This dangerous ingredient may be lurking inside your daily vitamin!

You'd think that when it comes to vitamins - something that is supposed to better our health - that we wouldn't have to look at the label for hidden junk, right? One would think so, but sadly, that's not the case! I made a surprising discovery last week when I was looking at the ingredients in my kids' liquid vitamin. Check it out...

Must Have Monday: Cedarwood Essential Oil

If you look at my stash of empty oil bottles (I keep them to recycle. I'm not a hoarder, I swear! lol!) you'll find a large quantity of Cedarwood. We go through this oil pretty frequently in our home. 

Cedarwood is a great oil to put in the diffuser at bedtime. We love to add it with Lavender and Peace & Calming for a nice relaxing atmosphere. 

Cedarwood is also great for supporting healthy skin and hair growth. You can add 5 to 10 drops to your shampoo or lotion and enjoy the benefits.

Best of all, Cedarwood is very affordable, and I guarantee once you try this oil, you will be hooked!

Have a favorite way to use Cedarwood? Comment below!

Healthy Breakfast: Omelette in a Mug

My latest breakfast favorite has become omelette in a mug. As a stay at home mom, it feels like sometimes my focus is always directed towards my kiddos. I get up, I get them ready and fed...and then I look at the clock and it's nearly lunch time before I realize I haven't eaten breakfast. So first and foremost, I've started taking time for myself. I have started my days by getting myself ready first. (This may seem selfish, but it has done wonders for me! By making myself a priority, it really gets the day started on a good note.)

After I get my kids dressed and fed, I sit down and I take time for prayer and breakfast. Instead of dirtying up several dishes and a skillet...I made an omelette in a mug. 

Ingedients: 

1 to 2 eggs

A splash of milk

Shredded Cheese

Desired veggies (organic green pepper, onion, ect.)

Desired meat (nitrate free sausage, ham or bacon)

Optional toppings (organic salsa is a yummy choice!)

Directions:

- Mix all your ingredients together. (Your omelette can be as unique as you are. Change it up with different toppings. There are lots of yummy choices!)

- Cook in the microwave for one minute

- Stir with a fork

- Put in the microwave for 1 more minute. Add some more shredded cheese to the top (if you'd like) and enjoy!

This is a fast, easy and somewhat healthy (depending on the ingredients you add) recipe! If you want to stick to a very clean omelette, try adding just veggies. 

Have a clean easy breakfast recipe? Share it in the comments!

The Truth Behind Synthetic Frangrances

Once again, your house maybe the home to another common item that could be causing some drastic health issues. I'm talking about synthetic fragrances. These little babies are found in LOTS of household items - perfume, candles, soaps, shampoos, lotions, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, air fresheners and basically anything with a scent. Beware! You are loading your body with harmful toxins! 

95% of the chemicals in most commercial fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum and natural gas, known as petrochemicals. To protect trade secrets, companies are permitted by the FDA to withhold fragrance ingredients, so consumers can’t rely on labels to know what hazards may be hiding in common household items. That gives companies the freedom to load some fragrances with secret chemicals, sensitizers, potential hormone disruptors and chemicals not assessed for safety.

I know that cupcake scented candle makes your house smell amazing. Believe me, I've been there. I was the candle-loving crazy girl who went to Kohls and bought every Birthday Cake candle they had. I was also the girl who clung to my Bath and Body Works body spray for months, because the thought of never smelling like that again was hard for me. It was NOT an easy task throwing out all of my delicious candles and my wonderfully smelling fragrances. It also wasn't easy switching to a natural shampoo that smells like black licorice instead of a garden of exotic flowers. My heart wanted to cry a little when I saw my beautiful Scentsy candle warmers go to the trash. So, understand when I preach about the dangers of synthetic fragrances...I'm not saying it's easy. I'm not saying I'm better than you because candles no longer live in my home. I'm saying it's WORTH IT to make this lifestyle change. 

There are lots of great ways...great NATURAL ways...to keep your house smelling fresh. Of course, you know my answer to almost everything is essential oils...and this is no exception. ;) So here's how it's done.

                     

The Problem: Air Fresheners  (candles, Scentsy warmers, plug ins, Wall Flowers, Fabreeze, ect.)

The Solution: An Essential Oil Diffuser

In the world of Essential Oils, the kind of scents you can choose from are endless! Citrus, Floral, Woodsy, Spicy - you name it - it's there...however, cupcake is not a plant, so you may as well just give that one up. ;) And, while we're talking about toxins, I must mention to be very cautious about what essential oil brands you trust. Yes, even essential oils can be synthetic, so do your research and know your brand before you buy. Young Living is a brand you can trust. Just look up their Seed to Seal promise. ;)

The Problem: Shampoo, Soap & Body Wash

The Solution: Natural Brands

Yes, synthetic fragrances are even lurking in your shower. I am not going to make this post a giant plug for selling Young Living, although to be completely honest, we have a product for each one of these issues. But, I will be real and unbiased with you. ;) When it comes to shampoo, I get mine at our local health food store. The key is to find an all-natural shampoo with no added fragrance. Be warned - scent is something you will have to get used to, because natural soaps do not smell like synthetic ones. You can however, add some essential oils to your shampoo. Joy for example, has a nice floral and feminine scent. Northern Lights Black Spruce or Shutran is a great scent for the men as well. Essential Oils can be added to both shampoo and body wash, so if you find an all natural brand that you like, add 5 drops of EO to it and you're good to go! Another great solution to natural body wash isn't actually a soap at all, but a towel. Norwex has a great line of all natural products, including body wash towels. They are infused with silver and are antibacterial. You don't even need soap!

The Problem: Perfume 

The Solution: (You guessed it) Essential Oils

For the ladies, consider Joy, Release, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang or Lavender

For the men, Northern Lights Black Spruce (ladies go nuts over this scent), Idaho Blue Spruce (which is ironically also an aphrodisiac) or Shutran

The Problem: Laundry Detergent & Fabric Softeners

The Solution: All Natural products

Yes, Young Living has a GREAT laundry detergent (Thieves Laundry Detergent), but Norwex also sells a wonderful non-toxic detergent along with the Honest Company and many more. Even Tide has a dye and fragrance free detergent. Do a little research and find out what brand you prefer. When it comes to fabric softeners, wool dryer balls are wonderful! Add some Lavender essential oil to a couple wool balls, throw them in the dryer and you've got a chemical free and fragrant fabric softener. And here's an extra tip - put a splash of white vinegar in your laundry to prevent wrinkles in the dryer. ;)

Now, I know this may all be very overwhelming. You may find yourself adding this all up in your head, and freaking out over the price it may cost to flip your home to chemical free. Before you freak out, please understand that it takes time to go completely chemical free. Since synthetic fragrances lurk in every corner of our homes, it's going to take awhile to replace them with nontoxic items. Take it a step at a time. Start where you can. It took my household almost an entire year before we were totally chemical free. It starts with baby steps. 

If you're on your journey to becoming a chemical free home, I'd love to hear about the steps you're taking and the products you're using. Let me know in the comments. :)

Must Have Monday: Thieves Spray

I can not express with human emotion how much I LOVE Thieves spray! I am a lover of all the Thieves products! They are great! Thieves spray is a travel size spray bottle that makes a lovely addition to the diaper bag, purse or back pack. It's great to spray on shopping carts, in hotel rooms, on restaurant tables before eating, in the car for a fresh smell, on dirty hands and can even be sprayed directly in the mouth. Many of my friends will spray some Thieves spray in the back of their throat to support their immune systems during cold and flu season. And...it makes a GREAT punishment for naughty kiddos.

 (Side note about Thieves Spray: My two year old is sweet 90% of the time...and then there's that other 10% where she likes to remind us that she's in the terrible twos. For smart mouths, we use Thieves spray (a friend of mine calls it Sassy Spray). Thieves is made of Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Rosemary...which means it's SPICY! Washing your kids' mouths out with soap is a thing of the past. Just use some Thieves spray. This is seriously like a miracle worker in our home. When Stella is acting out, we show her the bottle of Thieves spray and that's usually all it takes to change her behavior. Now, before you go questioning my parenting skills, I'd like to clarify that Thieves spray is not only SAFE, it's actually beneficial. It helps boost the immune system, while teaching your child a lesson. Win/win!)

Thieves Spray is a staple item that is always found in my purse. I highly recommend it if you are a germ-conscious mama like me. ;)

Valentine's Day for the Whole Family

In this house, Valentine's Day is a family affair. After all, how do you talk to your kids about a holiday all about love and not include them? It's a great opportunity to remind them of how special they are. Make it a special occasion with some simple ideas...

Valentine's Day Treat Box

My mom made these for my kiddos out of felt. They are keeper of their cards and small goodies. My mom was an elementary school teacher, and has lots of left over blank Valentine's cards from over the years. We pick out a few Valentine's and fill their hearts with them. The kids love them. We also add small trinkets. Last year Ronny got a little sensory book and Stella got a bouncy ball. These little beauties are left hanging in our kitchen, so they are the first things the kids see when they go to eat breakfast on Valentine's Day morning. Which leads me to my next idea...

Heart Shaped Pancakes

These are a staple in the Strunk house. I use a heart shaped cookie cutter, place my batter inside and once the pancake sets...I remove the cookie cutter and flip it. I usually serve these with some fresh strawberries. A little pop of red is a festive Valentine's Day addition. ;)

Valentine's Day Attire

At the risk of being called an over obsessive mom...I will tell you that I love to go all out for V-day...and that includes (but is NOT limited to) dressing up my girl. I will respect the manhood of my son, and leave his outfit to just a festive red shirt. However, Stella is a different story entirely. Here's an old picture of Stella in my favorite Valentine's Day outfit. She rocked it out. ;)

Valentine's Day Crafts

My little girl, with her sweet little heart, loves to make crafts. Most of the time when I browse Pinterest for creative ideas...she is usually quite content with the simplicity of homemade Valentine's Day cards for her favorite man - her daddy. Here's last year's masterpiece...

There are lots of simple ways to make Valentine's Day special for your kids. Make it a family occasion. You can make a special Valentine's Day bath with foam hearts and sensory toys, read a book about love or the holiday itself, find a kid's show with a Valentine's Day theme (like Daniel Tiger or Doc Mcstuffins) or just simply dedicate the day to loving on your kiddos.

Now, understand me when I say - romancing your spouse is absolutely included in Valentine's Day. Valentine's DAY is for the kiddos...Valentine's NIGHT is for your spouse. Don't get it twisted, your spouse needs some affection too! ;) (For tips on a romantic Valentine's Night...check out last week's post here)

Have a Valentine's Day activity that your kids love? Share it in the comments! I'd love to hear all about it! :)

Must Have Monday: AromaGuard Mountain Mint Deodorant

There's a dangerous product that lurks in almost every home. It's used on the body daily, and it's been linked to Alzheimer's and breast cancer. I'm talking about that stick of antiperspirant deodorant in your bathroom cabinet. Do yourself, your mind and your body a favor...and get rid of it!

Now, you may be wondering what deodorant you can use that will cut the funk AND keep you feeling fresh. I've tried a lot of toxic free deodorants, and my favorite by a land slide is Young Living's AromaGuard Mountain Mint Deodorant. They actually have two scents - the Mountain Mint and Meadow Mist. I will be 100% honest with you...the Meadow Mist does not smell good to me whatsoever. It actually made me stink. (Just keeping it real) BUT the Mountain Mint is amazing!

It has a fresh minty scent (hence the name), and feels great on! I honestly don't even feel like I'm using an all natural deodorant. It's pretty hard finding a deodorant that isn't harmful AND feels great on. If you've been on the hunt for a great toxin free deodorant...do yourself a favor and try this! (I promise you'll thank me later) ;)

Happy Valentine's Night from Young Living

Valentine's Day is approaching, and we all know what that means. Love is in the air and so are essential oils! ;) Brace yourself, this post is going to get a little steamy. Here are some libido boosting essential oils to help get your spouse in the mood for some quality Valentine's Day festivities...(and for all of those other nights of the year when you need a little oily assistance)

Ylang Ylang

How to use:
Wives, rub some ylang ylang on the inner thighs and/or pulse points (wrists, neck, ect.) Put a few drops in the diffuser and bust out the choclate covered strawberries, because this oil is going to set the mood. ;)

Sensation

How to use:
Combine with a carrier oil and use as a massage oil (Young Living also has Sensation massage oil, if you're just interested in using it this way)
Diffuse in the bedroom to stimulate desire. ;)
Apply to "special spots" as a natural lubricant and sexual stimulant (yes, this is perfectly safe to do with Young Living oils)

Idaho Blue Spruce

How to use:
Diffuse to set the mood.
Husbands, apply to the pulse points.

There are several libido boosting products offered by Young Living, but these are a few of my favorites. Now, I know this post is a little more risque than my typical posts...but remember - God created sex and God created essential oils. When you combine the two, it's quite an incredible experience between you and your spouse...and one you should thoroughly enjoy. ;)

Marriage Counseling: Why it's a good thing to go

When you hear the words "We're going to marriage counseling." your mind probably imagines the worst case scenario between a husband and wife. We tend to associate marriage counseling with a highly dysfunctional, on the brink of divorce, hot mess of a couple. But why? Why have we created such a negative mindset about such a healthy thing? The lie: Marriage counseling is for people whose marriage is completely falling apart. The truth: Marriage counseling is for people who want a happy, healthy and functional marriage. Because you don't have to be on the brink of divorce to get some advice. (But if you ARE, marriage counseling is STILL an awesome thing!)

I was once that person who completely put off marriage counseling because my pride got in the way. I didn't want to be one THOSE couples. I had a seriously warped view of marriage counseling. I thought it was for weak couples who couldn't solve their own problems, but it turns out that it's WAY harder to sit in your issues than it is to go get help and fix them. Take it from someone who knows, small issues only stay small for so long. Here are my 3 reasons for going to marriage counseling...

1) It Creates Accountability - I know for some people this can be hard. I tend to be one of those people who wants all my baggage to stay a nice little secret. The thought of telling a complete stranger your deepest secrets can be intimidating. Asking for help is very hard for me, but when I finally got over myself...it was amazing. It's incredible to go into counseling and have someone check up on us. It's a wonderful (and sometimes painful thing) to have someone say "You can't keep doing that and expect good results." Someone to put me in my place in love. I want to emphasize the IN LOVE part. It is NOT a counselor's job to condemn you. A good counselor is neutral and never accuses, but simply suggests and points you in the right direction. I also strongly suggest a Christian counselor if you are a believer. Having a third party there to pray with us, encourage us and give us Godly council is an amazing blessing. And one I am no longer ashamed to admit. :)

2) It's Eye Opening - Let me tell you, there is nothing more motivating than hearing the true feelings of your spouse poured out in counseling. Sometimes things are said with the safety of a counselor present, that wouldn't otherwise be said. Sometimes having your eyes opened to the true feelings underneath it all, gives you the motivation to tweak a few things.

3) It's Healthy - When you're sick, you take medicine. If you don't take medicine, the infection gets worse and you only get sicker. Marriage is similar. Sometimes a paper cut can seem minor, but if it gets infected, over time it can turn into something significant. Going to marriage counseling doesn't have to be a big significant and shameful thing. It's a healthy thing. It means that you're trying. It means that you are taking your wedding vows seriously, and you're doing all that you can to create a happy marriage. If we're being honest with ourselves - we ALL have moments in our marriages when we could use some advice from a third party. There's no shame in admitting that!

When I first started going to marriage counseling, I was very ashamed. I felt that it meant I had failed somehow. But, that was a lie from the devil. It actually meant the exact opposite. I hadn't failed. I was going to marriage counseling so that I would NOT fail, but in fact succeed in my marriage. And you know what? It has been a truly inspirational and eye opening experience. I've learned new things about my husband, and I've learned new things about myself. I've learned new ways to communicate that help us function better as a couple. And guess what? Most of the things that need tweaking are pretty simple. Not easy. But simple. We tend to over complicate things when we try to fix our issues by ourselves with no outside help.

So, if you're like me and you know that there may be a few areas in your marriage that you could use some advice on...go for it. Don't let small things evolve into big things. That's my two cents...from someone who's been there. Marriage counseling can be a game changer if you let it. :)

Must Have Monday: Orange Blossom Botanical Face Wash

Happy Monday! This week the spotlight is on one of my favorite products. Orange Blossom Botanical Facial Wash. This stuff is the bomb!

What does it do? It cleanses the skin without stripping your face of its natural oils. contains MSM to promote healthier and clearer skin, wolf berry seed to hydrate and essential oils to sooth the skin. Best of all - it doesn't contain any toxic chemicals or synthetic fragrances.

You may look at the price and wonder if such a facial scrub is worth the money. I promise you, it is...but here's a helpful tip on how to conserve your facial wash and stretch your dollar. ;)

You can find foaming soap pumps online at Amazon or abundanthealth4u.com...or you can do what I do. I go to the dollar store, buy a foaming hand soap for a buck, then take it home, pour the soap out and wash it thoroughly until all traces of it are gone, and I have a bottle for my face wash. :)

A nice companion to the Orange Blossom face wash is the Sandalwood Moisturizer Cream. I will be honest, I haven't tried this yet (I'm saving my ER points so I can get it for free)...but I hear it's equally as amazing. So, keep your eyes pealed, because it might just show up on a Must Have Monday feature. ;)