Outdoor Living {Before & After}

If you ever come to my house and I don’t answer the front door, this is where you’ll find me:

Patio Complete 048

 

I never knew that an outdoor space could feel like another room in the house, but this area does. I think it’s the pergola that gives it a “room” feel, and even though there are no walls or privacy fences, I can still sit there and feel like I’m in my personal outdoor living room. I cannot even tell you all how much I love this space!!

A huge part of that loving comes because of how improved it is. If you’ve been following the Cottage blog for any period of time, you know we bought this house as a foreclosure, at a time when it needed a lot of work. The inside was our focus for the first couple of years, and finally last spring we started doing more outside projects. Our front porch was first, and then, on July 4th weekend a year ago, we started the back patio.

My husband is very careful to do things debt-free, and so we have not done some of the bigger projects around here until recently, after we were able to save up for them. So that makes the finished product even more exciting. When you wait for something, it becomes even more special! :)

This is what it looked like for the first 4 years we were here. Lovely in its time, but with many years of wear and tear the boards were rotting and falling in, and they gave many splinters to poor bare feet!

{Before, July 2014}

back porch before

deck - before

 

Soooo, the perks of having a husband who can do literally ANYTHING with wood are pretty awesome. He can envision something, and make it and built it. I can decorate it when it’s finished, but he’s been the vision behind most of what we’ve done here at the Cottage. He’s really great like that.

So, to give a little perspective of where this is (and there were some people who thought this is the front porch – no, it’s the back deck, off the back/side of the house :)) , this is the view from the front of the house.  The back deck is only slightly visible, so it gives a very private feel sitting back there.

 

cottage front view

First off: tear off the old deck, beginning on July 4th, 2014

tearing it down

The process of tear-out was quick and easy, and then the building took a bit longer because of working at it evenings and weekends for several weeks a month or two. The entire process from beginning to end, including staining the wood and all of that, wasn’t finished up until November. So! We don’t do everything super fast around here. ;)

The little man was so thrilled with his apprenticeship to construction.

little mancub daddys helper

And I even got out there with a drill – because my husband taught me to love that kind of thing too. :)

IMG_1083 IMG_1246

And things slowly started taking shape…

learning that work is fun

backporch living

The first dinner on the patio – enjoying it even before it was completely finished because we were just THAT excited about it.

first dinner on the new deck
Art time – outside! When they find me outside in the mornings, sometimes they’ll bring their own things outside and we’ll all be together for a while.

mornings on the porch art on the porch

 

Break time.

taking a break

And adding the final touches  – finishing the pillars, putting lights on the pergola, staining the wood, planting ferns and shrubs in planters…

I love lots of whites indoors, but out here, I wanted lush green and full of color. It feels like my happy place.

Patio Complete 032 patio pillars

 

{And after, July, 2015}

Unless it’s raining, this is where you’ll find me, every morning. I’ll even wipe off the raindrops from the table and chairs if I need to, so that I can use this lovely spot. My Bible, a hot cup of coffee, and quiet time outside = the best way to begin a day!

My view from the kitchen door. I mean. I cannot even resist going out there. My love of running is even being affected because I just want to BE HERE.

the patio room

 

morning quiet time

Patio Complete 035

 

French-pressed café al fresco, anyone?

 

cafe al fresco

And these little cuties that sleepily join me after a while… ♥♥  Sometimes it all feels like a beautiful happy dream, these moments of my life, with my precious children.

morning risers

 

Sometimes I can hardly believe this is the same location; same outdoor furniture, same potted plants, but a whole new design.

Patio Complete 038

 

Friends and visitors are welcome! :)

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A Plexus Special!

You all know by now how much I love my Plexus products. :) Because I’ve experienced such a complete health change, I cannot help but be so grateful! And when I daily hear stories of people being so helped by the products, I’m excited!

So I know there are some super healthy people out there and you don’t feel that you need Plexus, and that is just fine. I am so happy for you, that you are healthy and well!

But for those who are curious, who are looking for something to bring better health to their families, I just wanted to let you know about a special going on this weekend! This will be short and sweet! :)

Sooo, if you are…

1. Someone who wants to get healthy.
2. Someone who wants to lose 10 Ibs. or more.
3. Someone who wants stronger hair/nails.
4. Someone who needs help managing stress or getting focused.
5. Someone who eats cheat meals every now and then.
6. Someone who wants to get rid of a muffin top.
7. Someone who wants to be less anxious.
8. Someone who wants to build their immune system
9. Someone who needs to eat less sugar
10. Someone who loves to workout.
11. Someone who wants to sleep better at night
12. Someone with aches and pains
13. Someone who wants to drink more water.
14. Someone who wants more energy.
15. Someone who is tired of taking medication.
16. Someone who wants to reduce C-section scars.
17. Someone who wants to balance their hormones out or has thyroid issues. 

18. Someone who wants to be free of monthly cramps.
19. Someone who wants to increase their breast milk supply.
20. Someone who wants to experience less morning sickness.

… then you would love Plexus!!

And if you want a great deal on the products and want to get them at MY cost (wholesale pricing), then you’ll want to consider this 1/2 price membership special! This weekend only, from July 3-5th, anyone can join for $17.95. This gives you access to all the products at the best price possible.

The beauty of this is that there is also a business opportunity that comes with this deal! It comes with your own website so others can order  Plexus products through you. But, you do not have to sell products in order to become an ambassador! Many people join just for their own price benefits.

It doesn’t get any better than this! Here’s your chance to get ALL of your Plexus products at wholesale pricing for an entire year for just $17.76!!!

Whether you join to take advantage of the great discounts on products or for the incredible business opportunity, it’s a win/win! No tricks.

 

happy independence day from plexus
Do you like to hear other people’s stories and opinions? Me too!

Here’s a beautiful story to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIFzQZhAU1s

And if you’re curious about what the products do, here is a nutritionist that talks about them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZAwP2oE6A&feature=youtu.be

If this is something you’re interested in and have questions about, feel free to message me in the ‘contact’ tab on my blog.

Or if you’re ready to join, click on the ‘Plexus’ tab at the top of my blog, then ‘Join Plexus”! This will give you the sign-up steps. :)

And, if you’d like to be eligible to win a 7-day trial of the Plexus Slim, leave a comment with the numbers of 1-20 that apply to you in the “someone who” above. A winner will be chosen on Monday!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

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A Little Boy’s Bedroom

a peek in the room

 

So when the attic renovations were completed, and a bedroom was made upstairs for the little girls, a little boy suddenly had his own room. For the first time in his nearly-three years! We won’t really discuss whether or not he especially liked this idea, but we can mention that because of having only two bedrooms for all of his life, until now sleeping alone wasn’t an option for him. Now that it IS an option, I’ll venture to say that “fun” and “exciting” wouldn’t really be the vocabulary of choice to describe his feelings on sleeping alone, although he is so proud of his room. Perhaps he spends more time playing in this space than actually sleeping? Who knows. :)

Last fall I showed a few pictures of this room when all three kiddos were sharing. And now it’s a space just for Hudson. Yes, it is completely possible for three children to share a bedroom, AND to be organized [mostofthetime] meanwhile. However! I have been so amazed at how two extra bedrooms really do give so much breathing room, and how things can feel so much more organized!! And I’m all the more grateful now for the extra space, rather than just taking it for granted.

So this space for Hudson is simple, and I don’t have a lot of pictures.  I wanted a neutral and understated theme, with room on the floor for Legos and train tracks and those boy toys that we now have. :) I also wanted items that I could use in various ways in the future, not just “baby boy room” accessories.

Hudson’s bed was a toddler-size bed we found at an antique shop when Zoe was a baby, and it has been a treasure ever since! Why don’t they make things as awesome anymore, I have no idea.

It took a bit of effort to make it look boy-ish in that corner, but a few little touches and it came together.

  an antique toddler bed

the old bed

special friends

decor with oars

cross blanket

Opposite of the bed is a large wall map and a teepee – and yes, the kids play that they are Indians [just as I had hoped they would use their imagination]. But Hudson has been found to take naps in there as well, and it’s a fun little hide-out too.

 

teepees and big maps

the fireplace wall

a little teepee

teepees and big maps

teepee and map art
And a little pail of tennis rackets sits in the corner as well.

a collection of tennis rackets

And that’s our little boy’s room. Sometimes the most simple is the best of all. Or maybe it’s the more kids I have, the more I like things simple (i.e. less clutter)? Either way, there it is! :)

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Sources:
Bed: antique store
Light fixture: yard sale
Swiss Cross Blanket: amazon
Black and White Aztec pillow: IKEA
Teepee: made by us
Black and White Wall Map: Urban Outfitters
Black and White Cross Rug: Urban Outfitters
Cardboard Deer Mount: Little Wanderers (out of stock) but similar found here

 

New Little Nephews.

It has been a most precious month for me and my family!

First of all, last fall two of my sisters announced their pregnancies, and they happened to be due within a month of each other. :) And then my sister-in-law announced her pregnancy, right around the same time. I mean, seriously. It doesn’t get more fun than that!

There has been so much joy in anticipation of these little babies. I come from a long line of baby lovers, and there are few things are beautiful and precious and that bring such celebration as new little people entering the world!

Introducing: Canon Christopher, and Harrison Jude
(a.k.a. Most Handsome Little Babies on the Planet)

two baby boys

There was also so much prayer. Because of what happened to my sister’s first baby a year ago, we were reminded that life is such an amazing gift, and that we can take nothing for granted. Often we tend to think if a pregnancy goes past the first trimester then we can breathe a sigh of relief that everything is okay! But each new stage is such a precious gift, and each day is a gift to enjoy and bring life to the little one within.

I’m not even the mother of these new little babies, but I’ll be honest; it was a battle for me with trust vs. fear. We’ve walked through death of a little one with my sister and her husband’s baby, and realize that things do not always go as planned, or as expected. So even for me as a sister walking along with them, it was a constant choice I had to make to not live in fear of what could happen, but rather choose to trust and bring my fears to the Lord through prayer. There were no guarantees that these pregnancies would bring healthy babies full of life. There is never a guarantee in all of life! All we do know is that God is faithful, and that He can be trusted, no matter what we face. Even when what we face is death, and pain, and the deepest sorrow we can imagine.

zoe falls in love two baby boys 002

Zoe and Olivia with the babies

Watching my sisters walk through their pregnancies has been so amazing. I may be the older sister, but my younger sisters amaze me, and challenge me. Of course they had moments of fear and being afraid of the unknown. Absolutely. But they chose to not stay in that paralyzing grip of fear, even though the outcome was not known. There were times an extra checkup happened, just for peace of mind if a baby wasn’t moving as much as usual. There were times when they asked for prayer because of the fear they felt. When a death has happened so close to you, you don’t just assume everything will be fine. But neither do you need to live paralyzed by fear. Fear can actually be a tool used for deeper trust, for a chance for the tears to fall and the hands to open in an “I choose to trust you, Jesus, even though I don’t know what is going to happen.”

I feel like I have learned so much from my sisters, from their walk of faith and trust through this past year. It’s not every big sister that can say this, but I can: my sisters are some of my heroes. Not because they’re perfect – because not a one of us is! – but because of how they choose to live and not give way to emotions and fears that could be so tormenting. So a shout-out to you beautiful ladies. I’m so proud of you!

  such joy claudia is a mommy!

And there is something so amazing about pain. Never in a million years would we ever choose for Little Kenny to have left us so soon. We still miss him, someone we never met or knew in this life.

But pain has a way of teaching us about joy too. Because while a new baby in the family would have been precious and brought joy anytime, after a time of pain, the joy only increases. We are made so much more aware of the gifts we do have, of the gift life truly is. Our heart is stretched to receive joy, to feel the heights of joy, to remember the sacredness of life. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much from happiness as I did when these two little baby boys were born, and all was well! And seeing my sisters as mothers, and their sacred but wild joy and love… It’s amazing. I can’t even describe it, but it feels like I’m walking on holy ground. The way God can work even in the middle of pain, even because of pain, is just amazing. Only God can do that – cause joy to become even deeper. I see it in my sisters eyes, even my sister who is not yet a mother. There is a deeper awe of the gifts we do have. A realization that life is precious, so so SO PRECIOUS.

they are a family! love is multiplied a little family

I’m going to cry in my little corner of Starbucks now, just as I started crying when I was edited these pictures. I cannot even tell you how PRECIOUS these little boys are. If a heart could explode from sheer joy and love, we would all be dead and gone. Because there is so much joy and blessings – two little boys who will be almost like twins (born two weeks apart), their mommies were best friends since forever ago (and they never fought: I’m their sister, and even our mother says they never fought. How is that even possible? I’m trying to get my two daughters to catch that memo). It’s just so much wonderful.

newborn Harrison dimple baby the little family

ervina and her baby

It was so special to see these two little boys within a few weeks after they were born, along with my husband’s little nephew, who was born within days of little Canon. His was a bit of a scare, coming more than a month early, and we are so grateful that everything is okay with little Benson. Yes, there are babies everywhere! It’s the most wonderful thing in the world! I only want ten more of my own now.

we love our nephews

Hudson meeting one of his little boy cousins.

  Hudson meets Harrison

And I never expected to have to fight compete with my own daughters about who gets to hold the babies. For real.

two baby boys 002

 I finally get to get to be Auntie Clarita! It is even more wonderful than I imagined.

my heart is bursting

 So many thanks to those of you who prayed and celebrated with us! What a beautiful thing the body of Christ is!

And now I just want to go kiss these little babies!!

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Why Plexus Works (a little explanation and a giveaway)

1-  pink drink picture

Edited to add:
THE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS KRISTINA B!
Congratulations! Please check your email (and possibly spam folder! :) ) for an email with details on how to receive your package!

Also, there was so much interest in the Plexus products, and I would love to talk more with any of you who are interested, if you’ve not already been working with an ambassador! It is just a joy to share products that truly work to bring health, and that are changing people’s lives. Health truly is an amazing gift! So please feel free to message me!

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It’s been a bit since I’ve talked about Plexus on my blog, but I am more excited about it than ever!! My own health continues to be such a blessing, and as we returned home from a busy weekend trip with over 24 hours of traveling, many late nights, and not much sleep, I’m amazed again at how good I feel! Normally this would have left me exhausted for days, but this time the morning after just feels like my new-normal good days. I’m so grateful!

If Plexus is new to you, and you’d like to read more of my own personal story, you can find it here. But in a nutshell, I dealt with adrenal fatigue, low blood sugar, brain fog, and being underweight, and desperately needed something that would work from the inside out, not just mask symptoms.

There are some people who wonder what all the excitement is about, and if you have never experienced health challenges or felt desperate for answers to what is happening in your body, then thank Jesus!! Not everyone is in need of these products and there are those who enjoy great health – and that is wonderful! But there are many who are looking for something to help frustrating and crippling health concerns, and it’s for those people that I am excited to share!

I am not a doctor or nurse, but in my own journey of health I have been learning so many things about how the body works, and it is so fascinating and exciting! These products are  not a magic cure for anything, and they will not turn your twinkies into protein, unfortunately! But they do work to bring health to core and essential levels of the body. So I want to tell you about four of my favorite products, and why they work as they do. Let’s get started!

 *Plexus does not intend to treat, diagnose or cure any disease and individual results will vary. Plexus products are health supplements made of plant-based ingredients that target health on core levels of the body. They are supplements, not drugs.

 

Have you ever wondered why Plexus products may help so many different health concerns? I know I did!

Eva Schmidt gives a great explanation:

It’s because inflammation, blood sugar instability and gut health are the ROOT cause of so many health issues. Instead of addressing the root problem, most of the time we end up treating symptoms with prescriptions, which have their OWN side effects, thus creating MORE issues to deal with.

Here’s a better explanation from Jennifer George Pickett, a Dietitian who believes in Plexus. She has a Master’s degree and almost 17 years of health care experience and below she shares her opinion on what makes Plexus different… I wholeheartedly agree!

She writes… “In my opinion, what makes Plexus different is that these products address the root of the problem. After working with many clients and team members, I have seen the most common root problems are blood sugar instability, poor gut health and inflammation. Until root problems are addressed, it is hard to see health results.
* Plexus Slim addresses blood sugar instability and inflammation
* Fast Relief also addresses inflammation
* ProBio5 and BioCleanse addresses poor gut health”

 

SLIM

3- slim

Curious what Plexus is? It’s not just more pills to take – Wendy Carr Larson explains it this way:

Plexus Slim is a yummy little pink drink that you take first thing in the morning.
It helps stabilize your blood sugars throughout the day which in turn helps you have more energy, Stable blood sugars also mean LESS STRESS on the body!! Less stress means less inflammation, less raised cortisol or adrenal fatigue. Less stress means healthier blood pressure, cholesterol, and lipids. People report having great energy, sleeping better, less cravings for sugar/snacks, and weight loss.

4 plexus slim ingredients

Plexus Slim also helps insulin to function better. Insulin is the master hormone in your body, which means it has a very important job! Insulin tells all the other hormones what to do! Hormones tell your body whether to burn fat and lose weight or to store fat and gain weight or to find balance and weight maintenance in between. When it comes to your body “deciding” what state to be in, there are two key hormones that regulate food intake and energy balance.

Did you know if your blood sugar is off-balance it can affect your mood and hormones? True story. This is one great benefit I’ve noticed!

blood sugar low 7 blood sugar high 5

 

So why is a healthy blood sugar level important, and what can it do?
Here are just a few benefits of just a balance blood sugar level alone:
-prevents pre-diabetes
-helps diabetics with healthier blood sugar balance
-helps to prevent light-headedness, shakiness that is a result of low blood sugar
-helps to balance hormones
-blood sugar balance reduces inflammation


Interesting fact:
Did you know that the only common denominator in people who live to be over a 100 years old that scientist can find is how sensitive they are to insulin?! So if we can keep our blood sugars stable, not swinging up and down, our bodies can release less insulin and become more sensitive to insulin.

5- how plexus works

Features & Benefits of Slim:
* Helps maintain healthy blood sugars
* Helps maintain healthy blood pressure
* Helps maintain healthy cholesterol and lipid levels
* Proven ingredients
including Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Garcinia Cambogiathat address all areas of weight loss
* No meal replacements
* No shakes

7 how it started

The body naturally stores fat. The most common areas are the stomach, thighs and buttocks. These excess fat stores contain toxins that can cause havoc with our immune system. Plexus Slim and other products work to reduce fat, thereby gaining better health. This picture shows the difference between dieting and cleansing, and why cleansing makes all the difference.

why diets dont work, but cleansing does

PROBIO5

 

9 probio5

What IS a probiotic, and why is it important?

A probiotic is an organism which contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract.

A probiotic is also referred to as the “friendly”, “beneficial”, or “good” bacteria which when ingested acts to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and help fight illness and disease. The Plexus Probio5 is the only probiotic on the market that also contains an antifungal ingredient, which is so essential in the treating of yeast overgrowth in the body!

ProBio5 features five probiotics, added enzymes, Vitamin B6, Grape Seed extract and Vitamin Call in one effective delivery system.

13 probio5 helps with

Features & Benefits

Yeast organism and fungal cleanse

Proper probiotic balance in the intestinal tract

Proper intestinal balance which increases nutrient absorption

Relief from typical yeast symptoms (anxiety, recurring irritability, lethargy, allergies, acne, dry/flaky skin, migraines, and so forth)

Doctors say that 80% of our health lies in our gastrointestinal tract, which is our gut/colon/digestive tract. It is a huge area of our body, and studies show that even things like depression, autoimmune diseases, skin issues, and a myriad of other health issues have their root in an unhealthy gut.

10 fact

 

Poor eating habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress and disease and the use of antibiotics in food production as well as in medical treatments can wreak havoc in the gastrointestinal tract by destroying good bacteria and allowing undesirable bacteria to multiply.

When the ratio of good bacteria to bad is lowered, problems begin to arise such as excessive gas, bloating, constipation, intestinal toxicity and poor absorption of nutrients.

So…..have you ever considered that your gut is sick?

And that your gut being sick is making YOU sick? Making your joints hurt? Having headaches? Being grumpy, to lacking concentration? Causing bad allergies, and being tired all the time? I don’t know a lot about lots of things. BUT, I do know how to help you gut! And your gut is the hub—the grand central station–of how you feel every day!

11 leaky gut

Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) is a major cause of disease and dysfunction in modern society, accounts for at least 50% of chronic complaints, as confirmed by laboratory tests. It is often the primary cause of the following common (auto-immune) conditions :
asthma,
food allergies,
chronic sinusitis,
eczema
urticaria,
migraine,
irritable bowel,
fungal disorders,
lupus,
fibromyalgia,
and inflammatory joint disorders including rheumatoid arthritis are just a few of the diseases that can originate with leaky gut. It can contribute to PMS, uterine fibroid,
breast fibroid.

In Leaky Gut Syndrome, the small intestine becomes inflamed and irritated, which allows metabolic and microbial toxins of the small intestines to flood into the blood stream. This event compromises the liver, the lymphatic system, and the immune response including the endocrine system.

Some of the most incurable diseases are caused by this exact mechanism, where the body attacks its own tissues.

This is commonly called auto-immune disease.

HealthBeginsInTheGut_FINAL-e1413591194238

So how do you get a HEALTHY gut?

By providing it with healthy bacteria that nourishes, with enzymes, with life-giving nutrients that not only feed the healthy bacteria but kill the unhealthy bacteria, which is the yeast or candida overgrowth that is the “mystery illness” of America. Literally, hundreds of surface issues spring from this one iceburg issue.

 

BIOCLEANSE

14 biocleanse

 

As a result of the modern lifestyle, most of our bodies are burdened with toxic waste and sluggish metabolisms. Having an excess of toxic waste can leave the body tired, achy, and bloated, with a low energy level and weakened immune system. Detoxification is a process that expels excess waste and accumulated toxins from our body. Fortunately, Plexus has developed products to help the body detoxify and cleanse the gastro-intestinal tract and arteries.

Many people are in a low oxygen/toxic state. This is caused by poor diet, stress, low activity levels, polluted air and shallow breathing. The body cannot keep up its metabolism in this state, and begins to gather waste products more rapidly than it can eliminate them. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and other things thrive in this condition, and can lead to diseases such as flu, yeast overgrowth, chronic fatigue, etc. Plexus Bio-Cleanse oxygenates and energizes your body while detoxifying and cleansing wastes, pathogens and plaque in the gastrointestinal tract, colon, arteries, blood, etc.

So while cleansing the body of waste is very important and what most people think of with a cleanse, there are so many MORE health benefits than that alone.

Interesting fact:

“In 1931 Dr. Warlburg won his first Nobel Prize for proving that cancer is caused by a lack of oxygen respiration in cells.

He stated in an article entitled “The Cause and Prevention of Cancer” that ‘the cause of cancer is no longer a mystery, we know it is caused when any cell is denied 60% of its oxygen requirements.’

This is what Plexus says about the BioCleanse: BioCleanse oxygenates and energizes the body while helping cleanse wastes, pathogens and plaque in the gastrointestinal tract, colon, arteries, blood, etc.’

This is really very exciting, you all!!

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Those three (Slim, Probio5, and BioCleanse) can be purchased individually or as a combo package (much cheaper) called the Triplex. YOU WILL FEEL FABULOUS on this combo!!

16 triplex

 

X-FACTOR MULTI-VITAMINS.

 

18a what in the xfactor

People were asking for a multi-vitamin and Plexus Worldwide delivered – X-Factor! Talk about amazing results – it’s turbo-charged with daily vitamins and antioxidants. Nowhere else will you find this mixture of New Zealand Black Currant and Aloe! Consuming multi vitamin supplements is a good thing. With our poor diets and all the other threats to our health, it’s critical to have a high-quality food source of vital nutrients. In fact, studies suggest that the majority of multivitamin products are of poor quality and difficult for the body’s digestive tract to break down, digest and absorb.

This unique patented Aloe formula that blends filtered whole leaf aloe and aloe leaf gel, smartly delivers polysaccharide nutrients. Many studies show that the aloe helps you to absorb the Vitamin E and C ingredients by up to 3 times more! It also helps you absorb any of the Plexus products you take with more affectively!

18 Xfactor for kids

Also, they came out with family chewable, which my kids love! People report reduced cases of sicknesses and better energy and all around health with both of these incredible products. This whole winter we have had ONE bout of a flu bug the entire winter; the only thing we’ve done differently than other years (of repeated sickness) is taking Plexus products.

-The Blackcurrant in our XFactor is also rich in Iron which increases the production of red blood cells. Due to its rich Vitamin C, Black currant increases the body’s capacity to absorb iron. The XFactor also is Rich in the fat soluble Vitamins A and C. It also has high amounts of calcium which strengthens bone and teeth and may be effective in helping to prevent osteoporosis. It also helps improves oral health.

Features & Benefits

Delivers several B vitamins, vitamins D, C and E, the antioxidant protection of New Zealand Blackcurrants, and the impressive nutrient profile of Aloe
* Oxygenates the body, safeguarding against damaged/dysfunctional cells
* Provides super-potent antioxidant protection
* Delivers support for whole-body wellness
* Supports the body’s functions, processes and systems
* Super-charges the body’s various immune activities

While Plexus cannot claim to cure or diagnose anything, researching done on the products have been amazing to see:

A colleague of the developer of the X Factor was given permission to treat 31 cancer patients in England, all who had been given a diagnosis of 3-6 months to live. He gave the subjects OUR ALOE BLEND 3 times a day.
4 ½ years later:
2 were in complete remission
7 showed reduced amounts of cancer
22 had the cancer growth stabilized………
and none had died.

And that is the basic product overview, the nutshell version. :)

ALL the products come with a 60-day money back guarantee, which speak of the company’s belief in their products, and also of their belief that health takes time. Plexus doesn’t expect health issues to clear up overnight, and neither should anyone else.

21 guarantee

 

 

If you’d like to try the products, here are some ordering options!

 

 

22 - ways to buy

Retail Customer is a one-time purchase, 60-day money-back guarantee. It’s the most expensive, and gives you no benefits.

Preferred Customer, automatic monthly shipment, 60-day guarantee = best customer option

Wholesale  Ambassador, best pricing, comes with your own website so you and your friends can order = best all-around option if someone is ordering over $100 a month!

If you’ve considered it for the purposes of earning enough to pay for your own order, I don’t push you to do more than that, unless that is something you want to do. I’m passionate. I pray over my customers. And my team. I cry when I get emails about how my customers and team are experiencing results and help for their health. I want to help people in their health journey that is my passion! If you message me, I answer questions but no pressure.

I’m passionate about helping families on their journey of health. My passion is because I get my “highs” from seeing people get well!

This is also a great business opportunity, if anyone is looking for something like that. It has been such a fulfilling business for me to offer hope and wellness to other people through these products and building relationships!

24 why join plexu

And now for the GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away a 30-day supply of the Plexus Slim to one lucky person!

Here is how you enter:
1. You may not be a current customer to an ambassador, or an ambassador, or working with another ambassador. If you already are, then you do not qualify to enter this giveaway. You are still welcome to share it, but not to enter the giveaway.

2. If you qualify after #1, then please enter! :)

Do so by leaving a comment on this blog post about why you’d like to try it (1 point),
then gain additional points by sharing on Facebook or a social media site (5 extra points!!)

A winner will be chosen and notified in one week, May 15!

And, if you’d like to try the products and see for yourself why I’m so excited about them, you can visit this website and order from there! Or, you can message me here with any questions about the products or about the ambassador opportunity! I always love to hear from you.

Also, now through June 15, if you order the X-Factor family chewables, use the code FAMILY5 for a $5 discount off your purchase! This is a great way to try out this product for your kids!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Let the entries begin! :)

 

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how to clean INSIDE your oven door

So. This is where I get all house-wifey on you. :) Because when you have your own home, it becomes actual fun to take care of things and keep it tidy!

This post was borne out of one of those moments when my oven needed to be cleaned. And so I did. Because, anyone who cooks and bakes on a daily basis knows that your oven gets so dirty. And so I cleaned it. And the inside looked great! Oven cleaner is amazing stuff, ya’ll.

But it was AFTER I cleaned it all up, closed the door, and stood back, that I realized that, “What in the world. My door looks terrible! Inside. How does stuff get INSIDE my oven door anyway? Between the glass?”

And so. I googled (Google is my best friend) and searched and figured out how to get between the glass.

And what do you know, but it’s not even rocket science. It’s super easy, and all it takes is a screwdriver. I wondered why I haven’t been doing this for years! (Those who have been doing this all your life, don’t judge. Or at least please tell me why you didn’t let the world know how to do it! We’ve been waiting! :) )

So, just in case anyone else is wanting to not only have a clean oven interior but also an oven door, here you go!

how to clean inside the oven door

Be glad you can do this in your own home without a blog watching. I am blushing beet red as I show you the interior state of my oven. Before. It wasn’t pretty, you guys.

Entitled: The Embarrassing Oven

the embarrassing oven door

A serious cleaning happened and the oven interior was shiny and lovely. Whew. At this point we will by-pass the oven-cleaning instructions, and go directly to the door.

See those big screws on the side?

where to find the screws

 Yes, those. There were three per side on my oven, so six total. Each pair was slightly different in size, so you’ll want to separate them and remember which goes where. Unscrew and remove, and it will come apart like so:

how to open it up

The door will hinge into two pieces, and the handle will probably come off (mine did). Now get busy and start cleaning both of the inside pieces of glass! This is the fun part. :) I just used Windex and a soft cleaning cloth, but you can use any cleaner of your preference. Get that baby sparkly and make sure there are no streaks or smudges!

Re-attach the door, holding the sides and pieces together, then place the screws back in place. It worked best when I held the door against my knees, and held it tightly together. This takes a bit of concentration but it’s not very difficult.

And it’s back together.

the finished product - it's like a mirror!

 It looked brand new. BRAND NEW. If I’d be emotional over household things I might have cried with happiness at this point. But instead, I stood back and just BEAMED. And felt like the Queen of Kitchen Duties.

Time frame: 1/2 hour, at the most.

I just want to sit in a chair, prop up my feet, drink a coke – er, I mean a pink drink – and gaze at my oven. I MEAN, FOR REAL.  Except I better sweep up the crumbs from the floor first. Oops.

the clean oven and door

I’ve done this twice now, because it is super easy, and because when you know it can be clean, why let it be dirty?!

Happy oven-cleaning!

(And if you’ve already doing this forever, just rejoice with those who rejoice :))

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An Intro to Oils and a Giveaway! [Guest Post]

We’re hearing a lot about essential oils these days, right? If you’re not using them, you probably have a friend or family member who is! :) Or, if you’re like me, maybe you are fascinated by them, but just didn’t even know where to begin learning about them! I love to learn about natural ways of health and how I can better my family’s health and home through natural products. But quite frankly, sometimes I’ve been a little overwhelmed about where to start!

A sweet friend, Nicole Neesby, contacted me some time ago as she began her own journey with essential oils, and Young Living brand especially, and I’ve loved to follow along with her precious family (two of the cutest little boys ever) and learn with her! She has a way of making learning fun, and has some great YouTube videos as well about the different oils that are super helpful. And, she’s been so generous and is giving away a bottle of oil to my readers, so stay tuned at the end of this post! :)

Nicole is guest posting for me today, and I know you’ll love her and her excitement too!

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Hey sweetest girls!  So have you heard about the essential oil hype that is spreading like wildfire in the mama blogging and Instagram world?!  Ahhh! It’s a little overwhelming, right?

If you are like my husband and I in the beginning, are you asking yourself how one drop of any oil can make any difference?!  To be honest, the more I learn about essential oils and the way they can support our body’s health and wellness, the more I am in awe of such a wonderful Creator.

So let me shoot you with a few bullet points on Young Living’s essential oils before I share why we love them so much.

 

// Essential oils are the ‘life blood’ of plants.  This is what they use to ward off infection and disease and stay healthy.

 

// When oils are 100% pure, as Young Living’s are, they have the ability to work with your body to bring about change in your health.

 

// Young Living has been a pioneer in essential oils for 20 years and they own farms around the world to insure the highest quality control on what goes into each bottle.

 

// Young Livings oils are ‘beyond organic’ because no pesticides have been used to treat the plants or soil.  You can read more about their Seed To Seal process here.

^^ an amazing seasonal allergy trio that everyone raves about!! ^^

Essential oils can be an intimidating world to step into, but it doesn’t have to be!!  Here are just a few simple ways we incorporate essential oils into our daily life. . .

 

We love Peace & Calming and Cedarwood for deep, restful sleep at night

 

Thieves for boosting our immune systems

 

Stress Away and Joy for helping to balance my postpartum hormones and 

 

Digize for our little guy’s upset tummy.  

I love that I am able to build a natural medicine cabinet and step away, little by little, from the artificial, chemical-infused culture we live in.  This makes my mama-heart so happy and grateful.

So today, I am really really excited to be here sharing about one of my all time favorite oils, Purification.  This is an essential oil blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, tea tree and myrtle essential oils.  It is wonderful for cleansing everything from cuts to facial pores to stinky shoes.  I am going to share 10 simple ways you can use this oil and then you have a chance to win your own bottle over on Clarita’s Instagram feed.

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10 Simple Uses For Purification Essential Oil 

1// Acne: 1 drop rubbed directly onto pimples to help reduce inflammation and pain.

2// Odor Neutralizer: 1-2 drops on a cotton ball to reduce odors in your garbage can, car, or other stinky places.

3// Cuts and Scrapes: 1-2 drops directly onto cuts and scrapes to help sanitize and clean the area.

4// Laundry Freshener: Several drops into your washing machine water or onto a damp cloth thrown in the dryer.

 

5// Air Freshener: Diffused with lemon essential oil to purify the air in your home.

6// Stinky Feet: 1-2 drops on a cotton ball and wiped onto stinky feet to reduce bad odors.

7// Smelly Shoes: 1-2 drops on a cotton ball and put into smelly shoes.

8// Reduce Itchy Bug Bites: 1 drop applied directly to bug bites to reduce itch.

9// Carpet Freshener: Add 5-10 drops on a cotton ball and place in the canister of your vacuum for a pleasing, clean scent every time you vacuum.

10// Germ Protection While Traveling: Inhale a drop from your hands while traveling to keep you healthy from all the recycled air on airplanes

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Ahh!!  I wish I could give you each a bottle because I literally use this on a daily basis.  But since I can’t, you can always purchase your own here.   Also, if you have been intrigued by essential oils but feel too overwhelmed to know where to begin, I would love to walk alongside you and share what I am learning.  You can visit this page to learn more about essential oils or you can email me directly at nicole.neesby@gmail.com

Either way, I’d love to get to know you better because any friend of Clarita’s is a friend of mine!! xoxo

Nicole Neesby

www.nicoleneesby.com

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Isn’t she great?! If you have any questions about any of the oils, Nicole is super helpful and would love to answer!

And to enter the giveaway, here over to my Instagram and look for the picture of the oils for details on how to enter! Thanks so much, Nicole! XOXO

If you already use Young Living oils, I’d love to hear what your favorite oil is in the comments, and how you use it!

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