Wallace Falls State Park

 Wallace Falls State Park

This was an awesome trip. The falls were beautiful and the hike was a bit tiring but enjoyed nonetheless. I got to spend quality time with those I hold most dear. 

Inspire

So I tend to let myself go days and sometimes weeks at a time without a post. Not to make excuses for those of you that follow or check in often but, recently our family has been kept very busy. I wanted to jump on and give a quick shout out to all of my family and friends that have made themselves available to help where and when ever they can help. Here is a lil reminder that no matter what life brings their is always a positive even if you have to look a lil harder to find it! 

Much Love and until next time...

 Life is what you make... so make it AMAZING!

Toddler Fun

 No mess painting. I had to try this out with my one year old. We started with a few colors and she liked it. It’s a great sensory craft and I think if I add more colors she would like it a bit more. However, it held her attention for about 15 min. So I would say it a win. Great idea. Check back for more fun and creative ideas for your little ines

Blueberries

I have started adding a netting to my blueberries as they begin to ripen. This helps to save my blueberries from the birds and deer. I have harvested more so far this season than in past.

 My youngest was almost eating them as fast as I was picking them. She even tried helping. 

I have had my blueberries for over 4 years and recently I have added coffee and egg shells to soil. This help in a couple ways. It adds acidity to the soil which is great for the fruit and it also acts as a great deterrent for slugs. Slugs will stay away from any plant that you sprinkle with a coffee and egg shell mix it cuts up their bellies and they will avoid it. 

For more information on gardening hacks follow me and see what I have learned from the ideas and tips I have found and explored to see the truth in how well they really work. 

Long time no post

Life is full of unexpected moments. While it seems that something always trying to keep you from doing what you enjoy it’s only a matter of time until you can get back to it. That is if you truly enjoyed it! 

Excuse me for my recent absence and for those of you that know me you understand that family comes first and the last week my most important and cherished, my children, needed me. However, I am here and I brought with me a few updates and some new ideas we have made the time to explore. For those of you that follow thank you. 

10 Benefits of Coffee

I have not always been a coffee drinker. I have found coffee to be a go to drink. My favorite a Caramel Macchiato preferably iced. 

I have added a couple links to help you better understand the benefits of drinking coffee. 

So many people often hear the negatives of different a food that are also very good for you. I am hear to remind you of those benefits. Even better try to help you understand how they benefit you. 

https://allnaturalideas.com/studies-show-coffee-health-benefits/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#section13

I am happy to hear your comments and see your interest. 

Until next time, Stay well. 

Raspberry From seeds -germinating

Well this is another new and first time project For me. I have taken fresh organic raspberries and used my kitchen aid to make a seedless jam. 

I have taken and cleaned the seeds. 

Laid the seeds out to dry per a blog I read.

Once they are dry I will separate them from the remainder of the flesh and then plant them in small individual biodegradable containers. Hopefully they will sprout! 

Here goes... I will follow up with the more pictures and information as I make progress. 

Until then, stay well. 

Lavender Lemonade

There is nothing like fresh lemons and a few sprigs of Lavender in you lemonade.

When you have been inspired it’s easy to enjoy even your smallest creations. This one was simple and satisfying. Calming and refreshing. Finding uses for my fresh lavender has been easier than I though once I harvested the handfuls from my garden. I find joy and satisfaction in so many small things. Small things like this. Life is full of small moments, find what brings you joy and cherish it! 

10 Benefits of Raspberries

Raspberries have always been a favorite fruit of mine. 

After trying Yellow Raspberries for the first time... yummm. Nothing like a fresh picked Raspberry! 

There are a few links I will post below that will give you more detail of how raspberries are beneficial. 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/raspberry-nutrition

https://m.nutritioninsight.com/news/red-raspberry-research-suggests-many-possible-health-benefits.html

https://www.brighthealing.com/raspberry-nutrition-facts-healthbenefits/

Those of use that don’t like waste and enjoy the Holistic benefits of  plants and herbs. Raspberry Leaf also has health benefits. 

When I was trying to get pregnant with my 3rd child I enjoyed raspberry leaf tea. I found honey to be the best sweetener. Especially the flavored honey. You will find a couple links below to give more information about raspberry 

https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/raspberry-leaf-uses.html

https://modernalternativemama.com/2012/04/27/balancing-your-hormones-and-eliminating-anxiety-with-red-raspberry-leaf/

Herb and Scrap Garden

So I was able to get my Cilantro, Chives, and Basil growing. All three of these are from seed. I also have Ginger and Green Leaf Lettuce growing as well as Green Onion from cuttings of what I purchased in store. 

You can see the Basil is an addition to what I have left of my previous Basil. My Cilantro is doing very well and I have an onion rooting to the right. The top three images my Green onion are about through I have regrown multiple times. The middle image is my Chives sprouting and to the right my Ginger. I will post a Garden update in a week or two to show progression of my gardening. 

Until then, Stay Well. 

Yellow Raspberries

I purchased these today! Red and Yellow Raspberries. I’m excited to make Yellow Raspberry Jam and Raspberry Jalapeño Jam.  This will go down tomorrow and I will add in the comments how it gioes. Not only are these local but also organic. 

Until tomorrow stay well. 

Herbal Mosquito and Flying Insect Repellant

                               

Saturday was a busy but fun day. I went out with the help of my kids and purchased a few planters, herbs and flowers.

This is an image of  one of my planters. It contains Lemongrass, Pineapple Sage and English Lavender. What do these three herbs have in common you might ask? They all three are known for repelling flying insects especially Mosquitos. We tend to have a lot of Mosquitos around. I have to say that when I normally open my front door in the evening I find way too many insects swarming around the light and after adding the planter I only had a couple but wow, I was surprised at how well this worked. I do have to add that I also hung a basket with a citronella plant and petunias planted in it. Both of these also help with flying insects. 

Know if you look closely I also tried another trick I recently read about. I sprinkled cinnamon in my planters. This I have learned helps with many garden issues as well. The first thing I noticed after using the cinnamon was all the small insects that are in the soil were quickly leaving as I was sprinkling. Second it smells amazing. Check back later to learn more about the benefits of Cinnamon beyond cooking and what I just mentioned. 

Until next time, stay well. 

 

 

Lavender

Good Morning Friends, 

Wanted to share with you my current lavender harvest and few ways I incorporate fresh lavender in my home.

I know that when I first gat started with herbs and essential oils I had a hard time with knowing how to use them. 

Truth is it is super simple. You can use them really any way you want. 

I have added fresh lavender to muffins and lemonade. My husband has also made a lavender simple

Syrup for homemade lavender lemonade. 

 

 Yumm. Stay tuned for more tips, tricks and concepts I have tried that others claim may or may not work. 

Until next time, stay well

New Essential Oils

I got my new Essential oils a couple days ago...sooo excited! Can't wait to start blending. I have say that I am loving the newest additions to my collect, those would be my fruity oils. I started purchasing these after I got my diffuser. LOVIN' it! For those of you that are not so much into essential oils for whatever reason, I have some food for thought for you. Start by asking yourself the following questions..

• Am I ever stressed?
• Do I come home stressed? 
• Do I enjoy coming home to clean smelling house or does my home smell unappealing?
• Do I ever find myself in pain?

These are just a few of many questions and if you have answered yes to any of them, you might consider using essential oils or maybe even just start by looking into them and how they can benefit you. Unlike OTC medications these are all natural and you know what exactly is going into your body. The best results come from the combination of modern, alternative and traditional medicine. 

I have dealt with many stresses and traumas in my life and those of you who have been there along the way know that is putting it mildly. Here is how it was introduced to me.

It's always nice to come home to your house smelling clean, fresh, fruity, whatever scent that is pleasing to you. Do you ever come home, maybe a little stressed and the trash hasn't been taken out and the smell is disgusting adding to your mental list of things to do on top of your existing stressors? Essential oils are great for helping your home smell better and your body to relax. Here are a few ways they can help you...

• use them in a diffuser-there are many blends for stress and colds or even just to add a wonderful fragrance to the room.
• Add a drop to the light bulb so it creates an aroma when the lights are on, or to the inside of the toilet paper roll to create a pleasant smell in the restroom.
• Purchase a roller ball blend or spray for your muscle aches, headaches, or even for the butterflies and nausea that are created when you become nervous or anxious.
• Maybe purchase a linen or room spray to use  at your convenience.

I have been blending my oils for about two years now for personal use and gifts for friends and co-workers. I would be happy to help you find a blend that personalized to you to help get through your everyday life. 

I  will be adding more details of what I can offer you, check back soon. 

Until next time, stay well!

Exercise Update

Here it is....EPIC FAIL! LOL the last two weeks I have been busy and exhausted. Not to make excuses cause I very well could have made time to exercise but I didn't. It was easier not to. However, Here I Go AGAIN! ha ha I am gonna start tomorrow and here is what I will be working on ...my core, always my core, LOL. For real though I'm still trying to lose the pregnancy weight. My routine will be this...

Okay, so to be honest I can never complete the recommended sets for Level one. SO I always tell myself start small. So my plan will be to start with 1 set and by the end of the week work up to all 3 sets. I start small and I have set a small achievable goal. 

Good luck to those of you out there try there best to be and do a little better everyday for yourself. 

Until next time, Stay well!

10 Benefits of Peaches

Peaches re one of my favorite fruits. I wish i had the time to can some this year like i did a couople years ago. I totally went overboard that year and i am still finishing them off. 

Fresh produce is good for many things. I have become much better about what foods I eat and feed to my family. Don't get me wrong we still have fast food and sweets, but, we also have healthy home cooked meals. I am sure you have heard it before but being healthy is just about what you eat. It's how much you eat and how active you stay. That does not mean you have to exercise daily like some. Just don't live a completely sedentary lifestyle. 

On that note enjoy yourself and those that accompany you.

Essential Oils

This is my favorite hobby!

 I love so much about essential oils. Do you ever ask yourself, why are they called "essential" oils?

Essential oils or volatile oils are the most important group of chemical molecules of plants that make smells what they are. The origin of these names comes from the word “essence,” because the fragrances are the essence of many plants, and “volatile” because of their volatility.

I enjoy creating blends that help get me through the day. I like to get creative when adding them to my diffuser. I use them as a roll on. I have added them to my bath. I have made shower melts, bath salts, body and linen sprays. 

There is so much information out there about essential oils and I have some certification and am continuing my education in this field as it is something I have much interest in.

For those of you that have supported and followed me since I began my blogging venture this is what I was referring to when I mentioned "product". 

For those of that are interested in this type of  therapy you can follow me. Leave comments below for more of what you would like to see.

 If you're interested in a blend targeted to your needs, or maybe something simple to help you with your sleeping habits, morning or night time routines, I am happy to help. More details to come. 

Please follow me below. 

Life as we know it

 

 I am pretty sure I have mentioned in a previous post ow this blogging venture is more than I expected it to be. None the less, I do still enjoy it. I find it to be a new learning experience with no deadlines and a positive outcome.

With that said, I wanted to get a few things out there. I am not one to pick a side and in todays world it see a lot of that. I like to find and hear the other persons perspective. This allows me to understand from another what they feel and how I can be a better person. Life as we know it to be today is full of so many people with the "whoa is me" and quickly finding the negative because it stands out. Maybe if we could allow ourselves to try and listen more and learn a little before reacting then we would find we can all live better. We can live better with ourselves and the ones we love, with our friends, neighbors and co-workers. Life is full of shit days and experiences but the one thing we have that shows our character and builds our reputation is how we react to any situation at any given time. Let me say this is not easy! Coming from someone who has had 30 ish years of negative experience, some one after another. I am not saying I have no positives memories in the mix because I do. However, for some the negatives stand out and are more defined in their life. I choose to find the positives. There is always something. Why waist time feeling like shit, feeling down and out when you can spend time enjoying what you love or the company that surrounds you. The choice is yours! It always has been and it always will be. 

 

Until next time,

    Dez

 

 

Become, Attract, Create

Know I am not Buddhist. I am not any one specific religion. I have my own beliefs. I love this and wanted to share it because I believe it. 

A lil Sunday Inspiration

I love to learn and this new blogging is definitely a bit more work than I expected. With that said, i am enjoying sharing the things I find interesting and my progresses through this new normal we are all experiencing. i know we all have our opinions and I honestly don't care. i know that sounds rude my my focus is on the positives, how to better myself and cool things and adventures I come across along the way. It's so easy to see the negatives and lat it surround you but why waste the energy. Find something that makes you happy. 

The day is what you make it! Make it a GREAT day!

Thank you friends

Hey Friends, 

 So, I'm learning that blogging is not as easy as many think it will be. Recently as life gets busy I drop the ball on posting. I am currently working on being more diligent about posting something at least once a day. We will see how that goes.  I want to say a quick thank you to those of you that have revisited and show your support to my new adventure and interest. 

Exercise- Code Of Abs

Exercise is not an easy regimen to commit to when you have so many other responsibilities. However, I have managed to exercise for 3 days, take a rest day and that has been my routine for the last 2 weeks. I am not pushing myself and I have managed to build some stamina.  This I would call progress. Yay me. Ha ha. Here is the next workout I will start on Monday. For those of you looking to be a better you, there is no better time than know to start. 

10 Benefits of Cabbage

I never cared much for cabbage until those premade salads came to be. Since then I have included cabbage in my diet more.  I have been better about having more produce in the house and less sugary foods. However, don't get me wrong if your craving sweets have at it. I enjoy knowing the benefits of what I am consuming. If you would like to know more about the benefits of cabbage visit the link below. 

https://www.tipshealthline.com/benefits-of-cabbage/

A lil Inspiration

Love a little inspiration.  Words of encouragement and inspiration can apply to each individual differently. Some of my favorites come from daniellelaporte.com. I enjoy her work, however I have yet to read any of her books. You can purchase these truthbomb cards by the box. A lil spendy if you ask me, but nonetheless, I enjoy them. I hope you do as well. 

Exercise

Hey Friends, 

So I'm on day two of the  2 Minute Abs workout. I will be honest this momma is not used to a daily workout even if it only 2 minutes. Rather than 20 seconds per move I tried for 20 reps and I could only do 10 reps. By the end of the week my goal is to reach 20second or 20 reps per move. Good Luck, remember start slow and with small achievable goals. Stay well.

Exercise- 2 Minute Abs

Here is to the start of a new week. Tomorrow I will start this exercise daily til this Friday. Just a little can go a long way. I am setting small achievable goals. For those of you that would like to join me, lets get it! 

10 Benefits of Oatmeal

I used to not care much for oatmeal, however, as I try to eat healthier I have learned there are many ways to enjoy oats. My favorite is with fresh fruit or jam. I also like it with brown sugar. If you would like to learn more about how exactly oats benefit you in each of the 10 ways listed click on the link below. Stay healthy! Until next time. Thanks for visiting.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-oatmeal-you-probably-never-knew.html

Stay Healthy-Just a lil Exercise

Staying healthy can mean many things. I recently learned that for many of us that don't make a habit of having an exercise routine it can be difficult to start and stay committed. I am going to try something new. Yes, for those of you that know me here I go again..lol. 

Rather than finding a video I like or finding the right time to go for a run which I am not to into. It can be as easy as doing one exercise per day. for those of us that want to push ourselves maybe two exercise moves or more than one rep. 

I have found someone that posts exercise posters with different exercises for specific targeted zones or just an early morning routine. I looked into her web page and it is interesting. You have choices of workouts you can choose if you want a targeted workout and it is all put together for you. It is worth checking out. 

I am going to attempt to post a new workouts often. I don't want to commit to how often, however, with this being so new I may post daily to give some choices for those of you out there that are interested. After the first week or say I may scale back a but a just post one week. Here is to starting a exercise regimen.  If you want to check out this website its darebee.com or neilarey.com

Start simple stay strong....thanks for following.

Gardening - Starts from seed

Gardening is another hobby I enjoy. I recently started some herbs, root veggies and flowers from seed. I will post pictures as they continue to grow. This will be my first attempt at root veggies in a pot. My second with string beans as well as with herbs. I love having the herbs sit on my kitchen windowsill. Do you have any experience with growing herbs, if so, what have you learned along the way? Do you have any tips/tricks? I can say in the little experience I have with gardening the one thing that gets me more often than not is when I forget about them..lol. It can be another full time job depending on how much you plant. I have found that setting a reminder in the summer for watering the outdoor plants helps. I have made habit of setting reminders and alarms for a lot of the things I find myself forgetting and I do this until I have made habit of it. I can't wait to see how well my root veggies do. I have to say the one root veggie I want to grow is potatoes. I have yet to do so. Does anyone have any experience or advice on the best methods? I will say I don't get a lot of sunlight so I am hesitant to do to much planting.

Home Schooling

Hey Friends, 

So... lets chat a little about this new adventure! I love so many thing about being able to stay home and home school my kids. Don't get me wrong we have our share of rough days. Coming from a household where mom and dad work full time. I am doing all I can to take advantage of this time we share with our kids. Being able to watch them learn and help them learn new life skills. What kinds of things do you do with your kids? I like to do what we call Home Ec...anything that will teach them any life skills like cooking, gardening, etc.  Do you enjoy home schooling? I enjoy being involved and able to have more insight into what the schools are teaching.I have learned to be a little more lenient with the daily schedule.   What would you change? If I had to change something it would be more time. I never feel like there is enough time.  My kids have taught me how to have a little more patience and be a better listener. What have you learned or what have your kids taught you? Below are a few bullet points I found helpful. My kids are middle and high school and at first I took this all to seriously and learned to be a little more laid back. I have recently found that setting a few strong expectations goes along way. 

How to Homeschool Your Children - As You Go

• Plan your day.
• Look for hands-on activities.
• Keep a portfolio of each child's work.
• Go with your gut feelings.
• Periodically evaluate your progress.

I hope this was helpful to you and even if you don't answer the questions in the comments below think about how you would respond. Just some food for thought. Our children are worth as much of our time as they need or that we can give them. 

Mothers Day

To ALL you Mommies out there I wish you a Happy Mothers Day. I hope your day is special and may it be filled with lots of love.

10 Benefits of Lemons

Today is a beautiful day here in the PNW. What better way to enjoy it than with a glass of fresh squeezed Lemonade or a little lemon in your water. OKAY, okay you got me a nice cold beer or mixed drink...LOL! Here are the 10 Benefits of Lemons.  

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html

10 Benefits of Quinoa

One of my favorite things to do is learn about the foods I'm eating and how great they are for me, I like to call this "10 benefits..." You will find a lot of posts in regard to the 10 benefits of all types of food, drink, herbs, etc. If you are interested in something specific drop a message in the comments section and I will see what I can do to help.  Today I have learned the 10 benefits of Quinoa. Yummm. You click on the link below to learn more.

https://www.activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/the-10-secret-health-benefits-of-quinoa/

About Me

Hey Friends,
 My name is Dez and for the last few years I have gone back and forth with the idea to start my own blog. To share my experiences, knowledge and thoughts. To get the word out about my interests, adventures and product (more to come later). 

 I love variety. I enjoy trying new things. I have lived a life that most would consider a roller coaster ride. I'm currently at a place in my life where I feel happy, appreciative and wouldn't change a thing I have experienced for the world. I do my best to make a conscious effort to be a better me everyday. A better mother, wife and friend. I try to eat better and get out more. I try to remember to "stop and smell the roses". Enjoy life a day at a time and live in the moment. I enjoy learning new things and my favorite of my hobbies is my essential oils and home remedies. My newest is teaching... i'm sure many people can relate. I have a couple other hobbies that turn to when I'm feeling the need for something new or different. 

If you're visiting my page then you have an interest in something I have posted.I hope you return to see what's new. If you have suggestions or something you'd like to hear about please leave it in the comments below. If there is something I honestly can't help with I won't hesitate to say so. I appreciate your feedback and hope that what I share here can help you, even if it's only in the slightest of ways! Whether that be a few words of encouragement, a recipe, experience, etc. Here is to trying something new and sharing my story and experiences in hopes to leave a mark, make a difference and help someone out there that wants the help. Thank you for visiting. 

Here I go...wish me luck!

                                                                                                      

Cheers,

          Dez