What Mastitis Taught Me About Motherhood

I have been absent from my blog for the past few days because I have been dealing with a exhausting case of mastitis (breast pain, 102 degree fever, an aching body, fatigue and headache). I have been lucky so far because this is my first time getting really sick since giving birth. But mastitis definitely taught me quite a bit about what it means to be a mother!

Links I Love This Week :: Apr 14, 2013

Recognizing a fraction of all of the fantastic blog posts, news stories, crafts and DIY projects that are created every week.

Good Deed #13 – Do Small Acts of Kindness Around Town

We spent the day away from the cozy comforts of our rural home and drove into town for a day of fun and good deeds. I used our outing as an opportunity to show my kids that not all good deeds have to be big or involve money.

Baby Shower Gift Idea: Lactation Cookie Mix in a Jar

When I had my babies, the gifts I appreciated most were the ones that I could actually use. And when they were homemade, it was even better. So I came up with my own useful, homemade gift idea to give to other moms . . . Lactation Cookie Mix in a Jar.

Links I Love This Week :: Apr 7, 2013

Recognizing a fraction of all of the fantastic blog posts, news stories, crafts and DIY projects that are created every week.

Heuristic Baby Play (How to Make a Treasure Basket)

Entertaining a baby is deceptively hard! I had this delusion that I would continue to take my six-year-old to all of his normal activities and the baby would just come along for the ride. I had pictures in my mind of the baby calmly playing at my feet while I cooked or sitting contently in my arms while I taught my son math. I obviously had completely forgotten what it was like to have a baby! It turns out that I am desperately in need of help playing with my baby. Fortunately, a blog called Nothing if Not Intentional introduced me to a great idea called Heuristic Baby Play.

Good Deed #12 – Bring Reusable Containers to the Bulk Bins

One of the best parts about living where I live is the plethora of natural food stores. And each one of those stores has a wide assortment of bulk food bins. For Good Deed #12, I decided to make use of the bulk food aisle more, but also to start bringing my own containers.

Good Deed #11 – Donate Maternity Clothes to Someone in Need

I am a couple of weeks behind on my Good Deeds posts. That’s not to say that I haven’t been accomplishing these good deeds. I just haven’t had a chance to post about them. For Good Deed #11, I decided to donate my maternity clothes to a person in need.

My Blog on a Plate: Lemon Cardamom Blueberry Buckle

Circle of Moms issued a challenge to bloggers to put our blog on a plate. In other words, we needed to create a recipe that represents our blog and what it’s all about. My answer to that challenge was my Lemon Cardamom Blueberry Buckle.

Links I Love This Week :: Mar 31, 2013

Recognizing a fraction of all of the fantastic blog posts, news stories, crafts and DIY projects that are created every week.

Spring Sensory Tray with Rainbow Rice

Sensory bins (or play trays) are an easy way to entertain kids of any age. I like to include natural elements in my sensory trays to expose my son to nature even when we are indoors. This spring play tray with rainbow rice is a fun way to give your kids a taste of springtime when it is too cold or rainy to go outdoors.

Baby’s Natural Easter Basket: Wood-Burned Eggs

Part two of my baby girl’s Easter basket consists of solid wood eggs etched with a hand-drawn design using a wood burning pen. This was actually really easy to do!

Buy or DIY: Green Cleaning for Your Bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom doesn’t have to involve toxic chemicals. You can find great natural bathroom cleaning products that have the same cleaning power as conventional cleaners. And if you are a DIY kind of person, I have found three easy recipes for making bathroom cleaning products out of household ingredients. They are all natural, smell great and work better than most conventional cleaning products! Read about them in my post on ModernMom.com!

Blackberry-Dyed Playsilk for Baby’s Natural Easter Basket

My baby girl will be 7 months old this Easter. Obviously, she won’t be partaking in Easter egg hunts or chocolate bunnies. I want to fill her Easter basket with safe, natural, homemade gifts that she will be able to enjoy now. I want to avoid using conventional Easter grass. Not only is it made of plastic and full of toxins, but it can be dangerous for small children if they get it in their mouths. So I decided to fill my baby’s Easter basket with a naturally-dyed playsilk.

Links I Love This Week :: Mar 24, 2013

Recognizing a fraction of all of the fantastic blog posts, news stories, crafts and DIY projects that are created every week.

5 Kids’ Art Supplies to Make from Household Ingredients

While there are many great options for non-toxic, natural art supplies for kids (see my post on ten of the best options), the best way to make sure that your children’s art supplies are totally safe is to make them yourself. Most kids’ art supplies can be made out of common household ingredients! Here are five easy recipes:

Good Deed #10 – Use Reusable Take-Out Containers

We eat out a lot. With two kids, three businesses, and homeschooling, I often run out of time or energy when it comes to dinner. And when I eat out, I almost always have leftovers. The problem with leftovers is the take-out container. Most of them are made out of foam or plastic. It seems like most restaurants carry only one size – extra-large. It drives me crazy to put half a sandwich in a container large enough for a pizza.

Links I Love This Week :: Mar 17, 2013

Recognizing a fraction of all of the fantastic blog posts, news stories, crafts and DIY projects that are created every week.

10 Eco-Friendly Non-Toxic Art Supplies for Kids

My son goes through art supplies like water. He loves to draw, paint, sculpt and create and has been artistic since a very young age. So of course I try to make sure that I choose the safest and most environmentally-friendly art supplies for him.

Links I Love This Week :: Mar 10, 2013

Recognizing a fraction of all of the fantastic blog posts, news stories, crafts and DIY projects that are created every week.

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