Hey there! Kara, the Nurse Mom to Five here.
As I sit here, drinking my cup of coffee with a splash of cream, I reflect on life in a similar matter. Coffee can be drank black, with cream, with cream and sugar, with just sugar, latte, espresso, blended, iced, and any other variation out there.
Our lives are similar. We can drink the coffee any which way we'd like, just like we can do or decide to do anything else in our lives. I don't judge another for drinking their americano while I drink it with a splash of cream, nor would I judge you for choosing for to breastfeed or bottle feed.
Life should be given and walked with much grace for we are only walking our own path. Uplift and encourage others as you would want done unto you! Sometimes if we don't know what someone else may be going through, even a simple hug or words sent in encouragement to say, "Hey- I see you're struggling and I want to encourage you to keep your chin up, and I'm here for you!" Those can mean a lot to those going through even the smallest struggles.
When we drink our coffee together, remember that we are all on the walk of life together, and we all go through different struggles at different times in our lives. There are others who have gone before us, and others who will come after us that can all benefit from each other in this walk of mother-hood!
Take some time today and send some words of encouragement to the person who is on your mind, or someone who needs some extra love! Sometimes when we are in our own area of hurting it also brings up your own mood when you can encourage your friends, family, strangers on the path they are on!
I would like to extend a warm welcome to join the exclusive facebook group here!
If you would like my on-the-go toolbox for what I put in my diaper bag, click here!
I hope you have a wonderful day,
Much Love~
Kara
The Nurse Mom
Hey there!
Last night I had an interesting thing happen that has never happened before! Growing up in a neighborhood has quite the challenges, but I remember as a kid that I always had playmates.
Moving from the country in Minnesota to a neighborhood in Alaska has been a blessing in disguise for many of us, the kids have play mates and happily play with many other kids here. It has been a challenge in that we have to now teach our children boundaries and sticking with the boundaries.
Last night as I was putting the kids to bed, Ted was in my lap and happened to see the two neighbor kids still out biking and it was after midnight. He said to me, "awwww, how come they get to be outside and I don't???" I went to check on them and it turns out they were getting baby-sat, and their babysitter had gone home to pick up something, but in the meantime the boys had woken up and become frantic.
I told the boys to call their mom and she never answered, So I told the neighbor boys to bunk at our house for the night because I did not know this babysitter's number or what to do!
In the morning, the mother called and she came to pick them up straight away, and to see what had happened to the baby-sitter. Well it turns out he had just gone to get a charger from his house near-by but the boys woke up and left the house because they were scared, and looking for the sitter.
I could have been grumpy over the situation, in that I was up until 2 AM trying to figure out what to do with these two extra kids when I already have 5 of my own, plus two visitors from out of state!
But when we chose grace, and grant grace to those people that have things like that happen to them, we then allow grace into our own lives. That could have happened to any one of us, and I sure hope that some caring soul would take my kids in if that were ever the case.
The mother was so thankful and told me I was her guardian angel, the sitter thought the boys were still asleep when he got back, and had quickly fell asleep on the couch.
I don't know what you would do in that situation, but I surely didn't know what to do, and responded in the best way I thought.
Tell me, what would you have done in this situation with two small boys?
Have a wonderful day!
The Nurse Mom
Feel Free to join our FB group here!
Here is my on-the-go toolbox of supplies you should have on hand!
Hey there! I’m Kara- the Nurse Mom to six.
Today I want to share with you a few remedies that have helped others with nausea during pregnancy!
1. Peppermints
Peppermint Tea, Peppermint lifesavers, Peppermint oil... find whatever works for you!
2. Alcohol Wipes
Ok super weird but it really has helped!!! Keep those little square alcohol wipes in your pocket and when you start to feel the nausea kick in, rip one open, smell it until the nausea subsides so you can get a small snack down.
3. Ginger
Try gingersnaps, ginger tea, ginger essential oil, ginger ale...
4. Lemon
Try lemonade, lemon oil, lemon anything that you can keep down.
5. Make sure you eat small snacks every two hours or sooner, eat before you feel hungry because hunger makes the nausea worse.
It can be tricky to get the nausea under control, but find your triggers and know to avoid them. I hope you’re feeling better soon!!!
~The Nurse Mom
Feel Free to join our Facebook group here!
Here is my on-the-go toolbox of supplies you should have on hand!
Hey there! I'm Kara, The Nurse Mom! I help other nurse mom's find whole body wellness for their children and themselves.
With summer upon us, the kids are getting their fair share of boo-boo's and bumps, scrapes and more! They have been out on their bikes, playing in the shrubs, anything and everything outdoors in Alaska here.
First things first, make sure you wash the wound with soap and water to remove any debris inside (i.e. sand, dirt, etc). Then pat try if they allow you to, or air dry. Then apply the bandage!
We have been going through band-aids like water, and I also have been using gauze with medical tape so it covers their whole skinned up knee. I also put a special whipped home-made cream on the gauze/band-aid as well, to put a layer of protection and boost healing! (It's literally whipped and I call it the whip-balm)
The kids have sure been enjoying our first Alaskan summer, and we don't want those skinned knee boo-boo's to get in the way!
If you'd like the recipe for the home-made whip-balm, click here.
I also have an exclusive group just for nurse mom's and you can join that here!
Hey there! I am Kara and I love to help other mama's find wellness, purpose and abundance!
I want to talk about a topic that amongst this worldwide pandemic we are all experiencing, that we have a choice to chose happiness or fear.
Those days that you feel like you just aren't feeling the love or the vibe, its ok. Let's re-wire your thoughts to help you here especially in times like these. I will share with you what I have done to free my mind from the constant anxieties of the world currently.
1. Unfollow or "snooze" those people or posts on social media that you aren't liking. I started doing this when I would see a post about the current events and miraculously my social media feeds are now filled with things I want to see! Easy Peasy.
2. Get outside if you can for fresh air. Open a window if you can't. The fresh air even if its cold allows yourself to smell the earth and just breathe. Do it now while you're reading this post. Stand up, open the window and let the breeze flow in even if its just for a few minutes! If you don't want to get up right now, call upon your child to open the window if it is safe to do so :-)
3. Exercise. I am admitting this now, but I am 29 currently and have always failed at work outs. I started doing home work outs in the last couple weeks to clear my mind, and it does wonders for my mood. Even adding in a couple days a week has made a HUGE difference in my mindset! Turn it into the kids' phy-ed class too :-)
4. Get the kids doing a craft to keep them occupied too. Remember, when mama is happy, so are the kids. They feed into your energies, so if they are happy then so are you. Keep in mind they are also going through a different path than you are and can also feel the tension and upset rippling through the house. Keep them informed enough but keep it calm and encouraging.
5. Only read the news if you feel so inclined. Shut off any screens during the day, don't read the news right before bed, and certainly don't go out searching for the news. If you have to watch news, do it to stay informed in your local community. I only search for the local news when absolutely necessary and global news very rarely to stay up to date. I also don't believe absolutely everything that is reported on the news.
6. Read a book, do a craft yourself, play with the kids, get the whole family outdoors or doing games. Do something that you used to do that you have left in the dusty closet. Pick up those knitting needles again, pick up those old soccer shoes, rollerblades, bikes, and go clear your mind.
7. Call those family members you've been putting off. Now is a good time since most people are probably at home. Call those grandparents up, call up your brother living across the world. Call up your old friend whom you haven't seen in years. Your sister. Your Aunt. Your Uncle. Your Mom. Your Dad. Whoever comes to mind, call them and ask how they are doing.
8. Be the good in the world instead of focusing on the negatives. Start now, this minute, think of three things you are grateful for. Now think of three more things. Now three more. Do that now and continue thinking about the things you are grateful for and the blessings in your life. You'll be genuinely suprised as you start to smile and relax when you do this!
9. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Now smile! You're amazing and you WILL chose to be happy and vibrant! When you find yourself down, try this technique. Close your eyes, breathe in and out deeply and smile. Teach this to your kids as well, or better yet have them do it while you are!
10. Cook, clean, keep your normal life activities the same. Some days you don't have the energy to cook or clean, and thats ok too! Take it a day at a time but go back to those things that you know have helped you get through the day. If it was a phone call, a smile to the neighbor, or cleaning up your feeds! Do what YOU need to, to get through.
Above all else, remember that you are unique and the way you are experiencing this is unique. You can chose to be full of fear, anxiety and resentment, or you can chose to be full of hope, new beginnings, and faith.
I chose to be full of hope, new beginnings and faith. In today's world, be the good.
I would love to invite you to join our open-minded mama's group here for further support. This group is just starting up but I'm looking for mom's just like you who are looking for the hope in the world.
Here are also five tips for ordinary moms who want to become semi-"au-naturale" :-)
Have a wonderful day!
Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash
Hey there I'm Kara and I love helping others find wellness, purpose and abundance!
As I am writing this, yes I am eating an oreo but hey- everything in moderation right? ;-)
I'll work it off later :-) Anyway I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite products I use for pre and post work out!
My first one is Ningxia Red. You would drink this before your work out or run. A friend just shared this with me that she takes her ningxia red right before she starts running, and this gives her the energy that she needs to keep moving!!! She says she has a noticeable difference and I believe it, because this juice is THAT good!
NINGXIA RED is one of Young Living's most favored products. It is one of the most popular products ordered on Essential Rewards orders, too!
NingXia Red is formulated with NingXia wolfberries, a super fruit from the NingXia Province in China.
They have been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years.
Wolfberries are often marketed as a superfood because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
These berries are among the foods highest in antioxidants. Antioxidants have a positive effect on your health by creating an unfriendly environment for free radicals and should be taken daily.
The second one I want to talk to you about is Aminowise! This is for post-work out.
- Helps support muscles during and after exercise to help fight fatigue and enhance recovery
- Reduces lactic acid induced by exercise through a complex blend of antioxidants and minerals
- Helps support the production of nitric oxide, which can improve vascular blood flow
- Contains branched-chain amino acids, which have been shown to aid in preventing muscle breakdown from exercise
- Supports hydration by replenishing important minerals lost during exercise
- No preservatives, synthetic colors, or artificial flavors
- No added sugar or artificial sweeteners
The third one I highly recommend is Pure Protein Complete for after your work out as well!
- Supplies 25 grams of protein with an optimal five-protein blend in only 170 calories
- Provides a full range of amino acids, including d-aspartic acid, threonine, l-serine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, arginine, proline, hydroxyproline, cystine, tryptophan, and cysteine
- Offers protein metabolism support
- Supports ATP production, the energy currency of the body, with elevATP—an extract of ancient peat and apple
- Supports post-workout muscle recovery
If you would like the full class on ALLLL the wonderful products to use from young living you can find that here. (tap the photo)
Or please feel free to join our facebook group where we have lots of different topics about Motherhood here!
I hope you learned something and I hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you for reading!
Hey! I'm Kara and I help other mama's find and achieve natural wellness!
Here is an easy DIY Chest Rub Recipe I like to use!!!
Equipment
Double Boiler or Whatever you can configure up to use as a double boiler
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp beeswax white or yellow
- 1/2 cup coconut oil solid (I go with refined so that you don't smell the coconut vs the RC)
- 60 drops R.C. essential oil
- 4 oz tin or jar
1. Melt the Beeswax and coconut oil in the double boiler
2. Remove from heat and then add in the R.C. drops.
3. Carefully pour into your container and cool before using.
4. Use as needed- a little scoop and reapply frequently to get the results you want.
5. You may swap out for Raven Essential Oil
If you live in a warmer climate and your chest rub stays liquid, keep in in the refridgerator!
***For Children and babies, use only 20-30 drops of RC or Raven.***
I would like you to join our facebook group here of like-minded mama's here!
Also here are five tips for ordinary moms who want to become semi "au-naturale"!
Hey! I'm Kara and I help other mama's find and achieve natural wellness.
Do You Want Homemade Wipes? Here's a recipe:
(You will also need: Half a roll of paper towel (cardboard piece removed) OR Package of Coffee Filters
(You will also need: Half a roll of paper towel (cardboard piece removed) OR Package of Coffee Filters
1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner’s Organic Castile Mild Baby Soap
1/2 Cup water
1-2 capfuls of Thieves cleaner
Here is how:
1. Cut a roll of paper towels in half and take out the cardboard piece. Remove enough paper towel sheets for your roll to fit into your container of choice.
2. Pour the water and Dr. Bronner’s in the bottom of your container then gently swirl to mix it. Drop in your Thieves cleaner then quickly insert your paper towel roll into the container. Let it sit for a few hours to allow the mixture to soak through the towels.
Tips:
The amount of water you use depends on the brand of paper towels. If you buy thin paper towels then try a little less water so your wipes won’t be sopping wet
Use an empty cleaned circular container to store them.
Use Thieves Cleaner to clean the following:
Kitchen:
countertops
microwave
stovetop
oven
refrigerator and freezer
sink
floors
light switches
door knobs
cabinets and handles
pantry shelves
dishwasher
all appliances
**For heavier/greasier projects, dilute 1:15 or use neat**
Please join our facebook group of open-minded mama's HERE!!!
Five tips for ordinary moms who want to become semi "au-naturale"!
Hey there! I'm Kara and I help other mama's find and achieve natural wellness. I am mom to 5, RN and love helping others!
We in our house use a lot of natural things to boost the immune system, and to remedy many illnesses at home.
These are the following items we are using currently to boost the immune system.
1. Vitamin C
2. Ningxia Red
3. Probiotics
4. Kids Vitamins
5. Essential Oils-diffusing and applying
6. Elderberry Syrup
7. Increasing water intake
8. Exercise and playing outside
9. Eating healthier options
What are you doing in your home to support everybody's immune system?
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
Hey there I'm Kara and I help other mama's find and achieve natural wellness. Here are ten things I want you to know if you're a breastfeeding mama!!!
1. Breastfeeding is not all or nothing sort of thing. It is and can be very flexible for you and your family!
2. Many of us have days were we wanted to give it up. Keep going, you'll get past the hard part and you'll feel relief once you have gotten past the hard part!
3. Breastfeeding can look very different for each mom/baby. Not one of us is the same and we all have different ways!
4. Tongue Ties can impact breastfeeding. I have not ever had this in any of my babies, but have had many friends that have dealt with this. Cheek ties and lip ties can also contribute to many problems you may have with latching!
5. Find the support you need! Join a facebook group, find mom's online who have babies the same age, go to a local support meeting. These can be so beneficial for your breastfeeding journey.
6. Lactation cookies, herbs, teas can really help but they need to be combined with other treatments for increasing supply. (such as how often is baby feeding, how much is baby getting, baby's latch, etc)
7. Breastfeed for as long as you and baby want. Or as short as you want.
8. Nighttime feedings don't just end after a few months old. Many times they are well past the nutrition stage and just like the night time connection. This can also boost supply too!
9. You have the right to feel however you want about breastfeeding! Your feelings are real and normal.
10. Breastfeeding is above all, love. It is one of the many ways you can exchange your love with your baby!
Thanks for your time in reading this, and reach out if you have any questions. I'd love to help!
~Kara
Also click here to join our facebook group where we do talk about all things wellness!!!
