Raise your hand if you’ve ever made a New Years Resolution that you tried for a few days, then realized it was impossible to stick to? *raises hand*. Personally, I’ve realized that when I take smaller steps towards something, I’m more likely to keep those small changes as a part of my lifestyle. If one of your goals is to be healthier or eat better, I’ve got just the tip to get you started! One simple way to improve your diet is to switch table salt for sea salt. Not only will your food taste 10x better, you’ll reap extra...

If you’re interested in Manuka honey, you’ve likely noticed the numbers listed on most jars. You’ll see ratings such as 10+, 20+, 30+, and also  letters like UMF and MGO. What do these mean? It can be incredibly confusing! Manuka honey is not like any other honey. It has additional attributes that make it highly prized and beneficial. Not just any honey can be called Manuka honey.  The New Zealand Government has a standard for Manuka Honey and every jar of Manuka Honey (not bulk sizes) packed in New Zealand has to pass this test in order to get an export...

Do homemade cosmetics and skincare products require preservatives? And if so, do natural preservatives actually work? In today's post we dive into these questions as well as cover natural preservative options for lotions, creams, and other DIY skin care products. what is a preservative? A preservative is a chemical that is added to cosmetics in order to inhibit the growth of microbes and subsequent contamination and spoilage of a product.   Are Preservatives Necessary? It may seem strange to think about using preservatives when making natural body care products. Aren’t we trying to avoid chemicals? Here is the problem: products made...

The next few days are ones that can be filled with highs and lows. While the holidays are an exciting time, many of us also feel tired, lonely, overwhelmed, and/or stressed.⁣ A few things to that might help you stay sane this week:⁣ #1 – Breathe I know it sounds so simple! But just taking a minute to pause and take a deep breathe can do wonders!⁣ #2 – Move Your Body This may not be the time to hit the gym (or maybe it is, depending on your situation), but finding a way to move your body this week...

Peppermint & Rosemary Foot Soak Recipe As you head into the weekend, why not take some time for a foot soak? You can test out this recipe then make some more for a Christmas gift. It's a great way to give those feet a rest and relax for a few minutes. Ingredients – ⅔ cup Epsom Salt – ⅓ cup baking soda – 10 drops peppermint essential oil – 3 drops Rosemary essential oil – 1 teaspoon avocado or sweet almond oil Method Place oil and essential oils in the bottom of a mixing bowl and stir until well combined...

These quick and easy recipes for natural body care products use simple ingredients that nourish the skin. Great for personal use and make excellent gifts. One of my greatest joys is showing people how easy it is to make natural body care products at home. I think many are under the impression that is is complicated or time consuming to create personal care products, but it's not! (Well, it could be, I suppose, but it's certainly not necessary!). In today's post you'll find 10 easy (and natural) body care products anyone can make. Most of these can be made in...

Adorning handmade gifts with pretty labels is the perfect way to finish them with style. I tend to handwrite labels most of the time, but they don't always look the best. So it's always nice to find some printable-labels for handmade gifts that are beautiful, but still generic enough to be used for various types of DIY projects and presents. These Made with Love labels fit the bill and work well for just about any type of homemade gift. I'm not overly talented when it comes to designing labels, so I asked my friend Tabitha Emma to design some for us. I love...

I've given lotion bars as gifts for a few years now. They are usually a big hit! One reason I love to give lotion bars is that they are unique. Most people have not used a lotion bar before. It's a treat to introduce them to something I enjoy using so much. Lotion bars are excellent moisturizers and are very simple to make. Once I had the idea to give lotion bars as gifts less than an hour before a large group of people showed up at my house. I was able to whip them up and have a batch...

Every time Black Friday/Cyber Monday rolls around, I love to dig in and see what natural and healthy deals can be found.  Below I've listed the best offers I've discovered and will continue to add to them over the weekend. There are so many wonderful deals to help you life a healthy lifestyle!  Even though many overlap, I've tried categorize them to make it easier to find what you need. SELf CARE + Lifestyle   Inside this bundle, you’ll learn how to: Create a self-care plan you’ll actually stick with Improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and energy Heal acne once...