7 Benefits of Quality Goat Milk Soap Do you deal with skin issues? Goat milk soap has cleared up my acne, but it has other benefits too! Read why you should consider switching to goat milk soap instead of conventional cleansers and possibly cure your skin issues! :: DontWastetheCrumbs.com
If you watch skincare and beauty commercials, you’ll notice that they highlight specific ingredients for their benefits.
Some add collagen and claim to fight wrinkles, while others add salicylic acid and say it clears up acne. I used commercial cleansers and scrubs for many, many years. But finally discovered a simple and all-natural beauty routine that helped clear up my acne-prone skin.
The first step that made an impact on my skin was eliminating the processed junk food from our diet. I didn’t know it at the time, and the impact happened very slowly over time. But I see it now when my skin breaks out after indulging in too many sweets or tortilla chips. For me, it’s affirmation that eating real food (and NOT eating real food) really does make an impact on the body.
The second step seemed to be a small one, but as hindsight is always 20/20. Switching to goat milk soap made me question all the other ingredients that are in my skincare and beauty items. Including the ingredients that are suppose to be good.
Switching to goat milk soap was a rather uneventful occasion. I went to the store, picked out the cheapest brand and brought it home. Just two days worth of washing made a noticeable difference in my skin and I decided to never switch back to commercial cleansers again.
Finding Quality Goat Milk Soap
I admit that at the time, I knew practically nothing about goat milk soap. I’m still not a pro by any stretch of the term, but I’ve been thoroughly testing soap from Bend Soap Company for the past seven weeks and have come to the following conclusion:
The best goat milk soap is one that contains no more than three ingredients:
goat milk
nourishing oils (coconut oil, palm oil and olive oil)
Many commercial soaps and cleansers, and even some homemade soaps, contain GMO products like soybean or corn oil. Do you see either of those two ingredients listed on your soap or cleanser? What about vegetable oil, canola oil or modified rapeseed oil? If so, that oil was most likely created from a GMO crop.
I know there’s controversy surrounding GMO crops and their effect on health, and given that every family is in a different place on their own health journeys, you won’t find me preaching to you one way or the other.
However, I can say that we’ve decided to stay away from them whenever possible. The fact that so many other countries have banned GMOs and the lack of information on long-term studies is sufficient enough for me to keep my distance for now, and until I know more.
Resource Suggestion: If you’re looking for literature on GMOs, “The GMO Deception” is a great eBook that’s simple to read and packed with helpful research.
If your soap doesn’t have a GMO oil, there’s really good chance it has another common ingredient among soaps and cleansers: sodium lauryl sulfate. This ingredient helps the soap to create a great lather, but it also strips the skin of the natural oils, leaving your skin dry and irritated. If your skin has ever felt tight, dry and itchy after washing, sodium lauryl sulfate might be to blame.
Which leads me to my thoughts of goat milk soap from Bend Soap Company. Can a bar that’s practically made of just milk and oil be good enough? Could a soap that doesn’t have the main ingredient of most other soaps really get the job done and clean my skin? Or would it just leave me reaching for another soap that actually worked?
The chips and salsa version: The goat milk soap from Bend Soap Company is the best goat soap I’ve tried so far.
The whole enchilada: There was lots of note taking during my testing phase, both physical and mental, so here’s what I thought of their soap.
Goat milk soap has cleared up my acne, but it has other benefits too! Read why you should try goat milk soap instead of conventional cleansers.
My Honest Opinion of Bend Soap Company’s Goat Milk Soap
It’s brown. This was weird at first, but makes sense when you consider the color of the original ingredients and the color that would result when you combine them. There are no dyes to hide this fact. The fact that this soap is brown makes me wonder what’s in other soaps to make them white, pink or green.
It doesn’t sting my eyes. This didn’t dawn on me until I went back and tried my old goat milk soap, which stung almost immediately. Bend Soap’s soap didn’t sting at all, even when taking my time to wash, fumble around for a washcloth, scrub and then finally rinse… all while wearing contacts no less! Now, it very well might possibly sting if left indefinitely, but it’s really nice to be able to wash my face without a) avoiding my eyes, or b) making a sprint to wash the soap off as soon as possible.
It doesn’t dry out my skin. When I finish washing, my skin is clean. It’s not tight or itchy. I still use moisturizer, but if I forget to apply one morning, my skin isn’t paying the price later in the day.
It washes off my makeup. On most days, my makeup consists of homemade tinted moisturizer, homemade powdered foundation and mascara – NOT the waterproof kind since it irritates my eyes. This soap took all of this off without any issues and no need for additional makeup remover.
It’s gentle. My skin is not red or irritated or showing any signs that the soap is bothersome. This doesn’t surprise me though, since they began making this soap in an effort to heal their son’s eczema.
It produces a very nice lather. A foamy, creamy lather that rinses clean without any sticky or slimy residue. Who would have thought that a simple, clean lather would be so nice! I even started using this soap specifically to produce a lather for shaving too.
The smell is subtle. So many soaps have this overpowering scent that lingers as the day goes on. Bend Soap’s soap smells good for sure (the eucalyptus spearmint is my favorite!). But you don’t walk around all day smelling like someone doused you in a spray bottle of mint. You just smell clean. And that’s how it should be.
Cost Breakdown
One 4.50 oz bar of goat milk soap from Bend Soap Company costs $4.95, making each ounce cost $1.10. At first glance, that sounds expensive. However, when searching for other goat milk soap of similar quality, I found this one that costs $2.42/oz, this one that costs $2.19/oz, this one for $2.17/oz, this one for $1.85/oz and then this one for $1.66/oz (although it has a few extra ingredients that aren’t bad, but aren’t needed either).
In the process I ruled out Canus, Alpen Secrets, The Little Soap Factory (my old soap), Nubian Heritage and Candlecopia because of their ingredients.
While I originally thought $1.10 per ounce was expensive, Bend Soap is actually the most affordable soap for its quality.
If you think this price tag is out of your league, think about these tips:
You know the irregular ends of a big batch of soap? Bend Soap Company sells 16oz of bulk scrap soap for just $8. This brings the price down to just 50¢ per ounce! Plus I’ve heard from readers that these scraps are just the same size as regular bars!
Handcrafted soap is somewhat softer than commercial soap. To keep it from dissipating too quickly, learn how to make it last.
Plus there are coupons too when you buy directly from Bend Soap:
SOAP25 saves 5% on your order of $25 or more
SOAP50 saves 10% off your order or $50 or more
SOAP100 saves 15% off your order of $100 or more
Shipping is a flat rate of $5 on orders $50 or more
Do you have sensitive skin? Switch to goat milk soap! Read these seven benefits to goat milk soap and learn why you should make the switch.
About the Company
Mr. Crumbs and I do our best to support small business owners who are like-minded and do their part to run a sustainable and ethical business. Bend Soap Company fits the bill. After reading their story, meeting the team and the family (they have 8 kids!) and learning about how they raise their goats, I knew this is a company we would want to support.
Marilee shared with me that they really want to help as many people as they can with their soaps. They’ve seen their soap alleviate eczema in their son first hand. And it helped others with various skin sensitivities too. She’s a mother of eight, and knows first hand what it’s like to deal with these issues.
They want to help to heal and nourish the skin naturally. Without having to buy expensive creams and make frequent visits to the dermatologist. The hand-written note from Marilee, included in my testing package, sealed the deal.
If you’re looking for a recommendation on goat milk soap, there it is.
As you can see, I’m BEYOND thrilled to partner with Bend Soap Company. Have you ever tried goat milk soap before?
This post is brought to you by Bend Soap Company and Crumbs is honored to partner with them. One bar at a time, Bend Soap Company is healing and nourishing skin with their all-natural goat milk soap and lotions.
7 Alternatives to Petroleum Jelly for Taking Care of Your Skin
For years, I couldn’t live without Vaseline®. I used it several times a day to moisturize my lips. I have to wonder, though – if it were really moisturizing, why would I need it again a few hours later? I have long since realized that there are better alternatives than petroleum jelly for taking care of my skin.
What is Petroleum Jelly?
Petroleum jelly is, of course, a by-product of the oil industry. It was patented in 1872, and over the years has been touted as a cure-all for any and and all skin problems, including burns. Today it is most commonly used to soften skin, and is an ingredient in many cosmetics, lotions and baby-care products.
DISCLOSURE: In order for me to pay my blogging expenses, I may receive monetary compensation for my endorsement and/or link to products mentioned on this blog. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Search the web and you’ll find lots of conflicting information on the safety of petroleum jelly. Some insist that it can cause cancer. The Environmental Working Group rates Vaseline brand as a 1, which is low on the toxicity scale.
Generic petroleum jelly gets a 4, which is cause for concern. The problem is that petroleum jelly is often contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS). And that scores a whopping 9 because of its potential to cause cancer, and its ability to bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans.
Even if not contaminated with PAHS, a by-product of the petroleum industry is just not something I want on my skin. Even if “safe”, it is not healing my skin, but is rather a temporary fix.
The thing is, petroleum jelly is not absorbed into the skin, so it does not truly moisturize it, but rather prevents moisture from evaporating. But it also prevents skin from absorbing moisture. It acts as a barrier, but can also trap bacteria in the skin. It does nothing to nourish my skin, and there are other items that I can use that do a better job, and are great for my skin. And it’s funny, now that I’m using these healthier products, I don’t seem to need to use them as often, especially on my lips like I did with Vaseline.
Edit: I was contacted by a representative of Vaseline® and was asked to post these corrections, which I’m happy to do: “As Vaseline® Jelly is non-comedogenic it does not suffocate pores, prevent the escape of sweat, sebum, or dirt from the skin or directly cause acne. Neither is Vaseline® Jelly 100% occlusive; it does not completely prevent moisture evaporation, but it does help skin maintain its moisture levels which promotes the skin’s own barrier repair and dry skin healing for beautiful, moisturized skin. [Ruby Ghadially, MD, Lars Halkier-Sorensen, MD, Peter Elias, MD; Effects of petrolatum on stratum corneum structure and function; J Am Acad Dermatol., 26 (3), 387-396 (Mar 1992)” Source
Alternatives to Petroleum Jelly
So, what other products can be used for skin care? Glad you asked. Below are 7 “oils” that may be used as an alternative to petroleum jelly. Six of them are rated 0 for toxicity, and one of them is rated 1 because it a potential allergen to those who are allergic to wool. Many of them are already in your kitchen.
Unrefined Coconut Oil
Unrefined coconut oil is extracted from the kernels of the seeds of the coconut palm. It provides deep and real moisture, and is easily absorbed into your skin. It also helps to strengthen underlying tissues and helps remove excessive dead cells on the skin’s surface that makes your skin rough and flaky in texture. Unrefined (or virgin) coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, is anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Because of it’s high level of antioxidants, it can also help to protect skin against sunburn. (Where to find unrefined coconut oil)
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is extracted from the roasted seeds of Theobroma cacao, a tree native to the Americas. Cocoa butter is solid at room temperature but melts at body temperature. It is rich and creamy and soaks right into your skin. And, like coconut oil, it’s rich in anti-oxidants and has sun-blocking properties. I found cocoa butter very helpful in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. (Where to find unrefined cocoa butter)
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a vegetable fat obtained from the fruit of a tree native to Africa. Shea butter is primarily composed of fatty acids such as stearic and oleic acids. It is especially great for lips, and anywhere you want to moisturize. The moisturizers in shea butter are the same as those produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin. It is very healing to the skin. (Where to find unrefined shea butter)
Tallow
Tallow is rendered from the fatty tissue of sheep, cattle, or deer. It consists primarily of fattyacid glycerides. Tallow from grass-fed cows is definitely the skin care ingredient of choice for me. Sebum, the oily substance secreted by our skin is similar in composition to tallow. Is that why it feels so wonderful on my skin? Perhaps. I render tallow from grass-fed beef fat the same way I render lard. Here’s how.
Lanolin
Lanolin is extracted from sheep’s wool. If you are allergic to wool, this is obviously not a good choice for you. It is not a fat, but a wax-like product secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Lanolin does not clog pores, yet provides a protective barrier. Nursing mothers often use lanolin to soothe cracked nipples. As with all of the products I’ve mentioned, it is important to use only pure lanolin with no additives. (Where to find pure lanolin)
Olive Oil
Olive oil is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree. Olive oil has been used since ancient times to soothe and moisturize dry skin. Olive oil is easily absorbed by the skin and is also rich in antioxidants which can help slow the aging of skin. (Where to find extra virgin olive oil)
Jojoba Oil
Not a true oil, but rather a liquid wax, jojoba oil, like tallow, has a composition close to our own sebum. Jojoba oil helps skin to retain moisture, and has healing properties. I use jojoba in my DIY Shampoo Bars. (Where to find pure jojoba oil)
Each of these products may be used alone to soothe and nourish your skin. You may also use them to make a myriad of wonderful skin care products from lip balm to body butter. Below are links to recipes for alternatives to petroleum jelly and other skin care products that you can make yourself.
60-Second Cardio Moves Rapid Results Resource Center
Fast Exercises You Can Do Anywhere!
SparkPeople has always promoted the benefits of a 10-minute workout as a great way to start incorporating fitness into your life. Studies have shown that the benefits of 10-minute fitness bursts, including improved blood sugar control, can last for up to an hour after your workout ends!
Whether you aim for just a few minutes at a time, several short workouts throughout the day, or cut yourself off at the 10-minute mark, we've got plenty of ideas for you to squeeze in cardio in as little as 60 seconds!
Here are 10 cardio moves you can use to build a custom workout that works for you and your schedule—no equipment required. There are several ways to approach this:
Choose one move to repeat for as long as you can sustain it (up to several minutes)
Try each move for 60 seconds, one after the next, resting between exercises if you need to.
Select one move to incorporate into a high intensity interval workout, shifting between max effort and low effort. For example, try the exercise at a fast rate for 20 seconds, followed by a slow to moderate pace for 40 seconds. Repeat the same move again (or try a new one) to extend your workout as long as you'd like.
You can mix up any number of moves to add up to 10 minutes. For example, go through five of your favorite moves, then repeat the series one more time.
Use these simple movements a minute at a time throughout your day for a fun (and caffeine-free) pick-me-up!
60-Second Cardio Moves
1. High Knees March in Place Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, and hands on your hips.
Action: Breathe deeply as you march in place with high knees, driving your knee up toward the ceiling with each step. Keep your hands on your hips as your march.
Special Instructions: Make sure you don't lean backward as you lift your knee each time. Lift your knees higher and/or march faster to increase the intensity.
2. V-Steps Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, feet together, arms at your sides, elbows bent.
Action: Picture a V on the floor with your feet standing on the bottom point. Breathe deeply as you step forward and back with the following foot pattern while pumping your arms at your sides: left step (forward) to the left point of the V, right step (forward) to the right point of the V, left step (back) to the bottom point of the V, right step (back) to the bottom point of the V. Repeat.
Special Instructions: For variety, you can also switch legs to lead with the right foot instead of the left foot (optional).You can increase the intensity of this exercise by taking bigger steps and/or moving more quickly. You can decrease the intensity by taking smaller steps, moving slower, and/or placing your hands on your hips.
3. Reverse Disco Step Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, legs placed wider than the hips and feet turned outward. Place both hands on your hips.
Action: Breathe deeply and reach your left arm across your chest at a diagonal toward the ceiling. Pull your left hand down and across the front of your body toward the floor as you tap your right toes behind your left foot. Return to the starting position and repeat on this side (pictured) OR switch sides repeatedly.
Special Instructions: Move quicker and/or take larger steps to increase intensity. Slow down and make your movement smaller to decrease intensity.
4. Step Touch with Double Punches Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed and elbows pointing behind you, palms next to your waist. You can place a resistance band, measuring tape, jump rope or other long object on the floor next to you as a guide (optional).
Action: Breathe deeply as you step-touch side to side while punching both arms forward on each step to the side and pulling them back in to the starting position on each tap (touch).
Special Instructions: If using a guide on the floor, step across it each time and monitor your footwork to avoid tripping. Be sure to move laterally without twisting or rotating your body. The wider you step to the side and the faster you move, the more intense this exercise will become.
5. Twisty Hop Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, legs together, arms at your sides, and elbows bent 90 degrees with your forearms parallel to the floor in front of you. From there, twist from the waist so that your torso (and arms) turn to the right and your lower body turns toward the left.
Action: This movement combines a twist with a hop. From the start position, hop with both legs together and land so that your lower body now points toward the right and the upper body twists to the left. Hop again, landing in the start position and repeat, twisting to the opposite side during each hop.
Special Instructions: Because of the twisting nature of this exercise, practice caution or avoid this exercise completely if you have any lower back or hip problems. Make sure your back is straight and your abs are engaged at all times. When twisting your upper and lower body should always point in opposite directions of each other. Focus on that twisting coming from the waist. Hopping higher and/or faster will increase the intensity of this movement.
6. Jumping Jacks Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, arms at your sides, and feet together.
Action: Hop out with both feet while extending your arms out, forming an X with your arms and legs. Hop back in to the starting position (legs together, arms at your sides). Repeat.
Special Instructions: Be sure to land softly, keeping the knees slightly bent to reduce impact. Move more quickly to increase the intensity.
7. Mountain Climbers Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, legs together, and arms at your sides. Bend forward to touch the floor (bend knees if necessary), shift your weight into your hands, then jump or walk your legs behind you to start in a plank position (hands under shoulders, abs pulled in tight, body in a straight line).
Action: Breathe deeply, keeping your back straight and abs engaged and "march" by bringing one knee toward your chest, return it to the floor, and then bring the opposite knee toward your chest. Repeat, continuously switching sides.
Special Instructions: Keep your belly pulled in tight at all times and make sure your hips do not fall toward the floor or lift toward the ceiling as you move your legs. You can march in this position (pictured) for a lighter intensity or move more quickly into a jog or run to increase your intensity.
8. Front Kicks with Squat Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, arms at your sides, elbows bent and feet hip-width apart. Make fists with your hands and bring your hands up in front of your chin as if in "defense." Keep arms up at all times.
Action: Breathe deeply, and squat down, shifting your weight into your heels while bending from the knees and hips. Push up out of your squat and shift your weight into your left to perform a front kick with your right leg (lift your right left knee toward the ceiling, extend your right knee to straighten your leg, then bend your knee again. Return your foot to the floor and squat down again. Repeat front kicks on this leg OR alternate legs after each kick (not pictured). After several repetitions on this leg, switch sides.
Special Instructions: Keep your abs engaged, the knee of your standing leg slightly bent, and find a focal point in front of you to aid in balancing. Try to avoid leaning back as your kick to the front. Make sure your knee does not lock when you extend your leg. To increase intensity, squat lower, kick higher and/or move faster. To decrease intensity, squat smaller, kick lower to the floor, and move slower.
9. Back Kicks Starting Position: Stand with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, elbows bent, hands in fists, feet together, and hands up in front of your chin as in in "defense." Keep your arms up at all times. Bend your knees and hips to come into a small squat, leaning slightly forward from the waist.
Action: Breathe deeply, shifting your weight into your left foot to prepare to kick your right leg. A proper kick should string together four phases: 1) Bend your right knee and lift your foot off the floor bringing your leg slightly behind you. 2) Extend your right knee to straighten your leg (foot flexed) to kick an imaginary target behind you. 3) Bend your knee again. 4) Return your foot to the floor. Repeat back kicks on this leg OR alternate legs after each kick (not pictured). After several repetitions on this leg, switch sides.
Special Instructions: Keep your abs engaged, the knee of your standing leg slightly bent, and find a focal point in front of you to aid in balancing. Limit the amount of forward leaning as your kick to the back. Make sure your knee does not lock when you extend your leg. Kick lower to the floor to decrease intensity or higher to increase intensity. Slow down or speed up depending on your fitness level.
10. Pivot and Reach Starting Position: Stand tall with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, legs spaced wider than your hips, feet turned outward and knees bent slightly. Place your hands on your hips.
Action: Keeping both feet on the floor at all times, breathe deeply and pivot on the ball of your left foot (heel off the floor) and turn your body toward the right while reaching your left arm overhead next to your ear. Return to the starting position, facing front, hands on hips. Switch sides by pivoting on the ball of your right foot, turning your body toward the left and reaching your right arm overhead. Return to center. Switch sides and repeat.
Special Instructions: Keep your abdominals engaged throughout this exercise. To increase intensity, move more quickly and/or squat more deeply when returning to the start position each time.
What are your favorite ways to add short bouts of exercise to your day? Article created on: 10/1/2013
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Nicole Nichols
A certified personal trainer and fitness instructor with a bachelor's degree in health education, Nicole loves living a healthy and fit lifestyle and helping others do the same. Nicole was formerly SparkPeople's fitness expert and editor-in-chief, known on the site as "Coach Nicole." Make sure to explore more of her articles and blog posts.
Original article and pictures take www.sparkpeople.com site
Welcome to our weekly Foodie Friday link up! I’m linking up with Annmarie from the Fit Foodie Mama, Esther from Chocolate Runner Girl + Jess from Hello To Fit to create awesome healthy recipes each week! Today’s theme = Favorite Snack(s)!
I was all for sharing a new recipe (namely, Sriracha Popcorn), but…I’m trying to spend as little money as humanly possible on cost of living so that I’ll have more leeway when I see my friends and family again in a couple weeks!
This basically translates to…I’m not spending money on food for another week, so we’re goin’ with a roundup of a bunch of healthy snack favorites!
As my husband and I transitioned from a dual income household (without children) to a single full time income after having children, we have adopted more frugal habits (out of necessity!), and have always avoided credit card debt.
We’re doing our best to instil these same habits into our children through what we teach them about money. Today, I’m sharing 6 ways we do this.
1. Alert them to media influences.
Children learn to want more by watching advertisements. The media has incredible influence.
When they were very little, my children watched their favourite shows on a children’s channel that didn’t have any adverts. During this period, the only time I had a challenge with ‘wants’ was when we were shopping together and they saw what they liked in the shops.
When my children got a little older, they switched to a TV channel geared towards primary school aged children, which did show advertisements in between shows. We noticed a significant increase in their desire for things as soon as they switched!
My husband and I talked to them about the subtle messages found in marketing and explained how some of the messages enticed them to buy.
By making them more aware, they became better critical thinkers and they no longer just blindly believe every message.
2. Be firm and don’t give in to instant gratification.
When we went to the supermarket, I would hardly ever give in to demands for toys and treats, and so they got used to not being able to buy a toy just because we went to the shop.
My typical response when I got a request from them was ‘Put it on your birthday list or Christmas list’. This helped them have a ‘cooling off’ period on things – often, later, what they wanted didn’t seem as important anymore and wouldn’t even make it on the ‘gift list’.
Teaching them to think twice before buying something has led to them adopting more of a ‘delayed gratification’ approach – now, on their own, they will often work out for themselves whether or not something is worth the cost. For example, we were at a theme park the other day and after my eldest son saw the cost of the ‘Fast queue pass’ option he said, ‘It’s not worth it – look how much it is, and it’s not even for most of the rides that we want to go on’.
This showed me that he had learned some restraint when it came to spending!
3. Teach the value of working for money and saving up.
Our children have generally had to save up themselves for bigger purchases, like a Playstation or their own tablet, because we wanted them to learn how to save and wait for something.
The hard work involved in saving for it means they appreciate and look after it better too, plus they learn the value of work.
I loved how our sons got really creative and made their own things to sell at the bottom of our driveway, including creating drawings and finding unused toys, books and DVDs to sell. Some kind neighbours bought from them (out of pity I think!) But they learned some valuable lessons of resourcefulness, creativity, persistence and courage – it took courage to stop passersby and ask them to buy from them. They were bolder than I would have been!
They also learned to create their own ‘marketing’ signs, like ‘Buy now!’ and ‘Sale’ or ‘Buy one get one free’.
Then they offered to do things around the house. My youngest son cleaned our car, they both folded clothes, and put aside birthday money. They learned to be patient and save up.
4. Help them be immune to the need to constantly ‘keep up’.
I don’t want my children to feel they MUST have the latest and greatest of every new iphone, technology, clothes or home decor fashion… so I made sure to try and to demonstrate to them that it’s really not important to me. Now, that is the attitude they have too.
My sons don’t care about having tons of clothes or lots of games and things to ‘keep up’ with others. Thankfully, they are still immune to it. Now, sometimes when I offer to buy them another shirt, they say, ‘Oh no thanks. I don’t need one’ !
5. Model spending within your budget
It’s fairly common for my son to lean over my shoulder and ask about what I’m doing when I’m filling in our budget on the computer. I
I am grateful to be able to use those moments to teach him the value of always knowing where your money is going and how much you have available as discretionary spending money.
6. Teach them about giving
Giving is another important part of money management.
My husband and I both support children in extreme poverty through Compassion International, and our boys know about these two children who have very little materially. They know that our contribution helps ensure these children get the opportunity to go to school, and to escape poverty.
We hope we are teaching our boys to be givers through our example — as well as how grateful they should be that they are wealthier than most of the world’s population.
When they are a little older we’d like to take them on a mission trip to visit children in disadvantaged situations. This will give them a perspective that will probably change their lives like nothing else could!
How about you?
What are your best tips to teach children good money management?
Sue Sundstrom is a coach and writer who is passionate about helping people fulfil their dreams. Get more tips and inspiration on how to live fully by visiting her blog.
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Original article and pictures take moneysavingmom.com site
6 Ways to Stay Healthy During Holiday Travel We pack two main items to stay healthy during holiday travel, essential oils & natural medicines, and use these other home remedies to stay healthy while on the road! :: DontWastetheCrumbs.com
This year we spent the week of Thanksgiving with Mr. Crumbs family in Outer Banks, North Carolina. 8 adults and 7 kids shared 3 floors of an AirBNB rental on the beach and everyone had a blast.
This Christmas we’ll spend a week in Chicago with my side of the family. Six of us will bunk up in my grandma’s home that has likely gotten smaller as I’ve gotten older.
We make sure to include simple ways to stay healthy in the winter as part of our normal routine, but with all the travel going on this year, it’s anything but normal! If your holidays are anything like mine, use this list of ways to stay healthy during holiday travel to stay well this season.
6 Ways to Stay Healthy During Holiday Travel
1. Eat, Drink and Consume Probiotics
80% of the immune system lies in the gut so give it a boost and a protective barrier by consuming probiotics on a daily basis. It does take some time for the good bacteria to flourish in your gut, so if probiotics aren’t a part of your health routine already, plan to include them 2-4 weeks before you travel.
At home I do this with yogurt and a probiotic in my daily smoothie. I also drink kombucha as part of my daily routine.
When you’re traveling, aim to eat yogurt at least every other day and take a good probiotics supplement. I have this one in addition to finishing up the last of a powder I found when we moved, and this one is great for the kids.
2. Don’t Skip Out on Sleep
Obviously you need sleep to function, but according to this article,
Your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy. Ongoing sleep deficiency can change the way in which your immune system responds. For example, if you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble fighting common infections.
How do you stay caught up on sleep while traveling?
Don’t stay up past 10pm
Get 30 minutes of sunlight every day
Rest when you’re tired instead of pushing through
Avoid excessive sugar, caffeine and processed foods (they can interfere with moods and digestion)
On a side note: I learned the hard way when writing Grocery Budget Bootcamp that sleep deprivation can take a toll on the immune system. Getting enough sleep is hard to do when life is busy or there are fun things to do. But it’s still super important and shouldn’t be skipped!
Traveling can strain the immune system. If you're trying to stay healthy during holiday travel and don't want to tote a whole pharmacy with you, check out these simple tips and natural products.
3. Use Maty’s
We’ve been using Maty’s Healthy Products for over two years now and it’s saved us on trips numerous times. For our Thanksgiving trip I packed both the all-natural vapor rub and the organic cough syrup like I always do – just in case – and wouldn’t you know it, we ended up using both!
One day into the trip my daughter was having a hard time falling asleep because of congestion. I rubbed Maty’s vapor rub and she was asleep within minutes. (They have a baby-safe vapor rub too.)
Then two days later my niece had a sore throat. Although she wasn’t coughing, my sister-in-law was comfortable giving her Maty’s organic cough syrup because of the list of natural ingredients, including honey (which is known to help with sore throats), apple cider vinegar and immune-boosting spices. My niece never mentioned a sore throat again!
You bet I’ll be packing these again for our Christmas trip.
Tip: Want to try Maty’s? Be sure to check them out of Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more ways to stay healthy during the travel season!
I use a few natural products and common sense tips to keep my family healthy during holiday travel. It's not hard to keep the sniffles away even on the road!
4. Pack Essential Oils
Anytime I travel, I pull together an “essential oil kit” that includes the oils I use most often at home AND that cover most common ailments.
Peppermint for headaches and fever (aromatically & topically)
Eucalyptus for congestion (aromatically)
RC or Raven for congestion (topically)
Lavender and Orange for anxiety and stress (aromatically & topically)
Digize for tummy and digestion (topically)
Along with rest, these oils work wonders for us and tend to keep us out of drugstores. (I prefer buy my essential oils here.)
Tip: Anytime one of us is congested (which seems to happen more than anything else), I put some of Maty’s vapor rub in my hand and use it as the carrier for a drop or two of RC or Raven. Then I diffuse eucalyptus at night.
5. Moderate the Sweets
I know the cookies and pastries and cakes are hard to resist and I’ll be the first one to throw caution to the wind and eat pie all day, but since our health relies so much on what we eat, let’s establish a guideline.
One sweet per day
After a piece of fruit
Maybe it’s the mom in me coming out with this rule, but I’ve found that moderating my intake of sweets really does make a difference in how I feel and my body’s ability to fight off icky stuff.
Plus allowing myself one sweet each day doesn’t deprive me – it just forces to be intentional with what I’m eating and choose the sweet I REALLY want.
Could you eat the whole plate of cookies? Of course you could. But then you wouldn’t feel good OR fit into your pants. You’re welcome.
6. Drink More Water
“Drink more water” probably sounds like hogwash and a broken record, but like sleep, your body really does need water to function well and it’s one reason why I gave it its own section in my book.
Extended mornings with pots of coffee and holiday cocktail celebrations in the evening are fun, but your body needs water. Here are a couple tricks I use to make sure I drink enough during the day:
Get a water bottle you like to drink out of (I have this one)
Drink water with dinner
Drink a glass when you wake up and a glass before you go to bed.
7. Get Out of the Car and Wash Your Hands
Imagine a family sneezing, coughing and otherwise spewing germs into a closed area for 3-4 hours at a time. If you have any travel plans that include driving, THIS IS YOUR CAR!
Anytime you fill up for gas, get out of the car and wash your hands. Let fresh air into the car to clear out the germy, stale air and wash your hands to kill whatever ickies you might be carrying.
I don’t recommend using hand sanitizers because of the ingredients, but a batch of homemade hand sanitizer would be nice to have, just in case.
With a little bit of planning ahead, you can easily stay healthy during holiday travel and truly enjoy the season!
How do you stay healthy while you’re traveling?
This post is sponsored by Maty’s Healthy Products. I’m excited to have found their brand and have used them for the past couple years as my go-to natural medicine for my kids (and me!). As always, I would never recommend anything on Crumbs that I wouldn’t recommend to a close friend or neighbor, and all opinions here are my own.
Before Prince Charming and I became parents, I read an article about a chef explaining how he fed his own children. Not sparing them from any kind of food, the chef cooked his normal meals, his children ate what was on their plates, and they were not picky eaters.
I knew that if and when I became a mother, I had to follow the same example.
When I was pregnant with Big Brother, I read about how babies developed a taste for what their mothers ate by tasting the flavors through the amniotic fluid, and later through breast milk. (Yes, moms – what you eat does make a difference.) Because I wanted my children to become healthy eaters, I tried to eat a lot of vegetables during both pregnancies.
Once Big Brother and Little Sister were old enough to try solids, we started them on rice cereal, then oatmeal … and then vegetables. Any vegetable I could cook and puree, they would try.
And do you know what? They love vegetables. It doesn’t matter what’s on his plate, Big Brother will choose to scarf down broccoli or green beans first. And when he spies a tray of fresh fruits and vegetables, he happily eats helping after helping of pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and sugar snap peas. The boy loves his veggies. (Little Sister has a much bigger sweet tooth and prefers fruit, but she doesn’t complain about vegetables.)
6 Ways to Raise Healthy Eaters {Accidentally Green}
Many parents and grandparents have been very surprised when watching my children eat. They clearly prefer vegetables and rarely make a fuss about what’s on their plate – they just eat.
I know not all children are this way, which is why I save my Chicken Nugget recipe for play dates. I love to pair it with sweet potato fries (the recipe is next Friday) and apple slices for a nutritious lunch. It’s typical kid-fare with a healthy twist.
Helpful hints
Just in case you’re struggling with children who have unhealthy eating habits, here are six tips that have worked for my family:
1. Make one meal for your entire family.
Life’s busy, and you shouldn’t have to feel like a short order cook. Serve everyone the same thing, and if your children are hungry, they will eat it. Our pediatricians have always told us that when our children hit a picky eating phase, not to worry – they will eat when they’re hungry, and they won’t waste away if they skip a meal or two. I know that mealtime battles can be tough. (Just because Big Brother likes vegetables, it doesn’t mean he appreciates every meal I prepare.) But don’t give in to a small child’s ever-changing appetite.
2. Include some splurge days.
If your children like chicken nuggets or pizza, serve chicken nuggets or pizza every so often. But make it healthy. Make your own chicken nuggets instead of buying the unhealthy processed ones, or make your own pizza from scratch. Ask your children to help you top it with a bunch of fresh vegetables, and they’ll get really excited to try their own culinary creation.
3. If you have infants, feed them vegetables.
If they’re breastfeeding, eat vegetables so they acquire a taste for veggies early on. And if they’re old enough to eat solids, feed them the real deal. Forget about jarred baby foods, and feed them actual fruits and vegetables. Avocados and bananas make healthy snacks and meals that are the perfect consistency for beginning eaters.
4. To help instill adventurous eating habits, make sure you’re eating adventurously as a family.
Try new flavors. Pick a new dish. Create special monthly mealtimes where you pick out new recipes with new ingredients, then shop together and prepare the meal together. Even if you don’t love the flavors, at least you’ll have a memorable experience trying something new together.
5. If you’re nervous about becoming an adventurous eater, take baby steps.
It’s as simple as choosing one different fruit or vegetable the next time you’re at the grocery store. As a family, we love trying one new thing – whether it’s introducing the children to mangos for dessert, or trying artichokes or quinoa as a side dish. Introducing a healthy variety of nutritious foods doesn’t have to be difficult. Make sure it’s fun, and reap the dietary benefits.
6. I hate to be Captain Obvious, but only offer healthy snacks.
To raise healthy eaters, keep all the unhealthy junk food out of your home. Stop buying pop, potato chips, sugary cereals, sugary fruit snacks, and whatever other junk your family likes. When your son or daughter asks for a snack, offer a choice between two healthy things – a fruit or vegetable. You’ll be surprised that they really do care if they get a banana or carrot slices.
