We’ve been HIVE users since the fall now, and I am pretty sure Gabe is their #1 fan. Being someone who takes pride in protecting his family, keeping the home safe, and finding ways to save money, Hive smart products make it easy to do all of that. I had him write out some additional features to the smart home products that he especially loves…
I’ve gotten so many requests on how our family uses essential oils, but never took the time to write it out! Finally sharing how we use them for our family on a daily and seasonal basis. There are few regulations here in the U.S. on what is allowed to be manufactured and sold in our common household and personal care products Therefore, I started a while ago to be my own health care advocate for myself and my children. Not everything is in our control, but cutting out toxins and chemicals in our lives certainly improves the quality of it. With the recent release of the study confirming the connection between Formaldehyde to Leukemia, I am convicted now more than ever of this. We need safer FDA regulations, but until then I have to actively read labels, and understand what certain ingredients mean. Formaldehyde was found in products I trusted, and it is disguised under different names. When I find companies I can trust that are committed to clean labels and transparency, I stick with them! A few being Seventh Generation, Honest, Beautycounter, Follain, Young Living, etc. Since I keep receiving requests on how I use essential oils for our family, I went ahead and wrote out this post of ways I have integrated them over the past 5 years. If you have any questions please let me know!
Why are essential oils effective?
This is something I didn’t really get when I first started using them so it was hard to find the motivation to actually use them consistently. Essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant that can be found in a plant’s flower, stem, leaves, bark, or fruit. What is fascinating is that they can reach every cell in your body within 20 minutes when topically applied! They can transport nutrients, are powerful antioxidants, help support cellular regeneration, digestive, nervous, and immune systems, and can even purify the air. These oils are highly concentrated and complex which deliver the human body the purest and best parts of the earth we live on. It does matter where you buy your oils from since many that are sold on amazon or wal-mart have been diluted. DoTerra or YoungLiving are the two I know of that have the purest and most concentrated oils which will give you more for your money. (We use Young Living.)
There are a million and one ways to use oils, but finding simple routines that work for you and your family is what will help incorporate those healthier lifestyle changes. I was overwhelmed at first and the oils sat in my cabinet for a year until I started reading about ways that didn’t seem as intimidating to try. I hope this post proves to be the same for you!
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The weather stays warm through November here in Atlanta, and we use our deck and patio areas more than any other areas of the home during the spring and summer seasons. When we bought this home there was already a large lower cement patio to work with, so we knew we wanted to create a space more conducive to what we use our yard for so we can put it to good use over the years! Always impressed with the quality of Article pieces, so we teamed up again to design an outdoor patio area that would work for our family.
June is a big month over here…a marathon of celebrations! Today is Max the moose’s 5th birthday. He was my 9 lb. 6 oz. boy that came so fast there was no time for an epidural, and he almost broke me in half. (Remember that birth story?) He hasn’t slowed down since. I am so thankful for Maximilian Francis. He is wild and crazy and curious, and all of the things I am most definitely not. He has challenged Gabe and I in patience, patience, and more patience. He has such a big bear heart, and is definitely one of the funniest kids I have ever met. He adds so much gusto to our lives, and I can’t wait to see who he becomes. We surprised him with birthday balloons and blue pancakes this morning:)
We renewed our vows today on our 10th anniversary. Gabriel, Veronica, Max, Rocco, and Azelie were all there as little witnesses. It was a reminder that we chose to commit to each other on the altar. I will never be one to say marriage is easy. I don’t think it is meant to be. In it’s hardest days, it knocks down the walls we have so carefully guarded around parts of ourselves, and allows us to see ourselves for who we really are…whether we like it or not. The best days on the other hand, allow us to experience a humbling love and acceptance from the other despite our weaknesses.
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We made a lot of progress in the girls’ room over the last few weeks, so here thought it was time for a quick update!
I don’t know how it is already 4th of July next week, but I am trying to roll with it! I love how this holiday brings families and friends together. Of course, I am already thinking about the food. We always have the grill going the whole week, so thought I would re-share some menu hits, yard games, and free phone wallpaper download for some festive fun!
