Nontoxic Laundry Detergent

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018by annahavens10Leave a Comment

Making the switch to natural products in your home may be a slow process, but the “why” of it is easy.

I came from a home where Tide detergent and Snuggle dryer sheets smelled next to Heavenly. As I had my own family I chose to continue the same duo for years. We played with different Tide scents and different dryer sheets.

When our boys were babies, we used Dreft for all of their clothing, blankets, and bedding. As one of the boys developed a rash, we switched to Tide free and gentle.

We eventually all started using the same detergent. Often the blue dye would stain my clothes or leave rashes (even on me). The dryer sheets felt like a waste, throwing them away. I tried to reuse them when I noticed them collecting.

Now starting on a natural living journey, I realize there are more options. And although it may feel strange, it’s time to ditch the dyes and harsh detergents. It’s time to switch to a more natural, less wasteful, and more mindful way of doing laundry.

Guys, I was so excited when I realized there are plant-based detergents and wool dryer balls. I don’t consider myself a hippie whatsoever, but I do love products that come from directly from the Earth. I love that they’re safe, simple, and genuine.

Skimming the store for one to test out was a little overwhelming, but ECOS caught my eye. I could see right through the container and noticed that it was clear. I read the label a bit, and before I decided to buy, I looked up the ratings online. This one averaged 4/5 on Amazon from over hundreds of reviews. So I brought it home and decided to try it out and do some more research.

Here’s what ECOS laundry detergent claims about the detergent I bought:

hypoallergenic
plant-derived ingredients (6 total ingredients)
“tough on dirt”
PH safe
greywater and septic safe
made without dyes, parabens, phosphates, phthalates
built-in with fabric softener
128 oz. bottle can do up to 128 loads of laundry HE loads/64 standard loads
approximately $8.98 per bottle

But I don’t quite believe everything in stores, because I know a thing or two about marketing. And labels tend to be very misleading in order for companies to collect some sales. How hard could research on 6 ingredients be after all.

Here’s what’s in that detergent:

Water (which being listed first, tells me that there’s more of this than any other ingredient) All good there!
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (coconut oil surfactant)
Sodium Coco Sulfate (isolated fatty acid from coconut oil)
Cocamidopralyamine Oxide (foam booster)
Phenoxylethanol (anitbacterial)
Methylisothiazolinone (preservative)

I researched the individual ingredients here on this online database:

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/#.W79AkRkpA0M

And this is what I learned about what’s inside the bottle of ECOS. Although it’s plant-derived, it’s not free and clear of toxins. Natural chemicals like the coconut products were processed in a way that work best for fluffly, soft laundry. However they may still irritate your skin, eyes, and disrupt other functions in your body.

Still, overall, is ECOS a better alternative to big brands?

[Shoutout to the girls who introduced me to essential oils and “Think Dirty” app!]

Actually, according to the “Think Dirty” app, ECOS just as a toxic as the big brands, if not more toxic.

Ratings of toxicity on detergents (1-10, 10 being the most toxic):

Tide original N/R

Tide free and gentle 5/10

Tide pureclean 5/10

ECOS hypoallergenic 8/10

The Think Dirty app reccomends:

Soapberrry Suds 0/10

Branch Basics 0/10

The Soap Works 0/10

……………………………..

ALL free and clear 3/10

SEVENTH GENERATION 3/10

HONEST COMPANY 3/10

I absolutely loved ECOS for the mildness, how amazingly soft our clothes turned out, and the price. But, I think the journey to find a nontoxic detergent at a great price is continuing on.

What about dryer sheets and fabric softner?

Actually those are some of the most toxic ingredients to add to your laundry. And the worst part is those chemicals sit on your skin, which is your biggest organ. So when it comes to wool dryer balls, those are always the best choice for laundry! Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for freshness!

Go check out the Think Dirty app for more recommend nontoxic products!

Family

Military Family Life

July 4, 2018July 5, 2018by annahavens10Leave a Comment

Here’s our family’s personal experience as a military family. People ask us to share about it often, so I thought I’d share with you, especially in light of 4th of July!

stephanie-mccabe-24620-unsplash — Photo by Stephanie McCabe on Unsplash

Career Path

My husband, Steven, always knew he wanted to be in the military- a career where he could serve our country and honor his family. He’s been in the Air Force for 12 years and is a (Staff Sargeant) Security Police Officer. In his military career, he’s been on deployments overseas and stateside, training away from home, and drill weekends (which is one weekend a month, despite his normal 40 hour/week job).

In the meantime, we married and had three boys. So, our family life tends to revolve around military orders. It’s a tough gig!

The boys are used to dad being away at work. They don’t question why he has to go. They know their daddy is a “soldier” and that he protects us. The only thing they really question is where he is, and if he has a bed to sleep on, etc… The last time Steven was away for a long time was when our oldest was a newborn. It was harder on me, knowing that we were missing all the firsts together. But some kids are old enough to know when is a long time and that becomes their normalcy.

On the other hand, as a military wife, I have to balance my role and my husband’s role when he goes away. This is why I chose to be a stay-at-home mom, after all. I knew that during my husband’s last deployment, that my duty was at home. If something needed maintained, fixed, or figured out, that all fell on me. On top of my regular duties.

Deployments

Then there’s the whole deployment thing, which is a beast of it’s own.

Pre-deployment training, briefings, family readiness, wills, extra phone calls and paperwork, packing, mentally preparing….

Then you actually get settled in and dinners are lonely. The bed is too big at night. The days are more quiet.

Trying to find time to chat with your spouse is nearly impossible! The last time he was away, he got one day off weekly. In that time off, he had to get laundry done, pick up mail, and do any other errands. I would get to talk with him live on a webcam about once or twice a week. And some days, you just need your best friend to talk with at the end of a long day, so that was a bummer.

I’ll still never forget the time we were talking online and I could hear the explosions in the background. That was 6 years ago to the date!

Re-enlistment is coming up and he’s decided on staying in for another 8 more years. This means, these deployments and all of the same challenges are sticking around while we raise our kids.

homefromafghanistan — This was taken within seconds of us being reunited at the airport! No one tells you how overwhelming that’s going to be!

For new readers of Momma Bird Blog, here’s the whole family!

The Reward

The reward comes in a variety of ways. One of the best rewards is when our family gets a little extra love and support from friends and family. Especially when Steven’s gone, we tend to visit other people more often.

Another rewarding moment is when people thank Steven for serving. It really makes me proud! Recently we were out shopping (with no sign of my husband being military) when another guy who (also had no sign of being military) stopped us. They thanked each other for their service and shook hands. It was an engaging experience!

Ways To Support The Military

There are plenty of ways to show your support to military; the green porch light, banners, t-shirts, and more.

Also, care packages are highly coveted by deployed members. Some good items to send in care packages are; hygiene items like good toilet paper and baby wipes, snacks, books, and other simple forms of entertainment…

If you’re looking to make donations, here are some good causes:

Ways To Support Military Families

You can uplift their families (especially during deployments) by making friends with them, offering to watch the kids, fixing things around the house, or fixing dinner. Literally anything. If you don’t know how to help, ask! I’m sure they will appreciate it like we do!

pexels-photo-345092 — Photo by Public Domain Photography from Pexels

We take for granted what we have in this country. Don’t forget about the people fighting for it!

Family, Health, Parenting

10 Tips to Encourage Kids to Eat Healthy

April 17, 2018April 17, 2018by annahavens10Leave a Comment

Are you looking for tips on getting your kids to eat healthier?

This question has been going around lately.

The truth is, we started our healthy routine right away. We incorporated habits we learned growing up and applied them to our family. And that’s what’s made it fairly easy for us. However, sometimes your kids learn to be picky from other kids. And sometimes they are just downright stubborn! That can be so frustrating!

A lot of factors go in to living a healthy lifestyle including good influence and routine. I’m not a health and nutrition professional, I just know that these factors have helped our family to make good choices!

10 Healthy Eating Tips For Kids:

1) Avoid filing your house with junk food! This has been a huge lifesaver for us! We hardly ever buy cookies, ice cream, chips, candy, or pop. Part of it is so I don’t have the temptation and part of it is because it doesn’t usually fit in a frugal budget.

2) Let your kids pick whatever they want from the produce aisle! You might be surprised at what they pick. When my kids feel like this is a special treat, they tend to choose lots of colorful fruits and veggies. Our middle told me that he loves broccoli. I find it so funny when he chomps a big piece of raw broccoli.

3) Keep plenty of healthy options easily accessible. Keep carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumbers available in Tupperware, along with a dip. Have smaller apples or washed grapes and berries available in a fruit bowl on the table. I even pass out little containers of peanuts or almonds to the kids.

I just learned another momma does a lunch like this with her kiddos too! Such a fun, easy time-saver!

4) Don’t eat out too often. Dining at your favorite restaurant is a luxury, and with that, should be enjoyed like a treat. The menu will usually contain a lot of additives like fat, oil, butter, salt, and sugar. When you cook at home, you are able to cook with less additives. You can even steam cook your food to reduce the extras!

neha-deshmukh-9599-unsplash — Photo by Neha Deshmukh on Unsplash

5) Be a good example! Feed them things that you will eat also. Have spinach salad and show them all of the yummy toppings and dressings they can try from. Show your kids that you enjoy nutrition!

Have you tried frozen grapes? You should!

6) Grow your own produce! Every mid-May our family goes to the local farmers market and pick out potatoes, green bean seeds, tomato plants, and a few other random things to grow. Once these start producing, the kids pick them off the plants and eat them right out of the garden. I mean, what’s better than a warm, juicy sun-ripened tomato right off the plant?

elaine-casap-86020-unsplash — Photo by Elaine Casap on Unsplash

7) Teach your kids how to cook. It’s hard to let little kids do too much in the kitchen, but little helpers are great for standing up on a chair and stirring. As they get older, they are great at measuring. And when they get a little older, they are great a cutting soft foods with a butter knife. And as they get a little older yet, they start to learn how to use a microwave. Then the stove.

kelly-sikkema-212376-unsplash — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

8) Eat at routine meal times. This promotes our bodies to work properly and helps our bodies to stay energized. Not eating at the same time can affect your blood pressure and BMI. Here’s an article about it!

travis-yewell-381664-unsplash — Photo by Travis Yewell on Unsplash

9) Have meals together at the dinner table. Eating meals together as a family is first a great way to bond and also encourages us to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies. For example, I tend to eat more unhealthy snacks/ convenient food late at night when watching T.V. Do you do that too? (And your table doesn’t have to look this pretty to eat together!)

10) Explore new foods and flavors! Maybe your family will find a new favorite! Is there a new fruit, veggie, or herb in the produce section? Did you try those raw and cooked (of the ones you can try both ways)? Would a certain sauce make it taste better?

linh-pham-162464-unsplash — Photo by Linh Pham on Unsplash

So there are my 10 tips to help you get your kids to eat healthier! I hope through this, you maybe found something that works for you!

For moms who are looking for ways to realistically lose weight before bikini season, here are some tips that worked for me!

Do you have any healthy eating tips to share?

Uncategorized

The Liebster Award 2018

April 10, 2018April 10, 2018by annahavens10Leave a Comment

You know that feeling when you watch something grow over time? Like planting a garden. You prepare your soil, sew your seeds, and nourish over time. You wait patiently as nothing appears to be happening. Then suddenly, little sprouts shoot up out of the soil. You hope those little sprouts of green turn to produce-bearing plants. And you wait some more.

This is much like the journey I’ve been on.

Last summer, I was just a tired mom. That tired feeling when you know something just needs to change in your life. I didn’t know offhand what needed the most work. So, being Christian, I started to pray “harder”. And suddenly, this little seed of an idea came to me.

I wanted to create a website for other tired moms, who need a little inspiration and motivation. I wanted that mom-to-mom connection. So, Momma Bird Blog was born!

I would love to impact other parents! Other moms, especially! So, I was really touched when I was recognized! Thank you, Tomashia, for nominating Momma Bird Blog for The Liebster Award!

The Liebster Award exists only online and is given to bloggers from other bloggers. Awards have been given since 2001.

“Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.”

Tomashia is a wife and mother who blogs on Unperfecting Motherhood. The purpose for the website; “Breaking the perfectionist image of motherhood while offering a godly perspective.” One of my favorite posts from Tomashia is “Encouragement for Mom.”

10 Facts about myself:

I live in a testosterone-filled home. Although I’m outnumbered, I enjoy my boys!
As you can probably tell by the gardening metaphor in the beginning, I do, in fact, love to garden. That once started as a way to deal with my husband’s deployment, and now we do it together as a family every year.
Through the generations, I am the 7th Anna on my dad’s side.
I knew something was different about my husband when I met him.
Nature is my happy place (whether in a woods, at the lake, or in my backyard).
Lemons are my favorite fruit. I know- that’s weird.
I love photography. My lens perspective mixes with my perspectives on life.
I’m frugal because I am a Stay-at-Home Mom.
Two of my favorite pasttimes with my boys are reading to them and dancing with them.
I still hold true to my teenage dreams. I will travel around the world someday. Although the destinations have changed from big cities to small countrysides.

The 10 Questions/Answers:

What is a piece of advice you’ve received that you want to share with others?

“Just be you.” Growing up that was hard. I felt like I had to impress people for the longest time. Then, once I started being more true to myself, I started attracting the right people.

Who is the most inspiring person in your life and why?

My Mom inspires me despite her memory of raising me and my siblings. She’s always been loyal, caring, and patient. But more so; she’s a great listener, loves to have fun, loves to treat us and the grandkids, is willing to help us with anything, and doesn’t expect anything in return. She’s shown me a great example of how to be a Mom and a caring person in general.

How do you de-stress?

I de-stress by talking with my husband or someone I care about. Sometimes relaxing music or a hot shower help too.

How would you describe your personal clothing style?

Target Mom.

What is on your bedside table right now?

I try to keep the clutter out of our bedroom so I sleep next to a framed picture of our boys, an alarm clock, and my cell phone.

What is your favorite on the go snack?

An apple. They’re healthy and aren’t messy in the car.

Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or an extrovert? Explain

I’m more of an introvert. I’m not shy. I actually enjoy chatting with people and don’t mind giving speeches. I just like 1-on-1 time over a crowd. At the end of the day I like to unwind by being alone with my thoughts for a bit.

Describe a fun date you’ve been on!

Beer tasting followed by the evening beach scene; walking the shore and watching the sun go down.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would you dine with and why?

I would love to have dinner with Joanna Gaines sometime! We would connect well since we are both Christian wives and mommas. She seems like such a thoughtful, down-to-Earth person. And I’m also sure I’d learn a lot from her as well!

Tell us about an item on your bucket list!

Although traveling has been one of my longest-lasting bucket list items, I just want to pay-it-forward. So many people have been good to me and my family! From doctors, nurses, friends, family, and even our church community. I just want to impact other people’s lives in return for our blessings.

What do you like most about blogging?

I love connecting with and impacting other Moms. This has got me out of some mom-funk because I can see my challenges as a positive turn-around for someone else.

I would like to nominate:

Savannah Espositio (and team) from Millennial Mrs. and Mom, “Psychology, the secret weapon to living life.” Millennial Mrs. and Mom cares deeply about relationships and the way they work. The blog explores topics like marriage, parenting, and families. One of my favorite posts is “The Small Moments that Make or Break Connection.” Check out the blog for tons of other useful relationship advice!
Jamie, Tuston from Perk Pack, an online resource and community made strictly to uplift moms. I love Jamie’s ability to be candid and share her tough moments as a mom! She also offers an online community to help moms support other moms! A great read the blog is “The Unspoken Struggle of Postpartum Anxiety.”
Nicole from Coffee and Carpool, “Mom Hacks, School Success Tips, & Support for Parents On the Go.” She is a “recovering elementary school teacher” and is also a Special Needs Mom and a Food Allergy Mom. I absolutely loved Nicole’s recent post, “How to Raise a Kind Boy Amidst the Tough Guy Boy Culture.” <<Check it out!
Natalie from Moms and Kids Creating Memories, “Making the most of the time we have with our kids.” Natalie writes about kids crafts, and motherhood. One of my favorites posts from Moms and Kids Creating Memories is, “3 Mom Fails and Fixes.” Natalie talks about ways to simplify motherhood and I love that she talks about wanting her children to grow up loving God and serving/loving others.
Amy from The Thoughtful Parent, “Research Based Child Development.” Something that drew me into The Thoughtful Parent blog was “Gift Guide for Raising Kind Kids.” I just love the idea raising our families in a more mindful process and caring for each other.

If you decide to accept this award….

Questions to answer…

What is a piece of advice you’ve received that you want to share with others?
Who is the most inspiring person in your life and why?
How do you de-stress?
How would you describe your personal clothing style?
What is on your bedside table right now?
What is your favorite on the go snack?
Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or an extrovert? Explain
Describe a fun date you’ve been on!
If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would you dine with and why?
Tell us about an item on your bucket list!
What do you like most about blogging?

Rules of the Liebster Award 2018~

Thank the person who nominated you, and put a link to their blog on your blog. Try to include a little promotion for the person who nominated you.
Display the award on your blog.
Write a small post about what makes you passionate about blog posting.
Provide 10 random facts about yourself (optional in 2018)
Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel would enjoy blogging about this award.
List these rules in your post.
Inform the people/blogs that you nominated.

For more detailed information on the Liebster Award 2018 visit here.

To accept the nomination answer my questions, tag me and notify me of your post by commenting below! I can’t wait to read your answers! Remember to nominate other bloggers so we can all continue discovering new blogs, building relationships, and supporting one another!

Family, Health

Hopping on the Essential Oil Bandwagon

March 13, 2018by annahavens102 Comments

kelly-sikkema-475112-unsplash — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Essential oils have really made a break into society. When they became really popular a few years ago, I wondered why. Here is my discovery.

Why Essential Oils?

After going to an oil party a few months ago (for Young Living), I fell in love! At the party, oil diffusers set the mood with relaxing lavender, lemon oil flavored the water (while detoxing), and the Thieves household cleaner actually works! I was given generous samples to try at home and absolutely loved the results!

With some previous knowledge of natural remedies, I knew I wanted to try some products with less side effects. Think about it, every medicine you take has possible side effects. Natural is just safe.

There are so many more benefits to using essential oils and I will share those with you along my personal journey.

I had never really thought about how many toxins are in my house, and how they may be affecting our overall health. But after that, I’m going to be much more mindful!

daiga-ellaby-154935-unsplash — Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

Going for it

So, I just wanted to share that I am finally hopping on the essential oil bandwagon. And I am so excited! This has been on the top of my wish list for months! Thanks to a friend who got me started ;-)!

When I hear mindful living, this is what I think of. Taking out all the extra. All the bad. And transitioning to bringing the right things into our home. I know it will be a slow process to making the switch, but I know that we will be living a happy, healthier lifestyle.

Not to mention, we could all use a little mood-enhancing diffuser, sending quiet steam puffs of relaxation, all throughout our homes! (By the way, I went to that party with all three of my kids, and left there relaxed, so that’s why I’m this excited!)

My package will be here any day now and I cannot wait to share with you how awesome all of the Young Living products are!

23161581_1564727263620751_5850756054366814208_n(1) — One of the samples I received from the oil party!

Did you know

They also carry natural products for:

kids
hygiene
makeup
detox
food
laundry
dishes
pets
more

Learn more about essential oils here!

For those of you who use them already, which is your favorite essential oil (and use)?

Family

To the Mom Who Needs Strength Now

March 6, 2018March 6, 2018by annahavens10Leave a Comment

The job of a parent (especially a mom) is a hard one and has been for all of time.

Our shift starts when the kids wake up to the time they are (actually) asleep. And then we’re on call in the middle of the night and early mornings. Our brains run at super speeds all day. Then in order to rest for the night, we have to actively stop thinking and worrying.

We face challenges that leave us feeling helpless and out of control. And then we continue to blame ourselves for still not doing a good enough job.

Do you feel this way?

22089440_451222048605791_4599393679479240993_n — Actual photo from my house….

To the Mom who needs strength to get through the week,

Your family is your entire world. It began very intimately in a way that made your heart whole. It was love at first sight. Soon these tiny people you love grew. They became independent from you and that was frustrating. Life started becoming chaotic. You could never just sit down and relax.

And you struggled a bit.

You struggled to be able to complete your to-do list; because you’re only one person and the to-do list is endless. You struggled in the ways of disciplining your children; because after all, comforting our kids comes more natural to us. You struggled to be heard; because your kids would rather play and have fun instead of listen to their parents. And you struggled to remember who you were before this beautiful family; because now this family is all of you.

I know you feel weak because you think that compared to other moms you aren’t doing as good of a job. You feel like you don’t live up to what your family needs. You continue pouring yourself into your family’s cup.

Have you ever stopped to think about just how much you do? It’s no wonder you’re stressed out, anxious, and tired! You give all of yourself, even when your cup appears to be completely dried out.

felix-russell-saw-251617-unsplash — Photo by Felix Russell-Saw on Unsplash

There is only one ‘you.’ No one can do your job like you. You were selected by our creator to be a mom for many special purposes. How amazingly awesome is that? That the same creator who created something as beautiful as a coral blazing sunset and microscopic fingerprints on the hands of your unborn baby, has also created you!

Your time on Earth is temporary. And even more so temporarily, is your time raising your children. I know, I know… every time I hear this, I cringe too. It feels like forever! We’re not that perfect, always-smiling, always together family, like you see on Instagram!

We have our moments! Parenting is hard for both moms and dads!

That is why we need to be strong! Life is threaded together.

Your whole life, your whole marriage, your whole family, and everything that makes you who you are, are woven together in this thread of life. And if life begins to put too much pressure on us, the threads begin to fray, and finally snap.

terri-bleeker-80576-unsplash — Photo by Terri Bleeker on Unsplash

And it’s natural for some parts of our life to fray. And pressure is natural. But the whole thread can withhold any pressure, with one key thread. This thread is in the center of all of the other threads. It is core. That one, is faith in God.

And if you really want to be a strong parent. A strong mom. Because I have seen a lot of strong women in my life- I can tell you, it’s because they have faith.

These amazingly strong and influential women have shed sweat, blood, and tears over their families. They are often times the people who have lost a lot, but continue to feel blessed.

These women pray over their families and friends like it’s their job. And you know when one of these women have prayed for you, because something in your life just changes. That’s because a mother’s prayer is (what I feel) probably the strongest, most emotionally involved prayers.

So, friend, if you need strength to get you through the week (or even just till the end of the day), your mother’s prayer will be heard. God will help you get through the week, whether you pray for 5 seconds, or hours through the night.

If you need extra energy, pray for that too. It’s worked for me in some of my most sluggish days. If you feel you have no control, seriously, hand it over to God.

Strengthen the core of your life.

You can do it, Momma!

Best Wishes!

mike-wilson-183196-unsplash — Photo by Mike Wilson on Unsplash

I will say a prayer for all of you who read this. If you’d like a special prayer, “like” or comment below.

Please share with your Mom friends (who especially need strength)!

Health, Parenting

The Tired Mom Fix (Besides Coffee)

February 15, 2018October 9, 2018by annahavens103 Comments

To the tired Mom, you’re not alone!

When you’re routinely running low on fumes, is it possible that you need a bigger change? Do any of these 3 areas of your life sound like something you could work on?

Mental
Physical
Spiritual

Over the past year or two I’ve noticed a huge change in myself. I went from the kind of Mom who would create with our son; play dough figures and paint pretty pictures. I would take him on trips to the playground. We danced a lot together. And we were always laughing together. I was the fun Mom!

And then I became a Mom of 2 more amazing little boys! My heart was so full of happiness that we all had each other. I didn’t realize I could be so in love.

….Then one day the baby was mobile. And soon they all decided that things in our house are more fun if they’re flying through the air. And messes are good. The messier, the better. And who doesn’t love a rowdy boy? I mean, if Spider-man can climb walls, why can’t they?

So, I grew tired. There is still only one of me (when my husband goes to work). Some days I want to beg him not to leave me here with all the craziness. But I don’t.

It took me a long time to realize that there is no magic fix-all for any of that. But, I needed to fix my weary self. And I knew other tired Moms need to as well. So I created the 21 Day Challenge on my Facebook page, Mommas Group. This challenge was created to help tired Moms to become positive, energized, and reconnected. And over all, the goal is for you to feel rejuvenated.

All you need is 10-20 minutes a day minimum, or more if you need it.

The 21 Day Challenge is split up into 3 weekly smaller goals:

Week 1: Positive Mind

Week 2: Energize Body

Week 3: Reconnect Spiritually

Week 1: Positive Mind

sergee-bee-7311 — Photo by sergee bee on Unsplash

Be positive (Let go of the Mom guilt)
Get help (Chore charts & teamwork)
Organize (A clean and clear house allows the same in your mind)

A big portion of us being tired is trying to do too much. Although have the world’s greatest intentions, we compare ourselves all the time. So let go of Mom guilt! Things change, and we just have to “go with the flow.”

Then, write a to-do list and divide that baby up! You can do it!

Small kids: pick up clothes and toys and dust

Preschool-aged kids: wipe table, chairs, cabinets, appliances, and windows

Kindergarten-aged kids: sweep, mop, vacuum, take care of pets, make their bed

Older kids: clean the toilet, wash dishes, and fold laundry

And lastly, clean up social media and emails (opt out of those subscriptions causing you to be distracted and unfriend negative people). Then organize an area of your house that really needs attention. It may just free up that nagging feeling every time you see that mess!

Week 2: Energize Body

roberto-nickson-g-430885 — Photo by Roberto Nickson (@g) on Unsplash

Fuel food/plenty of water (6- 8oz. glasses of water)
Detox (bath and exercise)
Plenty of rest (7-9 hours and mid-day rest)

Make sure you’re putting nutritious food into your body. And swap out the juice and pop for water. Keep healthy snacks on hand like almonds, berries, apples, carrot sticks, cut up celery and cucumbers…. Making simple switches can dramatically change how you feel.

Enjoy a detox bath with essential oil and epsom salt (only try this once this week, while drinking plenty of water). 20 minutes of exercise per day will get your blood circulating and release endorphins, which is alsoo a plus. You’re looking for a good sweat, though, to detox. Make sure to hydrate well!

No skimping on sleep either. You need 7-9 hours! According to sleepfoundation.org, the right amount of sleep can regulate your mood, hormones, immune system, and also improves cognitive function and memory. Still tired? Take a 10-20 minute mid-day nap to freshen-up!

Week 3: Reconnect Spiritually

quino-al-105559 — Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

Reconnect inwardly (meditation, yoga, tranquil music, quiet time…)
Reconnect spiritually (daily devotions, prayer, music, thought-provoking,faith-based movies)

This is probably the most important week. Try one of the many different types of meditation. Also, set aside some quiet time for thoughts and focus.

You may also read daily devotions. I have a book called “Jesus Calling,” which I feel that I can apply to my every day life. And even more straight-forward- you can and should set aside some time for prayer. Even enjoy Christian music or movie!

These should all guide you into a stronger spirituality, which will then make you a stronger Mom. I mean, who is able to always handle stress on their own? It’s nice to turn to faith when we are feeling extra blessed, and sometimes when we are desperate!

Want to start your 21 Day Challenge for rejuvenation?

HERE are 3 printouts, that go week-by-week.

Example of how to combine all for 21 days:

List positives & Do something for yourself

Drink more water & Rest for 10-20 minutes mid-day

Read Daily Devotions & Listen to Christian music

Set aside 10-20 minutes of alone time in the morning, mid-day, and evening.

Morning: read daily devotional, while getting a head start on drinking water

Mid-day: rest 10-20 minutes, list positives in life

Evening: Take a bubble bath while listening to Christian music

You don’t have to be a tired Mom any more. Sometimes you skimp on what you need because of what your family needs. But a Mom who has been taken care of, can also take care of her family.

*I am not a doctor. Please always consult with your physician first to address mental or physical health needs!