Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen

When purchasing your produce, have this in your back pocket! When testing fruits and veggies for pesticides the Dirty Dozen list each tested positive for 50-80 chemicals. The Clean Fifteen list had little to no traces of any chemicals. 

Valentine's Day GIVEAWAY!!!

A Beautiful Life and Custom Designs by Candice are joining forces and having a Valentine's Day GIVEAWAY!!

The giveaway will last until February 1st and a winner will be drawn! Good luck everyone!!

The winner will have their choice of earrings or a custom made pair! To view more designs visit:
www.etsy.com/shop/customdesignsbycandi

              Pink Swarovski Crystal and Tibetan Silver with Sterling Silver Leverbacks

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Homemade Granola Bars: Remix!!

I have previously posted the recipe to homemade granola bars, but I figured out a new healthier way to make them... and they're DELICIOUS!!!! I've been just throwing ingredients in recently without really measuring. I will do my best with accurate measurements, but know if you feel it needs a little extra something, don't hesitate to add!

2 cups natural quick oats
3/4 cup granola, crisp rice cereal, or just quick oats
1/4 cup organic ground flax meal (Opt)
2 Tbsp Chia seeds (Opt)
2 Tbsp Organic Coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1-2 Tbsp organic agave (dark amber)
1 Tbsp organic brown cane sugar
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (chunky or creamy)
(We get the pb that only contains roasted peanuts)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Semi sweet chocolate chips

Combine oats, granola, chia, and flax meal in large bowl. In Saute pan, add coconut oil, honey, agave, Brown sugar, pb, and vanilla to medium/low heat. Heat until melted and combined. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture. Combine. Add chocolate chips as desired. Pres firmly into 9x13 baking dish. Top with mini or broken chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until hardened. Cut into bars and serve!

If you prefer without chocolate, leave chocolate out of mixture. After pressed into pan combine 3/4 C peanut butter with 2Tbsp honey. Spread across top of bars. Refrigerate as previously directed.

Vaccinations

I'm going to begin with a disclaimer... I'm not a doctor.

As a mother you have to go with your gut on this topic... that's what we have done.

When our daughter was born we had not fully done our research on vaccinations. We went ahead with the hep B at the hospital, but left it at that for awhile. When it came time for the first round of shots we decided to do our homework. My spirit was uneasy. I couldn't justify pumping an 8lb baby full of toxins and chemicals for the rare chance that it might possibly protect her from contracting something that has not even been reported in our area for decades. 

When the time came, we declined. We continued to research and seek out various opinions and viewpoints to educate ourselves in the best way possible. 

Now, I could take this time to fill you with research articles, statistics, etc, supporting my argument, but that's not why I'm writing this. I'm a mother, who felt convicted about vaccinations. Simple. 

In the research I did, and advice I sought from people far more educated than myself, I came to terms with what I was and was not okay with doing. And I will explain how we came to terms with our decision.

In our area, the only two viruses that have been of any threat whatsoever for many decades was pertussis and tetanus. We made our decision based on these facts and a whole lot of research. A great friend brought a woman to my attention who happens to be an active medicinal doctor, not holistic, who had rather interesting views on vaccines. This woman, among many others, shed a lot of light on this topic. 

For anyone interested in listening, this is the link: 

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efto1LpWkKw 

-Suzanne Humphries on Vaccines 

I began questioning vaccinations when my spirit was greatly checked. My heart was uneasy and I simply could not move forward with vaccinations. At 5 months, I felt the responsibility to  vaccinate her against anything that could potentially be a threat to her. Tdap was the only vaccine she received. We do not currently feel prompted to move forward with any other vaccine, and will continue to stay very sensitive to the spirit and follow with what we feel led to do. 

I encourage all moms to do your research and stay sensitive to what the Lord and your mommy intuitions are telling you. For some, shots may be the best. For others, they may not. Listen to yourself and don't simply do something because society says you have to. If it's going in your child's body, it's worth questioning. :)

Resting in Jesus

This week our small town endured quite the tragedy. Late in the evening someone came in to a local grocery store, and opened fire. It didn't take long, although it felt like an eternity, before we realized people had lost their lives and someone mindlessly took them. My heart grieves, my heart grieves for the families of those who lost loved ones. But mostly, my heart mostly grieves for the man that took them. The place his heart was in to commit such a crime, such a hanes act. My heart grieves that he will never know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and can only hope that those whose lives were taken, did.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I had to go to the grocery store today... and was so scared. I know random acts of violence can happen anywhere, at anytime, and for no particular reason, but going grocery shopping this week was just not something I felt like doing.

I noticed while being there I was not the only one on edge. There was husband's with their wives, surveying the area as the wife shopped, people looking over their shoulders, etc... I made a point, something I do often, but made a point especially today knowing my nerves were on edge to pray for safety. Pray that Jesus' blood would cover and protect us.

I also made a strong effort to show kindness to everyone I encountered. Whether it was a smile, nod, or a simple hello. Kindness could be the difference for someone. A simple act of kindness could change the mind of the most twisted individual.

It's such a comfort to know that despite the fact we have no control over our future, we serve a God who does. And happens to love us very, very much. I rest in that... :)

Organic Caramel Apples

You will never know the health benefits these crazy Apple's have by the delicious taste!

4-6 organic Apple's
1-2 Tbsp organic coconut oil
1 Tbsp whole wheat flour
2-3 Tbsp organic brown sugar (can also substitute partially with honey or agave)
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Peel and slice Apple's thinly. Saute in pan with coconut oil until almost completely tender. Combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon in small bowl. Slowly stir mixture in to pan. Add more sugar/ natural sweetener as desired.

Enjoy!

Juice it!

I am so excited... we have become huge advocates of juicing and have inspired others to do so as well!! 

Often times I will post new healthy recipes, etc on facebook or my blog in hopes to inspire others. I have recently been contacted by three different individuals who felt inspired to start juicing. They all reported back that from juicing they had all lost weight and felt a significant increase in energy! This makes so excited to see others making a healthy change! 

This so far is our favorite juice recipe:

2-3 organic Apple's

1 celery stalk

Handful of kale

Handful of spinach/Swiss chard or both

Carrots (juice pictured does not have carrots)

(We follow the clean fifteen and dirty dozen rule)

There are endless possibilities when it comes to juicing... Juice it! :)

How to create a Chic nursery for under $120

Second hand is your best friend. Mis tint collection from Sherwin Williams is a gold mine. Online garage sales are a Godsend. Goodwill. Craigslist. Word of mouth.

We purchased this crib for $20 from a family member before our first child was born. Used it for him, painted it, and is now our second child's crib.
Paint we had from when we bought our home and crib we already had. $0

Dresser was an online garage sale purchase. Painted, New knobs, added legs(free thanks to my dad's craftsmanship.) $45
Shelf and wood basket were hand-me-downs.... Painted with paint we already had. $0
(Shelves like this one can also be found at the dollar store)
Changing pad and Pottery barn cover were purchased as a set from online garage sale. $10

Lamp and shade we already owned. Covered an old bumper with new fabric and made valance. Glider and ottoman found on online garage sale.

Glider/ottoman $40
Bumper/valance $10
Lamp/shade $0

Wall colors... We had a little yellow paint leftover from previously painting our bathroom. (Mistint previously purchased, $3 for a gallon).
The Gray had been previously purchased also as a mistint for $3 which we ended up using the entire gallon for the nursery.

Yellow paint $0
Gray paint $3

Mirror was a goodwill find on 50% off day.

Mirror $3.

We are all about negotiation, sales, and finding a good deal!

If you wish to learn more don't hesitate to ask!! :)

Nursing... a mother's prerogative

When my son was born I had every intention to nurse him. Unfortunately my body had other ideas and nursing failed me... I was devastated, but he is now almost 5, was mostly formula fed and is healthy and the smartest little guy I know.

I support whatever a mother has to do to keep her baby healthy, growing, and happy!

For me, the second time around I only had one option... nurse. Financially, personal preference, and just my own goals. The second week of Aynslie's life she did not gain. I was devastated. Tears rolling... I thought for sure once again I had lost my milk and ability to nurse.

I thought for a minute and said, NO! This is my prerogative... if I want to nurse, I'm going to nurse! So down the water went, in came the calories, herbal supplements, oatmeal, tea, pumping, flax, coconut oil, chia, and so on. I am here to tell you... I'm still nursing and my child has never seen a drop of formula. I have faced the obstacle of being unable to pump, low milk supply, and lots of criticism. My baby is not only not malnourished, but she is ahead of the game developmentally. She's tiny, but mighty.... is what we like to say. :)

I have loved the bonding, one on one time, and the pure joy that my daughter is getting the best nutrition possible and it's coming from me.

I encourage anyone that has faced nursing obstacles to realize that you are not alone. If you nursed, chose not to, couldn't, or faced many obstacles like myself... you're a great mom no matter what. I believe nursing is what's best, but it's not for everyone.

I encourage anyone that has nursing questions to always talk to your lactation consultant and I'm always happy to help in any way I can. Not an expert by any stretch, but a mommy that cares for others!

Happy Nursing, momma's! :)

Aynslie Lane

I can't believe it has been so stinking long since my last post! Well I am so proud and happy to announce we were blessed(understatement) with the most beautiful baby girl. The most beautiful 8lb 7.5oz healthy baby girl. At a mere 4.5 months old she is already rolling over both ways, scooting all over the place, talking, giggling... honestly, what isn't she doing?!?!  Anyhow, we are loving every single second.

Please stay tuned... I will soon be posting how to create a gorgeously chic nursery on a strict budget!