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How to Have a Non-Toxic Home

May 28, 2020 by Jessica 1 Comment

Keep harmful toxins and chemicals out of your house and live a clean and natural lifestyle with these easy tips to help you keep a non-toxic home.

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We’re spending more time at home these days. Actually, we’re spending pretty much all of our time here. So it’s important to keep ourselves healthy and at our best. Having a non-toxic home can help that. Over the past couple of years, we’ve really taken measures to try and keep an eco-friendly and non-toxic home. And honestly, all it takes is some simple swaps to make a difference!

Before you think, “I really can’t be blowing my budget to purchase new items for my home right now.” Don’t worry. A lot of the things I’m about to tell you can be done with items you might already have in your house. And if you don’t, I’ve got some budget-friendly suggestions to help you along the way!

How to Have a Non-Toxic Home

Ditch the candles

For years I had been saying that I was going to stop burning candles in our home. Candles are full of toxic ingredients that are released into the air when burned. Not only that, they leave black residue on your walls. After we started repainting our house, I made the decision to stop burning candles for our health and our home.

I’m very into fragrance, so I use an essential oil diffuser instead. All that goes into a diffuser is water and essential oils. Just make sure you’re using good quality, 100% pure essential oils and you have a safe alternative to candles! Plus, essential oils have a lot of aromatherapeutic benefits!

Make your own cleaners

This is something I’ve just started doing and I’m kind of obsessed. A lot of cleaners on the market are full of unpronounceable chemicals that might do a great job of cleaning, but aren’t so good to be breathing in.

You know those essential oils you bought for your diffuser? Well, you can use them to make your own cleaners! Make a Tea Tree Oil All-Purpose Cleaner with just a few simple ingredients and it’ll clean everything including mirrors! Funnel the ingredients into an amber glass spray bottle, shake, and clean!

Use a water filter

This has been a hard one for me because water bottles are just so damn convenient! But we have invested in a Brita Pitcher and keep it constantly filled in the fridge. Not only does it cut down on the use of plastic, but it filters out chemicals, chlorine, and other toxins.

Water is safer and healthier to drink with a filtration system. Plus, if it’s any incentive, you can buy a really cute reusable water bottle to make getting your daily limit of H2O easier! PS: I make them in my shop, Living La Vida Vinyl!

Switch to glass containers

We are storage container junkies! I keep them to use in the freezer, pack lunches, and meal plan. But over the past year, we’ve been switching to glass containers, buying sets, and single containers here and there.

I even like to store ingredients and leftovers in big, quart mason jars with a storage lid on top. Yes, these lids are plastic, but they’re BPA free, won’t leak, and safe for the freezer!

Use a fabric shower curtain liner

We have never, ever, ever used a plastic shower curtain liner mainly because we just can’t stand that chemical smell that they all seem to have. Yuck! So instead, we use a fabric shower curtain liner.

There’s no chemical smell when you take them out of the packaging. Plus, they’re really easy to clean. Just throw it in the washing machine!

Make your own weed killer and pesticides

A lot of weed killers and pesticides are full of harmful chemicals that are toxic to humans, pets, and the environment. Instead, you can easily make your own DIY versions!

You can easily kill weeds with a combination of white vinegar, dish detergent, and salt. And to make your own pesticide, all you need is water, essential oils, and garlic! Get the full DIY here.

Buy some new houseplants

This is a fun one for me because I love plants! Not only do they bring a natural vibe indoors, but some houseplants are great air purifiers! Here’s some of the plants that will keep the air clean:

Spider Plant
Snake Plant
Pothos
Peace Lily
Dracaena
ZZ Plant
Aloe Vera

And there are a ton more! The best part is that most of these air purifying houseplants are low maintenance, too. So even beginner plant lovers can easily take care of them!

Swap out your bath and body products

The older I get, the more sensitive my skin seems to get. So I’ve been shopping mainly for natural skincare products made for anti-aging and sensitive skin. It’s a trip approaching 40, but it’s made me more mindful of what I put in and on my body!

Air out the house

The weather is getting nicer, we’ve been cooped up inside for months, so it’s a great time to open the windows and air out the house. It’s probably one of the easiest ways to get fresh air in and release any of the bad stuff (juju, air, etc.). Plus, your home will feel and smell fresher!

Keep your house clean

Keep a shoe tray by the door and kick those shoes off when you enter the house. The amount of stuff that’s lingering on the bottom of your shoes is disgusting (seriously, look it up – so gross)! It’s also important to dust and vacuum regularly to keep allergens and other icky stuff at bay.

I’m basically obsessed with vacuuming. It’s a chore I love to do (I know, I’m a freak). We even have two vacuums! A cordless Bissell for quick cleanups around the house and our regular Hoover for tougher vacuum jobs.

Clean your pet’s bed and toys

Oh, little Hunter. He sure is cute. But for a “non-shedding” dog, he definitely sheds a lot! All of that pet dander and hair has to go somewhere (hence the two vacuums), so don’t forget to clean your pet’s bed, crate, blankets.

Toss the bed and blankets in the wash, along with any plush toys. You can wipe down the rest of your fur buddy’s belongings to keep them dust and bacteria free!

How do you keep your home toxin and chemical free?

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The Tools Every Beginner Gardener Needs

April 21, 2020 by Jessica Leave a Comment

These tips and gardening tools will get the beginner gardener started on creating a beautiful, flourishing backyard vegetable garden!

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So you want to grow a backyard garden, huh? There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your garden start to flourish and ultimately provide you with fresh fruits, vegetables, and beautiful flowers! Once the garden bug hits you, you’ll find yourself counting down to spring every year! We dug our raised garden seven years ago and every year since then it’s brought us fresh, homegrown vegetables.

But it’s not like we just bought some plants and seeds, popped them in the ground, and got lucky! My husband had some garden knowledge thanks to his dad and grandmother. Me? I learned along the way. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when you start your new backyard garden:

Choose a sunny spot

Here’s the thing – your garden is going to need plenty of sunshine. But you don’t want it to get too much sun. So make sure you dig it in a spot that will get about six hours of sunlight during the day.

Pick the right plants

Now that you’ve got your garden dug, it’s time to start planting. Maybe you want to start plants from seed, or maybe you want to buy starter plants. Whatever the case, you want to make sure that they’ll be happy in the location you plant them.

So make sure you read those information tags! They’re there for a reason and will let you know how much light and water your new plant babies will need! And while you’re at it, you might want to check out which zone you’re in to make sure your plants thrive!

Consider composting

Want to give your soil a healthy boost? Consider getting a compost bin or compost tumbler. I have a small counter bin that I throw fruit and veggie scraps, egg shells, and coffee grounds into. At the end of the week, I dump it straight into the garden to be turned over. As the scraps break down, it fertilizes the soil.

Keep a record of your garden

This is something I only started last year, but it’s been extremely helpful! Keep a notebook or garden journal to write down information about your plants (like if they’re annuals or perennials), track their progress, or write down other important information about your garden.

Rotate your plants

One of the key things I’ve learned from my favorite gardener (my husband) is that you shouldn’t plant the same plants in the same spot each year. Instead, rotate them to keep the soil nutrient rich.

Water in the A.M.

Before the sun gets too hot, give your garden a good soaking! Watering in the afternoon sun can cause plants to become too hot and burn up.

Make sure you have the right tools

Your garden is going to require maintenance as your plants grow. Make sure you have the right tools for digging, weeding, and cleaning up! If you don’t know where to start, check out my list below for everything you’ll need to get started on your backyard garden!

The Tools Every Beginner Gardener Needs

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How to Practice Self-Care During Quarantine

April 6, 2020 by Jessica 2 Comments

It’s so important to take care of yourself during stressful times. Practice self-care during quarantine and feel your best mentally and physically with these ideas!

This post may contain affiliate links. Making a purchase through one of these links helps support this blog.

It’s such a weird time and stressful time. Every single one of us has had to adjust to new schedules, daily routines, and being quarantined in our homes. Parents have become teachers and employees have had to find their work-from-home groove. It hasn’t been easy for anyone.

As someone who works from home and isn’t much of a social butterfly anyway, not much has changed for me. My husband, however, has a new work schedule which keeps him home a lot more often. It was an adjustment to get used to (he’s my favorite distraction, but still a distraction which keeps me from my own work), but I’ve become used to having him around.

How to Practice Self-Care During Quarantine

Give yourself a break from the news

The first thing my husband and I decided to do was limit the amount of time we spent watching the news. I used to watch the news every morning and then again at night. Instead, we now watch the news from 5-6PM, then change the channel.

Too much news coverage can be upsetting and overwhelming. Limit how much you watch the news and scroll through social media. It’s super important to keep your mental health in check right now.

Practice calming breathing

After my first trip back to the grocery store about a week ago, I ended up with anxiety the rest of the day. So I sat outside in the sun and took calming breaths.

Take a good, deep breath in through your nose. Feel it fill your lungs and hold it for 3 seconds. Slowly exhale through your mouth as you feel your shoulders relax.

Read a book

Do you have a book that you put down and never finished? Now’s the time to pick it back up again! I’m right smack in the middle of an easy-to-read murder series by Leslie Meier. I try to read at least a chapter or two before I go to bed. It’s become part of my nighttime routine and helps me relax.

Give your immune system a boost

Do you take a multi-vitamin? Add some elderberry to your vitamin and supplement intake. Drink green tea and keep yourself hydrated with lots of water. There are lots of ways you can give your immune system a good boost!

Nourish your body + mind

It’s really easy to get into a junk food rut right now. When you head to the store (or shop through a delivery service), make sure you’re adding plenty of healthy options to keep your body nourished. I’m thankful we have our Hungryroot deliveries to keep us stocked up on healthy foods and vegetables.

It’s also important to nourish your mind. Diffuse some essential oils and try to quiet your mind through meditation. Give yourself a break, get up and stretch, and go outside!

Keep a journal

My blog is basically my journal right now, documenting our journey in the best way I can. But if you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed right now, keeping a paper journal is a great way to release that tension and emotion.

You might even want to start a gratitude journal. It’s easy to focus on the negatives, but a gratitude journal will allow you to jot down all the positive things you’ve experienced throughout the day.

Take up a new hobby

One thing I really wanted to do while we’re stuck at home is try a new hobby. I’ve been watching a ton of paint pouring videos on Facebook. They’re relaxing to watch and the results always look so pretty!

The first time I tried paint pouring, I used DIY mixes I found online. The result was pretty, but not exactly what I was looking for. So I bought a paint pouring kit off of Amazon and I can’t wait to try it again!

Try a new recipe

We might be limited on the ingredients we have in the house right now, but I’m convinced that you could make a meal out of almost anything! Do a search for recipes using ingredients you have on hand and try something new!

Or, if you’re lucky enough to get a grocery delivery slot, add some new ingredients to your list and try one of those recipes that you’ve saved on Pinterest!

Remember to stay active

This is something I’ve been struggling with. The weather hasn’t been all that cooperative lately and the last time we went to the park, there were too many people there for my liking. We did our social distancing and all of that, but I’d rather stick to our quiet, neighborhood walks.

Hopefully with the sunny, spring weather returning, I’ll find the motivation to get outside and get moving again!

Skincare routine

All of that hand sanitizer and stress can really do a job on your skin! If you’re like me and have a bathroom full of skincare products you’ve been neglecting to use, you might want to reinstate your skincare routine.

Choose a day to pamper yourself. Take a nice, relaxing shower or bath. Then, put on a face mask, slather on a good moisturizer, tidy up your brows, and give yourself a manicure!

Call/text a friend or family

Even though I’ve been trying to limit my time on social media, it’s still important to stay connected. I’ve been trying to call and text my parents as much as possible and have been able to FaceTime with my entire family on multiple occasions. Normally, I hate texting, but I’m thankful to have that option available right now to stay in touch with so many people!

Get dressed

I know. Yoga pants are life. But trust me! As someone who works from home on the regular, I still make it a point to get dressed every single day. It not only makes me feel better about myself, but I feel ready to tackle the day! I get way more done when I’m dressed than when I’m sitting around in my lounge wear!

PS: making the bed helps, too!

Try a new hair color or makeup look

I’m not a big fan of wearing makeup, but I do like to have fun with my hair color every now and then! I’ve always wanted to dye my hair purple, so I figured now was the time to give it a try! I ordered a violet hair color that’s just subtle enough to give my dark hair a plum hue!

If you’re not ready to go the permanent route, try a wash out hair color!

Allow yourself to get emotional

If you’re feeling a range of emotions right now, it’s okay! Be gentle to yourself and allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling! Cry, scream, yell, get mad, and get it all out of your system! Bottling it up is not good for yourself or anyone around you!

Be kind

Most important of all, be kind. Again, it’s a stressful time for everyone. When you’re at the store grabbing essentials, remember to thank the cashier and other grocery store employees. Be nice to delivery people. And if you can, give your favorite neighborhood restaurant support by ordering takeout from them.

Right now, we all have to come together and do what we can. Stay home, wash your hands, take safety precautions, and be kind.

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What are you doing to practice self-care right now?

5 Easy Ways to Cut Sugar From Your Diet

August 13, 2019 by Jessica Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. Making a purchase through one of these links helps support this blog.

These 5 Easy Ways to Cut Sugar From Your Diet will help you make healthier choices when you’re craving something sweet! These tips include simple sugar swaps that will keep your sweet tooth satisfied while allowing you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Sweets have probably been one of my biggest struggles this summer! On those hot and humid days, all I’ve really wanted is to dig into a big bowl of creamy ice cream topped with a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce. On top of that, there’s nothing like cooling off with bottled lemonade, iced tea, or even a sweet adult beverage. But there’s no more of that for a while!

Since I’ve been cutting back on some of my bad food habits and introducing better foods into my diet, I’ve also been swapping in healthier sugar alternatives. There are plenty out there, including some easy swaps right in your own kitchen! You don’t have to deny your sweet tooth just because you’re cutting out the sugar!

If you’re looking for simple ways to cut sugar out of your diet, head to SoFabFood.com! I’m sharing 5 Easy Ways to Cut Sugar From Your Diet and still keep your sweet tooth satisfied. It’s as easy as making your own dressings and sauces instead of buying them bottled, eating fresh fruit when you’re craving something sweet, using spices in place of sugar, and more!

What’s your favorite healthy sugar swap? Read the full SoFabFood post here and follow along on Instagram for more great tips and recipes!