Blog - PGM

August 6, 2018 by Allie

How to Fill your Home with Positive Energy

Your home is where you rest, where you relax, and where you spend some of your most important time. If it’s full of negative energy, then it’s no wonder that you might feel tired, depressed, low on energy, and even have negative thoughts about yourself. Use these tips to fill your home with positive energy instead, so that you can turn things around. Many thanks to PGM reader Melanie for this guest contribution!

Clean it all out

When your home is cluttered with unnecessary things and everything is a mess, it’s hard to get on top of things. You can’t clean properly, so you’re surrounded by dust and grime as well. How do you expect to feel positive with all of this in your environment. Get rid of old equipment and electronics that no one uses, clothes that no one wears, toys that haven’t been played with – they are just filling space. Clear it all out and start afresh, with a more open space that feels comfortable and tidy.

Make a relaxation zone

Because your home is your place to relax and destress from the day, you should work on making it a really soothing place. Create a relaxation zone in at least one room will help with this – perhaps the bedroom, so you can relax before sleep. Take away electronic devices where possible, scatter some candles around that you can light for a nice scent and glow, and use comfortable textures and fabrics in your furniture and décor. When you’re ready to destress, just lay back with a good book and you’re all set.

Celebrate everything

Is your home filled with reminders of your successes? Because it really should be. When you celebrate your achievements, you remind yourself that everything is possible. It’s so easy to focus on failure or the things we haven’t done yet, but when you stop and think about what you’ve achieved so far, it can really help you to build that positive attitude. Put up photographs of those you love and things you’ve done, display certificates and trophies, and fill your house with love and appreciation of yourself and other members of your family.

Make it fresh

Fresh flowers and plants make us feel alive. You can brighten up a room with a bouquet of flowers in a prominent position, which will make the space feel airy and put out a nice scent. It’s even better to place living plants in your rooms, and make sure to water them daily so that they grow and flourish. This will really add positivity to any space, and the great news is that you’re also helping the earth by cleaning the air and helping things to grow. Seeing new flowers burst into life on a plant that you have nourished is a great reward.

Bring in the outdoors

If you can throw open your windows, do it! Letting in light and air is so important for making a positive space. These natural elements make us feel healthier, help us to let go of stress, and are so necessary for our lives to feel positive. Have you ever been trapped somewhere for a long while, like in an airplane, and then felt so relieved to get a breath of fresh air? Make sure you don’t feel this way at home by using natural light and letting in air wherever possible.

Creating a positive energy is not just about the way you decorate your home. It’s also about the attitude and energy you bring into it in the first place. Add a positive approach to these tips and you’ll have a home bursting with joy and hope.

Melanie Saunders is a blogger and content manager at 1300 Rubbish – experts in the field of rubbish and junk removal. Personally, a huge fan of sustainability and green living.

July 30, 2018 by Allie

How to Get Cash Back on your Back to School Shopping

August is just around the corner, which means the kids are heading back to school soon! Whether you’re shopping for clothing, lunch items, or school supplies, you can make cash back on purchases at your favorite stores! This post contains referral links, and I may receive compensation if you sign up for these programs via those links.

Ebates gives you cash back when you shop online at over 2,500 stores, including Target, Carter’s, and The Children’s Place. Before you visit a retailer’s website, log onto Ebates and search for the store’s name. If you click the store link through Ebates, you can earn anywhere from 1 to 25 percent cash back on your online purchases. (Some stores even have DOUBLE cash back for Back to School!) You can move your earnings (as long as the total is $5 or more) into your PayPal account every 3 months.

Ibotta is one of my favorite rebate apps. It gives you cash back on everyday purchases at stores like Walmart, Kroger, and CVS. Before you head to the store, visit the Ibotta app to find rebates on the items you typically buy. After your shopping trip, take a picture of your receipt and you’ll earn cash back on your purchases. When you reach $20 in rebates, you can move the money from Ibotta into your PayPal account.

We all know that every little bit helps, so use these rebate programs to make cash back on purchases you’re already making for back to school! Have a great year, and happy shopping!

{This post is not sponsored by any company, but does contain referral links. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

July 16, 2018 by Allie

Clary Sage Essential Oil {EO Info Series}

Though I don’t care for the strong aroma of Clary Sage on its own, it blends well with several of my favorite oils (like in this Stormy Summer diffuser blend), and it can be especially beneficial for women’s health. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Clary Sage essential oil (Salvia sclarea) is steam distilled from the leaves and flowers of the Clary Sage plant. It has a strong, earthy, herbal scent that blends well with Bergamot, Lavender, and Roman Chamomile.

Benefits & Uses

Clary Sage oil is often used topically with a carrier oil to increase circulation and relieve discomfort during a woman’s menstrual cycle. When diffused, it promotes joy and confidence. It is safe for use around children and dogs.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon, but it does contain affiliate links to Amazon. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

July 9, 2018 by Allie

Stormy Summer Diffuser Blend

We’ve been stuck inside because of the rain quite a bit this past week, so I had a chance to try out some diffuser blends with an essential oil I don’t use very often, Clary Sage. This combination is my current favorite! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Fill your diffuser with water (as directed) and add:

1 drop Lavender
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Clary Sage

Clary Sage is different than most of my usual oil choices. It has a strong herbal aroma which is, in my opinion, pretty overwhelming on its own. But in this blend, the floral scent of Lavender and the freshness of Bergamot balance it out very well. All oils in this blend are safe to diffuse around children ages 2 and up.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

July 2, 2018 by Allie

Toys They Still Love 6 Months After Christmas

When “Santa” brings new toys, they tend to get played with for 5 minutes before they end up collecting dust on a shelf in our playroom. But this year, there are a few toys that have remained in the boys regular rotation, even 6 months after Christmas! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Green Toys Train – My now 2.5 year old LOVES trains. And he has plenty of them. But even with his large Thomas and Friends collection, this Green Toys train is still one of his favorites, probably because it’s large enough to actually put stuff in. (It usually ends up carrying sand inside from the sandbox…)

Play Kitchen – I initially bought this to give the 2 year old his own kitchen to play in (and hopefully keep him out of mine.) It worked fantastically, especially with the realistic pots and pans. Even my 6 year old enjoys playing with it from time to time.

Crayola Silly Scents Markers – Art supplies are a huge hit at our house. We go through a lot of markers! These silly scents markers are so much fun for my 6 year old. He loves to bring me random markers and play “guess what this smell is”. Somehow, I always end up with a nose full of pickle or dirty socks. Lol

Wiggle Cars – These were a gift from my in-laws and the boys ride them around the house constantly! They were easily the best gift of Christmas 2017!

June 25, 2018 by Allie

Halfway through the “Terrible Twos”

Little guy,

We’ve made it halfway through the “terrible twos”! It hasn’t been that bad, honestly. You whine and throw tantrums on occasion, but overall, you’re a happy boy! You still love your trains and cars (which you call by the correct names now!), and you’re getting into dinosaurs. You adore your big brother and the dog. Daddy is ok half the time, but you’re mostly a mama’s boy, which makes me smile! 🙂

Love you lots and lots!

~ Mommy

Current stats:

weight: 37 lbs.
height: 36.75 in. (just over 3 ft tall)

Shorts: 3T
Shirts: 3T
Shoes: 8.5 or 9

Foods:
Likes – Pirates Booty, milk, salad, mandarin oranges
Dislikes – most meat, though sometimes he will eat turkey

June 18, 2018 by Allie

Tangerine Essential Oil {EO Info Series}

My latest diffuser blend for summer included Tangerine, which is a lesser known citrus oil, but its rejuvenating effects for the mind and body make it a great addition to any essential oil collection. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Tangerine essential oil (Citrus reticulata) is cold-pressed from the fruit peel. It has a sweet citrus scent that blends well with many oils, including Bergamot, Clary Sage, Cypress, Lavender, and Lemon.

Benefits & Uses

The refreshing aroma of Tangerine can uplift your mood and ease nervousness, and boost your immune system. It may also provide relief for an upset stomach when used topically on the abdomen. (Always remember to dilute properly with a carrier oil!) It is safe for use around children and dogs.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

June 14, 2018 by Allie

What I Eat in a Day on Keto

After I finished my series on the Ketogenic diet, I had some readers asking about keto meal planning. I tend to eat a lot of the same foods while on keto because I know how they fit into my macros, so rather than a “meal plan”, this is just a general guideline of the types of food I eat in a day (including some keto-friendly recipes I love!)

Keep in mind that everyone’s calorie and macro goals vary and yours will likely be different than mine. (You can calculate your macros here.) But hopefully, this post will still be a good starting point.

Breakfast

Since I am doing intermittent fasting, I skip breakfast. Black coffee is acceptable, though. (And usually necessary! #momlife)

Lunch

Typical lunches for me are a salad (with extra cheese and full-fat dressing) or a snack plate, which is some combination of cheese, hard-boiled eggs, nuts, and lunch meat (salami is one of the best for keto). On occasion, I do eat a more filling lunch (ie: leftovers from dinner the night before, or something on the go), and skip the afternoon snack.

Snack

When I eat a light lunch, I have plenty of calories for an afternoon snack. For me, this is usually a decaf coffee with heavy cream and sugar free syrup, a hard-boiled egg, and a serving of nuts. (You can see why one of the things I disliked about keto is a lack of variety in my meals…lol)

Dinner

Dinner is often a plate of meat and veggies, with extra fat from cooking in ghee or adding grass-fed butter. Some of my favorite meals include:

Keto everything bagels with cream cheese and bacon or lox
Bacon Swiss burgers wrapped in lettuce
Fathead pizza
Bacon wrapped jalapenos with a side of avocado, guacamole, or ranch dressing
Garlic Parmesan Zoodles and Meatballs

I also use low-carb tortillas for all sorts of things, like fajitas, breakfast tacos, and wraps. Each tortilla does have some net carbs, so you can’t go crazy with them, but they have been a lifesaver for me.

I start fasting after dinner, and don’t eat again until lunch the following day, so no midnight snack here. Obviously, if you’re not fasting and have room for more calories, you can eat again later in the evening.

I highly recommend tracking your macros for keto to be most effective. For more information on the Ketogenic Diet, check out my Keto page.

June 11, 2018 by Allie

I Was Wrong About Public School Kindergarten

My older son graduated from Kindergarten at our local public school last week. For years, I thought about our options for his education, and what would be best for him.

My husband and I had many conversations about this. I was concerned about him being in trouble all the time because he’s a very spirited child, and he never stops talking. My mom (who taught kindergarten for many years) had the same concerns based on her experiences. With his birthday being so late in the summer, we decided to give him an extra year of Pre-K, and chose to “redshirt” him.

But as his second year of Pre-K wrapped up, I knew we had another decision to make:

Do we send him to public school or not?

Ultimately, we knew we had to give public school a try. We are fortunate to live in a good school district. Paying for private school was not a realistic option, and the charter schools around here don’t have the best reviews.

As it turns out, I was worried for nothing.

He had a wonderful teacher with many years of experience. Yes, there was a lot of sitting still (Kindergarten is the new 1st grade, after all), but he handled it pretty well once he learned the expectations. He did get a few “oops notes” for talking too much in class, but he does need to work on talking less and listening more.

Overall, I’d say was a great year! He was well-behaved, he made friends, he learned a lot (he’s a fantastic reader now!), and most importantly, he liked going to school!

Will it always be the best option for him? I don’t know, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. For now, he’s enjoying his summer break and excited about going back for 1st grade in the fall!

June 7, 2018 by Allie

Garlic Parmesan Zoodles & Meatballs (Keto/Low Carb)

I love pasta, but obviously that’s a keto no-no! Zoodles are a great replacement though, and this meal can actually be made faster than traditional spaghetti and meatballs! (Because there’s no waiting for water to boil.) This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.