January 4, 2020

The 20 Best Children's Books About Feelings

Please note, this post includes affiliate links -
regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.


Helping children work through emotions is a difficult task at times, especially during the toddler years when most kiddos are still learning their language skills.

Feelings can be very overwhelming, but luckily you are there to help guide your little one through all of the emotions they are feeling and hopefully you can teach them to express themselves in healthy ways.

One way we've been working with D to express her emotions is by reading to her. It may sound too simple, but reading her books about her feelings has helped her expand her emotional vocabulary which has made expressing herself so much easier! From anger to sadness to joy, it is so cool witnessing her speak her truth.

Are you going through the throws of toddlerhood with your little one and experiencing fits and outrageous behavior? Here's some books to help you and your toddler cope through this intense phase in their life:

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These 20 books are some of the best, but I'm curious - do you know of any books that I should add to this list? Tell me in the comments below and I'll add them to our library list and possibly this list as well!


January 3, 2020

Fight & Cure Viruses This Winter with Remedies That Actually Work - Fight the 2020 Flu Bug!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.


There's a pretty gnarly flu bug floating around the nation, we managed to catch it while flying back home to see family and we've fighting it since.

It basically took our house hostage, for over a week, but I am finally adjusting back to life without waking up hacking every night again, D is still fighting her cough but mostly her normal self, and hubby is still recovering - but overall we BEAT the bug and I wanted to share how since we know what a doozy this really is.

This flu is different than others, we actually never got the elevated fever but had all the other symptoms to a tee. So know that if you don't have all the "influenza" symptoms, that you may still have the flu - or a similar virus.

If you're currently fighting it, know that "this too shall pass" and persevere... and this is a given, but if your symptoms become abnormally bad be sure to visit your doctor too!



With that said, let me start by saying, I'm not a medical professional - BUT this is what worked for us:

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1. Electrolyte Water to help keep your body hydrated, even when nothing else sounds good.

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2. Elderberry Syrup to help boost your immune system (for the family).
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3. Zinc Tablets to help shorten the symptoms (only for the parents).

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4. Emergen-c or Airborne drink mix to offer immune support and boost your vitamin C, allowing your body to fight off the virus quickly.

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5. Essential Oils are a must, we set up our diffuser and use some of our favorites from Eden's Garden to help make breathing easier (be careful with oils and research before use).


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6. Cool Mist Humidifier is a necessity, if you are dealing with a cough. I would not have been able to sleep without ours and it has helped ease D's symptoms as well.


7. Fresh Cool Air is a given, but something that helped our family greatly. Any time D is experiencing a rough night, one of the first things I do is step out on our back porch and let her take some deep breaths. It always helps calm her coughing fits and my own as well.


8. Steam Showers on the other hand, have also helped us immensely. Without steam showers I don't think any of us would've been able to sleep this week.



9. Theraflu pods were a life saver for myself. D obviously can't drink these, but being able to have one of these warm drinks (with some meds also in it) seriously healed me so quick. I went from being miserable to feeling human within an hour, every single time I drank one.


10. Rest is another given for fighting the bug, but one that truly helped our family so it's something I feel I need to mention.



11. Nose Frieda is a nose suction device that your kid will HATE, but will make them feel better within seconds. We suction D's nose and she can instantly breath easier, even if she is fuming mad.




12. Similasan Kids Cough & Cold Relief was another life saver for us with D. We have both the day & night formulas now and swear by this brand, it's a natural cough syrup that has helped her in the past but especially helped fight this bug and it's safe for any kiddo ages 2+.

So tell me, have you caught this terrible bug that's been spreading like crazy across the nation? I hope not, but if you have - I'd love to hear how you "survived" it and what helped you the most!

And to those of you that encourage others to get the flu shot, that's your choice - but it's one we opt out of year after year, after contracting a terrible case of the flu after receiving the shot years back. I'm not saying anything against others who choose to get it, we just don't in our house and even after experiencing the flu again - I still hold true to my decision.

January 2, 2020

30 Things to Let Go Of So You Can Live a Happier, Healthier, More Productive Life!


Letting things go can be hard at times, but letting these 30 things go will be life changing for you.




Things to let go of in 2020:

1. Comparing yourself to others.
2. Feeling sorry for yourself.
3. Spending money on items you don't need.
4. Being obsessed with viewing others "perfect" social media lives.
5. Fearing the unknown and the anxiety that comes with that fear.
6. Holding on to hurt.
7. Putting off vacation.
8. Feeling jealous.
9. Toxic relationships.
10. Waiting for the "right time".
11. The need to control every detail of everything.
12. relying on others to make you feel complete.
13. Avoiding the real world.
14. Keeping up with the Jones'.
15. Your hesitation to enjoy life to the fullest.
16. Creating unrealistic expectations for yourself.
17. Fearing failure.
18. Living in the past.
19. Worrying about what others think about you.
20. Living a disorganized life.



21. Trying to control the people around you.
22. Being TOO busy for everything.
23. Analyzing and picking apart situations.
24. Trying to fit in.
25. Blaming others for your problems.
26. Friends who don't care about your best interests.
27. Avoiding change.
28. Being afraid to BE you!
29. Holding on to useless items.
30. Avoiding the truth.


January 1, 2020

My Year to Be Here Now & a Greek Gods Yogurt, Fruit, & Granola Power Breakfast


This Post is sponsored by Greek Gods Yogurt, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

It's that time of year...

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In years past, I've made New Years resolutions. I've wished for things, I set goals, and I've worked hard to achieve them. When I reach those goals or turn my wishing into success, I've been proud, but I'm not necessarily any happier than I was before.

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So this year, instead of setting goals, I'm striving to just live in the moment and enjoy it all. We all know every moment that passes is a moment we won't get back. My idea or phrase for the year is "Be here now" and I look forward to meditating on it and enjoying life as it comes instead of stressing about goals or wishing for more.

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I think we all can agree, starting out the new year on a good note is something all of us strive to do.

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Whether you're the type that makes resolutions and sticks to them or you're more of the "go with the flow" type like I'm aiming to be this year. We all want to celebrate starting anew, it's like the new year brings a refreshing wave of consciousness to all and it's so nice to relish in it all.

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While I'm still contemplating how I'll overcome my constant need to meet goals or achieve, I feel almost a bit of zen about how this year is starting.

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Maybe it's because breakfast this morning was so delicious...? I truly enjoyed every last bite. If the rest of my day, week, year... could be that effortlessly enjoyable, maybe this year will really be MY YEAR.

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Are you looking for a breakfast that brings happiness into your day? Maybe something better for you than the average breakfast dishes?

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I'm super excited to share this delicious easy recipe using Greek Gods Yogurt with you today, it''s one I think you'll love through out 2020 and beyond.

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Greek Gods Yogurt, Fruit, & Granola Power Breakfast


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To make this amazing yogurt recipe you will need

1/4 cup blueberries
1 tsp agave
3/4 cup Greek Gods Honey Vanilla Yogurt
1/2 banana (sliced)
2 strawberries (sliced)
1/2 cup granola

You'll also need a saucepan.

To start this recipe, heat the blueberries in a saucepan at low heat for about 4 minutes, bursting them open while heating. Add in the agave and stir together. Remove from heat.

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Next, you'll need to mix in about 1/4 cup of the Greek Gods Honey Vanilla Yogurt. Making a purple-y colored yogurt mixture. Place in bowl on a thin layer of granola(or in my case, mason jar).

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Top with another small layer of granola. Then add a scoop or two more Greek Gods Yogurt.

Now add in sliced banana and again, add another scoop of Greek Gods Yogurt in Honey Vanilla.

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Next add the sliced strawberries and the final bit of yogurt you have remaining, now top with granola to your preference.

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That's it... it's THAT easy!

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Wondering where you can find Greek Gods Yogurt? Greek Gods can be found in the dairy aisle, in the yogurt section, on the lower shelf.




I promise this is a recipe you're going to want to eat over and over so go ahead and pin this for later:

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While this fruit and granola recipe is delicious, I added some MaraNatha Almond Butter and bananas to my Greek Gods Yogurt this morning and had to let you know this combination is also AMAZING!

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Be sure to grab some when you're at the store for your yogurt so you can try this wonderful concoction for yourself!

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So tell me, what would be your ideal ingredient to mix with your Greek Gods yogurt?

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