New to the EO game

Have you ever used essential oils? I've seen them floating around in "crunchy mama" land for a while, but have not ever personally tried them. Now that we've hit the terrible four month old sleep regression combined with early teething, I'm thinking about investing in a few staple oils and seeing if they work for our family. I know to be extra careful and do lots of research before administering anything to our baby, and I would love to try some less invasive methods before giving him Tylenol or any other over the counter medications. Especially with winter around the corner (and with it, lots of physical ailments!), it could be a good time to try a few. The great thing is they can also be used in place of cleaning and beauty products. Any tips for a first timer? Interested in learning more? Any other homeopathic recommendations? I'd love to hear...

A list of 101 uses and benefits

How a "regular" person uses essential oils

Tips for using EOs for weight loss

Safe use for babies

Essential oils for newbies, plus other tips

And always remember to be safe.

the best gift

You know what gift I have loved giving the past few weeks? Plants! I think I've given away three in the past week! They are simple, beautiful, and full of life (and usually affordable!). Always original, but still "safe"-- meaning, almost anyone can appreciate receiving a plant. Especially with spring on the horizon, I'm loving handing out these little babies of sunshine :)

What's your go-to gift?


P.S. Incredible houseplants and mason jar terrariums 


Image found here //

simply imagine

This clip of BJ Novak reading this book with no pictures is killing me! I love the kids reacting to the words- showing them to find imagination and creativity in words alone. Such a beautiful, albeit so silly, book, because it produces something magical in these kids! I just can't get the teacher out of me... ;)

Also... Awesome People Reading.



Image found here //

treat yo'self

If you haven't been able to tell by my lack of blogging last week, things have been busy around here. I think the 9-5 grind is finally catching up with us (more like 8-6 for Andrew...), as we've been hitting the hay earlier and earlier each night. With family in town, a dog to sit, a new morning workout routine, dinner with new friends, and a full on marriage workshop this past weekend, we've had a full 7 previous days. Now summer will be winding down and schedules will be getting back to somewhat consistent (did I spy BOOTS at Target yesterday?! Yay! Fall is upon us.), and hopefully we can begin to build a little more of a stable routine.

In the mean time, I wanted to share a recipe that has become a new go-to for me in the busy mornings. About two months ago, I cut out all meat, dairy, wheat, and sugar from my diet. It's been a slow transformation, and transformation is the key word. I still allow myself some exceptions on some occasions, but for the most part, I want the food I eat to be mainly fruit, vegetables, seeds, beans, lentils, etc. So... that can leave one to wonder "what in the world do I eat that is actually filling and doesn't require hours of preparation and exotic ingredients?" I give you... Chia Pudding. 

Have you ever had Chia seeds? I fell in love about a year and a half ago when Andrew's mother introduced them to me. Here's the trick- you let them sit in water for about 10 minutes, and they form a gel like layer around the seed and soak up the water, leaving you with a pudding like consistency- think tapioca. So, if the texture of rice pudding sends shivers down your spine, then this recipe is not for you. But, if you want a clean digestive system and a fun texture party in your mouth, scoop away.

Jenna's Chia Pudding

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup Organic Chia Seeds

2/3 Cup Water

2/3 Cup Organic Blueberries

2/3 Cup Organic Strawberries (cut into bite-size pieces)

1 Tbs Coconut flakes (optional)

Directions:

Mix chia seeds and water in a normal size bowl and place in refrigerator. 

Let sit for 10-20 minutes, or until all liquid is gone consistency is thick and gel-like.

Gently mix in blueberries, strawberries (or other desired fruit), and optional coconut flakes. 

That's it! Quick, easy, and simple food that still tastes great and leaves you feeling like you truly love your body and treat it well. I also usually have a banana or a green smoothie for a little extra filling (my morning hunger trumps most). Give it a try, play around with it, and let me know what recipes you create!

xoxo

P.S. Have a sweet tooth and need a little more "oomph"? Check out this Vanilla Chia Pudding recipe. 

(And source of these lovely images.)

find beauty in today

Happy Thursday! There are a lot of pretty things floating around the internet world today, so I will just keep it simple and leave you with some lovely inspiration to aid you as you conquer through your last day to Friday :) 

          

xo

Image Sources: // 1. Flower Power // 2. Pool Side // 3. Little Blooms // 4. Wild & Free // 5. Hair Geometrics // 6. Peachy // 7. Whale Tails // 8. Floral Arch // 7. Egg-celent // 8. Picnic on the Water // 9. Mountain Views // 10. Succulent Love //

the little piece of heaven

What was your summer routine when you were growing up? Both of my brothers are at camp this week, and it seems that with each summer that passes I miss it just a little more. I was able to be a part of camp for 16 years, and after 5 years of full time counseling and with marriage on the horizon, I was ready to call it quits. Now, as I see my brother spending his summers as a full time counselor, I am reminded of the sense of family amongst campers, counselors, and workers, and the beauty in the calm of each morning before the crazy begins.

I also miss the time away from the world, with some of my best friends just a cabin away. After the directors of 20+ years stepped down and a new couple took their place, the next generation has risen to call camp their home. They've created a new space, with new trends and personalities and activities. But the same will be true for everyone- a safe haven to connect with God and grow to love Him more deeply. 

And one more memory just for fun... ;)

xo

common, daily "life hacks" I didn't do until after college

There are some things that most people figure out pretty early on, that somehow I just missed the memo on. I've always noticed others doing these things, but never thought that they could actually be more efficient and effective! It's that whole "you do your thing, I do my thing" mentality. Once I attempted to do things the way I had always seen them done, I realized there is actually is a reason to all the madness :) So, in case you haven't yet "crossed over," here are 5 simple (very simple, like 'duh everyone does that, why haven't you done that before' simple) things to spruce up your daily routines. 

thankful thinking

"A thankful mindset keeps you in touch with [Him]." - Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

How can you protect your joy today and be close to Him? Don't let negativity steal the full joy and complete closeness that He offers you daily. Reflecting on and reminding myself of this today.

xo

P.S. I have been craving a good camping trip- doesn't this picture sum it up beautifully?? :)

Image found here //

a little link love for your friday

Happy Friday! I hope your week has been productive and far healthier than mine. However, I am about half way through a new exercise program I am trying, and am feeling pretty strong :) I hope you can look back on your week and find something that makes you feel strong, too! Enjoy these links I stumbled across this week- xoxoxo

I can imagine this being me, had we had kids in Haiti. Fascinating read!

Grown-Ups can have fun too :)

I started reading this book last night, and I've heard it's a tear-jerker. Wish me luck!

These would look lovely in your home this spring. 

Yum!

So dreamy.

Such cute classroom activity ideas for aspiring teachers :)

Love her. Anyone read her book yet? It's next on my list!

Have a great weekend!

Image found here //

have an adventurous weekend

What are your plans this weekend? Andrew is out of town tonight, so my mom and I have dinner plans. Tomorrow, A and I are going to play laser tag with the middle schoolers from church :) (I recently started leading a small group & love it!) Should be eventful! ;) 

Hope that you have an adventurous weekend, and here are a few great posts to check out in the mean time:

Surprising Predictors of How Long You Will Live, like your personality and your walking speed!

I sobbed my way through this emotional and heartbreaking, but beautifully written post by my sweet, Faithful college friend who very recently experienced a devastating miscarriage with her first child in their second trimester. Please pray for her and send her warm thoughts. Her and her husband are such kind, God-fearing people.

Guess what movie comes out on DVD today... :)

And Jennifer Lawrence's Best Moments at the Oscars.

Some positive affirmation for you.

A list of drugstore makeups that are duplicates of department store brands.

The internet really wants Leo to win an Oscar.

This shirt made me smile :)

Inspiration from a minimalist mother.

Flowerless Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies!!

xo

Image Found here //

brighten up your thursday

It's one of those weeks where we have been so busy, it's hard to take time to reflect and be inspired to write or blog. Andrew's on the verge of something new, and I am blazing through the days trying to get in an application asap. Please pray for us! In the mean time, before I hunker down, I visited Pinterest for some pretty "pin"spiration ;)

                                     

Image Sources: // 1. Simple Feather // 2. Half-Up Braid // 3. Beautiful World // 4. Floral Centerpiece // 5. Iced Coffee // 6. Potatoes & Thyme // 7. Anarstarpi, Iceland //

are you rich?

Although Andrew and I are both recently unemployed and in the process of starting a new chapter, when I reflect on the good things in our life, I see that we are richer than we've ever been before. We may not be rich in money, but we are rich in support. We've been given so much love and generosity through our friends and family. God has filled our (love) bank to overflowing. Our parents contribute a large amount to that, and on top of that we have so many people that have chosen to invest in us and extend themselves to us. We are so rich. 

If you change your perspective on what it means to be rich, and what it means to want, to need, and to have… you might find that you are so very rich, too. 

xo

Images found here & here //

beautiful peace

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."
                                           {Psalm 52:8}

I was reading through some scriptures this morning, and was struck by the beauty in this particular passage. Not only the imagery of the first part, but even the confidence of the writer in the second segment. It's not "I will" or "I try", but, "I do." It's easy to think this kind of confidence is pride or arrogance, but being sure of your confidence in God is purely humble, peaceful, and reassuring. I also looked up a few olive tree images, and now I'm wishing I lived near a grove- what objects of such beauty and peace!

xo

Images found here, here, and here //

what did you gain/learn in 2013?

One thing that 2013 did for me was renew my love for reading. During college, it was hard to squeeze in time for "books for pleasure," and the list of books I read during that time is pretty sparse. Starting last summer, I went on a reading frenzy and read 7 novels in just a few months (I highly recommend Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion 3-book series… so. good.). I already have two books currently on my "next" list. With all the buzz over the book-based film coming out in March, Divergent, I popped into Barnes and Noble the other day and decided to give it a try and read the first 60 pages… And hopefully it makes it's way to me in the mail today :) Also, I received Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, for Christmas, and will be starting that one soon after my Divergent kick finishes. Now, I can't believe I went so many years without indulging myself in the world's greatest pastime.
Any good books you've read recently?

xo

Image found here //

desk dreams

I am in love with this desk from World Market. It is the rustic minimalist's dream. It's on sale, it's almost my birthday… I'm thinking this is not a coincidence ;) This little shelf would look cute next to it, for extra storage.

I've also had my eye on this coffee table for quite a while, though based on the reviews, it doesn't seem to withstand the normal wear and tear of glasses and food contact. This is a cute alternative, but I'm not sure the reviews are much better. Bummer! Any suggestions on where to find similar style, but good quality furniture? 

Happy Friday!!

xo

let me hear Your whisper // how to make decisions

Do you want to know how to make big life decisions? 

Me too :)

I don't have an answer. I don't know if there will ever be anyone that can provide the exact perfect formula. But as we all try to figure that formula out, I do have a few thoughts. I'm learning, as always, to keep my heart drawing closer to Him…

{Click the link below for more}

terrarium inspiration

In our next home, I'd really like to make it more green. In addition to the succulents I've been day dreaming about, I also have visions of having a terrarium or two. Honestly, they used to confuse me and I wondered what the big deal was. But we recently stayed at Lucille's Mountain Top Inn & Spa (we would definitely recommend!), which was beautifully decorated and had a couple little terrariums in their breakfast room. They were so simple, but created such a beautiful, earthy feel. 

love these glass and wooden combo terrariums- you can find some really beautiful ones here.

Wouldn't this be such a fun table centerpiece?

And I absolutely love these terrarium prints. 

They'd be lively in a living room, or even so sweet in a nursery.

Happy Planting!!

xo

Last two images found here and here //

simple daily joys

I recently received this cute bag as a bridesmaid gift from my childhood best friend, Carly. I use it almost every day and can’t even remember how I ever toted around my laptop without it! It is the perfect size and I love the bright cheery yellow, which brings a splash of color to my otherwise usually  neutral style. I love practical, but fun gifts! Just had to share this little piece of sunshine :)

A similar Gap bag, here. 

xo

Jacmel photographs and Haiti musings

While I still feel confident and happy with our decision to move back to the U.S., I find myself thinking about Haiti- what we would be doing, how I might be feeling, what our friends there are doing at this exact moment, what the weather is… I got out of the shower this morning and remembered how I spent three months without hot water, sometimes showering from a bucket of water, flushing with a bucket, using only bottled water to brush our teeth… And then how quickly hot water felt normal once coming back to the states, using sink water was immediately once again habit… how luxurious it would have all felt in Haiti. 

While we were in Boston last week, we got the chance to see one of our friends from church in Port-au-Prince. She had to move to the U.S. for a few months, leaving her new husband (as of June) in Haiti because he does not have a visa.  She is living with her mother outside of Boston, and taking English classes. Seeing her reminded me of the bond we have formed with these people- one that is so strong that it transcends countries, cultures, and languages.

xo