Do you keep a journal?  I am the worst journal-keeper ever.

I used to be pretty good at it when I was younger – okay, I used to do it when I was younger. Being good at it might be a little too generous. But, then… Life. Marriage. Motherhood.

I was so busy living (sometimes surviving) day-to-day that I was sure I wouldn’t forget the important stuff and the daily stuff was monotonous. Did I really need another journal entry about dishes and laundry and baby snot on my clothes?

WHY WE NEED TO JOURNAL THE LITTLE THINGS

But, I realized that I WAS forgetting the important stuff.  Wait, what day was it when my beautiful little niece was born again?! And how much did the doctor say my youngest weighed at his well-baby check up last week? If only I’d written it down!

And, you know what, the dishes, laundry and baby snot DOES matter. It might seem like small, inconsequential chores and a boring daily grind – but it’s my life! It’s not always glamorous and fancy, but it’s mine.

When I’m feeling unaccomplished and like I spent my day just spinning my wheels, some times I need to account for the little things like laundry and dishes. Because keeping my family fed and clothed IS important. Having a physical list of my accomplishments helps me have the motivation to do it all again the next day.

EVEN YOU HAVE TIME TO JOURNAL WITH A CALENDAR JOURNAL

Part of my struggle was time. I felt like I didn’t have time to sit down and write for 20 minutes! And filling only three lines in my journal was kind of depressing.

However, I seemed to have stumbled on something that works! A Calendar Journal. I first saw a similar idea on a Flickr feed. The one I originally saw, I can’t seem to locate, but the link is quite similar. I totally fell in love with the idea. THIS I can do! AND I DID!

Eleven months down and I only missed a week plus a couple days. It looks so neat and only takes a couple minutes a day (usually right before I go to bed). The good news: I think I’m hooked!

WHY THE CALENDAR JOURNAL WORKS SO WELL

The limited space is just what I need. It’s small enough that I don’t feel like I need to spend large chunks of time on writing. I just jot down a few quick notes and I’m done. Some times, I write in it while I brush my teeth at night. Super quick, super easy.

It’s also a creative outlet for me and that’s just what I need to wind down and relax at the end of my day.

And, if I do miss a couple days, I can go back pretty easily and fill it in. (Confession: I may or may not have spent some time filling in about a month and a half in November and December… whoops. But I was able to get it all filled in before I forgot everything and my calendar still looks awesome.)

WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN CALENDAR JOURNAL?

I have the 2018 calendars available for purchase in my Etsy shop. It is a one-time, single instant download with all 12 months. The PDF file has all 24 calendar pages and is ready for printing right at home. Another nice thing about the PDF packet is that you will be able to print the pages back-to-back all at one time. Each month also has extra space to write down additional notes.  I used it for things my kids said, anything exciting that didn’t fit in the box for that day and little extras (like when my husband surprised me with a new cell phone upgrade).

I never got around to binding my pages, they are all still just loose papers, as you can see in the photos above. Some binding ideas are: You could put them in a three-ring binder, bind them with tape and glue or sew them together.

UPDATE 2018: I now do my calendar journal in my planner. I used the Mom on the Go Planner from leafytreetops.com last year. I love the weekly spread where each day is split into three columns. I use the bottom box to do my calendar journal and the top boxes are my appointments and to-dos. Any blank calendar or planner would work though. I also really like the Erin Condren Life Planner – it has the three column layout as well.

Enjoy and happy journaling!

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THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS DURING PREGNANCY

I’m 8 months pregnant with my 3rd baby. I’m not a newbie to this pregnancy thing.

This wasn’t an unforeseen complication. It could have been prevented.

I know all the do’s and don’t’s. I know the importance of staying hydrated and fed.

But, last week I ended up spending about four hours in the hospital.

It was a busy morning getting Big J off to preschool and Little J had absconded with about half my breakfast… because, it’s always better off Mommy’s plate, or something. I was so busy I didn’t realize what I was depriving myself – and my baby – of. Food. Fuel.

PRIORITIES DON’T HAVE TO BE TIME CONSUMING

It can be so easy to get so busy that things just slip by us. Mom life is a busy life. It can happen to any of us. So, learn from my oversight, my busy mistake, my imperfect mom life.

And keep this list of healthy, low-prep snack ideas on hand for the next time you make out your grocery list or just need some ideas.

It’s the perfect solution when nothing really sounds good. Or maybe you’re so full of baby, you don’t feel hungry. Whatever the case, pregnancy can be hard enough – let’s make it a little easier.

After some research and brush up from all those health classes I took once upon a time, I came up with a list of snacks that are easy to make with little to no prep and are healthy.  I’ve divided them into categories: high in iron, high in calcium and high in protein. Some of them appear in more than one section.

Snack Ideas High in Protein

– Cottage Cheese and Fruit
– Jerky (choose a low-sodium, low-sugar brand or make your own)
– Mixed Nuts or Trail Mix
– Eggs
– Deli Meat (choose one low in sodium and preservatives.  Put it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to be safe, if you’re pregnant)
– Protein Shakes or Bars
– Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (here’s a Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie recipe, a Cranberry Almond Oatmeal Cookie recipe and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal cookie recipe – try them all! The cranberry almond is my favorite though. And hang on to these after baby is born. Oatmeal can give you a boost while you’re lactating too!)
– Hummus and Veggie Dippers
– Cheese and Crackers
– Chocolate Milk
– Greek Yogurt and Fruit
– Peanut Butter or other nut butter (low-fat and crunchy is best)
– Soy Nuts
– Roasted Edamame
– Tuna (eat sparingly while pregnant)
– Lentils (a yummy, pre-cooked bean salad, perhaps?)
– Oatmeal (pre-packaged flavored packets are super simple and quick!)

Snack Ideas High in Calcium

– Leafy Greens
– Low-fat Cheese
– Milk
– Yogurt or Greek Yogurt
– Broccoli
– Okra
– Green Beans
– Almonds
– Fortified Cereals
– Fortified Orange Juice
– Soybeans
– Enriched breads
– Oranges
– Oatmeal
– Milkshake
– Omelette
– Cream Cheese on Enriched Bagel

Snack Ideas High in Iron

* If you eat high vitamin C foods with these, your body will better absorb the iron.

– Raisins and Peanuts
– Whole Grain Cereal
– Jerky
– Protein Bars and Shakes
– Meat (Chicken, Beef, Fish – Add these to meals or salads)
– Dark Chocolate (at least 80%)
– Dried Apricots
– Potatoes
– Quinoa
– Beans (black, kidney – on Nachos made with whole grain chips and low-fat cheese or in a salad)
– Broccoli
– Enriched Pasta
– Rice
– Artichokes
– Dried Fruits

What’s your favorite, easy snack?  Give me your ideas in the comments!

Do you want a printable version of this list? CLICK HERE to Sign up to get it in your inbox!

The post 30+ Healthy & Low-Prep Snack Ideas for the Busy, Pregnant Mom appeared first on While He Was Napping.

While the initial cost was more than a bottle of sunscreen from the store, I had enough supplies to get my family of 5 through all of last summer – we spent 6 weeks of our 8 week summer traveling and were outside A LOT. I also only used a fraction of the ingredients, so I didn’t have to buy anything this year. Overall, it’s evened out to be comparable to the cost of sunscreen from the store and it’s actually good for your skin. If you don’t want to recoup your costs over time, this would be a great project to split with a friend or two.

DIY SUNSCREEN: PROTECTION WITHOUT THE CHEMICALS

I will let you do your own research on sunscreen because my goal here isn’t to try to convince you that homemade is right and wonderful and store bought is wrong and bad. We are actually a divided house on this matter. From personal experience, I prefer homemade sunscreen. My husband does not. We still use store bought sunscreen and our home is definitely not an organic, all-natural only home (she types as she sips her Vanilla Coke).

I simply want to offer another option to what’s out there. Using chemical-free sunscreen is an option. It’s relatively simple to make, it will protect your family and it is good for your skin. My favorite thing about DIY sunscreen is that it doesn’t make me feel oily and greasy. I hate feeling sweaty, which often happens when you’re out in the sun, and it is 100 times worse to have that feeling compounded by an oily lotion. That has been a huge complaint of mine since I was a child and this homemade version solves that problem for me. This DIY sunscreen feels like any other body lotion I routinely use.

DIY SUNSCREEN: THE PROS AND CONS

What’s the benefits of making your own sunscreen? Well, here’s what I discovered last year. The actual making part is relatively easy. However, not everyone loves homemade sunscreen. My husband prefers the stuff from the store, while I prefer the homemade stuff.

PROS:

• All natural ingredients – no allergic reactions to unknown chemicals
• Easy to make in small or large batches
• Protects as well as store bought sunscreen with no harsh chemicals
• Costs about as much per ounce as sunscreen from the store – if you want to off-set the initial cost, share ingredients with some friends.
• Doesn’t feel greasy after application

CONS:

• Slightly whitens skin – doesn’t bother me any, but this is a definite downside for my husband.
• Lower SPF – Did you know that an SPF 40 is not equivalent to 2x the strength of an SPF 20? A SPF 20 blocks about 94% of UVB rays, a 40 blocks around 98%. We’re so fair skinned that we reapply every couple hours and a lower SPF doesn’t make much of a difference for us.
• Takes a little longer to apply – This is the biggest reason my husband doesn’t like homemade sunscreen, however our leftovers from last year are spreading better now.

HOW TO MAKE DIY SUNSCREEN

Making your own sunscreen lotion is easy, once you find your ingredients. However, I’ve tried to make that super easy too. I’ve included links to the exact products I use in my sunscreen. I buy from Bulk Apothecary and have since 2011. I’ve always been happy with their products and their pricing is hard to beat (although shipping sometimes feels a little pricey). The only thing Bulk Apothecary doesn’t have is the Raspberry Seed Oil, which you can get on Amazon. You could probably find all the ingredients on Amazon, but it can be hard to know what quality you’re getting. I trust Bulk Apothecary.

I use this kitchen scale to measure out my ingredients and highly suggest this method if you can. You’ll get more precise ratios. I did include measurements in tea and tablespoons too, but your results will be more reliable if you use the weight measurements.

This sunscreen recipe has an approximate SPF 37. You can omit any of the ingredients and still create sunscreen, but it will change the SPF and possibly the physical make up of the lotion. I’ve included each ingredient’s purpose; so, if you do omit something, you’ll know what you’re losing. Okay, ready to protect your skin with all the good stuff?

The purpose of each ingredient:

Beeswax – makes the lotion waterproof, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
Coconut oil –  natural SPF of about 2-8, anti-bacterial, natural moisturizer, full of anti-oxidants
Jojoba oil – natural SPF 4, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal
Aloe vera – soothes skin irritations, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, natural moisturizer, helps make sunscreen easier to spread
Unrefined shea butter –  natural SPF of 3-8, natural moisturizer, good source of vitamins for skin, anti-inflammatory
Zinc oxide – sun protectant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging properties
Vitamin E – can extend life of the sunscreen, natural moisturizer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory
Raspberry seed oil – natural SPF 30-40, anti-inflammatory, can substitute carrot seed oil; this is expensive, but you don’t use much and it’s worth the SPF protection – you could get 24 batches of sunscreen with a 2 oz bottle

Materials/Ingredients:

Makes enough lotion to fill a 3 oz cosmetic tube

• 10 grams (1 Tbsp + 1 tsp) white beeswax | Get it here
• 26 grams (1 Tbsp + 2 tsp) coconut oil | Get it here
• 10 grams (2 1/2 tsp) jojoba oil | Get it here
• 10 grams (2 tsp) 1x aloe vera Liquid | Get it here
• 15 grams (approx 1 Tbsp) Unrefined Shea Butter | Get it here
• 20 grams (4 slightly heaping Tbsp) non-nano zinc oxide powder | Get it here
• 1/4 tsp liquid vitamin E | Get it here
• 1/4 tsp raspberry seed oil | Get it on Amazon
• double broiler or a small pot and a glass jar (I use an old pot and a small measuring glass or a mason jar)
• wooden skewer or small spatula or whisk
• ziptop bags
• cosmetic tubes to put your lotion in (I found empty soft squeeze tubes at Walmart last year in their travel cosmetics, but when I looked this year, they didn’t have the same kind. I got what they did have and they are stiffer and harder to squeeze. I don’t like them as well; this is the kind I prefer.)

Instructions/Directions

SET UP YOUR DOUBLE BROILER

Step #1: If you’re using an actual double broiler, follow the directions it comes with. If you don’t have a double broiler, you can use a pot and glass jar. This is my method. Fill the pot with water until it is about 4 inches from the top. Place on the stove burner.

Step #2: Measure out all your ingredients with the kitchen scale and put them in the glass jar. Put the glass jar in the water on the stove and turn the stove on to low-medium heat. You want the water to come to a rolling boil. Once achieved, turn down the stove if you need to. You just want to maintain that rolling boil. Too rapid a boil can tip your jar and your sunscreen will be ruined.

MELT AND MIX YOUR SUNSCREEN

Step #3: Let the ingredients melt and liquefy. Stir with your skewer, spatula or whisk to thoroughly combine. It should be white in color and creamy in texture with no lumps. The bubbles will pop as the lotion cools.

Step #4: Remove from heat, turn off the stove, and remove the jar from the water. Be CAREFUL!! The jar will be VERY HOT! Let the lotion cool for several hours to room temperature, stirring occasionally to keep combined.

In the photo below, you’ll notice there is 3.5 oz of melted lotion in the measuring cup. You’ll lose some of the volume to the jar and zip bag when you transfer the lotion. It will also condense as it solidifies. A 3 oz cosmetic tube is the size you want.

Note: I actually tried pouring the hot lotion directly into the cosmetic tube and skipping the ziptop bag. It worked… alright. The tube didn’t melt like I worried it might, but it got pretty soft. This tube was a thicker plastic than the tubes I prefer, so a thinner tube may melt. The biggest issue though was mixing the lotion while it cooled. It’s really hard to mix anything well when there’s no room to stir it up. If you want a well mixed lotion, let it cool in the jar and use the ziptop bag.

FILL YOUR COSMETIC TUBES

Step #5: Using the skewer, spatula or whisk, scrape as much of the cooled lotion into a ziptop bag. Snip a small corner off the bottom of the bag.

Step #6: Carefully, fill the squeeze tubes with the lotion by squeezing it out of the bag and into the cosmetic tube. Squeeze the lotion to the bottom of the tube occasionally so you can fill the entire tube.

That’s it. You just made your very own sunscreen! Use and store as you would any other sunscreen lotion. The shortest shelf life of these ingredients is 1-2 years. The vitamin E may help extend that. You’ll know it’s gone bad if it has an acidic or rancid oil smell. If so, toss it and start over. The leftovers from the batch I made last year are still going strong though.

DIY SUNSCREEN THAT PROTECTS YOUR SKIN & YOUR FAMILY!

If you’ve been wanting a different option than all those brightly colored bottles lined up on the store at the shelves, something with ingredients you can pronounce, something that will protect your family’s skin without harsh chemicals, then making your own sunscreen is a great choice. You get to choose exactly what is in the sun protectant you’re putting on your skin.

I have loved making my DIY sunscreen over the past year. If I can do it, you can too. So, get out there and have a safe summer! Protect your skin with DIY Sunscreen!

The post How to make DIY Sunscreen that will protect your family appeared first on While He Was Napping.

Oh, also… I’m not a doctor, nor do I have any medical training. This is NOT medical advice. I’m just a tired, stressed out mom trying to share some of the things that help me cope and even succeed, because maybe they’ll help you too.

AROMATHERAPY WITH ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

Aromatherapy has been around for a long time and I’ve spent the last two years researching and testing essential oils in my home. Essential oils will never replace my medicine cabinet, but they do have a place within it. When I started my essential oil research, I didn’t plan to study aromatherapy. But, it has become one of my favorite uses for essential oils. Aromatherapy has been beneficial for my mental health. It’s incredible what essential oils can do for your mood. When combined with (BONUS TACTIC ALERT!) mini meditation sessions and short, focused work times my productivity has increased dramatically.

WANT MORE FOCUS? TRY THESE ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

If you struggle with focus, these recipes are for you. Do you find yourself dragging through the afternoon (or before noon!)? Then, these recipes are for you. If you’re tired, your to-do list is long and you start many tasks but accomplish few, this is for you. If you

• were up all night with the kids
• suffer from insomnia
• are committed to too many things
• feel frazzled, stressed, or anxious
• are facing deadlines and feel stuck

find a recipe and try it. Not all essential oils have the same impact on every person, but these essential oil recipes are a great place to start to improve your focus and get things done.

10 ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES THAT WILL HELP YOU FOCUS

You may find that one method of use is more effective for you. Personally, topical application works better for me than diffusing the oils. I use roller bottles a lot, but if diffusing works for you, then do that. These recipes are simple. In all 10 recipes, there are only 6 oils. Most of the oils are common and have multiple uses – which makes me more likely to keep them stocked in my home.

Imagine crawling into bed, your pillow soft against your face as you relax and drift into sleep. Your responsibilities are taken care of – to the best of your ability and you can rest easy. Tomorrow, you’ll get up and do it again. You’ll crush your to-do list. With some discipline, determination and focus you’ll be a rock star!

Materials/Ingredients:

• Peppermint Essential Oil (get it now)
• Lemon Essential Oil (get it now)
• Lavender Essential Oil (get it now)
• Grapefruit Essential Oil (get it now)
• Rosemary Essential Oil (get it now)
• Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (get it now)
• Diffuser (I have and love this one – love it’s large capacity!) or Roller Bottles (I use these ones)
• Essential Oil recipes for Focus printable below

GET YOUR 10 ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES PRINTABLE REFERENCE SHEET

This handy reference sheet will help you keep all the recipes in one place, neat and organized. I have a small notebook where I keep essential oil recipes and printables so, if I find a recipe that works well, I can make sure I’m able to go back and replicate it again and again. All you need to do is enter your information below to get instant access to the recipes and the premium printable.

Click on the image below to download your high resolution printable reference sheet.

FOR USE IN A DIFFUSER

Step #1: Add water to the max fill line in your diffuser. I like to use distilled water to help keep my diffuser clean.

Step #2: Add the essential oils as directed in each recipe.

Step 3#: Replace the diffuser cover and turn it on. If you diffuser allows you to set time limits or frequency of mist, do that now.

You can diffuse for a couple hours or all day; however, I find it most effective when I diffuse while I am actively working on a task.

FOR USE IN ROLLER BOTTLES

Step #1: Clean and disinfect roller bottles – I run them through a cycle in the dishwasher – before use. Let dry completely.

Step #2: Add the essential oils in the recipe and fill the remainder of your 10mL roller bottle with carrier oil. Fractionated coconut oil is common and works well, but I actually like grapeseed oil in my roller bottle blends.

Step #3: Gently shake the roller bottle before each use to re-blend the oils. Apply to wrists, temples, back of your neck or the bottoms of your feet. Temples and wrists are my preferred locations.

FIND YOUR FOCUS AND GET STUFF DONE WITH THESE ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

What are you waiting for? If you’re just starting with essential oils, this is a great place to try a few things. When I first started using oils, I wanted miracles and I wanted them RIGHT NOW. But, oils don’t work that way. Be consistent and willing to try other methods to find the one that is right for you. You’ll find your focus and things will get done. And you’ll feel better too!

FOR BEST RESULTS, USE QUALITY OILS

I use Rocky Mountain Oils. I love their guarantee and return policy. The quality of their oils is comparable to the other expensive brands I’ve used before while being a little easier on my wallet and budget too. They are affordable and effective – and, my favorite part, there’s no MLM structure so you can order what you need when you need it.

The post 10 Essential Oil Recipes that will Help You Focus appeared first on While He Was Napping.

CAN YOU FALL ASLEEP QUICKLY AND REST DEEPLY WITH SLEEP APPS?

Are your days long and exhausting and your nights restless and leave you more tired than you were the day before? What would you give for just one night of restful, rejuvenating sleep? Would you dedicate 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes? Imagine a night where you crawl into bed. Your head presses into the pillow, the fabric soft against your face. Your mind is calm. Your body relaxed. Your eyelids close. And you sleep. When you wake, you are rested and ready for whatever woke you.

I’ve spent years with an erratic sleep pattern. Whether it’s crying babies, upset toddlers, sick kids, a snoring husband, a mind that just won’t quit or insomnia. I’ve woken up so many mornings wondering why I even bothered with sleep. I’ve tried it all – medication, supplements, oils, routines, meditation. I know how frustrating and exhausting it is.

But, that’s in the past now.

ARE SLEEP APPS YOUR ANSWER?

After I spent hundreds of hours researching sleep and sleep patterns, talking to my doctor, trying supplements, essential oils, and anything else I could possibly think to try, I was still exhausted.

• Are your days long and your nights longer?
• Are you awake multiple times a night?
• Is it hard to shut your mind off when you climb into bed?
• Do you get up in the morning, feeling even more tired than when you went to sleep?

If any of that describes you, then you need this. I can’t promise your results will be as awesome as mine have been, but I’ve been desperate too, and I promise it won’t hurt to try. I had to experiment and adjust things until I found the right balance for me. But, it’s totally worth it!

THE SLEEP APPS THAT WILL HELP YOU WAKE UP REJUVENATED AND READY TO FACE THE DAY

Our world is full of technology. My husband is a gadget guy and we like our electronics. I read about leaving the electronics in another room, about the harm blue light can do to your sleep cycles, and how technology is bad, bad, bad for sleep.

But, I figured if I wasn’t going to sleep anyway, I might as well have something to distract me from all the sleeping I wasn’t doing. One night, after I’d been up with my youngest and couldn’t fall back asleep, I was browsing the Google Play Store and found some sleep apps I decided to try. It changed everything.

HEADSPACE – GUIDED MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS

There are sessions that build upon each other, or you can do a single session designed for whatever you need help focusing on.

• Is the day just too much and you feel a breakdown coming on? There’s a session for that.
• Do you fear flying and you’re waiting in the terminal? There’s a session for that.
• Commuting and you’d like to relax before you get home? There’s a session for that.

The sleep sessions are part of the subscription, but you can try the fundamental “take 10” sessions for free. I did a fundamental session one day when I was feeling really scattered and it sold me on trying the full version of Headspace. There are four subscription options: monthly, yearly, two years, and forever. I opted to try it on the monthly subscription for $13, in the chance I didn’t like it. I’ve upgraded to the yearly subscription since.

WHITE NOISE: BACH BY THE SEA

Growing up, I slept with white noise; but, my husband likes it silent. In fact, he pulls the blankets up over his ears to muffle all noise. So, I stopped using white noise when I got married. But, I discovered that I need the white noise to sleep more deeply and restfully. Otherwise, every little creak, whistle of wind, child stirring and that far-away siren snatch me right from slumber.

My white noise of choice is Bach by the Sea. It’s the typical white noise ocean waves, but with beautiful works of Bach over the top. What I love about this is, if my brain hasn’t relaxed quite enough for sleep, I can focus on the music. If I’m already drifting off, I focus on the ocean sounds. I can pretty much fall asleep in less than 2 minutes with this. I just play it on the music player on my phone, but you can download the whole album at the links below. It works great on my kids too.

WAKE UP RIGHT WITH SLEEP CYCLE

I am NOT a morning person. Anything before 9:00 am is really hard for me. This sleep app hasn’t made me love mornings by any means, but it has made them easier. Some day… I hope to get up early before my family so I can get some work done – instead of burning the midnight oil, which doesn’t help my sleep problems.

Sleep Cycle tracks your movement with the accelerometer in your phone while you’re sleeping to wake you while you’re in a light sleep cycle, which is as close as you’ll to get to waking naturally when you have to be up and ready for the day in a timely manner. You just place it on your mattress – I place it near my pillow, not under it – and it’ll track all night. I was a little worried it wouldn’t work well with my memory foam mattress, but it does fine most of the time. And there’s still a snooze option, if you need it. There’s some interesting graphs from all that tracking too.

You can try it free for a month and see if it works for you, after that it’s $30/year. If my alarm clock can wake me up less drowsy and ready to conquer my day, it’s worth $30 to me.

SLEEP APPS THAT WILL HAVE YOU SLEEPING PEACEFULLY AND WAKING REFRESHED

So, just imagine. Tomorrow morning, your eyelids flutter open to a soft, peaceful alarm. You stretch and you’re ready to begin the day. Your mind isn’t hazy, your body feels refreshed. What are you waiting for? It can’t hurt to try; I made sure you could try these sleep apps out before you committed your pennies to it. If it doesn’t work for you, well, at least you know. But, what if it does? What are restful, rejuvenating nights worth to you?

The post 3 Sleep Apps that will have you Sleeping like a Baby appeared first on While He Was Napping.

I love that Star Wars fandom spans across generations. I love that my niece loves to receive Star Wars gifts just as much and my boys – and her dad – do. And I’ll admit, I love a good Star Wars gift too, even if it’s just because I know my little Jedi-in-training picked it out just for me.

But, are there really awesome Star Wars gifts that Mom would actually want and use? Absolutely! I’ve put together a whole collection of Star Wars gifts that will get mom through her day so you can be sure she will use it and love it! Here’s 19 Star Wars gifts that mom will love and actually use this holiday season.

STAR WARS GIFTS FOR MOM

From day break and that first coffee, what to wear and how to accessorize, all the way to bedtime, these are some awesome gifts that will get mom through her whole day:

1. The Force Awakens Travel Mug
2. Yoda Keep Calm Mug
3. Yoda Best Mom Mug
4. Every Great Mom Teaches her Children Tee
5. The Force is Strong with This Mom Tee
6. Star Wars Heads panties
7. Star Wars R2-D2 Death Star panties
8. Millenium Falcon Necklace
9. Millenium Falcon Earrings
10. Star Wars Watch
11. Darth Vader Slouchy Beanie
12. R2-D2 Scarf
13. Lightsaber Umbrella
14. May the Force be with You Tote Bag
15. Stormtrooper Satchel
16. Stormtrooper Wallet
17. R2-D2 tank top
18. Chewbacca Slippers
19. Yoda Pajamas

I’m pretty certain I need “the force is strong with this mom” t-shirt and those Chewbacca slippers just make me happy. How could you not love to open those gifts this holiday season?! Whether it’s starting the day off with a cup of Keep Calm from Yoda, fighting off gloomy raindrops with a lightsaber umbrella while running errands or ending the night with a wookie keeping toes warm, Star Wars will be there to get mom through the day!

The post 19 Star Wars Gifts that will get Mom through the day appeared first on While He Was Napping.

I’m so there right now. I feel a little like I’m drowning and I just can’t get on top of things. My to-do list is always longer than my day. I always add more to it than I get crossed off. And there’s no end in sight.

Have you ever felt that way?

I have been wrestling with this lately. The responses I’ve gotten back from asking about your biggest struggle have been pretty clear. This is something we all struggle with at some time, I think.

I don’t have any miracle solutions that will help you magically get your to-do list crossed off and I’m still a little bummed that the time I’ve been putting in hasn’t paid off like I had hoped it would. Okay, a lot bummed. But, I want you to know that I know what it’s like.

This funk. This plateau. This treading water. This rut. Whatever you want to call it, I know it.

But, this is what I’ve decided to do about it. I’m not going to just survive anymore.

I’m going to LIVE.

I’m going to enjoy this season. I’m going to do what I can and it’s going to be enough. I’m going to play with my kids. I’m going to savor the cooler days and the changing leaves and I’m going to do all the Fall things I enjoy.

And I’m not going to feel guilty about it.

I am going to be oh so happy.

Do you want to be happy too?

Maybe you’re thinking you’re already happy. Or maybe things are bad right now and you think you can’t be happy.

Know what I say to that?

• HOGWASH.
• BOLOGNA.
• BULL CRAP.

YOU CAN BE HAPPY.

If you’re already happy, could you be happier? If you’re having a hard time right now, that’s okay. There is still enough good in the world that you can be happy. Even if it’s just for a moment. For one tiny little piece of your day. You CAN be happy. I can be happy. Life is too short for to-do lists that never end and plateaus that never come to a rise or fall.

So I’m taking control and I’m doing it. I am going to make time to be happy. I’m going to live in such a way that I will be happy. Will you join me?

If you’re in and you want to make being happy a priority this season, click the button below and sign up for my Be Oh So Happy Challenge.

I’ve got more details coming your way. I’m still piecing it together in my head and planning it out, but I needed to tell someone about it. Someone who will hold me accountable. Someone who wants to be happy too. Someone who wants to live more intentionally this season.

Is that you? Will you hold me to this? Will you join me?

Grab a blank printable coloring page of the Be Oh So Happy image above.

Give yourself permission to take the time to color your Be Oh So Happy color page. The dishes will still be there later. Color while you’re on your lunch break. Or right before bed. It’s not a complicated design and won’t take long. Coloring always makes me feel happy and this way you’ll have a pretty reminder that you are going to be oh so happy this Fall.

I can’t wait to have you join me and, together, we’re going to live more intentionally and BE HAPPY!

The post Be Oh So Happy appeared first on While He Was Napping.

Hi there, friend! I’m so glad you’re here today. I’ve got a question for you. Are you ready?

Have you ever had an unexpected visit from dreaded Mother Nature, or Aunt Flo, or ‘that time of the month’ or whatever else you may call it? Yes, that’s right. Your period.

I know, you’re probably thinking we don’t know each other well enough for this conversation. But, hear me out.

There’s nothing quite like that unexpected surprise. You’re having a fine day and then WHAM! There it is. No warning, no nothin’! And those are your favorite panties, right?! Happens to the best of us, I promise.

But what’s worse than a surprise visit from every woman’s least favorite aunt? A surprise visit when you are out and about and completely unprepared! Maybe you’re even on vacation. Or out with your favorite girls.

But, don’t worry! There’s a way you can avoid that awkward situation! I’ve got exactly what you need: A period preparedness car kit.

Here’s what this kit can do for you:

• Enjoy your vacations, your shopping trips, your lunch dates or date night, your beach trips, and your girls’ nights out, even if your period interrupts you.
• Have the confidence that you can handle any situation Mother Nature might throw at you, even when you’re away from home.
• Never have to beg your girlfriends (or a stranger!) for feminine hygiene products again! You might even become the go-to hero among your girlfriends.

Do you want that confidence? Click that yellow next arrow to keep reading and I’ll tell you exactly what you need to do to stay confident and comfortable, no matter when your period strikes. And how U by Kotex® can help.

On the next page you’ll get the full supply list and directions on putting your Period Preparedness Car Kit ready to go.

The post Period Preparedness Car Kit appeared first on While He Was Napping.

Hey, there! I’m happy you’re here!

Let’s talk about snacking. It can be hard to make good snacking choices when life is busy, right?

You’re a busy go-getter, bouncing from running errands to play dates for the kids and then on to piano, dance, soccer and that meeting at the kids’ school.

Or maybe you’re chasing a toddler and balancing a newborn between keeping the household smoothly running.

What about work responsibilities? Maybe there’s a day job in there somewhere. Or you work from home. And being a stay-at-home mom is definitely work too!

Add in your other activities, meetings, and schedules for the whole family; things get crazy quick!

SNACKING FOR MORE ENERGY

You need energy to keep up with your kids, work, life! And snacking can be a great way to do that.

If you make good snack choices.

It can be really easy (and delicious) to reach for candy and other junk. But it won’t give you the energy you need. You need quick and easy, grab-and-go snack options!

You’re in luck! I’ve done the work of figuring out what to eat! I’m going to share ten better-for-you, take on-the-go snack options for you AND the kids!

BETTER-FOR-YOU, ON-THE-GO SNACK OPTIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

We like to pair our snacks with Capri Sun Organic juice drinks.

1. Apple slices and peanut butter

2. Cucumber spears and fat-free ranch dip

3. Fruit salad
4. Veggies and hummus

5. Tortilla roll-ups
6. Pita strips and hummus

7. Graham crackers with peanut butter and bananas

8. Whole-grain crackers with fat-free cream cheese and a veggie slice

9. Meat and cheese spears

10. Avocado deviled eggs

It’s important to me that my family eats a balanced diet, even when we’re really busy. Snacks I can take on-the-go are a must-have in our household. I love that all of those snacks can be made ahead of time, stored in the fridge or cupboard and eaten when hunger strikes.

My kids are impatient and want snacks NOW. By having better-for-you options ready to go, they are more likely to choose better snacks. And they still feel like they get to choose their snacks – not me. It’s much less of a fight when my kids make the choice to eat better snacks.

Capri Sun Organic offers a great drink option for better-for-you snacking. Capri Sun Organic is way to give your kids the taste they love with a simpler ingredient list. Sweetened with 66% fruit juice and no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors, Capri Sun Organic is a wholesome drink option you can feel good about. Each pouch has a full serving of fruit* and provides 100% recommended daily value Vitamin C. And there are four great flavors to choose from: Tropical Punch, Fruit Punch, Apple and Grape.

Capri Sun Organic fits into busy schedules perfectly. They are perfect for picnics, day trips, road trips, and on-the-go snacking. Kids love them; they taste great and are the perfect size for little hands to hang on to. Parents love them; the ingredients are simple and few. Let Capri Sun Organic help you on your way to better-for-you snacking!

*Each pouch provides 1/2 cup of fruit juice, which is one serving of fruit according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

The post Better-for-You Snacking on-the-go appeared first on While He Was Napping.

FEBRUARY JOURNAL CALENDAR

You can download the PDF file of both pages (only one is pictured above) for the February 2016 Journal Calendar. The two pages are combined into one file, so you only have to download once. Missed out on last month’s calendar. That’s okay! It’s never too late to start! And if you want to print last month’s journal calendar and try to go back and fill some of it in, you can do that too!

Why is the Journal Calendar so amazing? Because it’s the easiest way I have found to keep a daily journal and it takes less than five minutes a day. I’m a busy momma and as much as I like to write, I don’t often have the time to sit and write a journal entry each day. With the Journal Calendar, I can capture the highlights and get a pretty complete picture of what my day, week, month and year has been like… It’s usually full of laundry… without feeling like I’m leaving other things unfinished because I was trying to write in my journal. Here is what my January Calendar looks like so far… pretty cool, right?

DOWNLOAD THE FEBRUARY 2016 JOURNAL CALENDAR!

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