Balancing Career and Family

It's been a while since I've found the time to post here.  I made a career change that has been wonderful on one hand, but trying on the other.  Professionally I am much happier since leaving the toxic environment where I spent the last two years.  At the same time it has put my husband into more of a responsible role at home.  Giving up that control has been hard for me, and he's still struggling to figure out how a mom can accomplish so much in the limited amount of time after the regular work day.  :)  He's doing a great job, but this transition hasn't left much time for me to "play" here. 

The new job has been part of our lives for about 3 months now, and things are starting to level out.  I'm going to try and make a point to find myself time for the blog world.  I just love it, and I miss it.  I admittedly spend more time on the blogs of others than I do my own.  But I think I may have recently received an opportunity to make that change a bit.  We'll see...stay tuned!

Ah, Summer!

I am so incredibly thankful that summer is here.  As an educator I find myself completely wrapped up in work throughout the school year.  Sometimes it seems as if even my family has to take a back seat to it.  Luckily I decided to leave the job from Hell, and I am very excited to enter back into the high school classroom.  I am very optimistic that I am going to be able to get away from the toxic mind-game driven type of environment, and be able to focus on my students and family full time.  Let's hop it's going to be as good as it seems!  :)

So now that summer is here and I am officially employed for the next school year, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and get back to what I love.  I have been enjoying so much time with my husband and kids, and now I'd like to also take some "me time" to get back to the uber-fun world of blogging.  So, let;s be real.  I'm not a blogger.  I mean, I try (a little) but I most love reading other blogs and entering contests.  So I'm getting back to that.  I'm excited to see what all of my favorite mommy bloggers have lined up for me!

I'm also working on a new lotion recipe that I am going to post soon.  I needed to make a lighter summer lotion, so I am not using the cocoa butter and beeswax.  So far it seems good, but I'd like to try making another batch before I actually post.  I think it will be worth the wait!

I Love Giveaways!

I'm a HUGE fan of blog giveaways.  Reading blogs and entering giveaways has become my little hobby.  It's so funny to think that it's only been about a year and a half since I discovered this world, quite by accident.  My now almost 2 year old was having diaper rash problems, and I tried to do some research on natural remedies.  I came across a blog (that doesn't exist anymore) and found a giveaway for Earth Mama Angel Baby balm.  I decided to enter, even though I didn't understand what most of the entries were or what they meant.  Well, I won.  Enter my new addiction/hobby.  Since then I have been fortunate enough to win quite a few giveaways.  And I have learned a lot about unique products along the way.  It definitely shaped my Christmas shopping this year!  I love the fact that the things I gave away were never duplicates and that everyone would ask where I found the gifts we gave.  Pretty cool!  So I decided I was going to start a blog and do all of the great things that these bloggers I read were doing.  Except I learned that it's hard.  I mean really hard.  It takes so much time and dedication.  I simply don't have enough of either to do it well.  So, here I am playing with my little blog and making infrequent posts.  Maybe someday it will become more...we'll see.

One of the great perks of having my little blog is that I can share about other great blogs and/or giveaways that I have found.  Lately I have been really into Scentsy.  Well, I found a Scentsy giveaway at 365 Changes of Me!  This is a new blog to me, but I'm really excited to become a more frequent reader.  This Scentsy giveaway is for  $25 gift code!  That means that the winner can choose whatever they want as their prize!  I first learned about Scentsy this time last year when my mom asked for a warmer for her birthday.  I love that the one little warmer I gave her  can essentially fragrance her whole upstairs.  I picked one up for myself and keep it in my office.  I have a more subtle scent in there, since it's a small space.  Teachers, students and parents frequently compliment the lovely smell.  I love Scentsy!  I think anyone would.  There are tons of scent choices and warmer designs.  Go check them out and enter the giveaway!

Multipurpose Baby Cream

I did it!  After a couple of experimental rounds I have finally created my own baby cream recipe!  This cream can be used as a diaper cream, dry spot/eczema treatment and/or all over moisturizer!  It's pretty thick, so how you use it would be up to you and your specific needs.  I do have to brag...little M has been using it for about a week now, plus a different variation for about two weeks before that, and (no kidding) no eczema patches are present on his skin!  His case isn't sever by any means, but he seriously has "normal" smooth and even baby skin all over since using this!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp beeswax

1 tbsp coca butter

2 tbsp shea butter

2 tbsp water

1/2 tbsp grapefruit seed extract

2 tbsp sweet almond oil

1 tbsp jojoba oil

2 tbsp vegetable glycerine

1/8 tsp vitamin E oil

1/2 tsp calendula oil (in olive oil base)

Directions:

In a double boiler, melt together the first three ingredients.  In a second double boiler, melt together the second set of ingredients.  I don't have a double boiler, so I use 2 pots with boiling water inside and place large glass bowls over them.  It's not fancy, but it works for me!  Once each is fully melted/incorporated, pour each into one cool mixing bowl. Stir.   Add last 2 ingredients.  Continue stirring until cooled.  This step is important, as you want to make sure your liquids and solids fully combine and end up in a creamy consistency.  

It's seriously that easy!  The hardest part is finding all of the ingredients.  The startup cost seems high, but in time this will pay for itself compared to buying natural creams for my guy.  I actually like it for myself too!  It's a great intensive moisturizer for dry winter weather.  I have sensitive skin and have to stay moisturized, or else I end up itchy all over.  This even makes a great lip moisturizer...it even tasted sweet!  It smells delicious, too!  Like a subtle white chocolate and honey.  I've been experimenting with adding essential oils, but haven't yet been completely satisfied.  I guess that's my next step!

Waiting...

I love the fact that we live in a time where any little obscure thing I want is available, usually for a reasonable price, at the click of a button.  I have been particularly grateful since I have started to make my own household and body care products.  I can't imagine how much time it would take to locate some of these ingredients!  On top of that, I'm fairly confident that it would be much more expensive in stores.  The downside is the wait...I am not the most patient person when I am excited about something.  I placed an order on Tuesday from a new find of mine, Lucky Vitamin.  (This place has a great selection and awesome prices!)  Every day I'm checking my mailbox, even though I know my order was just shipped on Saturday.  But I'm so excited!  I'm planning to make bath bombs with G for his and little M's Valentines.  (An amazing pinterest idea!)  And I'm also planning to make a jasmine vanilla shea butter body lotion to give to my mom and the boys' teachers as V-Day gifts.  I will be posting the recipe, if all goes according to plan.  :)  Now I just have to wait for these last couple of ingredients... 

Pediped Giveaway

This is my first time posting about a giveaway that's being offered on another blog, but I am so very excited about this one that I had to!  The Bragging Mommy is giving away a pair of Pediped baby/kids shoes!  This company sounds so fantastic and has so many adorable choices!  I've entered giveaways for these before, but never been lucky enough to win.  I haven't ever had a pair for my boys, but I have read enough reviews to feel pretty confident that they are great shoes!  I'd be especially excited to try them for little M, as he's still not the most secure walker.  Their shoes are tailored to different developmental stages from infants to (approx) age 7, so either of my boys could still wear their cute designs!

Natural Lotion!

This past week I made my first attempt at creating a homemade lotion, specifically targeted at little M's eczema.  This time of year is hard on it, and he needs something great to keep him soft and itch-free.  I have tried lots of OTC eczema formulas with less than satisfying results.  I've had the most success with this formula from Burt's Bees and a not-yet-released sample of a new cream by My True Nature.  But nothing has ever been quite good enough for my guy.  So after tons of research I ordered several ingredients to start experimenting with my own eczema relief lotion.  Call me a control freak, but there's just something great about actually having the ability to know exactly what is in a product that's going on his skin!
I'm not 100% satisfied with my first attempt, but I believe we're on the right track!  Here's what I used:

1/2 oz beeswax

1 tbsp shea butter

2 tbsp cocoa butter

1 tbsp sweet almond oil

1 tbsp vegetable glycerin

I simply melted it all together using a double boiler setup, then poured it into a repurposed baby food jar.  I allowed it to cool and found that the oil seperated back out from the wax and butters, so I needed to give it a good stir.  It was great that night, but became too solid by the next night.  After a few days I decided to add a couple more liquid ingredients and see if I could soften it up a bit.  I added:

1 tsp sweet almond oil

1 tsp glycerin

1 tsp jojoba oil

You'd think I would learn from round 1, but no.  Again I allowed it to cool and the oil separated out.  I mixed it all up and was rewarded with a slightly creamier result.  It's pretty firm after a night, but softer than before.  Can I tell you that it smells absolutely delicious?!  The wax I purchased had a distinct honey fragrance, and my cocoa butter smells like white chocolate.  It even tastes sweet!  (I used a little as a lip balm, just as an experiment!)

I still have a lot to learn, but I am quite happy with my first round of lotion-making!

Hello Again!

It's been a while since I've been able to post.  After a round of stomach flu for big G, hand foot & mouth for little M, basketball season for my coach hubby and a broken elbow for myself, I am finally returning to my version of normal.  While the past month + has been a whirlwind, I have found some time to try a couple of natural recipes!  I created dishwasher detergent from the recipe I had previously posted.  I think it does a pretty good job of cleaning, but we do get some really hard lumps that can be a challenge to break up.  I've also found that it does leave a small residue on the dishes...nothing a little vinegar in the rinse cycle can't fix!  Overall I am happy with my economical and environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent! 

Has it Really Been a Month??

I think I must have blinked and lost the last 4-5 weeks.  I have this idea of making this a great blog with links to great deals and eco-friendly tips, but I have had a couple of setbacks.  I just haven't invested the time I need to figure out how to make this work the way I want.  I have a lot of learning to do!  I read blogs daily.   I love browsing and getting tips and entering giveaways.  My hat is off to all of those bloggers out there...it's a LOT more work than I ever imagined!

Update...

Round 1 of my green laundry was only a semi-success.  Note to self: there are different sizes of graters!  I needed to get my bar of soap grated into a much finer substance instead of looking like shredded cheese.  Oops!  Live and learn, right?  When I used this first batch I could see little bits of the bar soap floating around as the washer ran.  I went ahead and set it for a second rinse...just in case!  The laundry came out fresh & clean, so I was very happy with the recipe. 

The natural bar soap I purchased here was super soft, so I unwrapped the second bar to allow it to dry out and harden a bit before I make batch #2.  (Can I tell you hat this soap had an absolutely beautiful, herbal smell.  It's not strong enough to stick to the clothes, but still delightful!)

Going back to batch #1: Some changes were needed to make this the laundry soap I was wanting.  (Who wants to have to waste all that water running a second rinse every time?)   I allowed it a couple of days to dry the shredded soap particles to dry a bit.  Then I put it through my trusty Magic Bullet (one of the best inventions ever, IMHO.)  Out came the fine powdered detergent I was hoping for int he beginning.  It's running through my washer as we speak!

Next project: Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent.  I found a recipe that I am going to try on DIY Natural.  Since I just made laundry detergent, I already have almost all of the ingredients on hand!  Now I just need to order some citric acid and pick up some kosher salt next time I'm at the grocery store.e   I'm not low on detergent yet, so this project may be on hold for a little while.  I am looking forward to it, though.

There's just something so great about knowing exactly what you are putting on your clothing and dishes, as well as what you are sending out into the environment.  Add huge savings to that, and it's an all around win!

Green Laundry!

So I tried something new today...I made my own laundry detergent!  Or at least I started the process.  I didn't want to use the Fels Naptha soap that so many use, because it isn't really as natural a product as I'd like.  I was going to use Dr. Bronner's, but it was $5 a bar, and really messed up the ability for my detergent to be all around green (saving me money as well as being natural and nontoxic.)  So, being an Amazon.com lover like I am, I shopped around and found what I hope will be a suitable alternative.

The recipe I am using comes from Tipnut.  I used recipe #9, but cut down the amount I was making.  Right now I have mixed 1.5 cups of Borax with 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of washing soda.  When my soap arrives I will grate 1 bar down and throw it into the tub with the rest of the mix.

I'm not really a math person, but I have estimated that this recipe would end up costing less than 10 cents a load!   So it's easy to make, saves money and is natural and nontoxic.  I can't wait for my bar soap to come so I can give this stuff a try!  I will report back on how it goes!

A great 12 hours...

So, in the last 12 hours I won THREE giveaways!  The first was a tube of EnvyDerm mascara from Songberries blog last night.  Then this morning I woke up to two more winning emails!  This time I won a Candle Warmers Santa from Mommy Ramblings AND 2 Halloween DVD's from Half-Pint House Handouts.  Woo hoo!

The Joy of Winning

So today was a crappy day.  Just one of those you wish hadn't even bothered to take place, because nothing positive happened at all.  That is, until my drive home.  As I was driving through the gray, rainy start of rush hour to pick up my boys, I tried to remind myself that their sweet faces would make up for all of the stresses & negatives of my day.  Then, at a stoplight (because I'm totally responsible,) I checked my email.  And there was a message from the wonderful Carol of Songberries blog emailing to let me know that I had won a tube of EnvyDerm Mascara!  And *poof* my day changed directions.  So, I am an addict.  I'm willing to admit it.  I am addicted to the great feeling I get from winning frivolous prizes that I may have never purchased for myself.  But it's a great addiction, right?  My winning "high" totally turned my day around!  Maybe it's very simple of me, but I don't care.

Ahem...Testing 1, 2, 3.

So, after about a year of surfing the web to find mommy blogs with great recipes, fun posts and fantastic giveaways, I have finally decided to start my own blog.  It just seems natural, right?  I mean, blogs have become my little addiction.  I look forward to coming home, enjoying time with my family, then tucking the boys into bed so I can have a little "me" time.  And that's where the blogs come in.  I do enjoy reading about others' parenting experiences and finding great recipes to try.  But let's face it, the best parts of mommy blogs are the GIVEAWAYS!  I love them.  Love.  Love.  Love.  Seriously, what's better than entering contests that cost nothing, then sometimes winning and having prizes mailed right to your home?  For me it's like gambling without that yucky feeling of leaving the casino minus the cash that could have bought my kids the new (fill in the blank) that they wanted.  Even when you don't win, you don't lose anything!  So, here I am.  Starting my own blog.  What will I do with it?  Who knows.  But for now I intend to use it as a place to brag about all of my great winnings, and share great money-saving deals and recipes with the cyber world.  Will anyone read it?  I don't know.  But it will be fun to find out!