Natural Living Articles & Tutorials

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 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 …

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. …

I experience a Fall-induced form of “nesting” every year as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter. Unlike the hormone-driven one in pregnancy, this is one is less about alphabetizing the contents of the freezer and more about filling the house with everything soft and warm and cozy (and preferably also smelling like pumpkin!). It …

In our family, we’re big on creating experiences instead of having things, and we spend a lot of time outdoors. I’ve always said I hoped to be the house in the neighborhood where my kids and their friends would want to hang out. Now that my kids are getting older, this is happening and it …

Sometimes the best things in life are free… or really, really cheap, like this natural glass cleaner recipe. I’ve experimented with many types of natural cleaners and have finally found natural options that are as good (or better) than conventional cleaners. I was motivated to create a natural option for cleaning windows when I discovered my …

Moving can be a pain, but finding a house that’s safe and healthy to call home can be even trickier. There’s more to finding the best house than the number of bedrooms and kitchen size. Just like toxins in personal care products, toxins can hide in homes. Here are the questions to ask before buying …

Interior decorators know the classic design tip: when working with a small space, look up! Using empty wall space in creative ways can make all the difference in an apartment or small home (I learned this firsthand), and it can work in a garden too! If your outdoor space is limited, these vertical gardening ideas …

This bath and shower spray is just one of the cleaners in my natural bathroom cleaning arsenal. The way it cuts through tough rust and soap scum though it might just be your new favorite. Even better, it’s simple and pulls together fast! The recipe is concentrated and doesn’t call for any water. Not only do …

When my husband and I were newly married, we didn’t have much disposable income, but it didn’t matter because our favorite thing to do was just spend time together (and still is!). Of course, life and kids happened and while it is wonderful, it does make it a little tougher to spend quality time alone. We’ve been working …