Life

It has been a long time since I posted..about seven-eight months.

Life has been hectic. So many things have changed.

I had so many great posts and giveaways lined up, but things had just been too crazy between work and school and life.

I AM back though, I promise. I may not be posting every week, but I will be posting somewhat regularly again!

I have many product reviews lined up, and even a look inside of my new (little) house.

Thank you to those who have stuck around, you will be seeing more of me soon!

Happy Parenting,

Marissa.

My Top 10 Favorite “Crunchy” Products

Hello Everyone!
I have had a couple people ask about my favorite “crunchy” products, so I took to Facebook and asked if you guys were interested, and you were! So today’s post is going to be about my Top 10 (Well, technically 11 :p ) favorite “Crunchy” products, besides ACV, Baking Soda, Witch Hazel, etc!

I will do a full list another day, but I am still exploring some different household products.

If you have any questions about a specific product, please let me know. Also, they are not in any specific order.

*Disclaimer: I purchased all of these products with my own money, or they were gifted to me from a family member. I am not being paid to recommend any of these products, and it is 100% my own opinion!*

Top 10 favorite “Crunchy” products

 1.) Coconut Oil

This has to be my most favorite thing ever. I use it to make my own Facewash, I use it keep my hair moisturized, to remove makeup, to mix with essential oils, on my daughter’s skin, on rashes, etc. Coconut Oil is our Holy Grail.

I get the 56 oz size at SAMS club, it is about $15. I have tried three other different brands of Coconut Oil, and I just keep coming back to this one. It taste the best when I cook with it, it doesn’t make my hair feel too oily, I just like it a lot more than any other brand!

2.) European Green Clay

I really love using this Green Clay to Detox my Face, Armpits (Yes, Armpits! Check out Wellness Mama’s post about it!), my Body while in the bath, and even my hair! This is the first Green Clay I have ever tried, and I am VERY happy with it! I will do another post on using it to Detox 🙂

I bought it at my local Sahara Mart for $5, but you can buy it online here on Amazon for $8.98, or here for $5.29.

3.) Dr.Teal’s Lavender Epsom Salt

I use this every single time I take a bath! It detox’s your body, the Lavender is calming, and it helps to sooth sore muscles! What else could you want? I have used the Original, as well as the Lavender scented, and I prefer the Lavender scented that way I do not have to use my Essential Oils!

You can get a 3lb bag at Walmart for $4.87, or at Target for $4.89! Target has free shipping on everything right now, so if you don’t have a Walmart, or Target near you, you can order it online!

4.) Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface Cleaner in the “Honeysuckle” Scent!

This Cleaner smells absolutely amazing! I usually use vinegar with essential oils, and some castille soap, but this Multi-Surface Cleaner works so great, I have been finding myself using more and more of it 🙂

This Cleaner is free of: Parabens & Phthalates, Glycol Solvents, Formaldehyde, and Artificial Colors! It is full of: Plant Derived Ingredients, Essential Oils, and Birch Bark Extract. I really love this cleaner! It even gets my floors clean, but does not leave my hands raw!

You can get it on the Mrs.Meyers website for $3.99, or at Target for $3.99 as well, but Target has free shipping! 🙂

5.) Tom’s of Maine, Toothpaste

For awhile I was making my own Toothpaste, until I found out that our local Sahara Mart  sold Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste! I still use my homemade Toothpaste, but until I find the perfect DIY toothpaste, I am sticking with Tom’s! It actually taste pretty good, it doesn’t make me gag (which is a plus!), and it is Fluoride Free! Which is very important to me.

I got mine at our local store, but Walmart has it for $4.25, with Free Shipping! If you have ever wanted to try it, Grab it now! 😉

6.) Earth Friendly Products: Organic Lavender Hand Soap

This is the hand soap that I keep in our bathroom! It is free of: Formeldahyde, GMO’s, Phosphates, Chlorine, Ammonia, and more! I work at a daycare, and we have to wash our hands a million times a day. This soap has NOT dried out my skin at all! I was so happy to finally find a soap that that was free of nasty chemicals, and kept my hands feeling soft. It is also gentle enough to use on Lily’s skin, which is another big deal for me! Another plus? A little goes a LONG way! One pump of the soap lathers my hands completely.

You can get it at Walmart for $2.89, and you can also get 1gallon of it from Walmart for about $15! I am definitely going to buy it in bulk, and use it to refill soap containers around the house!

7 & 8.) Shea Moisture Baby Shampoo/Body Wash, and Lotion!

First off, both the body wash, and the lotion, smell absolutely amazing. I have used it on myself before, and the scent lasted all day long! It makes my daughters skin feel baby smooth, and even look hydrated. It is pretty pricey, I got it for $9.99/bottle, but it has lasted us so long! The lotion spreads very well, and a couple drops of the baby wash goes a very long way! If you have the extra money, I totally reccomend that you pick a bottle up. Target seems to have it on sale frequently (P.S. If you are local to me, our CVS has the “grown up” hair care products on sale! Buy one, get one free!).

It is free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Paraffin’s, Gluten, Propylene Gylcol, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Fragrance, PABA, Synthetic Color, DEA, Sulfates, and Animal Testing! It lists all of these things on the back of the bottle. I really love this amazing company, and their producst!

9.) MINA Organics, Hemp Body & Face Moisturizer

This is my favorite lotion for myself. It makes my body feel smoothed, and feel hydrated, without the oily feeling from Coconut Oil.

 

I have not looked into this lotion (regarding chemicals), like I have everything else, because I just recently found it at TJ Maxx. I know that it is Paraben free, and that it is made from Hemp Seed Oil. I tried looking online, and I had no luck finding it anywhere but Ebay! So, Check your local TJ Maxx/ Burlington Coat Factory’s, as I have seen it at both places.

10.) Hempz Color Protect Shampoo, and Moisturizing Conditioner.

I usually go no-poo, but lately I have been doing more of a low-poo. I have really curly, super thick, frizzy hair, and this shampoo/conditioner combination has smoothed my hair, and made my curls more tamed.

I. AM. IN. LOVE.

I seriously believe that this is the best Shampoo and Conditioner I have ever tried, Crunchy or not.

It smells like Vanilla and Brown Sugar had a Child, and it is a mouth-watering scent!

It is pricey compared to drugstore shampoo/Conditioners, but on the less expensive side when it comes to high-end brands.

Oh! I forgot to mention, it is: Paraben free, Gluten free, and it is Vegan!

At Amazon, the Shampoo is $16.81 (normally $24.96!), and the Conditioner is $21.38.

I hope that this blog post gave you some in-sight on the products I use, and I promise that I will make a complete Master list of my favorite “Crunchy” products, just give me some time 🙂

Have you tried any of these products? Did they work for you? If you try any of these out, let me know!

Happy Parenting!

-Marissa.

One Pan Meals, Recipe 1- Sausage, Potato, and Carrots.

Hello Everyone!

It has been about two months since I last posted, and I am sorry.

I have been very busy because I was offered a Full-Time position as a Daycare/Preschool Teacher. I am rejoiced to say that I have accepted the offer! It is an amazing job, and I am very happy that I have the opportunity to make a difference in a Child’s life.

I am still going to college, but I am now only taking 3 classes instead of 4. I am excited for the fun classes that I am taking next semester, but I am only going to be taking 3 then too.

That being said.. I have formed an obsession for quick, easy meals. Especially meals that only use little dishes, but are still healthy and filling!

One of my favorites right now is Sausage, Potato’s, and Carrots! It is very simple to make, and you can make it all in one dish!

It has passed the Toddler test, and tastes good with about anything on the side (that is, if you even want anything!)

If you want to try this delicious meal, then keep reading! If not, check back in a couple days for a new post 🙂

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One Pot Meal- Sausage, Potato, and Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Turkey Sausage
• 6 Potato’s
• 4 long Carrots
• Olive Oil
• 1/2 Ranch Packet
• Garlic Seasoning
• Italian Seasoning
•  Salt
• Pepper

Directions:

The very first thing you should do is Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and grease your Baking pan with your oil of choice.

Then, dice the Potato’s, and add them to the pan.

Once you are done with the Potato’s, chop the Carrots in half (Hot Dog style) and then slice.

It should look something like this:

After I finish cutting all of the vegetables, I wipe my cutting board down, flip it to the “Meat/Poultry” side, and then slice the Sausage.

Once all of your ingredients (besides the seasonings) are in the pan, drizzle everything with Olive Oil (I do not have specific measurements for any of the seasonings). Then, lightly shake 1/2 packet of Ranch Seasoning over the Olive oil. Add Seasonings, and put in the oven!

Let cook for 30 minutes (it may be a little longer, or shorter, depending on your oven) and then you have this amazing, quick dinner!

Tadaaa! It is done!

(It taste really great with honey cornbread on the side.)

If you try this, and love it, or make any changes to it, please let me know!

Happy Parenting!

– Marissa.

DIY Himalayan Salt Candle Holder Project

This looks beautiful, and easy!

Organic Himalayan Salt

This DIY Himalayan Salt Candle Holder Project allows you to quickly and easily create beautiful Himalayan Salt Votive Candle Holders for your home. The peach-pink color of the salt emits a smooth, earthy glow when the candle is lit, creating tranquil lighting for any location of the home, while the project it’s self allows for great conversation and fun while making them around the kitchen table! You may even want to try some of the culinary delights that Himalayan Salt has to offer while your at it!

This project also creates a wonderfully unique handmade gift which is perfect for Christmas, Birthdays or Wedding gifts!

Materials needed to make 1 candle holder:

• 1 glass flower vase, bowl or candle holder, about 6″ in dia. or across, with low sides(I used a square Wal-Mart flower vase, you can use any shape you prefer.)
• 2lbs Course Grain…

View original post 141 more words

DIY Powder Laundry Detergent!

Hello Everyone!

I posted on my Facebook awhile back about how I made my own Laundry Detergent, and a lot of people seemed interested. So, here is my recipe!

I love using this detergent. It is super cheap, cleans well, and you can even add Essential Oils if you want a different scent!

*I have tried this on our Cloth Diapers a couple times, and I have really loved it. I know a lot of people are against DIY detergent and Diapers, but it is completely up to the person washing them.*

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Borax
• 1 cup of Washing Soda
• 1 bar of soap (or 1/2 of two bars. I personally love to use 1/2 bar of Fels Naptha, and 1/2 bar of Zote.)
• 1.5 cups of Oxy Clean (optional, its okay to use the Dollar Tree brand!)

 

Directions:

1. Grate Soap

  2. Add All Ingredients into the container you are going to use, and shake well to mix ingredients. Then you are done!

I add an old Tide Lid, so I can measure the Detergent how I like. Also, If you have Hard water, it really helps to add 1/4 or so of salt to the mixture!

I used a Dollar Tree container, and printed off a label to decorate my Detergent Storage 🙂

If you make the detergent, let me know how you like it! Feel free to leave questions, or comments below!

Happy Parenting!

– Marissa 🙂

 

 

 

 

DIY Rice Milk!

Hey Everyone,

Today I am going to share about how you can make your own Rice Milk!

If you look at the ingredients in Rice Milk, you will see that it is full of sugar. Store bought Rice Milk is not healthy for you, and it is not cheap either.

My daughter has a couple allergies that stop her from being able to have most conventional milks, so we switch between Hemp, Rice, Coconut, and Raw Goat’s milk.

This milk doesn’t have the greatest flavor, so you could always add whatever you like to it. My personal favorite is adding a couple drops of Organic, Pure, Vanilla.

DIY Rice Milk

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rice, cooked by the instructions on the package.
• 4 cups of distilled water.
• A couple drops of Vanilla Extract (optional).

Directions:

1. Cook 1 cup of rice, using the instructions on the package.

1 cup of Rice, Cooked.

  2. Add Rice, and 4 cups of Distilled Water to a Blender.

  3. Blend on high for at least 1 minute, until all of the rice is gone. It should look something like this:

  4. Add any essential flavors, and you are done!

There you go! A quick, easy way to make Rice Milk! Plus if you ever run out of milk, it is an awesome substitute in recipes! 🙂

Happy Parenting!

– Marissa 🙂

DIY Dishwasher Tablets

Hello Everyone!

Last night my Sister and I got bored and decided to do a bunch of DIY stuff. I searched my Pinterest board, and found a picture of DIY Dishwasher Tablets! They looked pretty, and I decided to give them a try!

*I have only tried these twice so far, but both times my dishes came out sparkling clean, with no residue! After continuous use, I will update!*

This is cheap, and effective, so try it already! 😉

DIY Dishwasher Tablets

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Borax.
• 1 cup of Washing Soda.
• 1 cup of Vinegar.
• 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice.

Directions:

1.) Pour Washing Soda and Borax into a large bowl, break up any of the chunks.

2.) Stir Vinegar into the mixture, scraping all of the powder off the bottom of the bowl.

3.) Stir in Lemon juice, this will turn it yellow tinted.

4.) Once everything is mixed, pour it into ice cube trays so it sets the shape.

5.) Let them sit out for about two hours or so to dry ( I let mine sit overnight for best results). Once they are hard, plop them out.

 

 

 

6.) Put Tablets in an air-tight container, and use one per load!

and there you go!

Home Made Dishwasher Tablets, with prep time under 10 minutes!

Let me know if you try them, how you liked them, and if you changed anything in the comments below!

Happy Parenting!

– Marissa 🙂

P.s. Sharing is Caring! 😉

DIY Coconut Oil & Baking Soda Face Wash/Scrub!

Hello everyone!

Today I am writing this post because after consistently trying this face wash (and scrub!), I am IN LOVE. My face has never been this smooth, even, or clear! It is simple, cheap, and healthy with ONLY 3 ingredients (Only 2, for just the wash)! I have combination skin: A dry forehead, but oily everywhere else, and I am prone to acne breakouts. This scrub has not caused me to breakout at all, even with the oil!

Coconut Oil has so many advantages!

– It is Antibacterial, and Anti-Fungal.

– Natural Moisturizer.

– Reduces Wrinkles.

– It won’t change the PH balance of your face, or irritate it!

– and More!

I say, with those advantages, why not give it a try?

This face wash contains two simple Ingredients: Organic, Extra Virgin Oil, Unrefined, Coconut Oil, and Baking Soda.

The face scrub contains all of the above ingredients, plus one extra.. Sea Salt!

Simple Ingredients, Simple Directions, Effective, All-Natural, and Cheap! What is not to love?

The Coconut Oil and Baking Soda Face Wash/Scrub:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of Coconut Oil, Melted. (Please use Extra Virgin Oil, Unrefined, and Organic if Possible!)
• 2/3 cup of Baking Soda,
• 1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt (If making Scrub)

Directions:

1.) Melt 1/2 Cup of Coconut Oil, pour into medium sized bowl.

2.) Pour 2/3 cup of Baking Soda into the bowl, doing 1/3 cup first, stir until completely white.

3.) If making a scrub, add a Teaspoon of Sea Salt into the bowl, and stir again.

IF making a Scrub, it should look like this. If making a face wash, it should look like the first bowl picture.

4.) Pour into a small mason jar, or baby food jar like I used, and Let it harden! It should end up looking like this:

Once it hardens, you are ready to go! It doesn’t exactly suds up like conventional face wash, but a little goes a long way! Just experiment to find out how much to use, to your liking!

(I have super sensitive skin, and this has not once made my skin super red or burn. I even tried it as a body wash on my daughter who has hyper-sensitive skin, and it worked great!)

After seeing how much Coconut Oil is in the recipe, are you a little scared to try it? Scared it will make your face oily, or break you out? In case you did not know, Oil fights Oil! When you use everyday cleaners on your face to strip oil, it signals to your body that it needs to produce more oil. Thus, making your face break out even more!

Just give it one try, it won’t hurt, and you may even like it! 🙂

If you try it, please leave a comment letting me know how you liked it, if you made any changes, etc!

Have any questions? Leave a comment.

Happy Parenting!

– Marissa.

DIY Sunshine Citrus Body Scrub

She has such a great scrub!

Sunshine Southern

I’ve seen a lot of posts recently about DIY body scrubs, so I decided to give it a try, myself. I researched the benefits of different fruits and came up with my own mixture.

Ingredients:

• Bananas: antibacterial, softens, hydrates, moisturizes skin
• Lemons: antibacterial, brightens skin
• Oranges: astringent, toner, firms skin
• Coconut Oil: moisturizes skin
• Sugar: exfoliates skin, less harsh than salt

You can make your own recipe with your own proportions. Add more of whatever you think your skin needs and whatever will give you the consistency you desire. Here are the approximate measurements of what I concocted:

Recipe:

• 2.5 cups of sugar
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 banana
• 1/2 medium-sized orange (juice and zest)
• 1 medium-sized lemon (juice and zest)

Mash up the banana (a fork/wooden spoon combo seemed to work best for me). Use a reamer to juice the lemon and half of…

View original post 176 more words

Why Organic? – Organic Series Part 1.

Hello Everyone!

This is Part 1 in the Organic Series! Today I am going to be writing about a topic that I get asked a lot, Why do you eat Organic Food?

There are many reasons why I chose for my family to eat mostly Organic, but here are the Top 3:

#1: Pesticides

Did you know that the USA uses over 1.2 billion pounds of Pesticides a year, and ONLY 0.01% of that actually reaches the bugs? If it is not reaching the bugs, then where is it going? That’s right, into our food! There are many health risks associated with Pesticides such as: Eye and Skin Irritant, Hormone Disruption, Cancer, Blood Disorders, Birth Defects, Immune Disorders, Nerve Disorders, ADHD and more!

When you ingest Pesticides, they are stored in your Colon, and will eventually poison your body. Organic Foods do not contain Neurotoxins (organophosphates), which were developed as a toxic nerve agent in World War I. Think about that, since there is no use for the nerve agent anymore, they are spraying it onto our food. Imagine what kind of damage that exposure can do to your body over time. 

Children’s brains are more susceptible to toxins, and The National Academy of Sciences reported that at least 50% of lifetime pesticide exposure happens during the first five years of life. There was another Study published, that found that exposure to Garden Pesticides can increase the risk of Childhood Leukemia by a SEVEN-FOLD. Leukemia!

There are many major side effects to being exposed to pesticides, and I do not want my family to be exposed to Pesticides anymore than they already are.

 #2: Organic Food contains more nutrients, and even taste better!

One day I was at the Grocery Store and decided to get some Organic Bananas. They were delicious, but I couldn’t understand how they were any better than conventional Bananas. Next time we went to the Grocery store I skipped the Organic Bananas. My daughter and I split a Banana, and I instantly got this disgusting taste in my mouth. I tried drinking water, and even brushing my tongue, I could not get the taste completely away. After a quick Google search, I quickly learned that I was tasting the Pesticides on the fruit. I was absolutely disgusted.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables contain at least 40% more antioxidants, and Organic milk contain up to 90% more!  Antioxidants are said to reduce the risk of heart disease, and even many cancers. They also have higher levels of beneficial vitamins and minerals, that we desperately need. Eating Organic vegetables could “give you the same benefits as eating one or two more of the daily recommend servings,” that is amazing!

Switching to Organic food, has made me feel so much more healthy! 

#3: Animals that are raised Organically, are treated so much better.

Eating fewer animal products is better for the environment, but if that is not possible, at least eat meat that was treated humanly. Animal Agriculture cause 80% of the world’s deforestation, and massive amounts of Pollution. They also consume half of the worlds grain harvest. Animals that are raised Organically are fed organic feed, aren’t filled with antibiotics, they are not from a test tube, and get to eat more nutrients than conventional meat.With Organic meat, there is little risk of mad-cow disease. Animals that are raised organically are only fed 100% organic feed, without other animals chopped up inside. Also, when Farmers use animal manure as fertilizer, they are recycling the nutrients. These animals are not constantly caged, sick, or in overcrowded populations. Most animals in fact, have other purposes besides just giving meat.

Now these were only a few of the many reasons why I believe Organic is important, but there are many more! So please, if you haven’t researched about it before, do it now!

Stay tuned, I have an upcoming post called “Eating Organic on a Budget” coming soon!

Happy Parenting,

– Marissa.