Natural Tick and Bug Repellent

If you haven’t spent a lot of time outside yet this year, you will notice there are tons of bugs – everywhere. Due to the mild winter here in the Midwest, I’ve noticed wayy more bugs than normal.
Where most of them aren’t too much of a threat, ticks do seem to be at an all time high – when my kids or my husband comes in with them on their legs just by being in our backyard (which is in the city at that) I know we have a real problem.

So between pets and kids – I knew we had a real problem.

I am not big on harsh chemicals if I can help it – I do try to look for more natural remedies when possible; I feel like it’s healthier for my family (pets included). So when I read about the benefits of Rose Geranium I knew that was going to be something that we had to try.

If you didn’t know – ticks pretty much operate on their sense of smell. Ticks don’t normally jump or fall from trees – they ‘quest’ which means they pretty much lay in wait for the ‘smell’ of prey to go by; and then they drop.

So luckily ticks aren’t at all attracted to the scent of rose geranium. Which makes it the perfect natural tick repellent.

It’s also super easy to use – unlike other essential oils, rose geranium does not need to be diluted. A few drops will do the trick – just place a drop on each wrists, a drop behind each ear, and I always add a drop to my ankles as well (because they are usually exposed when we are hiking or outside)

If you use it on your animals just be extra careful – most dogs can be extremely sensitive to smell, so you will want to use a little. A drop behind each shoulder blade, and at the top base of the tail – and that should do it. Make sure to avoid face/nose/eyes (and on yourself as well).

I’ve heard of people using this for flea repellent as well – along with other essential oils such as:  lavender, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, and cedar wood.

Posted in Beauty, Fitness/Health | 1 Comment

A Household of Savings at Sam’s Club

Though this is a sponsored post where I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.

I am not usually a fan of ‘paying money to save money’ to me a lot of these programs, at least the amount of times I would use them, seemed like a waste of money. I stuck with dollar type stores, known for ‘low prices’ and assumed that I was getting just that – the lowest price out there.

That was until I became a Mom for the first time – I was a single Mom on a very tight budget, and I needed to save every penny possible. So my Mom helped me as we started ‘scouting’ stores for prices on their diapers, wipes and formula and calculated the cost per item. Needless to say, I was shocked.

Not only did I save money each month on diapers and wipes – but I got them in bulk so I wasn’t running out every week (that alone is worth buying!)

Since I did my research and decided that a Sam’s Club Membership was worth every penny, I started stocking up on grocery items there as well. Things like boxed mac n cheese, milk, fruit snacks, ground chuck, whipped cream, Toaster Strudels (you seriously can get like a 3 pack at Sam’s for the cost of 1 box at other grocery stores) and so many other items.

The Sam’s Savings $45 membership is the lowest among warehouse store membership fees! With this coupon you can get a $20 gift card when you sign up for membership making it an even better value!

In fact, savings.com is soo excited about the great deals you can get at Sam’s Club that they are giving away 10 Sam’s Club Plus Memberships! Hurry up and enter – the giveaway ends June 2nd!

Win a $100 Sam's Club Membership!

Posted in Deals, Money Matters | Leave a comment

The Busy Moms Guide to a Healthier Life

This is a sponsored post on behalf of BODY ARMOR LYTE -and the Mom It Forward Network. Though I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.

I have always said that Mom’s in a way get the ‘short end of the stick.’ Generally speaking we are the ones who keep it together – we are the core of the family; and if we aren’t happy and healthy, most likely our family isn’t happy and healthy either.

I work full-time along with my blog, and my husband is a truck driver. With three kids that leaves me as a sort of single Mom who pretty much is in charge of everything from household chores, to cooking, running kids here and there, getting them off to school or the sitter, and everything in between. And let me tell ya – it’s exhausting.

Now don’t get me wrong – I wouldn’t change a thing (OK maybe I’d hire a maid and a chef, but that’s besides the point). But there are days I am just completely exhausted. And there are times that if I notice that I’m not taking care of myself, that I am past exhausted – and quite grumpy as well, and as we know, unhappy wife/mom = unhappy family.

So there’s a few things I know that if I am feeling off that I need to do – and it seems to work nearly every time. We all have our off days; but knowing what to do to maintain a healthier happier life, makes life better for everyone!

Stress. Stress increases the risk of developing health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and a weakened immune system. Many studies show a correlation between stress and the development of mood disorders such as anxiety disorders and depression.
Stress is a legit issue with busy Moms – and reeks havoc on your mind and body. I know we can’t just eliminate stress completely from our lives, but we need to do our best to keep it at bay. This includes taking some ‘me’ time and relaxing. Stressing about a situation or problem does not resolve or help it – in fact, it probably makes it worse. So if you can sit back and relax and put life back into perspective, it will usually lower your stress levels.


Sleep.  Sleep plays an important role in your physical health.  For example, sleep is involved in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. Ongoing sleep deficiency is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
Stress can lead to loss of sleep – and also can trying to keep up with the Joneses. Sleep is important! That extra load of laundry, or the stuff in the living room can be cleaned up in the morning – get some rest!

Exercise.  Exercise boosts energy. … Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.

Hydration. Exercise (and hydration) kind of go hand-in-hand. Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate your joints. Water is needed for overall good health.
I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to ‘stomach’ such a large amount of plain water. That’s why I love BODYARMOR LYTE.


Body Armor Lyte has only 20 calories per serving, its naturally sweetened,no colors from artificial sources, and contains coconut water, electrolytes, and vitamins. They come in some delish flavors such as peach mango, and cherry berry, two of my favorite.

I take one to the gym with me every time I go, and it’s also what I carry in my bag when we go hiking or for a bike ride. You can order them online, or find them at your local Kroger or Meijer stores! (check it out for yourself, get your Body Armor Lyte Coupon here!)

 

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Your Time: Handy Advice and Apps for Planning a Mom’s Day Off

You’re a busy mom 24-7 and now it’s time for one of those rare events: a mom’s day off. Don’t waste your precious time wondering what to do. Every second counts. Whether you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, a spa day, lunch with the girls, or catching the latest movie, here is a list of apps you can use to plan your big day out, no matter what the weather.

Take The Weather With You

Before you set foot outside, you need to check your local weather. You can do that quickly and easily with Apalon’s Weather Live Free app. Features include outdoor temperature, wind speed, humidity dew point, weather radar and rain map, 7-day forecast and sunrise sunset times anywhere in the world, so you’ll know exactly how to dress and what to expect on your fun day out.

Your Personal Concierge 

If you live in the DC metro area, and you’re looking for something to do Ouli will make personalized suggestions for you. Whether you want a romantic dinner with your partner, brunch with the girls, a solo spa day, or a shopping spree around town, Ouli will recommend something to suit your wishes. This will save you wasting time searching through lists to find something you really want to do on your mom’s day off. Ouli will personalize your activities based on location, time your history and preferences so you can enjoy the things you like to do. The app will soon be available in other cities.

Find Stuff to Do

Every city has its own particular scene and DoStuff is designed to connect you with them.  You can use it to find dinner theaters, concerts, comedy clubs, even happy hours. DoStuff is connected to 20 cities through the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Tijuana, Vancouver, Victoria, Dallas, Indianapolis, Kansas City, New York City, and Nashville.

Beautify Yourself

If you’re in the mood for a new hair style, a spa day, or perhaps a mani-pedi, download Vanitee to your Android and let it help you find the perfect beauty service for your needs. Once you find what you need, you can book an appointment right there and then on your phone, no hassle. It couldn’t get more convenient.

Share a Secret

If you want to share a secret without anyone knowing who it’s about or from, Whisper is the perfect place to offload. This app will also let you read other people’s secrets, share honest thoughts, trade advice and share interests. Join the 30 million plus people who hand out at Whisper and share your most intimate thoughts.

It’s about time you decided to plan a mom’s day off, take a break from the kids and take some time to do your own thing. Why stress about how to spend your well-earned free time? Simply use these apps to help you plan a great day out or just relax. You’ll feel refreshed and relaxed and you deserve it.

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How to Keep Your Home Healthy

A healthy home means a healthy and happy family. The fewer allergens and irritants floating around, the better. Making it so comes with the fact that you need to make regular efforts to reduce unwanted and sometimes unseen guests into your home. And, it might take a multipronged effort in the form of regular cleaning, air filtration, and changing habits to keep a home healthy. Following are some tips to help you keep your home feeling like a great place to live.

Get Dust Under Control

Image via Flickr by mdid

Dust is something you’ll never be able to eliminate completely, but it is something you can control through regular cleaning and vigilance. Vacuuming is the most effective way to reduce dust as is wiping surfaces down whenever dust becomes visible. Make sure to change the filter and bag or clean out the container before you vacuum. Vacuum cleaners exhaust some of the dust they collect as part of their operation. The less dust in the vacuum before you start, the less you’ll have flying around in the air. When it comes to surfaces that collect dust, use antistatic sprays to prevent more dust from collecting.

Maintaining Air Quality

This seems like it should fall under the dust category, but air quality is much more than dust alone. Pollutants come in from the outside and mingle with the interior air, dirt tracked in carries contaminants such as mold, and pollen has a way of sneaking in when least expected. Pets also add to the mix when they shed hair and dandruff. You’d be excused for wanting to hermetically seal your home to prevent anything ever getting in from the outside. Since that’s not possible, you need to take steps to minimize what flies around in the air.

Make sure that the filter on the HVAC system is changed regularly and look into adding a home air purifying system to trap additional contaminants. If you can’t go this route, look into room air cleaners as a way to keep the air clean in high-traffic rooms. Another option is to schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician and have them clean out the ducts, vents, and inspect blower fans for dust buildup.

Switch to Nontoxic Cleaning Products

Household cleaning products do a great job of getting surfaces free of dirt, but they also come at a price in the form of chemical inhalation. You might make the assumption that they’re safe for use by people because they’re on the shelf, and you’re right to a point. However, you still inhale those chemicals and irritate sensitive linings in your respiratory system. The effects may be temporary, but why suffer in the first place? Green cleaning products are nontoxic and far less likely to make your home smell like chemicals and won’t irritate your body.

Keeping your home healthy isn’t an easy task, but it’s one that’s worthy of the effort. A home that smells and feels good is one that keeps you healthy and comfortable.

Posted in Cleaning & Organizing | Leave a comment