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Tips for the Busy Mom

August 30, 2017 2 Comments

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Sejoyia, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CocoRoonsAtWalmart http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I don’t know about you, but I’m nearing my busiest time of the year. Getting ready for a move, the husband starting a new job, homeschooling a fourth grader, working from home, upcoming holidays and events approaching, plus tending to my everyday responsibilities can leave me feeling flustered and overwhelmed. I find that if I do a few key things to keep myself organized and healthy, I’m a much happier busy mom. I know I can’t be alone in this, so I thought I’d share some Tips for the Busy Mom.

Use a Day Planner or Calendar

I can’t live without my day planner. No joke. Everything from bills, work due dates, meal plans, appointments, extracurriculars, homeschool objectives, business meetings, vacations, reminders, etc goes into my planner. It holds me accountable and keeps me on track. I set aside time on Sunday evening to plan out the week. And let’s be honest, there’s no way I could remember it all and I don’t pretend to. My planner goes with me everywhere.

Use a To Do or Check List

Again with accountability and keeping me focused and on task, a To Do List is essential for me. I make my daily To Do List each morning, or sometimes if I am really on top of my game, the night before. And I have to be honest, checking things off my To Do List is one of my favorite things ever.

Stay Hydrated

From one coffee lover to another, I get you girl. But remember that it’s important to get in lots of H2O throughout your busy day. Not only is water intake healthy for your body, but it will also keep your energy up and help with lethargy.

Treat Yourself

I love to snack. Almost as much as I love my child. I often snack during the day while I’m working, schooling, or running errands. So finding healthy snacks options is a must for me. One of my favorite go-to snacks is Sejoyia Coco-Roons from Walmart. These delicious superfood cookies are organic, gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, paleo, and made without refined sugar. Plus they are made with a handful of ingredients that you know, can pronounce and provide nutritional value. I literally have zero guilt snacking on these guys and they are delicious, y’all! With both Brownie and Lemon Pie Coco-Roons, you can’t go wrong. Brownie Coco-Roons are made with the finest raw, organic cocoa and has a delicious deep, rich flavor and Lemon Pie is light and refreshing. I keep them in my purse, at my desk, and they go with us on hikes and trips.

Are you a snacker like me? Then get your Coco-Roons on, girl, and continue to slay your day.

Take advantage of the $0.75 off ibotta offer when you purchase one Sejoyia Coco-Roons (Brownie and Lemon Pie) at Walmart on the gluten free aisle, while supplies last! Also, get an additional $.50 for redeeming the rebate on 3 different shopping trips!

There you have it… four Tips for the Busy Mom. I hope they help you!

What gets you through your busy day? What’s your favorite healthy snack you treat yourself to?

Filed Under: healthy, Mommy Tell All Monday, motherhood, organization, planner, tips

DIY Cleansing Facial Pads

July 26, 2017 1 Comment

Hello Mine for the Making readers! The Oily Bee here to share more healthy, chemical free goodness with y’all this month.

One thing I can’t stand is washing my face right before bed. Can you relate? The entire process makes me not want to do it, because really I just want to get into bed. Plus, the sink gets all messy, my shirt gets soaked, and I don’t like feel like cleaning the sink right before bed! LIGHT BULB! DIY cleansing facial pads! Yes!

I’ve tried to use the store bought cleansing pads, but I haven’t found one I super like. I also don’t feel like using chemicals on my face. NO THANKS! So I decided to make my own, chemical free cleansing pads! It’s SUPER easy my friends! Lets get started.

You’ll need:
– 4oz glass container (I got mine at Target at the dollar wheel!)
– Small squirt of Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild Unscented Castile Soap (you can get at any Sprouts or Whole Foods store and Amazon)
– 1 tsp unscented or (MY FAVORITE) rose Witch Hazel
– 8 drops of Young Living Frankincense Essential Oil
– 2-3 drops of Young Living Manuka Essential Oil
– 1/4 cup of distilled water
– 15-20 exfoliating cotton rounds (purchased mine at Target)

Directions:

Mix everything together really well in a glass measuring cup. This makes it easier to pour in your jar after. Fill your glass jar half way with the cotton rounds and slowly pour half of the mixture on top. Then add the rest of the rounds and continue to pour the rest of the mixture onto them as well. Seal your jar and let it sit for at least one hour before using. You want the mix to really soak into the rounds.

That’s it! Now you can make your own DIY Facial Cleansing Pads in just a few easy steps. No chemicals. No mess. I love the way Frankincense and Manuka work together to make my skin feel clean! And it makes washing your face before bed quick and easy…. perfect for the busy mom!

Until next time friends, stay happy, healthy, and chemical free!

The Oily Bee

Filed Under: DIY, healthy, homemade, motherhood, recipe Tagged With: chemical free, health, wellness

DIY Sunscreen

June 26, 2017 Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to the affiliate policy.

Hi there Mine for the Making readers! Bee here with the-oily-bee.com! It’s summer time here in the desert, and that means I’ll be out by the pool! So what is the number 1 thing we need during the summer to protect ourselves? Sunscreen! It’s super important to protect that precious skin of ours from that bright sun! I want something that is ALL natural, and SAFE to use on myself and my family. I have a great recipe you can try out! Thanks to my all time favorite oil educator, Jen O’Sullivan. I love her recipes, You can find her books on amazon and I recommend them! Let’s get started.

Sunscreen SPF 35 (Essential Oil Make & Takes, By Jen O’Sullivan)

You will need:

4 Ounce glass jar
2 tablespoons Cocoa butter
1 tablespoon Beeswax
1/2 tablespoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil
1/2 tablespoon Carrot Seed Oil
1 tablespoon Zinc Oxide Powder (Non Nano)
10 Drops each Lavender and Frankincense Essential Oils
Gloves
Facemask

Directions to make: In a double Boiler (or you can totally do what I do, and put a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water), melt the cocoa butter. Turn off the boiler and add your Carrot Seed, and Raspberry Seed Oils and blend well. Add essential oils and stir until combined. Grab your mask, and put on your gloves for this next step! Once your gloves, and mask are on, slowly start adding your Zinc Oxide Powder into your mix. Add a small amount at a time until fully blended into the lotion. Use a mixer for several minutes to make sure all is evenly blended. Pour lotion into your container, and let cool before using.

Side note: Always use gloves and a face mask when you are dealing with Zinc Oxide powder. Although this is an all natural ingredient and non-toxic when used in your lotion, it should not be inhaled. Do not have young children in the room when working with zinc oxide powder.

Directions to use: Apply to exposed skin before heading out to enjoy your nice sunny day! This sunscreen is water-resistant but not waterproof. Reapply after swimming or every 30 minutes (depending on your skin, if you are more likely to get sunburned apply more often) while swimming.

Apply every hour or as often as you need.

There you have it! Your DIY Sunscreen!!

Make sure you always reapply your sunscreen. Take care of that skin!!

Just a quick little tip if you happen to get too much sun (I did this weekend): After a long day in the sun, get out your pure Aloe Vera gel (this should be a clear gel substance). Pour some gel in a 4oz container, and add 10 drops each Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils. Apply on red areas and start to feel the relief. This felt so GREAT on my shoulders! I will have this in my bag ALL summer long.

Thank you for stopping by!! Enjoy and visit me on Instagram for even more healthy tips and tricks.

Hugs,

The Oily Bee

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Filed Under: healthy, outdoor, recipe, summer

Tips for Taking Kids Fishing

June 1, 2017 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PrepFreeProtein #CollectiveBias

Hi there makers! We had a great Memorial weekend as a family camping and fishing. My husband took my daughter fishing for the first time and she really enjoyed it. The place we camped at in our RV had a great catch and release pond for her to practice. While we were there, we came up with some great tips for taking kids fishing and thought we’d share with all of you!

1. Prepare your kids. Let them know that fishing takes time and patience. These are great lessons to learn as a child… and even as an adult (I speak for myself of course!).

2. Get a good starter fishing pole (we got ours at Walmart for $8), bait, hooks, and bobbers.

3. Bring water! You’ll be at the pond, lake, or river for a bit, so be sure to stay hydrated.

4. Bring your phone or camera so you can take a picture of the fish you catch! You’ll want to remember your kid’s first catch and so will they.

5. Pack snacks to bring with you, and preferably with protein. Lorissa’s Kitchen is our go-to when we are camping, hiking, road tripping, or standing in our favorite theme parks’ lines.

Because it’s prep-free, it’s so convenient to throw it into a fanny pack, backpack, or tote. Our favorite flavors are Korean Barbecue Beef and Sweet Chili Pork, but all of them are so delicious. Lorissa’s Kitchen is high in protein, low in carbs, low in fat, has no MSG, no preservatives and is gluten free. It’s a great on-the-go snack to have on hand. We buy ours from our local Kroger store in the snack aisle.

You can save $1.00 off any Lorissa’s Kitchen product (2.25 oz.) with this coupon from June 1st – August 29th, 2017. There will be a one-day in-store sampling event mid-June at Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, and QFC stores on Friday, June 16th – Sunday, June 19th, 2017.

Check out Lorissa’s Kitchen on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest/YouTube too.

Have you taken your kids fishing? What tips do you have to add to our list and what’s your favorite snack to bring along?

Filed Under: family, healthy, motherhood, snacks, travel

Tips for a Chemical-Free Clean Home

May 22, 2017 Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please refer to the policy page.

Hey there Mine for the Making readers! Bernice here from The Oily Bee, and I want to share something pretty awesome with you. I’m all about cleaning out the chemicals in your home. A healthy home=healthy life. So today I’m going to share tips for a chemical-free, clean home.

Do me a HUGE favor. Download this free app. It’s called Think Dirty. Its FREE, and opens up your eyes! Ever wonder what exactly is in the everyday products you use? From shampoo, to dish soap, to your deodorant! Holy smokes, it’s actually kind of, well, really crazy. Even most of your “all natural” products contain high levels of toxins. So what in the world do we do??

It feels like a losing battle sometimes when we have companies feeding us lies in order to sell a product. Well I have some simple solutions! It doesn’t take much to start changing out some of the products you are using in your home I’m going to give you my ultimate favorite product I use in my home, that does not require you to spend an arm and a leg! Are you ready?

My favorite cleaner in the world… Theives cleaner and I get mine from Young Living.

For years I have been using other cleaning products, and even attempted to use the “natural” labeled cleaners. This is where the app came in handy- Think Dirty rates products from 1-10. 1 being non-toxic, and 10 being toxic. Many of the natural products showed as being 8 or 9, so I decided that I needed to find something out there that would replace my original household cleaner, but also able to clean the germs. Try it out on your cleaners at home!

Thieves cleaner has been in our home for over 2 years now. I use it for ALL of my surfaces. Mopping the floors, cleaning my granite counters, stainless steal appliances, mirrors, and I use it in my bathrooms. #winning! One, safe cleaner for all of that!

It is a 14.4 fl oz bottle, and one bottle of Thieves cleaner has last me a little over a year. Why and how does it last so long? Well, it’s because it is so concentrated and a little goes a long, LONG way. Now, how do I mix it? It’s super simple. The recommended ratios are also posted on the bottle, but what I do is get a spray bottle, fill it to about 32 oz of distilled water, and then add your capful size of Thieves cleaner! There ya go! Throw out that old cleaner, because this one is about to rock your socks off!!

Some questions you might be asking yourself…is it kid safe? pet safe? safe to use when pregnant? YES to all! I have a pup, I have a 3 year old boy, and I’m pregnant with baby number 2. I’ve never felt so safe and good about using this cleaner around my home.

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It’s the easiest and most effective household cleaner I have ever used. I can clean my home safely and efficiently. Having that control over what you use in your home is a beautiful feeling!

Thank you all for stopping by! I look forward to sharing more healthy living tips with you.

Bernice Parker, The Oily Bee

Follow me on Instagram for more healthy tips!

Filed Under: healthy, home, motherhood, tips

#ad Tiki Orange Cornish Hens

September 9, 2015 5 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JuicyGrilledCornish #CollectiveBias

How was your holiday weekend, friends? Ours was busy but we were about to carve some time away to pull out the grill! I LOVE grilling… the smell is so nostalgic for me. Lots of backyard barbecues when I was growing up. This weekend we decided to grill up some Tiki Orange Cornish Hens and veggies. Y’all… it was delicious!! Probably one of my favorite recipes for the grill to date.

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tyson® Cornish Hens
bell peppers (any colors you like)
onion
1 orange (+ zest of orange)
1 1/2 tbs Kikkoman® Soy Sauce
1 cup orange juice (pulp free)
salt
10 drops lime juice
1 1/2 tbs water
3 tbs sugar
5 tbs white vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic (minced)
1 tsp ginger (minced)

After you purchase your ingredients from your local Walmart, defrost the Tyson® Cornish Hens, chop your veggies, and heat up your grill. Once they are defrosted, squeeze a slice of orange (1/6 of the orange) over each hen and stuff the hen with the orange slice. Massage salt and the juice into the hens and place them on the hot grill to add grill marks on both sides (about 1-2 min on each side). Take the hens off and wrap each in aluminum foil. Turn the heat down low on the grill and place the hens back on. Cover the grill and cook for about 30-40 minutes.

While hens are cooking on the grill, add your chopped veggies to skewers and set aside. In a bowl wisk together the juice of the orange, zest of the orange, cup of orange juice, water, vinegar, sugar, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and Kikkoman® Soy Sauce. Reduce to 1/4 on the stove top until it is the consistency of a glaze (as it cools it thickens).

Take the tiki orange glaze and skewers to the grill and uncover the hens. Place the skewers on the grill and brush the glaze all over the hens and the veggies. Leave veggies on the grill for about 5-10 minutes while your are basting the hens. Be sure to turn your veggies so that they grill up on all sides.

Remove everything from the grill and plate. This meal is great on a bed of fresh spinach, with a side of jasmine rice, or roasted red potatoes!

Find all the ingredients for this recipe at your local Walmart. You can find the Kikkoman® Soy Sauce in the Asian Foods aisle and the two pack of Tyson® Cornish Hens in the frozen poultry section.

So, I want to hear it! Do you love to grill? What are some of your favorite cornish hen recipes?

Filed Under: food, healthy, homemade, meal planning, recipe Tagged With: grill

Stuffed Apple Slices

August 27, 2015 1 Comment

Today I am going to share a really fun recipe you can make with your kids! It’s always great getting the kids involved in the prepping and even cooking of a meal. This recipe is a great healthy snack and an easy one for kids preschool age and up to make. Check out these Stuffed Apple Slices… it’s one of the many awesome recipes in the Children’s Culinary Institute curriculum.

INGREDIENTS

2 large apples
1 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, etc)
1 tbsp raw honey (local is the best)
2 tbsp mini carob chips

Using an apple coring tool, core the apples and dry out the centers with a paper towel. If you don’t feel comfortable with the little ones using the coring tool, you can take over that step and have the kids dry out the centers when you’re done.

Next mix all ingredients (except the apples) in a mixing bowl.

Using a spoon or a butter knife, fill the center of the apples with the nut butter mixture. Stuff them good!! Wrap them with plastic wrap and stick them in the fridge for an hour (I set the timer so I don’t forget). After an hour, remove the pastic wrap and slice apples in thin slices. Serve!

Look at that proud, satisfied smile! Having kids involved in the cooking process often encourages them to try new things and make healthier choices. And this snack is a great no-cook, no-bake recipe which is perfect for summer time when you don’t want to heat up the house and you want to give the kids something fun to do.

Interested in learning more about becoming a CCI instructor? Click HERE and fill out the form at the top of the page.

Interested in finding classes for your kids in your area? Click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Arlena {Children’s Culinary Institute}

Filed Under: healthy, kid-friendly, recipe, snacks

Three Tips for a Healthy Feline Friend

April 11, 2015 6 Comments

I don’t know about you, but we are an animal loving family. We LOVE our pets and they are literally part of our family! We have Bruzer (our Chihuahua), Olaf (our dwarf bunny) and Daisy (our Tabby cat). If we had more room, we’d have more animals! We love to keep our pets happy, which means keeping them healthy. Today I am going to share three tips for a healthy feline friend.

1. Feed your cat a healthy, nourishing cat food.

Until recently, I haven’t paid much attention to the ingredients in my pets foods. Since our family has transitioned to a mostly gluten free, more healthy conscious diet, I have been a label reading crazy person. I noticed that the foods I had been purchasing my cat were not at all nutritious for her, which was probably contributing to her weight issue. So I decided to try out Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food after reading the label.

Real whitefish is the #1 ingredient
Zero grains, glutens or fillers
Zero meat or poultry by-product meal
Zero artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
First zero grain dry cat formula

I introduced Rachael Ray Nutrish to my Daisy girl by giving her half of her old food and half Rachael Ray Nutrish for the first week, then I slowly started weening out the old cat food. Daisy had no problem taking to Rachael Ray Nutrish at all! She LOVES it! Get a $3 off coupon for it HERE!

2. Play time!

Cats can be super lazy animals (now you know where the term “cat nap” comes from) if you don’t encourage them to play. It can be something as simple as a piece of yarn or a cat toy with a bell. Either way, get out that toy and play with your kitty at least once a day.

3. Set aside time for brushings.

Purchase yourself a good animal brush and set aside time to brush your cat. This helps with shedding, fur balls, and they absolutely LOVE it. It’s like the best pet session ever. I typically do this once a week, but you can always do it more. I’m sure your kitty won’t object!

Keeping a healthy pet means a happy, content pet is so important. With these three tips, I guarantee your kitty will be a happy one!

Follow Rachael Ray Nutrish on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information and updates on products.

Filed Under: gluten free, healthy, tips Tagged With: cat, feline, grain free, pet, pets

Where Does Sugar Hide?

February 17, 2015 Leave a Comment

Sugar is an added ingredient in almost all of our foods in one way or another. There are also natural sugars that are found in fruits and vegetables. So what do we need to be concerned about and what do we need to look for when shopping and looking for a healthier life style? Sugar can be dangerous and harmful to our bodies if we at least don’t try using it in moderation. So you are probably asking, Where does sugar hide?

The sugar in fruit is naturally occurring and is a monosaccharide called fructose, which is a carbohydrate. This differs from table sugar, which is a disaccharide known as sucrose. The sugar in fruits contains vitamins, minerals, and has health benefits, compared to the sugar we consume in a candy, crackers, juice, cereal, protein bars, soda, yogurt, etc. Too much sugar can aid in diabetes, obesity, addiction, cancer, raise your cholesterol and is full of empty calories.

So when looking at our food labels, be proactive and try to avoid buying a lot of foods that have high amounts of Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup. You will be surprised when you start looking at all the foods you typically buy and how much Sugar and High Fructose Corn syrup is hiding in them… even foods that we think are healthier options. Here are a group of items and you may be surprised by which ones have high amounts of sugar and/or High Fructose Corn Syrup in them. Try to live a healthier life style by consuming sugary foods in moderation.

Shannon {Fitness Food Diva}

Filed Under: contributor, fitness, healthy, mom, motherhood, tips

Three Tips for Drinking More Water

February 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and DripDrop®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DrinkDripDrop #DripDropHydrates http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Friends. I have a confession. I don’t drink nearly enough water. I am a HUGE soda drinker (Diet Coke with ice and a cute straw please!) and I know that it’s time to cut it out of my diet. But guys. It’s really hard for me. So I’ve decided to focus on my soda-kicking goal a little differently. Instead of focusing on cutting soda out, I’m focusing on adding more water in. And I wanted to share these three tips for drinking more water, which has really helped me cut the soda out.

1. Add DripDrop to your water.

I have ruined my tongue with soda. It’s true. Water just seems so boring to me now (rude, I know). So I add a packet of DripDrop to my water bottle and it adds a delicious lemon (or berry!) flavor that helps me chug that water a bit faster. Plus, DripDrop has 2-3 times the electrolytes and half the calories as sports drinks, hydrating you 34% better than water. Win-win for me (and you)! Find it in your local CVS Pharmacy in the baby aisle. Use this coupon for $1 off while supplies last (1/25/15-2/29/15).

It’s even safe for kids (over one) and my daughter can add the DripDrop packet to her water all on her own. Encouraging health and independence… #momwin.

2. It’s all about the bottle.

I know, I know. You heard it’s all about the ‘base’… but actually, my friends, it’s all about the bottle. Get yourself a water bottle (and everyone else in your family for that matter) and keep it full and with you all the time. Let me tell you that drinking water is no big thang for my daughter now that she’s got a Frozen water bottle.

Going to the grocery store? Take the water bottle. Running out the door for a playdate? Don’t forget the water bottle. Leaving for work? Grab that water bottle! You are less likely to pull through the drive-thru or stop at a convenience store for a soda or other sugary drink if you have your drink on you already.

3. Add fruit to your water.

Not only does adding fruit to your water make it pretty, but it also infuses it with nutrients and yummy flavor. It’s easy to toss in a couple lemon, lime, or cucumber slices! I even love strawberries or raspberries in my water.

I fill up a pitcher of water and ice and fruit each morning and keep it in the fridge to refill my water bottle throughout the day. Then I add some DripDrop to my drink and BAM! I’ve got a pretty, nutritious, hydrating beverage. Soda shmoda, am I right?

I’m really hoping that in a few weeks, it’s no big thang and I have soda kicked to the curb. Let’s face it… us busy mommas need to take the time to take care of ourselves too. And one thing we can surely do to be more healthy is drink more water and to encourage our family to do so as well.

Anyone want to join me in drinking more water?! I hope these three tips help you!

Filed Under: healthy, mom, Mommy Tell All Monday, motherhood, tips Tagged With: health, welness

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