Clean Sweep

Along with trying to minimize chemicals in our home, we're trying to weed out unnecessary "stuff" in general.

Live within our means with what we need and as little excess as possible.

I cleaned this out from our cabinets yesterday. I imagine there is quite a bit more I could find in the medicine cabinet, but this will do for low. :)

Anyhoodle, back to laundry and preparing for a family weekend in NLR!

Toodles.

(oh and check out my money thief, lol!)

Holy rusted metal, Batman!

I think we have found some of the cutest kiddos and dogs through the Tails of Love book with the Humane Society of the Ozarks.

I mean, seriously... Look at those ears!!

Chemical Free

So lately around the Cavalier house, we have slowly been moving towards a chemical free house. When we run out of a product, I've been attempting to replace it with something more natural. Some of these I purchase from a researched toxin free, organic, chemical free company. Some; however, I have begun to try to make! Such as laundry detergent, cloth baby wipes solution, and now lotion. Eventually I'd like to try to make more and more. Maybe dishwasher detergent, soaps, and cleaning solvents!

It seems to be very cost effective, and a little goes quite a long way!

So for my lotion tonight, I used the following ingredients.

2 T shaved beeswax
1/2 C Sweet Almond Oil
1/4 C Coconut Oil
1 C pure distilled water
30 drops lavender essential oil

That's it!

I boiled my cup of water to purify it first. Set it aside in a regular blender.

Second, combined all my oils and shaved beeswax into a small Pyrex bowl. I then placed the Pyrex bowl into a sauce pan with water 1/2 up the side. Set on the stove and wait for wax to melt. As soon as it melts, remove.

Set the blender with water in it to cream or whip, and then slowly add the oil to the water through the hole in the blender lid.

It will begin to emulsify once all the oil is added.

Add desired essential oils. (I used lavender, but want to try other ingredients such as eucalyptus, shea, calendula and jojoba in my next batch).

Pour into a glass container and set aside to cool.

Shelf life is approximately 6 months. For longer life, store in the refrigerator.

Chemical free and super moisturizer!!

Here's a photo of my process.
Feel free to comment with any suggestions or advice!!

Adventures in Momland

So most of you know that I left the working mom world as of this last May, but only this week does it really feel "real." School started Monday, and for the last 18 years, I have been part of the masses preparing for the back-to-school season. So not going through that routine feels almost wrong. But it is so right.

It feel so surreal to not only not be a part of the hubub, but to be at home with our growing boy. I feel alive inside- like I am making a difference. Even if my difference is in his life, I know with a Godly upbringing and morals and consistency, he can grow up to make a difference in someone else's life. If it sounds like I'm making huge plans for a teeny person.. well I am.

My hope is that by investing in our child, we create a responsible, respectful, and caring young person. Coming from experience, more children like that COULD change the world. I've seen these kinds of kids make a huge difference in a school. Kiddos that care about what they do and how it affects the people around them. They make a difference.


So, while it may seem that being a stay-at-home mom is an easy gig, many of you really know what we're living for and why it matters.

Just random thoughts, brought to you by nap time.

Sippy, what?

Lately Hubs has taken to watching Shark Tank on our HuluPlus, and ocassionally I find myself in the SharkTrance alongside him.

Well last night, as I sat munching on yummy quesadillas (also prepared by the awesome Hubs), we saw the absolute coolest product ever. The lollacup.


Lollawhat, you say? The lollacup. It's a sippy with a straw. Well while that isn't completely unheard of, the coolest part is that it is a valve free, weighted straw. No more cleaning icky milk out of spill proof valves that really don't proof the spill and no more baby asking for more when the milk is hovering along side the straw.


So, if your toddler is into straw cups, and you really want a quality, made in the USA, BPA and phthalate-free straw cup, then visit Lollacup! 


Did I mention they're super cute?