Our Winter Favorites

I've never realized how much people dislike the month of January. 

I personally enjoy this month usually because Aaron is at his slowest pace of the year (not completely true this year) and I appreciated the early dark evenings spent snuggled up with the girls. Also this month we will hopefully welcome our newest family member so that is something exciting to look forward too along with painting the nursery and washing tons of tiny baby things. 

Here are a few of my current favorite things that are brightening this cold but fresh new month of the year.

In the kitchen:

Tomato Basil Soup

2- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp crushed garlic

2 cups can chicken broth 

2 tbsp sugar

1/3 cup butter

1 cup heavy cream

15 basil leaves, chopped

Combine the tomatoes, broth, and garlic bring to a boil and let boil for 10 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sugar and butter and mix until they are dissolved, melted and well combined.

Very slowly pour in the heavy cream while simultaneously stirring until all the cream is combined and the soup is creamy.

Stir in the basil.

Serve it hot garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese!

{If planning on freezing it for later consumption wait to add heavy cream}

No Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread

{recipe link above}

In the world of essential oils:

Anthropologie Diffuser Blend:

3 drops White Fir

3 drops Citrus Bliss

3 Drops Grapefruit

Linen Spray for Sweet Sleepy Dreams:

2 oz glass spray bottle

10 drops lavender eo

5 drops cedarwood eo

top with distilled water, shake & spray

doterra Breathe Stick:

AMAZING

It's a natural replacement of vicks rub that's infused with the Breathe blend of Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon, Ravensara, and Cardamom.

Surviving the month of the stomach bug & other yucky things:

Charlotte came down with the GI bug this past week and it left me feeling helpless because there is honestly nothing you can do but let a stomach bug take it's course. So we just rubbed her down with a blend of Frankincense, Melaleuca and Digestzen on the belly to try and help. 

Then I got online to research gut health and how to heal her body after the bug was gone. I came across a few things that have helped her,

Detox Baths

1/4 cup baking soda (to neutralize hard water)

1/2 cup Epsom salts

essential oils if desired 

{4 drops breathe for respiratory support or 4 drops lavender for relaxation}

turn on some music and let them soak for 15-20 mins 

Coconut Water (with pineapple)

She's not a big fan of Gatorade so this was my way of getting electrolytes back into her body and she loves pineapple flavor.

Kefir Yogurt Probiotics 

Probiotics are live microorganisms that may provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. The benefits of these good bacteria may include supporting immunity and a healthy digestive system.

The girls like the ProBugs STRAWNANA SPLIT

I picked the Raspberry for up for myself and whipped up this 'gut healing' yummy smoothie:

Raspberry-Avo Banana:

1 cup kefir

1/2 cup coconut water w/pineapple

1/2 avocado

1 banana

a few ice cubes if desired 

Stay warm & healthy my friends!