By now, you guys probably know I am a huge sucker for keeping the house, and in turn my life, pretty organized. One of the easiest way to keep the house tidy is to simply establish a cleaning routine, but if you need an extra kick, check out this 52 week challenge to an organized home. I definitely think that one of the major problems with keeping an organized home in today's world is that people just have way too much stuff! Every few months, or at least 2x a year, I try to make myself go ... [ Read More ]
Simple and Easy Chili Recipe
When it's cold outside, nothing beats a bowl of chili with some cheese and crackers. Absolutely nothing. When I was little, we ate a lot of chili during the winter months, not only because it is delicious, but also because it goes a long way and can be reused a million different ways. This recipe is one that my father uses when he didn't have time to let the chili simmer for hours and hours on the stove, and personally I kind of like the simplicity of it. Here's the recipe: Simple and ... [ Read More ]
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
I'm a sucker for hot dishes during the winter, anything from chili, to soup, to delicious and warm dips. Plus, all of those things can usually be made in a crock pot, which makes prep time minimal and the whole process pretty simple. With that being said, with winter in full swing here, I've been on a bit of a dip kick. While I have been experimenting with different dips more and more, my personal favorite remains buffalo chicken dip, so I thought I would share the recipe! Buffalo Chicken ... [ Read More ]
6 Easiest Veggies for Beginners to Grow
If you have the space, then vegetable gardening is a wonderful pastime and it can provide some absolutely delicious food for your table. If you've never had garden vegetables, then you'll be shocked how much better they taste than the stuff you get from the store, and if you grow them yourself then you have 100% control on what pesticides (if any) they are exposed to. But, if you're just starting out gardening, it can be a little intimidating to figure out where to start. So, for all you ... [ Read More ]
DIY Supplies for the Shower and Bath
I'm a sucker for making your own supplies for around the house because it helps you control what you're putting in the supplies, avoiding gross additives and chemicals, plus tons of mixtures use the same ingredients which makes it a much cheaper alternative! Since we've already talked about some all natural cleaning supplies and all natural items for laundry day, as well as some things to make with coconut oil or lavender flowers, today I wanted to do a roundup of all natural supplies that ... [ Read More ]
10 Different Ways to Use Cucumbers
Cucumbers are pretty easy to grow in your home or garden, and while most people know that they're a vegetable that's really good for you, all of the other benefits often get overlooked. Cucumbers are not only healing foods, they can be used around the house and even in the garden. Check out these 10 different ways you can use cucumbers! 1) Help puffy eyes This one is probably the most well known. Cucumbers are great for hydrating the skin and they help contract blood vessels, which makes it ... [ Read More ]
Old-Fashioned Tips for Staying Warm This Winter
Whether you're in the Midwest where it's only below zero a few weeks out of the year, or further north where single digit temperatures are normal throughout the winter season, staying warm and cozy is important. And, while major projects like replacing all your insulation, buying a new heater, or redoing all your windows will definitely help your heating bills, there are some simpler solutions for staying warm this winter. Here are some old-fashioned tips for keeping things cozy without ... [ Read More ]
How to Use Essential Oils Topically
At times, using essential oils can be overwhelming, but with the many natural benefits that they hold it's definitely worth it. If you're just starting a journey with essential oils, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the four common methods of using essential oils, decide which oils you'd like in your starter kit, and then start researching how each oil can benefit your mind and body. Each essential oil has a pretty lengthy list of benefits, and in order to reap each benefit you may ... [ Read More ]
How Long to Keep Important Documents
Part of living a simple life, to me, is decluttering. While I'm not into the magazine-spotless almost Spartan look, I hate having stuff everywhere. In my house, everything has a place and while it might wander, when I'm ready to clean, everything has a spot. If it doesn't have a permanent home, then I either find one, or get rid of it. There is one exception to this rule, though: papers. For some reason, papers (especially mail) tends to build up at my house and no matter how many folders I ... [ Read More ]
The Importance of Carrier Oils When Using Essential Oils
Starting a journey with essential oils can be, at times, overwhelming. From deciding how you want to use them, deciding what essential oils you'll want in your starter kit, and even how they can benefit your body and mind. A little research and a lot of patience can make your journey with oils a lot less stressful, and I just want to make things easier! There are a few ways you can use essential oils, but one of the most common methods is applying them topically. If you do use that method, ... [ Read More ]