I've enjoyed your posts on PCOS. I'm struggling with that right now. Do you think this condition contributes to my sugar cravings? Jennifer Definitely! But it's not just the PCOS, although that certainly contributes. I can think of 3 likely reasons for sugar cravings: 1) Unbalanced blood sugar and insulin levels, common in most …
Bugaloo Kids: The Cutest Baby Shoes (And You Could Win Some!)
Gosh, these are such adorable designs! The leather baby shoes at Bugaloo Kids are definitely not your typical, cutesy baby designs, but more fresh and modern. I had such a hard time choosing a pair because I really liked them all! They are the same style as the ever popular Robeez, but much more affordable. …
Bugaloo Kids: The Cutest Baby Shoes (And You Could Win Some!)Read More
How Much Sugar Are You Really Consuming?
(Image courtesy of Sugar Stacks) Ever wondered just how much sugar is in your favorite drink, snack or dessert? Wonder no more! I just discovered the site Sugar Stacks today (hat tip to Local Nourishment), and was both appalled and thrilled to see such a vivid demonstration of the amount of sugar in a number …
Frugal and Green(er) Option for Shaving
Have you by chance found an alternative to using disposable shavers? I can't think of anything other then chemical removers that I am loathe to use but I hate constantly tossing out used ones. thanks!Brittany As a matter of fact, I have! Great question, because I would have never thought to show you ladies a …
Pennywise Platter Thursday: Simple, Affordable Bread
For all those who haven’t heard about it yet, today is the kick-off for the latest carnival from The Nourishing Gourmet, my favorite food blog. The goal of the Pennywise Platter Thursday carnival is to create a place where we can share how we serve and buy nourishing foods, but as frugally as possible! I …
Pennywise Platter Thursday: Simple, Affordable BreadRead More
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: “Labor-Aid” Recipe
For all the other pregnant mamas out there, here is a recipe that was passed on to me from my midwife. It’s known as “labor-aid” and the purpose is to have something that is both refreshing and revitalizing for mom to drink in the midst of labor. Sipping on it helps to maintain good hydration, …
What Eating Seasonally Looks Like For Us
With my garden in full swing, we've been eating from it as much as we can! These days, I'm a bit worried that our skin is going to start to turn a pale shade of green, since that's what is available in the garden! For the past month or so, we have been eating a …
Good Nutrition in a Nutshell
Sometimes it helps to break up larger concepts or projects into something a bit smaller. More concise. Simple to remember. Though it might seem a bit simplistic, I like to do that when I teach about nutrition, by using 3 "rules" (principles, guidelines, what have you) of good nutrition. Although my ideas have changed somewhat …
Q&A: Homemaking and Mothering
I'm writing because I'm feeling rather overwhelmed by my desire to have a 'natural home'. I've certainly made some headway (mostly natural cleaning products, healthy foods), but I feel like there is so much more that I want to do (better home management, sprouting, have cleaner indoor air–I'm really sensitive to everything, possibly container gardening–all …
Wanna Write A Guest Post?
It's time for me to make another plea for some fantastic guest posters, to fill in the gaps during the first 6-8 weeks after this baby is born! Speaking of baby being born, I had my ultrasound today and the news was good… the placenta is a bit low, but not dangerously low, so there …
Natural Weed Killer Recipe
In light of my recent discussion of nasty chemicals on my grass, you can imagine that I was excited to see this simple recipe to make your own, non-toxic weed killer spray: 1 lb. Table Salt 1 gallon White Vinegar Liquid dish detergent Dissolve the salt in the vinegar, then add 8 drops of liquid …
Q&A: In The Garden
This is the first of several posts (about 6 or 7, I believe) in which I am attempting to get caught up on all of the great questions that have been sitting in my inbox this spring!!! I'll be answering them according to theme, so some of the upcoming posts will be focused on Nutrition, …
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: Considering Homebirth, Part 2
(If you haven't already entered the Basic Crochet DVD giveaway, make sure that you do so! Comments will be closed Wednesday at 4 pm!) **Enjoying my sweet little guy in the early weeks after his homebirth. Would you believe that we have basically no pictures of his birth because either the battery died or the …
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: Considering Homebirth, Part 2Read More
Blender Mocha Recipe
Seeing as it’s wonderfully warm and sunny outside, this seemed like the perfect weekend post! 🙂 Lately I’ve been experimenting with making our own blender “mochas”, in an effort to have something really yummy to drink, that isn’t particularly unhealthy and that doesn’t break the bank every time we stop in at Starbucks. It has …
Help me out, ladies! (Father’s Day surprise- stop reading, Ryan!)
Shhhh… don't tell, but despite a serious lack of cash flow this month, I am working hard to earn a gift for my sweetie anyways! I'm trying really hard to use Swagbucks every time I search the web, in order to earn enough points to buy my hubby a fun gift certificate for Father's Day. …
Help me out, ladies! (Father’s Day surprise- stop reading, Ryan!)Read More
Giveaway: Learn How to Crochet DVD
For those who are a bit domestically challenged in the areas of handicrafts (sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc.- you know, like me!), have you ever wished that you could just have another woman sit down and patiently show you how to do something, step by step? Image by Fern R Personally, I've always wanted to …
Natural, Non-Toxic Laundry: Nellie’s Dryer Balls
I was just doing my laundry the other day and was reminded of how much I have loved using these nifty dryer balls! For starters, why would I not simply use dryer sheets? They may contain ingredients such as: benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to …
Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks
**Here I am, big bellied, making waffle batter before I go to bed, and nibbling on coconut milk ice cream (adapted from this delicious recipe) It is just unbelievable to me how close we are getting to meeting this baby! My due date is officially 8 weeks away, which means baby could be here …
Hair? Oh really?
Okay, I just had to giggle when I read this statement on my baby countdown ticker on my left sidebar: Day 209- The hair on your baby's head continues to grow. Seriously? Have you met my babies? Allow me to introduce you, then! Meet Abigail, age 18 months. Glorious peach fuzz and little else! Meet …
Big News! (and a request for your help!)
Image by spudballoo In approximately 8 weeks, give or take, our family life will be changing in a very big way! Nope, I’m not talking about the coming baby (although that is definitely a big part of the changes set to arrive in 8 weeks!). I’m actually talking about another exciting thing that has been …
Another Season, Another Diet, Another Meal Plan
It seems we tend to just go in cycles around here. A couple of times a year, one of us ends up on a particular diet to continue to work on health concerns, avoid food sensitivities, etc. This summer is no exception! Several weeks ago, we had an appointment for my husband to have a …
Much Ado About Sunscreen
Image by visualpanic If everyone else is having weather anything like ours (into the 30's in early June- not our norm, that's for sure!), sunscreen and sun safety is something that might very well be on your minds! Last spring, I wrote a couple of posts on the topic of sunscreen, it's merits, it's …
Hope in His Goodness
Image by D Sharon Pruitt I like being in control. There. I've said it! I've been feeling rather frustrated and out of control this past week. We are currently living in a rental home, where although we maintain the yard in general, our landlords sometimes jump in with maintenance projects that they would like …
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: Considering Homebirth
As I get nearer and nearer to the birth of our sweet little one, I suppose I will be posting on topics more in line with preparing for the birth! We are beginning to work through our preparations for another homebirth, and I absolutely cannot wait! **During our first attempted homebirth. Ryan coaching me …