Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
Clean and organize your home naturally with these simple DIY recipes for household cleaning and helpful tips to avoid indoor toxins in household products, air and water.
When my oldest child was about six months old I suddenly became much more interested in finding a natural and DIY floor cleaner recipe. I now had a pint-size inspector who would eat/lick anything I missed! At the time we had several different types of floors in our tiny one-bedroom apartment. I had to find …
Christmas crafts are some of our favorite things to do this time of the year. And there have always been handmade ornaments on our Christmas tree. These easy salt dough ornaments make great keepsakes for the holiday season. They’re also a great gift for the grandparents! Salt Dough Ornaments A few years ago I started …
I constantly strive to make the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable. In an effort to pare down on the holiday craziness, I vowed to give experiences instead of stuff whenever possible. I’ll give only a couple high-quality gifts instead of lots of cheap ones that break the next day. This lessens the focus on gifts and …
Cyber Monday is a day when many online companies offer their best sales of the year. I’ve found some great deals this year! I’m stocking up on pantry essentials, supplements, and some other gifts for everyone on my list. In fact, my Christmas shopping is almost done… now I just have to pull the Advent …
I’ve never understood it… the idea of running out early on holiday celebrations with family to go shopping for gifts for those same people! No judgment from me if that’s your thing, but this year, why not have the turkey and eat it too? (Literally and figuratively). I’m doing my early shopping from the comfort …
As a mom, I’ve been given plenty of gifts over the years. But it can be tricky to find the perfect gifts for the women in your life. This gift guide has holiday gifts for moms, sisters, aunts, wives, BFFs, and every other woman on your list. While you’re at it, don’t forget to get …
At Christmas time our family focuses on the joy of Christmas and acts of service. But that doesn’t mean we don’t also give holiday gifts! These gift ideas for kids are perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any other time you need a special kid’s gift. Gift Guide for Kids of All Ages It can be …
Between friends, family, and employees, I’ve come up with a lot of gift ideas over the years. Christmas gifts for men are some of the trickiest to come up with, but I’ve managed to find plenty of great ones that meet my standards. The following thoughtful gifts are ones he’ll actually use and enjoy! Best …
While I’m no Martha Stewart, I do enjoy crafting and art projects, especially with the kids. I’ve experimented with these cutout burlap wreaths in the past, but I wanted to try something new for fall. These DIY fall wreaths on the front door are a great way to celebrate the season. Fall Decor When we …
I frequently use my homemade all-purpose spray around the house, but it’s nice to have something a little stronger for the bathroom. Bathrooms are prone to mildew, bacteria, and viruses that aren’t so nice to have hanging around (especially when you have boys whose aim isn’t always the best!). This natural DIY bathroom cleaner is tough …
I made the switch to all organic baby clothing with my youngest years ago for several reasons. I’m careful about where I get my produce and animal products from, so why not the clothes my family wears too? Here are the best healthy sustainable clothing brand options and why you’d want to switch from conventionally …
Our family has now completely switched to a natural oral health routine. We eat to boost oral health and even make our own remineralizing toothpaste. Next on the list to try was a homemade mouthwash recipe. This natural mouthwash combines herbs that are naturally cleansing and healing to teeth and gums. Because it’s in a …
If you’ve paid a little extra for healthy food or even produced it yourself, you know the value of using up every last bit. Many of my recipes rely on eggs as a healthy protein source, but have you ever thought about holding on to those eggshells? And I’m not just talking about throwing them …
I love few things more than a basket full of colorful Easter eggs. Easter is important to our family and one of our favorite times of the year, but I often find myself annoyed with the over-commercialization of what I consider a religious holiday. I also get peeved when Easter gets turned into an excuse …
I use my homemade all-purpose cleaner on almost everything around the house, but it doesn’t work for every surface. Our home has granite kitchen countertops, and since granite can be a little fickle depending on what you use to clean it, I decided to test out a homemade granite cleaner. After several attempts, I found …
I love herbs for their ability to enhance any dish and to support optimal health. Rosemary is no exception. Rosemary has many amazing benefits, ranging from boosting hair health to even having some anti-cancer properties. Rosemary: Dew of the Sea Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is Latin for “dew of the sea.” It’s often found growing naturally along sea …
I’ve mentioned in the past that we don’t use microwaves, but I do make one exception. We make homemade reusable DIY heating pads that are easily heated in the microwave. Most of my microwave concerns (mainly that they make food taste terrible) don’t matter for something we are not eating. So I don’t mind using one …
Laundry commercials can be pretty entertaining—images of flowers and sunshine amidst a backdrop of snowy mountains promise your laundry will be as fresh as a day in the Alps if you use their product. But those man-made chemicals may be harmful to you and your family, and they don’t hold a candle to real, natural …
It seems that if I’m not cleaning the kitchen, I’m cleaning the bathroom. Bathrooms can take a lot of time to clean because of all the different surfaces and how much they get used. Plus, if you have boys and have ever cleaned their bathroom… #eww. Here are my favorite homemade bathroom cleaners and how …
This year, we’ve decided to keep things simple, natural, and sustainable with natural and DIY Christmas gift ideas. That includes a few select wooden toys for the kids that will (hopefully) last for generations. We’re also focusing more on experiences than material gifts (for the most part). There are so many great gift options for …
We all want to know how to whiten teeth naturally, but getting it done is another matter. Harsh whitening strips and pastes are a no-go for me. This whitening toothpaste recipe with charcoal is an easy, gentler way to get a brighter smile. Avoiding Harsh Whitening Treatments Those slick ads with gorgeous smiles can be …
With six kids, you know Christmas is a big deal at our house! From finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list to traditions like eating seven kinds of fish on Christmas Eve, December is always busy. Decorations are always at the top of the list, and since time is a premium during the …
I don’t know about you, but this year I’m thinking about the holidays a little earlier than usual — in part for something nice to look forward to, and on a practical level just to make sure everything gets here on time! Many companies are offering holiday deals earlier than ever to allow for extended …
Cooler months mean more time curled up inside. Simmering potpourri recipes are a great way to make a home cozy and inviting. They’re just one way to get your winter hygge on! What Is Simmering Potpourri? When I say potpourri I’m not talking about the strange, artificial scented bowls collecting dust in older relative’s bathrooms. …
