6 MUST Haves for New Moms [+ One Week Post Partum Update]

Posted by Angela Parker

· December 5, 2018

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I can’t believe my little guy is a week old already!

I didn’t really think about the fact that having a baby over 5 years from my last would mean some different products and options would be out there. I wanted to share some of my FAVORITE things that I didn’t have during my last delivery that made so much difference this time!

Here’s My Top 6 Picks for New Mommies!

Here’s The Breakdown!

6 Must Have Items for New Mommies

After Ease Supplement: Helps naturally manage your afterbirth pains. I had a lot of afterbirth pain with my second baby, so I wanted to try something this time for it. This made SO MUCH difference! I had to use very little pain medication thanks to this. read more

The number one thing destroying your health, your energy, and your waistline…

Posted by Angela Parker

· July 16, 2018

· No Comments

The number one thing destroying your health, your energy, and your waistline…

This is the number one thing destroying your health, your energy, and your waistline…

Plus FIVE TIPS to get yourself on track before it is too late!

Why is it so important to pay attention to how much sugar we eat?

Sugar has been identified as leading to cancer, obesity, heart disease, diabetes… and can even make you age quicker.

But one thing that most people don’t realize is how SNEAKY sugar really is!

Where is sugar hiding?

Sugar is found in almost ALL of our foods these days.

And it isn’t just sugar that we have to be aware of… it is everything that turns into sugar after we eat it… namely “Carbs.” read more

Healthy Keto Iced Mocha Frappe

Posted by Angela Parker

· June 12, 2018

· 2 Comments

This healthy keto icedmocha frappe recipe is sure to curb your cravings without all the extra carbs and sugar of a regular frappe.

It’s summer in the south and that means it’s HOT!

Hot weather makes me want a cool treat, but since most of them are LOADED with sugar and other unhealthy options, I try to get creative.

For example, what I used to get in the past from Starbucks has 36 to 50 Grams of sugar (depending on size). Yikes!

So here’s a simple homemade frozen mocha that I love! And you end up with only about 3 Grams of Sugar per serving! Not to mention this home option saves you money as well! read more

DIY Calming Lavender Pillow Spray

Posted by Angela Parker

· May 8, 2018

· No Comments

Moms, the day that’s all about you is almost here—Mother’s Day! With everything you do as a super mom, you’ve earned a day of “R & R.”

The trouble with a lot of the “Sleep Help” products and recipes out there is that they are full of fillers or chemicals you might not want on your pillow while you sleep at night!

Thankfully, you can make it a day to rest easy with this DIY Calming Lavender Pillow Spray. My husband actually made this with my girls as a surprise and I loved how it helped me relax at bed time!

Enjoy this yourself, or make this with your kiddos for other moms who could use a little more rest in their lives!

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• 8 oz. glass spray bottle
• Lavender Essential Oil
• 1 tbs. Witch Hazel
• Distilled water

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1. Pour 1 tbs. witch hazel and drop 30 drops of Lavender Essential Oil into the glass spray bottle
2. Fill the remainder with distilled water
3. Screw on lid and shake to mix
4. Spray on your pillow and rest easy!

The great thing is that this simple recipe has what you need to relax but doesn’t have any additives or other things that you might have to worry about having around the house. It’s hard to be 3 ingredients for simplicity!

I’ve used this same formula for my daughters rooms as well, and it truly works!

Do you use any sort of pillow spray? If so, What’s your preferred essential oil?

P.S. Looking for other tips to improve your sleep? Check out this post, it’s one of our very most popular!

Baked Avocado Breakfast Recipe

Posted by Angela Parker

· March 14, 2018

· No Comments

If you are trying to follow a low carb or Keto lifestyle, getting healthy fats every day is so important!

Here’s a simple recipe for a delicious and healthy breakfast with only 2 main ingredients!

Ingredients

*1 Large Whole Avocado

*2 Eggs

*Salt and Pepper

*Fresh Herbs (Optional)

*Fresh Lemon (Optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the avocado, remove the seed and open up the inside of the avocado a bit to hold the egg.

2. Crack the egg and pour into the opening of the avocado (1 egg per half avocado).

3. Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.

4. Bake at 425F (220C) for for 15 Minutes.

5. Top with Fresh Herbs and Lemon to taste.

Enjoy!

P.S. For more healthy tips & recipes, check out my Recipe Archive!

7 Easy Steps for a Healthier You!!

Posted by Angela Parker

· September 13, 2016

· No Comments

I had a good friend message me the other day who shared that she really wants to be healthier, feel better, etc, but she doesn’t know where to start!

That’s such a common question (and it’s a GOOD ONE), that I made a short video to try and answer her question, and maybe it will help you too!

1) Think Positive Thoughts

2) Get Active for 30 minutes every day

3) Drink More Water

4) Add more Fresh fruits and vegetables into your life

5) Plan to be healthy!! Put it on your calendar.

6) Visualize where you want to be.

7) Set 3 Short Term Goals and 3 Long Term Goals.

Do you have any good starter tips for people who want to be healthier?

Share them with us!

Watching them grow…

Posted by Angela Parker

· May 26, 2016

· No Comments

This is a post I wrote almost 4 years ago… and I think about what a “baby” mom I was, haha!

I didn’t have a CLUE what it was going to be like to be a mom… but I was going to do everything I could to make the best decisions for her. Now, I’m a mom of two and I just have to laugh at how much life has changed.

Aidalyn is 5 and is still independent… but she loves being a big sister and she always wants to do the right thing. I love her spirit and the joy she brings.

I hope you enjoy my flashback on this #FlashbackThursday 🙂

My daughter…

is full of life, talkative, curious, stubborn… She is a mess.

I love my little girl. My life is a complete 180 since her birth. Before her birth, I was working full time as a speech therapist in a nursing home, waking up at 4:30am to go workout 5 days a week. I only thought about myself… my life was very predictable.

Now, I’m more of a stay at home mom than a working mom by any means, I am lucky if I make it to the gym at all. And I am thinking about her all the time.

I have learned so much about trust and love from her. There is just so much that you can do as their parent, but they are going to have to make decisions for themselves one day. My goal as her mom is to teach her from an early age that God loves her, and cares for her.

I have said this before that our children are on loan to us. We, as followers of Christ, have been given the responsibility to raise our children in the way that God would want, to follow him.

I am supposed to raise children who are growing into functioning human beings. Parents are the first picture that our children have as to who God is. Children need to be able to love and trust their parents. They learn to follow their parents’ instructions. This prepares them for when God gives them directions, they are ready to follow him.

My goal isn’t to have the most well behaved children, it ultimately is to have children who are ready to follow God.

I read that your children are leaving you from the day they are born… You are having to let go a little each day. That is very true… as I see my 15 month old at the park not wanting to hold my hand and wanting to walk on a different path than me… (Miss Independent) I see a 15 year old in her not wanting to listen to my guidance in a few years. I would have never thought about a baby so young wanting to be her own person already and making decisions for herself – crazy!

She honestly has been “Miss Independent” from day 1. I shouldn’t be surprised. She never wanted to be rocked, she wanted to be put in her crib be left alone. Which as a first time mom, I wasn’t expecting a child this independent…

I knew that “Tabula Rasa” (being born with a blank slate) wasn’t something that I believed in, but I wasn’t thinking there was much will in that new born baby – boy was I wrong! I learned a lot of lessons about not forcing your baby to conform to your ideas of what you think a baby should be like…

So, we are going to do the best that we can as parents in raising her, but in the end of the day – we are going to have to let go and let her make mistakes along the way. The way that she turns out is due to the decisions that she makes.

Wow, parenthood is starting to get hard.

What were some things you learned in your first years of parenting?

7 Ways to Help a New Mom

Posted by Angela Parker

· July 1, 2014

· No Comments

It is a special time for a new mom following the birth of a child.

So many emotions are going through a new mom’s head: I’m not pregnant any more! This is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen! Will I get my waist back? I’m already exhausted! Will I ever sleep through the night again? Are they breathing? Am I doing this right? They are so tiny! Oww I need a Tylenol… And this is just in the first 5 minutes!

Everyone wants to help a new mom out, but sometimes we forget what they need the most. Moms need to relax and recover for at least 2 weeks following birth. Having a baby is no easy task for a mom’s body to go through. If they push themselves too soon, they could hemorrhage or develop mastitis.

This is the perfect time to offer to help them out and let them do what only they can do: Take care of the baby.

Here is my list of ways that my family and friends helped me the most following my births:

1) Keep the older kids entertained.

Aidalyn was 2.5 years old when Annaleigh was born. Luckily, Aidalyn did well with the extra TV time that she had while we were all recovering from Annaleigh’s birth. My mom was such a huge help to us before Annaleigh was born and right after. She stayed with us for about 5 weeks total, helping me with Aidalyn and the house. Not having to worry about Aidalyn helped me give my full attention to recovering and taking care of Annaleigh.

2) Cook meals for the family

Following both of my births, my church family really helped me out by cooking meals for 2 weeks. Having a hot meal coming each night was so amazing. I didn’t have to worry about what we were going to eat and it helped us all recover by being able to relax at dinner time. We used Sign up Genius to schedule meals and it made the process so easy.

3) Do laundry

Births and babies generate a lot of laundry. Adam’s mom and my mom both helped me with laundry following the births of my girls. It is not glamorous by any means, but it is such a HUGE deal to a new mom to not have to worry about.

4) Clean the kitchen and put dishes away.

Just like the laundry, this is not a fun job to do… but some things just have to get done and we don’t want our new mom to feel like it is her job. Ask her what would make the biggest help to her (maybe it is unloading the dishwasher or wiping down the counter tops). Everyone has that one thing that bugs them, see if you can scratch that off her “to-do” list.

5) Let Mom get a shower

Getting a shower and feeling normal again is so important to a new mom. She will be pouring all of herself into this new little baby and forget she needs to care for herself too. Newborns will want to be held all the time, so showers and baths become a luxury.

6) Text her to see if she needs anything from diaper cream to coffee.

New moms don’t always know what they need until after the baby arrives (or they run out of something faster than expected!) Don’t call, just in case she is sleeping or dealing with the baby. A text allows her to get to your message at her convenience. She can reply and let you know if she needs anything from the store.

7) Let her know you are there if she needs to talk or ask advice. read more

10 Top Online Shopping Apps

Posted by Angela Parker

· June 2, 2014

· No Comments

Technology is amazing. You can check your mail, take a picture, call a friend and get all your Christmas shopping done in the palm of your hand.

I am totally an online shopping addict.

I don’t like lines, I also don’t enjoy crowds… and getting both girls to the store by myself is a real treat (read sarcasm).

I am a huge fan of shopping on my phone. I buy things for my pantry, clothes, gifts, shoes, diapers… all online!

Here are a few of my most used shopping apps:

1) Amazon

Hi, my name is Angela and I am addicted to shopping on Amazon.

I am a prime member so I get free 2 day shipping. Plus, I use subscribe and save any chance I get to save 20% on items I buy on a recurring basis. I buy toilet paper, diapers, wipes, flour, vitamins, coconut oil, batteries, dish soap, shampoo, tooth paste… If I can buy it on amazon… and save 20% – I will do it! Given that, we may have 5 tubes of toothpaste in our bathroom drawer at this moment… but I did save 20% on them!

2) Retail me not

This app allows you to search for discount codes and coupons. You can use these coupons online usually and save easy money. What I will do is search for a store in their database and see if there is a current coupon code. This works great for popular stores like shutterfly and oldnavy.

3) Jo-Ann and Hobby Lobby

Both of these apps will show you the deals of the week and store your coupons for you. You wouldn’t want to miss Hobby Lobby’s 40% coupon just because you didn’t have a paper coupon printed off.

4) Cartwheel

Cartwheel is Target’s app for coupons and sales. You can search the app for what’s on sale and easily use the coupons directly from your phone at check out. Adam and I did this a few weeks ago and got 20% off shoes for Aidalyn and myself.

5) Ebay

Ebay is an online garage sale. I use ebay’s app for searching for hard to find toys and used items like clothes. We all love ebay! I bought Aidalyn some cheap DVD’s and also some princess crowns.

6) Etsy

Etsy is an artisan’s shopping mall. I use Etsy’s app for handmade items and personalized items. I also like searching on there for ideas that I can copy and make myself.

7) Groupon

We all love a good deal. Groupon is a way to get huge discounts on restaurants and spas. Using the app allows you to have the Groupon handy and keep track of what Groupons you have available when you are trying to figure out what you want for dinner. We currently have a pizza deal in our Groupon account we need to use.

8) Zulily and Totsy

Both these online stores are discount flash sale type of shopping. They have items up for sale for a limited time and have a limited supply. When you purchase something you only have to pay shipping once then you get free shipping the rest of the day on the rest of your orders. Sometimes shipping seems kind of slow, but I have gotten some great deals on clothes and books from these stores.

9) ShopStyle

The ShopStyle App is the mobile version of ShopStyle.com. ShopStyle searches the web for you, compiling basically anything you could ever buy online. You can customize a search for a specific product by color, price, if it’s on sale… It’s Amazing! Looking for a red sweater for a Christmas Party? You can narrow it down to only looking at Red Sweaters from all over the internet in one place! This is a must for a mobile shopper!

And one extra!

10) Paypal

With all this online shopping I do, I use Paypal to keep everything organized and safe. Having the app on your phone allows you to manage your transactions easily.

Online shopping is a great way to save time and money. What are your favorite online shopping apps? read more

How to Build a Home Birth Kit in 20 Items

Posted by Angela Parker

· May 20, 2014

· No Comments

What you need to have for your home birth kit in 20 items! Prepare for your home birth by collection this home birth kit.

How to Build a Home Birth Kit in 20 Items

I have been blessed to be able to have 2 home births now. You can read my two birth stories by clicking here: Annaleigh’s Birth and Aidalyn’s Birth.

Both experiences were amazing and there is very little I would change about either. I was fortunate to have 2 amazing midwives attend my births and felt very prepared for when the time came.

My first home birth was in 2010 (Aidalyn’s). I was able to have her in my master bathroom’s garden corner tub. It was easy clean up and a really a great experience. For Annaleigh’s birth we were in a rent house, so my midwife brought a large tub for me to use to birth in. It was even better because the water was able to be deeper. I wasn’t in the tub for more than 10 minutes though because she came so fast. read more

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