Valuable Vineger

The moment I found out I was pregnant I knew I would need other options for cleaning. With a terrible mold allergy I used Tilex to clean my window seals and almost everything in my bathroom. It also got used in my mop water and even my kitchen sink if it needed something more than Ajax. As much as I liked to use home made and natural solutions, I was dependent on my chemical cleaners.

My mother-in-law suggested vinegar, along with other ingredients, to create safe cleaning products at home. My mother and I began to look into the use of home made cleaning products as well and began to discover exactly how helpful vinegar is.

Below I list three very simple but amazingly effective uses for vinegar. Natural ingredients made this a great option for house cleaning when I was pregnant, but also for creating a child-friendly environment after birth, and also helped save our household a little money in the long run.

• Home Made Dryer Sheets:

In a spray bottle (I purchased mine from Dollar Tree) combine water and white vinegar. A 1/1 ratio works best.
Spray both sides of a rag. Four to five squirts on each side works well.
Pop the rag in the dryer with your clothes. The rage works the same way as a dryer sheet, reducing static electricity and there's no need to worry about the smell; your laundry will not smell of vinegar when it comes out.

• "JetDry":

When washing your dishes in the dishwasher add white vinegar to the fill line in the JetDry well. I was very skeptical of this idea until I tried it. My dishes came out looking great and my JetDry well was clean!

• General Purpose Cleaner:

1. To Make:

Fill 1 spray bottle with Peroxide
Fill 1 spray bottle with a vinegar and water mix, using a ratio of 1/1.
The third ingredient is baking soda. I keep some set aside for cleaning in a small plastic container. The scoops that come in baby formula work great to scoop out the soda.
Do not store these ingredients mixed.

      2: To Use:
Spray the peroxide onto the surface to be cleaned (bathtub, toilet, countertop, etc.).
Spray the vinegar mixture on the same area.
Sprinkle just a little baking soda onto the wet area, the vinegar will cause it to bubble.
Wipe with a damp rage or scrub with a scratch pad depending on your needs.
If there is residue from the baking soda after the area is dry, wipe it down with a wet rag once more.


Happy Cleaning,
MissyK

Taking The Time

The baby was finally in bed, the house was somewhat clean if I avoided the kitchen and the office. I knew I needed the rest before my son woke up in three hours to eat, but relaxing was far easier said than done, especially considering the emotional tumult I seemed to be dealing with.

I wanted a few moments alone, to do something for myself. For that I felt guilty, despite the fact that everyone kept assuring me it was only natural. Besides that, how was I supposed to squeeze something else into an already full day.

I found my answer in a fifteen - twenty minute facial, a once a week routine that can be done at home and on a budget. It might not be a full spa experience but the routine feels wonderful and is something special every mother of a child any age can enjoy.


Put on some comfy clothes and tie your hair back and away from your face.

Light some candles, turn on relaxing music, or similar things that are relaxing to you.

1: Wash your face and neck, removing all cosmetics: I use Cetaphil. It is easy on my sensitive skin and costs about $10 for a large bottle.

2: Exfoliate: A great store bought option is is L'Oreal Go 360 Clean, which runs about $6. Another great option is to make your own exfoliating scrub from ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. I will list recipes at the end of this entry. Rinse with warm water.

3: Steam Bath: Breath deeply over a pot or sink full of hot water for three to five minutes. Breath deeply and relax. This step opens your pores and allows them to be flushed.

4: Mask: Using a homemade mask is easy and affordable. If you have oily skin use a simple egg white mask, if it needs moisture create a egg white and yogurt mask. Again, you'll find the recipes for both at the end of this entry. Leave your mask on until it is dry, about ten minutes. During this time be sure to sit or lay down. Allow yourself to relax. Rinse your mask off with tepid water and pat dry

5: Moisturize: As the final step gently massage a moisturizer into your skin. Use whatever you normally do that works for your skin type. I use Botanics Night Moisture Cream. It works great for my dry skin and is about $12.99 at Target.

You're done. Your skin feels great and you had a little you time before bed. My hope is that this once a week routine will give mothers at any stage a little time to feel as special as they are. The following are the recipes I referred to earlier. I chose three very simple ones that work well with my sensitive skin. If natural skin care is something you would like to look into further then check out Natural Home Remedies for Life.

• Oatmeal Facial Scrub: Combine and mix well the following ingredients: 2TBLS finely ground oatmeal, 2TBLS granulated sugar, 2TBLS brown sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1TSP nutmeg. Apply to face with your finger tips with gentle circular motions.

• Egg White Face Mask: Take 1 egg and separate the yolk from the white (I freeze the yolks for cooking). Beat the egg white till it is frothy and then apply to your face with your finger tips with gentle circular motions and let dry before rinsing.

• Egg White and Yogurt Face Mask: Take 2 eggs and separate the yolks from the whites (I freeze the yolks for cooking), and place the whites in a bowl. Add 2TBLS of plain, unflavored, yogurt. Mix well and then apply to your face with gentle circular motions. Leave on for five to ten minutes before rinsing.

Take your time, enjoy yourself, and remember it is okay to need just a few moments of quiet time.

MissyK

When I Felt A Failure

He was crying and so was I. It was all I could do to fight the urge to curl up on the bed and sob every time my son woke from a nap or got hungry. The change in mood had been so sudden and entirely unexpected. We had finally begun to get past the difficulty of the birth, the week of his time in NICU, things were finally stable; but now I felt I was falling apart. Even more, I felt I was a bad mother.

After a few days I called my mother and she confirmed my fear: I had the baby blues. A common problem but one that was fast beginning to heavily impact our lives.

Baby blues and postpartum depression are not unusual, especially if the pregnancy or birth was difficult. Experiencing it does not make any woman a bad mother, though her feelings run contrary. For any mother experiencing either of these forms of depression the best thing to do is act on it. I personally wanted to avoid drugs that would 'reset my brain', according to a doctor. There are many natural things that helped me through my own baby blues fairly quickly.

Doing each of the following daily is very important and worked wonderfully in my experience:

• Take vitamin D, especially if you live someplace that doesn't see allot of sun. Also, help your body create its own vitamin D but spending time in the sun, if your skin can handle some exposure without sunblock then that is all the better
•  Get an oil warmer. Both sage and clove scented oils invigorate and uplift. The moment I begin to feel depression settle in I light my oil warmer. I prefer clove scent and the change in my mood is almost immediate.
• Drink licorice tea, at least three cups a day. Stash produces and herbal, caffeine free, licorice spice tea that tastes good and is affordable.
• It is tempting to use the kids' nap time as a time to clean. However, if you are feeling at all run down it is better for you to nap too. The house work will still be there later and you will have more energy for your children and your home if you take time to recharge.
• Take fifteen. I usually do this at night after my son has gone to bed. Shut the bathroom door and take time to unhurriedly wash your face and brush your teeth. Pick up a scented lotion that is gentle on your skin and use it before bed. Take a hot washcloth and wash your feet as well. Going to bed after even just fifteen minutes of a little pampering will help you sleep better and add to the feeling of being refreshed.
• Get out of the house. This can be ten minutes on the front porch or a trip to the store. Call a friend to meet you for coffee. If for some reason you cannot go somewhere, ask someone to come to you. The less you feel alone the faster you'll be bidding the blues goodbye.
• Develop a schedule. This is easier said than done and not every mother works a steady schedule or stays at home. If you have a baby sitter or nanny, work out a schedule for them to follow with the kids. Established routines for nap times are especially helpful and help everyone to take that much needed break from the constant motion of life. 

The list seems long, I know, and by no means to I write it lightly. Not every solution will work for every mother, but my hope is to offer a little help when it comes to a problem many mothers face and are either unaware or afraid to admit.

Let me be perfectly clear in parting. Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression  does not make any woman a failure and both can be overcome with a little help and a lot of love.

~MissyK

The Value Of Ritz (And Other Yummy Things)

My son was fighting sleep during nap time, his slumber interrupted by sudden cries of anger at the injustice of being expected to sleep more than fifteen minutes. With every bout of angry tears I felt myself growing more frustrated with the situation. Eventually he would settle down again and fall back to sleep, only to start the process all over again just as I would begin to relax. If he didn't fall asleep soon I felt I would be in tears myself, though I could not entirely understand why I was suddenly feeling so run down after our wonderful morning of reading, cuddle time, and learning sign language. When my hands began to shake I finally understood why I was feeling so overwhelmed with the normal run around of nap time: I hadn't eaten a thing since breakfast.

It is something I am sure everyone has experienced: A person might have a perfect morning and a great afternoon but, if they have not eaten, the day can fall flat in a matter of minutes. I cannot even begin to count the times I have fought with my mother, sister, or even husband over trivial things all because I was in a bad mood due to lack of food. Many people simply forget to eat during their busy day, but it seems that, for mothers, its not so much a matter of forgetfulness as it is time.

Pre-packaged snacks are great for a quick bite when you are in a hurry or only have a few moments to sit down. They certainly get points for convenience but, when it comes to store bought snacks I have to take off points for nutrition; not to mention that these processed morsels don't stick in your belly. In the long run, if the food your eating doesn't serve as healthy fuel, you might be better off still forgetting to eat. On top of being generally unhealthy and short lived, processed foods often contain allot of allergens. The most notable are dairy, soy, peanuts, and eggs. While we never kept allot of junk food around, the discovery of  my soy allergy put an almost immediate stop to the purchase of processed or pre-packaged food of any kind. Even the healthier things like the majority of granola bars, poptarts, and crackers became things that we no longer kept in our cupboards. Our solution became home made snacks that saved my stomach and, more important to most, helped cut down our grocery bill.

The following are a few recipes using Ritz crackers/and or various other foods to make snacks. Remember, most kids love to help in the kitchen, so have them help you with creation and clean up.

Peanut Butter Ritz Sandwiches:

You can make just a few for yourself or a whole bunch for a party, the quantity is entirely up to you.
For one Sandwich:

• Take a Ritz cracker and spread peanut butter on it. Top with another Ritz cracker. 

• Melt chocolate by coarsely chopping it into smaller bits (Or use chocolate chips) and microwave on 50% power for one minute. Remove chocolate and stir. Repeat this process until the chocolate is melted enough to be used for dipping.

• Dip the Ritz Sandwiches into the melted chocolate and place on a cookie sheet or rack covered with wax paper to dry.

• Once dry, cover and store refrigerated for a great grab and go snack.

Fast Food Groups:

While this may not include the whole food pyramid its a great way to get protein and fruit in a few quick bites. Preparation can be made faster by cutting  fruit into slices and storing it in the fridge or even freezer.

• Cut the cheese of your choice, (I prefer gouda) and place on Ritz crackers. Cream cheese also works well.

• Cut any desired number of strawberries (or other fruit if desired) into slices and place strawberry slices on your cheese-covered Ritz (If the fruit was frozen be sure to thaw it first).

• Place a chocolate chip on each cracker and enjoy.

The Peanut Butter Cup:

This is probably the simplest snack to make. Allot of people seem to know about it, but forget it until its mentioned. Its a fast solution for a sweet tooth that also provides a bit of protein, travels well, and pairs great with a cup of coffee.

• In a very small bowl, about the size of a kid's travel snack cup, combine two or three tablespoons of peanut butter with a handful of chocolate chips. 

• Enjoy immediately or chill and save for later.

There will, of course, be more recipes that I will share as I find them. However, I hope this gives both mothers and those who are generally busy a few great ways to make sure they are eating. Remember, your body, like your car, cannot function without fuel.

~MissyK

The Morning Ritual

Since I was old enough to drink it, my morning has begun with coffee. I don't even remember when it began, only that my requirement for functionality since childhood has been that steaming black liquid. Though, as I got older, I looked forward to something else as much as I did that first cup of coffee: Makeup.

For years my morning ritual was generally this: Get up, get coffee, shower, and then figure out what crazy thing I wanted to do with my eyeshadow. Makeup was just fun, another way to express my, sometimes over-driven, creativity. Of course, I would skip that step now and then, but usually, it was an essential part of preparing for my day. Perhaps it is needless to add that I am a creature of habit, one might even say a creature of ruts, if there is such a thing.

When my son came home from the hospital my mornings ground to a stop. Suddenly just taking a shower was difficult. Even worse, there was no time for my usual application of cosmetics. At first it wasn't a worry at all; I knew my makeup did not define me, but I think most women can agree it feels good to put just a little on. Soon I discovered that I missed that bit of 'me' time in the morning. I struggled with feeling guilty for still wanting to feel nice and pretty when I knew that there were 'more important' things around the house that needed doing. There had to be a balance between that craving for just a bit of pampering and the mounting demands of caring for my son, doing my laundry, cleaning my kitchen, and the many random tasks on my to do list.

Mothers, it is entirely natural to crave just a few moments of time for you. As women we are wired to desire that. I finally established a much simpler make up routine for every day life that is very fast and leaves me feeling like I've taken care of myself that day. If you also feel guilty for wanting just a few minutes of time to take care of yourself each morning then perhaps the following 'Morning Ritual' will give you the same lift it did me.


For a quick and easy natural look evenly apply a liquid foundation that is one shade lighter than your skin tone over your entire face. After you buff in the foundation, evenly apply a powder that matches your natural skin tone over your entire face. This creates a natural 'glow'. Next apply mascara. Finally, add a blush that compliments your natural tones and a natural lip gloss.

The whole process takes ten minutes at most (I have trouble getting my lashes to curl) and leaves you feeling good even when all you have time for is the bare minimum.

~MissyK