Every Wednesday Hallie host a 5 favorites link up on her blog and I love it. Is there a better way to share the latest and greatest? Nope . . . Hallie is the bomb and you all should check her out. AND, heck I am linking up with What Were Reading Wednesday too. Why not. :)
Here are my latest favorites . . .
1 . Amazon you prove yourself to be wonderful AGAIN, you never fail. When you sign up with amazon smile they donate .5% of what you buy to a charity of your choice. I chose St. Gianna's Maternity home in Bakersfield, CA - i'm sure there are many wonderful organizations on there.
2. Librivox. Free audiobooks in the public domain! I can't believe it's taken me this long to find out about Librivox. It's wonderful and I have been in book nerd heaven
since. Some of the readers are professionals, and do a wonderful job. My
two favorite narrators are Karen Savage and Elizabeth Klett. If YOU know any
others please let me know. :) I have downloaded THIS app on my phone so in the evening I can listen to them with headphones while cleaning the house. I haven't done so much cleaning since, well, never. Thank you Librivox. :)
4. Speaking of being a book nerd, I started using Paperbackswap and it's been really fun. I sent off a few of our unwanted books and received a few in exchange. Is there something cooler than that? Here's what we added to our shelf: E.B. White's Treasury for the kids and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for me. I can't wait to delve in. I have Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Professor by Charlotte Bronte coming in the mail for a book club I belong to. SO, if YOU sign up and tell them it was me that sent you then I will get credit for another book. Go sign up. :)
3. I'm tired of Pandora's ads (mostly naked ladies anyone?) so we have been listening to Spotify. It's wonderful! You can listen to any album (at least any I have looked for so far!) and then a streaming station just like Pandora. There are FAR fewer advertisements.
We are going to see the Wailin Jenny's on Thursday and I can't wait. We have been enjoying all their music on spotify.
4. Speaking of Spotify, I discovered some new music through their streaming station and I couldn't wait to share it with someone. You will have to be it. :) Joy Kills Sorrow, fresh out of Boston. I love their name.
Curling up with a good book in a comfy chair has got to be one of the most wonderful things in life. Give me a classic, a children's book, a cook book, or even a birthing guide - I love them all. I also love sharing my favorites and learning yours. If you would add to this list I would love to know! I am not an amazon affiliate (anymore), but if you buy books from amazon, support this homeschooling, book-loving momma! If you purchase books through clicking on her links then she will get a fraction of the cost, (merely penny's) but they add up!
Now for my favorite books to gift a new mom:
Beautiful Babies: Nutrition For Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-Feeding, and Baby's First Foods. This is the book I wish I had before I got pregnant with my first. I do not own this book, but I have checked it out at the library and it's fantastic. Pregnant with my first I thought I could eat whatever I wanted and baby got what it needed. I think this book would have helped me to understand that nutrition and gut health do matter. Kristen does an amazing job of keeping it simple and easy to read, just what a new mama's would need. Another journal similar to this book is the Weston Price Healthy Baby issue that I did get a hold of and love it, most of the articles can be found on the Weston Price website, but it's so nice to have it in a journal.
2 . Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers. I had almost every nursing problem in the book with my first, and then more with my second and I feel like i've read plenty of books out there on nursing. I didn't find any of them helpful except for this ONE book. Most of them were entirely overwhelming, especially being postpartum and trying to figure out why the heck it hurt till I cried every single time. With the help of a wonderful lactation consultant and the advice from this book I was able to successfully breastfeed all three of my kids, I am so blessed. I think every new momma needs this book. :)
3. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. This is a great book for the Mama who wants to go all natural. :) Its a perfect overall guide that's very positive about birth. I personally have not read the whole thing, but many of my friends and my sister has and they love it. We read the Husband Coached Childbirth and it's great, too - but I would recommend Ina May's first.
5. Jane Eyre. Although I list this book last, I think this is the best one. The BEST ONE, folks. Im in love with this book. What more can I possibly say? Maybe, just maybe it's making it on the best book I have ever read category. It's only $2.99 on amazon for the paperback and free for your kindle. You can't beat it. :) I don't have a lot of sit-down-peaceful-reading time around here (and most new moms don't) so I downloaded this free app on my phone and listened to it for free on Librivox. I could listen to it while I went for a walk, did the dishes or while I laid the baby down at night. Im really impressed with the narrator and I simply couldn't put it down. Im hooked on audiobooks now, such a great way to listen to classics!
So that's it! I'd love to hear which books helped or inspired you as a new mom - or even a seasoned mom. What would you buy someone for their baby shower?
Im linking up with the sweet Hallie today, click on over. Have a blessed day,
- Sarah
“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” -Philip Pullman (taken from here)
Things have been sloooooow going over here for one main reason, which happens to be this:
1.
Luke Vincent! Let me introduce to you our newest Baby Doll! Born on August 26th - 9lbs 8 oz. This picture was taken when he was a week old, he is now six weeks old and things are just starting to feel normal. Well, as normal is it gets with a newborn! He is now giving me smiles and coos - my heart is overflowing with love for this little guy. . .
We had the most lovely home birth a girl could dream for. I started labor shortly after noon and had sweet little Luke on my chest before dinner. I can't say I am looking forward to my next birth, but this experiences was so positive that I feel more optimistic than ever. Maybe the third time's the charm? In any case I am so grateful to Our Lord for a wonderful birth and healthy baby!
Stay tuned for his birth story, I need to get it written down before I forget all the details!
2.
This is Peter.
This is how Peter walks around most of the day, with some sort of weapon in hand and a scowl on his face!
Ok, I don't give him enough credit, haha. He can be the most charming, sweet, loving and compassionate little boy I have ever been around. Things have been rough going since Luke was born, but he's coming around to his old self again and we get a kick out of things he says every day.
Peter has been hitting us with his sword lately so we put the sword in "time
out" thinking he'd not have any weapons. Well, we watched Tangled the
other night and this morning he was walking around getting all the bad
guys with this frying pan!
3.
Gianna has been the sweetest little Mommy to Luke. Every chance she gets she's kissing and playing with him. Even though she's only four, she's been a great help with Luke. I can see how it'll only get easier as she gets older!
I love seeing how my children act towards Luke - it's so sweet to see other people love Luke as much as I do. I feel as if every baby we have there's more love to go around and our hearts become more generous.
We have been doing some preschool activities with Gianna this year - and I know she would like us do to more, but life is tough with three little ones! Hopefully things will be a little easier when we start homeschooling for kindergarten next year - because im not sure how im going to do it!
4.
I put Gianna and Luke on opposite sides of my bed for a nap the other day and when I checked on them I found this.
Heart melt.
5.
The majority of days around are hard. Really really hard. Im in survival mode and I think it'll be like this for awhile.
The kids wear their pajamas most of the day and I am constantly frazzled, exhausted and grumpy towards the older kids. Forget having dinner made.
That being said, I hate dwelling on the negative. So in case someone thinks its all lovey dovey and roses around here - it's not. For my own sanity, I need to savor, capture and share the beautiful in order to get through the rough.
This particular moment melted my heart and I snuck a picture before the kids saw me. Reading is one of my absolute favorite activities and I beam with pride when I see my children enjoying a book together.
LOVE it.
Thanks for letting me share my kids with you, have a blessed day!
~ Sarah
"Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I
myself may feel all the sufferingsof my
neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those
who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful
Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O
Lord, rest upon me."
Growing up my mom would make us take an Echinacea tincture for our colds. She would give it to us strait from the dropper undiluted. It was SO gross, but I think it really helped!
Now that I am a mother I still use Echinacea for colds and immune boosting benefits, but it's not the most frugal option out there. It's not easy to get the kids to take it unless it's a children's formula, but one small bottle will run you about $15.
Echinacea is also more of an aid to boosting your immune system rather than a kicker for colds. What we have experimented with in our household are different frugal cold remedies that really kick the cold before it gets bad.
So here are our favorites:
Raw Garlic. As soon as I start to feel a cold coming on I chop up a few cloves of raw garlic and swallow it. This works best if you do it several times until you feel the cold going away. Garlic has very strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It also boost your immune system among many other things. Not to mention this remedy cost cents and really works. It's a little spicy going down, but worth it!
Raw Ginger - this is another really potent food remedy for colds. Even spicier than garlic so it may be hard to swallow. A great way to ingest it is through making your own ginger tea. Finely chop a few tablespoon of ginger and add to your hot water to make ginger tea. After steeping for a bit, strain the tea and add raw honey to balance out the spicy ginger. It will feel great on your throat and help fight that cold. You can also buy quality ginger tea if you don't want to mess with it raw.
Raw Honey - honey is very soothing to the sore throat and has natural antibiotic properties. It also contains vitamins and minerals to help you heal faster. This mom uses honey mixed with cinnamon for her children's colds. If there is one remedy my children will readily take its raw honey, they love it!
Bone Broth - being sick depletes your system of much needed vitamins and minerals for healing. Homemade bone broth made into soups or sipped in a mug help the healing process move faster. This is a little more time consuming if you don't have some on hand, but I try to make a big batch and freeze the extra. There's nothing tastier than a chicken soup made with homemade bone broth, food for the soul! Here's a great tutorial on how to make it.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Raw Honey
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar - last but certainly not least, this is my favorite remedy! Apple Cider Vinegar is considered the cure all remedy. It's the best I tell you! You can read all about the uses here. For our coughs and colds this remedy has been the best. I can mix it with raw honey and water and my children will drink it happily. I cannot praise it enough. In the winter we are going to take it daily to keep the colds away before they even come around.
Do you have a favorite cold remedy that's not listed here? Let me know in the comments!
"I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this
life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who
was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is
love incorruptible"
-St. Ignatius of Antioch
Linking up with Hallie and her 5 Favorites today, make sure to pop on over and check out the other favorites. I will be discussing my favorite body products.
Simple and Frugal Body Care Products
This little shelf in my 70's bathroom carries just about everything I need for day-to-day body care. I think I have finally found a routine with body care products that really work, are frugal and simple to make and/or use!
I used to buy the latest and greatest products, wasting so much money as they would end up collecting dust after awhile. I was also addicted to lotion for YEARS, I seriously couldn't live without it. After I made the switch to natural products, my skin and hair improved dramatically, it's also saved me a lot of money.
As I share these, I would also love to know what works for you? Have you tried a few a these items?
1. Hair Care
Now I wouldn't say I have luscious hair, or even cooperative hair, but lately I have been starting to actually like my hair. I've always had a problem with frizz, especially as my hair grew longer. My solution was to cut it short and keep it simple, and that worked, except now I am growing it out and I love how it's looking. These are the only two products that I use and I will tell you why I love them: Shampoo Bar: I have used J.R Liggett's Shampoo bar and have also made a batch of my own. I also occasionally use apple cider vinegar to rinse my hair with and make it soft, but we don't need conditioner anymore. The whole family uses the bar and it will last more than a month. The cheapest place to get it is Vitacost, it typically runs $4 a bar.
Homemade Dry Shampoo: My sister introduced this to me a few months ago and I love it. On the days I don't wash my hair I use this to absorb the excess oil. My hair is not frizzy and WAY more cooperative when it's dirty, and with dry shampoo it doesn't have to look dirty! This is why I am excited to grow my hair out - dry shampoo has changed everything for me. It's also handy when you have to get out the door and don't have time for a shower. Wellness Mama has a great recipe that we use.
2. Face Wash
I have a problem with dry skin and occasionally acne. It seems like I have tried everything. I never liked how my face felt until I started the Oil Cleansing Method of washing my face. All you need is oil and water! It seems crazy but I dare you to try it, you will love it. It takes a little more time that simply washing your face, but I find it helps me relax before bed. And who doesn't have oil in their house? No need for expensive cleansers anymore. Here is the video tutorial:
Besides the shampoo bar and apple cider vinegar, Anna's soap is the only other thing I have in the shower. I LOVE to keep things simple and this soap does the job. My husband loves it, it's gentle enough for the kids and it's great for shaving. It's also the most natural you can get. It lathers really well and doesn't dry out my skin. Not to mention, she's an awesome mama and I am very proud to support her business.
This is the only soap we use for washing hands as well, the bar last forever and always smells so good.
4. Oils/Lotions
As I mentioned, I was addicted to lotion. It took me forever to switch to using oil for my skin instead of lotion - and now? You won't find a single bottle of lotion in my house. You might ask, why would you not use lotion? Or why is it so addicting? Here's a good answer.
My skin feels SO much better and I don't use nearly the amount of oil as I did lotion. After the NOW's sweet almond oil. One bottle will last me a few months, at least. My skin does not itch from being dry anymore.
shower I apply almond oil or jojoba oil all over my body. I let it absorb for a few minutes so I don't get any oil on my skin and I usually only reapply the oil every 3-5 days. The cheapest option I have found is
For my face and hands I either use The Good Green Stuff or my homemade tallow lotion. This is the tutorial I used and I made it from the tallow that came with our quarter beef last year. THIS STUFF ROCKS!
Beef fat seems like a really gross thing to put on your skin - but it is the closest thing to the oil on our own skin, which causes it to absorb so well. I only have to use a little bit and my hands/feet and face feel awesome. If there is anything you take away from this post, let it be to try tallow on your skin!! You can purchase some if you don't have tallow, but if you can get your hands on grassfed tallow - I say go for it. This lotion cost pennies for me compared to the lotion you buy in the store.
For a few years now I have been solely using homemade deodorant. I used to buy the extra strength
antiperspirant, and it still didn't do the trick! I now love my deodorant and it makes me pretty happy that I can make this on my own. It only requires a few ingredient and you aren't putting all those chemicals in your armpit. Of all homemade products this one is easy to make and you can test it right away, I highly recommend it!
Thanks for letting me share my natural body care routine with you, Currently, Im on the lookout for a good, tasty toothpaste recipe that my kids will use. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way!
"Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a
challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play
it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a
song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy,
confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life
is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it."
I am linking up with Hallie today who happens to be one of my favorite bloggers. Make sure to check her out, you won't be disappointed. :)
A few years ago a dear friend of mine introduced me to the world of beautifully illustrated children's books. I have fallen in love since. There are so many wonderful books out there and I am going to share with you some of our favorites. Let me know which books you and your children love!
This book is a true gem. It's a story about a family with seven picky eaters and how they solve their dilemma. It's very sweet and the pictures are beautiful. If you have never read a book illustrated by Marla Frazee, make sure to borrow one at your library! Take a peak here...
This is more of a Christmas/winter book but we read it all year long. My 4 year old will look at this book forever and ask me to read it again and again. All of the books illustrated by Jan Brett are treasures, this just happens to be one of them.
This is a must book if you have a son named Peter. It's an adorable story about a boy who goes to pick blueberries and cranberries for his mother's birthday. He then meets the blueberry king who takes him on an adventure. It's one of those books I don't mind reading over and over again, we love it so much. Elsa Beskow has many other beautiful books we would love to own someday.
And last we have treasured this book I found at Goodwill awhile back. The rhymes are hilarious and the pictures are so fun to look at. Maybe we like berry books because we live in the land of overflowing berries? Not sure but we'll take it.
Thanks for hanging out and letting us share our favorite books with you! Make sure to pop on over to Hallie's blog and check out the other five favorites.
“And I understood that the greatest attribute of God is love and mercy.
It unites the creature with the Creator. This immense love and abyss of
mercy are made known in the Incarnation of the Word and in the
Redemption [of humanity], and it is here that I saw this as the greatest
of all God’s attributes.”
2. Librivox. Free audiobooks in the public domain! I can't believe it's taken me this long to find out about Librivox. It's wonderful and I have been in book nerd heaven
since. Some of the readers are professionals, and do a wonderful job. My
two favorite narrators are Karen Savage and Elizabeth Klett. If YOU know any
others please let me know. :) I have downloaded THIS app on my phone so in the evening I can listen to them with headphones while cleaning the house. I haven't done so much cleaning since, well, never. Thank you Librivox. :)
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