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Category Archives: Wholesome Living

Get Ready for Company – What’s your Method?

Written on November 7, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Product Reviews & Giveaways, Wholesome Living

Are you the type of person who has a cleaning schedule – very methodical and organized, or are you a mad dash kind of person? I’ve tried to stick to a schedule and do a little every day but honestly I like to do it all in one day. I know it sounds crazy, but there is something about the way a clean house smells, it is relaxing and comforting to me. And, when I do a little each day it never feels clean, you know? If I clean the bathrooms on Monday and then don’t vacuum until Friday, the house doesn’t ever feel totally clean to me.

So, typically when the house starts to get out of control I do a major clean up. I mean, I do a quick clean every day picking up and putting things back in the rooms where they belong, loading and unloading the dishwasher, and running a load of laundry. You understand, – a mom’s work is never done! But, I mean I really bust a move about once a week.

Of course, cleaning around here looks a little different now that I have two littles in constant need of something. Eliana typically does more sleeping until lunch time and is more awake after lunch so I have to get the majority of the cleaning done early. So, I start with the bathrooms. I keep all the cleaning products and a roll of paper towels, like Brawny in the bathroom. That way, I don’t have to waste time rounding up the cleaning products – they are right in the room where they will be used (in the linen closet in the bathroom on a top shelf above the towels). Then, I pick up and get things back where they belong and round up garbage as I go from room to room. I like to use Glad bags for the kitchen garbage can and I recycle my Walmart bags for all the bathroom cans. Following that I load and unload the dishes, clean the kitchen sink and counters, and strip the beds.

In between cleaning room to room I swap the clothes in the washer and dryer – making sure to get the sheets and towels all washed up for the week. I like to use fabric softener or dryer sheets with my sheets but I don’t use it on my towels. My mom always said that the dryer sheets/fabric softener kept the towels from being as absorbent as they could be, so I skip it on those loads.

The rest of the cleaning doesn’t happen until my husband gets home. Then, he can entertain the littles while I run the vacuum through the whole house and on the furniture, mop the kitchen, and get dinner cooked. Right before bed we make the beds together.

To read more about my cleaning routines check out my post here.

That’s it, that’s my mad dash house cleaning. How about you? How do you get the cleaning done and ready for visitors?

I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

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Home Improvement – The Baby’s Room: Step 3

Written on September 7, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Uncategorized, Wholesome Living

My mom has worked so hard getting all the baby bedding finished for Eliana’s room. It is beautiful!

Mom and I went to the typical baby stores to look for bedding and couldn’t find anything that I liked so we talked about making something. So, after visiting several fabric stores I went back to the first store we visited and bought the one I was really in love with. It is a little different – not the typical baby fabrics. But, I think it turned out just right!

First, mom made the valance for the huge window. It was an experiment, mom used a pattern that didn’t really fit and thanks to her ingenuity she made it work with a little change here and a little change there. Then, she made the curtains so we can close out the sun (this room gets the most sun in the house!).

Then, Mom made the crib sheet, the bumper pad, the changing pad cover, and the bed skirt. I think they turned out fabulous! She cut the pillows out (the two smaller ones and the floor pillow) and I took them to a friend of mine to monogram along with the bumper pad (before she sewed it together). She monogrammed the two smaller pillows and she put her name on the floor pillow and bumper pad. Then mom stuffed them and sewed them up.

The last piece to complete was the coverlet. Mom quilted the birds.

I did manage to do a little bit of work in the room. (: I painted the mural once the furniture was placed. I wanted to kind of mimic the birds that were on the fabrics. I used Glidden’s paint and primer in lavender and brown. I used some white craft paint to outline the birds. I think it turned out pretty good for an amateur.

So now the room is complete, and just in time! Only 2 (or less) weeks to go! (:

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Green Cleaning with Ardyss

Written on August 18, 2011 by Denisesawyer in About, Wholesome Fun, Wholesome Living

As you know if you’ve been following this blog for any time, I have commited to using green cleaners in my home. Sometimes I make my own and other times I purchase them.

I have been very happy with my homemade toilet cleaner and I use vinegar for mopping up floors. I usually purchase dish liquid, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, and glass and surface cleaner. There are several brands on the market now and I have a few I like.

I haven’t found a laundry detergent that I’ve been thrilled with – although I have found one more that I am anxious to try.

I recently had the opportunity to try some green cleaners from Ardyss from a local Atlanta gal. You can order all your green cleaners online and have them shipped straight to your door, including laundry detergent, fabric softener, hand soap, dish liquid, all purpose cleaner, and glass cleaner. All of the cleaners are plant based, non-toxic, with no parabens, petroleum, or phosphates.

I was happy with each of the items I tried. One of the cool things I liked was that most of the cleaners come in a refill pouch so you can keep your bottle and refill it – rather than create more waste by throwing out the bottle each time.

You can order from her website here at the prices listed, or pay the membership fee and get 40% off for an entire year.

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Home Improvement – The Baby’s Room: Step 1

Written on July 31, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Living

I am getting really excited about the birth of my baby girl, Eliana. She’ll be here very soon so we’ve been busy bees trying to get her nursery ready. Like many people who have a spare bedroom, this room has been used a guest room and had all sorts of random things stuffed away in the closet – things that didn’t have real homes.

That’s why the first step in preparing her room was breaking down all the furniture and cleaning out the closet. We spent a couple days doing this and moving the extra bed upstairs. The hardest part was finding new homes for all the stuff in the closet! You know, sentimental stuff that you can’t get rid of but don’t know where to store! And, I was totally against just sticking stuff somewhere. I didn’t want to keep anything that we didn’t have too!

The next step was deciding what color to paint these blank canvases called walls! The first thing I do before I paint is determine the color scheme of the fabrics. Paint is so readily available in any color – it is easier to pick the fabrics first. So, my mom and I went to several stores and then fabric stores determining what to use for window treatments and bedding. I’ll be posting the progress on those things soon! After the fabrics were picked I took the fabric swatches to Walmart to pick a paint color for the walls.

We chose Early Morning Sun, Glidden 2 in 1 Paint and Primer. My sweet husband spent a few hours over the course of two days painting her room. It looks so warm and sunny – and beautiful! The paint looked great after just one coat – since the paint is a type with paint and primer it really took well! We thought about only doing one coat but since there were a few spots that he missed he decided to do a second coat.

The biggest worry for me being preggo and having a small child in the house, was the fumes that come with painting. Glidden’s 2 in 1 paint and primer has no VOCs so I didn’t have to worry at all! You know how you can normally walk into a place and tell they have just put a fresh coat of paint on the walls? This didn’t smell like that at all! You would never know that someone had been painting!

So, now that the room is all painted, we have bedding to finish, furniture to paint, a mural to paint, oh yeah, and a window treatment to figure out! This room is the one with the big beautiful cathedral ceilings and cathedral type window. Many homes have these windows on the front of the house now – but I bet they don’t even think about what they will do as a window treatment when they purchase or build the house! I know I didn’t! Lucky for me, I have a pretty crafty mama myself and she has come up with a solution for keeping the sun {and heat} at bay while being really beautiful too! Stay tuned to see the next stage in our nursery decoration!

I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post and with the paint for this project. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

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What Sun Screen Are You Using – Episencial – A Review

Written on July 28, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Living

On June 14th of this year the the US Food and Drug Administration finally released new rules about sunscreen (after 33 years!!) to help clarify label confusion and reduce illegitimate product claims. Here’s the breakdown:

In order to use the term” broad spectrum,” sunscreens must protect equally against both UVB and UVA rays.
Sunscreen manufacturers can no longer claim their products are waterproof or sweatproof. Although, they will be allowed to claim how long a product is water resistant, based upon test results.
Only sunscreens that have an SPF of 15 or higher will be allowed to say they help prevent sunburn and reduce the risks of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. {Information from Healthy Child Healthy World}

So, how do I choose a sunscreen for my family? My little one has skin just like his daddy and me – white as white gets! Burning is inevitable without a good sunscreen so I’ve done my homework.

A good starting point is the Environmental Working Group’s list on there Skin Deep website – they put out a safe sunscreen list each year for the past 5 years. The Environmental Working Group is a well respected organization that tries to help us keep toxic chemicals out of and away from our bodies (in our water, air, and food). It is the same organization that puts together the dirty dozen and clean 15 lists.

Then, I read this fabulous article from Groovy Green Livin and found out that the Environmental Working Group’s list still included sunscreens in their list that contain parabens, fragrance/phthalates, PEGs, propylene glycol and other potentially toxic chemicals. When determining which sunscreens are best, the EWG doesn’t only look at the ingredients-they also evaluate how well the product protects from the sun rays. It’s the combination of these two things that EWG uses to rate their sunscreens. In actuality, “sun protection accounts for 2/3rds of the score, and ingredient hazards for 1/3” when the EWG determines the scores.

So, that is why I like Safe Mama’s Cheat Sheet.

There are several brands that I know and trust on this list. The brand I really gave a long and hard test drive this summer (on my husband, myself, and my little one) is Episencial’s Sunny Sun Screen with SPF 35. It glides on easily and rubs in well (leaving very minimal white residue). It feels great on, it doesn’t feel greasy – which is a major factor for me and my hubby. I can’t stand the feeling of sunscreen but I force myself to use it. But, this actually feels nice – more like putting on a regular lotion.

The protection was great too! No burning has happened here and we spend a lot of time at my parent’s pool and we also spent a bit of time at the beach on vacation this summer. I would highly recommend this product!Actually, I would recommned any of their all natural skincare system. The products are created specifically for the unique developing skin type of babies and kids and are free from the bad stuff like parabens, phthalates, and fragrances. Episencial products are loaded with all-natural goodness and healthy organics and are safe for newborns all the way up to 150 years of age! (:

To purchase your own tube of Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen visit the link here.

I received this product from the Episencial in order to do this review. All opinions are honest and my own.

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Home Improvement – My Mud Room is Complete

Written on July 20, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Living

There have been several home improvement projects going on at my house. Besides getting the baby’s room ready for her arrival I finally got my mud room completed! The mud room is something we wanted to finish when we built the house but money ran out and it was something that could wait. The house plan didn’t actually call for a mud room. It is actually a closet right by the back door that was meant to house a vacuum, broom, etc. But, we didn’t need the closet because these things had homes in other areas (linen closet, laundry room, etc.). I knew from the start that this area would be a mud room.

I am so excited about this project getting completed because until now all of our bags have been a pile on my kitchen table and bar. Make that 3 lunch bags, a library bag, a diaper bag, a purse, reusable grocery bags, shoes, boots, a pool bag, and empty glass milk bottles waiting to be returned to the grocery store all sitting and hanging on chairs and being shuffled around so we can sit down to dinner each night. I know it will only get worse as my children get older with their own bookbags and sports equipment so this is a much needed “landing spot” for us all!

My mom and dad bought the materials for my birthday (it has been my birthday wish for 2 years!) and my father in law and my husband put it together one weekend while my in laws were down for a visit. After all the wood was installed my sweet husband put two or three coats of paint on the whole thing over the course of a couple weekends.

I found the coat hooks at Lowe’s. I opted for ones with two hooks thinking each member of our family would get a hook that could house a bag and a jacket. There’s a bench for other items (like our milk bottles) and for sitting to put on your shoes. I found the baskets at World Market and had my husband build the seat supports to fit the baskets. The baskets are perfect for shoes, outside play things (jump ropes, balls, frisbees, bubbles, etc.) and other items that need fast access outdoors and a home of their own.

It has been a few weeks since the mudroom has been completed and it is working great! We’ve managed to keep all our chairs and bar stools free from clutter. There are a few things I still need to do to make it complete; I want to find a mail center with a place to hang car keys, and I have a family wipe off calendar that I want hung on one side wall. I would also like to find a big basket or a couple big baskets to place on the top shelf for even more storage space.

What do you think? Do you have any organization tips you’d like to share?

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Beat the Heat & Save Your Budget!

Written on July 1, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Living

Its summer time and besides feeling the heat you might be feeling a pinch on your budget. With the heat many of us face higher utility bills when we finally succumb to turning on the air conditioning. I will confess that we’ve had ours on for a month now with this Georgia heat that seems to strangle you with humidity – that and being fat and pregnant!

But who wants to pour all their hard earned dollars into utility bills when you’ve got family vacations planned and children at home from school saying, “I’m bored!”? Well, I’ve got a few tips and tricks to help keep the heat at bay and utility costs down!

Keep your oven off! If you must use it for baking then wait until evening when the sun and the temperatures are down. It won’t have to compete as much with the air conditioning.
Use your crockpot. If you don’t have animals that will bother it (or if you have a screened in porch or garage) use it outside. Then you won’t have any heat competing with your air. If you need to use it inside, no worries, crockpots put off some heat – but not nearly as much as your oven and they actually use very little energy. Think outside of the box. Lots of proteins can be cooked in your crockpot but you can also cook side dishes in it too – you can even bake potatoes in your crockpot!
Dry clothes on the line. Can’t use a line due to ordinances? Make a makeshift clothes line in your house. Or, if you must use your dryer, run it at night when it won’t compete as much with your air AND run loads one after another to take advantage of the heat already accumulated (don’t let the dryer cool off between loads). It will dry clothes faster this way.
Keep blinds closed during the day. Better yet, invest in some cooling curtains (room darkening shades) to keep out the heat.

What else do you do that keeps the heat and the energy bills at bay? Share the wisdom with your online community!

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A Trip to the Farm & the Market

Written on May 7, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Food, Wholesome Fun, Wholesome Living

I am really excited that the farmers markets are back in full swing now! I don’t have one that is just down the road … but I have several that I am willing to drive to! My family loves to go on the weekend all together to enjoy the sites, smells, and local flavors and we’re sure to take something home! There is just nothing better than fresh off the vine produce. But, that isn’t all you can find at your local farmer’s markets! I love to pick up artisan breads (although I make my own, it is a nice treat to pick up something different), special jellies, relishes, and cheeses!

Photo Credit: Main Street Farmers Market

Yesterday, Judah and I visited the Main Street Farmers Market in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I was excited to learn that they have a website that you can visit to find out what offerings they will have before you go! Since it is a little bit of a drive I can determine if it is worth the trip. Or, I can “put in my order” to my mom who works only a minute down the road from this farmers market!

This farmers market meets on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 pm and has all sorts of locally grown produce, artisan breads from the local bakery, grass fed beef, lamb, and pork, farm fresh eggs, honey, grits, fresh from the creamery cheeses, and more! Each week you can expect something different as more and more of the local produce starts to come in.

Judah and I picked up a french baguette from Niedlov’s Breadworks, some raw milk cheese from Sequatchie Cove Creamery, Grits from Riverview Farms, and a big glass of fresh lemonade to support the Gathering Gardens. We brought our treasures home and shared the fresh bread and cheese along with some olives with my mom and dad for an appetizer before dinner. Everything was delicious and we all raved over how creamy and wonderful the cheese was! I can’t wait to try others!

There is also a farmers market in Walker county that I am going to visit soon, and we’re all looking forward to going to the Chattanooga Market a few times this summer. We look forward to when the peaches come in! Besides great produce and local artisinal foods you can expect music and lunch at the Chattanooga Market!

Photo Credit: Taste Buds

I’ve learned there are several markets I was unaware of but luckily I found the Taste Buds magazine at Earth Fare that has a wealth of knowledge about local farmers markets, farms, pick your own farms, and CSA’s. I’ve marked mine all up and plan to start many adventures this summer with this magazine as my guide!

Besides farmers markets, we’ve been interested in finding local pick your own farms to gather berries this summer. Last Sunday, my mom and I took Judah to LCCL Strawberry Farm in Rome, Georgia. It is only about 30 minutes from my house and we’re a super excited to have found this gem. We each picked about 3 gallons of strawberries a piece in about 30 minutes time – and that was with Judah in tow! Of course, we didn’t have to search hard, I actually sat down! The berries were in such abundance we literally only moved a few steps to gather our six gallons of berries!

Judah had a fabulous time too – sampling! He ate about three berries off the vine – the biggest, juiciest ones just couldn’t be resisted apparently! He also picked some berries to add to our buckets {with my help so as not to bruise the fruit or damage the plants}. After picking our bounty we had them weighed to pay for them and also bought a big bowl of homemade strawberry ice cream to share. (If you decide to go this is not to be missed!).

I’ll be sharing more of my summer excursions here and I hope you’ll chime in to! I can’t wait to go blueberry picking and when the blackberries come in all I have to do is step outside my door! I’m looking forward to collecting enough blackberries to make lots of blackberry jelly to last all year! Mmmm.

I’d love to hear about where you find your local treasures!

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Get Green This Mother’s Day

Written on May 3, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Family, Wholesome Living

I was asked to share what I would get a newly “green” mom for mother’s day. If you are just getting started and would like to get a little greener this year here are some suggestions for some easy ways and things to get you started.

First, decide what area in your life you want to “green” first. Here are some ideas:

taking your lunch to work
starting your own garden/growing your own food
garbage: recycling and composting
your kitchen

If you want to tackle the kitchen here are some items I recommend you start with. {These would look lovely arranged in a gift basket (which is reusable!):

cookware (pick stainless steel or cast iron – NOT aluminum or Teflon – stainless and cast iron are better for your health and will last longer) Better Homes and Gardens has a lovely set that I own that is very reasonably priced and heavy – which is what you want for cooking evenly.
cloth napkins (pick any color or print to go with your dining room or dishes)
compost bucket
recycling bins for paper, cardboard, glass, and cans
glass dishes for reheating food and packing food for lunches {Pyrex has some great ones with lids that come in all sizes and Rubbermaid just came out with some too}.
a green cookbook like this one

If you are looking for ideas on choosing gifts for greening your lunch routine, check out my post here. If you are looking for ideas on how to start a container garden – another great idea for a gift this Mother’s Day – check out my post here.

What would you give a newly “green” mom?

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Green Your Lunch

Written on April 28, 2011 by Denisesawyer in Product Reviews & Giveaways, Wholesome Food, Wholesome Living

Last week’s winner is BETH! Congratulations and good luck to this week’s winner!

This week’s green challenge is greening your family’s lunch! If you work outside of the home or your kids are school-aged then I challenge you to make your lunch a little greener. And, no, I’m not talking about green eggs and ham or adding green food coloring to your lunch this week. I’m talking about having less waste in your lunch bag.

Here are some ideas for making you lunch a little “greener:”

Pack a refillable/reusable {preferably glass} bottle instead of a store bought (one time use) water bottle, can or plastic bottle drinks. I use a glass water bottle from Love Bottle that I get compliments on everyday! It never wears out!
Use stainless steel thermos and containers for packing food. There are several brands that carry them – some of my favorites are planetbox and kids konserve.
Don’t have stainless steel containers or you need to re-heat something? Glass works best and is safest for you. I use Pyrex glass bowls and plates with lids. They come in all sorts of individual meal and soup sizes and they are cheap. I got mine at Walmart!
You’ve just GOT to have a sandwich “bag.” Use reusable bags – like the ones from lunchskins & snacktaxi (or make some of your own!). If you just have to pack it in something disposable try these wax paper bags – they are cheap and earth-friendly! They are a much better choice than plastic.
Buy regular/large packs of snacks and chips and pack individual serving sizes of your own instead of buying individual sized prepackaged bags. You’ll save money and packaging!
Skip the brown bag! Get yourself a reusable {and might I add cute – you’re going to use it a lot right, might as well get something you like!) lunchbag. Cute reusable lunch bags, coolers, and totes abound everywhere! Depending on who is taking the lunch your sure to find one that fits their personality! I have one from Built that I love – but I’ve seen a zillion that I’d love to have. There are some really cute ones by Skip Hop for kiddos!
You’re packing a green lunch – don’t forget the “other stuff!” I’m talking about switching your paper napkin for a cloth one, and packing REAL (not disposable) silverware. If you’re worried about the kiddos tossing it, get some cheap stuff just for them.

And, while you’re greening your lunch routine, don’t forget, to take a pledge for a greener earth through Scott Natural’s 4-Week Scott Naturals Test Drive Program running between April 4 and September 30th at ScottBrand.com.

And, as a bonus, while your taking the pledge, you can enter for a chance to win a Ford Fusion hybrid sedan! And, did I mention coupons? You get a coupon for the Scott products when you make the pledge too!

One Lucky Wholesome Mommy Reader Will Win a HUGE Prize Pack From Scott Naturals Just For Taking the Pledge!

All you have to do is visit Scott Naturals using this link – you’ll get to take the pledge, print coupons, and enter to win a Ford Fusion Hybrid AND just for clicking the link, $1 will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation! Help them reach their goal of $25,000 unique clicks!

Then, come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you took the pledge! That will be your entry into this give away!

For an extra entry: Leave a separate comment telling me one {or more} of your favorite lunch items that you take with you on the go!

*Prize includes everything pictured in the photo above: Scott naturals 12 pack of toilet tissue, 6 pack of paper towels, 1 pack of napkins, and wet wipes.

This give away ends May 1st at 11:59 EST. But, no worries, I’ll be hosting ONE more give away with ONE more chance to win this awesome prize pack!! Stay tuned in the coming weeks! The winner will be announced here after being chosen via random.org.

I was compensated by Scott Naturals and The Motherhood for my efforts reviewing, writing this post, and hosting the give away. As always, this post contains my honest opinions and those opinions are 100% my own.

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