Spring has sprung! And after the Insane Winter Storm of February 2021, I welcome spring this year more than ever. I love my backyard chickens, and I love plants and gardening. As I work to create perfect harmony in my chicken run, I’ve found some hardy perennials and trees that go beautifully with my little flock. Here’s my spring 2021 list of the plants in my chicken run.
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Protein is an essential macronutrient for anyone, but particularly someone who is working on building muscle and managing a healthy weight. I’ve been on a weight loss and fitness journey for over two years, and I don’t even want to think about how many protein bars I’ve consumed in that time! As I look for the best flavors, and the best bang for your buck nutrient-wise, I’ve put together a side by side review of tons of brands, complete with a nutrient chart and tons of photos. Read on for the ultimate protein bar comparison!
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We try to be a minimalistic family, but not when it comes to books! And Christmas books are no exception. Each year I gather a few more stories to add to our little box of holiday books, and it’s a wonderful feeling to see that box come down with the Christmas decorations every year. My oldest is reading now and my youngest isn’t far behind, so what a perfect time to tell you all about our favorite Christmas books! Read on for our recommendations and please add your own favorites in the comments. Merry Christmas and happy reading!
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Let’s play outside! The weather here is beautiful, and the kids and I are itching to be in the sunshine. Here is a straight-to-the-point review of the best outdoor toys – the ones that we have and love! And watch for a demo video at the end that gives you a tour of our backyard and the toys in this review! Continue reading
Teething sucks. It’s miserable for both parent and child. When I can tell my baby girl is hurting, one of the things I grab by default is a teether. They’re designed to let your baby gnaw away safely, providing comfort and a welcome distraction from teething pain!
I’ve collected quite a few varying designs and brands of teethers over the last few years and I decided it was time to do a comparison review! Here’s my honest opinion on several teethers of various styles, with photos included! Continue reading
Books can be great gifts for children! But there are so freaking many to choose from, how do you know that you’re getting a quality book? There are some books whose titles are household standards, and those are obvious choices for growing your child’s library. But some of my favorite picks for kids are actually hidden gems: not-so-well-known books which are fantastic in their own way. Here are my family’s choices for the best children’s books, though you may not have heard of some of them!
I’ve got categories for authors, babies and toddlers, preschoolers and elementary kids, classics, and even a section for young readers’ first books!
Here are all of my favorites, as a teacher and a mom. Happy reading!
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I’ve figured out that I’m a combination of a lot of different moms: I’m the super crunchy mom who wants organic everything; I’m the lazy mom who is perpetually wearing yoga pants and the mom bun; I’m the sweet mom who wants to make hand-decorated cookies every week; I’m the strict mom who thrives on consistency and efficiency. Baby led weaning fits beautifully into all of those personas. And my kids are thriving because of it. And I love baby led weaning! Here’s why. Continue reading
Baby led weaning, or BLW, is a way to introduce solids to your baby. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s credited with teaching kids to have healthy eating habits. No picky eaters here! But how exactly do you get started? Continue reading
Review – Nixi Teething Jewelry
Isn’t it often the simplest things which we find we need the most? I mean, a teething necklace seems like such a no-brainer, and yet I just recently got one. It has made such a difference! When I wake up in the morning I put on my Ellisse necklace by Nixi. I wear it constantly and my daughter loves it. What was originally a thoughtful Christmas present from my sweet husband has turned into one of the top items I use as a stay-at-home mom. Here’s my honest review of the Nixi teething jewelry. Continue reading
