Monday, January 26, 2015

Running out of toothpaste ain't so bad.

I gotta say, money was the 1st reason I got into this. Mostly because we didn't have much.

Well, and I wanted us to be healthy.

So, get rid of toxins and other grossness.

Also because I enjoy making things from scratch.

And my husband might call me a Christ-saved-tree-hugger who is somewhat crunchy.

Which might mean I me hug a tree at least once a year, just to be spiteful.


Maybe.

But 1st, it was ye old moolah.

I had coconut oil, I had baking soda, I had peppermint oil. I did not, however, have toothpaste. Or the money to get the one we liked until the next paycheck. What's a girl to do?
Why, do what someone who has plenty of experience in on-the-fly cooking: see if there's anything in the pantry that could make a decent toothpaste.
Voila.



And thus it began.

What else could I make out of regular household ingredients?
O, I found many things.

Three years and two children later, we've expanded our reasons for continuing in this. Having little ones tends to do that. I look for new ways to save money, because I want to use what we have in the best way we can. Glorify God by using his creation--whether that means oils, plants, food, or the brains He gave us to keep our family healthy and growing. Keep that crud out of my little boys body. Have an arsenal at my disposal for our health. Enjoy working with our own hands and passing that knowledge on.
And yes, to save that moolah.
Run out of toothpaste. It'll change ya life.

Trucking Health

My husband is a truck-driver.
Workin' hard, driving all day, navigating the roads and hazards while keeping his sanity and providing so well for us trucker.
Here:

I think he's pretty handsome, myself. 
Mine. 
I digress. 

This new season of our lives with him gone throughout the week means I need to be more creative with my meal prep. Buying fast-food as needed while he drives is neither possible with our budget, or healthy for his hard-working self. Add that to only having a mini-fridge with no way to heat anything up, and it's been a challenge. Then toss in the fact that we're trying to heal our teeth, and it becomes fry your brain frustrating. Naturally, I gave it a try. 

His menu thus far: 

Breakfasts: Mason Jar Oatmeal with my own variation


Lunches: a pound of whatever healthy deli meat and cheese is on sale for easy roll ups. No bread.

Snacks: in season veggies and fruits that A. he likes and B. will stand up for travel. Usually apples, oranges, carrot sticks and green beans. Hmm. Need to try my homemade ranch recipe out...

Add-ons: My crock-pot yogurt for pro-biotic healthy goodness or homemade applesauce



Dinners: Whatever meat from the weekend we have leftover. This week it was a large chicken leg, and a Pyrex-worth of pork roast we bought from our friendly farmer friend. 

Other ways we try to keep him healthy are sending his vitamins and DoTerra essential oils with him. Lemon for water and general upkeep
OnGuard for cold prevention 
Deep Blue for his sore everything 
(Feel free to ask around here if you have any Essential Oil questions, by the by)



So far this routine has been very helpful for our wallet and his health. He doesn't mind having the same things each week, for which I'm thankful. Still, I'm always on the look out for new ways to send tasty and worthwhile food with him. Want to keep our provider going strong so he can come back to us at the end of the day! 




If you have a situation where healthy living isn't easy, don't give up. Brainstorm and try new things. You never know when a new recipe or creative friend will help you out. 

Feel free to suggest any other teeth-friendly, tasty foods for me to try! 



Monday Morning


 I love being a mom to my guys 

my wonderful, human, sinful, beautiful boys 


They bring so much joy to me 


At the moment, my little man has gone down for a nap over two hours earlier than usual, and my littler man has a sinus infection that I'm fighting to keep from becoming a respiratory issue. There's laundry in the dryer, clothes on the bed, yogurt on the chairs, and toys all over the living room. I haven't taken a shower or worked out yet, but the we're having a good day.

I love being a mom. 

I thought I knew selfishness, and then I got married. Then I realized I was. Then I had my babies, and saw we had barely scratched the surface of sanctification. Sleep? psh. Warm food? hah. Personal space? see you in 20 years. Joy? tons. 

So this is a reminder to myself that if we had never had these guys, we'd probably still be living up north, both working to pay off debts faster, with a savings account and less chance of ripped books, snotty tissues, and stepping in pee.
 And I'm so glad we have them! 
Thank you, God, for my babies. Remind me how much I love them when I'm exhausted. Amen. 


Sunday, January 25, 2015

Essential Oils in a day of the Shoemaker Household

6:30  I am usually woken up, or wake up in an attempt to be up and ready before littles start the day. Wild Orange layered with Frankincense for a feel-good morning mood for Mama. Fennel (occasionally) for keeping my milk supply up. Melaleuca for any skin issues. Lavender for my lymph glands if I'm not feeling well. Clary sage if it's Aunt Flo time. Oiled up. Boo ya.

6:50 In theory, I have successfully oil-pulled, and can now drink and eat. Two drops Grapefruit, Lemon, or Slim n Sassy in my water throughout the day. yum.

7:00 Or when the chillens awake: Lemon diffused to start the day and absorb cooking smells

7:30 Lemon or Grapefruit in little man's water because we're trying to avoid lots of juice.

8:00 Medicine time! we do Elderberry syrup (here for our basic recipe, save moolah baby), Liquivite from Neolife, and usually OnGuard on the chest if we're under the weather. Little man likes to point to places for me to put the Q-tip. I love that this is medicine for him.

9:00 At some point during the day, I do clean. In theory, this would happen in the morning. So I'll put it here and feel accomplished. Lemon, Melaleuca, Oregano, or Eucalyptus depending on what I'm cleaning.

11:30 After lunch, more lemon to absorb cooking smells

12:30-3:30: Diffuse in the boys room for nap-time--Lavender, Onguard, Frankincense...can't lose.

2:00 Inevitable headache because I forgot to drink enough: Melaleuca or Peppermint

4:00 (Or any time during the day or night, at the moment) my littler man is teething. Clove in coconut oil. phew.

5:00 A.K.A. Insanity Hour, when dinner is being finished but the kids are tired and everyone is fried: Wild Orange to recuperate and endure!

7:00 Bath-time, then Lavender on the back of their necks to relax. Using Onguard toothpaste uses Peppermint, Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Wintergreen, and Myrrh.

7:30 Lavender or OnGuard and diffuse for the boys

8:00 Frankincense on my pulse points, Deep Blue Rub for sore muscles/neck, enjoy the evening with a favorite oil diffusing before bed.

At the moment, there's our day. As we grow our collection, the uses will vary. Can't wait. If it seems like a lot, don't worry. It's second nature now, and doesn't waste any time. Knowing I'm not only saving money but keeping us healthy without needing to go anywhere is worth it.

What are the oils that you use the most during your day?