Taking Care of Yourself Tuesday: It’s the Little Things

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Taking care of yourself well can be all about the little things.  Taking your vitamins, taking time to feed yourself well, exercising, taking time to pursue things you love, are all little things that add up to a healthy and happier you.  It’s so important for moms to love themselves well so that they can love others well. you cannot give what you don’t have.

So, today I thought I would encourage you to do a little thing that I think many moms should do to feel a little better about themselves.  Today I want to challenge you to take a good look at your undergarments.  That’s right, you know the bra that you’ve been wearing for years or the panties that are comfy but getting holes in them? How about the plain old granny panties? Toss them out and invest in some new ones.

Why do we do this as moms?  If our kids had holes in their underwear we would buy them new pairs but we tend to neglect ourselves in this way {If you don’t then kudos to you}.

I still have maternity underwear and I haven’t been pregnant for 3 1/2 years! I’m tossing it and putting more effort into pretty undergarments {maybe even matching! I know it’s amamzing!}.  I know that I feel better when I feel pretty and taken care of. Even if you are pregnant or nursing you can find some pretty alternatives to drab bras and panties.

How about you? Does your undergarment wardrobe need a makeover?  When you think about it these things are not that expensive and you’ll be happy you invested in yourself.  I’m pretty sure your husband will be happy about it too!!

Disclosure: affiliate links are present in this post.  I only ever recommend what I use and love myself.

Filed Under: Taking Care of Yourself Tagged With:

Tons of Ideas to Make Summer Fun for Kids!

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I don’t know about you, but I tend to need ideas to make Summer fun for my kids.  I can get lost in my To Do lists if I don’t plan ahead.  So, every Summer I grab a calendar and start planning in some simple and fun ways to spend time with my kids.  I like to ask my kids for their ideas and a “wishlist” of activities they would like to include.

With my calendar in hand I schedule the necessary things first (like doctors appointments) and I block off our vacation days if we are taking one. Next I go to work on adding the fun things we have thought of.  I like to include one fun thing each day.  For days when you have a lot of other stuff going on, pick something quick and easy. Here are some of the things on our Summer Fun list this year:

  • Water Day (water balloon fights, sprinkler and slip n slide play)
  • Go to the Library. Then have a contest to see who can read the most pages in a day (the younger ones can do picture books or have books read to them)
  • Visiting the local Farmer’s Market and try some new fruits and veggies
  • What makes me special Day (highlighting each child and what are the things you love about them. Everyone can join in.)
  • Write and perform a (short) skit
  • Decorate your room Day (use items you already have, make something or splurge on something new)
  • Go to a field or park and have a family soccer game
  • Make Homemade ice cream
  • Have a shaving cream fight in the backyard and then run through the sprinklers
  • Write and illustrate your own book
  • Make a homemade version of your favorite candy bar
  • Art Day. Paint, draw, color, and then send your kids creations to their adoring fans (a.k.a. grandma and grandpa)
  • Baking/cooking class (making a favorite treat or simple meal)
  • A Visit to a local art museum
  • Have a reading hour everyday at the same time
  • Have a Lego building contest
  • Buy solid t-shirts and decorate them with fabric paint or tie dye
  • Picnic at a favorite park (or try a new one)
  • Taking those who serve you often (mailman, firemen, local police dept, etc…) a “Thank you” treat (cookies or brownies)
  • Pajama Day
  • Kids in charge Day (this one takes a brave mom!)
  • Play board games
  • Plant your own flowers or herbs Day
  • Make homemade play dough
  • Have a book or clothing swap with your kids friends.  Make it into a party
  • Explore local places that you have always wanted to go to (museums, parks, stores, etc…)
 There are many more ideas but you get the picture.  Next I put on the calendar things that I want to spend time working with my children on.  Some of these repeat in my calendar.  Even though these things take work I am trying my best to make these things fun too. Here are some of those ideas:
  • Tying shoes
  • Name writing and handwriting practice
  • Spelling
  • Grammar rules practice
  • Learning Bible Verses
  • Learning the Books of the Bible
  • Manners
  • Etiquette

For even MORE ideas follow my Summertime Fun board on Pinterest.  I’ll be adding ideas throughout the Summer.  Have an idea I should add? Leave me a link in the comments to add it.

What are your ideas for a fun Summertime with your kids? I’d love to hear!

Next, I’ll share with you some ideas for lunch and snack plans.  I hope you have a wonderful Summer with your kids that is full of wonderful memories!!

Filed Under: Make Memories with Your Kids Tagged With:

Taking Care of Yourself Tuesday: Unplugging to be Present

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One really important way we can take care of ourselves is unplugging to be present in our lives.  I’ve been thinking about how much noise is in our lives these days. We carry phones that give us access to what all of our friends are up to, our email, videos, music and more.  We watch TV, listen to music (now anywhere we have speakers thanks to iPhones, iPods and iPads), and have information (any information) at our fingertips as soon as we think about wanting it.

All of these things are great for a mom who wants to be productive and make the most of her time.  But I’ve been noticing that all of this noise makes it difficult to stay present in the moments of life.  And sometimes I think we don’t care to.

Perhaps the present moments in life are painful?  Maybe they are just hard.

Motherhood is hard.  It can be great and fun, but there is really no way around the hard {trust me, I’ve tried to make it easier}.  I’m not going to list all of the ways moms work because I’m pretty sure you can name them easily.  The point is that, because it is hard, we can find ourselves not wanting to feel it or deal with it.  We can look for ways to escape and we have plenty of ways to be numb to our present reality.

 

The problem is that when we are constantly listening to noise and escaping reality we are missing opportunities to be present, to be thankful for what we have, to acknowledge the good things and to get healing for the sad/hard/painful things.

I’d like to encourage you to make time to unplug every day to live in the present moments. Some ways you can do this are:

  • Only check your email once or twice a day.
  • Don’t keep the TV on when you aren’t actively watching it.
  • Write down the things you think of that you need to check online and set your timer when it is time to look them up.
  • Get in the habit of leaving your phone in your purse when you are eating a meal.

The goal is to stay present most of the time.  This isn’t just for your kids sake but for your sake.  When you learn to really listen to yourself, your feelings, and take in the beauty of life around you, you will have less reasons to feel the need to escape.

Here are some things to do help you enjoy your present reality:

  • Over time invest your time and money into making your home {especially the rooms you spend the most time in} beautiful and peaceful.
  • Eat without the distractions of your phone, computer or TV. You’ll enjoy what you eat and probably eat less.
  • Count the things you are thankful for as opposed to the things that you are bothered by.
  • Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy life instead of always having to stay busy.

How about you?  Do you feel like you are constantly connected and distracted?  Are you trying to avoid pain? How do you make sure you are staying present.

 

 

Filed Under: Mommy Tips, Taking Care of Yourself

What Moms Love Weekly

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I love it when Fridays come quickly! This has been a fun week jumping on our new Springfree trampoline {did you enter to win one?}.  The kids have gone to bed worn out every night {smile}.  This week I am loving “I love you mommy” whispered from a toddler who makes it her favorite phrase of the week.  I am also loving teaching tweens life lessons that I know will help them long after they leave home, eating strawberries by the bowlful, yummy new smoothie recipes {recipe to come}, and a fresh haircut for a little boy that makes him look a little bigger {this one is bitter-sweet}.

How about you? What are you loving this week in your mom life?

Here are some favorite finds this week and the theme is baby.  Even though my youngest is 3, I cannot seem to get over baby things.  Love ‘Em!

1. phil&teds Nest Sleep System– Have ever wanted to leave the baby with Grandma for a bit or not have to take a big & bulky bed with you when you travel?  I sure have and I love the idea of this portable bed.  It has it’s won bag that you can bring along baby’s stuff in too and travels easily.  Sure wish I had one for all of our travels with baby in the past!!

2. aden + anais dribble bibs/burp clothes– I heart aden + anais swaddling blankets and now these dribble bibs.  These are great for the dribbliest of droolers.  They are so soft and snap around baby to cover them fully.  They also double as shields for moms shoulder when carrying around a bound-to-spit-up-when-you-least-expect-it baby. They come in a sweet assortment of baby friendly designs and colors.

3. Skip Hop ABC Zoo Activity Gym– I love Skip Hop products and this ABC Zoo Gym is too cute! There is so much for baby to look at and play with and this would be perfect for tummy time to build up those little baby muscles.

4. Jones Design Company Name Prints– Go ahead and ooh and ahh! These name prints are ADORABLE and so stylish for a modern baby nursery too.  I want one for each of my kids and I absolutely LOVE the damask cat print!  So sweet!

5. Bella Tunno Laminated Bib in Miss Thing– Baby bibs have come a long way from “I love my aunt” painted across the front. Bella Tunno makes some of the cutest laminated baby bibs with ribbon velcro neck closures.  The bibs have a pocket to catch stray peas that little ones might drop {they eat their peas right? Wink}.  I love this Miss Things bib but it’s a hard choice.  Since these bibs are so cute you won’t be so anxious to get it off baby to reveal the cute outfit underneath.

 

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, What Moms Love Weekly Tagged With: ,

Unjunk Your Junk Food- Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Snacks

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If you are a mom with the goal of eating healthy and feeding your family healthy foods then I have discovered a book that you will enjoy.  I recently read Unjunk Your Junk Food: Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Snacks and thought it was fantastic.  It it such a handy little book that informs you on the better choices to make when it comes to eating packaged foods.

We all want to pick the right foods but sometimes we just aren’t sure which ones are okay and which ones should be avoided.  You may have questions like “which oil is a healthier choice?” or “I know I should cut out white sugar but are other sugars okay?” This handy little book will show you how to decide what to eat and feed your family.

It is a very quick read and also a guide that you will want to keep to reference again and again.  The book is small enough for you to fit in your purse to take with you when you shop.

My family and I have been on a journey toward healthy, organic eating for the past 5 years and I was a little skeptical that I was going to agree with Unjunk Your Junk Food completely.  After all of my personal research I agree with the ideas that full fat dairy and meats are good for you and eating low fat is not necessarily healthy.  I tend to expect that many still believe that low (or no) fat diets are the way to go.  But this book actually shares research that I agree with on this topic.  They also explain sugars and which options are healthier.

If you ever spend time (precious time) standing in the grocery isles comparing labels to see which food might be a healthy choice then this book is for you.  If you want a quick guide to specific foods to look for when you shop then this book is for you.

I happily recommend you read this book.  Even if you know a good bit about nutrition you may discover some new things you never knew (I did). You can read more at Naturally Savvy (even read a sniplet of the book).  There’s lots of other great info on the site as well.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of Unjunk Your Junk Food for free to review.  The opinions shared are my own and I only recommend what I use and love.

 

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: ,
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