Convincing your child to play outside is often much harder than it should be. If you need new ways to persuade them, our list is a good starting point. Summer is halfway over, and you seem to be running out of ways to convince your kids to go outside and enjoy the nice weather—we know the feeling. Getting kids to do something that’s good for them is like pulling teeth.… Read More »Get Your Kids Excited To Play Outside Again
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Quiche is one of the first vegetarian recipes that I learned how to make. I was so nervous learning how to make quiche because it looked so fancy! Want to know my recipe for success? Full disclosure: I haven’t quite perfected it, but if you’d seen me when I started learning how to cook you’d agree that I’ve… Read More »10 Quiche Recipes That Will Change Your Mind About Quiche!
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could relax in the morning instead of rushing to make a healthy breakfast? Well, now you can! We gathered 10 healthy make-ahead recipes you can put together for an easy start to your day. C’mon friend, it’s time to rethink your busy morning! We gathered 10 of our favorite Make-Ahead Breakfast recipes! We know that your time is valuable, so we gathered 10 mouth-watering… Read More »10 Healthy Make Ahead Recipes For Breakfast
True or false: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I think it’s the best way to kick off the weekend. But I don’t always have time for a big breakfast during the workweek. That’s why I like to take my time on Saturday mornings, before the Farmer’s Market to make a big batch of Biscuits and Gravy. Click HERE to go to the recipe Why Biscuits… Read More »Southern Vegetarian: My Grandmother’s Biscuit and Gravy Recipe Revisited
Feeling like it’s hard to focus, and your thoughts keep getting away from you? We have some tips on how to find your focus and live your life in the now. Learning how to be mindful and keep your mind from wandering takes some practice, but it’s so worth the effort. This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase.… Read More »How To Get Focused When You Are Distracted: Tips You Can Do Today
Feeding your horse can involve a lot of worry and wonder, so check out these must-know rules for feeding horses to understand their basic feeding needs. Growing up, I always had horses. They were part of the family and caring for them was my responsibility. But you must follow some basic rules for feeding them, so you aren’t calling the vet in the middle of the night for costly emergency… Read More »Must Know Rules for Feeding Horses
Want to get your plants big and bountiful? Follow this quick guide on how to help your indoor plants grow—you don’t want to miss out on these tips! Tired of dry, limp plants? Want your houseplants to look as bountiful as they seem in Pinterest pics and home improvement shows? Then it’s time to do some reading and figure out what you’re not doing that you should and what you… Read More »How To Help Your Indoor Plants Grow
My dogs are always with me. In the house and in the garden, I always have at least one dog at my side. Sometimes I’ll find Wynter digging when the heat has warmed her up too much and she starts looking for a cool place to plant herself. Our yard and garden are built with our dogs in mind. We know that we can’t always have our eyes on them,… Read More »Tips To Easily Create A Dog Safe Garden
Today we are talking about Green Tea and the benefits for your mind and body. From decreasing your risk for certain types of cancers to helping you lose unhealthy body fat, green tea is a powerhouse. Rich in vitamins and nutrients, Green Tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. Green tea is fighting diseases, helping people to reduce fat, boosting your liver, and even preventing cancer. These… Read More »11 Incredible Proven Benefits of Green Tea
Are you and your backyard ready to party this summer? Get your own little slice of the outdoors prepared for a season of barbecues and birthday parties. You may be done with your spring cleaning, but the tidying doesn’t stop there. After you finish brightening up your indoors, you should look out the window and make plans for your yard. As visions of picnics and cookouts dance through your head,… Read More »How To Get Your Backyard Ready For Summer
Before you move to a small town, prepare yourself with need-to-know information. Rural life isn’t the same as urban life—know what changes to expect. Some people want to escape their fast-paced lifestyles and move to the countryside, but before you do, there are a few things you should know. After all, this is a complete lifestyle change. Make the move with ease by reading about everything to know before moving to… Read More »Everything To Know Before Moving to a Rural Community
Sometimes it feels like the only way to dress fashionably is to pay unreasonable prices. Follow these tips for being stylish on a budget to debunk this myth. Style can be an exhausting concept to chase; not only do popular fashion trends fluctuate over time, but we can struggle to visualize our personal preferences. When you’re trying to follow changing trends or exploring your style, it can often feel like… Read More »Tips for Being Stylish On a Budget
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet When I was younger, before I was diagnosed with Lyme disease I was losing a battle with the Lyme Disease Monster in a war I had no idea I was fighting. Lyme Disease is evil, there is no other word for it but evil. Because it’s not just a disease of one area, you never know what’s actually happening to… Read More »How Lyme Disease Changed My Personality
No one likes a dirty kitchen, and people especially don’t like eating in one. Areas like kitchens need cleaning more often than you may think. It’s essential to keep your entire home clean, but the kitchen is the one area we may occasionally do a deep clean. You may think it’s okay to let the kitchen go without cleaning for a while; however, doing so invites harmful bacteria into your… Read More »5 Areas in Your Kitchen That Need Cleaning More Often
Knowing when and where you are going to be having your next meal might seem like overkill in the planning, but trust me. It will save you time and money if you have a plan ahead. Without it, you might be stuck wandering around looking for food and forced to pay more than you might be comfortable with paying.
Aloe Vera is one of the most used plants in our home for great natural healing. Today we are going to show you how to make soothing Aloe Vera Ice cubes to keep on hand for burns, insect bites, and comforting relief from sunburns. It only takes a few minutes to make ahead, and you will love the feel of Aloe Vera with no added ingredients! What are Aloe Vera… Read More »How To Make Soothing Aloe Vera Ice Cubes
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Ready to get outside and enjoy picnics and family gatherings? We gathered 5 amazing apple pie recipes that will delight your friends and family at your next picnic! 5 Picture Perfect Pies For Your Picnic We rounded up 5 picture-perfect pies for your picnic. I know most of us are ready to get out of the house and… Read More »5 Apple Pies That Are Perfect For Your Picnic
There’s something very special about a small gathering in a cozy backyard to celebrate a marriage. It’s the perfect way to create a casual and unique wedding Whether planning your own backyard wedding or lending your darling farmette to a couple for the day, using our creative ideas for an intimate backyard wedding is the perfect way to create a day that matches the couple’s vision, full of simplicity, natural… Read More »Creative Ideas for an Intimate Backyard Wedding
Have you ever considered using your crafting skills to create your pet’s collar? In this article, we’ll share the best benefits of designing your dog’s collar and how to make one for your best friend. Your dog is a valued member of your family, so why shouldn’t they have a personalized collar? Customized collars can help your furry friends express their personalities while you flex your crafting skills. It’s More… Read More »How To Craft Your Customized Dog Collar
A beautiful Mani-Pedi doesn’t have to mean a trip to the salon. You can give yourself a fresh eco-friendly manicure with custom sized nail stickers and a few easy steps! This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. Beautiful Nails Without The Salon A beautiful manicure used to mean making appointments, sitting in the chair with the fumes and… Read More »How To Give Yourself A Fresh Eco-Friendly Manicure At Home
French Onion Soup Gratiné Like what you see? Share it with your friends! French Onion Soup Gratiné! This is one of the most requested recipes from our friends and family. Our French Onion Soup is creamy and topped with layers of crispy cheese! It’s the first thing we crave with the weather starts to cool off and we want to fill our house with the comforting scents of home cooking. … Read More »French Onion Soup Gratiné Recipe
Many of you have asked me about how I spend my day and how I keep it simple. It’s taken years, but I have adopted a minimalist workday and I love building this simple farmhouse life. But being this way doesn’t mean that I have lost my creativity or junk. It just means that I make an effort to take an honest look at what steals my time and energy.… Read More »My Minimalist Work Day
The summer months are perfect for inviting people over. Our tips will help you ensure your house is ready for when company knocks at your door. Summertime. The kids are getting off school, more people are traveling again, and you can expect to have some house guests over in the coming months. But after so long without company, your house may seem a little worse for wear. If you’re in… Read More »Come on In! Tips for Getting the House Ready For Company
Would you like to be featured as a Firefly Guest Blogger? Our guest bloggers receive more exposure for your writing. If you are looking for ways to position yourself as an expert in your niche, guest blogging is key. We are not able to provide compensation at this time, but this will be a great opportunity for contributors to receive exposure to a new audience across the web and all… Read More »We Are Accepting Summer 2021 Guest Posting Pitches
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet It seems like no matter if I’m cooking for 2 or 20, we always have leftovers in the refrigerator. But what’s the best way to use up leftovers? Make something completely new! People throw-away so much food! Sometimes they make too much, don’t like how it turned out, or just don’t like leftovers. If you are like me… Read More »Best Leftover Makeover Recipes
Whenever you spend time inside a house or building, are you conscious of the possible air toxin exposure? It’s important to find natural solutions to make the air you breathe as healthy as possible If you want to improve your indoor air quality, you need to decrease common toxins and increase air purifiers in your home. Otherwise, breathing indoor air toxins can cause chronic respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue and other… Read More »How To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Welcoming guests is always a treat, but not when your guest bathroom isn’t up to snuff. Our tips will help you create the perfect guest bathroom. There’s nothing quite like having company stay over. You exchange stories and create memories. But the course of hospitality never did run smooth. Finding ways to create welcoming guest spaces while remaining frugal can be tricky, especially when it comes to tough-to-decorate spots like… Read More »Tips for Creating the Perfect Guest Bathroom
We are getting wicked in the kitchen today with our Hot Honey Buttered Shrimp recipe! This zesty recipe can be kicked up for more heat or toned down for a satisfying savory flavor. Served over white rice, salad, or wrapped up in a fluffy tortilla, these buttery shrimp have just the right heat, smoke, and lemony tang to make your mouth happy! Recipe Please! This is one of our favorite… Read More »Hot Honey Buttered Shrimp
Our Smokey Shrimp seasoning is my go-to seasoning for the grilling season! Sprinkle on dry shrimp and rub it in for a great grilling rub, add it as a marinade, or top pasta… it’s great for everything! If you can get it, we LOVE adding a little dash of Chili Lime Seasoning to this mix for a little tartness too! (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate… Read More »Smokey Shrimp Seasoning Recipe
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet As humans, we know that calcium is important for healthy bones. But what you might not know is that calcium is critical for a healthy diet in dogs. It is an essential mineral that many dogs get artificially in their commercial dog food. But if you are making your own dog food or feeding raw, it’s crucial that… Read More »Why Dogs Need Calcium And How To Get It
Subscription boxes, subscription television, even subscription groceries are all contributing to over-spending and clutter! This is the year to cut ties with subscription services and reclaim control of your money and space! Last year, 2020, we found ourselves housebound, bored, and subscriptions like Cratejoy, Disney+, Stitch Fix, BirchBox soared in popularity. It was fun to get boxes delivered with surprises inside that fulfilled our shopping addictions and gave us something… Read More »Why Cutting Ties With Subscriptions Is The Best Thing You Can Do in 2021
Have you thanked your local pollinators recently? Learn who’s responsible for our flourishing crops with this list of the most popular pollinators in America. Spring is here, and with it comes a colorful array of flowers and crops. Are you excited to add fresh and vibrant strawberries to your spring shopping list? Maybe when the weather is nice, you can fire up the grill with our Stuffed Poblano Pepper recipe… Read More »3 Most Popular and Productive Pollinators in America
Smoothies For Health! We have another great set of power-packed smoothies that are full of healthy and delicious ingredients that feed your body vitamins, probiotics, and energy-building ingredients. Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Image Credit: milkandpop.com What is [Term], and Why Does it Matter? Some readers may have no idea what it is you’re explaining how to do. Obviously, if what you’re writing… Read More »10 Power Packed Smoothie Recipes
You don’t want to miss fun opportunities. There is a great variety of wacky summer holidays everyone can enjoy that probably fly under your radar every year. We’re all too familiar with the big, and sometimes stressful, popular summer holidays. Fun summertime holidays can sometimes feel like serious business. Just look at the craziness of organizing a Fourth of July party or the difficult task of entertaining the kids during… Read More »Wacky Summer Holidays Everyone Can Enjoy
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet The way we consume information has changed how we think, react to other people, and even deal with stress. When we are online, our heads are filled with vast amounts of information, clutter, and distraction. But what if we embraced a minimalist view about our time online? Take a step back for a moment and look at all… Read More »How To Embrace Digital Minimalism
Senior dogs are a blessing and deserve to have every day feel like their best. That’s why we spend so much time trying to help dogs like our girl, Wynter, to live free from pain and as healthy as possible. Senior dogs require different care than younger dogs, which means changing their diets, tending to their bodies’ needs, and making sure they are getting the right kind of exercise. For… Read More »7 Tips For Caring For Senior Dogs
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Why do I love what I do? Believe me, there are MANY reasons, but one answer would definitely be the food! My husband and I are serious Foodies! And Brunch is one of our favorite meals of the week! Every Sunday we have Brunch together, along with our adult children, to catch up and slow down together. Best… Read More »10 Inspiring Brunch Recipes
Organizing a closet can be a difficult and grueling process. Here are a few tips that should help you get your closet back into working order again. Is your closet like so many others, with clothes spilling out like a giant landslide? There’s no need to feel ashamed—it happens to the best of us, but we know we can do better. Going through all the clothes and shoes we own… Read More »Closet Renovation: How To Get Organized
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet My garden is my sanctuary from the world. I meditate through the work that I do, thrive with each new leaf, and carry the memory of each season’s lessons. Gardening is therapy and good medicine. I love passing down the traditions that I’ve carried with me from my Great-Grandparents and sharing them with my children and grandchildren is… Read More »Gardening For Wellness and Traditions
Are you wondering when you should fill your brooder with brand new baby chicks? Learn why spring is the best time to raise chickens with this guide. Every year, spring is like a breath of fresh air for the world. The sun shines warmly, flowers start to bloom, and everything becomes a little brighter. One of the best parts of spring is all the new life that comes to the… Read More »Why Spring Is the Best Time To Raise Chickens
Smoothies have been around for a long time. But we have seen a great trend towards making them healthier and serve multiple purposes to improve heath. After writing our Air Fryer Snacks post, I realized that we had to do some smoothie posts for those of you who have a new blender or looking to improve your health with a simple daily treat. Using our Vitamix saves me so much… Read More »10 Tasty Spring Smoothie Recipes
Find out how dogs help sniff the dry rot in your home. You can train your dogs to help you maintain your home and preserve its structural integrity. Dog owners already know that their canine companions are amazing. Dogs think in different ways than humans, and while you know Max isn’t quite as smart as you, dogs can do things you simply cannot. Dogs have more than 300 million olfactory… Read More »How Dogs Help Sniff the Dry Rot in Your Home
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet There are tons of benefits to leaving your dog with a dog boarding service! With these boarding benefits, find the best service to fit you and your pup’s needs. Dog boarding sounds like such a scary term—but it doesn’t have to be! The age of dog boarders that lock your precious puppy in a kennel all day is… Read More »The Benefits of Boarding Your Dog
Making sure your canine gets its daily walk is essential to its mental and physical health. Daily walks also give the two of you time to bond! Taking your four-legged friend out for a walk provides more than just exercise or bathroom breaks, though both are benefits of it; there are countless critical reasons to walk your dog. It allows for mental stimulation and socialization. As you and your furry friend enjoy long… Read More »Caring for Your Pet: Critical Reasons To Walk Your Dog
Where some people see claustrophobia and noise, those who understand why beekeeping is an awesome hobby know how it benefits the planet and so much more. Beekeeping enthusiasts are the first to tell you that the hobby is not for everyone. From the outside, surrounding yourself in a swarm of bees can look overwhelming. But for people who want to help the planet, beautify their gardens, strengthen their income, and… Read More »Why Beekeeping Is an Awesome Hobby
Before you get your Covid shot, we have a few things you might want to have at home to feel better quickly. Our family just got our Covid vaccine, and here is what we discovered really helped our recovery. Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Don’t be scared! A lot of people, myself included, are a little nervous about this new vaccine. There is… Read More »Got The Covid Vaccine? Tips For Feeling Better Quickly
Struggling to decorate? Add your own personal twist to your home design and décor. Here, we’ll explore different ways to bring personality into your home. This post contains affiliate links that help bloggers like myself to earn a living without costing you a penny. Support your favorite bloggers by shopping their links. Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Designing a new home or renovating… Read More »Ways To Bring Personality Into Your Home
Aromatherapy is loaded with benefits, and it starts in your own backyard. Here, we offer suggestions for what to plant in your aromatherapy garden. Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet This post contains affiliate links that help bloggers like myself to earn a living without costing you a penny. Support your favorite bloggers by shopping their links. Aromatherapy is a perfect, natural way to… Read More »What To Plant in an Aromatherapy Garden
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Whether you’ve had a rough week or just feel like you need a reset before Monday knocks on your door, taking time on the weekend to care for yourself is nothing you should apologize for. There are many myths surrounding self-care. From “it’s selfish” to “I need to carve out a whole day for myself” to “I don’t… Read More »How To Practice Self-Care As A Women Over 40
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Passover begins March 27th at Sunset and ends April 4th. That means many Jewish families, like mine, are busy collecting recipes, cleaning out our pantries, and cooking ahead for the big holiday week. For Vegetarians, this can be a complex holiday, and it stirs up a lot of crazy conversations around the seder table. We collected our favorite… Read More »Best Vegetarian Passover Recipes For Your Family Seder
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Does anyone else feel like they are done with winter and need a reboot? Thank G*d, Spring is finally here! This weekend I was outside, starting some seeds for this year’s garden, and I just realized how much I really need to refresh my soul and reboot my state of mind. This has been a really long winter.… Read More »Spring Reset! Ways to refresh your mind and home
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet In 2017, we published a great article by a young writer that inspired many and had a few of you asking where is she now! Today we have an update from Sam Rose and her story of what she’s doing after beating cancer. I hope you enjoy and follow her journey! ~Crysta Finding Benefits In Writing About A… Read More »The Benefits Of Writing About Your Cancer Experience
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Pi Day = Pie Day! Y’all, I openly admit, I love goofy holidays. And Pi Day has been a family tradition since I married my nerdy husband. I love fun days where you can dress up, decorate, make fun food, and change up your routine. and Pi day means we try to find as many ways to eat… Read More »10 Delectable Pie Recipes To Make Ahead For Pi Day
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Making yourself a priority sounds great, but is usually set on the back-burner for most people. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, fitting in time for yourself seems almost impossible. Nonetheless, self-care is extremely important as it helps encourage you to maintain personal healthy relationships and promotes peace of mind. To help promote self-care, gift your… Read More »DIY Spa Gift Basket Ideas and Recipes
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet I love St. Patrick’s Day! We collected some of our favorite St. Patrick’s day recipes for treats for all ages. From cookies to coffee, we have a little treat for everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. What is St. Patrick’s Day? St. Patrick’s Day has become a worldwide celebration of Irish culture that takes place on March 17th. … Read More »Amazing St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet How many of you have started your seeds for your garden? I’m actually getting my seeds started this week and ordering my plants for spring delivery. So to help you get your garden growing, I have a few simple tips for starting your seeds indoors. This post contains affiliate links that help bloggers like myself to earn a… Read More »Simple Tips For Starting Seeds For Your Garden
We love making CBD Cocktails. For my friends and family who choose a sober lifestyle, we always have something special to serve them. For those of you who want to add CBD for a different kind of effect instead of alcohol, have CBD tinctures and water-soluble CBD drop suggestions to share with you at the bottom! This post contains affiliate links that help bloggers like myself to earn a living… Read More »Adult Mocktail Recipes Perfect For Making CBD Cocktails
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Like millions of other people, I live with panic attacks and let me tell you, they are SCARY! Even though I manage them fairly well, I have coping skills and some helpful herbal remedies. Living with the constant fear of a random panic attack is like walking around thinking something is going to jump out and scare you… Read More »My Truth About Panic Attacks
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet I always loved going to my family’s old farmhouses in rural Tennessee and looking around at the things they had collected through the years. I dreamed one day of having my own farmhouse filled with my own collection of treasures. I love going antique shopping and finding the perfect thing to add to my collection. But as a… Read More »Farmhouse Antique Shopping Tips
Our dogs are our best friends, and making homemade dog treats is how we show them what they mean to us. I love trying new recipes and seeing how much Riley and Wynter get excited to see what I’ve made for them. There are many “not so good” pet treats on the market that have ingredients that can actually make your dog sick and shorten their lives. So we only… Read More »How To Make Homemade Dog Treats
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Have you heard of Hot Cocoa Bombs? WOW!! If you’ve been on the internet recently, you’ve likely seen the explosion of Hot Cocoa bombs filled with sparkly goodness. Today we collected our favorite hot chocolate bomb recipes and packaged them up for you! These are easy fun activities to do while the weather is chilly and we are… Read More »11 Delicious Hot Cocoa Bomb Recipes
We have even more amazing Air Fryer recipes to share with you today. We discovered how easy it is to make desserts and sweets for any time in our Air Fryer! We got great feedback from our Air Fryer Snacks post and our Air Fryer Side Dish recipes, we decided to do one more with yummy desserts you can make in minutes. Happy Cookin! This post contains affiliate links that… Read More »6 Delicious Air Fryer Desserts
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet I’m impressed! I love how so many of you have asked how you can boost your sex drive over 40. And I have answers! Let’s face it, ladies, there comes a time when there are many things that come before sex as our list of “To-Dos”. Sometimes we are just plain exhausted at the end of the day… Read More »How To Boost Your Sex Drive Over 40
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet It’s time to start planning your spring gardens! Are you starting a fresh garden, moving to a new area, or looking to expand to a new area? We have some tips to help you plan your garden and get the most out of your space. This year we are plotting out three new fruit and veggie garden areas… Read More »Tips For Starting A New Vegetable Bed
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet While January is all about reflecting and making goals for the new year, February is the month of love. Whether you are excited about the DIY Valentine’s Day gift you have planned or you’d rather skip the holiday altogether, we encourage you to make this a month of showing love. Showing love means something different to each person.… Read More »14 Day Love and Kindness Countdown Calendar
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet When you learn how to manage your wellness, you learn how to help your mind and body to move through the hard days with ease. Learning how to let go of stress is crucial, and we have a few tips to help you mitigate your stress and anxiety. From long days working from home to getting better sleep,… Read More »Wellness Tips For A Stress Free Year
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet After writing our Air Fryer Snacks post, I realized that I had so many other recipes for using your air fryer that I had to do a side dish recipe roundup for you as well! Using the Air Fryer saves me so much time in my kitchen. I can toss in some quick snacks or add fun side… Read More »8 Amazing Air Fryer Side Dishes
I can’t believe I’m already decorating and getting ready for Valentine’s Day! But, it’s one of my favorite holidays and I want to make sure I have enough time to get everything just right. Plan your perfect Valentine’s Day with our Favorite Sexy Recipes for Date Nights and get out your craft supplies and try a few of these DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts. We have something for everyone! We have… Read More »Easy DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts
Today’s Chore: Cleaning the dog beds! If you have dogs then you know the life of living with dog hair and cleaning up after them. Our dogs, Riley and Wynter are going through their winter shed, and that means a TON of fur flying around. Every day we are vacuuming, dusting, and trying to keep the dog hair off our clothes and our bed. But we have a few simple… Read More »How To Clean The Hair And Odors Off Your Dog’s Bed
I am OBSESSED with my Air Fryer. I use it every day. From tater tots to main dishes, my Air Fryer gets a lot of use. Y’all, you can make everything in the Air Fryer, and it’s so much healthier than fried in oil! My kids all got Air Fryers for the holidays, and we have had a great time collecting recipes to try out. I’m so excited to bring… Read More »8 Easy Vegetarian Air Fryer Snack Recipes
Here we are, the week many of us set aside to reclaim our wellness, take back control of our diets and bodies, and the rededication to improving our lives. Personally, I’ve struggled with the craziness of the past year and I made a promise to myself that once the stress and chaos of the holidays had passed, that I would refocus my energy into my own health and mental wellness.… Read More »Reclaiming Your Wellness
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet If you can dream it, you can do it. – Walt Disney I believe in the power of setting Goals AND Intentions. Yes, friends, there is a difference, and I am so excited to share what that means AND how you can improve your goal-setting process. It’s that time of year when many of us are putting the… Read More »How To Set Achievable Goals
Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Sometimes you want something sweet… AND something sassy. Our Boozy Coffee Caramel Sauce Recipe meets that challenge! When our friends at Cask & Kettle challenged US to create a whole new recipe with some of their alcoholic hot cocktail pods, we dove right in! After some serious taste testing, we came up with a few boozy recipes that went beyond the… Read More »Boozy Coffee and Caramel Sauce
Like what you see? Share it with your friends! If you are looking for an easy Caramel sauce recipe, look no further. I love this caramel sauce because it takes just a few minutes, a few ingredients AND I can turn them into easy & affordable gifts. Who doesn’t love that?? What’s even better, is you can customize this recipe to make it thinner or thicker just by swapping out… Read More »The Best Homemade Caramel Sauce
Have you ever scrolled through a blog post that sounded interesting, only to discover that there were SO MANY WORDS, and you don’t have enough time for that? Yeah… me too. In fact, I’m going to let you in on my secret… I hate food blogs that you have to scroll for ten minutes before you get to the recipe, only to find that it wasn’t the recipe you wanted… Read More »Firefly Moments: Shorter & Sweeter
2020 has been such a crazy and challenging year for many. As it comes to an end, the opportunity to push reset arises and becomes the perfect time to focus on self-care. Take this time to move on from this tough year and pamper yourself with some self-care activities by following this 31-day self-care calendar. Plus the wallpapers and insta story stickers included will help you stay motivated and on-track… Read More »Make More Time For Self-Care in 2021 (Free Self-Care Calendar)
Easy Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Grab your Instant Pot and let’s make some Beer Cheese Soup! I miss going out to the pubs! Beer Cheese Soup always reminds me of when my husband and I used to go out before seeing a concert and grab a drink and food. I love the creamy cheese and light hint of beer to… Read More »Easy Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup
This week’s collection brings home comfort, natural elements, and artisan crafts. We love finding products that preserve a simple way of life. From Sister’s Gentle Body Wash that cleanses the skin without harsh chemicals and harmful sulfates. To a comfy pet bed that’s relaxing for your furry friend. Shop Here Click the photos below to shop our links. This post contains affiliate links that help bloggers like myself to earn… Read More »Our Favorite Things: Farmhouse Home Looks
For many people, 2020 was a financial challenge. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs or have faced serious questions about their finances. This is why many people turn to refinance their home loans to get some extra breathing room and take advantage of the historic lows in interest rates. Like many others, we knew this was the year we needed to refinance our home to get a better rate… Read More »When Is The Right Time To Refinance Your Home Mortgage?
For the person on your list who enjoys spending time in the kitchen and creating masterpieces out of spices and herbs, we have a few things we think they might like! Cultivate their passions and show them you appreciate their efforts. Shop Here! Staub Enameled Cast Iron Crêpe Pan with Spreader & Spatula – Staub’s special set turns out thin, Breton-style crepes worthy of an authentic French crêperie. The enameled… Read More »Firefly Gift Guide: Kitchen Collection
You don’t have to live on a farm to enjoy farmhouse style year-round. As the holidays approach, you can give your home, condo, or apartment a rustic dose of coziness with very little effort. We hope you are inspired by these ideas. This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Support content creators and… Read More »Farmhouse Decorating Ideas to Cozy Up with This Winter
15 Fun Hanukkah Crafts for Families This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. It’s been a long year. It might feel like it’s hard to feel like celebrating the holidays with so much going on. But we believe that taking time to work on your mental health and enjoying the little things can help you to find more… Read More »15 Fun Hanukkah Crafts
“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart That’s my meditation that I’ve been focused on for the last few days. Being mindful of not only my situation but my mouth and my energy. I had a terrible dream a few nights ago that woke me up and had me in a bad place for a few days. Even now as… Read More »Be Mindful, Be Grateful
Weighted blankets have changed the way my husband and I sleep, and now we won’t sleep without them! Weighted blankets are helpful for not just insomnia and anxiety, but for us; they have allowed us to sleep more soundly than ever before. This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Support content creators and… Read More »Weighted Blankets – What You Need To Know
Before trying CBD oil for my Lyme Disease pain, I struggled to get through the day. I lived in pain and frustration. But now I can enjoy my life.
8 Unique and Fun Menorahs In our home, we have a LOT of Hanukkah menorahs, from silly to traditional. And I love them all. We choose which one we will light for all 8 nights of Hanukkah and in the window, we have the basic Jewish Family Electric Plastic menorah that I think every family has. It’s fun, it’s useful, and it won’t burn down the house! So if you… Read More »Beautiful and Fun Hanukkah Menorahs
What You Need To Stock Up On For Emergencies If 2020 has taught us nothing, it was that crazy things can and often WILL happen and we should all be prepared. From storms, Covid-19, and economic closings, to illnesses and earthquakes we need to be prepared to stay home safely and care for our families. A couple of years ago, while we were living in Seattle, we met some of… Read More »Emergency Food Prep Tips
“Riley Stop Licking!” That’s one of the most common things said in our home since our dog Riley came into our lives. All dogs lick, but sometimes the licking can actually mean something else is underlying and needs attention. Wynter, our older dog, is more catlike in her grooming. Her fur is easy to lick clean and she’s doesn’t require a lot of grooming needs like our other dog, Riley. … Read More »Reasons Dogs Lick Excessively And Tips To Help Stop It
How To Host A Socially Distanced Thankgiving Your Friends And Family Will Enjoy Thanksgiving is almost here, and many of you are asking how you can have a fun Thanksgiving while keeping your friends and family safe from Covid. We are right there with you, collecting ideas and trying to make good decisions for the people we love as well. We share how you can host a social distanced Thanksgiving.… Read More »How To Host A Social Distanced Thanksgiving
Tipsy Apple Compote Recipe Like what you see? Share it with your friends! What’s better than sweet and tart apple compote? How about making them boozy? Our friends at Cask & Kettle challenged us to come up with some new recipes for their hot cocktail pods and we took that challenge and ran with it. Well, actually it was more like sitting in my kitchen, drinking hot cocktails and having… Read More »Tipsy Apple Compote
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times to dress up my table and pull out my creative side. I love a beautiful tablescape that seems to make the food taste even better. These 17 Thanksgiving Tables each have a different character and style so you can mix and match for your perfect style. And of course, you know our modern farmhouse style will always be tossed in as well! This… Read More »17 Beautiful Thanksgiving Tables
6 Ways Journaling Can Improve Your Life There are so many great advantages to keeping a journal. From helping you to stay organized to boosting your confidence, journaling can have a very positive impact on your life. Whether you’re looking to improve your relationship with yourself, become more productive at work or school, or develop better communication skills, a journal is a great way to take an active step toward… Read More »6 Ways Journaling Can Improve Your Life
Our family is the most important thing to me and the time we get to spend together is always cherished. Fall is one of our favorite times as a family. It’s so rich in traditions and memories. I love how the hustle and bustle of summer seems to slow down here as the weather starts to cool down. This week we pulled out those pumpkins and took some time for… Read More »Fall Family Fun
Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Fall recipes are some of my favorite because they are filled with apples, comfort food, and unique flavors. Our Caramel Apple Cider Slushies are simple, delicious, and brighten up fall afternoons. In the fall, we have a huge bounty of apples that we make different recipes with. But most importantly we have an abundance of applesauce and cider that makes us… Read More »Caramel Apple Cider Slushies
Thanksgiving is a special evening of friends, family, and fun. So hosting Thanksgiving Dinner takes some planning ahead. We have some great tips to help you host the best Thanksgiving Dinner party without the stress. This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. Don’t Be Afraid To Use Store-bought. If you have something that you just love that you… Read More »How To Host The Best Thanksgiving Dinner
Simple Vegan Enchiladas Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Enchiladas! It’s one of our favorite Mexican food dishes, and we love how versatile it can be. The creamy and cheesy filling of this delicious preparation is so addictive that you just can’t stop at one. We love enchiladas any time of day or night. I’ve been known to even have them for breakfast! Yes, with fried eggs,… Read More »Time Saving Vegan Enchiladas
This year, it seemed like every day, we had new pops of color in the garden. And the big surprise was falling in love with Zinnias. I was so excited to come out each morning to a new beautiful flower that lasted for weeks. Each flower had different stages of beauty. This summer, I decided that I’d start sharing some of the many characters in our garden with all of… Read More »Zinnia: The Star Of My Garden & Free Printable
Hey everyone, I wanted to take a moment away from recipes and reviews to get personal and to share part of my story and struggles. I believe that when we can connect as humans, we become like fireflies and start to fill the darkness with our connections like sparks of light. It is only through sharing our struggles and our successes that we can reach out and connect with others. … Read More »Memory Markers and My Crappy Day
Want a new twist on Mac N Cheese? Have you heard of lobster mushrooms? We discovered how cool these tasty mushrooms can be for a fun vegetarian twist on Lobster Mac! Lobster Mushroom Mac N Cheese Like what you see? Share it with your friends! I love lobster Mac N Cheese. But sometimes I want something a little different. My daughter, Sara, discovered Lobster mushrooms and we loved the idea… Read More »Lobster Mushroom Mac N Cheese
Easy Homemade Vanilla Applesauce Like what you see? Share it with your friends! With just 6 delicious ingredients, our Vanilla applesauce can be made in both a slow cooker or stovetop and ready for your family to enjoy anytime! Delicious Family Traditions We have a family tradition of going apple picking every fall. Then I make a big batch of vanilla apple sauce and send it home with all of… Read More »Homemade Vanilla Applesauce
Mushroom & Seitan Stroganoff Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Now that the weather is cooling off, it’s time to pull out some of those hearty recipes like our Mushroom & Seitan Stroganoff. It’s a hearty dish that warms you up and is cozy comfort food. What is stroganoff? Traditionally, stroganoff or “stroganov” is a Russian dish that is traditionally made with beef. It was conceived as… Read More »Mushroom Seitan Stroganoff
Fall is here and we have had a few months of getting used to socially distanced get-togethers. Today we have some fun ideas for entertaining outdoors on your patio this fall so you can continue to see your friends and family without taking risks during the pandemic. This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. It’s been a long… Read More »How To Entertain Outdoors This Fall
When I was a little girl, living in rural Tennessee, the story of the Bell Witch was as common as any story ever told. The Witch was real and so was her trail of death and terror. The haunting of the Bell family by the famed witch was both a story of how to treat your neighbors and a fairly amazing ghost story. Because the story of the Bell Witch… Read More »The Bell Witch
This year, many of us are thinking about how we can celebrate Halloween a little differently than ever before. Staying home? We have a few Halloween themed activities to keep up the fun and stay safer at home. This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. Our children are all grown up, and some have families of their own.… Read More »How To Have A Spooktacular Social Distanced Halloween
While January is all about reflecting and making goals for the new year, February is the month of love. Whether you are excited about the DIY Valentine’s Day gift you have planned or you’d rather skip the holiday altogether, we encourage you to make this a month of showing love. Showing love means something different to each person. You may show your love by gifting the perfect present while others… Read More »How To Give Your Kitchen A Facelift
This week we had the pleasure of trying out a fantastic dog subscription box by WagWell. For those of you who are new to subscription boxes, they are monthly delivered boxes full of treats and surprises. For our FurKids, we are very picky about what we give them. Our friends at WagWell sent us their recent organic pet subscription box to see if our picky pets would turn their noses… Read More »Riley and Wynter Test Out A WagWell Subscription Box
Hey Latte Lovers! We know you have been waiting for fall to come so you can break out the mugs and try some new latte recipes. I know it’s fall when everything become seasoned with pumpkin spices and seasonal drinks like our Canadian Spice latte and our other delicious latte recipes Pumpkin Spice Latte Pumpkin Spice Latte Season is here! This week we share one of my FAVORITE drinks, Pumpkin… Read More »Pumpkin Spice Latte
This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. CBD Bath bombs are one of my favorite ways to soften my skin and relax. I love the colorful water options and scents that make me feel like a kid again! I love the way my skin feels soft and silky after soaking in the tub, and the CBD soothes my… Read More »Why Do CBD Bath Bombs Feel So Nice?
Basic Tomato Sauce My garden is still bursting with tomatoes, and I’ve made so much gazpacho, salsa, and bruschetta! But I still have a ton of tomatoes turning ripe each morning. Now is the best time to start preserving those gorgeous tomatoes for wintertime use. How To Make Tomato Sauce From Scratch A basic tomato sauce is very easy to make, but it can take some time and effort. That’s… Read More »Basic Tomato Sauce
When you are learning how to do home canning, you’ll hear over and over how important sterilized jars are. That’s because they are what’s going to keep your food from going bad. However, you don’t need to sterilize your jars if you are going to water bath canning for longer than 10 minutes. So if your recipe calls for processing for longer than 10 minutes you are good to wash… Read More »How To Sterilize Canning Jars
This week we have something special for you. It’s a new mocktail recipe AND and new product review! We share our Lemony Peach Baby Bellini recipe that’s perfect for baby showers, garden parties, and relaxing with the ladies at your next get-together. With our without the CBD, this is a sweet tart cocktail that’s sure to delight. We have been busy this summer coming up with new recipes to share,… Read More »Lemony Peach Baby Bellini
Hey everyone! I have a quick recipe for you and it’s going to be used in a couple upcoming recipes. Our homemade peace sauce recipe is so easy that you’ll be making peach tea or Bellinis for brunch for your friends and family all the time! Peaches are one of my favorite fruits. When I was little, I used to go picking with my family and all summer my Gram… Read More »Homemade Peach Sauce
It’s completely normal to feel stressed, especially when the world seems like it’s overwhelming. Personally, I’ve been struggling to keep motivated recently. So I’ve been reaching out to talk to my friends, family, and even my therapist about my feelings. Admitting that you are stressed isn’t a weakness! We have a list of ways that you can reduce stress and stay peaceful without leaving home. This post contains affiliate links.… Read More »15 Ways To Reduce Stress And Stay Peaceful
8 years ago, my best friend was killed in an accident that forever changed my life. He was “My Person” because unlike everyone else in my life, he was there the longest and knew the darkest parts of my life. And he loved me all through it, like a brother and like someone who understood trauma intimately. When he was gone, I was left in a world that suddenly had… Read More »It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Now that the kids are heading back to school, Fall feels like it’s right behind them. This is when we start to cozy up our homes and gather the pumpkins. But this year we want to help you give your home a fall makeover without needing to rummage thought the stores and face the crowds of people at the pumpkin patches. Fall 2020 means rethinking what we have and using… Read More »Frugal Ways To Decorate For Fall Without Leaving Home
Peppermint Matcha Iced Latte I love Green Tea lattes. In fact, a blended peppermint matcha latte is my go-to summer drink. There is something about the cool mint and the crisp green tea that makes everything a little more chill. Hey everyone, we have another fun recipe for you and it is inspired from my love of Starbucks. My friends and family know how much I love Starbucks and I’ve… Read More »Iced Blended Green Tea Latte
These slightly sweet Vanilla Almond cookies are perfect for cool Autumn mornings, baking a treat for a friend, or teatime in the garden. We stamped ours with the new floral rolling pin by Embossed! How To Make Artisan Stamped Vanilla Almond Cookies Like what you see? Share it with your friends! It’s been a wild year, why not settle down with something sweet and soothing? When I was little, I… Read More »How To Make Artisan Stamped Vanilla Almond Cookies
It’s been a long and crazy summer, and after taking a mental health break in June to try to wrap my mind around all, that’s been happening around the world. I’m back to work and trying to revive my energy to create some content. But let me tell ya, working from home is hard work! This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added… Read More »Breathing New Life Into Working From Home
Whipped Ricotta Spread Whipped Ricotta is one of our base recipes and from there we use it in so many different ways. But the basic way is a simple dish that we use for a nice spread over crostini to make a quick appetizer or a dip for veggies. It’s so easy and fun to add different toppings, that we use this recipe all year long. From using it to top… Read More »Whipped Ricotta Spread
7 Self-Care Strategies for Navigating In the “New Normal” As we continue spending more time at home due to the current climate, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves if we are setting the right boundaries for ourselves. Are you making enough time for self-care? When I say boundaries, I don’t necessarily mean from other people but rather from devices, substances, routines and expectations. The pandemic has for many hit… Read More »7 Self-Care Strategies for Navigating the “New Normal”
Grilled Coconut Shrimp with Shishito Peppers Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Summertime is grillin time! Check out our Grilled Coconut Shrimp with Shishito Peppers Recipe! I love to grill. In fact we have two grills! We have a smoker grill and a flame grill because each has a different purpose. And for this recipe, I was excited to get some charring done on the flame grill.… Read More »Grilled Coconut Shrimp with Shishito Peppers
When I think of the flavors of fall, I think of apples, pumpkin spice, and warm savory flavors. That’s why I love these pumpkin spice cupcakes, because you can customize them to suit your taste buds! Click to go to the recipe Pumpkin spice and fall just go together! This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase.… Read More »Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Recipe
When the weather starts to turn up the heat, we like to turn up the flavor in our kitchen. I look for recipes full of color, fresh in-season fruits and veggies, and not a lot of cleanup. That’s why we chose these recipes for easy pescatarian cooking with lots of options for vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals. In the summer, I’m spending a lot of time out in the garden.… Read More »5 Easy Summer Pescatarian Recipes
Happy July! It’s hard to believe that summer is in full swing, July is here, and many of us are still doing our best to do everything we can to fight the infection rate from Covid-19. But this is also the time that many of us reflect back on bigger issues, like plastic pollution and waste. Here’s something scary: Did you know scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be… Read More »Plastic Free July- Tips for reducing your plastic use
This summer I’ve been working on canning a lot of the fruits and veggies in my garden. Strawberries are one of my favorite things to can and this recipe brings the taste of fresh strawberries and lemonade together with the soothing blend of vanilla. I’ve been adding vanilla beans or extract to my lemonade for years, it adds a unique mouth comfort to the tangy juice. This is one of… Read More »Strawberry Vanilla Lemonade Concentrate Recipe
Hey everyone, I’m back today. I’ve been in the kitchen a lot for the last few weeks, working on new recipes and spending a lot of time in the garden working on growing food for my family as well as working on my mental health. The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster, and in June I felt like I was hitting a wall with all of the… Read More »I Took A Mental Health Break
Summer comes along with a rich variety of food and fruits that are good for your body. Scientists for years have bombarded us with information that encourages us to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are said to reduce the risk of illnesses. Vegetables and fruits contain antioxidants that play a very big role in flushing out harmful toxins and wastes from the body. Getting around your summer diet:… Read More »Summer Super Foods!
Summer is almost here, and many of us are venturing out to get some fresh air with our dogs. But did you know that dogs can get Lyme disease just like people? That’s why good tick protection is a must for your dogs too. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos are awful for our dogs. Here are a few tips to keep them bug-free this summer! Keep Them Clean The best way… Read More »Keeping Your Dog Safe from Lyme Disease and Ticks
Finding calm during stressful times isn’t easy. But we have some tips that we hope might help. We’ve been talking a lot about how 2020 was one of the most stressful years for many people. Just as scary, millions of people are out of work and wondering how they will be able to feed their children, pay their bills, or when they will be able to go back to work.… Read More »Finding Calm During Stressful Times
Each day begins with sleep. The way you feel, the way you think and react, and the basis of each day starts with how you sleep. We have a few tips for you to get better sleep naturally. An estimated 164 Americans have trouble sleeping at least once a week We all need to rest. Without enough sleep, our health suffers. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation increases your… Read More »12 Ways To Sleep Better Naturally
Gardening In this worldwide crisis, many people are turning to gardening to relive stress and provide for their families. Victory Gardens are popping up in yards and people are coming together to share their produce and knowledge about growing. In this time of hardship, many people are feeling anxious, worried about the future of the food supply, and struggling with staying home. But we gardeners know that suddenly being asked… Read More »Victory Gardens: Why You And Your Family Should Start One
Where To Buy Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer To Fight Covid-19 Hey everyone, we have some good news for you. After looking high and low, we have located face masks and hand sanitizer! I found them this morning and I’m so excited to share with all of you where you can not only buy, but they are on sale! This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission… Read More »Where to buy face masks and hand sanitizer
One of my favorite vegetarian restaurants makes this amazing “Chicken” fried seitan dinner that’s so good and makes me think of growing up on a farm. These days, I try to recreate a lot of the recipes that I miss from our travels and eating out, and our homemade seitan is so good that we don’t miss buying it in gourmet vegan shops. I love being a vegetarian. It fits… Read More »Homemade Seitan Recipe
CBD oil has become very popular. But there is still a lot of misinformation out there to sort through. That’s why we want to help clear up the taboos and help you discover the truth. This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) is exploding in popularity in recent years. In fact, according to… Read More »The Taboos of CBD and The Truth
Last Minute Gifts For Mother’s Day – What Mom’s Really Want Mother’s Day is just a week away and like so many, we are still staying safe at home. Like so many Moms, my children are all grown up and I miss the days of homemade cards, breakfast in bed, and listening to them tell me they think their gift was “just right.” These days, my children are wide spread,… Read More »Gifts That Mom Really Wants
Vanilla CBD Rooibos Tea Latte Today we have a great CBD recipe. Our Vanilla CBD Rooibos Tea Latte is so good and a gentle way practice some self-care. I love starting my day off knowing that I can do something simple to control how I feel, improve my health, and give myself a little self-care each morning. You can even incorporate a few minutes of mindfulness while you wait for… Read More »Vanilla CBD Rooibos Tea Latte
Sweet tender blueberries, tart fresh lemons. This is my favorite combination of sweet and tart. That’s why we decided to can a few jars of blueberry lemon jam and share that recipe with you. July is the best time of year to find fresh blueberries, strawberries, and tart cherries for canning. But year-round you can usually find blueberries in the grocery store. So this is a recipe you can make… Read More »Blueberry Lemon Jam
INGREDIENTS
2 shot(s) espresso
1 pump peppermint syrup
2 pumps White Chocolate Syrup
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of ancho, chipotle or cayenne pepper
Fill with 8 oz steamed milk
Spring is here and before you know it, Mother’s day will be upon us. Today we have a great DIY that you can do with the kids for Mom or make yourself to send to someone special. But don’t forget to make a few for yourself! Seed bombs are easy to make, they are fun great gifts, and you can make them ahead of time and store them for when… Read More »DIY Seed Bombs
Passover is here and one of the most requested dishes, after my vegetarian Matzo ball soup, is our “Matzo Crack” recipe. It’s so easy that you can make this with the kids and swap out the toppings with your favorites. The “Crack” refers to the fun crunch sound it makes when you “crack” it apart. No two pieces are the same! Click to go to the recipe Vegetarian… Read More »Smore’s Matzo Cracked Candy
With just a few staple ingredients, tonight you can warm up with this classic Latin dish, made vegetarian! Picadillo uses easy ingredients and doesn’t require a lot of skill. You can make this dish vegan, gluten-free, mild or spicy! Click to go to the recipe Vegetarian Cooking Made Easy! This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase.… Read More »Vegetarian Tofu Picadillo Recipe
2020 has started out to be a stressful year already! So we are cooking up some comforting vegetarian Tom Kha soup to fill your bellies and hopefully soothe your worried minds. Tom Kha is an easy, dairy-free Thai soup made with coconut milk, veggies, and tofu. Our recipe is vegan and can be gluten-free, and can be easily swapped with ingredients you have in your pantry and refrigerator. We have… Read More »Vegetarian Tom Kha Soup with Tofu
If you had more time to focus on your health and wellbeing, what would you do? Well this is the time for many of us that we suddenly have the time, what are you doing with it? For the last couple of weeks, I’ve had to self-quarantine to limit risks of getting Covid-19 because I have Lyme Disease and complications. And I’m loving the Better Me that’s coming out of… Read More »How Staying Home Has Improved My Life
Another Monday is here. I’m still in self-quarantine due to Covid-19 & my Lyme Disease and well because it’s better for the entire planet that we all stay home until it’s safe to go out again. So, I’m here, trying to gather some good thoughts and something awesome to share with all of you. I wanted to talk to you candidly, because I think that’s what we all need a… Read More »Thoughts on Covid-19 and staying home
I have a special friend who lives with Depression. There are days when I wake up wondering if he will still be alive when I go to check on him on Facebook. I know a few people with clinical depression. But he is the one that I watch the most.
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet Spring feels like the best time for strawberries and patio parties. So we created a sweet treat blending together our favorite CBD and cocktail recipes for your brunch guests! Click to go to the recipe This post contains affiliate links that help bloggers like myself to earn a living without costing you a penny. Support your favorite bloggers… Read More »Strawberry Lemon CBD Cocktails
Looking for a job you can do from home right now? Join the rabidly growing CBD market that has allowed me to earn money from home without any risk. I’ve been working with Joy Organics for a couple of years and they are not only great products that I use daily, they are also a fair and honest company to work with. What is an affiliate program? What this is,… Read More »New Work From Home Opportunity
Hey everyone, we are on week 2 of living with reduced social interaction or self-quarantining. I decided that it might be a good idea to keep a record of how things are going here and maybe share some stories of how others around the country are doing. I’ll be honest; today, it’s starting to get to me a little. It’s not staying home that’s bothering me, in fact, as an… Read More »Self-Quarantined- Week 2
I love succulents. They are so adorable and I have them all through my house. One of the reasons I adore having them around is that they give the room a fresh living feel without the fuss that other plants often require. Today I wanted to change up my succulents, give them some new personality. While I was at the garden store recently I found a few little things that I… Read More »Sassy Succulents- How To Make A Tiny Succulent Garden
Like most Americans, I love a good latte. Not too sweet, not too bitter, a romance between cream and espresso, those are the qualities of a good latte for me. So when I travel finding a good latte is almost a challenge that I always accept. This visit to London I wanted to get away from the touristy things that I’ve done before and try something different… a coffee crawl… Read More »Coffee Crawl – London
Hey everyone, it’s Crysta, and I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you and share some of my thoughts about what’s going on in the world and the Covid-19 threat. First of all, I want to thank each of you for taking the time to read my blog, for sharing your thoughts in the comments, for sharing the posts to your friends and families. It really means… Read More »A Word From DWF About The Virus and Life
How To Make CBD Chocolate Covered Strawberries Chocolate covered strawberries are one of my favorite treats. I make them for all of the holidays and occasionally, I make grown-up versions. I hope you’ll like our CBD Chocolate Covered Strawberries. They are too good to share with the kids! It’s easy to make CBD Chocolate Covered Strawberries. We recommend making this recipe with any CBD tincture. Each provides a twist on… Read More »Chocolate Covered Strawberries with CBD Infused Chocolate
The weather is warming up and it’s time to start planning those patio party treats. Today we have a delicious fig and lemon moscow mule recipe for you and we know you’ll love the zing that makes your mouth sing! Click to go to the recipe Who is ready for sandal weather? This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee… Read More »Fig and Lemon Moscow Mule Recipe
Ready to make your own hand sanitizer? We have an easy recipe that not only soothes your hands, but leaves them clean when you can’t get to soap and water. Let me stress this very clearly, please wash your hands with soap and water. This is not a replacement for good hygiene and this is NOT to be used around your face and eyes! Click to go to… Read More »Soothing DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe
If you have been looking for new ways to add CBD into your daily routine, we have a recipe for you! CBD Tea is a great way to include the holistic healing properties of tea and the incredible benefits of CBD oil into your diet. Last week we showed you how to make CBD Coffee. This week, we have something for the tea lovers! We also have a great recipe… Read More »How To Make CBD Tea
Who doesn’t love Yoga? Looking for that perfect birthday gift or holiday surprise for that person on your list who loves yoga, nature, and wellness? We have found 5 great products that are sure to be a hit this year for your loved ones. Or maybe you just need to give yourself some self-care and buy something nice just for you. (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an… Read More »5 Gifts For Yoga Lovers
Did you know that making CBD coffee at home is easy and can improve your relationship with coffee? We share how we make CBD Coffee and some fun variations. I love coffee, but I don’t love caffeine. Like many other people, I have issues with caffeine and I almost cut out coffee all together. But from time to time, I want it and thanks to CBD, known as cannabidiol, I… Read More »How To Make CBD Coffee At Home
When I talk about Dancing with Fireflies, I want to share the notion that you can chase your dreams, no matter how big or how small. But you must move forward in order to chase that dream. My dream was to become a writer. When I first began, I wasn’t sure exactly what sort of writer I would become, I simply knew that I love to write, tell stories, and… Read More »Take Your Next Best Step
Thanks Will for this photo!! The Rock Boat, the World’s Greatest Floating Music Festival. We jumped on this year’s Rock Boat 2020 ship and discovered a secret that blew our minds. The Rock Boat isn’t just a vacation, it’s a family reunion of people you choose. Before this adventure, we couldn’t understand the depths of founder Ken Block’s statement. “For those on the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand.… Read More »The Rock Boat: 2 Virgins Discover The World’s Greatest Floating Music Festival
These days everyone has a side hustle. We all want to make a little extra money for travel, going out, or doing something fun. I’ve been a blogger for many years, and I’ve found how easy it is to make some extra cash while pursuing my dream of being a writer. Working from home is how I earn money to travel, go out, and even treat myself to a massage.… Read More »10 Simple Ways To Earn Extra Cash Working From Home
When the body experiences stress, the result is typically anxiety. Upon exposure to a stressor, the endocrine system triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. They govern the body’s fight, flight, or freeze responses. The person experiences the sensation of ‘butterflies in their stomach’ as they feel apprehensive and uncertain of an outcome. That’s how people experience regular anxiety. However, when it becomes so severe and frequent that it… Read More »5 Alternative Ways to Deal With Anxiety
Have you ever been so tired that just the thought of moving makes you want to put your head down and cry? There are days that I know I swim in the heaviness of exhaustion and my eyes beg to close for just a moment. I don’t dare because I know that I won’t open them again for hours. Sometimes when my Lyme Disease is rearing up, I fight this… Read More »Exhausted – A Lyme Disease Symptom
How many of your made health goals at the beginning of the year? I know we did! This is the year that we are focused on achieving milestones and crossing finish lines! As we settle into the second month of 2020, it’s time to ask yourself how the beginning of the new decade is shaping up for you. Are you excited and feeling confident about the path ahead, or are… Read More »Resolution Check-In: Are You Sticking to Your Goals?
Getting sick when you travel is the worst. Imagine mid-cruise coming down with the crud! We have some tips to help prevent getting sick while you travel. We just got back from one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken. We jumped on The Rock Boat and sailed on a beautiful Norwegian Cruise ship to Belize and Honduras. This cruise is unlike most other cruises, because it is a rock… Read More »10 Ways To Stay Healthy While Traveling
Anxiety is an unpredictable disorder, and you never know when it will strike. While there are medications for managing anxiety, natural remedies may be a more effective and healthier option. Cannabidiol is among the recommended ways for putting anxiety under control naturally. The science speaks in favor of that, and you can find studies that proved its anxiolytic effects. CBD is one of the main components of cannabis, but it… Read More »How to Use CBD to Treat Anxiety
Image by Pexels We couldn’t be happier about this new downsized lifestyle trend where people decide to live in smaller homes, sell off valuables and generally make small adjustments to simplify their lives. Living with less is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, but it’s also a great way to live a happier and more meaningful life. One obvious contributor to this… Read More »How to Declutter Your Home and Still Be Kind to the Earth
When people ask us how we met, we always smile and usually we look at each other. I’m not sure why it’s just a reaction I guess. We used to be a little nervous about telling people we met in a chat room. Now sites like Match.com make finding a mate online common and acceptable. In the 90’s when we met, it was new territory and a little scary. The… Read More »+1 to Romance – How I Met My Husband
Friends and family are always asking for my vegetarian recipes. This is one of those favorite recipes that we have enjoyed. It’s not hard to find great vegetarian recipes that don’t require a lot of time and effort. Our Paneer Makhani recipe isn’t difficult, and easy to make your own. This post contains affiliate links that I make a small commission on with no added fee to your purchase. Click to go… Read More »Easy Homemade Paneer Makhani
I LOVE my cast iron pans. In fact, until this week, I would have never have believed that I’d ever have anything else in my kitchen. Thanks to DaTerra Cucina, I now know there is more than cast iron. Their Ceramic Non-stick pans are fantastic. I received my pan directly from Kathrin at DaTerra, and I am thrilled to give them my honest review. The downside to cast iron As… Read More »DaTerra Cucina Pans – Why We Adore Them
Have you ever had kreplach? It’s meaty, savory, and perfect for cozy winter nights. We made this classic recipe vegetarian, and it turned out so good! We’ve been traveling and that means eating out daily. Sometimes that’s nice. But usually, you are searching the menu for the one thing that is comforting at the end of a long day. This week as soon as I got home I had to… Read More »Vegetarian “Beef” Kreplach Recipe
Moving from one house to a new one can be so exciting. But it’s also one of the most stressful experiences. From finding a new home, uprooting your life, and saying good-bye to friends and family. There a lot of emotion happening in a big move. That’s why we wanted to share our moving plan and how we managed to unpack all of our boxes without going crazy! This week… Read More »Tips For Moving Without Losing Your Mind
“I hate cooked carrots!” That’s what I hear many people say before trying my Sweet & Spicy caramelized carrots. After that my friends and family have all asked me for the recipe or to make them for another dinner we have together. The problem that most people have with cooked carrots is that they have had them boiled or not seasoned very well. But carrots can be very versatile. What… Read More »Zesty Caramelized Carrots – Sweet and Spicy Recipe
Tofurkey is so versatile and easy to make. We share how to make your amazing roast and our Cherry Balsamic Tofurkey Recipe will wow you! Each year I spend a great amount of time looking for new recipes and just as much time trying them and writing new ones. Our Cherry Balsamic Tofurkey Recipe is a fan favorite and it has even won awards! So, those of you who know… Read More »How to make an AMAZING Tofurkey Roast Your Family Will Ask For Again
A welcoming home is always ready for impromptu guests, but having that guest-ready home doesn’t mean you have to hire a cleaning service and a chef! We share some easy tricks to creating a cozy home for your guests that won’t break the bank. We promise you won’t have to get up at dawn to start cooking and cleaning. Being prepared is the hardest tip, since sometimes surprise guests catch… Read More »5 Right Now Steps To A Guest Ready Home
Hey everybody, it’s that time of year again. Many of us are going to holiday events and attending social events. For many people, the idea of going to these things can be hard. Most of the time you find that you don’t know most of the people at the event and it can be awkward. So we want to help you make the best out of those social engagements so… Read More »Surviving Social Engagements
CBD-Infused honey is one of the hottest trending items in the world of CBD. It’s a sweet way to meet your wellness needs and it’s as easy as dipping in a spoon! I’ve tried a few great CBD Honeys, and they come in fun flavors. But did you know that you can make your own CBD-Infused honey in a few easy steps? These make a great gift and we love… Read More »How to Make Your Own CBD-infused Honey
Oh my goodness, my friend Tody from Our Bun, Brandi’s Oven just told me that she doesn’t have an Instant Pot because she was scared of them! Well Tory, I know you personally and your amazing family and I know for sure after the incredible battle your family has survived to become a family of 4, you can do hard things. Cooking with an Instant Pot isn’t one of them.… Read More »5 Easy Instant Pot Recipes For Instant Pot Newbies
5 Easy Ways To Relieve Holiday Stress And Avoid Burnout Self-Care This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. I was also compensated to create this post, though all opinions are my own. Many people anticipate the excitement of the holiday season, but they don’t always prepare for the additional… Read More »5 Easy Ways to Relieve Holiday Stress and Avoid Burnout
Everywhere you go, it is starting to feel like the holidays are here. Last winter, we moved back to the East Coast to be closer to our friends and family. We spent 5 years in the Seattle area, made great new friends. But home will always be Maryland. This will be our first Hanukkah in our new house. After a long wait, we are all moved into our farmhouse, and… Read More »What Is Hanukkah?
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too: Surviving Holiday Parties with Food Sensitivities Food and Recipes The holiday season is fast approaching and that means you’re probably getting invitations to holiday parties left and right. For those with food sensitivities, you may be approaching these holiday parties with equal amounts of anticipation and dread. Having specific dietary requirements or allergies can be especially difficult at this time of the year… Read More »How To Survive Holiday Parties When You Have Food Sensitivities
Vegetarian Made Easy! Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Creamy,spiced, with just a subtle hint of cinnamon. Our butternut squash enchiladas are out of this world! I first started making this dish a few years ago. My family loves butternut squash and we wanted to do something unique with it. Inspired by the local Indian restaurant, we wanted to bring in the sweet and savory flavors of… Read More »Spiced Butternut Squash Enchiladas
I love a clean kitchen. But, if you are like me, the idea of scrubbing the kitchen from top to bottom feels like the worst job ever. But we have some easy tips to clean your kitchen and keep it clean. We share our daily routine for keeping the kitchen clean. Fun hacks to keep the grime away! Think like a Minimalist! Big or small, when your counters are filled… Read More »How To Clean Your Kitchen And Keep It Clean Daily
It’s Holiday Party Time! Hey Everyone! It’s time for holiday parties and swanky galas! We have a few of our favorite holiday party recipes guaranteed to wow your guests and make your parties the best in town. Every year I scour through the recipes blogs, magazines, cookbooks, and look at the backs of boxes to find the best recipes for all of my holiday cooking. Each Sunday Dinner in November,… Read More »10 Recipes To Wow Holiday Guests
There are few seasons l like more than summer, but Fall is quickly starting feel like the place where I want to be. It’s growing on me, year after year I find something else that draws me into the embrace of Fall’s enchantment. Summer was my season. I love the warm lazy days, sleeping in late, and don’t forget the fireflies. Summer has it’s own vacation title, people go away… Read More »Falling for Fall
One of the hardest things about having an invisible disease is trying to make it through the day. Some days are routine and other days there are hurdles that you have to get over. But you always have to face starting over again the next morning. There are no days off, no vacation days, no holidays off from being sick. For years I tried to forget about having Lyme. I… Read More »Lyme and Spoons
Not all essential oil diffusers are the same We looked high and low to find a non-plastic waterless essential oil diffuser. And we found one little machine that packs a powerful punch and rose above the rest. Do you love essential oils but not the plastic that many diffusers are made of? We tested Organic Aromas Raindrop Nebulizing Diffusers and we share our thoughts about the newest innovations in aromatherapy.… Read More »15 Reasons To Use A Non-plastic Waterless Essential Oil Diffuser
It has been raining and snowing for months. In fact this has been one of the wettest and snowiest winters on record in the Seattle area. And I am done with it!
This week’s Latte is in honor of another cold damp yet wonderful place to visit – London!
“A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.” ― Erma Bombeck Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Take action today to simplify your life and your home! Today we have 100 ways you can easily simplify your life and your home. Baby steps anyone can do, and things that might be a challenge but will help you master the clutter! I know like myself, many of you have walked through your house and wondered how it has gotten so cluttered. I’m going to let you in on… Read More »100 Ways To Simplify Your Life and Home
Fall is my favorite time to make soups, stews, and bisques. As soon as the weather starts to cool, the first fires are lit, I am in the kitchen making a huge pot of something warm. Once a week I make a new soup that we have through the week for lunch. Soup topped with something new each day leads to some creative explorations in my kitchen. Time to head… Read More »Curried Sweet Potato Apple Bisque
Cannabis Edibles – Too Easy Not To Make At Home Mmm… edibles. Happy Cannabis goodness is easy to make at home when you understand the process. Hey everybody! I have a fun new guest blog post from the people over at Industrial Hemp Farms. They are teaching us everything we need to know to go from bud to brownies. Fair warning: This is only for adults. And we are working… Read More »Cannabis Kitchen: Ways To Make Cannabis Edibles
Easy Moist Banana Bread Recipe Click HERE to go to the recipe Banana bread is a house staple in our kitchen. We have been using the same easy moist banana bread recipe since my boys were toddlers. Today my oldest turned 29! I love making sweet breads, using up ingredients that might be almost over-ripened. I hate throwing out food. Bananas have a weird shelf life. It seems like they… Read More »Easy Moist Banana Bread Recipe
Crocktober: Easy Vegan Crock Pot Chili Recipe Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Crocktober! I love this silly word. But even more, I love that it inspires me to write more recipes to share with all of you. Like our Easy Vegan Crock Pot Chili recipe! This week’s recipe is one of our house favorites. I love to take all of the leftover veggies out of our… Read More »Easy Vegan Crock Pot Chili Recipe
Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Share on facebook Share on google Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on reddit I LOVE homemade cranberry relish with my holiday meals. It’s that perfect sweet and tart combination that breaks up the meal. Yummm! I am also one of those crazy people who loves canned cranberry sauce. It’s soo good. But this recipe is even… Read More »Holiday CBD Cranberry Relish Recipe
Hey Everyone, it’s October and that means it’s time for slow cooking, chili cookoffs, and comfort food. Which makes this what some like to call Croctober! I am a huge fan of my Crock-Pot and my Instant pot. I have both and this time of year I always have something cooking in one of them. Our Crock-Pot gets a lot more use during the winter when I actually want things… Read More »Crocktober: Breakfast Crock-Pot Recipes
Surviving The Holidays With An Eating Disorder Isn’t What You Think Hey everyone, I have a special guest post for you this week. For some, the issue of food is a sensitive topic. The holidays for many people is a time where we are gathering with friends and family, usually around food, and then searching for gym membership coupons by January. But those people who battle disordered eating or have… Read More »Surviving The Holidays With An Eating Disorder
What have you done with your life? Is it enough?
“A cup of tea would restore my normality.” [Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Screenplay]” ― Douglas Adams Taking time out of your day to stop whatever you are doing, take a deep breathe and make a cup of tea is quite simply the best way to refresh your day midway through. I love this tradition of making time to sit and take a few minutes to center your mind and… Read More »Why You Really Need To Be Drinking More Tea
Canning Summer Fresh Tomatoes (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) This summer we were blessed with a great crop of flavorful tomatoes in our garden. This is the one crop that is a must in our garden. However, this is also a busy time because they all seem to… Read More »Canning Summer Fresh Tomatoes
Hey everyone! I can FEEL Fall is so close! Today I sat outside early this morning on the porch while the hose was soaking in the front flower beds. I wanted to take in some of that fresh fall air that was lightly scented with the crispness of freshly cut grass before heading up to my office. It didn’t help my blogging productivity at all! All I wanted to do… Read More »The Best Way To Season Cast Iron Pans
For the last ten years, my best friend has stood by my side through thick and thin. She stayed close while I grieved the losses, licked my face when I attempted to do yoga, and traveled around the country with me. Now she’s getting older, I have been looking to help make sure her golden years are pain-free. Since starting Wynter on CBD we have seen her health improve dramatically. … Read More »Wynter’s Review: Joy Organics CBD Dog Treats
London Bound? We have some tips you need to have the best experience ever! We love London at any time of the year. But after a few trips, we have some tips you might not find in the travel guides. We know that you already have a list of sites to see. Big Ben, The Tower of London, even the Queen herself. But what you might not know is that… Read More »5 Things You Must Pack – London, England
Our farmhouse kitchen is the heart of our home and I think it might be our favorite place. I love making something creative and wholesome to feed to my family in this space. There are a few things in my kitchen that I LOVE so much and I’m excited to share with you! If you haven’t tried an Air Fryer yet, you are really missing out. We love ours so… Read More »Our Farmhouse Kitchen: Our Favorite Things
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Trying to incorporate more CBD into your daily life? We have a few easy ways to make sure you are getting enough CBD to improve your health and see the benefits. Skin Uses Add a few drops of pure CBD oil to your… Read More »33 Surprising New Ways To Use CBD Every day
Our Modern Farmhouse Kitchen: The heart of our home One of my favorite places in my house is definitely the kitchen. It’s the place where everyone gathers, and like most homes, it’s the heart. When we were designing this house, my goal was for the kitchen to be expandable and adaptable to our needs. So every part of this kitchen was designed with a purpose in mind. When the kids… Read More »The Farmhouse Kitchen: the heart of our home
Hands Off! No touching, please. Nope, I’m not a hugger or a casual cheek kisser. I don’t like it and I have my own reasons for setting down this boundary. I’m polite when I take a step back from the group body smashing. I smile and wave when I meet people and offer a “Hello” to offer my introduction instead of free access to my body. I am just one… Read More »I’m NOT a Hugger. And I’m still worth loving.
Looking for a quick summer tea recipe to stay hydrated? We have a few fruity ideas for you. Make them and forget them! Fruit teas are also a great activity to do with the kids. (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) I love making sun tea when the… Read More »Flavored Teas
Sweet Corn and Pepper Relish Like what you see? Share it with your friends! Share on facebook Share on google Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on reddit Growing up, my Gram would spend the summer canning things from the garden so we would have plenty stored up for winter. In the South, corn relish and pickled veggies are a pantry staple! This year our garden… Read More »Sweet Corn and Pepper Relish Recipe
Many people are searching for comfort. I know that some are also looking for something that might sooth their families bellies and fears. I hope these recipes bring both.
There are reasons for WHAT I do. I write because I feel I am.. a Writer. But WHY I walk towards that life is very different. (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) “When you know your ‘Why’, your ‘What’ has more impact, because you’re walking in or towards your… Read More »Why I Write
CBD, THC, and the Entourage Effect CBD is everywhere and we are here to help you start to understand some of the terms associated with it. The Entourage Effect is one of those terms, but it can be tricky to understand. The entourage effect is the idea all compounds found in cannabis are best when taken together than when taken separately. This can be likened to eating an orange when… Read More »CBD and the Entourage Effect
As a child, I was bullied not only by children, but by adults. I was different because I had a very traumatic home life. This is part of my story. Every year children take their own lives, I hear their names and I cringe because I know their pain. I almost took my life several times as a young child and I share my story now so parents and educators… Read More »She didn’t know… ( My story about being bullied almost to death.)
The weather here in the PNW has been crazy this week. So I wanted something sweet and unique. Have you tried Hibiscus tea? Well this is a sweet vanilla twist with just a hint of apple that brings out the floral notes in the tea along with that ruby red color.
Thai Sweet Chili and Garlic Sauce Recipe Hey everyone, life is starting to settle down for us here at the new house. I love how it is really coming together. Even though I feel like there is still so much to do! But I’ve found myself in the kitchen, reaching back to to my roots and pulling out some of my old recipes and enjoying the feel of bringing new… Read More »Thai Sweet Chili and Garlic Sauce Recipe
My Birth Mother Died and I’m Glad I was raised in a world where mothers are praised and uplifted. But I know that not every woman who gives birth should hold that honor. Yet when my birth mother died, I was surprised by the unexpected range of emotions I went through. Like millions of adopted or foster care children, I had a complicated relationship with my birth mother. I dreamed… Read More »Honoring and Acknowledging Grief for a Parent You Hated
It’s HOT! Like most people, I’ve been trying to find ways to stay cool and not think about how hot it is. And today I have to tell you, I have been so distracted that trying to stay focused on work has been HARD! So I’ve been trying to work on a couple of new product reviews and some articles. But I’ve really been having a hard time keeping my… Read More »Distracted!
Share on facebook Share Share on pinterest Pin Share on twitter Tweet I love to garden, but it’s not for the reasons you might think. Gardening helps me to fight Lyme Disease, improves my mental health, and helps me to feel like I’m contributing to helping the planet and my community. Let’s be honest, I hate mornings, and I really struggle to get out of bed early. Sometimes it is physically… Read More »Gardening is my best weapon against Lyme Disease
5 cups water
6 bags black tea or red Thai tea, or 1 1/2 tablespoons loose tea – you want to use a good quality tea for the best flavor. Try Ceylon, Assam or Keemun.
2 star anise – you can add more or less to taste. These are very strong if you buy them fresh. So go slow.
3 whole cloves – same with the cloves. I am not a huge fan of cloves, so I usually go light here.
2 teaspoons vanilla – Have a vanilla bean pod you want to use? Scrape it down and use it here.
2 tablespoons sugar – This drink is very sweet even without the sugar. So I suggest adding this to taste later.
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk – Go vegan by replacing the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk with cream of coconut and coconut milk.
Do you have a travel bucket list? Daydream about locations beyond your borders? I do too. I am always reading about fantastic places to explore and I’ve been thinking a lot about the places on my bucket list and trying to turn them into a To-Do list instead. (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at… Read More »My Travel Bucket List
Recently on a long flight from Seattle to Baltimore, I realized that that traveling with an introvert like myself can be a puzzle for many who might not understand the complexity of an introvert’s mind. Even though we love to travel and explore the world, we also have some special requirements in order to prevent us from just getting overwhelmed and having a breakdown. Being an introvert doesn’t mean we… Read More »7 Things You Need To Know About Traveling With An Introvert
Filling and healthy, our Not So Boring Stuffed Poblano Peppers with a healthy citrus CBD salad are the perfect way to fill up without the extra fat. (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) For many years I really hated peppers. I’d only had them diced up in meatloaf, cold… Read More »Not So Boring Stuffed Poblano Peppers with a healthy citrus CBD salad
CBD 101 Your Questions. Our Answers. The Basics Most frequent questions and answers What is CBD? CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is just one of many different molecules known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil is created with the phytocannabinoids extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Hemp and Marijuana both produce CBD oil. Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of some 113… Read More »CBD FAQ
I LOVE a good Latte. At home, I have an espresso machine and my husband and I love finding new flavors to try out. Admittedly I am the one more likely to try out a crazy flavor combo than he is, but together we have collected a lot of great recipes. This morning I was making one of my favorites, the Almond Raspberry latte and I thought it would be… Read More »Almond Raspberry CBD Latte
INGREDIENTS
3 limes
1/3 c. sugar
3 c. water
3 tbsp. sweetened condensed milk
ice
“When you know your ‘Why’, your ‘What’ has more impact, because you’re walking in or towards your purpose.” – Michael Jr. (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) There are reasons for WHAT I do. I write because I feel I am… a Writer. But WHY I walk towards that… Read More »Why Talk About Your Challenges?
Dancing With Fireflies is looking for writers to contribute articles to our blog. Would you like to be featured as a Firefly Guest Blogger? Our guest bloggers receive more exposure for your writing. If you are looking for ways to position yourself as an expert in your niche, guest blogging is key. We are not able to provide compensation at this time, but this will be a great opportunity for… Read More »Guest Bloggers! We Want You!
“All right, I’ve been thinking. When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don’t want your damn lemons! What am I supposed to do with these?! Demand to see life’s manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am? I’m the man who’s gonna burn your house down! With the… Read More »Lemons! Making something sweet out of drama
When starting a practice of mindfulness, you must first begin with Self-Love. Without loving yourself, giving attention to your needs, you lose most of the value of mindfulness. It isn’t selfish or conceitedness to put value in yourself. Practicing Self-Love means that you are tending to your own well-being. Self-love is important because it affects how you feel, how the world sees you, and even your physical health. Your home… Read More »Mindfulness Monday – Self-Love
We all love aromatherapy. Filling our homes with calming scents, helping to battle the cold and flu season, and the lovely uplifting scents of citrus, aromatherapy is wonderful. But what isn’t so great is the fact that most oil diffusers are made with plastic. And if yours is made with plastic, unplug it immediately because it can be toxic! (This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link… Read More »Warning: Aromatherapy Diffusers Can Be Toxic
CBD has potent anti-bacterial properties to fight germs. Cannabidiol (or CBD) gets down deep into the gums and kills the bacteria and prevents infection. It also reduces inflammation and helps to heal the gums. CBD can also boost your dog’s immune system so their bodies can fight off other illnesses.
I am the bearer of guilt. Not just growing up guilt that we are all given as children, but the guilt I gave to myself. I don’t believe that self-guilt is primarily a woman’s affliction. Women are the loudest about their burdens. We like to talk about them, regret things, and ponder them out loud for discussion. While men tend to clam up and silently carry around their guilt. However,… Read More »5 Things You Should Forgive Yourself For, but probaly wont.
Like hundreds of other people this weekend, I attended the Northwest Flower and Garden show in Seattle, Washington. These shows are packed full of vendors showing off their latest and best innovations. But Buyers Beware! What you buy isn’t always what you get. This is my review of the Smart Living Ceramic Cookware set that I purchased at the show. This is my own review of my purchase. I have… Read More »Buyer Beware! Smart Living Ceramic Cookware Honest Review
I’ve had Lyme almost all of my life. It’s a part of me and my day to day. I know it’s unusual, but often I forget that it is anything different from anyone else. But sometimes there are things I wish my friends knew about my life with Lyme Disease.
My battle with Lyme Disease began before I knew I had it.
Like many people I was misdiagnosed for many years before finally being diagnosed. Everything from MS to Anxiety have been on my medical records. Lyme is commonly misdiagnosed, leaving people wondering if their friends or family are making up their illness and the victim wondering if they will ever find relief.
I was likely a small child when I was bitten by a tick carrying my future inside it. My body has been fighting an invasion since I was in elementary school. I spent my 20’s wondering why I couldn’t keep up with people my age. Now I know.
Sometimes I need to rest to let it catch up.
My “Resting Bitch Face” isn’t what you think.
I live with pain. Every day, every hour, something hurts somewhere. Sometimes it’s an ache or a dull throb, other times it is the painful sting of inflammation. I manage it the best I can without meds because I know in the long run, the meds are very damaging to my other organs that are also fighting this disease.
I get tired, frustrated that I can’t get up and dance with my friends like I used to, even a little envious of a few of you who can enjoy a few cocktails and night of dancing. But my RBF is judged pretty hard even though I’m actually happy to be able to get out and hang out.
Sometimes I just can’t.
One of the hardest realities of living with Lyme is knowing that your immune system is awful. You have to measure your strength with expectations.
It is embarrassing to have to message a friend ahead of time who has been complaining about being sick to warn her that you just can’t be with her because you can’t take the risk of getting sick for the next few weeks.
Kids are cool. But they are also germ magnets and while post parents are used to their little ones cruising from one illness to the next. Sometimes I just have to take a step back from kid friendly events when I know it is flu or cold season in the schools. It isn’t because I don’t love the kids, but because I can’t give weapons to the bacteria I am already infected with.
I’ve even had to turn down coming to see new babies because the siblings were sick with the flu. It was awful.
I don’t go to the gym and I am okay with it.
These days among my friends, everyone is trying to get summer bathing suit ready or in “cruse shape” because some of us are headed on a trip together. They talk about their marathons, weekend gym dates, and diets they are currently on. And I smile and listen, I think it’s great that they are excited about it.
But I don’t go to the gym and I don’t diet.
Instead I am in physical therapy usually twice a week to try to keep my muscles from locking up or to settle the pain in a bad area. I have regular visits with my doctors to make sure my heart is staying strong and my liver isn’t getting worse. I’ve watched my weight climb up and down with each switch of my medications and cringed when I looked in the full length mirror. After a workout I’m exhausted for days and in pain for a week.
I’ve learned to accept that I might never get down to a 7 again, but I will keep fighting a disease that’s entire goal is to kill me. And when I look at my body that’s now patched up with scars from surgeries and battle, I know that I am thankful that today I am not bedridden and I can go walking through the Farmer’s Market to enjoy the sweetness of life without guilt.
You can talk to me about my disease.
I’m pretty sure that most of my friends know I have Lyme. But I don’t talk about it much. Usually because few people actually ask me about it.
I know they must have questions or wonder why I cancel at the last minute a night of dancing and fun. They just don’t ask. I wish my friends knew that they can come talk to me about my illness and I am happy to answer all of their questions. Lyme Disease is difficult, but harder when you feel like nobody understands you.
The youngest of our 5 is about to be a sophomore in high school this year. And as I was reminiscing about how fast these last 15 years have gone for her, I realized that I only have a few more years left to make sure she is ready to take those important steps into her own adult world. The Teens are now preparing for life away from home. This… Read More »10 Life Skills Teens Should Know Before Going To College
Today’s post is a bit short but full of great recipes that we hope you will enjoy. I collected 5 fabulous recipes with fresh ricotta from some of my favorite food bloggers around the internet. I love making homemade ricotta. It is easy, uses simple ingredients, and doesn’t take much time or effort. Better than store-bought, you can make a large batch of ricotta and use it for several recipes… Read More »5 Fabulous Recipes Using Fresh Ricotta
Gram gave me a chicken, brownish red and too gentle to eat. She said it would be my friend if I took care of her, talked to her in a gentle voice and kept her safe from the dog.
I found this letter that I’d written to myself many years ago. It broke my heart to see that I was in that place. I think we all have these moments when we feel like everything we tried to do wasn’t right at all. That girl so many years ago, alone and struggling to be a single mother and raising two little boys, she was so strong and never had… Read More »Confessions from a bad mother.
Breakfast is one of those meals that I could eat any time of day. I HATE mornings, so when I have to get up early I want food that is simple, hot, and doesn’t make too much of a mess.
These three recipes made in cupcake tins are perfect for making ahead of time and popping in the microwave on the way to the airport.
What Is Full-Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil? There are so many new products claiming to be CBD or Hemp Oil, it’s hard to figure out what’s what! So we are breaking it down for you so you can figure it out. Remember, we are not giving medical advice. We just want to offer you the best information we have discovered so you can make the best choices for your health. This… Read More »What you need to know about Full Spectrum CBD Oil
I will not be told that my body isn’t good enough. I will not be fat shamed by commercials trying to get me to believe that now that the new year is here, I need to suddenly change my evil ways. NO.
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) I love Mexican food. Not just the first night, but I love it for lunch the next day. So when Slimming World sent me this recipe to check out. I immediately knew we could do something both easy and versatile with it. This… Read More »Mexican 7-Layer Salad to-go!
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) When you open my kitchen cabinets you might not find what you would expect. There are plastic plates, colorful sippy cups, funny chopsticks, all things that you might find in a house with toddlers. Except our toddlers have all grown up. So why… Read More »Never Too Old To Find Your Spark
For a lot of people, 2017 has been extremely stressful already. But we can take steps to not only protect our own mental health, but to spread that calm to the rest of our friends and family.
The sun keeps poking through the clouds. Which is just what I need to liven up my garden and make some fresh fruit tea. I had some strawberries that needed to be used and it pairs perfectly with a light white tea. I also wanted a light lemon flavor so I tossed in a few lemon slices and it came out perfectly. Making tea is so easy. I love how… Read More »Lemon Strawberry White Tea
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Our love of chocolate is strong. And it should be! Because is it not only the best way to turn a long conference call into a few moments of bliss, but it is also good for you! Did you know that approximately 71… Read More »Why Dark Chocolate Should Be A Workday Staple
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) A few weeks ago I headed back to the doctor for more blood work. It’s routine, part of surviving life with Lyme Disease and trying to beat this epidemic of death that has been floating around lately. Anyways, they did a bunch of… Read More »I want my Gluten and Dairy!!
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Spring is here, Earth Day right around the corner. We are back in Maryland this spring, building our dream house. I ache to get in the garden, to start creating something new and to watch it blossom into something beautiful. Winter is difficult… Read More »The Arrival of the Red Cardinal
Hey everyone, I just wanted to say I’m SORRY! So, we have some big things happening here with Dancing With Fireflies… starting with a new theme, new setups, and….. a store! Yep, we are setting up a store. I am going to be honest, this thing started off as a little idea and a few days ago it got insane. So while I learn how to work with a new… Read More »What is going on??
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) The Pacific Northwest is one of the most dog friendly places in the United States. From beautiful off-leash dog parks to the hundreds of acres of trails, beaches, and city walks, dogs are a common site in the Pacific Northwest. I love traveling… Read More »It’s a Dog’s Life In the Pacific Northwest – dog friendly travel ideas
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Hey everyone, I just wanted to sit down for a bit and talk to you about my trip to the 2019 Cannabis Science Conference East. Wow! I honestly feel like I learned so much, and there is so much more now that I… Read More »Unpacking From The 2019 Cannabis Science Conference East
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) CBD for dogs can be lifesaving. But beware, just like chocolate, dogs can get very sick from THC ingestion! Dogs have abundant receptors in their brains, dogs have the highest concentration of these receptors, particularly in areas related to coordination. They also have… Read More »Warning For Dog Lovers: NO THC Products!
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) I took a powerful class on Fueling Your Creativity this week, and something that I didn’t expect to take out of this class was a lesson in mindfulness and living with things that we tolerate but do not love. Not just emotionally, but… Read More »Mindfulness Moments: Declutter Your Life!
Un-Phogettable Shrimp Pho Recipe I love Pho from this little place called Jenny Pho. Here in Seattle, we have a lot of Vietnamese restaurants. This one is pretty “Americanized” but I love simplicity. Pho is my go to when the weather is cool and rainy. But I can’t always run down there when I’m in the mood for pho. So I started making it at home and while it’s nice to… Read More »Vietnamese Pho with Prawns Recipe
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Making time for tea is not only improving our mindfulness and relationships, but it is also working to bring our bodies into a better state of health. White tea has so many excellent health benefits that it’s our first focus tea in our… Read More »5 Astonishing Facts About White Tea
(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.) “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams I have never lacked creativity, in fact growing up my imaginary friends were the best ones I had. I tend to be a dreamer, and following… Read More »Focus Tips For Creatives
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to take your feelings out of the pain moment and see it for what it is and move on? When you embrace mindfulness, you embrace the idea that you can change your response to stress, pain, and basically life.
Skincare is about more than what you put on your body. You also want to focus on eating correctly and getting a nice supply of antioxidant rich fruits that replenish everything your skin needs to repair itself.
Bath Bombs are so relaxing and a great way to give yourself some self-love. What if you could not only soothe your mind and soak away aches and pains with natural CBD without the high cost of trendy CBD bath bombs? We have that easy DIY for you! How do CBD Bath bombs make you feel better? CBD soothes pain and reduces inflammation. Used topically, it can also settle skin… Read More »DIY Healing CBD Bath Bombs with Rose Geranium
If you are looking to train your mind through mindfulness, is probably because you are looking for a change. Mindfulness teaches us that we need to pay attention to the present moment. Maybe it is keeping the focus on our breath, or learning how to let go of thoughts. But Mindfulness works for whole life wellness. The mind wanders 47% of the time. Through mindfulness, we are learning how… Read More »Mindfulness Moments: Why Practicing Mindfulness Works For Change
We didn’t ask for this, a life of questioning, doubting, and wondering how much longer. But a life with Lyme is still a life. Day by day, you learn to live your life beyond Lyme Disease. It’s is hard and frustrating. However, knowing you aren’t alone helps. Truth #1 – Forget It! Living with Lyme means your memory is BAD. You forget why you walked into a room, who that person… Read More »5 Upsetting Truths About Lyme Disease
Essential oils have been around for a very long time. But Face Oils are a new trend that combines the natural healing of essential oils and the ability to customize your beauty routine. Healthy young-looking skin is the dream most of us over 40 looks to our beauty routine to attain. Beyond a healthy diet and lifestyle, we also need to make sure our skin has all of the vitamins… Read More »The Key To Unlocking Flawless Skin After 40 Isn’t What You Think
I’ve been on muscle relaxers, pain killers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, liver support, thyroid meds, heart meds, and anti-anxiety meds. Western medicine hasn’t been able to help me. But CBD has changed my life and allowed me to live beyond my diagnosis. I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease in 2003 after years of living in pain, inflammation, and brain fog. I have been on so many medications that now there is… Read More »How I Use CBD Everyday To Cope With Lyme Disease
Mondays are hard. Sometimes they even suck. A case of the Mondays can happen any day that you feel like you just can’t get things going and find your energy. However, you can’t change the fact that like Mondays, bad days and sad days just come around. They don’t last a lifetime unless you want them to. You just have to move through them, remember to breathe, and soon… Read More »A Case Of The Mondays – Tips To Improve Your Mood
The Moscow Mule is super popular and fun to drink in those chilly copper mugs. We fell in love with handmade moscow mule cups after talking with our friends at MoscowMuled.com about their gorgeous mugs and why they are different from some of the others out there. After getting our own pair of mugs from Moscow Muled ( Thanks guys!) we set off exploring how we could come up… Read More »5 Tantalizing New Moscow Mule Recipes To Add Wow Your Spring Parties
Learning how to meditate is easy, free, and you can do it almost anywhere. Oddly, it’s not as easy as it sounds. However, the results of building up your meditation practice make it all worth it. Mindfulness is the process of letting go of everything else that is cluttering up your thoughts and bringing your attention to the present moment. It is a deep breath that calls your focus back… Read More »How To Meditate
In our last post, we talked about ways to live a happier life, one of those things we suggested was to look at the relationships in your life and nurture them. But what about the ones that make you UN-happy? Now we want to share 5 types of people that you need to get rid of on your mission to joy. We love Marie Kondo. She’s freaking everywhere and… Read More »5 People To Purge With The KonMari Method
This year as we focus on mindfulness I want you to stop and think about the beautiful relationships in your life. I am blessed with some incredible and beautiful relationships that have enriched my life and made me appreciate each day. Being part of the NOW also means appreciating the positive influences in your life. I know that there are so many people out there looking for the perfect mate… Read More »Mindfulness Moment: Accepting Friendship
Many people think that you have to start a yoga class, or meditation group in order to begin training your brain to be mindful. But did you know that being mindful is practiced in every moment? You can begin by closing your eyes at your desk, taking a deep breath, BEFORE answering that next email, it’s that simple.
Life can be a stressful for anyone. But when you live with anxiety, stress is multiplied. I use CBD to help me cope with stress and it helps me avoid panic attacks. You can find many great CBD products that are not only easy to use but are discreet. The information provided here is not a replacement for medical help. I am not offering medical advice. I am giving you… Read More »CBD for Anxiety
“Where and then feast have we sat together but to build and pray. Have words smelled of color that wrap in winters breath as we lie in tranquill. When, in the peace of time, does the sound breathe. Together, lost in love and patience…..”
~ Lance Kassle November ’04
The world lost an amazing artist of words this week.
This week we are on the road. We are out in Snowy Seattle and the PNW. I’ve been trying to work in as much mindfulness and meditation as I can as we travel and explore. But it can be hard! Making time to be mindful is as much part of the practice as deep breathing. It takes effort to press pause and take time to stop being busy. Mindfulness isn’t… Read More »Mindful Monday: Look Up
These recipes are filled with color, vitamins and plenty of aphrodisiacs for your perfect date night dinner in.
It’s coming up fast! Our new house has a 2nd floor now, and it’s starting to feel more like a house! The decision to move back East after living in Seattle has mixed emotions. I loved the mild winters, the beautiful summers, and the scenery. Seattle will always have a special place in my heart. However, our friends and family back in Baltimore drew us back in. Every year we… Read More »New House Update: We have a 2nd floor!
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