Natural Living Articles & Tutorials

With six kiddos in the house, sleep can be hard to come by sometimes. Fortunately, I’ve found ways to naturally improve sleep quality, including ditching the night lights and using magnesium oil before bed. This relaxing pillow spray is another healthy (and great smelling!) way to promote a good night’s sleep. So would a simple scent make a …

When you go grain-free, you have to get creative to keep enjoying the foods you love. Most grain-free goodies are made with the same ol’ flours, but there are actually some really great alternatives to almond flour and coconut flour. I bet you haven’t even heard of some of them! While an optimal diet should …

I first heard of sous vide years ago and my initial thought process went something like this: Me: Hmm… sounds French. Must be fancy… I wonder how it works. Also me (upon researching it): The appliance to cook sous vide costs over $500 and takes hours to cook food!? I’m out. And you cook the food …

Laundry detergent is an easy switch from store bought to homemade. DIY alternatives are often just as effective and much less expensive. I’ve shared my Homemade Laundry Soap but this variation is formulated for high-efficiency washers. I first considered the idea of homemade laundry detergent when a friend’s mom made hers while I was visiting their house 15 …

Health-conscious people (like us!) often choose to eliminate soy from their diets. I love my stir fries  and Asian-influenced dishes, so soy sauce is one staple I’d often miss. Thankfully, coconut aminos offer a tasty and even healthier alternative to soy sauce. If you’re already convinced, jump below to read about their benefits and how to …

In many cases, the byproduct of a refining process is bad news. This is the case with petroleum jelly, vegetable oils, and many other substances. However, one exception to this rule is blackstrap molasses. My only childhood memories of this strongly flavored syrup involved making cookies or ornaments once a year, but it turns out that molasses is …

I don’t like to bring it up — I really don’t. There are some things you’d just rather not know. But have you ever said that cute rhyme creepy saying “Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite” to your kids? And then wondered why? Are bed bugs a real thing to fear in this …

I don’t like using the term superfood, though it could certainly be applied to Spirulina (and is sometimes used for coconut oil). Surprisingly, you may know this amazing compound by its common name… Pond scum: This nutrient rich substance is actually a cyanobacteria and it boasts its fair share of health promoting properties. It is rich …

It only took a little research into finding a new mattress to learn more than I ever wanted to know about dust mites. Little critters related to ticks and spiders that live in your pillow, mattress, and furniture? Ugh! I mean, do you really want thousands of those cringe-worthy little pests in the picture above in …

When I started blogging many years ago and began chronicling my experiences making homemade deodorant and other sundries, I never thought I’d write a passionate post about why you should immediately cut down any Bradford Pear trees… but here we are. Cut Down the Bradford Pear Tree? I know that is a strong statement: Go cut down …

I’ve been making my own cleaning products for years. When I first started, there weren’t any recipes or tutorials available online and there was a lot of trial and error… mostly error. Natural Home Products that Work Did you know, for instance, that vinegar and liquid castile soap together make a nasty slimy mess? Or …

Did you know that: Indoor air can be much more toxic than outdoor air? In fact, the air in your home may be the most toxic air you encounter each day. This is for a variety of reasons, including: Off-gassing from plastics used within the home Residue of harmful chemicals from cleaning products Build up of …

I try to avoid using plastic in our home as much as possible, but I understand the convenience of plastic baggies for snacks on the go. When I am out and about with the kids I like to keep some healthy snacks in my purse for when hunger strikes. There are a lot of great …

Save hundreds a year by making your own beauty products, cleaning products, and spice blends… That’s what I set out to do years ago when I was on a super-tight budget and just starting to raise my family. I realized the easiest way to save money and avoid harmful chemicals was to make them myself. …

I’ve been a fan of Himalayan Salt and salt lamps for a long time, and in the past few months I’ve also come to love cooking with a himalayan salt block or cooking tile. Here’s why its awesome: Salt has been used  and valued throughout history and was so valuable in the 1800s that it …

While I love my beeswax candles and have many healthy uses for honey, the importance of the honey bee goes well beyond what they produce directly. Many of the foods we eat rely to some degree on the honey bee for pollination. Why the Honey Bee Matters So Much For crops like strawberries, honey bees …

We recently got a new grocery store in a town near me. I was checking it out one day and came across an array of fun and unusual foods uncommon to most average grocery stores. While there I saw several long beautiful aloe vera leaves and decided to purchase some. As I continued shopping, a woman …

I use apple cider vinegar a lot. From making cleaning recipes to its many health benefits, ACV is a staple in our home. For cleaning, any vinegar will do. In food or drink recipes though, I always use an organic and unrefined version of apple cider vinegar with “the Mother.” Over the years, my mentions of “vinegar with the …

What if I told you there was a gluten-free, zero calorie, zero carbohydrate noodle that was a great alternative to traditional pasta noodles (for those who aren’t fans of veggie noodles)? Turns out there is and while I was skeptical at first, I’ve come to love these incredible noodles: What are Shirataki Noodles? As you may …

One day I was using French Green clay to add a colored layer to my husband’s spiced soap and I forgot the essential oils. There wasn’t going to be much “spice” in the soap without the oils so I had to stir in the colored layer in order to incorporate the essential oils. Fast-forward 6 …

Ants, ants, ants, everywhere! Those pesky insects have a way of finding every little crack and opening right into your home. With Spring finally in full swing I have begun to see an ant scout here and there and I want to nip it in the bud before they take over my life! With kids …

Castile soap is a valuable tool for natural living. It is very versatile and can replace many, if not all, of your commercially prepared, chemical-laden detergent cleaners. What Is Castile Soap? Traditionally the term castile, in regard to soap, referred to a hard white soap made from olive oil. It was named for the Castile …

I’ve heard it said that “gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes.” There seems to be some solid science to back up the health benefits of gardening (and to explain why gardeners might live longer as well). Besides the obvious benefits like super-fresh produce and time spent outside, there are some less well-known benefits to …