Goals for 2011

So I've come up with a short list of goals for 2011 and I figure if I put them out there I'll be more accountable.  :)  I'd love to hear some of your goals for the New Year!

1.  To read through my Bible this year.  I've never actually read the ENTIRE Bible cover to cover.  So I am going to attempt that in 2011.
2.  To train for and finish a half marathon.
3.  To really get my skin care business off the ground:  I'd like to start doing monthly trade shows and getting my product "out there".
4.  To get serious about my working out/running.  I was doing so good for awhile and I need to get back on track with that.  I felt so much better when I was excercising nearly everyday.
5.  To be better at disconnecting from the internet, cell phone, tv etc., and deliberately spending more quality time with the kids and family.
6.  To buy a home - this is one of the scariest for me.  We move around a LOT and there is just something so final about buying a house.  But we are starting to feel like maybe this is the year... we shall see.  :)

Sorry if you were looking for this massive list of goalsI'm sure there are other things that will get added to my list.  I'm going to make a copy of the list and put it somewhere where I will see it everyday.

Check back soon! I have another great all natural home remedy for illness that I want to share with you.

Have a great time ringing in the new year! Here's to a fantastic 2011!

Today is kind of a gloomy day.  Add to that, the fact that I have been trying to kick this head cold I've come down with.  I got so sick on Christmas Day, it was awful.  The worst is over it seems, and now I'm just trying to clear out my head. 

Anyway, the day after Christmas we took the kids shopping to use some gift cards they got for Christmas.  I had some too, so to make myself feel better I bought myself a super cute pair of boots.  All is right in the world again.  HAHA

So if you wouldn't mind terribly, you can click on my business facebook page (to your right) and read about my New Year promotion.  You can get your name entered in a drawing to win a nice prize just by sharing my Etsy shop on your facebook page.  Details and rules are on my business page.

I'm off to make some cookies.  I know I should probably eat some fruit or something especially since I'm a tad under the weather, but cookies just sound so much yummier right now.  :)

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

New Years Resolutions

I've never really been a huge fan of New Years Resolutions.  It's like an automatic given that you will not follow through with whatever you've resolved to do in the New Year.   With that being said, my resolution is to get back on track with my excercising/running.  I took a few days off 2 months ago and that was the end of that.  Oops.  Oh well, it happens.  I have to say that I am ready to get back into the swing of things though that's for sure!  And yes, in case you're wondering, I am still doing the half marathon on March 6th.  I don't have any time in mind, I just want to say that I finished.  :)

The skin care business that I started has been doing well.  I really didn't have any expectations for it.  It's just so hard to know how well something will do.  But I'm happy with what I've done so far.  I have some plans for the new year, doing some trade shows etc.  So I'm excited about that. 

I'm still enjoying the "down time" at work right now.  Before we know it, Allaso Ranch will be all hustle and bustle and our days will blur into months.  So I'm taking this slow time to enjoy having Brandon around a little more. 

All in all 2010 was a pretty good year.  And I hope 2011 will be even better. 

Totally Random

So as I was figuring out what to wear this morning I realized that tank tops have to be one of my most favorite clothing accessories.  I wear some sort of tank top every day - well at least 5 days out of 7.  I am completely in love with tank tops.  I love them in cold weather because it adds another layer (I'm always cold).  I like the layering look that tank tops provide, you can add a splash of color to your outfit.  But one of my most favorite reasons why I love tank tops is because - and forgive me if this is too much info here but I'm only trying to be honest - after having 2 kids, I have found it quite hard to lose the little extra belly skin that was a result of gaining a cumulative 120 pounds between both babies.  (Don't judge me, I seriously lacked self control while pregnant).  So a tank top I've found really helps to disguise my midsection when I'm feeling a little extra "weighty".  LOL

Anyway, what are some of your must have clothing items?? 

Happy Monday everyone!

We're Not Crazy

So about a month ago we made the switch from store bought milk to raw organic cows milk.  We get strange looks when people find out that we drink milk basically straight from the cow.  There is no pasteurization or homogenization.  The result is a creamier product chock full of all kinds of nutrients and vitamins that store bought milk just doesn't have.  Many many years ago, they used to use raw milk as a treatment for all kinds of sickness and diseases.  Now it's probably not safe to just get a cow and milk it.  We buy from a local farmer, his milk is grade A certified safe.  His cows are pasture fed, they get no hormones or anitbiotics.  I feel good that we are giving our kids something that is so good for them when everything out there is so bad for you.  We also get our free range eggs from him as well. 

Anyway, if you're interested in the subject at all, check out this blog.  She has alot of good findings and good info on the health benefits of raw organic cows milk. 

I love how she starts her post out, because we usually get the same reaction.  I personally think we need to be more aware of what we are eating and putting into our bodies.  I really would love to make the switch to all organic foods, but it is just so darn expensive.

A New Creation Organic Skin Care

It's official, I've finally launched my Etsy site for my all natural, organic skin care products. I'm very excited about this new adventure.  There are more products I will be adding as soon as I am able to so please check back often.  Everything is organic, all natural, no artificial ingredients or synthetic preservatives.
20% of all my sales will go to the A21 Campaign - helping to put a stop to human trafficking.  Please go to the website and read about them and what they do.

I hope you'll go to my site and check it out.  For a limited time you can get 10% off your purchases by using the coupon code BRANDNEW01 at checkout.  Let your friends know, and favorite me on Etsy! 

If you've never been to Etsy, it's a great way to support small businesses and local vendors, so take a look around and find some of your handmade and vintage Christmas gifts on Etsy.

Thanks for checking it out!

White Bean Hummus

I'm not usually a fan of hummus, but we were at the cheesecake factory one day and I loved their white bean hummus.  So I searched for a recipe that matched it.  I think I could eat this all day long, and it's good for you too!  Bonus  :)


White Bean  Hummus
1/4 c. chopped green onions - my fav kind of onion by the way
2 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs tahini paste - I found mine at sprouts, specialty stores would prob. sell it
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp salt - adjust to your taste
1/8 tsp pepper
1 19oz can of cannellini beans or other white beans drained and rinsed
1 garlic clove

Combine everything in a food processor until smooth with some olive oil for easy blending and enjoy with homemade pita chips.  Seriously so good!

Ear Infections

Ear infections seem like another common childhood ailment.  Whenever our oldest Kalyssa would catch a cold it would always turn into an ear infection because of all the fluid build up.  Here is an easy remedy for ear infections.  Of course, if you are worried something more serious is going on you should take them to your Dr.  But this works great for my kids when they are complaining of ear pain and have had colds. 

Hydrogen Peroxide!  A few drops in the affected ear.  Then have them lay there and be still for about 10 minutes.  They will probably hear little bubbling noises while the peroxide does it's thing.  A warm compress also feels really good on the aching ear. 

This is also good to try when you feel yourself catching a cold, put some peroxide in your ears for 10 minutes on each side.  I know that sounds a little weird but it really does work.

We also as a family make regular visits to our chiropractor.  Chiropractic is a great way to clear up recurring ear infections.  If you have a child who is prone to multiple ear infections, find a good chiropractor and ask them about the benefits of chiropractic care for recurring ear infections before you have tubes put in or any other kind of major surgery.  It's amazing what chiropractic can do!!

But for those little ear aches, minor ear infections the peroxide in the ear does the trick everytime.  I usually do this 2-3 times a day until they are better.

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Tune in tomorrow, I'll share my recipe for White Bean Hummus.  MMM it's so good