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DIY Bug Spray
Healthy Living

DIY Bug Spray

There are so many chemicals in our environment these days and it’s so scary.  Through the last 12-15 years I have been very interested in my overall health and what is going into my body.  I try to cook as often as possible and make healthy and clean choices.  This DIY bug spray recipe is an extension of my pursuit in being healthier.  I hate the thought of all of the harmful chemicals in our food and environment and if I can make small changes daily to keep them at bay I will do my best.

I am excited to share this DIY bug spray recipe, I recently received it from a follower of mine and I love it.  My daughter gets bug bites like crazy.  They just love her!  She helps out in the garden and needs something to combat those “buggers” and I really don’t want her spraying more chemicals than she needs.  I was happy to get this recipe and try it.   So far it is working fantastic.  The mosquitoes are staying their distance.  And she is happy with the results. There are several essential oils in this recipe and it can add up.  However the trade is knowing your skin is not absorbing more toxins and I absolutely love the scent.  It doesn’t have that strong gagging smell.  It’s actually quite pleasant.

I am sharing a printable version of this DIY bug spray recipe so you can keep it on file.  It’s super easy, just mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Make sure to share with your friends and family and help them keep not only the mosquitoes away but also those pesky toxins!

 

DIY Bug Spray

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Witch Hazel
  • 1 cup Distilled Water
  • Citronella
  • Lemon
  • Purification
  • Peppermint
  • Lavender
  • Lemongrass
  • Eucalyptus

Instructions

  1. In a 16oz spray bottle, mix distilled water and witch hazel and add 10 - 15 drops of each oil.

 

Composting for Beginners
Healthy Living, Lifestyle

Composting For Beginners

Today let’s talk “trash”! Or composting more specifically. I am not sure what sparked my interest in composting recently. Maybe it is my love of gardening or trying to live a healthier lifestyle. As I began to start this new endeavor I just grabbed a glass jar, threw it under my sink and started to throw in a bunch of kitchen left overs, peelings and some paper garbage. Well soon enough I realized this was NOT the way to do things! I had scary gross mold growing out of my glass container! Ugh! Mind you it is important to have mold and the best kind is a dusting of mold. What I had was furry and that means it is too wet. Needless to say, I threw on a mask and dumped it out in the field! I then went on a search of the do’s and don’ts to make my compost successful! Here is what I found:

1.) Selecting your composting box. The type of container you use will depend on a couple of factors. First consider how often you plan to dump your counter top compost into a larger compost bin. A plastic bin is fine if you empty it more often; however, smells will escape more with a plastic bin and you may not want that in your kitchen. Most counter top varieties are about 1 gallon and won’t take up a ton of space. They can come in different sizes and colors. I like the stainless steel one that I got from Amazon. I keep mine under the sink but there are some that can mount on your cabinet door. Just make sure it has a secure lid and will keep out the fruit flies.

2.) What to compost, Brown vs. Green. Brown items are dry leaves, wood chips, shredded paper, saw dust (make sure it is not chemically treated), straw hay and cardboard, toilet paper rolls. Green items are fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags, feathers, egg shells, grass and plant clippings. Keeping a variety of these is important. If your compost is a little dry make sure to spray it with water every now and then. If it is a little too wet add more dry leaves or shredded paper.

3.) Never add meat, bones, poultry, fish, human and pet waste, whole eggs, or any dairy products to your pile. Adding fatty foods like poultry will slow down the compost process.

4.) It is not necessary but since I am impatient in nature (sorry Fam!) I used Jobe’s Organic Composting Starter.  This is great because it is organic and it speeds up the process of decomposing the material.

5.) If you want to have more compost for a garden I would suggest getting the larger container that I purchased, the Envirocycle or something like it.  It is expensive but it is made of food safe, BPA and rust free, UV and antioxidant protected materials.  I think it is important to go that extra mile since you are trying to help the environment.  If you are not ready to make that type of a purchase I would stick to a spot in the shade away from your home and start with a DIY container.

Composting Tumbler

Composting is actually quite simple. It’s fun and great for the environment. If you haven’t tried it I would highly recommend it. I am still learning but it is cool (in a nerdy kind of way) to see your “trash” turn into something the earth and your environment can use.

 

Getting Started with Composting

Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Healthy Living

De-Stress During The Holidays

It is that crazy time of year!  The questions remains… “How am I going to get it all done and not get so frazzled?”  I have learned especially in the last few years to let some things go.  I also need to do the best I can do and that is all I can do!  When it comes to the holidays we put some much extra stress on ourselves we forget to really enjoy the season.  I am a big fan of taking care of thy self and I am including a few tips on how you can be intentional in your day or week to make sure you enjoy the rest of the season.  First, you have to decide what is really important to you on your list of expectations.  And next… well let me share some of the things that help me de-stress.

1.) Take time to go for a walk without your phone.  Yes, you can leave it at home.  I love just going for a stroll and having my thoughts to myself.  It really helps me prioritize and reboot.  I value this so much.

2.) Take a long bath!  There is nothing that calms our bodies more physically than a hot bath.  Pair this with some of your favorite music and don’t forget the bubble bath! One of my favorite scents this holiday season is Snow Angel by Philosophy. I also just bought this awesome bath caddie so some my favorite things are at my fingertips.

3.) A daily devotional.  I love the book Jesus Calling.  It is short and sweet but to the point.  It centers me and helps me stay focused.  I can remind myself that a lot of the stuff we are trying to do and be a part of we can eliminate and still be happy!  Wow, what a revolutionary thought.  I often ask myself the question, does this bring me joy?  If I didn’t do this would it change my world?  The daily devotional reminds me of what’s the big picture and not to get wrapped up in some of the silly expectations we hold ourselves to.

4.) Go outside and play!  Yes, I said play!  As adults with a ton of responsibilities we sure don’t let our hair down much.  The other day it was snowing and I decided I was going to get myself bundled up and make some snow angels.  As silly as that sounds I had a great time!  It made me laugh and helped me de-stress!  Maybe if you’re in an area where you don’t have snow go outside and play Frisbee for ten minutes or even fly a kite!  There is something to be said for that…there is nothing you have to think about but keeping it off the ground.

Again, make sure to remember what the holiday season is for and bring all of your personal expectations down a notch, rest up, watch a movie, take some time for you alone!  I know I am a more cheerful person if I pause throughout the week when the stress gets too overwhelming.  Sometimes you have to just let things go!  I hope this encourages you and you are able to take a deep breath and smell the roses… or should I say, Christmas cookies?

Relaxing Christmas Movies with dogs

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Woman in Bee Suite with Bees
Healthy Living

What’s The Buzz Buzz On Bees?

My husband and I purchased some farmland a few years ago.  We decided to use the land for trails, raising chickens, gardening and building bee colonies.  Our family is enjoying this land and all the different things we can do with it.  I recently heard about the decline of the bee population and how important their work is to the environment.  This gave me the idea that it might be fun and interesting to have our own honey bees.

A great book that we used to get started was The Backyard Beekeeper.  This book provides information ranging from everything beekeeping to making your own beeswax candles! It is full of many interesting facts about these amazing insects!

The first year our bees produced over 100 pounds of honey and we are on schedule to produce at least that much again this year.   I get so excited when I can use the honey my bees produce in recipes, one of my favorites is this pear and pancetta appetizer.  Anyway, I would love to share with you some really interesting fun facts about bees:

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Michigan Garden
Healthy Living

Farm To Table – Benefits For You and Your Family

It is such a fun time of the year!  It might sound strange, but I love going out to my garden and seeing what has grown overnight, it’s like Christmas morning!  If you are thinking about gardening, but don’t have a green thumb, no worries.  I was a hot mess in the beginning but I am getting a little better at it each year.  Farm to table gardening has so many benefits and it’s worth exploring.

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