Blog
doTERRA essential oils: then and now
It's been 10 years since my first order of doTERRA essential oils. If you haven't been around here that long (but if you have, THANK YOU!), I was looking to upgrade from the lower quality oils I had been using in my DIY projects. I started small, with their tiniest...
instagram posts TA
It’s a good day to make things. I’m thinking soap is next. p.s. there is now more of The Balm in stock 😉. Link in profile. https://shalommama.com/product/the-balm We’ve got a new look, y’all! So pretty and SO effective. Have you tried The Balm yet? My husband...
Last week’s adventures in minimalist natural homemaking
My schedule is changing quite a bit at the beginning of the year and I will be home a lot more. I'm excited about this change, as I'll get to be more hands-on with the kids' schooling again. This will also give me the opportunity to be a full-time home manager and I'm...
10 Uses for Frankincense Essential Oil
A few years ago, the only reference I had to frankincense was the story of the three wise men and baby Jesus (said like Daryl Hannah in Steel Magnolias). When I discovered frankincense essential oil, I was impressed by the wide array of uses this one essential oil...
Flash Giveaway: ZAQ Vase Diffuser
Chances are, if you walk into my home (or you know, hug me), you're going to get a whiff of an essential oil. In case you didn't know, I'm a huge fan of these wonderful oils and use them daily to create a happier, healthier home. Using essential oils aromatically is...
Orange Fresca Margaritas with DIY Orange Simple Syrup
A dear friend of mine had a birthday recently and I decided hosting dinner would be the perfect way to celebrate him AND throw a little housewarming party. We moved at the end of September and I've been looking for any excuse to entertain. I went with burritos/burrito...
Simple Ways to Survive Quarantine as an Introvert/Mom
Wow, a lot has happened lately, hasn't it? My husband and I went on vacation on March 4th ... to Italy. The same day that we flew from Florence to Paris (March 10th), they shut everything down in Italy. Fortunately, they didn't start cancelling flights until after...
Natural treatment options for Bell’s Palsy symptoms
"Mom, something feels really weird with half of my face." I got this message from my 15-year-old a few months ago. Naturally, I figured he was messing with me in some way and told him to tell his dad (he's a paramedic and if it was really a valid concern, he would...
Food Rules to Live By
I grew up on white bread and processed American cheese. Candy and pastries were abundant in our home, thanks to my dad's insatiable sweet tooth (thanks for passing that on Dad). I don't remember eating many fresh veggies, but it could be that my picky eating habits...
7 simple pleasures that’ll make you feel special every day
When I discovered minimalism, I went all in. I gladly got rid of all the things I didn't need, especially the frivolous extras. Why fill my house with stuff that didn't serve a purpose? That mentality seeped into other areas of my life as well and over time I found...
REFUSE to Save the Planet
In the last decade, we have dramatically decreased the amount of garbage we produce as a family. We've done this by switching to reusable items, being more conscious of packaging when we buy things and by recycling whenever possible. But. Every time I walk by our...
Ditch disposables and save
People tell me that I'm a hippy now, and while I don't feel that I fit in with the stereotype in my head, I can see where they draw that conclusion. I began recycling mostly as an effort to reduce our monthly expenses so that I could quit my job and stay home with the...