthy is important for your overall health! This is hitting home for me, as I have an area on my molars that my dentist is watching before it turns into a cavity. This is super common after giving birth and nursing children since they are inherently mineral-depleting activities (but worth it ;).

Here are some products I’m using to ramp up my oral health:

Stainless steel tongue scraper

Wellnesse toothpaste

Shine Remineralizing Natural Teeth Whitening Powder

Waterpik WP-660 Water Flosser Electric Dental Countertop Professional Oral Irrigator For Teeth

PUR xylitol gum

Waterpik WP-660 Water Flosser Electric Dental Countertop Professional Oral Irrigator For Teeth

Mary Ruth skin care probioitc

Soothe that sanitized skin with probiotics ?

When my 1 year old daughter Faith gets a little diaper rash or irritation, I use a bit of Mary Ruth probiotics topically and I find it heals faster than when I use coconut oil or other ointments. It’s a great diapering hack, but people have seen great results with topical probiotics, and I think it would be a great addition to the daily routine for kids or adults who use a lot of hand sanitizer. Check it out if that sounds interesting.

Exploding Kittens card game

Exploding Kittens! Last night we gave this card game a try and it was a huge hit with our 9-year-old and 6-year-old (although the 6 y.o. played on a team with me). We laughed a ton while playing it, and my kids are still talking about this ultra-fun game today. Definitely worth a look!

Another of our favs: Sushi Go!

Summer slide is a real thing, and many kids are already behind due to Coronavirus. We are ramping up our efforts at home to keep our kids on track.

For easy, independent learning, we love these Brain Quest books. They have ones specifically for “bridging” one year to the next, which are great. I want to challenge my kids though so decided to go for the grade book that corresponds to where they’ll be in the fall. Griffin has been loving the “I Survived” book series and I’m looking into “I’m Trapped in a Video Game” books. I have him write 12 sentences about what he read (or any other topic) to practice is writing and spelling. I have seen a HUGE difference by this simple practice.

brainquest summer books

For Paloma, we love Fancy Nancy (she teaches us vocabulary words!) and I finally got several Shel Silverstein books to read to her. (Poetry makes reading easier!). We also START the day with reading, as it never happens if we leave it for later. My kids “earn” screen time by doing reading and chores each day (except Sunday).

New kids cookbook ?‍?

Speaking of inspiring, my friends’ kids wrote a cookbook — how cool is that? ? Written entirely by kids, Chef Junior is filled with recipes that kids of all ages can prepare. It teaches little ones how to plan and cook meals entirely on their own, and all the recipes use real food and are healthy too. ?

A healthy green ?

I’m excited about an old school food-based supplement… chlorella. This superfood algae has some incredible benefits!

It’s a nutritional powerhouse. High in protein, vitamin B12, vitamin C, antioxidants, omega 3’s, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, folic acid and other B vitamins. ?
In animal studies, chlorella can weaken the heavy metal toxicity of the liver, brain and kidneys ? With all of the toxins were surrounded by these days, I love taking this supplement for added assurance.
It also helps to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels ?
It’s high in fiber so helpful for daily ?

Some moms also find it helps to boost breast milk supply, and it certainly can help enrich baby’s nutrients. Click to see the brand I like.

The mess factor in our house is INTENSE with alll five of us here 24/7. My friend Kate from RealFoodRN.com recommended a robot vacuum cleaner months ago, and I finally decided to give it a try.

This model was the least expensive on Amazon and had great reviews.

We’re just a few weeks in, but I gotta say that this is a GAME CHANGER! This little droid (whom we’ve affectionately named Phillip) works so hard for me! ?❤️I actually get teary thinking about how much I love this tireless, constant helper. My house may still be a mess, but the floors are spotless. ✨

music lessons recorders instruments with kids

A few weeks ago, I shared art resources for homeschooling. Now we’re doing music! My husband Michael recently bought a few of these inexpensive recorders, and they’ve been a hit with the kids!

This morning, they worked on “Ode to Joy.” After my daughter figured out how to read the simple charts for various songs, she couldn’t wait to work on it independently during her recess (gotta love an introvert!).

Do you do music class? Or any other fun extracurriculars? Reply to this message and let me know.

Handzies Natural Soap and Water Hand Wipes, Individually Packaged

Wash hands before every meal and/or snack. This is particularly important for children who tend to co-mingle more closely with others! It’s important to wash for at least 20 seconds and then thoroughly dry with a towel (germs spread more easily with wet hands). I gave each of my kids a mini Bronner’s soap for them to use at school before eating. They love having their own “special soap” to use. If you are on the go, you can use these individual Castile soap wipes.

A Non-Toxic Deodorant that WORKS ?

Life in the Florida heat and humidity can leave a mama smelling… funky. ?As a result, I’ve become a natural deodorant conneseur, even making my own, but I think my quest is finally over. I’ve been using a deodorant brand called MagSol for about a year now, and I can say without reservation that it’s great. (This isn’t a sponsored post, I just want to share.) It’s super clean, keeps me smelling fresh, and is literally made up of 3 core ingredients. It’s a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.

Helping kids navigate their emotions is a worthy undertaking. We all need healthy ways to express our feelings! I have to say that I’m LOVING this 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids. It empowers kids to share how they really feel and reflect on the good, and not so good, aspects of their day. My kids look forward to doing it each night! There is a short written section as well as space for a small drawing so it’s good for a wide age range.

Legendairy Milk Organic Liquid Sunflower Lecithin

One of my favorite functional foods to support the brain is sunflower lecithin. This choline rich food has been shown to:

Lower cholesterol
Improve heart health ❤️
Help digestion
Improve memory and cognitive function ?
And hydrate the skin (take that winter!)

Of course, sunflower lecithin is also wonderful for breastfeeding mamas as it can boost breast milk supply and prevent reoccurring clogged ducts. Woot! I like this organic liquid form and put in my kid’s smoothies and my yogurt for a brain-boosting treat. (Tastes a bit like molasses ?)

KOMVOX Kids Karaoke Microphone with Stand, Girls Karaoke Machines with Bubble Function

For her 6th birthday, my daughter Paloma wanted a rainbow leopard theme… so that’s what we’re going with… ??Her big present is this karaoke / bubble machine. ?Lol. Should be fun!

Carter’s Halloween Costume Baby

Searching for last minute Halloween costume ideas? ?‍♀️I thought this collection for babies was super cute. Excited to see Faith dressed up as a pineapple! ?

Go Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds

Do you know that pumpkin seeds have anti-parasitic activity? ?Plenty of studies back this up! In fact, ancient cultures used pumpkin seeds as a folk remedy for intestinal complaints from diahhrea to constipation to bloating and pain. I like to eat 2 TB of raw, sprouted pumpkin seeds most days to keep things at bay. Since time is an issue, I buy these sprouted ones. They’re delicious on salads, trail mixes, or straight out of the bag.

HAPPY BABY ORGANIC CREAMERY

Looking for an easy snack for baby or toddler? When I go for stroller or car rides, I like to give baby Faith something to nibble on to keep her content. ? Unfortunately, most of the options at the store aren’t great and include added sugar. I was excited to find these Happy Baby Creamies made with just coconut milk and veggie and fruit purees. (Their “Yogis” variety do contain sugar.) While I prefer to feed her fresh food at home, these are great in a pinch!

Austin Air Allergy Machine Standard Air Purifier

I’ve tried a bunch of air purifiers, and like the Austin Air best.

In most cases, a home’s indoor air quality is worse than outdoors. ? To help offset this, you can do several things…

When the weather cooperates, open the windows at least once a week and let the house air out.
Invest in a good air purifier, which will reduce indoor air pollutants.
Consider becoming a “plant lady” and get yourself several species known for their air purifying qualities like corn plants, date palms and spider plants.
If you do move into a new home with a strong smell, you can try “baking out” the fumes. Close up all the windows and doors and set the heat as high as it will go. By creating a hot house, you force the VOCs to be released more rapidly. After 24 hours, open windows and doors to air the home out. Repeat this process until the smell is gone. You can also TEST. We had our indoor air quality tested for VOCs, mold, chemicals, etc. and the results were fantastic after we did a “bake out.”

Dry Erase Lapboard with Pen, Double Sided, Portable Learning slate white board

Dry erase boards for the win! Days after we took the photos below, I noticed that my kids were really into coloring and writing on the dry erase board. So to spice up their homework (and to avoid fighting), I bought them each one of these ~~cheap~~ inexpensive dry erase lapboards and they love them! My third grader practices his spelling words on his, while my Kindergartener uses hers for site words. Simple pleasures…

Pure Synergy Organic Berry Power 20+ Superfruit Blend

If berries are hard to find where you live, consider this organic berry powder. One teaspoon mixed in water, in yogurt or in a smoothie will give you a significant dose of antioxidants and polyphenols. In fact, some holistic practitioners recommend this powder to their patients to boost gut health. Why? Because polyphenols feed good gut bacteria and contribute to gut bacteria diversity (very important for a happy belly). Yippee! ?

The Plant Paradox_The Hidden Dangers in Healthy Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain book by Dr. Steven R Gundry MD

Do you avoid tomatoes due to lectins? ? Dr. Steve Gundry popularized the lectin-free diet in his best-selling book The Plant Paradox. I was skeptical at first, but a few of my friends feel much better following his protocol.

Lectins are a protein that plants create as a “self-defense” mechanism to ensure their survival. While lectins don’t bother most people and can even reduce cancer risk, they can irritate the digestive track and trigger the immune system in an unhealthy way. The bummer is that lectins are found in the seeds and skin of many healthy plants. On his diet, foods like tomatoes, bell peppers, nuts & seeds and even berries are limited. Not to mention nearly all grains and legumes! ?

So what’s a mama to do? Well, if you’re concerned about it, there are some time-tested methods that can help reduce your lectin load.

Soak your grains, legumes, nuts and seeds in a special medium to help breakdown lectins and anti-nutrients. ?
- For grains, I mix about 1 tsp. of raw apple cider vinegar with water and soak the grains overnight (around 8-12 hours)
- For legumes, I mix 1 tsp. of baking soda with water and soak for 8-12 hours
- For nuts/seeds, I use about 1 tsp. of sea salt mixed with water and soak for 8-12 hours. (I have a video on how to do so here.)
Sprout your grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This method enhances nutrient bioavailablity while reducing lectins and phytic acid. You can learn how to sprout quinoa here. And store-bought brands like TruRoots, Go Raw, and Pure Living sell organic, sprouted products if you’re short on time. ?
Eat your fermented veggies! Pair a few tablespoons of raw sauerkraut or kimchi to your meals to help boost your digestive fire and build up your immune system. ?
Use your Instant Pot. I cook all my legumes in my pressure cooker, which significantly reduces lectins. Cooking this way is also easy and reduces cooking time. Double win! ?
Peel and de-seed your fruits and veggies. For those who are uber sensitive, you can peel and de-seed foods like your tomatoes and cucumbers before eating to remove lectins. This brand of tomato sauce (original style only) actually uses peeled and de-seeded tomatoes for a lectin-free spaghetti sauce. ?

I LOVE this skin brush!

Here’s the gratitude journal I use. ❤️

WesGen Sleep Strips Advanced Gentle Mouth Tape for Better Nose Breathing, Improved Nighttime Sleeping, Less Mouth breathing

Many of us mouth breath throughout the day (and night!) without realizing it. ?If you snore, have sleep apnea, drool, or struggle with dry mouth, you most definitely are mouth breathing. A simple hack to change your breathing habits is to tape your mouth shut.? Yes, really! (Amazon even sells “sleep strips” that you can put on your mouth each night before bedtime.) You can practice during the day or night and notice if you feel more energized, focused and serene.

summer brain quest

Believe it or not, school starts in a month! ? At least it does for us. And I want to prevent the “summer slide” when it comes to academics. Our kids are loving these fun workbooks that “bridge the gap” between school grades so perfect for this in-between time.

toe separators

If you’re like me, you’ve spent most of your life in dysfunctional shoes. ? How can we offset some of the damage that we’ve done? Two word for ya: Toe separators.

Think of these as “exercise” for your toes. By wearing each day, you’ll build up endurance, enhance your balance, and support overall mobility. Strong feet rely on well-functioning, straight, and separated toes! ? Start slow… 15 minutes a day to begin with, then work up to 1 hour. (You’ll be sore at first!) I put em on at night when I’m relaxing after the kiddos are in bed.

➜ I like this brand of toe separators the best

Living in Florida, my skin takes a beating. No matter how often I wear hats, my face still ends up getting quite a bit of sun. ☀️ While we know sunlight is beneficial (in healthy and smart doses), our body doesn’t get much vitamin D from our facial skin. (You absorb the most vitamin D from your belly and upper thighs.)

So this summer, I’m giving my skin a ton of TLC. Because I have a 8 month old, I can’t do anything fancy or complicated. Here are some simple things you can do to nourish your skin:

Making facial masks. This sounds oh so complicated, but it’s not. Grab a bowl. Add a dollop of yogurt and mix in a splash of milk. If I’m in a fancy mood, I’ll add in 1/2 tsp of turmeric and a squeeze of honey. Stir well and apply to your face. This anti-inflammatory, antioxidant rich concoction is wonderful for acne, scars, pigmentation, and youth promoting. While the mask sinks into my face, I multitask and clean up the house or play with Faith. After 20 minutes, I rinse off. Easy peasy!
Using rose water. This delightful tonic smells like heaven and is so healing for the skin! This organic brand is so easy to use as you just spritz away.
STIMULATING skin. I like to exfoliate and massage my face to stimulate blood flow, slough off old skin cells, and boost collagen production. I use either my Gua Sha tool or konjac sponge (which is actually made from a vegetable).
Hydrating with oils. My skin is naturally dry so I like using various plant oils to moisturize my face. (BTW, certain plant oils are great if your skin is oily… even though that sounds counterintuitive!) I love this one from Goddess Garden. I also like marula oil and rosehip oil.

Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent

If you’re looking for clinically effective critter repellant for when you’re in the deep woods, check out this spray that features Lemon Eucalyptus. In studies, this plant oil is just as effective (and in some cases, more!) as DEET, a known neurotoxin. (Interesting to note: lemon eucalyptus is also the only plant oil recommended by the CDC.)

Jigsaw Health MagNow – Tart Raspberry Lemonade Magnesium Powder

If your child is constipated and you’re nursing, consider magnesium supplementation. If your child is older than 3 and struggling with constipation, you can try boosting their magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, or even give them a little of this magnesium drink each night. (I give Griffin and Paloma 1/2 scoop as their nightly “cocktail.”)

Bioplasma Cell Salts Tablets by Hyland’s

Motherhood can take a lot out of us… both literally and figuratively! It’s so important to replenish ourselves.

A gentle and effective way to do this physically is with homeopathic cell salts. Have you heard of these? Think of them as the “mineral supplements” in the homeopathic world. Unlike other homeopathic remedies, which you only take temporarily for an acute condition, these can be taken regularly to support your overall vitality.

The 12 mineral cell salts were discovered by a German medical doctor and homeopath named W.H. Schuessler (1821-1898) by analyzing the ash of cremated human remains. ? In them, he found that there were significant levels of these 12 mineral salts, and he surmised that these were the “building blocks of the human body” (quiet literally).

Hyland’s sells a combination of all 12 cell salts called Bioplasma. As always, talk to your doctor or practitioner to see what’s best for you!

Navitas fruit powders

Diet for good skin. Finally, we can use all of the fancy facial tools, creams and elixirs but did you know the best way to improve your skin’s appearance is by eating a lot of fruits and veggies? Not sexy, but backed by science. Here are some simple ways to increase your antioxidant intake:

Juicing: One fresh veggie juice a day boosts your phytonutrients in a powerful way
Add veggies to your smoothies: 1 cup of frozen okra (YES!), cauliflower and squash are all neutral tasting veggies that work in most smoothie recipes. Carrots and broccoli stems are great too!
Fruit or veggie powders: These are easy “short cuts” when you’re on the go. I like this brand’s quality.

HERBS ETC Chloroxygen product

Chlorophyll is the dark green pigment in plants and is chemically similar to hemoglobin, a red protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the human body. While it’s wonderful for altitude sickness, studies show that chlorophyll can:

Reduce body odor and bad breath
Help treat iron issues like anemia
Might slow the growth of some cancers, such as lung and colon
Support detoxification by helping the body excrete carcinogens
Aid in weight loss since it promotes feelings of satiety and stabilizes blood sugar levels
Boost alkaline levels in body
And finally, help ease constipation

Yep, your mama was right when she said to “eat your greens!”

Foods highest in chlorophyll include:

wheatgrass,
spinach,
alfalfa,
parsley,
arugula
and collard greens.

You can also use this supplement, which seems especially helpful for altitude sickness and anemia.

Snowflakes Candy Peppermint Xylitol Candy Chips

Speaking of school lunches, one of my son’s friends walks around with an Altoid case, and he wanted something similar. ? I found these xylitol mints that are super pure (just real birchwood derived xylitol with natural oil) that come in a similar tin.

What is xylitol? It is classified as a sugar alcohol and is actually found in some foods like strawberries, mushrooms, and oats. The human body even produces small amounts of it. While excessive xylitol isn’t recommended, a little mint after a meal can be beneficial for reducing acidity in the mouth that leads to plaque, cavities, and decay. (Xylitol stimulates saliva production and is alkaline.) Xylitol also “tricks” bad bacteria who think it’s sugar and ends up starving the organisms to death.

In studies, xylitol can:

Reduce cavity and plaque causing bacteria, including S. mutans and S. sobrinus, while not affecting good bacteria strains like S. sanguinis and S. mitis in saliva
Starve the ear infection bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and can decrease the incidences of ear infections in young children by nearly 40%!
Lessen the adhesion of the yeast bacteria Candida albicans so may even help with thrush and yeast infections!

Be sure to get real xylitol, as some is manufactured from GMO corn (the candies listed above are GMO-free.) Also, note that xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.

Omega Juicers MMV700S MegaMouth Vertical Low Speed Quiet Juicer

Papa Natural got me a new juicer for Christmas. I absolutely love it! It stands vertically but it’s a slow masticating juicer that extracts more nutrients from your veggies. It’s made by Omega, the king of juicers, and is backed by a 5 year warranty, which is important with what I put a juicer through ?

Have you heard of the celery juice bandwagon? Every morning I’ve been drinking 16 oz. of celery juice first thing on an empty stomach. Celery is high in natural mineral salts that nourish the nervous system and adrenal glands (both of which take a major hit when having babies!). You can learn more about this practice by following Anthony William’ IG hashtag #celeryjuicechallenge !

Celery isn’t the only rock star in the juicing world. Carrot juice is an absolute classic (a la the Gerson therapy) and is high in bioavailable nutrients and potent antioxidants. I drink my carrot juice mixed with a few shots of Farmhouse Culture’s gut shots to blunt the blood sugar reaction, add in good probiotics and it tastes like V-8 ? If you want a provocative read, check out this book from Ann Cameron all about the power of carrot juice!

If you’re new to the juicing world, here’s a great post with the do’s and don’t’s, plus includes some healthy juice recipes for various health goals.

Essential Oil Gradient Color Roller Bottles with Stainless Steel Roller Balls and Silver hanging Lids

Looking for last minute gift ideas for neighbors, teachers, UPS drivers, and such? We’re making these essential oil roll ons that also serve as ornaments! They’re super inexpensive to make and come in fun ombre colors. You can check out the bottles here.

Here’s our full 2018 Holiday Gift Idea Guide.

If you want to supplement with Vitamin K2, I like Jarrow Formulas MK-7 90 mcg since its derived from food.
If you are looking for a vitamin D/K2 combo, try this one by Thorne Research.

What’s so great about Vitamin K2?

While Vitamin D increase our calcium absorption, Vitamin K2 puts calcium where it should be in our body (teeth and bones) and takes it out of places it shouldn’t (arteries, kidneys, tissue, etc.)

In studies, men with the highest K2 consumption had:

A whopping 51% lower risk of heart attack mortality
And 26% lower risk of death from all causes

In Japan, K2 is approved as a treatment for osteoporosis and there are even some promising cancer studies using K2, too.

Best sources of vitamin K2:

Unfortunately, the best sources are foods we don’t typically eat regularly in the U.S. like natto (fermented soybean), gouda, and organ meats.

Best K2 supplements:

If you want to supplement, I like this one since its derived from food or this one if you are looking for a vitamin D/K2 combo.

Klaire Labs Target gb-X, Mood Boosting Probiotic

My Webster Chiropractor recommended this probiotic to help ward off any postpartum blues. It’s well known that the gut is the “second brain” but did you know that the gut and brain actually communicate with each other?! That’s why a happy gut can support a happy brain. ?? Made by Klaire Labs, this probiotic comes in easy to take single size sachets and is shelf stable. On the days that I take it, I have to say that I notice a boost in mood!

Pumice Stone – Natural Earth Lava Pumice Stone Black – Callus Remover for Feet Heels and Palm Mama Natural

Barefoot and pregnant ? That pretty sums up my summer. ? (And while Fall may technically arrive on Saturday, it’s hot as lava here in Florida.) Barefoot living sure does a number on my feet though. They get scaly, dry, and rougher than an aligator’s backside. Lava pumice stone to the rescue! These things are UH-MAZING (and inexpensive). I use one in the shower, and my feet miraculously come out of there smooth as butta.

Snuggle Me Wool Sensory Lounger for Baby organic cotton, virgin lamb’s wool fill

Because I’m 36 weeks pregnant and don’t have a crib yet ?, I’m excited about this SnuggleMe Organic co-sleeper. Made of all organic materials with 100% organic cotton cover and filled with organic lamb’s wool. Speaking of cribs, I’ve had the hardest time finding a “clean” product that isn’t over $1,000. ? It’s amazing how many products “greenwash” their purity but if you do some deeper digging, they actually aren’t that non-toxic. After much researching, I’m going to go with this IKEA crib that is less than $100. ?

Clean beauty products that actually work? ? I’m loving two beauty products that are super clean but work like conventional ones. The first is this deodorant. Unlike a lot of natural ones, this formulation isn’t thick and sticky. It goes on like “old school” Secret, doesn’t stain clothes, and keeps the stank away. ? For hair, I’m loving this super simple shampoo. The ingredients are minimal and yet my hair doesn’t turn out dry, dull, or greasy. ? I also love the mission of the company, empowering women in some of the neediest areas of the world.

Dress Learning Boards Preschool Early Educational to Basic Life Skills Dress Learning Boards Learn to Button,Buckle,Zip,Snap,Lace & Tie

A different toy for kids. My daughter Paloma is getting invited to more and more birthday parties and I’ve been stumped on what to get these little girls. Sure, there are the popular LOL dolls, Hatchables, and Shopkins, but what about something a little more educational, unusual, and plastic-free? I ordered a few copies of this toy and we’re having fun seeing who can button, snap, zipper, tie, lace, and buckle these cards. Excellent for small motor skills and developing life skills, even Griffin has fun with these cards! And, I think Paloma will be tying her shoes in no time ?

100 Days of Real Food On a Budget Simple Tips and Tasty Recipes to Help You Cut Out Processed Food Without Breaking the Bank Lisa Leake recipe

I’m loving this new cookbook by Lisa Leake of 100 Days of Real Food because it’s all about eating “real food” without breaking the bank. Some of these could be great to tuck into a school lunch like these Oatmeal Energy Balls, that only cost ~65 cents per serving.

I get quality sleep on the road. ? Without good rest, everyone is crabby. Here are some tips that help us get good zzz’s…

Turn off all electronics after 8 p.m. ? When my kids get screen time, it’s only in the mornings. If Michael and I watch a show after dark, I wear these amber glasses to negate the stimulating blue light.
Stick with a bedtime routine. We brush teeth, do story time, and give short foot rubs, whether we’re at home or in a different place.
Use fans for comfort. ? Running a fan at night to keep the temperature cool and drone out strange (new) noises, help in the sleep department.
Blackout windows. If the windows have no curtains, use lightweight blankets and tacks to create a barrier for the morning light. We’ve even used tinfoil to “blackout” small windows or skylights. ?
Wear earplugs, nose plugs or eye masks ? Michael is a light sleeper, so he wears earplugs to go into a deeper state of rest. If you or a partner snore, check out these nasal dilators that work like a charm (cured my 3rd trimester snoring ?). Finally, if your room is still too light-filled to sleep, wear this beloved eye mask for better zzz’s. ?
Add in tart cherry juice. When I’m desperate, I rely on my old standby tart cherry juice. ? This contains the highest naturally occurring melatonin of any food/beverage on the planet. ? Since it’s summer, I use this organic concentrate to make popsicles. The kids love ‘em and it usually results in about an hour more sleep per day. ?

Since I’m a health nut, I don’t like FitBit because you can’t turn off the bluetooth feature, which means it’s constantly emitting EMFs. So, after going down a rabbit hole ?, I found this Garmin HR watch that you can turn off BlueTooth and yet it will still track your steps. ? It also takes your heart rate all day ❤️, which I wasn’t excited about, but again, you can turn that function off and just use when you want. I bought this silver link watch strap to try to make it look “pretty” but it’s kinda like putting lipstick on a pig ? ? Ah well, function over beauty!

Nascent Colloidal Iodine Heritage Store 1 oz Liquid

My kids love the pool during the summer. ?? Turns out, it’s good for them too; according to this study, getting children in the water improves cognitive function.

But… the chlorine. ?

Here are some things you can do to offset the chemical exposure:

Put a drop or two of this iodine on your child’s thyroid before swimming. Since chlorine can replace iodine in the thyroid, this can be a proactive solution!
Apply coconut oil mixed with ascorbic acid powder before swimming. This serves as a barrier to reduce chlorine absorption. Or, you can apply this swim spray immediately after swimming before showering off.
Shower immediately after swimming
Enjoy swimming despite the chlorine ?

SwimSpray Chlorine Removal Spray

The Adrenal Reset Diet book

One of my favorite hacks is to eat a high protein/fat breakfast. ?I know, it sounds so simple, but it truly changed my life in terms of blood sugar control, adrenal function, and food cravings. ?

I aim for about 30 grams of protein for my first meal of the day with a very small portion of carbohydrates (I get those later in the day). Examples include:

3 eggs with a little cheese and dollop of black beans
A heaping cup of Greek yogurt with seeds and a very small serving of organic berries ?
Homemade chicken noodle soup (heavy on chicken/broth and light on noodles) ?
Or leftovers from the night before

I learned this strategy year’s ago from Dr. Alan Christianson’s book The Adrenal Reset Diet. In his clinical practice, many of his patients were able to normalize their dysregulated cortisol patterns by just eating more protein at breakfast (with very small portion of carbohydrates) and slowly increasing carbs at lunch and dinner.

This strategy is confirmed by studies that show people eat less (up to 400 calories!) and burn more fat when consuming a high protein breakfast. Give it a try for a week and see how you feel. ?

Highlights magazine hidden picture books

One of the experiments we’re working on this summer is no iPads. My husband and I find that, at least at our kids’ current ages, no good comes of them, even in limited doses. So we’ve left those distractions in storage, and instead we’re doing family movies, lots of reading, and we also ordered fun workbooks for the kids. My daughter in particular loves the “hidden picture” pages of Highlights magazine, so I’ve ordered several books filled with them that she just loves. I ordered myself a crossword puzzle book (nerd, I know! ?) but I find doing mental “games” relaxing, and studies show they’re good for the brain! ?

Pure Natural Non-fortified Nutritional Yeast Flakes

Have you ever tried nutritional yeast flakes? Big in vegetarian circles, many people love to sprinkle these on salads, popcorn or yogurt (my favorite). Many brands “fortify” their flakes with synthetic B vitamins (which is a big no-no!) but I found a brand that doesn’t ? And if you look at the nutritional label, there is no need to! These humble flakes are loaded with nutrition and, despite their name, they do NOT feed yeast like candida. Throw some into a smoothie and serve to your kids, or enjoy them yourself for an added energy boost.

Heather’s Tummy Fiber

I found a fabulous new fiber powder (never thought I’d say that!). ? According to biologist Justin Sonnenburg, humans used to eat 10X the amount of fiber we do today. Fiber also FEEDS our good bacteria (better than any probiotic will ever do). In fact, don’t take probiotics unless you also eat plenty of fiber as the bacteria won’t “take up residence” in your gut without their fiber food. Most fiber supplements/powders on the market are harsh, irritating and even rancid ?. That’s why I’m loving this cheap, effective and evidence-based fiber that is gentle enough for even sensitive bellies. The organic fiber is from the Acacia Senegal tree found in Africa and parts of Asia. In studies, this fiber significantly increased the levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the gut! (This is fantastic for pregnant mamas who need to provide good levels of bifido bacteria to their babies.) In studies, this fiber also ferments slowly, which reduces gas, and reaches the distal part (end) of our colon, where the majority of our gut bacteria live.

Do you feel overwhelmed by “green” or healthy living? ? Here’s a great new guide that shows you simple ways to create healthier lifestyle choices… without going crazy. This books is hilarious too – Leah Segedie is like a potty-mouthed Martha Stewart for our time.

Green Enough Leah Segedie book

Does your house ever feel unmanageable? Like everywhere you look is a royal MESS! I have so been there, mama. I felt surrounded by STUFF – games with missing pieces, dolls without heads, ? half used bottles of bubbles, stuffed animals, blocks, bells… I could barely close my drawers and my closet looked like a bomb hit it. ? Then I read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up… Kind of old news now, but that book truly changed my world, with the two main takeaways being:

everything you own needs its own place
you need to put the thing away, back into its place, after you use it

Here are some of my before/after shots to get you inspired.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up 3
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up 1
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up 2

Here’s the homeopathic remedy that’s supposed to be fantastic for draining the sinuses. Fingers crossed!
Here’s an oral probiotic. Yes, the mouth microbiome, which contains some different bacterial strains than your gut, influences ear and sinus health (not to mention oral!). In particular, Streptococcus salivarius BLIS-K-12 and Streptococcus salivarius BLIS-M-18 are shown to help dissolve plaque and unhealthy biofilms in studies.
Here’s a good nasal spray. The sinus cavity is a microbiome, so I want to “feed” the good bacteria.

ABI 25W Deep Red 660nm LED Light Bulb Bloom Booster for Flowering, Fruting, Grow Spectrum Enhancement, and Light Therapy

Get your morning light. If you can, get outside for 15-30 minutes every morning with “naked” eyes (i.e. no glasses or contacts). This simple morning ritual can make a BIG difference in your health by:

Setting your circadian rhythm or sleep/wake cycle. ? (A great practice for people with insomnia!)
Boosting your mood. ? Yes, sunlight increases serotonin levels and even helps you produce actual opiate-like endorphins! (Take that, crabby mood!)
Supporting your endocrine and immune systems. ?

Why is morning light so special? Unlike other times of the day, it contains ample amounts of both UV and infrared light, which both have benefits, but it also won’t sunburn your skin like in the middle of the day. ? So hop outside if you can anytime between 8-10 a.m. or use this sunlamp if you live in a grey area or don’t have access to the outdoors.

The InstaPot

I initially resisted the Instant Pot as I thought that pressure cooking just couldn’t be healthy, but various studies helped me open my mind to this miracle appliance. I love how it:

reduces my cooking time, ?
doesn’t significantly destroy nutrients like other forms of cooking,
and it can even reduce plant “toxins” like lectins and phytic acid!

I now cook all of my grains and beans in the Instant Pot and so grateful for its speed! Be sure you use the Instant Pot with the stainless steel insert and glass lid for extra safety.

Jovial Flour , Gluten Free

My daughter Paloma just learned about Cookie Monster and thinks he’s absolutely hysterical. (I will admit: The way he eats a cookie is priceless. As a former sugar addict, I can relate. ?) Needless to say, she’s been wanting to make cookies lately.

I was super excited to find this new gluten free flour from Jovial that’s made from actual whole grains. (Have you noticed that many GF flours have some funky ingredients like corn starch, guar gum or fava bean? ?) You can also try our grain-free cookie recipe.

Mangostyle Baby Teeth Box Save Wooden Boxes Personalized Deciduous Souvenir Box,Customize Personalized Baby Teeth Box

My seven-year-old son Griffin lost two teeth in the last few months (about time, boy!), and I didn’t feel right about throwing them away. I looked into several ways to preserve or store them, and settled on this little wooden tooth box. It even has space for the umbilical cord stump and luongo ? (uh, too late for that).

Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Hair Conditioner Set Natural Anti Dandruff Treatment for Dry and Damaged Hair

Speaking of toxins, I found a new (relatively “clean”) shampoo and conditioner that I’m loving! ? My hair feels great… shiny, soft, conditioned, and bouncy. In terms of “toxicity,” it is at par with my beloved Avalon Organics, which is EWG.org approved. Unlike many other hair products, both Papa Natural and I can both use for our various hair “issues” ? (Him – dandruff, me – drier hair). Grateful for simple things like good hair days!

The Wonder of the Greatest Gift An Interactive Family Celebration of Advent by Ann Voskamp

My son is already clamoring to write a big a Christmas list, so I’m working hard to shift the focus from gifts to giving. This past week we bought gifts for some needy kids who live near us, and also started a Prayer Jar to help the kids of other peoples’ needs each night. Some other fun things we’re doing to create memories is Elf on the Shelf with a twist and the December advent tree from Ann Voskamp.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle Audiobook by Beverly Cleary

As we prepare to head off on a road trip, we’re going to experiment with no iPads on the car ride up. ? Instead, we’re listening to audiobooks—the classic Narnia series as well as the the Mouse and the Motorcycle series! ? My kids love these audiobooks so much, they’ll shush us when the CD is playing so they can catch each and every word. ? Audiobooks are great for building kid’s attention spans, creativity and storytelling abilities. ??

Learn to draw reptiles book

One of our favorite indoor or early morning activities (again, thank you daylight saving! ?) is drawing. Papa Natural ordered these books that help kids learn how create masterpieces with ease. These drawing guides come in many different themes, but naturally my kids gravitate to the one with lizards, crocs, and snakes. ?

My new EO Rack
Thanks to reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, I’ve been systematically going through my house and restoring sanity to our life. It’s been a BIG time commitment, but totally worth it! Here is just one little transformation I’ve made so far in the area of my essential oil collection. These precious little bottles used to be scattered and lost throughout the house. Now they’re gloriously displayed, bringing me joy and daily delight. ? And let me tell ya, I’ve been using them SO MUCH MORE! (If you like the white iron rack, you can find it here.)

Minnetonka old school moccasins shoes

I’m super excited about these old school moccasins. ? They are leather soled so I can actually practice “earthing” or “grounding” while wearing these suckers! I plan on doing many forest walks (read about the benefits of forest bathing here.) in these moccasins, which are durable enough for most terrains except for heavy snow. They’re also kinda cute, no?

Did you know that the humble rosemary plant can be a wonderful addition to your diet? In multiple studies, rosemary has shown to improve memory, cognition, and focus (take that, baby brain!) and it also shows promise at negating some of the harmful effects of EMFs. (Double bonus!) So add rosemary to your veggie soup or just use the herb in hot water for tea. ? I also like this simple tincture as an easy way to consume regularly.

Herb Pharm Certified Organic Rosemary Extract

If you’re looking for a healthy waffle maker, I like these extremely inexpensive silicone waffle makers. You literally “bake” your waffles versus using a grill, which usually has a nasty non-stick coating.

Heart-shaped Silicone Waffle Mold

Melissa & Doug On the Go Scratch Art Activity Books Set

We just discovered these Scratch Art drawing pads from Melissa & Doug and my daughter Paloma is LOVING them. ? They are fantastic for 3-5 year olds, who are developing their fine motor skills and penmanship grip. These pads are inexpensive and perfect for restaurants and road trips when you want an alternative to iPads. ??

Melissa & Doug On the Go Scratch Art Activity Books Set

Love cooking & comics? The Ready Or Not Cookbook from Nom Nom Paleo has 150 picture-packed recipes. I love the whimsical spirit of Michelle’s blog, and her new book delivers big time.

http___nomnompaleo.com_wp-content_uploads_2017_06_1200aaPCBoSsam

I am focusing on boosting my kids’ immune systems before they enter Germ Metropolis (aka school). ? I love adding camu camu powder to their smoothies for vitamin C and ensuring they take cod liver oil at least 3 times a week. But one of my favorite immune boosting supplements is this mushroom complex. ? A 17-mushroom blend, it provides a good diversity of enzymes, antioxidants, and prebiotics for kids’ guts. I give my son Griffin 1 capsule a day and my daughter Paloma 1/2 a cap mixed with raw honey. ?

Host Defense – MyCommunity Capsules, Multi Mushroom Support for Immune Response

A new supplement that’s making its mark on my life is derived from broccoli seed sprouts. It has regulated my mood, boosted my immunity and my monthly cycle is easy peasy. ? The main compound in broccoli seed sprouts is sulforaphane, a true ROCKSTAR. ? It’s been linked to everything from cancer prevention (giving Tamoxifen a run for its money! ?) to hormonal balance to healthy heart function to boosting overall detoxification.

Click here to view supplements containing sulforaphane glucosinolate on Amazon.

(If you want to geek out and learn more, see this article.)

Mama Natural’s summer reading list

During the summer, I love to take some extra time for reading. ☀ So, for this week’s 3 things, I thought I’d share my summer reading list for mamas (and papas) in the trenches. ❤

1.) Parenting Books ?

I recently saw this viral image below on FB about a dad who let his daughter melt down at the grocery store, allowing her to feel what she needed to feel. Seeing that made me realize I’d been subtly trying to “shut down” my daughter’s crying. Eureka! Now I let her cry for as long as she needs to (which is uncomfortable), regardless of where we are or what’s going on around us (even more uncomfortable). While I offer hugs and calm reassurance, my daughter usually just wants the space to process. The feelings always pass, and she actually rebounds faster when she’s free to feel. Whew.

melt down viral image

In that spirit of growing as parents, I’ve got two books for ya.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk. My husband heard about this classic on a podcast, and he’s really seen great results with the techniques. The book is very much in line with that “let them feel their feelings” approach. And the communication tips are pretty golden too. One quick example: When picking your kids up from school/camp/etc., instead of saying, “Hey, how was your day?” which usually elicits a “Fine” from the kid, try just looking back at them and saying, “Hey, I’m really glad to see you.” Leave it at that, and watch them open up.

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers. In our fast-paced, overscheduled world, this book is calling to me. Author Katrina Kenison’s reflects on the sacred in the very mundane (and sometimes hard!) moments of everyday life. She touches on such diverse topics as “peace,” “simplicity,” “play,” “Sabbath,” and “discipline” and gives mothers (and their children) permission to be instead of do. I can’t wait to dive in!

2.) Leisure Reading ?

The Hiding Place. I flew through this captivating read about Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who became a heroine of the Nazi Resistance, a survivor of Hitler’s concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable women of faith in the twentieth century. In World War II she and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis, and for their work they were tested in the infamous Nazi death camps. Only Corrie among her family survived to tell the story of how faith ultimately triumphs over evil.

Hillbilly Elegy. My husband heard about this book in Bill Gates’ annual summer reading list and loved it, especially because we live in an area of Florida sometimes referred to as the “Redneck Rivera.” It’s the true story of a young man who grew up in Kentucky’s Appalachia and Ohio’s rustbelt, was dealt a difficult hand in life in terms of abuse, alcoholism, poverty, and trauma… and yet succeeds in spite of his chaotic family history. Deeply moving and relatable, no matter where you grew up.

3.) Children’s Books

Part-Time Princess: My daughter is obsessed with princesses, the colors pink and purple, and anything pretty. ? While there is nothing wrong with those things, I also want her to know that she can be strong, an excellent leader, diplomatic, and wear all the colors of the rainbow. ? Part-time Princess is the story of a girl who becomes a princess at night but not just one who wears pretty gowns and goes to balls. She also gets to fight dragons and tame trolls. If you’re looking for more empowering stories for princess-loving girls, this is an excellent list.

The 13-Story Treehouse (The Treehouse Books). My son enjoys reading on his own and with us, but he’s not exactly thrilled about it. And yet he’s crazy about these books. The stories are super wacky and often hilarious. He’s laughed at these books in a way I’ve never heard him laugh before. If you’ve got a reluctant reader, especially a boy, check it out. There are six books in this series, all multiples of 13, so the 13 Story Treehouse, 26 Story, 39 Story, etc.

Griffin Magnatiles

We had friends over for dinner last night, and they mentioned that they were getting rid a bunch of their daughter’s toys. Why? There is some compelling research that suggests having fewer toys can benefit kids and help them:

Be more creative
Develop longer attention spans
Play better with others
Argue less

On our recent trip to Chicago, we only brought Magnatiles and books for the kids, and they played their hearts out and never asked for anything else. How many toys are enough? This study suggested that two dozen is enough for preschoolers, but the more books the better.

Click here to see Magna Tiles on Amazon.

Scholastic BOB books

Some of you have asked about the books Griffin is reading. Well, first let me say, that I remember going to the library looking for “beginner” books and the words were much too advanced! To the rescue came these Bob books from Scholastic. ??? They come in all sorts of reading levels but are especially good for new readers. Griffin breezes through them and feels good about reading! I can’t wait to use them with Paloma too. ?

Mama Natural book reviews on Amazon

287 reviews as of April 11, 2017 – woo-hoo! Click here to see them all.

urban Moonshine organic Bitters

Did you know that we have bitter taste receptors in our pancreas and large intestine?! Pretty wild, huh? I got that little tidbit plus a whole lot more from this article via Gwen’s Nest about digestive bitters. She asserts that digestive bitters are a better digestive aid than probiotics. I like Urban Moonshine Bitters the best. They make a sweeter formula for kids as well as a chamomile-based one that is safe for pregnancy.

primal_pit_4pack

Do you still struggle with stinky pits? I’m serious. Making the move from conventional deodorant to a natural one was no easy feat. Boosting my magnesium stores seemed to help, but it took time for my body to make the switch. I’m thinking it would have gone much smoother if I did an armpit detox. (Yes, this is a thing and it’s supposed to help people make the transition from regular deodorant to natural ones.) And in case you are wondering, my hands-down favorite natural deodorant is from Arborstead. Papa Natural swears by Primal Pit Paste.

Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels – Organic – Made Without Dairy – Coconut Palm Sugar

As a gal who doesn’t eat refined sugar, I don’t have a ton of choices in the candy department. That’s why I’m pumped about these new caramels that use coconut palm sugar! They’re also organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and use coconut milk instead of dairy to create the creamy, dreamy taste. They also have excellent reviews on Amazon ??I ordered a bunch for our road trip and can’t wait to enjoy a few. Like I said earlier, #itsthelittlethings.

Paloma with Golden Books

My family’s notorious for losing library books. The books make their way into our kids’ rooms and… vanish. Tired of feeling guilty about missing and late fees, my husband went on eBay and bought a bunch of vintage Little Golden Books for a buck a piece, shipped, and the kids are loving them! (Seriously, that Raggedy Ann has a heart of gold!) Here’s a link to some of the new Golden Books on Amazon, but the best value is to buy a big lot of them on ebay. (Note that we did have to toss one of ours that mentioned over and over how fat a character was, but hey, it was printed in the ’60s. And the rest of our books are great.)

Kumon Workbooks

After a recent trip, I brought back these awesome educational workbooks, and my kids are obsessed! These are perfect for road trips, travel days, restaurants, after school… the possibilities are endless.

tongue scraper cleaner by health and yoga brand

I’m going to start scraping my tongue. Sounds lovely, right? But this weird practice removes bacteria, food residue, and dead cells from the tongue, while also improving your sense of taste. It’s especially great for anyone who suffers from halitosis, aka bad breath! There are even studies in PubMed about the effectiveness of tongue scraping. I like this surgical stainless steel one since it’s non-toxic and easy to clean.

Interesting to note, just like oil pulling, tongue scraping is an ancient Ayurvedic practice for mouth and whole body health.

Boiron Coldcalm Cold Relief

My son Griffin didn’t get sick for the first few years of his life. Then he went to school a couple days a week, and colds crashed over him every few weeks like waves. And my husband and I would get sick along with him.

Now my daughter is doing a few days of school each week and the cycle is repeating.

As we were driving to meet my family for the holidays, both kids were sneezing in the backseat. Then I remembered a friend of mine swearing by a homeopathic product called Coldcalm. We picked some up at a Walgreens and, sure enough, no colds during our vacation.

Now the kids are back in school, and colds have threatened to crop up again. But at the first sign of illness, I get them started on this product, and the crisis has been averted. Click here to read some of the glowing customer reviews. Definitely something good to have on hand!

Q&A a Day for Kids- A Three-Year Journal

As we approach the new year, it’s an opportunity to start new traditions. One of our favorites is Q&A a Day for Kids: A Three-Year Journal. The journal engages your child with a whimsical or serious question each day, and you write down their response. The cool part is that you start over each year for three years, so you can see your child’s responses evolve as they get older. It only takes a couple minutes each day – we try to do it before bedtime every night. ?

unwrapping-the-greatest-gift-a-family-celebration-of-christmas-ann-voskamp

It’s officially the Christmas and holiday season. I love having special rituals to enhance the festive spirit. Making yummy treats (like these cute trees and gingermen!), listening to favorite holiday albums, and spending time with family is so precious this time of year. I know others like to light candles, reflect on certain themes, go on fun outings like ice skating. Starting December 1st, I like to read a special book from Ann Voskamp to the kids each night. The book is called Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas. She is such a beautiful writer and she walks you through the Christmas story in such a profound and yet relatable way. If you celebrate the holiday, check it out!

stevia-sweetened-chocolate-mama-natural
Recently, a friend introduced me to Lilly’s chocolate bars that are sweetened with stevia. Sweeeeet! I don’t eat cane sugar or refined sugar, so it’s been hard to find ways to include antioxidant-rich cacao in my diet.

You can find Lilly’s right here on Amazon.com.

Later, I did a little digging and found a brand called Pure Love that’s perfect for food purists like me. You can find their products in stores on the West coast or ~~here on their website.~~ UPDATE: I ordered the Purelove chocolates to try them and… yeesh. I cannot recommend them. I think there’s a reason why we don’t see more chocolate 100% sweetened with stevia.

100-days-of-real-food-fast-fabulous-the-easy-and-delicious-way-to-cut-out-processed-food
Do you know about 100 Days of Real Food? Lisa and Jason Leake, the founders, are dedicated to helping parents transition from the Standard American Diet to eating real, wholesome food. Lisa just launched a GORGEOUS cookbook entitled 100 Days of Real Food: Fast and Fabulous Meals, great for busy families who want to eat well without a lot of fuss. Yeah!

planet box lunch box by Mama Natural

Now that Griffin is in Kindergarten, I’m packing his lunch every day. And I love it (I know—I’m weird.) We use these handy Planet Lunchbox containers, which not only display the food beautifully but are very durable and easy to clean.

yum-earth-lollipops

We give out these natural lollipops on Halloween.

mushroom-supplement-immune-support

Host Defense – MyCommunity Capsules, Comprehensive Immune Support

One of the most effective tools I’ve used to keep colds at bay is this mushroom complex. I’ve dug out my bottle and give my kids one capsule a day throughout the cold and flu season. Would love to hear what works for you!

Draft images for our upcoming book: The Mama Natural Week To Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth

Here’s a sneak peek of the illustrations we’re having created for the book. Our amazing illustrator Alice Rutherford really captures the natural vibe of the book—fun, fresh & informative. I’m excited about all the writing in this book, but looking at Alice’s 250+ illustration sends me over the moon. ?

Haters gonna hate, but baby’s gotta eat!

Babymoon! (In a non-Zika travel destination)

Sex life before baby… And sex life after baby. ↓

“Does baby really need all this stuff?”

The lightening. It feels so good.

Products mentioned recently in the newsletter

51vTNuqTXhL._SL1200_

This Cuisinart Immersion Hand Blender is probably my most used appliance. It’s the best for blending salad dressings, to whipping up waffle batter, to making my frothed milk lattes.

Hesta Women’s Organic Cotton Basic Panties Underwear

I’ve been looking for high quality, organic underwear for years. Leave it to my husband to find em! He gifted me this set for my birthday last month and I’m in love (with him and the undies). While I don’t go crazy searching out organic clothes, I do think it’s beneficial to wear organic against our most intimate places. See what I’m talking about in this chart…

conventional cotton vs organic cotton

planet box lunch box by Mama Natural

I’m so excited to pack school lunches! I know; I have issues. But I just stocked up on fun lunchbox gear (you can see it here) and it’s screaming to be used. While buying “green” lunch materials can be pricey, I consider them an investment. I plan on using these suckers until my kids enter middle school so quality is important. We’ll be doing a post with 25 healthy lunch ideas so stay tuned!

Ottos cassava flour

Otto’s Natural Cassava Flour – great for baking cookies like these:

Wool Dryer Balls

My favorite wool dryer balls act as a natural laundry softener.

New probiotic I’m trying
Just Thrive spore-based probiotic

slow juicer HUROM brand

Awesome (but pricey) “Slow” Juicer

thermos funtainer stainless bottle for kids

Thermos “Funtainer” stainless steel bottles for kids.

Chamomile tea on wooden background
Here’s the Chamomile tea that I like.

car hammer
Here’s the window breaker thingy I bought after watching this video on how to escape from a car that’s sinking in water.