Amazon Prime--For Students

Are you a college student getting ready to start your freshman year? Or maybe you're getting ready to embark on your last year, the big senior year full of adventure!!! Wherever you are in your college journey, Amazon Prime will be there, too! With free 2 day shipping, there are millions of products at your fingertips!!

"Having a Martha Home the Mary Way" Review

My Review of Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul by Sarah Mae Hoover

"Strive for excellence, but land in the softness of grace." I love, love, love Sarah Mae and her openness in her books!!! As a fellow sister in Christ, a fellow Mom who is responsible for her kids, her home, and herself, Sarah uses her own real life struggles and successes to help shift our focus to Christ. I love how she weaves verses of encouragement throughout her new book, Having a Martha Home the Mary Way! The chapters are short so even those with short attention spans will be successful in reading through them. I love how she includes a small Bible study (the "Mary" part) at the end of each chapter, as well as a "Martha" part---the cleaning house parts! She keeps those short and sweet as well and very doable! She doesn't make us focus on deep cleaning, but rather the simple, every day cleaning that each home needs to have done to keep it livable, clean, and peaceful. I am personally such a "Martha"....if my to do list isn't checked off, I feel like a failure. If my house is messy, I feel like I can't have anyone over, or if they do stop by, I'm apologizing for my messy house. If there is chaos in my house, I "feel" it...it creeps into my being and I can't let go of the frustration of not having enough hours (or energy!) in the day to get everything done!!! Sarah reminds us to take a step back and spend some time with the Lord and that what defines us is NOT how clean our house may be or what kind of housekeeper we actually are ... but rather it's God that defines us. She reminds us that God has so much grace to give us, that even when we fail or feel like we're failing, he gives us grace to fall on. I know that I need more "Mary" moments in my every day life and I'm so thankful Sarah Mae has shared this wonderful book to help along that journey!!!

Read more about the book here: marthahomemaryway.com
You can purchase her amazing book right here on Amazon!
And be sure to add each of Sarah Mae's insightful and encouraging books to your bookshelf!

Join and Follow Sarah Mae at sarahmae.com and on Facebook !

Nourish Organic - Healthy Skin Products

Nourish Organic products are simply amazing! I've used their new deodorant in Forest scent and the Skin Solve cream is so deliciously awesome! You can read more about these awesome products on my upcoming blog post on www.crunchyfamily.com ! I'll post the link here once its published! In the meantime, take a look around Nourish and fall in love with wonderful, natural, organic products that have no harmful ingredients, and safe for the whole family!
Nourish Organic also offers a Pure Rewards Program, rewarding you for every dollar you spend! Sign up today and get rewarded for shopping!! **This post contains affiliate links.**

My Journey to a Natural Lifestyle, Part 1

I believe my journey to a more natural lifestyle truly began when I found out I was pregnant with my now 2 year old. I knew I didn't want anything to harm her and so I started her life with a natural birth. No pain meds, no IVs, nothing. It was hard (and painful!) but it was the best thing I'd ever done, too! It led me to rethink everything I'd ever been told about life, food, medicines, and the "normal" way of doing things.

One of the first things I changed in my household was to use coconut oil for EVERYTHING! And I mean, EVERYTHING!! From cooking and cleaning, to health and hygiene, you name it, coconut oil can do it! (You can read my post  "Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil"). We never used diaper rash cream (and thankfully never really needed it), I always reached for the coconut oil. I even used it as the baby's lotion for a time. It's a great hair mask and removes makeup! I use it in my cooking, to season my cast iron pans, to relieve a bug bite itch, and so much more.

Another one of the first things I did was to make my own laundry detergent. It is actually fairly easy and very inexpensive. One batch of soap (dry/powder) lasted my family 6 or 7 months!! And I think I paid around $10 for my ingredients.

Growing up, mom always used vinegar and baking soda to clean the drains, but I took the vinegar to another level. I use vinegar in every wash, to clean the dishwasher, the microwave, and yes, the washer! I rarely use bleach, I always reach for the vinegar (Note: Bleach has its place!) I also use vinegar as a rinse aid in my dishwasher. I mix vinegar with essential oils in a spray bottle for an every day cleaner for counters, spills, and such. And vinegar goes in my mop bucket to clean the floors.

When it comes to food, I love everything sweet! But when my mom had to start her gluten-free journey, we all started learning more about what certain foods were really made out of. I started reading labels and learning about ingredients and what is REALLY in the food I was consuming!! Food Babe is one of my favorite resources for this! I was shocked to learn what was really in my food and what companies would try to disguise as "good for you" food!! Right now, I avoid anything that has high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), ANY food coloring, carageenan (cancer causing agent), and more recently have begun to avoid soy lecithin. Essentially, if I can't pronounce it there's a good chance I shouldn't eat it. I try to buy products with short ingredient lists and no added sugars. When possible, I buy the organic brand or I make it at home.

My daughter and I drink raw goat's milk instead of store-bought cows milk. It is better for you essentially but has less casein in it than cows milk and therefore is easier to digest. When I switched K from formula to milk, she couldn't tolerate regular store-bought milk. When my parents brought home goats milk from a friends farm, we were converted immediately!! (Note: I do still buy organic cows milk when necessary, but still highly prefer and suggest raw goats milk!)

I can't afford organic everything but I try to make the best possible decision for our food based on the knowledge and resources I have.

I believe that part of a natural lifestyle is supporting your local shops and farms. I love when the farmers market is in town during the spring, summer, and early fall!! Fresh fruits and veggies and local raw honey are just a few of the wonderful products you will find at a farmers market. Find a farmers market near you this spring and go experience it for yourself!!

Keep watch for Part 2, coming soon!!

"When we know better, we do better."

Bluum - A Monthly Treat for Mom & Baby

Have you tried Bluum yet!?!? It's a great way to get a monthly treat for you and your little one! From pregnancy to age 5, Bluum gives you amazing, high-quality products to discover each month!

One of the best things about Bluum is that you can customize your box to fit your needs and wants! And you get FREE shipping! Plus, when your refer friends, you get FREE months!
Choose the plan that best suits your needs and your wallets: 1 month = $29; 3 months = $25/month; or 6 months = $23/month. The 3 month and the 6 month plans are paid in full up front and they will auto ship to you each month!

Bluum boxes can include items such as skin or health care, food items, toys, books, and/or apparel! While no two boxes are alike, each box will contain 4-6 full size products to try! Each box has a value of at least $40! This unique subscription service will grow with your baby up to age 5! 

Another great thing about Bluum boxes is that most products are organic, but all products are free of harsh chemicals. With over 350 brands and over 1000 products, there is sure to be lots that you and baby love!

There is so much goodness in a box of Bluum, you've got to experience it firsthand!!! Bluum is a "made in the USA" company and each box is hand-packed in Connecticut!

Sign up today! Then come back and leave a comment on what products you received and which was your favorite!

Discover a monthly box of new goodies for you & baby. From pregnancy to preschool! 

Try Bluum today!

Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has recently become a Natural Mom’s favorite natural product! It has countless uses in the home, for your health, and will replace many expensive products! Coconut oil is very affordable and available at your local grocery store! The best type to use is Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. You do not want to use hydrogenated coconut oil.

Here are several of my favorite uses for coconut oil:

• Use coconut oil as sunscreen for the whole family.
• Some sunscreens can actually cause skin cancer cells to grow.
• Sunscreens are full of chemicals and can actually block much needed Vitamin D rays!
• Coconut oil cleanses the blood when used topically!
• Coconut oil is a natural anti-oxidant (prevents wrinkles).
• Use as a skin moisturizer.
• Use as makeup remover.

o   Simply use a tiny bit on your fingertips, massage into your skin (or gently wipe your eyes), and rinse off. Also works great as a cleanser.

• Deep conditioner for hair.

o   Coat your hair, wrap in shower cap or plastic wrap, let it sit overnight, and wash out in the morning!

• Use as a natural remedy for Eczema.
• Mix with eucalyptus oil for homemade vapor-rub.
• Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to coconut oil and rub into chest.
• Also good to rub into the bottoms of feet and put socks on. Will help control/get rid of coughing.
• Use it to help soothe chicken pox, shingles, or other rashes or skin irritations.
• Soothe & heal sunburned skin, bee stings, & bug bites.
• Use as a natural remedy for dandruff.

o   Coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and is naturally moisturizing.

• Use to clear up cold sores on your lips!
• Begin applying as soon as the sore is noticed!
• Improve digestive disorders by taking a spoonful before each meal!
• Use for your baby's diaper rash cream.

o   Coconut oil provides a natural relief for baby's bum.

o   Coconut oil is cloth diaper safe!

• Use for your baby’s lotion instead of traditional baby creams.
• Use to relieve cradle cap on your little one.

o   Gently rub into your baby's scalp, use a baby brush or comb to gently clean off the dead skin, and finish by taking a warm washcloth over baby's head.

• Use as a stretch mark cream.

o   Help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

• If nursing, use coconut oil on your nipples to prevent cracking and irritation.
• Consuming coconut oil while nursing will help increase your milk flow.
• Use to season cast iron pans.

o   Wash cast iron in hot water; dry over warm burner; apply small amount of coconut oil to pan; place in warm oven (or over warm burner) allowing oil to melt into pan.

• Use as furniture polish.

o   Mix with a dash of lemon juice for an inexpensive furniture polish that smells delightful!

 (This article originally seen here.)

2014 Goals

The end of one year and the beginning of another!! Time to reflect and time to plan ahead. Time to note mistakes and lessons learned and move forward to do better in another year!

I try hard not to make "new years resolutions" but rather, goals that I can accomplish and a long to do list to check off! Goals are things like, work on paying off debt; move & unpack every box. A long to do list would include organize & name my iTunes music and update my iPods (yes, those things are on my lists!!).

Well, without further adieu , here are my 2014 Goals (2014 To Do List coming soon):
**Note: These are in no particular order-just the way they came to mind.**

• T-25 Workout (Intense, 25 minute workouts 5-6 days a week)
• Continued changes to our eating habits (what we eat, when/how we eat it)
• 52 Week Money Challenge (See HERE for more information)
• Pay off as much debt as possible (Debt Snowball information HERE)
• Continue to work a budget every month (More information HERE)
• Continue to work a Meal Plan every month
• Practice grocery shopping 1-2 times a month (except for fruits/veggies)
• Read to my daughter as least once a day
• Plant a small garden & flowers
• Buy a bird feeder and enjoy watching the birds
• Continue to fall in love with the Lord and my D-Group girls/Catalyst family
• Move into our own place and UNPACK.EVERY.BOX!
• PURGE! Less is more!
• Walk daily and spend more time outdoors, when weather permits
• Take my little girl to the beach 
• Love life and fall deeper in love with my husband
• Bring back weekly (or at least monthly) date nights!! 

I'm sure there are many more but those are the ones I can think of right now!! 

What did you accomplish in 2013 and what do you want to accomplish in 2014?