5 Ways to Use Essential Oils in Your Home.

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I am so excited to introduce you to my insanely talented friend Savannah, momprenuer and creative extraordinaire (read more below - you'll see what I mean). Today she's here sharing about one of my latest obsessions - using essential oils in the home and with your family! I'm excited for you friends to glean from her experiences. And make sure to check out her many endeavors on insta - @lindbergcandleco, @mamatribeoils and @savannahkwallace and give her some love in the comments!

Hello friends! I’m so thankful to Kristen for allowing me to do a guest post on her blog while she spends time with her family and her new little one. What an incredibly special season for her!!

Let me introduce myself, my name is Savannah and I wear a lot of hats. (Don’t we all??) Mainly, I’m at home with my two little ones Soren and Aria… Soren is almost three and Aria is about to be one. They have more energy than I have ever seen in a human and they keep things interesting (and busy!) around here.  I also like to call myself a creative entrepreneur, I run a small candle shop called Lindbergh Candle Co., write a beauty column for A Beautiful Mess, host a YouTube channel and teach classes on essential oils! See what I mean about a lot of hats?!  

Kristen asked me to share a little bit about essential oils and I wanted to put together just a few basic and easy ways you can start using essential oils in your home! They are an incredibly amazing way to treat your family and home naturally and have an INCREDIBLE amount of benefits. They are non-toxic, smell wonderful AND if you’re totally into DIYs, you won’t be able to get enough. ;) 

Please note that all of my suggested tips are for pure therapeutic grade essential oils. ALWAYS check your labels and do research into any company before using their oils. I personally use and love doTERRA and have trusted them for years with myself, my home and my family. 

1. Diffuse!
An easy way to start using oils is by getting an oil diffuser, plugging it in and diffusing your favorite combination daily. I love mixing and matching different scents to create my own blends. Not only will it make your home smell wonderful but you’ll be able to get the benefits and goodness of the oils by diffusing them into the air! One of our favorite blends is OnGuard (an immune boosting oil that help protect against environmental threats) and Breathe (a respiratory support oil) such a great one for flu season! I also LOVE cardamon, cinnamon and wild orange during this time of the year…smells like orange cinnamon rolls, no joke! You can easily pick up an affordable diffuser on Amazon and get on the diffuser train!

2. All the Rollerballs!
To make using your essential oils easy, I highly suggest creating your own rollerballs. This makes daily use simple and easy to take with you on-the-go. Pick up a few rollerballs and some fractionated coconut oil (FCO = coconut oil that has no scent and stays liquid!) and plan an hour to make your own rollerballs. This is my favorite way to use essential oils on my little ones! Here are a few of my favorite easy recipes to try out. Just use a few drops of each oil listed and top off with your FCO. 

     Sleepy Baby - Roll on bottom of babies feet at night. Can use on yourself too of course!
     - Lavender

     Stay Healthy - Make this one part of your routine! Roll on everyone's feet and spine daily. 
     - On Guard
     - Frankincense

     Owie - The perfect blend for boo-boo’s, burns, bites, rashes…anything skin related. 
     - Melaleuca (tea tree)
     - Lavender

3. Perfume Alternative.
Find an essential oil that resonates with you and makes you feel happy, put a few drops in a rollerball, top off with fractionated coconut oil and keep in your purse. Use it as your new, natural signature scent that also happens to give you those happy feelings. 

4. No More Dryer Sheets.
Yikes! Did you know that most dryer sheets have tons of harmful and toxic ingredients? Since clothing is close to our skin and our little ones skin, we definitely want it to be safe and free of icky ingredients. We stopped using dryer sheets a few years ago and now use wool dryer balls. To give our clothing a nice clean scent, I’ll add 2-4 drops of my favorite smelling essential oils directly to the wool dryer balls and our clothes come out smelling subtle and clean. I love using lavender or one of my very favorites, Citrus Bliss! 

5. Natural Cleaner.
Having two little ones = messes everywhere! I quickly discovered that nothing is safe and everything is being cleaned constantly. We started making our own natural cleaner with essential oils and I LOVE that I can use it for everything… we’re talking counters, appliances, high-chairs, toys, floors, bathrooms AND fruit! Seriously! Just combine equal parts water and vinegar, 10-20 drops of Lemon essential oil and 25-35 drops of OnGuard essential oil in a spray bottle and you have your very own amazing smelling cleaner that is naturally antibacterial and helps protect against environmental threats. Plus, if your little one decides to start licking their newly washed high chair (been there done that) you won’t think twice about them consuming something they shouldn't.  

I know when I first started using oils it was a little bit overwhelming, but I hope you find these tips helpful! These are really just a few of the thousands of ways you can use oils in your home and for your family. I’m constantly making rollerballs, coming up with diffuser recipes, cooking with them(!), cleaning with them, making bath salts and natural beauty products. I love that they are safe, natural and kinda a lot of fun too!

If you’re interested in learning more and seeing some of my favorite tips and DIYs, come check me out on my essential oils Instagram account, @MamaTribeOils! I post daily ideas, facts and tips that are both educational and way fun. Also feel free to reach out to me at anytime with questions regarding essential oils, I would love to help! Thank you so much for reading and thank you Kristen for having me in your blog home! xox, Sav. 

Pork Chops & Spiced Apple Sauce (a Whole30 recipe!)

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This is one of my favorite recipes from doing Whole30 last year. I am gearing up in my mind for doing another round of Whole30 (not anytime soon, in a few months) so I wanted to unearth a few of my favorite recipes that are easy and delicious and don't feel like diet food. That's what I really loved about Whole30 - everything we ate on the program was real, fresh whole foods. Lots of veggies, protein and healthy fats. This pork chop is no exception - it's super simple to cook (pork chops used to intimidate me), and the apple sauce is really easy and really makes the dish pop with flavor. Stevie asked for this one over and over when we were on Whole30, and we've continued to make it since coming off the program, too!

Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 2 bone-in pork chops (about 1 pound total)
- 3 tbsp. oil olive
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 1/2 cup apple cider (in a pinch you can use no-sugar-added apple juice)
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. allspice
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 2 generous handfuls of arugula (or frisee or spinach, you can see the spinach pictured here)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the salt and pepper in a small bowl and use it to season both sides of the pork chops.
3. Melt oil oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the olive oil is hot, add the pork chops and sear until you see a golden-brown crust, about 2-3 minutes. Turn over and sear the other side for 2 minutes.
4. Transfer the pork chops to a baking dish and roast in the oven 10-15 minutes, depending on thickness. (If you have an internal meat thermometer, you want the temperature to reach about 140 degrees).
5. While the pork is roasting, combine the remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil and onion in the same skillet. Cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the apple, apple cider, ginger, allspice and nutmeg. Cook until the apples soften, about 5 minutes.
6. Optional step - transfer the apple sauce to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. I say this is optional because we have eaten this recipe with both smooth apple sauce and chunky, and it's delicious both ways.
7. Dress the plates with your green of choice (mine is arugula, because it's the perfect pinch of spice), and top with the pork. Dollop the applesauce on top and bon appetit!

And there you have it! It's really simple to execute this meal and it feels so hearty and wholesome. Also, a word on apple sauce - it is perhaps the most versatile food ever. I love finding new ways to serve it, bake with it and prep different dishes with it. Last month I shared about the different ways I make apple sauce, and included this wonderful spiced version. Let me know if you decide to try this recipe out and what you think of it! Happy cooking, friends!

P.S. - If anyone has done Whole30 while breastfeeding, I would love to hear from you! I'm interested in learning how to safely do the program without sacrificing my milk supply. Give me a shout in the comments with any advice or tips! Many thanks :)

5 Fitness Tips for Postpartum Moms.

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Happy New Year, friends! As I mentioned before the holiday break, I am taking some time with my new baby love, and I am sharing some posts from esteemed and treasured blogging + entrepreneur friends. Today I'm excited to introduce you to Kate, mom of two boys and founder of BeyondFit Mom, a postpartum weight-loss/healthy living program that combines nutrition, exercise and community to achieve health goals. I "met" Kate through the opportunity we had to chat with Jillian Michaels and I am thrilled that Kate is here today to share some of her fitness tips for postpartum moms.

New moms have a lot to think about: when to feed the baby, what to do if they cry… and how to get rid of those extra pounds packed on during pregnancy.

There is a TON of conflicting information out there about how to lose baby weight.  If you’re not an expert, it’s really difficult to know where to start. Especially when you’re sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, and already have so much else on your plate!

If you don’t know where to start (or if sifting through fat loss programs makes your head spin), you’re not alone.  But getting back your pre-baby body doesn’t have to be complicated….

Here are 5 easy to follow postpartum health and fitness tips to help you bounce back after baby….

1. Set realistic goals! 
When it comes time to get serious about losing the baby weight, make sure you keep your expectations in check.  It’s tempting to set unrealistic goals and then be frustrated when we aren’t where we “should” be. Although every new mom is eager to look like our old selves again, one of the most important things to remember is to be patient with yourself. Give yourself some grace and remember, it CAN be done… but it’s going to take time to get your body back.  How much time?  The National Women’s Health Information Center advises that about one pound per week is a safe amount of weight to lose postpartum, and will not affect your milk supply or the baby’s growth.  With the average woman gaining about 30 pounds during pregnancy, and typically losing around 18 to 20 in the first month, that final 10 pounds will push your postpartum fat loss goal to several months after baby makes an arrival.

2. Do it at home!
“Getting slim without the gym” has been favorite motto since becoming a mom.  As you know, there are some days when getting out of the house to exercise is simply not an option. The good news is that you can still get fit in the comfort of your home. Don’t despair if you feel like you don’t have time to get to the gym.  Remember, our goal is to do SOMETHING.  And you can get a fabulous fat burning workout in the comfort of your own home. Hold your baby and do squats and stationary lunges (no weights needed!) for your lower body, then lift your baby overhead (get ready for some giggles) to strengthen your arms and shoulders, or lay on your back and do “baby chest presses.” And during those precious 30-minute nap times, grab some dumbbells and get in a quick weight training workout while your little one sleeps! 

3. Lift Weights!
Speaking of weight training… if you’re ready to get your body back, cardio alone won’t cut it.  This is the most often missed secret in postpartum fat loss. If you’re wondering how to lose baby weight, you have to look past the cardio and on to the weights. The most successful postpartum training plan incorporates a balance of activities including leisurely walks, some HIIT, plenty of stretching, proper core rehabilitation (especially important for moms who have diastasis recti), and also weight training. Cardiovascular exercise may get you bigger or smaller, but you will stay the same shape - weight training is the #1 way to change the shape of your body.  I recommend that moms do strength training 3 times a week for 30 minutes to boost their metabolism and balance metabolic hormones that help burn fat long after your workout is over. This will go will a long way toward tightening and toning your body as well.  

4. Eat Right! 
Proper postpartum training must always be fueled by proper postpartum nutrition.  I see far too many moms trying low calorie, fat diets as they try to figure out how to lose baby weight.  Diets don’t work.  In fact, many times these types of diets make you fatter.  As a new mom, your body needs maximum nutrition to recover from pregnancy, refuel after your workouts, and if you’re breastfeeding, to provide fuel for your baby, so immediately dropping your caloric intake to an unreasonable level isn’t healthy, and may actually cause you to gain weight or do some long term damage to your metabolism. You certainly don’t have to count calories (in fact, I prefer to focus on quality over quantity). To give you an idea of what you need to sustain your baby while you are breastfeeding and safely lose fat, the National Women’s Health Information Center advises consuming at least 1,800 calories per day.  For a healthy baby AND momma, concentrate on well-balanced, healthy food choices that include foods rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6 and folate. Remember to focus on foods that keep your hunger, energy and cravings balanced.  If you do that, the caloric intake will take care of itself.

5. Find some accountability!  
Having social support, whether through friends, or family (or awesome women in an online community) is key to reaching your long-term goals. We are social creatures by nature, and we feel good when we have someone who listens and can relate to what we’re going through.  Consider getting involved with mommy and baby fitness classes (You can workout and bond with your baby at the same time) or join a group workout if you belong to a gym.  Group training- both online or in person- allows us not just to get a great workout, but to develop and foster friendships- many of which reach beyond the walls of the gym.  If you don’t have a local group, connect with moms in a similar situation as you online…. If you need a friend, I’ll keep you accountable! The key is to establish a built-in support system and to make sure you have someone to help you on your journey.

About Kate (aka BeyondFit Mom)
As a new mom, I know what it’s like to be a busy woman who wants to regain her body (and energy). I created BeyondFit Mom to give women the tools needed to reach their fat-loss, health, energy, nutrition, and training goals. It’s not about a quick-fix program that leaves you floundering after a few weeks. BeyondFit Life is about results now and in the future. It’s about ongoing support, learning, education, and information sharing so you can take your results “BeyondFit” and into the rest of your life.

I’m the founder of BeyondFit Mom, with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science. I’m a professional fat-loss expert with years of experience in helping women shed body fat, boost fitness, and learn how to live a fat-loss lifestyle.

I’m also a mom to two little boys, and BeyondFit Mom is my other baby! You can read more about me here.

 

Thanks for sharing, Kate! Make sure to check out her instagram account, too - there are tons of quick fitness tips and yummy recipes that have me drooling :)

Almond Butter, Maple & Sea Salted Cookies.

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I love the week between Christmas and New Years. All the hubbub from the holiday is behind and I feel like I can finally settle into some peace and quiet, and reflect on the coming year. I love writing out all my family's birthdays in my new planner and making goals for the fresh year. There is something cleansing about this week. Of course, this year, things look entirely different, with my newborn waking me up at all hours and filling my days with exhausting and wonderful snuggles. I am so grateful that this little boy decided to make his debut before 2017. Thank you Daxton!

I wanted to share this cookie recipe because this is the week for baking! And sharing cookies with relatives and hunkering down and watching movies. This is one of those recipes that is a bit more guilt-free, according to the author (you probably know how much I love the recipes from Gwyneth Paltrow's book, It's All Good). She claims that these cookies give all the satisfaction of a treat with no guilt (I can attest to that). This recipe is free of sugar, so the cookies are the perfect sweet pick-me-up when you're really trying to be good but craving something a little sweet and salty. Kind of carmel-ly, almost. Actually, they're a little dangerous to have around the house, for that very reason. They're still a cookie, but using maple syrup and almond butter, instead of traditional ingredients, lowers the overall glycemic index of this baked treat. So enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups flour*
- 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup natural almond butter
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. Maldon sea salt (I get mine at Williams Sonoma, but you can also snag it off Amazon in this two-pack. The most delicious salt on Earth, seriously.)

* If you would like to make this recipe gluten-free, feel free to use a gluten-free flour. If the flour doesn't include xanthan gum, make sure to add 3/4 tsp.

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, fine sea salt and baking powder.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond butter (I heated mine to make it more whisk-able), maple syrup and vanilla.
4. Thoroughly combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
5. Use a spoon to scoop out tablespoon-sized dough and roll into a ball in your hands. Space the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
6. Press each dough ball down a bit, so it forms a disk on the baking sheet.
7. Sprinkle each cookie with a bit of the Maldon Salt.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, and make sure to let the cookies cool on a rack before serving.

Yum you guys. These are best if served with, what else - MILK. Santa would have probably liked these. Haha TOO BAD. Love to you all. Let me know if you make these! Would love to know what you think! xo

5 Ways To Celebrate Christmas For Free (or on the Cheap!)

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Hi sweet friends. As I take some time with my new baby love, I will be sharing some posts from esteemed and treasured blogging + entrepreneur friends. Today I'm excited to introduce you to my friend Jessica Huffman, certified StrengthsFinder life coach, personal stylist and most importantly - mama, sister and friend! She's here to share some super clever ideas for how to celebrate Christmas without inflating the budget.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

That memorable classic serenades you in stores, shopping malls, and on the radio as the details of your to-do list pile up in your head. If you’re a mom, the tantalizing thoughts of parties, delicious food, and family tradition can easily be overshadowed by what it takes to obtain those “Instagram worthy" moments. In the motherhood hustle, it’s all too easy to forget to stop, breathe, and be present. If you haven’t given yourself permission yet, consider this blog your first form of encouragement to “lower the bar” on experiencing the holiday season with your loved ones. Say no to the next kids’ holiday party (you’ve attended 25 already), hit “decline” on that Ugly Sweater Facebook invite your cousin throws (it has terrible food anyway), and throw off the constraints of “have-to” demands in favor of the “get-to” moments you can savor with your family during Christmas. Most of the best ones are usually free, too!

Now look, if you are wanting perfection this holiday season then keep looking for some other airbrushed and poised mom and her kids, because this girl ain’t that! I’m real, honest, and on a mission to live my best life now; even embracing the terrible (my word of the year!) moments along the way. If you are like me (I’m not so secretly hoping you are… flawlessly popping another M&M in our mouths while we compare ourselves to strangers on the internet) then this season is about memories and experiences that will create fond memories of our family for years. Instead of chaos, opt for creativity; instead of maxing out credit cards, aim for simplicity and engagement. You might just find that it is TRULY the most wonderful time of the year! Below are my Five Ways to Celebrate The Holidays for Free (or almost free)!

1. Christmas Scavenger Hunt.
Do you like riddles? Then you can create your own “Christmas Scavenger Hunt.” If not, you can find a variety of great riddles very easily on Pinterest. What to do: Start the evening with dinner. After dinner organize the group into pairs (try and pair a child with an adult). Give each pair the list of riddles that, when solved, identify an item for them to take a picture or video of. Load everyone up in the cars and take them to an outdoor/indoor mall, local hotspot, or even a large department store that has a variety of Christmas themed items and people (Santa, Elves, Live Nativity Scene, etc.). Whoever finishes the list first must rush to get it back to a pre-determined spot and can be declared the winner, with total bragging rights (you guessed it…I am a terrible loser!) After everyone returns, celebrate with either hot chocolate or a dessert! This game is perfect for team work, cultivating healthy competition, and can be educational depending on what you learn from each riddle and clue.

2. Christmas Home Spa.
At the end of the day, make a mock schedule for the “(FAMILY NAME) SPA.” Set aside 30 minute increments for each child. Let them know that they have 5 minutes to prep for the spa in one of your bathrooms that has a bathtub. Run some water, grab bubbles, bath bombs, oils or any special bath toys (depending on age). Lower the lights, and then have each child request their favorite holiday movie on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Set up a laptop or iPad on an end table close to the tub but far enough away that it can’t be harmed by playful splashes. When your child arrives for their spa time, hand them a cup of hot chocolate, ask them to get in the spa and then press play on their holiday movie. Of course safety is key so, as the parent, determine the level of safety each child needs in a bath full of water. If you need to stay close, this might be the perfect opportunity to sit nearby on the floor, fold laundry, and watch your child become a diva in training.

3. Christmas “Tour De Subdivision”.
Often times, the most wonderful memories are the traditional ones that have a unique spin. When I was a child we would go look at lights in the surrounding neighborhoods. As I grew older, the family ventured out into other towns. Today, my family carries on this tradition with some added elements. The trick to this is introducing an element of surprise. For example, on an evening when your kids least expect it, have them prepare for bed in their warm pajamas. Just before bed announce that, instead of the same old routine, the family is going to have a Christmas surprise! Pile everyone up in the car with plenty of blankets, roll down the windows, and make your first stop any place that serves ice cream. Crank the holiday music as the kids enjoy their late night treat and slowly drive through your local subdivisions ohhhh-ing and ahhhh-ing at the lights. Make sure you turn off your headlights (if you can) for an even more dramatic impact. Don’t forget that this can be either long or short depending on the ages of your kid’s. As you gaze at the lights ask your kids questions. For example:

1. Which type of lights do you love the most - icicle, colored, white, blinking, etc.

2. Which one was your favorite home (of lights) and why?

4. Twelve Days of Christmas - Book Edition.
Create a simple calendar system for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Let the kids know you will be reading a holiday book of their choice each night together prior to bed (or when it works best for the family). Visit your local library and have each child pick out the books that are geared towards the Christmas season. On your return home, place each child’s name and book in the schedule day. Once you have your pre-determined time each day, let each child know it’s his/her day to pick their books and favorite spot to read. Make sure that the family knows this is done together each day so there’s no options or excuses not to sit and enjoy the book of choice.

5. Hot Chocolate Tasting!
This might not be free, but it is still cost effective and super engaging. It can be a good choice for a large family or even a friends/family outing. Set aside at least a three hour window of time on a predetermined a day. Select a driving route that takes you to at least three places that sell hot chocolate. Create a “Hot Chocolate” evaluation form where the name, location, and type of hot chocolate can we written down. Include a list of numbers to rate taste, creaminess, whip cream, etc. At each stop, ask for the small or kids size hot chocolate and then remind everyone to sip slowly (almost like wine, but that would be encouraging drinking and that’s not what this blog is about) and then talk about and write down how much they like/dislike it and why. Proceed on to the next location instructing everyone to do the same thing for each stop. At the last location, ask them to either choose their top pick for hot chocolate or decide together on a team “winner!”

A little more about Jessica:
I'm a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, grace dweller, burrito lover, Netflix watcher, coffee consumer, and style obsessor. After 15 years in the non-profit arena, life choices thrusted me in to what felt like a mid-life crisis to what became an adventurous journey of answering the question, “What Now”? Traveling to DC to get my StrengthsFinder certification from Gallup, and attempting the Personal Stylist/Branding program with Sterling Style Academy, my struggle became my passion, and with this new venture, will become my purpose: helping others discover a life and work they love!

I hope you enjoyed Jessica's savvy holiday hacks and make sure to visit her site and give a shout out on her instagram!