5 Unique Ways to Relax After a Stressful Day
Self-care, finding time for YOU - it’s super buzzy, I know. I don’t know how to say it without sounding like a wellness trend - but your wellbeing is SO important. Now, more than ever, it is important to find time to unwind and let the stressors in our life fade away as much as possible. That cortisol and adrenaline can only surge for so long!
Sure, there’s always the “light-a-candle-and-meditate-method” but I wanted to bring you a variety of relaxation techniques and activities to help you unwind after a long and stressful day.
Good and Bad Oils to Use for Cooking
What you might not know is that there are a lot of oils out there which can cause you the opposite effect you are looking for. Marketed as “healthy” they are not always hitting the mark. Sometimes they are easy to spot - ie an oil you are purchasing off the shelf, but some are already added to the batter of your favorite processed foods. Yep, even those “healthy” ones! Always look on the back label of the products you buy at the store - oftentimes you will see an oil or two added into the ingredients that you might not do if you had made the food yourself.
Plant-Based Summer Recipe Round-Up
Does summer change your eating habits? It does for me. All I want is fresh produce, chilled sweet treats, and everything cold and light. As you’re probably aware by now, I am predominantly plant-based, but not 100%. I do eat some cheese, chicken and seafood but I really do LOVE making things purely with plants (and for the record, I’m not super keen on fake meats). Now, for the sake of giving you some awesome content and recipes, I’m keeping the below plant-based and hope you find something new to love this summer!
Why We Have a No-Shoes-in-The-House Policy
We all have our big “no-nos” and rules in our homes, but one major rule that most people think I am crazy for is absolutely no shoes inside of the house. Anyone who comes into our home has to wear socks or go barefoot, or wear booties which we keep in supply LOL. Beyond being crazy, which I am, here are my reasons why!
13 Uses for Essential Oils You Probably Never Knew About
While many people are aware of the benefits of oil diffusing there are so few resources that provide additional uses for essential oils. I’m so excited to share with you some ways that essential oils can be used in your everyday life that you’ve likely never knew about! (I didn’t!)
Homemade Better-For-You Coffee Flavorings
I typically drink black coffee, but every so often I do like to have a more fun drink. AND I REALLY LIKE TO MAKE IT MYSELF.
Prior to being an at-home barista, I would frequent Starbucks for my Friday treat. I’ve gone through phases of using their sugar-free syrups, one pump of the regular syrups, no syrup, soy milk, coconut milk and others to try and find the “healthiest” option. But, let’s be real – nothing I did was going to make those drinks healthy or any better than something freshly made at home.
6 Ways to Cozy up Your Space - From Decor to Lighting
Here’s what I did to make our spaces more curated and cozy - and ultimately, somewhere I want to spend more time! I have the living room and bedroom done, and working through the rest of the rooms slowly.
Plant-Based Eating for Kids: Fat Intake
I have embraced a (mostly) plant-based diet for over 8 years now. Not completely - but you’ll see I’m honest about that! While John and I can find plenty of options that allow us to maintain a healthy balance of the nutrients we need as adult humans, it can be a challenge sometimes with the little ones. One of the big differences between a plant-based diet for adults and a plant-based diet for kids is a need for fat.
She keeps it real. And practical. And honest. “Before I even became a mom-to-be, I knew Jess would be my go-to resource for all things motherhood. I’ve watched her juggle growing her family with her business - all while maintaining her own cool sense of self. She may be totally in-the-know for all of the super trendy wellness things, but what I love about her is that she keeps it real. And practical. And honest. I’ve consulted her on how to prepare for baby and how to juggle being a new mom with growing my own career. I love her fresh, easy and non-judgemental approach. I’m so, so happy that she’s on my support team as I embark on this journey.”
She’s not just a nutritional guru. “Jess was there as a support system, inherently knowing when we needed to switch gears to focus on my mental health as opposed to physical health. She’s not just a nutritional guru, but an ally. Even more so, a friend that I looked forward to speaking with every other week. It was so easy to chat with her during the sessions. I could admit when I messed up and she’d give me encouragement, never scolding.”
I love her fresh, easy, non-judgemental approach. “Before I became a mom-to-be, I knew Jess would be my go-to resource for all things motherhood. I've watched her juggle growing her family and her biz, all while maintaining her own cool sense of self. She may be totally in-the-know for all the super trendy wellness things, but what I love about her is that she keeps it all real. And practical. And honest. I've consulted her on how to prepare for baby and how to juggle being a new mom with growing my own career. I love her fresh, easy, non-judgmental approach. I'm so, so happy that she's on my support team as I embark on this journey!”
She has been a safe place for me. “Jess gives me so much amazing support and information. Jess and I connected from going through motherhood, and she has been a safe space and place of support for me during it all. You never cease to amaze me with your calm, grounded energy and your clear approach to work, mothering, and the rest of it!”
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Plant-Based Crockpot Recipes - Light & Fresh for Summer
For the most part, crockpots and slow cookers are an essential cooking appliance for fall and winter. You might associate crockpots with soups and hearty dinners, but I am here to show you how you can break that thought and use your slow cooker all year round (and plant-based might I add!).
Cleaning Hacks For Busy Parents
There is no question about it. Cleaning as a parent has a whole new meaning than it did before I became a mom. The amount of messes made in our house on a daily basis? Countless. The number of times I follow the kids around to make sure they don’t spill? Lost count about 3 years ago. Guess what - I still and will continue to have to do those for at least another 17 years (when Graham goes to college). However, being home with the kids has given me a chance to discover some incredibly useful and practical cleaning hacks. I can’t begin to tell you how much more efficient some of these have made my life which is why I am sharing them today, in hopes they will do the same for you!
5 ways to Stay Sane and somewhat Productive While Working From Home With Kids
The challenge is real, right? Truthfully, I already work from home with the kids around, but usually 2 of them are in school and I have part-time help for the baby. Our babysitter is still with us for a few hours a week, but it’s still a huge adjustment and juggle since they KNOW we are home. As many of us have been adjusting to having all of our kids home while also trying to work, the challenge of being a working parent has skyrocketed. Keeping kids occupied, fed, and safe while taking phone calls, answering emails and getting such a tough, but here are a few tips to try to make it a functional environment for everyone.
Make Bread in your crock pot
If you’ve read the title of this blog and thought WHAT, that sounds wild, then you are in the same boat as I was when I first heard about it! When I see or hear about an idea that just blows my mind, I have to try it! Throughout my life, and especially since becoming a mom, my slow cooker has become an essential kitchen appliance. That, and an air fryer - but that’s for another post.b
What to REALLY Get Your Friends who are Becoming New Moms
Becoming a new mom, no matter if it’s your first, or 10th, is TOUGH. There is no sugar coating the fact that your life is completely flipped upside down and there is definitely no handbook on how to deal with all of the...new. There are physical challenges of breastfeeding, pumping, being sore from childbirth, being tired from staying up all night, and just generally not having enough time to get all of the things done. There are also, obviously, the mental and emotional challenges of taking care of a new life (along with your own!).