The Easiest DIY Playdough Ever

Who doesn’t love playdough? I know I grew up playing with playdough and my kids are doing the same. I can’t tell you how much playdough we have bought over the years! Thankfully, after some trial and error, I came up with a simple and cost effective recipe for DIY Playdough. Now, we can make playdough whenever the mood strikes and create until our heart’s content!

This recipe is for a very simple DIY Playdough Recipe. Feel free to substitute natural food colors if that is your preference. I had these gel colors on hand already, so that is what we used. If you have a little one that is sensitive or prone to putting playdough in her mouth, I would highly recommend using natural food coloring. Another fun option is to add a few drops of essential oils to your recipe!

Easy DIY Playdough Recipe

Supplies Needed:

¾ cup all-purpose flour, for each color desired

1 ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar, for each color desired

3 ½ tablespoons salt, for each color desired

¾ cup water, for each color desired

2 teaspoons vegetable oil, for each color desired

Food coloring (gel food coloring yields brighter colors, feel free to substitute with natural options)

Instructions For DIY Playdough:

In a medium pot, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir in water, vegetable oil, and food coloring.
Place the pot over medium heat and stir constantly.
When the dough comes together as a ball and the liquid has absorbed, transfer the dough to waxed, freezer, or parchment paper.
While the dough is still warm but cool to touch, knead the dough until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three months.

VOILA!

See what I mean? So simple! Let your kids jump in on the fun and see what they create together! I would love to see your creations, so tag me on Instagram when you make this playdough!

PIN FOR FUN!

The 3 Best Ways To Use Essential Oils For Your Family

Essential oils are becoming widely accepted and loved by many households. We have used essential oils in our home for many years. I purchased my first membership kit when I was pregnant with my sixth child to help support my immune system and my emotions. I had no idea the path it would lead us on, but I am so thankful I said yes!

Essential oils, when used correctly, can be a wonderful addition to your home. They are a natural tool you can pull out when needed and feel safe about using them. My kids even know which roller bottle to pull out when we have a “boo boo” or “tummy troubles.”

An important thing is to educate yourself on how to use essential oils safely and effectively.

This post is for those of you who may be just pulling out their Starter Kits and are feeling excited, but overwhelmed. Or maybe you were gifted some essential oils and are trying to figure it all out. Regardless of where you are at, I am excited for you and hope this post will help you feel comfortable in starting your oily journey! As always, please reach out to me with any questions! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook or send me an email!

Best Ways To Use Essential Oils With Your Family:

Typically, people use essential oils in three main ways:

Aromatically
Topically
Internally

1. How to use essential oils: Aromatically

The aromatic use of essential oils may be the most familiar. You can walk into a spa and notice the use of aromatherapy almost immediately. There is a powerful connection between scent and emotions. We all have those moments where a certain smell will come back to us and remind us of a wonderful memory during childhood!

Aromatherapy can actually invoke a physical and emotional response almost immediately. When we smell something, we first process it in our olfactory bulb, which is connected to the amygdala and hippocampus, the parts of our brain associated with emotion and memory.

The easiest and most common way to get the benefits of essential oils is my diffusing them in the air. This is simply done by using a diffuser in your home.

If you don’t know how to use a diffuser properly, you can find out here. Pay attention to your diffuser’s instructions, as you may need more or less drops of essential oil.
A great blend to try right before bed to promote rest and relaxation is:
- 4 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Cedarwood
- alternatively, you can use 4-5 drops of Serenity, a nightime blend

If you don’t have a diffuser yet, you can still enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils by putting a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and placing it where you want the scent dispersed. Think gym bag, smelly sneakers, laundry room, etc. Citrus oils and Air-X work wonders for this!
Another great way to use essential oils aromatically is simply to add a few drops into the palm of your hands. Cup your hands around your mouth and breath deeply. If you have Adaptiv, do this now and thank me later! This is a daily one for my busy mama life!

READ HOW I USE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

2. How to use essential oils: Topically

Using essential oils topically is another popular way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. I use essential oils topically on myself multiple times a day, even while pregnant.

When essential oils are applied topically, it takes about 20 minutes for an oil to affect every cell in the body. The oil is then metabolized within a few hours. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

When you get the hang of using essential oils topically, it will easily become one of your favorite ways to use them.

As always, please become familiar with proper dilution rates. Some “hot” oils should not be used without a carrier oil on anyone and others can be. Children need less essential oil and more carrier oil than adults. Diluting essential oils also helps them spread over a larger surface and helps to stretch the use of your bottle.

Properly diluting essential oils

Please do your own research so you are comfortable, but a general rule of thumb is:

Add 1-2 drops of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil for adult
Add 1-2 drops of essential oil per 1 tablespoon of carrier oil for children over 2 years of age.

What is a carrier oil?

A carrier oil is an oil that is used to dilute the essential oil to make it safe for topical use. Oils like coconut, olive, sweet almond, avocado, jojoba and rose hip are great carrier oils to use. You can use them directly on your skin with the essential oils or premix them in a roller bottle to make topical application even easier.

If you do not have my go-to Reference Guide, you will want it! I am currently gifting this amazing resource to anyone who uses my referral link to grab their Starter Kit. Just send me a quick email or message and I’ll ship you a bunch of goodies!

Some common places to apply essential oils topically are:
- Your head! Apply to the crown of your head, behind your ears, to your neck or temples. Play around with these areas to find what is most effective for you. I know I love to wind down by applying my favorite essential oils to the back of my neck and my temples.
- The inside of your wrists is also a great place. Think of where you used to apply perfume and apply your “natural perfume” there.
- Essential oils are great for massage! For a calming massage, Lavender and Cedarwood essential oils can be added to a carrier oil. For rejuvenating muscles after a long workout, experience the cooling effect of Peppermint Or PanAway in a sports massage .
- The soles of your feet are a great place to apply essential oils. The skin here is thicker and the essential oil has the ability to travel throughout your whole body with this avenue. This works well with children as well.
- Essential oils can also be used to improve the appearance of healthy skin! Another great use for Tea Tree essential oil is reducing the appearance of blemishes. You can use a cotton swab to apply the oil directly to the affected area. Adding one of my favorite oils, Bergamot, to your nighttime routine for smoother looking skin. A few drops of Lavendar to your bath can also be a great treat!

3. How to use essential oils: Internally

Please do not use essential oils internally without educating yourself first! I only use Doterra essential oils, as they are approved for internal use by the FDA. You will see a nutrition label on the bottle if you can take it internally. I also do not use essential oils internally for my children. Some people may choose to do differently, but this is what I have chosen for my family.

Remember, essential oils are highly concentrated. One drop goes a long way to flavoring your food! It just takes a few drops added to a family recipe so the concentration of oils to food is extremely low.
I like to add a drop or two of a citrus oil to my water to flavor it and add some other benefits. I have also made homemade ice cream and added some to plain yogurt. Adding some basil or oregano oil to pasta dishes is a great way to kick up the flavor! There are so many possibilities with this dietary line!
I do also use veggie capsules to take essential oils internally for immune support as well as daily wellness or emotional support.

Safety Measures:

Essential oils are very potent, so you have to be cautious when you use them. Remember, a little goes a long way!

I will only use Doterra oils as I trust their quality, I know where and how they are sourced, and I know how effective they are when used properly. You can get started for less than you may think! And remember, I will send you a huge Reference Guide so you have all the knowledge you need at your fingertips!
Less is more! You can always add another drop, so start slow, whether you’re using your oils topically, aromatically, or internally.
Due to potency, some oils may be irritating to the skin. If irritation occurs, immediately apply a carrier oil to the affected area to dilute.
Always read label directions for each individual oil before use.
Do not put essential oils in eyes, ears, nose, or other areas with sensitive skin.

Tell us!

What is your favorite way to use essential oils?

Why NOW Is The Best Time To Join Young Living

You all know I have used and loved Young Living Essential Oils for many years. I got started with my kit because I wanted something that would help assist me with some emotional support while I was pregnant. I had no idea that decision would forever change the course of our family’s life. I’m so thankful I took the leap!

Today, years later, it is even easier and more exciting to get started with Young Living. People are searching for alternatives for their family and their home and their income, and Young Living has a history of being the answer. I absolutely love to share with other moms who are looking for an opportunity.

Why Young Living? Why now?

When many of us started recommending Young Living Essential Oils to friends a few years ago, we had to spend most of our time educating people about oils and what they did. They weren’t as well known and it was a LOT of work.

Those days of us working hard to explain product are over!

Oils and non-toxic products are more common in the marketplace, and we have resources in place that make it SO easy for people to get started and plugged in to existing content. That means you are not required to know everything about oils and what they do. You get to point people to resources so they can do their own research!

We have:

one simple reference guide of every Young Living product
a Facebook group that is loaded with education/community/prizes/an ability to ask questions
a free testimonial site that has THOUSANDS of stories from people who had results and share what they did
AND NOW A BRAND PARTNER ACADEMY that walks you step by step on building a business

SIMPLE.

Do you know what else is well known?

Subscription boxes.

Most people know what they are, making it super simple for people to start with income straight away!

It is faster than ever to hit the ground running. You just need your own subscription box, and then talk to people about it and offer them an opportunity to take a look at what you are doing.

Did I mention that you have access to a group specifically for other families who are also doing this for the income? That means all the hand holding, help, and encouragement!

Noteworthy perks about Young Living:

They own their own farms and will send you to visit them.

They are a legacy network marketing company, having been around 25+ years. Stability like this matters when it comes to lifetime income.

They are the world leader of essential oils.

They are generous to both members and charities around the world.

They offer one of the most generous compensation plans around in network marketing, filled with bonuses and trips around the world.

We offer a wide variety of desirable products, which include pure CBD infused with essential oils, clean make up, pure essential oils that are producing THOUSANDS of testimonials of healing and more. There is something for EVERYONE. Including pets!

Retention in Young Living Essential Oils is unprecedented. Nearly half of Young Living customers (30%-50%) want to place a monthly order because they love it so much. Most network marketing companies celebrate 2%-8% of their customers placing monthly orders.

You are not required to have inventory. You buy ONLY products you need and want for your family.

Young Living will ship all orders, send promotional emails, cut paychecks, offer sales and deals, and make it very simple for you refer friends. Your only focus will be referring friends and showing them the income potential.

Your 100PV order (the order you buy for your home) is tax deductible.

You’ll be ordering products that you already use around your home!

———————————

>>>JOIN ONE OF OUR CALLS EACH TUESDAY 8PM EST TO SEE HOW YOU CAN BUILD A BUSINESS FROM A POSITION OF PEACE<<<

6 Ways To Choose Wellness As A Busy Mom

I don’t know about you, but the last few months have been a whirlwind! We have been so busy in different ways and then in other ways, preoccupied with huge life changes. It has been a weird time for our family! If you are curious just how much change and stress our family has experienced this year, connect with me on Instagram and you’ll get a small view. However, I have found it more important than ever to choose wellness despite being in the trenches of a busy season. Anyone else go through 2020 and now 2021?!

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE CHARGE OF OUR OWN HEALTH!

I am a homeschooling mom of eight and we are busy! I know how easy it would be to let my health slide, but whenever I am tempted to do that, I know that likely means I need to pay even more attention to my wellness!

Health and wellness has always been a huge part of my life. I dabbled in pre-med and nutrition in college and have had a lifelong passion for it my entire adult life. It has served me well over the years of raising a family, especially now when one of my children is in treatment for leukemia. I have never been more grateful for my background in health and nutrition!

I would love to share some ways you can be intentional about your wellness, even during seasons of business.

How To Choose Wellness As A Busy Mom:

1. Clean Up Your Nutrition –

This is the first thing to concentrate on when you are in a busy season. You do not have to have a “perfect” diet, but aim to cut back on the sugar and processed foods, and add in some extra veggies and healthy fats. You’ll be amazed at what a difference it makes! I use the Carb Manager app to track my daily food intake and it really helps me see where I am lacking each day. I follow a keto diet and have never felt better.

2. Get Enough Sleep –

I know as busy moms, we all roll our eyes when someone tells us to get some extra sleep. As a busy mom with eight children at home, I get it! But I also know that almost everything in our bodies is connected to getting adequate sleep. Our immune system is affected, our mood, our weight, our mental clarity… adequate sleep has a positive affect on all these things! Aim to get seven hours of sleep each night and go to bed at a consistent hour each night. Another thing I like to do is wake before my children, and it’s hard to do that if I am up all night!

3. Take Quality Supplements –

Even if our diet is pretty clean, some supplements will likely benefit you. We all have nutritional gaps, and a lot of that has to do with the way food is processed today. I have a cabinet full of vitamins, tinctures, and supplements for my family. We tend to take more supplements to keep us healthy during the winter months, when we aren’t outside so much. I would much rather focus on prevention than try and catch up when we get sick. Being prepared is key! My whole family also drinks this superfood shake daily all year round, but especially during the colder months. I know they are getting quality vitamins and superfoods and they have no idea just how many veggies are included! Mom win! Grab it with my favorite 20 minute workout here.

4. Focus On Self Care –

Self care is a bit over dramatized in the media right now. However, there is some truth to the idea of taking care of yourself, as you can see from this article. I know I feel better when I get dressed and fix my makeup in the morning. I use my essential oils in my diffuser each day and topically for a variety of benefits. It makes a huge difference! My stress level tends to lower and my productivity increases.

I notice a huge difference in my day when I take a few minutes each morning to put myself together. I have perfected the 5 Minute Mom Makeup Routine! I also take a few minutes each morning and night to focus on my skincare routine. It makes a huge difference not only in how I look, but how I feel!

Self care can mean getting up early before the kids wake up, reading a good book for a few minutes, or listening to a podcast. I get my Bible time in before my kids wake up and sometimes again in the afternoon. The idea is just to take a few minutes to fill your cup.

5. Drink More Water –

Water makes our bodies go round! Really though, we all know we need to drink more water (and maybe less coffee!). Aim to drink about half your body weight in ounces of water each day and watch the difference. You’ll sleep better, your skin tone will improve, your energy level will increase, your digestion will improve… the list goes on and on! I track my water in my planner so I can see it throughout the day. My girls and I also have this water bottle that is a fun way to keep track of our water intake.

6. Add in Movement –

Another groan here, I’m sure! We all know that we should be getting in about 30 minutes of exercise a day. This can mean lifting weights, going up and down stairs in your home, pushing a stroller on a walk, or doing an intense workout at home or the gym. The idea is to move your body more than you are used to each day. Exercise raises your endorphins and actually boosts your energy levels throughout the day. Not only that, but exercise has a great mood boosting effect! I tend to workout more for the stress relief than anything else! Pick something simple that you can stick with. You may enjoy reading Reasons To Get Healthy Now. If you want to start working out at home but don’t have a lot of time, check out my absolute favorite program right now. Nutrition and fitness in one package, and only takes 20 minutes a day! As an added benefit, you’ll have private access to me to help you along!

If you are ready to take your health seriously this year, consider joining my New Year’s Challenge for moms!

Your Keto Challenge Kit Options – Simplified

The Trial packs are a great way to get started if you are looking to try a sample of the different flavors before you commit to a full package! I package and ship these special packages out to you from my home created just for you! I can make modifications to flavors (if available) and occasionally add in a new special flavor! Grab your Trial Pack HERE!

The Drink Ketones Challenge is a great way to start if you are looking for a package which includes a variety of 20 NAT ketones in both caffeinated and decaffeinated! This package is $30 off by clicking HERE. It is recommended you add a Keto Reboot to this kit to save an additional $10, making your total savings $55 for both kits! (you can stretch this kit into 20 days by having 1 ketone a day which most beginners usually start with!). You’ll see the option to add the Reboot pop up.

—>>> Right now, we have a special where if you add $150 to your cart, you’ll immediately save 22% off your whole order! I recommend adding a box of NAT Ketones, a box of Keto Kreme and a box of Mitoplex (electrolytes). <<<—

** This is hands down the best option for you if you want to save the most money and see the best results! **

You can also get a 60 Hour Keto Reboot Kit on its own by clicking here! (if it’s available). The Reboot is only available once a month, but when you sign up, you’ll be notified as soon as it is available! We all Reboot together once a month!

Another option is to grab a single flavor full box of ketones. CLICK HERE to shop all of these products! My favorite products (aside from our NAT Ketones) are Keto//UP, Keto PRO (banana cream) and Keto Kreme! These are not included in options above except for the occasional sample packs! Make sure to grab some electrolytes too!

** Sometimes specialty flavors pop up or POP up Sales hit! Join this list to be notified when new flavors and special sales launch. **

Patriotic Sensory Bottle Craft For Kids

School may be out for some of us, but the fun and learning never stops! My kids love any sort of crafts that are related to the seasons or the upcoming holidays. This Patriotic Sensory Bottle craft is one that satisfies their need to be crafty and also has a peaceful effect on them when they play with it. Double win!

You only need a few simple supplies to make this Patriotic Sensory Bottle. They should be easy enough to find at your local craft store, but don’t be afraid to use your imagination right along with your kiddos! The possibilities are endless!

This post contains affiliate links.

PATRIOTIC SENSORY BOTTLE CRAFT FOR KIDS

Supplies:

1 (16 ounce) plastic storage/sensory bottle

2 to 3 (6 ounce) bottles Elmer’s Glue in clear

About 1 cup warm water

About 1 tablespoon glitter or confetti (if desired)

Toys (if desired)

For this project, we used:

Star gem buttons
Red glitter
Blue glitter
Iridescent glitter

Note: Glow in the dark glitter would also be fun!

Instructions:

Empty one bottle of glue into the bottle.
Fill the empty glue bottle about half full with warm water (about ¼ cup) and seal with the lid. Shake well to combine the remaining glue with the water. Pour into jar with glue and shake or stir to combine.
If you are adding glitter or toys, add part of the glitter and toys into the glue mixture.
Seal the jar and shake well. If the glitter or confetti does not move easily, add more warm water. If the glitter or confetti moves too quickly, add additional glue. Continue adding in layers with the glitter and toys until you achieve your desired effect.
When the contents of the bottle move according to your preference, seal the bottle and glue the lid closed to avoid spills.
If desired, cover the lid with duct tape or additional decorations.

HAVE FUN!

You may also enjoy our 4TH of July Coloring Pack and our 4TH of July Copywork Pack, both perfect for your elementary kiddos!

Sugar Free Sweet Tea Recipe – Keto Friendly

Hot summer days call for sweet iced tea, don’t they? However, when you are following a keto diet or even just trying to limit sugar within your family, a good sweet tea can be tricky! This sweet tea recipe is sugar free and is a hit with my whole family! My kids don’t even realize it is sugar free and they cheer when I bring out a pitcher on these gorgeous summer days! Mom win!

I also have samples of Sweet Tea Lemonade pure theraputic ketones in my packages if you want to choose one. This flavor has quickly become my absolute favorite!

SUGAR FREE SWEET TEA – KETO FRIENDLY

Ingredients:

16 cups water, divided

4 family-sized tea bags

1 ½ cups sweetener (I use Monkfruit or Swerve)

Instructions:

1. Place 8 cups of water in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil.

2. Remove the saucepan from heat and add the tea bags. Cover and allow the tea to steep for 5 to 6 minutes. (Steep longer for stronger tea.)

3. Meanwhile, add an additional 8 cups of water to a gallon-sized pitcher.

4. Remove tea bags from saucepot, gently squeezing to remove the excess tea. Discard the tea bags.

5. To the saucepan, add the sweetener and stir until completely blended.

6. Pour the tea into the gallon-sized pitcher with the water. Stir to combine.

7. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate. Best if refrigerated overnight.

ENJOY!

Looking for a Keto Community just for MOMS? Join us HERE!

First Trimester Must Haves For A Natural Pregnancy

In case you missed the announcement, I am pregnant with baby number EIGHT! As much as I can, I aim to have a natural pregnancy and birth each time. To help out all the new soon-to-be moms, I put together this list of my top first trimester must haves for a natural pregnancy.

While I love all of the excitement that comes with the first trimester, I don’t love some of the crazy symptoms. After sharing about some of the major changes I had been experiencing, I started thinking about all of the products that I loved using during that time.

If you just found out you are pregnant, congrats! Check out what you should do right away.

A lot of these items are great for any time during your pregnancy, but these are the essentials that especially helped get me through those first tough months. I will be sharing my must haves for the second and third trimesters soon, so make sure to bookmark or pin this page.

This post contains affiliate links.

FIRST TRIMESTER MUST HAVES

Prenatal Vitamins –

A quality prenatal vitamin is a must have during your entire pregnancy and through your breastfeeding and postpartum journey. My diet is made up of mostly unprocessed, whole foods and I still take a daily prenatal vitamin. As hard as it can be with fatigue and nausea, the first trimester of pregnancy is an especially important time to eat as healthy as possible. During these first 12 weeks, baby is developing its heart and nervous system, as well as all the rest of its organs! A quality prenatal goes a long way when your diet is less than stellar.

Currently, I am taking and loving the Pink Stork Premium Prenatals. I realized a little while back that I need a prenatal with folate and not folic acid, and Pink Stork has that. Their prenatal has added ingredients to aid in alleviating morning sickness and gut health and I definitely noticed a difference in my first trimester!

Nausea Remedies –

I also love Pink Stork’s Gut Health crystals. Again, this helped me so much with the dreaded morning sickness. There are studies out there to show that morning sickness in pregnancy can be attributed to gut health, so I wanted to do anything I could to help alleviate that. They also have a great Morning Sickness Tea if you are a tea drinker and Morning Sickness Candies, which are organic and contain vitamin B6 and ginger.

If you are on the go often, these tummy drops may be really helpful during those times of uneasiness. They are easy to keep in your purse so you can just pop one in your mouth at anytime and they taste good!

This Gut Health oil is great for helping to naturally keep your digestive system balanced, which means less morning sickness! It is something you can take even when you are not pregnant. I even give this to my kids.

You also may want to check out Emilia’s tips on Everything You Need to Know to Cure Morning Sickness! I wish I came across this earlier!

I have also heard that Preggie Pops are great for nausea. Personally, I also swear by Digize essential oil. I have never loved another oil so much – even when I hated the smell! The relief!! I keep a bottle by my bed and a roller in my purse.

For the Belly and Body –

It’s important to keep your skin hydrated during pregnancy, especially your stomach. There are many different types of creams that you can use to moisturize your stomach and to prevent stretch marks, but one of my favorites is this Soothing Belly Butter. This creamy body butter is specifically designed for our growing bellies! It has a slight chocolate scent and makes me feel like I’m pampering myself!

You can also use 100% pure coconut oil. Coconut oil is highly emollient and can help keep skin hydrated. It feels heavenly and the light coconut scent makes me feel like I’m at the beach.

I don’t know about you, but when I am pregnant, my skin takes on a life of its own! Some days, I will feel beautiful and glowing, and other days I will feel like an alligator! It can be frustrating! Thankfully, I found a line of safe skincare that actually adapts to my oddly changing pregnancy skin. I use this Adaptive Body Moisturizer all over my body in the mornings and this Adaptive Moisture Lotion on my face. They help my skin stay smooth and hydrated without any residue and I feel like my face is actually glowing! Maybe it’s the pregnancy, but I love this lotion!

Magnesium –

I really learned about the importance of electrolytes when I first started following a keto diet. Our need for electrolytes increases when we are pregnant and when we are lacking, we can experience many side effects that we may not attribute to an electrolyte imbalance. Magnesium has helped me with anxiety and morning sickness and can even help with things like cramping and restless legs.

Another way I get magnesium in my body is with this Good Night Lotion. I love this stuff! You get all the benefits of magnesium, like restful sleep, occasional constipation, leg and muscle cramps. headaches and more, but in a lovely lotion! Rub this Good Night Lotion on your belly or your legs before you drift off to sleep.

Vitamin B6 –

Vitamin B6 is another remedy you can try for morning sickness relief (source). I also take Vitamin B6 for a natural energy boost throughout the day. I take a Super B tablet which is a comprehensive vitamin complex containing all eight essential, energy-boosting B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12).

Combined with Nutmeg essential oil and bioavailable chelated minerals such as magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc, Super B not only assists in maintaining healthy energy levels, but it also supports mood and cardiovascular and cognitive function.

Pink Himalayan Salt –

During pregnancy, our need for salt increases due to our increased blood volume. Sodium is another electrolyte, so it is important to pay attention to you numbers. There is a drastic difference in your typical table salt and pink Himalayan salt, which has so many benefits.

Probiotics –

We have already talked about the importance of our gut health in relation to morning sickness. However, gut health is important for so many reasons during pregnancy. Taking a quality probiotic can help your immune system, your overall well-being, your energy levels and can even help when it comes time to take your Group B strep test.

I take Life 9 for my daily probiotic. Life 9 is a high-potency probiotic that combines 17 billion live cultures from nine beneficial bacteria strains. It helps promote healthy digestion, supports gut health, and helps maintain normal intestinal function for the overall support of a healthy immune system.

Earth Mama –

This Earth Mama Gift Set has so many wonderful products for the first trimester and beyond. The wellness body wash and the body oil are heavenly!

Comfy Leggings –

Although you may or may not need to wear maternity clothes during your first trimester, you are likely to at least experience some days where you are more bloated than others, and the idea of wearing jeans makes you groan. Pregnancy leggings can come in handy no matter what trimester you are in, trust me! Preggo Leggings are great for any stage of your pregnancy and beyond. You don’t have to chose between style and comfort with Preggo Leggings, which I love! They have all kinds of leggings, so you are sure to find at least a few pairs that you’ll fall in love with! They often have sales and coupon codes, so make sure to keep checking!

Bras –

The first trimester inevitably means we need to buy some new bras. I am always shocked by this, for some strange reason! There have been times where I have been tempted to purchase cheap bras for the first trimester, knowing I was only going to need to purchase more bras later on. However, I have learned that comfort and quality are crucial during such a beautiful time, so I have made the small investment into a few quality, well fitting bras and I so thankful I did.

Kindred Bravely has some of my favorite bras for pregnancy and breastfeeding, and their prices are extremely reasonable for the quality. They often have sales and clearance items, so make sure to take a look! You can take a short quiz to find the best fit for you, which is super helpful. The Kindred Bravely customer service is phenomenal, so make sure to reach out if you need any assistance!

Real Food For Pregnancy Book –

This book by Lily Nichols is a must read, in my opinion. Lily has done extensive research on nutrition in pregnancy – something that tends to be lacking. She advocates for a low carb diet, but in a gentle way. You do not need to be following a keto diet. Whole foods, quality fats, which vitamins and minerals are beneficial – there is so much in this book! Real Food For Pregnancy is a book I would gift anyone who discovers they are pregnant.

Do you have any other must have items for your first trimester? I would love to know!

>>> JOIN OUR COMMUNITY FOR “ALMOST” CRUNCHY MAMAS! <<<

Keto For Moms – A Free Community For You

Are you a mom who is interested in following a keto diet, or are already living the lifestyle? Then you are welcome and encouraged to join our free support community, KETO FOR MOMS!

Keto Simplified For Moms is an online community, held on Facebook, where moms can come together and learn, support, and encourage one another in a keto lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you are only just beginning your research or have been following a keto diet for awhile – everyone is welcome, no matter where you are in your journey.

KETO SIMPLIFIED FOR MOMS PROVIDES:

education
recipes
tips & tricks
support & guidance
community of like minded moms
ideas on how to feed your family
mom chatter

The best part of this group is that it is created by moms, for moms. I am a mom of seven (soon to be eight) and have successfully followed a keto diet for years. I have followed a keto diet while pregnant and breastfeeding as well, so I know first hand the extra challenges we face. Many people can get overwhelmed when trying to follow a keto diet by themselves, especially while raising a busy family. Having a group like KETO SIMPLIFIED FOR MOMS is such a huge support!

I can’t wait to connect with you in our group! Feel free to share this post with your friends who may need the same type of support and encouragement!

>>> JOIN KETO FOR MOMS HERE <<<

Spring Cleaning Hacks For Your Home

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx

I’m a little bit behind when comes to spring cleaning this year, due to our strange circumstances and the throes of the first trimester. Thankfully, BabbleBoxx sent this box of incredible products for me to try out. It was just the thing to get me motivated to start refreshing my home this spring!

Put on some music and some comfy clothes and checkout these products that will make spring cleaning your home a breeze!

Spring Cleaning Hacks For Your Home

Lemi Shine Auto Dish Detergent :

My older children typically do the dishes, so this was a welcome addition to our cleaning regimen! We tend to have problems when too many kids put their dishes in the dishwasher without rinsing them – but no longer! With Lemi Shine® Dishwashing Detergent, we can take plates directly from the table to the dishwasher (within reason, of course). The citric extracts in Lemi Shine make every dish clean like new, without any nasty chemicals.

Lemi Shine Dish Detergent Booster :

I had no idea that this was the #1 Dish Detergent Booster for removing the toughest hard water spots and film from your dishes and glassware.
Hard water is a problem where we live. Lemi Shine® fights back against hard water (magnesium and calcium) to give super clean dishes. Combine the booster with the dish detergent to have a win every time you or your kids do the dishes.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser :

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of the famous Mr. Clean Magic Eraser made with Durafoam. This is a must have with children in the house! Have you ever had a two year old color on the walls? Yeah … Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to the rescue! It has 2X Stronger cleaning performance than the leading all-purpose bleach spray so it can remove your home’s toughest messes like magic. It’s a wall cleaner, bathtub cleaner, oven door cleaner, light switch cleaner, doors cleaner, and more cleaner, all rolled into one.

ONE Clean Home :

ONE Clean Home cleans all types of hard surfaces! It is made for wood and so much more, is less harmful than competitive products, and yet more effective than vinegar and water. The fresh clean grapefruit scent is made from essential oils, not artificial fragrances.

Eureka NES510 Flash Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner :

My absolute favorite item was the newly released Eureka Flash NES510 Vacuum! With seven kids, we have to vacuum at least twice a day in some capacity. A well designed and easy to use vacuum is a necessity in our home! My kids can use this vacuum on our hardwood floors and carpets without any issues at all. It is lightweight and portable, and ideal for those hard to reach spaces. We even use it as a hand vacuum to clean out our car!

*** Eureka was kind enough to provide my readers with a discount code for this amazing vacuum!

Use code 15OFFNES510M to get 15% off the Eureka Flash NES510 Vacuum until May 17th, 2020. ***