Natural Living, 1yr and going strong!

So it has been almost 1yr since we took the jump into "Natural Living". And I just wanna say, its awesome! I can totally see the difference in my kids, me and my hubby. I will say also that it hasn't been the most easiest at times, and almost seemed impossible. But over all I love it! We have been taking baby steps towards our goal. And at times there has been up and down to our goal, but we've kept reminding each other of the reason we are doing this. This is just a small look into what we have been doing:

A) Changed out our detergent, from store bought to homemade. I have fallen in love with the detergent! Not only has it gotten out almost every stain my children have done to their clothing, but it also washes my front loader!! THAT'S right it does DOUBLE DUTY! Also it has saved my pantry from not having a it full of chemicals!
Here's the recipe we use in our home from my blog:
http://thismommarocks.blogspot.com/2012/05/natural-living-isnt-that-scary.html

B) Switched from having store bought to making as much of my own stuff. Things like bread, desserts, and pancakes! My sweet hubby bought me a beautiful kitchen aid last Christmas, and I have been working that thing to death! I started out just making simple things like pancakes and cookies. Then I start adventuring into pizza dough, brownies, breads, cakes etc. LOVING IT! Not only do they taste AMAZING but they also save me calories. Because if I am too tired to cook it I don't eat it!

C) COCONUT OIL! I have been using it for lotion, shaving cream, sun exposure recovery, diaper rash cream, bug bites, hair frizz, ring remover when my bands are too tight, you name I have probably tried it

D) Cooking from natural ingredients: Stinks out loud when you first start, because you have to read everything! But just like anthing else over time you start learning what to look for then it becomes second nature to do it. I actually have made 3 grocery trips and stayed out of the "boxed" food area...  My rule of thumb I learned in the "Treasures of Healthy Living" if I can't say it, I try not to buy it!

Now these are JUST some things that our family is doing, we are not 100% Naturalist, I am working slowly towards that goal. But I encourage you to start out small, and work your way. You feel happier, healthier, and more important, you can be proud and say "I made that!"

As the shopper of the family, my next goal is to switch ALL cleaning products to natural cleaning products. I have slowly started collecting everything that I need to make these items.

But here is to happy and healthy living!

Tina

Yoga, a blessing from God?

**This blog is not meant to insult anyone who worships in a Hindu way or any other religion. This is from my point of view**

So me and my mother started Yoga about a yr ago together. I had taken Yoga on and off for about 2 yrs. And it was nice, but I felt like I was cheating on God. Because the place I was taking it, focused more on the Hindu practice, then the mind & body.

Then my husband encouraged me to try the Norfolk Blocker YMCA, and let me tell you. This place is amazing, it focuses on the reason the YMCA started first off. Its Christian values. I decided to take a Yoga class, this class was way different. The teacher focused on the Mind and Body of the class. But then she did something different, she ended the class with our hands on our knees for grounding in our blessings. I truly enjoyed it.

Some may find it odd when I say "Yoga is a blessing from God", because usually Yoga and God don't normally go hand in hand. But to us, it has helped in so many way. It has helped reduce stress, it gave us a routine, and it challenged us to better our practice each time. Can we balance better next time, can we tuck our knees closer next time, etc.
Last night was one way God blessed me through Yoga. The teacher said "We are focusing on Surrender. Not only to surrendering to the pose, but also what in your life can you surrender to?". Hitting the nail on the head! I have been praying to surrender. And this helped me in the quiet to talk to God, ask him to show me tonight what am I not surrendering to. We talked while doing yoga last night, so who thought Yoga would be such a big blessing in life!

I encourage you to try a Yoga class, even if you can't touch your toes, there is always a starting place!

Getting down and dirty!

 You know its a good day when you wake up, eat breakfast and getting dirty!

After my first week homeschooling, I knew I needed a refreshing God moment!

I need to feel the dirt between my toes, and I needed to dig in there! I had a blast just being me and gardening in God's creation!

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2



 I dug, I pulled, I mixed and I planted in God's Earth, and it was awesome!
I felt calm and relaxed, and renewed!!!
I saw my flowers that I brought back to life, and rearranged in the garden. I saw my morning glory in full bloom.
Then I worked in the veggie garden. I pulled and harvested the last cucumber, then planted Romain lettuce.
I pulled 4 tomatoes, 16 banana peppers, and 3 bell peppers! I couldn't thank God enough for all these FRESH veggies!

I can't thank God enough for that renewing Spirit he gave me, while in the Garden!

I encourage you to dig in, get dirty & get renewed,
Tina

All things home-school

No one ever told me Homeschooling was easy! And I thank God for the honesty!
The first week of home school was a challenge, I learned so much from this little guy that I never saw coming!

The first Day was FUN and exciting, easy and breezy! Kris sighted off the days of the week, the date, the weather. We listened to the bible story, kept our hands still. Oh I was loving Home school! I thought this is going to easy... and life is good.

Then 2nd and 3rd day came and I couldn't keep him interested to save my life. They ONLY thing he cared about was who he was going to play with, and scribbling (using his left hand when he is right handed)!
I was so angry one day that we didn't even do school, I sent him to his room to "think". Then later on, I prayed "God why? Why is this so hard?"

Then someone very wise told me "You are homeschooling, you are the teacher! You can do this any way you want. You have the curriculum but no where does it say you HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY!"

That is when I watched my son, one evening, how does he learn? How does he sponge up all that info. He remembers everything you say to him or explain to him. I sat back and said lets try something different, lets do it his way but with guidance!

We did a lot of "discovering learning", everything we did was hands on, in person and interactive. And he did good... he really grasped things. Once we discovered his learning style, it got better!

The first week was hard, but I learned so much from it! And I thank God for it!



Blessings,
Tina