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Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Traveling to the Dominican Republic with Kids: Educational Activities to Do Before You Go

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In just over 2 weeks I am going to be traveling to the Dominican Republic with my 7 1/2 year old daughter, Darah, to have a relaxing, joyful 4 days in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Leading up to this trip, Darah and I have been preparing for our adventure in a new country by getting more educated on where we are going! The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country with a rich, vibrant culture and history. I’m not sure how much of the island we are going to have the opportunity to see since we will only be there 4 days, but I am certain that we will be interacting with folks who call the Dominican  Republic home, and I know we will enjoy our interactions so much more if we learn a little bit more about the place we are visiting.

traveling to dominican republic with kids

First Stop: The Library! 

Your nearest public library is the very first place I would suggest that you visit to get some resources on the Dominican Republic. Make use of the children’s librarian and ask for some help locating books that talk about the country, or even that are set in that country. We were able to pull 4 different books and are enjoying them immensely. If your library seems to be a bit lacking in materials, I’ve also got a list of children’s books on the Domincan Republic on Amazon, so check that out and see if anything catches your eye.

Crafts and Enrichment Activities

I’ve also found quite a few activities online that are great fun and really help educate the child on the Dominican Republic. Thanks goodness for crowd sourcing these types of ideas, because I was a little lost trying to come up with ideas on my own!

I recommend the following activities:

Get in the Kitchen!

Perhaps one of the best ways to prepare for a trip to the Dominican Republic is to get a jump start on enjoying the cuisine! Here are some popular dishes in the region to get you started:

I hope these ideas can help you make your upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic even more fun by starting the fun and learning right now. Please leave a comment below if you have any additional suggestions or resource ideas to share with others!

Netflix Took Away My Star Ratings: What’s Up (or Down) with That?!?!

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I’m a Netflix Stream Team member and receive complimentary streaming service. I’m also a die-hard fan of the brand and love sharing the latest and greatest with fellow subscribers! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Last month I got to hang with some great folks from Netflix and learned a bit more about some super exciting developments, included a forthcoming original show I can’t tell you anything about (except that it is REALLY good!), and the switch from a star rating system for things you watch to a simple thumbs up/thumbs down model.

I’m a human, and therefore, am not super big on change. My knee-jerk reaction to the news was, “NOOOOOOO!!!!!” Followed by, “WHY????????”.

Fortunately, Netflix had an answer for me, and what I quickly realized is that the goal is 100% to make the Netflix user experience even better. Netflix has absolutely no desire to make you a less satisfied customer and only make changes when they will result in something better for you as a member.

Thumbs GIF_Kimmy Schmidt (1)

So let’s dig into the new rating system and why it happened. And to do that, we need to back up a little bit and look at the star rating system. This system was always designed to give users very personalized feedback. The ratings weren’t intended to be viewed as “across the board” ratings (in other words, Netflix never intended users to assume that a 1 star picture was a dud for EVERYONE…it actually meant that Netflix predicts it will be a dud for YOU).

After looking at the discrepancy between the intention of the star ratings and the way users interpreted them, and after collecting feedback from users on ease of use, the thumbs up/down system was born. And while it is going to make it more difficult for you to rate something that you liked “just ok”, by getting you to commit one way or the other, Netflix is actually going to get even better at serving up recommended content, as well as letting you know when a program is more likely to miss the mark for you.

Here’s a brief video that breaks down the change a bit more.

I’d love to hear what you think about the thumbs rating system now that you understand the rationale behind it a bit better. Any questions you have about it that you’d like me to pass on to the folks at Netflix? Just leave a comment below!

My #1 Tip for Overcoming “Outdoor Adventure Reluctance”

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Thanks to Duluth Trading Company for partnering with me on today’s post, and for making such thoughtfully designed pieces of clothing! 

I grew up in southeast Alabama, a place full of heat, humidity, large bugs, and flat, rather uninteresting terrain. It’s proximity to the beach was a plus, but in my day-to-day life as a child, I never saw all that much reason to spend a lot of time outside. All I ever had to show for it was a sweaty face, sunburn and insect bites.

My husband, on the other hand, spent most of his growing up years in the Pacific Northwest, in a lush, green part of the country, and always within striking distance of beautiful hiking trails, snow-capped mountains, and breathtaking views. Getting outside was a joy for him, rather than a chore like it was for me.

We moved to Chattanooga for many reasons shortly after we started our family, and one of those reasons is that my husband longed to be back in a place that offered plenty of outdoor opportunities for his own enjoyment, but also for his children’s. Since being “outdoorsy” is something I had never identified with at all, I didn’t really see why it mattered, but I was up for it. Even I had to acknowledge that the landscape of this area was quite lovely.

We’ve been on countless hikes in the 6 years we have lived here, and while I still haven’t agreed to give overnight camping a try, my attitude about spending time in the great outdoors has come a long way.

And the #1 trick I have learned to help me feel comfortable is to be very intentional about what I’m wearing. I think most people figure out the importance of quality footwear after their first hike with blisters, but the clothing on your body is just as important, yet is often overlooked. But in my experience, getting outfitted in clothing that shines best in an outdoor environment will significantly add to your comfort level and overall happiness on whatever adventure you are taking.

A few weeks ago, for example, my family decided to do a brief hike on Lookout Mountain. We intended to be on the mountain for an hour, but our journey turned into 2 1/2 hours of climbing all over that beautiful terrain, and not once did any one of us feel too tired or uncomfortable to keep going (aside from my youngest needing to use the restroom out in nature, but that’s another story…).

duluth clothing company

Darah had on her beloved Keen sandals, and she wore her brand new Free Swingin’ Flannel shirt and Firehose overalls from Duluth Trading Company. When she first tried on the overalls, she wasn’t too sure about them, having never before owned a pair. But once she got on that mountain, she felt so comfortable and free that she turned into a little adventurer, and she climbed rocks, and played and just had a great time. I really love that these are built with features that make is super easy to do fun things kids want to do, like climb trees, crouch down to inspect something in the dirt, and to withstand scruffing up in the knees (these have a double layer there so they won’t wear out as fast!). The shirt has been pre-washed to limit shrinkage, and has arm gussets that make it all the more comfortable to reach up high. It’s also super soft! This ensemble has definitely made the cut for our very limited packing list for Switzerland. When we play in those mountain streams and go on beautiful hikes in the Alps, Darah will be dressed in Duluth clothing.

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Layah also had on some awesome overalls from Duluth Trading Company. These are the Hickory Stripe Overalls and they have the same great features as Darah’s pair. And isn’t that stripe so cute? Underneath is a Longtail T Shirt bearing the Duluth Trading Company name. It is very soft and yet it also has features designed for durability, like double-stitched seams. This outfit, too, will be spending the summer in Switzerland!

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Now let’s take a closer look at me, the member of the family with “outdoor adventure reluctance.” In a scenario where a 1 hour hike becomes 2 1/2 times as long as expected, I’m the person in our crew most likely to start complaining. The same goes for if the degree of difficulty of a hike becomes greater than I anticipated. Both were true on this hike, as we navigated switchbacks and climbed up, up, up when I imagined our hike would be relatively flat (think of going around a mountain rather than going up it…that was my plan).

But I did it, and my clothing was of critical importance. If I had been wearing jeans I would have probably started experiencing that awful chafing. Instead, I was wearing Duluth’s Dry on the Fly Capris and they just might be the best pants I’ve owned in several years. They are certainly the best pants I’ve ever owned for being outdoors. These pants offer UPF 30 protection for your skin, which is of critical importance when you will be outside all day, and the wicking element is fabulous. I put it to the test with all those steep climbs and I felt very, very comfortable the entire time. This company knows how to design with the woman in mind, friends!

The top I’m wearing also gets top honors for being the very best outdoor shirt I’ve ever owned. This is called the Sidewinder shirt and it feels SOOOO comfortable! Every element of this shirt’s construction surprised and delighted me. I was particularly excited to see hidden buttons around the chest area, as button-up shirts rarely will stay buttoned on me and almost always have large gaps (#largechestproblems). This shirt stayed put, yet at the same time had a nice, tailored look and wasn’t too big. The top even has a pocket sewn in to the front and a breathable mesh along the back collar. And it’s got that UPF 30 protection. Underneath the Sidewinder shirt is the No Yank Tank and it lives up to it’s name. I never once had to readjust or tug on my undershirt to behave and stay in place. It was fantastic, as well it should be since the team at Duluth spent a year on this design to perfect it and make it the tank you’ve always dreamed of owning. Best believe all 3 pieces are going to Switzerland! I am most likely going to buy myself a few other pieces from Duluth Trading Company for the trip, in fact.

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Tim is the member of our crew who has the most experience owning clothes designed for wear outdoors, so he’s the toughest critic. And he had only great things to say about the 2 pieces he wore on our hike.  The pants are the Dry on the Fly Nylon Cargos and just like my pants, they are adept at wicking away moisture and drying quickly once wet. These are going to be absolutely amazing when it’s time to play in the mountain streams. Tim can get right in there with the girls and not worry about being wet for the rest of the day! He commented on how comfortable they were throughout the hike, too. And all those pockets came in handy for holding treasures that the girls collected along the way. Underneath the sweater seen in the photo he’s also wearing a Dry on the Fly Wicking Polo Shirt. Take a second to watch the fun 1 minute video about just how awesome this particular fabric is!

I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to interface with Duluth Trading Company and to take a closer look at their very intentional designs. Every element of their clothing line is made with your comfort and enjoyment in mind. These pieces are designed to work for you and with you so that you can spend less time thinking about your clothes and more time enjoying whatever it is you want to be doing, be it a fun DIY project, a hike, or even a little splashing around in a Swiss stream. And if the great outdoors isn’t really your thing, that’s all the more reason to get yourself a few pieces that will help you relax and feel comfortable. I can tell you first-hand that it can make all the difference in the world between having to suffer through a hike and actually getting to enjoy it and reach the summit!

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Morning Me Time: 3 Things I Set Aside for Myself That Make a Big Difference in My Day

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This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®  and The J.M. Smucker Company, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DunkinDonutsPublix  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

How many times have you gone through the day without taking the time to actually get yourself physically ready for it? You skipped the shower, you threw your hair in a bun or ponytail without even brushing it, and when it comes to putting on makeup, that seems downright laughable. Who has time for that?! You also highly suspect that you hold the world record for most consecutive days using dry shampoo.

Sound familiar? I feel you, sister. Some days it feels like an accomplishment to have on a bra and clothes that aren’t stained. Anything else feels extravagant. This is part of what this season of life with young kids looks like, and it’s ok that it needs to be this way sometimes.

But it doesn’t have to be this way all the time. Over the years one trick I have learned is that giving yourself a solid 15 minutes in the morning can pay huge dividends throughout the rest of the day. Here are 3 things I do on the regular in the mornings that make me feel so good and that help me have more energy and confidence for the rest of the day’s battles as a busy mom.

  1. Special Treats

    dunkin donuts me time pic 1

I imagine that like me, you often find special treats for your kids at the grocery store (or perhaps you even make them yourself! Rock on, baking mama!). But I want to encourage you to keep an eye open for a little something just for you. It could be cupcakes like the ones I snagged at Publix last week, or perhaps some fresh flowers, or even a fun, exotic piece fruit. And maybe, just maybe, it might be one of those sequin pillows (don’t judge!). During your morning coffee break, enjoy eating or admiring this little treat that’s just for you. It will put a smile on your face, I promise!

2. Special Coffee

dunkin donuts me time coffee

To go along with your special treat, I very highly recommend having a special coffee. You can find some incredible varieties of Dunkin’ Donuts® coffees at your nearest Publix. Select something indulgent (I went for Vanilla Cupcake!) and save it for this special morning time that is just for you. The flavor is rich and creamy and perfectly sweet, and just the act of brewing it will send a signal to your brain that it is time to focus on you for a few minutes. Light a candle and take a few deep breaths while it is brewing to help kick your body and mind into relaxation mode. Trust me, it really helps! On your next trip to Publix be sure to pick up one of the many great varieties of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and be sure to use this $1 off coupon (now through 5/6/17 at Publix, while supplies last). It’s good for the K-cups or for grounds, so get whatever works for you!

3. Special Attention

dunkin donuts me time makeup

Now that you’ve gotten into the “chill” zone with your DD coffee, your candle and your little treat, it’s time to give yourself a few minutes of special attention. Some days this is going to mean that you get a shower (woo hoo!). Some days it is going to mean that you can style your hair. And some days it is going to mean that you get to put on some makeup. And occasionally, it might even mean that you get to put on a “put together” outfit. For me, choosing an outfit means lighting that candle needs to happen for sure. I keep thinking, “Serenity now!” while I search for something that isn’t faded, more than 3 years old, or actually designed to wear at the gym (anyone feel me on that one???). Maybe in a future post we need to talk about taking some me time to shop for new threads!

dunkin donuts me time candle

I completely understand that rarely, if ever, will you be able to have enough time for all 4 “special attention” steps when you are looking after little ones, but if you can manage 2 out of 4, you are pretty much winning at life. If you can only do 1, that’s ok, but please do at least 1. And this next part is important so read it twice: don’t do this for anyone else but yourself. This isn’t about adhering to what the magazines tell you looks good, this is strictly about doing what makes YOU feel great. And you know as well as I do that some days getting to use that fancy bar of soap (and a shot of caffeine!) is all you needed to feel like a million bucks, or at least to not feel like a deer in the headlights all day.  dunkin donuts me time pic 4

I find that my morning “me time” break can really help set the tone for the rest of my day. If I skip over it due to a perceived lack of time, I tend to pay the price by feeling burned out earlier in the day. Taking time just for you gives you a good ROI (return on investment) far more often than not, so make time and space for it, fellow moms!

3 Easy Tips to Help Allergy-Proof Your Vehicle

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FRAMFreshBreeze #CollectiveBias

Last week I took my oldest on a short car ride to our nearest McDonald’s for a special weekend treat (iced coffee for yours truly and a yogurt parfait for my mini-me). We were having a fabulously fun time on our little adventure until the moment when I rolled down my window to place my order.

The lady on the other end of the intercom asked to take my order and all I could respond with was a barrage of sneezes! I was instantly attacked by all of the pollen in the air. I finally got my order out, but I sneezed all the way through the rest of the drive-thru, including as I was paying for my food and as I was picking up my order. I’m sure I grossed out the people I came in contact with along the way!

It’s allergy season where I live, and between the large amounts of pollen in the spring and all the mold from decaying leaves in the fall, close to half the year is what I consider to be”allergy season”. Therefore, for half of the year the air is more of less debilitating for me. Much of the time I’m just heading to my car, but it doesn’t take long for the air inside the car to be just as awful as the air outside.

If you suffer from allergies, too, there are 3 things you can do to help keep the air inside your car as free from allergens as possible, and stay sneeze-free on your daily commute or while running errands.

how to keep pollen out of your vehicle

  1. Open Windows are Off Limits

I know, I know. Rolling down the windows on a gorgeous day is SO fun and refreshing. Except that it isn’t, because the price you will pay for that breezy feeling could last for weeks. All that pollen in the air is going to come right into your car, sticking to every surface to torment you for as long as possible. For the sake of your allergies, keep your windows rolled up and run the a/c unit instead, ideally on the recirculate setting so that you aren’t continuously pulling in outside, pollen-ridden air. You want to feel the fresh breeze on your face? Go get a box fan.

2. Commit to a Weekly Wipe Down

At least once this spring, and ideally more frequently, you need to do some serious vacuuming in your car. This will get rid of pollen that is sitting on your seats, but it will also help with other allergens, such as dust mites. Additionally, at least once a week you should take a wet cloth or paper towel into your car and wipe down the console, the steering wheel, and basically any hard surface that you have a tendency to touch while in the car. This will help keep the air inside the car from having pollen and other allergens stirring up again and again. By the way, this is a really fun chore for kids, so don’t be shy about asking them to be your wipe down warriors!

3. Change Your Cabin Air Filter for Maximum Benefits

Some people don’t even realize that their vehicles have cabin air filters.  I only learned about it a few years ago when I was first researching how to keep myself from sneezing constantly for the entire month of April. We now use the FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filters, replacing it every spring, and it makes a really big difference in the air quality inside the car. It’s no wonder we can tell a difference, because it turns out that the air inside your vehicle can be up to 6 times dirtier than the air outside. During allergy season, to risk having even worse air quality in my car is something I can’t do. I would sneeze so much that I would likely get myself into an accident! That’s why now that I’ve discovered this often overlooked part of routine car maintenance and I make sure to take care of it every year (or if you put a lot of miles on your car, change it every 12,000 miles, and also follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual).

The FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter can keep up to 98% of dust, dirt and allergens from entering your vehicle (though remember the wipe down rule…you’ve got to tackle what enters your vehicle when you open the doors!). I also like that it uses the natural deodorizing capabilities of ARM & HAMMER® baking soda. My allergies can’t hang with artificial air fresheners, and I like that FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter doesn’t try to mask anything, but rather to neutralize it.

FRAM Fresh Breeze at Walmart

You can determine the exact cabin air filter you need by going to the FRAM Walmart page and entering the year, make and model of your vehicle. Then write down the cabin air filter number, and head to your nearest Walmart. Or you can can use the texting feature on the website that allows your search results (including installation videos and part number) to be sent to your phone so you can easily pull up that info while in Walmart, and also while changing out your filter. And as for installation, you’ll have the pardon the pun but it honestly is a breeze!

Every vehicle is going to be somewhat different, but in the case of my car (a 2007 Toyota Corolla) all I had to do was remove the glove box (sounds tricky, but it’s only a few simple screws to remove!).

FRAM fresh breeze 1

Then I removed the cabin air filter.

FRAM fresh breeze 2

Then thanked my lucky stars that all of this junk was kept from my lungs and eyes!
FRAM fresh breeze 3

Then I replaced the old filter with the new FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter.

FRAM fresh breeze 4

Then I screwed back in the glove compartment. The entire process took less than 10 minutes, and I’m good to go for another year!

If your allergies give you fits this time of year, try out all 3 of the tips I have and I think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised by how much easier it becomes to breathe while in your vehicle. Take a moment to find out if your vehicle has a cabin air filter and which one is right for you. It’s a very simple fix that makes such a big difference! And check out this site for even more great tips to keep your vehicle in tip top shape this spring!

On Learning to Love the Theater: What Julie’s Greenroom is Teaching My Family

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I’m a Netflix Stream Team member and receive complimentary streaming service. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Earlier this month Netflix released an amazing new series for children called Julie’s Greenroom. I want to VERY highly recommend that you sit down and watch this one with your children for so many reasons, not the least of which is that the star of the show is the one and only Julie Andrews. She is a delight to watch, as always!

Julie's Greenroom

Julie’s Greenroom

Julie’s Greenroom takes kids young (and young at heart) into the world of community theater. The idea is that a group of kids (puppets) is there for theater camp. I absolutely loved the fact that one of the children didn’t initially want to sign up for this particular camp, as she’s much more into robotics and technology. But she quickly starts to realize that there are MANY elements to putting on a production, and only one of them focuses on acting. There is a place for her in theater as a tech-savvy kid!

Through the episodes you get to tour Broadway productions and learn from an array of top notch celebrities (this element reminds me a bit of Sesame Street, though the content is more suitable for school aged children). It’s highly entertaining and fun to watch the kids work through problems as they arise (and problems DO arise). After all, the show must go on!

I think one of the things that has really excited me about this show is that it has become a springboard for all sorts of fun imaginative play. And this is something I really appreciate about what Netflix is doing: they are creating content that will help children better understand how that content came to be, and that will encourage them to go create their own plays, from script to set design to costumes, in addition to performance.

On Saturdays we write, produce, direct and star in plays! #Netflix #juliesgreenroom #streamteam #thearts

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And it’s working! My girls spent a great deal of time last weekend working on a play about one child working up the nerve to take her swim test, and how her friends helped her work through her fear (art was definitely imitating life, as my oldest has been working on this exact issue!).

netflix julie's greenroom

I know as well as anyone that watching shows with your kids can be a little tiresome (except for My Little Pony…I freakin’ LOVE that show!), but this just isn’t the case for Julie’s Greenroom. There so much excitement and learning packed into every episode, and there’s so much inspiration to be had. Give an episode a try and then go out and start creating something!

Easy Clean Eating Recipes (Top 10 Cookbooks That Will Save Your Sanity!)

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If you are trying to remove toxins from your home, including in your kitchen, then you are familiar with the term “clean eating.” Basically all clean eating amounts to is eating whole foods, meaning that they are minimally processed, if at all (so nothing enriched, refined, or preserved) and grown in an organic way, free of pesticides, non-GMO, and free of added hormones.

It actually sounds quite simple, until you start trying to find recipes that will work, or go to the grocery store. Then it becomes quite tricky, indeed! I think what is the most frustrating, for me at least, is the amount of time I have to spend on food when I try to eat clean. It feels like I am constantly hunting for recipes, trying to find acceptable ingredients, and then spending tons of time in the kitchen preparing the food.

It’s enough to make me want to quit, and I’ve certainly quit more than a few times after declaring that our family would be eating clean again. Can you relate?

If so, I hope that this list of resources will be very helpful. I put it together because I personally really need easy ways to find delicious and FAST clean eating ideas. I don’t have time to scour Pinterest every day for a new idea, and I definitely don’t have time to spend an hour making dinner every night (not to mention preparing breakfast and lunch!). These 10 cookbooks are just what I have been looking for to help me take care of all aspects of meal planning much faster, and with delicious results.

easy clean eating recipes collage

 

  1. Clean Eating: 15-Minute Clean eating Recipes: Meals that Improve Your Health, Make You Lean, and Boost Your Metabolism

easy simple clean eating recipes

I love that most of these recipes have 10 ingredients or less and take around 15 minutes to make. Perfect for a busy lifestyle!

2. Clean Eating: The Ultimate Quick Start Guide to Eat Better, Lose Weight,

healthy clean eating recipes

Geared more toward the person hoping to jump-start some weight loss, this is a fantastic resource with 15 minute recipes, simple ingredients, and delicious flavors.

3. Hungry Girl Clean & Hungry: Easy All-Natural Recipes for Healthy Eating in the Real World

simple easy clean eating recipes

This book goes beyond the 30 minutes or less guideline with some of their recipes, but I love that the book is loaded with color pictures and that the portions are generous and the food is so darn yummy! A great choice for the person who wants to eat better, but not necessarily eat less! 🙂

4. Clean Eating: The 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge: Boost Your Metabolism and Increase Energy With Simple Recipes for Healthy Cooking!

easy clean eating dinner recipes

I like that this book is written by a personal trainer and wellness coach, someone who knows a lot about what “good fuel” for our bodies really looks like!

5. Clean Eating for Busy Families

easy quick clean eating recipes

Getting yourself on the clean eating train is one thing, but getting children on board is quite another! I own this cookbook and absolutely love it. It has helped me find foods that my kids enjoy, and most recipes take 30 minutes or less. Perfect!

6. Clean Eating on a Budget

quick easy clean eating recipes

This is the go-to pick if you are worried about how eating clean will impact your grocery budget. It’s a simple cookbook (not as many pictures as I would like) but it gets the job done and will help you save money. Also? It’s just 99 cents!

7. The Family Friendly Clean-Eating Cookbook

easy clean eating recipes dinner

Here’s another great pick for busy families with picky little eaters! It includes -12 breakfast recipes, 14 lunch ideas, 15 dinner recipes, 6 desserts and 5 super quick and easy recipe for the busiest of days.

8. Fast and Easy Clean Eating Cookbook

easy clean eating recipe

The title says it all! Another great pick.

9. Clean Eating: Quick 15 Day Clean Eating Recipe Cookbook

clean eating recipes easy

This is a great choice if you are new to clean eating and have no idea where to start. You can follow these recipes for 2 full weeks and get a sense for your favorite flavors and cooking styles.

10. Clean Eating Kids

clean eating resources

I know all too well that it doesn’t matter if a recipe only took you 15 minutes to make if your kids refuse to eat it. Better to help kids with the transition to a less processed diet by presenting more options that they might enjoy, especially at the start! Love this resource for that reason.

I hope these picks help you get on the path to a healthier lifestyle and help you save time because I know you’ve got better things to do than to worry about food all day!

 

6 Ways to Protect Your Carpet from Your Toddler

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The second you have your first child, there’s always something to worry about. Are they safe? Are they happy? Are they hungry? Parents have a million (or more!) concerns when it comes to their kids. Every day is an adventure (or misadventure), and every day new challenges arise. The most important challenge that’s always on a parents’ mind is how to protect their children. But what about protecting your home from your child?

With so many things to think about and worry about as a parent, keeping your home looking and smelling clean doesn’t have to be one of them and shouldn’t be one of them. It’s pretty much a given that when you have a child, things around the house will be a little messier and a little less organized than before. Kids spill, they have accidents, they get sick, and well, life happens. Usually, these mishaps are easy fixes, however, when a spill or accident happens on your carpet, it can be a whole other story. Here are the 6 best ways to protect your carpet from your toddler.

How to Protect Your Carpet from Your Toddler

Chair Mats/Splat Mats

One great way to protect your carpet from your toddler spilling on it is to not allow them to eat near any carpeted areas in your home. Well, that’s easier said than done. Some homes have carpeted eating areas and even if not, some families like to enjoy meals or snacks in rooms other than the kitchen. If this sounds like you, it’s a great idea to get a chair mat or splat mat to put under your child’s chair when they eat. These are perfect for protecting floors at mealtime. They’re lightweight, easy to move around, and most importantly, easy to wipe up if there’s a spill.

Shower Curtain

There are so many activities other than eating that your toddler can be doing around the house that may damage your carpet. From painting and coloring to lounging around drinking a juice box to using toys they’d been playing with outside, if you want to protect a larger area of your carpet or give your kids some space to play, get a little creative and lay a shower curtain down on the floor for them. This will ensure that all messes are easy to clean up and you can even find one with fun patterns and designs that they’ll love!

Get a Cheap Area Rug

An alternative to the shower curtain is using a cheap rug for your child to play on. You can get one for a great price in your kid’s favorite color, and if any messes occur, you can just throw it right in the washing machine. Easy peasy.

Spill Proof Cups

We’re sure you’ve heard the expression “there’s no use crying over spilled milk.” Sure, that’s a great saying until your kid is spilling that milk all over your carpet! Spill proof cups have to be one of the best inventions ever. Give your kid one of these and you’ll never have to worry about crying over spilled milk, because there won’t be any.

Mats by All Doors

As soon as kids step outside to play, they always seem to be covered with dirt and mud within seconds. Don’t let your kids drag this mud inside on their shoes. Put mats by all the doors and make sure to teach your kids that there are no shoes allowed inside. Make sure they always keep their shoes on the mats so that your carpet doesn’t have a chance of ever even seeing the bottoms of their muddy soles!

Carpet Protector

When you have your carpet professionally cleaned, make sure to have the cleaner apply a carpet protector. This will give you some extra protection from your little one doing any damage to your carpet.

If you have any other tips for keeping your carpets safe from toddlers, leave a comment and share!

DIY Detangler Spray (with Hidden Benefits)

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We go through detangling spray at our house at a rapid clip, since we have 2 little girls with long hair and a habit of getting who-knows-what in their hair on the regular. So we have lots of little knots and tangles to deal with each and every morning.

By this point in my parenting life, I have probably purchased a dozen bottles of Conditioning Mist from The Honest Company (read my review here), and I do highly recommend this product. But I’ve also learned that spray-in conditioners, which also serve as detanglers, are really nothing more than a 2:1 mixture of water and conditioner.

That’s pretty much it!

So, yeah…this is definitely something you can make on your own for mere pennies, especially if you don’t mind having to give your spray bottle a good shake before each use.

diy detangler spray

To make your own DIY detangler spray, you’ll need the following items:

  • 8 oz glass bottles with spray nozzles (colored glass better protects your essential oils)
  • aluminum funnel
  • conditioner of choice
  • distilled water (your final product will last longer, I promise!)
  • essential oils of choice (options include tea tree oil, palo santo, Idaho tansy, lavender, peppermint, thyme, geranium, nutmeg, rosemary, cinnamon).

In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/3 cup of conditioner with 2/3 cup distilled water. Stir well to combine. Now add 10 drops of the oil or oils of your choosing from the list above. Why these oils? Because lice absolutely hate them, that’s why! These serve as a natural lice repellent, and friends, if you think lice won’t come after your kid in school or that your family won’t fall victim because you have good hygiene, you are sorely mistaken. It’s actually a common misconception that getting lice is a sign of being dirty. Lice actually much prefer clean hair to dirty hair! They are quite sensitive to smell, and these are the essential oils that they want absolutely NOTHING to do with, friends. I add drops into my girls’ detangler and I’m pleased to say that even though lice just had a very good run through their school, my girls did not bring those bugs home. 🙂

Since I actually own all of the oils listed above except for Idaho tansy, what I do is make a dropper bottle with 8 drops each of all the oils in it, and label the bottle as lice repellent. When it’s time to make a new bottle of detangler, I just use 10 drops from that pre-mixed bottle, which makes things that much easier for me.

As for essential oils, I use and trust Young Living Essential Oils. You can learn more about how I started out my essential oil journey as a total skeptic here. Young Living is a membership-based business, so if you do not already have a connection with someone who regularly orders essential oils, please feel free to reach out to me as I’d be happy to pick up something for you when I place my monthly order (stuffparentsneed (at) gmail (dot) com).