Living a Minimalist Lifestyle Can Save You Money

Being a minimalist has some amazing benefits

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 When you think of a minimalist way of life what comes to mind? Do you think of someone who has very little material items and lives in a house that seems empty? Maybe you think of less clutter when you think of a minimalist lifestyle. Maybe you think of someone who denies themself things and is a cheapskate. Does saving money come to mind when you think of the term minimalist?


  Many people decide to live a minimalist life and the reasons may surprise you. Many people check into creating a minimalist life to decrease stress and gain control of their finances. This article about how to be more minimalist on a budget shows you how simple and enjoyable practicing minimalists ways can be. The best part is going minimalist doesn’t mean owning 2 shirts and an empty living room. It does not mean that you can't enjoy remodeling your master bathroom.

How to be more minimalist

 After reading the article (see the above paragraph for the link), about what it is like to live a minimalist life, which I enjoyed reading, I discovered in some ways I would enjoy the benefits of decluttering my life. I would enjoy the extra money that I could have if I did less impulse shopping. I am not one to impulse shop but I do tend to overbuy things like food and toilet paper. I think the past 5 months of this virus pandemic may have something to do with my stockpiling of food as I am worried about not being able to get things if we have another lockdown. So at times, I wonder if I should practice minimalist in my house. Maybe then I would have money to replace the carpet in my house. I got some useful information from the article.


 The benefits of living a minimalist life

~ Relieve stress
~ Save money
~ Curb bad spending habits

 I like the idea of saving money as then I could put the extra money towards a bigger purchase like a new car or a vacation. I am not sure if I have stress around having too many items in my house but I guess at times I do, especially when I see my kids messy rooms. I like to think that my spending habits are good but I know that there is always room for improvement.

How to start living the minimalist way

~ The elimination process
~ Everyone is different
~ Rethink your needs
~ Setting new ground rules
~ Long term
~ Be responsible with savings

 The part that I think most people do not like about this minimalist thing is the elimination process. I like my stuff and I think that I need it all. The thought of having to go through all my clutter is overwhelming to me but the minimalist lifestyle article had some helpful tips that will make decluttering easier. I really liked the packing party idea. The article also showed me that everyone is different and there is no one way to live minimalistic so I could change certain areas in my life to save money. I could still of luxury items like my bidet. I can be a minimalist and still have 6 cookie sheets so I can make my Dairy-Free Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.



 Once I started rethinking my needs and set new rules to live by, I realized that I could work towards this way of living with less. The long term benefits of living with less sounded good to me and I liked that it would help me grow my savings. The article even gave ideas on what to do with the extra money so I could be smart with my savings. So if you want to know more about how to live a minimalist life so you can save money, then read this article. I know that you will find some good information.

7 Signs of Pregnancy

  Having been pregnant seven times myself, I know what the signs of pregnancy can be. Of the below 7 signs of pregnancy, I have experienced 6 of them with almost every pregnancy. Each woman is different so you may only have some of the symptoms. These symptoms may lead you to take a pregnancy test.


 This article Any woman who is hoping to become pregnant or suspects that she may already be pregnant can look for signs. Every woman is different, but many women display at least some of the below symptoms at some point during pregnancy.

1. Missed Period
 One of the earliest signs of conception for most women is a missed period. A good indicator of pregnancy is if it has been more than a week past the usual time of menstruation. However, any woman who has an irregular cycle may not be able to use that as a guide. Go for pregnancy testing in Santa Rosa to verify.

2. Frequent Urination
 Urinating more frequently than normal may be due to the presence of a developing baby. During pregnancy, the amount of blood increases. The extra fluid is processed by the kidneys and ends up in the bladder, resulting in extra trips to the bathroom.

3. Nausea
 Although it is commonly referred to as morning sickness, nausea can occur at any time of the day or night. Some women do not experience it at all, while others may have to deal with it the entire time. The reason why is not fully known, but hormones are suspected to be the culprit. Vomiting may or may not accompany nausea, and there are medications that can be prescribed by a doctor to ease the symptoms.


4. Fatigue
 Early in pregnancy, the hormone progesterone increases significantly and may cause drowsiness and fatigue. Fluctuating blood sugar amounts can also have an effect on energy levels. During the second trimester, many women report increased energy and less tiredness. This tends to change in the third trimester, as feelings of exhaustion may come on due to trouble sleeping and carrying extra weight.

5. Moodiness
 A glut of hormones in the body early in pregnancy can cause mood swings. Other symptoms, like nausea, fatigue, and low blood sugar levels can also contribute to changes in mood and increased anxiety and irritability.

6. Food Preferences
 Many women become more responsive to certain odors when they become pregnant. Smell and taste are linked together, so foods that were once enjoyed may become loathed due to their pungent aroma, while others may become new favorites. The increased odor sensitivity can also tie into nausea, as certain smells may trigger the urge to vomit. A woman’s diet may also change due to things like heartburn. A bland diet may be the only thing that is acceptable for a woman who is suffering from heartburn, so they have to sacrifice spice until after the baby is born.


7. Breast Tenderness
 Breasts may become tender or swollen during the first few weeks as the body adjusts. This is likely caused by hormonal shifts and does not usually last the entire time. The breasts may also feel heavier and be sensitive when touched.

Signs of pregnancy differ depending on the woman. While being on the lookout for the signs and symptoms can be useful in making a determination, a pregnancy test should still be taken as a confirmation.

Better for You Beverages For Summer

Summer is finally here, and we need something to help us "chill out" because let's face it, it's been a rough few months!

  I received various products to facilitate this post.

 In the summertime, my drink routine changes. Since my thirst increases with the hot summer days, my body needs more liquids, and let's face it water can be boring when you have to guzzle 10 or more cups of water. I am so glad that the grocery store has plenty of options for drinks that include better for you beverage options.


 I am probably going to date myself and others who are reading this article but I remember a time that the drink options were milk, juice, water, soda, and Koolaid. I remember the soda pop being sold in glass bottles and the Koolaid being made from packages of powder in a pitcher with water and sugar. When I was a kid there were no fancy bottles of water and we drank water from the garden hose or paper Dixie cups. So I am thankful for exciting better for you beverage products that keep me refreshed and hydrated-- even on the hottest of days.


Better-for-You Beverages to "Chill Us Out" This Summer

 I was sent some brand new to the market beverage products so I could explore some healthier drinks to add to my summer drink list. I usually am a room temperature water drinker with a couple cups of hot coffee but in the summer I like to drink other liquids like Fruit-Infused Cold Brew Ice Tea to quench my thirst. I also like to change my normal hot cup of coffee in the morning to cold brew coffee and iced coffee. If you are a fan of cold brew coffee, you need to check out this super easy recipe for cold brew coffee. I also discovered a recipe for perfect iced coffee that is so sweet and delicious. I do love my daily coffee and earlier this month, I discover some amazing new coffee products that you need to check out HERE. While coffee is amazing I can't drink that all day as I will not be able to sleep at night as the caffeine keeps me awake. So I am glad that I discovered some other amazing better for you drinks that you need to try. I even discovered a delicious juice that helps me relax when I am stressed out or I need to fall asleep. So check out these exciting beverage products (a few that are brand new to the market) to quench your thirst.

The better for you drink list includes:

+ A  cold brew coffee with healthy CLA.
+ A hemp-Infused sparkling beverage.
+ A non-alcoholic craft beer.
+ A speaking vitamin-infused energy drink.
+ A fiber-rich gut-healthy drink
+ A healthy drink mix for kids
+ Allergy-friendly protein powder



Pursue Happiness Cold Brew' Cowffee'

 Cold Brew "Cowffee" is a delicious blend of cold brew coffee with trademarked CLA PLUS whole milk. CLA is a naturally occurring fatty acid in milk that has potentially astounding health benefits (animal studies have shown it to be anti-cancer, anti- heart disease, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and more). Pursue Happiness, the makers of Cold Brew Cowffee has found a way to increase that element by 2x to 3x through a cow's diet. In addition to this healthy innovation, Cold Brew Cowffee has 20 grams of protein, low sugar, Non-GMO, and is lactose-friendly and shelf-stable (no refrigeration required)— setting new standards across the globe for healthy and sustainable drinks. Cold Brew Cowffee contains fresh, traceable ingredients including creamy milk from pampered dairy cows at Spruce Haven Farm, operated by fourth-generation eco-friendly family dairy farmers in the beautiful countryside of upstate New York. The milk is blended with high-quality Arabica coffee from Finca Dos Maria, a family-owned coffee farm founded in 1870 in the bucolic hills of Guatemala. The dairy and coffee farms receive a significantly higher value for the CLA whole milk and Arabica coffee than fair trade. The result of this partnership is a delicious cold brew coffee beverage that you can feel good about drinking. Cold Brew Cowffee is available in recyclable, single-serve packaging, making it ideal for on-the-go enjoyment!

 My boys took one look at this coffee drink and begged me for a sip. I think the cool-looking package and the fact that it was ready to drink coffee was a reason my boys wanted this cold brew coffee drink. Since this summer drink is made with whole milk and the fact that I have a dairy allergy, I ley my teen boys be the official drink tasters. I let my boys split a container of the Cowffee' coffee drink and they said it was so delicious. After I took my pictures the next day, my boys swiped the rest of the Cowffee' coffee. This cold brew coffee smelled so yummy and looked so creamy. If it was made from plant-based milk, I don't think I would have shared this coffee beverage. Oh, how I wish I could have had a sip of the Cowffee' but one sip could make me miserable as dairy causes asthma when I consume it. Looking for more ways to enjoy coffee? Check out this awesome list of 9 Coffee Lovers Must-Have Products.

G&Juice

 Do you need to chill out? G&Juice is a new collection of hemp-infused sparkling beverages made from ingredients that are as delicious as they are bliss-inducing!  Mouth-watering flavors, including Coconut Vanilla, Ginger Peach, Strawberry Lemonade, and Blueberry Mojito, contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Each 12oz can of G&Juice has 20mg of hemp-derived CBD, less than 2g of sugar, and 20 calories or less. G&Juice all female-led team is revolutionizing the Cannabinoid industry by providing a low-calorie beverage with all the benefits that hemp-derived CBD is proven to have.  CBD is short for Cannabidiol, one of the two key compounds of the cannabis plant family. CBD is the non-psychoactive portion of the plant, which means consumers won't "get high." Leave the noise behind and bliss out with G&Juice.

 This juice with CBD in it was so delicious and it was not super sweet. I enjoyed the can of Strawberry lemonade juice while I was soaking in the hot tub. My hot tub is my new healthy summer product and I love relaxing in it before bed. So the combination of CBD and the hot tub helped me fall asleep that night. I am all for CBD for sleep and pain relief. I usually eat a CBD gummie before bed but this delicious CBD drink has 20 mg of hemp-derived CBD in it just like my bedtime CBD product. All the flavors of G&Juice were so delicious and I was sad when I finished up the last of the 4 cans that the company sent to me.


Bravus Brewing Company 

Forget what you know about non-alcoholic beer! Those watered-down lagers have nothing on the rich, full-bodied craft-beer Bravus Brewing Company creates. B ravus is North America's first brewery dedicated to non-alcoholic craft beer! And thanks to a proprietary brewing process they're able to produce craft beer styles which taste exactly like their alcoholic counterparts. Crafted in Southern California, Bravus is a healthier, vegan alternative offering a wide variety of flavors and bold tastes to satisfy every beer lover.  One sip, and you'll be convinced! Its IPA smacks of fresh hops. Its Stout reveals hints of coffee, chocolate, and caramel. And their Amber Ale is malty with a touch of bitterness. Looking for something fresh and light for the warmer weather? How about its wheaty, citrus White Ale or their tart Raspberry Gose with hints of lemon? Or, Cerveza, a crisp, fresh take on a Mexican lager. Only 100 calories for a 12-ounce bottle, Bravus is available in Amber Ale, India Pale Ale ("IPA"), Oatmeal Stout, White Ale, Raspberry Gose, and Cerveza.

 My husband got excited when I opened up the box that contained this non-alcoholic beer. My husband only enjoys the real beer when we go out to eat and since it has been over 5 months since we have been inside a restaurant, this was a drink that he wanted to try. I am usually not a beer drinker but I just had to try the Raspberry Gose as it reminded me of those drink flights that the local brewery sells. This drink without alcohol tasted like a sweet wine drink to me and I loved the fruit flavor. My husband enjoyed the Amber Ale and he said it tasted just like a fancy beer. These drinks are perfect for hot summer relaxation.

Sunshine Sparkling Energy Beverages

 Every can of Sunshine is sparkling with daily vitamins to support your busy lifestyle. Sunshine energy drinks contain unique vitamin blends by flavor, and Sunshine sparkling energy waters contain 100% of vitamins A through E, including B12, B6, B3, and B5 for a little extra boost. Hydration is critical to maintaining energy levels, and all of Sunshine's beverages contain essential electrolytes to fuel everyday activities… whether you are running on the treadmill or running after your kids! Calcium, magnesium, and potassium are key minerals in each can of Sunshine to keep you feeling your best. Most importantly, Sunshine energy beverages are not loaded with caffeine or other stimulants. One 12 oz. can of Sunshine contains 70 mg of caffeine sourced from organic green coffee beans to keep you alert and focused, which is no more caffeine than a single cup of coffee! Sparkling Energy Beverages and Sparkling Energy Waters are available in 6 distinct flavors.

 In the summer, I like to go running first thing in the morning as morning exercise is great for my mind. Since I don't like to eat before I run and I have been running with my boys who are faster than I am, I like to drink something with a small amount of caffeine in it. So I love that Sunshine Energy drinks give me some natural energy along with electrolytes. So I am enjoying a delicious drink that keeps me hydrated while running in the heat. The Blueberry Lemonade was my favorite drink and it was very refreshing. My boys wanted to try these natural energy drinks but I only let them have a sip as they were too good to share.


Regular Girl 

I don't know about you but I like being regular in the potty department. I go running in the morning and the last thing that I want is having to deal with the urge to use the bathroom for #2. I also don't like the feeling of being bloated and constipated. Regular Girl fiber blend is 100% natural and has both prebiotics and probiotics in it. This flavorless powder blends well in liquids and soft foods. This amazing fiber supplement helps me get my daily bathroom visit done around the same time every day and keeps my gut happy and healthy. I add Regular Girl to my daily breakfast smoothie and I always pack the supplement in my bag when I travel so I stay regular. Traveling messes with your body so this fiber supplement helps you avoid stomach problems. You can even add this fiber supplement to recipes like these No-Bake High Fiber Breakfast Granola Bars to boost your daily fiber intake. Fiber is a good thing and helps you feel full longer so it may even help you lose weight.

 I love how easy this tasteless fiber powder is to add to any drink, even water. This fiber drink mix is a morning must so I stay regular in the bathroom department. So many of my readers are repeat customers with their Regular Girl purchases as once they try this fiber supplement they love the benefits of never being constipated. So feel free to use my code MOMKNOBEST10 and save 10% on your purchase of Regular Girl. The Regular Girl Starter Kit comes with a pretty water bottle and is under $20. That is a great price to experience a happy gut.

A delicious berry and cocoa healthy kid drink mixes

 These kid-friendly drink mixes are a great way to sneak in extra fruits and vegetables into your kids. The Coco Macro Greens has a rich chocolate taste and tastes great in milk and smoothies. The Berri Macro Reds has a nice berry taste and also tastes amazing in fruit smoothies. Both superfood drink mixes add additional nutrition to recipes like my vegan chocolate protein pancakes.


•Multi-vitamin, multi-mineral blend with 19 organic super fruits and berries
•Super antioxidants; goji, mangosteen, acai, and pomegranate
•For those who prefer to get their vitamins from whole foods
•1 billion probiotics and enzymes aid digestion and support the immune system
•Essential vitamins A, C, and D plus calcium and magnesium
•Fortified with trace minerals and electrolytes to help proper hydration
•Contains over 70% certified organic ingredients
•Macro Berri Reds has 3+ servings of fruits and berries
•70% less sugar than other fruit drinks
•No high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients
•Gluten free and vegan
•Berry taste kids love!

Use code MOMKNOWSBEST to get 35% off at https://macrolifenaturals.com

An allergy-friendly protein powder made with clean ingredients 

If you have food allergies, then you need to try this delicious clean protein powder. Nuzest protein powder is made from clean ingredients and is a plant-based protein powder that has non of the nasties and is free of the top 8 allergy ingredients like milk and soy. This vegan protein powder comes in many amazing flavors like chocolate and strawberry. This soy-free and gluten-free protein tastes amazing in smoothies and I love adding it to my Gluten-Free Chocolate Mocha Protein Brownies for additional protein.


Save 15% on Nuzest with code MOMKNOWSBEST15

So I hope you discovered some new drinks to add to your summer drink list. So many drinks to enjoy that are loaded with healthy ingredients. Once you try these better for you drinks you will want to drink them year-round. 

Which drink from the list is your favorite?

Teaching Kids Science And Stem With Thames & Kosmos

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

  Five months ago when schools closed, I have learned a lot about how to home school. The biggest thing that I have learned is teachers are amazing. I have also learned that I do not want to home school my kids. That may sound mean but my boys don't want me to be their teacher either. These past five months have been stressful and I am so ready for this virus pandemic to be over. I am ready to send my kids back to school. I am ready to take off my home school mom hat. 

When I started preparing for the respiratory virus pandemic, I forgot to prepare for teaching my kids at home. I thought that my boys would enjoy doing online school but in reality, they were super bored as it was too easy. So I tried supplementing their home learning with fun online math games that were supposed to make learning math fun. The math games got boring for my boys and they were wishing that they could be at school hanging out with their friends. So then I tried using baking for home school lessons and my boys enjoyed making frog bread. Even making focaccia bread flowers and painting rocks made me feel like I was teaching an art class. Eventually, my boys grew tired of my attempts to teach them school at home. The only class that my boys are enjoying with me being their teacher in gym class. I am glad that my teen boys still want to go running with me. 

Learning to be creative with at-home learning 

 I have learned that if I want my boys to learn, I have to make my school lessons not feel like school. So I am allowing my boys to cook dinner and telling myself that I am teaching them home ec. When my boys decide what they want to eat for breakfast and lunch with healthy foods, I remind myself that they are learning nutrition. Giving my boys chores of folding laundry and taking out the trash is teaching them responsibility. Doing yard work for friends helps my boys learn other life skills. So maybe right now, my boys are learning and I can take away the mom guilt.

Using STEM kits to teach science

 At home school and learning do not have have to be like traditional school lessons and I have realized that my kids are still learning even without me having to make lesson plans. I have learned to utilize fun STEM Science Experiment Kits that make learning fun. I have discovered some science kids that engaged my boys in educational fun so the school learning can begin even before my boys go back to school. While online school is set to start next week, the in-person school may or may not happen a month later.

 When the science kits from Thames & Kosmos arrived at our house, the boys got excited and read the outside of the boxes. So I was teaching the language arts and also patience as they had to wait until picture day to explore the inside of the science learning kit boxes. The life of being a kid to a blogger mom means that you have to wait to enjoy the contents of most boxes that arrive at your front door. A day in the life of a blogger may mean checking out some cool new toys and tasty healthy snacks but it also means that mom has to first take pictures of the products. Blogging is a full-time job for me and yes, I make money blogging.    

 Ooze Labs: Colorful Crystal Lab

 Explore the natural beauty and wonder of crystals by growing them yourself in many different shapes and colors! Set up your lab station — complete with beakers, test tubes, centrifuge, display dome, and more — and use safe, non-toxic crystal salts to conduct more than ten experiments in crystal formation. You can even make red, pink, blue, purple, and clear crystals using the spinning centrifuge! After you’ve completed the experiments in the kit, continue your crystal growing adventures using the cool lab setup and common materials from around your home.

 My boys were excited to make crystals and this cool educational kit that teaches science has over 11 science experiments in one box. I liked that the science projects used safe non-toxic crystal salts and I did not have to worry about them blowing up the house. I also loved that the kit for STEM learning include almost everything that they needed to make colorful crystals. We had all the additional items so I did not have to purchase anything other than the Ooze Labs: Colorful Crystal Lab kit. My boys were learning about chemical reactions and how crystals form. 

Crystals, Rocks & Minerals Science Experiment Kit

Unearth the secrets of geology as you dig deep into the science of rocks and minerals and the crystals that form them. Through 18 hands-on experiments, kids will discover some pretty amazing things about geology, mineralogy, and crystal growing. Become a geologist-in-training as you mold your own crystal geode and grow three different types of crystals that vary in color and shape. Work with real mineral specimens to learn how to determine a mineral’s chemical properties such as color, luster, streak color, hardness, density, magnetic properties, and carbon, sulfur, or iron content and use your findings to identify unknown minerals. As you explore, you’ll get an overview of the geologic rock cycle and discover how the three main categories of rock — igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic — are formed, altered, destroyed, and formed again. 

This STEM experiment kit was teaching my boys geology, mineralogy, and how to grow crystals. My boys were also learning about the properties of rocks and crystals. I was amazed at all that was inside this box of science experiments as it had 41 pieces. The science kit also taught 18 experiments. This science box was definitely for the older kids as it was label 8+ for use under adult supervision. My boys are 12 and 13 so I knew that they could safely explore the Crystals, Rocks & Minerals Science Experiment Kit by themselves. The kit included safety goggles and I instructed my boys to read the 32-page manual as this STEM learning kit has chemicals like potassium hexacyanoferrate and copper sulfate. So I loved that my boys were learning about chemical properties.

 My boys had plenty of fun with these science lab kits and they were learning new things. I was succeeding in homeschooling and my boys were getting an educational experience. I am hopeful for the new school year as the teachers have had 5 months to prepare for teaching online school. I am sure that there will be plenty of online instruction from the teachers and I am also hoping that there will be homework that does not involve the computer. My boys have had way too much computer time this summer and need homework that involves writing and math. It would be cool if the teachers could do Google Meets with science kits. Maybe the state needs to increase the school budget so the schools can give every student an at-home science kit.

Check out the crystal that my son grew!

Taming The Pandemic Hair With SoapBox

When was your last haircut?

  I received samples from Soapbox to facilitate this post.

  If you are like most people, your hair has been through some tough times these past couple of months. You may not even remember the last time you had a haircut. This is a time when the guys don't understand as they can use hair clippers and have an at-home hair cut. Then throw in the hot summer and my hair needs some much needed TLC. I really want to get a hair cut but my asthma prevents me from visiting a hairstylist for many reasons. One reason that I am staying away from the haircut shop is because of the massive cleaning and sanitizing products that they are using to fight the C lung virus. The other reason is my daughter is having a baby any day and I wanted to stay germ-free for her sake and so I can hold my new grandbaby. I am so excited to be a grandma once again.


Thoughtfully Crafted hair care products 

 It has been at least 5 months since I had a hair cut and my hair is too long. I am not a fan of long hair and like my hair to be shoulder length in the winter. In the summer, I usually wear my hair shorter. So my hairstyle has been a ponytail that keeps my hair off my neck. I have even been wearing my hair pulled back while I sleep as this long hair has been bothering me. I wish I knew someone who cuts hair outside as I am so close to cutting my own hair. Watching failed videos on Youtube has prevented me from grabbing my hair scissors. I have been cutting my bangs though as I have learned how to do that.

 The one thing that I have not compromise on has been my hair care routine and the type of hair care products that I use. A year ago I switched to sulfate-free shampoo when I made the decision to eliminate toxic chemicals from my home. Switching to a sulfate-free shampoo turned my unruly wavy hair turn curly and soft. I also discovered that using shampoos without sulfates and parabens has helped with my frizzy hair. So I am willing to pay more for products that give me great hair.

 I recently discovered hair care products from a company that uses thoughtfully crafted ingredients and has a mission statement to empower people to change the world. SoapBox Soaps was founded in 2010 by a college guy making soaps in his apartment kitchen and eight years later these products are in retailers across the nation and nearly three million donations have been made! SoapBox started with bars of soap and now their product line hair and body products.


 I got to experience their new Tea Tree Clean Purify product line and I really loved the way they made my hair so soft and manageable. My shower experience with the Tea Tree shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask was like a day at the spa. These products had an awesome scent that was minty and I really loved the clean ingredients that are vegan and cruelty-free certified.

  Tea tree oil is known for its purifying qualities of removing build-up on your scalp and hair.  When I got out of the shower, my hair was easy to comb. The weather here has been humid and my hair has been a fizzy hot mess so I was happy to try SB Argan Smoothing serum. My hair felt so soft even the next day and it was not frizzy nor poofy. When I complained to my son about the humidity he said to me, "it can't be because your hair is not poufy." I then had to feel my hair and I was amazed that it was still soft and smooth a day after I washed it.

I have not had a chance to use the Tea Tree shampoo bar from SoapBox but I love that a simple bar of soap can clean your hair. This shampoo bar will be a great travel product as it won't count towards my airport liquid amount. The Tea Tree shampoo bar smelled great even dry. 

 I like that SoapBox uses quality clean ingredients and all of their products are free from parabens, phthalates, silicone, and petrochemicals. Even the fragrances were clean as the scent did not trigger an asthma attack. I also love that SoapBox donates a bar of soap to someone in need with every purchase. They also work with local soap makers to make the donated bars of soaps. The coolest part of the SB soap donation program is how they use recycled bars of soap from hotels. That might sound gross but they use a unique process that cleans and sanitizes the soap. You have to read this article to find out more about how they recycled the soap.


 So while I am waiting to get a hair cut, I will continue to use the Tea Tree Clean Purify hair care product line from SoapBox as it keeps my long hair soft and frizz-free. I have gotten used to the ponytail thing as it is summer. If my hair was shorter, I would still be pulling my hair back as it keeps me cooler. When I do get to the beauty shop, I will have the hairstylist cut off at least 5 inches so my hair will be above my shoulders.

Back To School Products That You Need To Buy

Discover unique products for back to school

 My boys will be starting school soon and we are counting down the days. The break from school has been way too long and my boys are begging to go back to school. I never thought that my boys would be tired of summer break. This long break from school has been hard on my boys as they have not been able to do the usual fun things like go to the pool or hang out with friends. The Covid lung virus stay at home orders have been hard and the boys are bored silly. My boys have had enough of this isolation thing and are ready to go back to school.


What about the virus pandemic?

 Many of my friends are homeschooling their kids this year for many different reasons. I gave my boys the option of doing online school at home because I was concerned of all the new rules that the boys would have to follow. I am not worried about the boys catching the virus and if they do, they will recover as they are healthy. Even with having to wear a face mask all day at school, my boys still want to go back to school. Later on in this post, I will share the face masks that I discovered to be the best for my boys. My boys like the way these face masks for kids fit. There are many other features about these child-size face masks that I love.

 I am learning to trust God with this, deadly for some virus, and I have let my boys play with their friends at the park again. I have also let them go inside the library to get books to read. I understand that there is a chance that my boys may come in contact with the respiratory virus but they caught other viruses from school and being healthy kids, they recovered. Catching germs at school is expected and I have always kept them home to recover. I have also used products that boost kids' immunity and they have helped my boys during cold and flu season.

How I am preparing for back to school 

 My boys still have a month until they do in school learning. Until then they will do online classes at home with their school. So I hope that I can keep them on a schedule and use that time to prepare them for the new guidelines that they will have to follow at school. My boys will have to social distance at school and have to remember new rules. My boys are not worried about all the new rules that they will have to follow and think that I am stressing out too much. I have bought my boys their school supplies, face masks, and some other items that will be useful for attending school during a virus pandemic.


Face masks for kids

 Purchasing face masks for my boys was harder than I thought it would be. There are so many different styles of face masks for kids to choose from. Since my boys will have to wear the face mask for several hours, I wanted them to have a face mask that is comfortable to wear at school. My boys really liked this protective child-size mask from Grand Fusion. These face masks for children are made from super soft, breathable polyester fabric and they stretch to form fit their face. The comfort strip for the nose and adjustable ear bands make the masks even more comfortable to wear. My younger son loves the camo print. Each of my boys has three of these face masks for school and since they are washable that is the perfect amount for back to school shopping. This company also has face masks for adults and people who wear glasses will love that the breathable weave of the fabric also reduces the tendency to fog eyeglasses.

Healthy food for healthy bodies

 My kids have always been healthy eaters but I have been making sure that they eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as they are good for their immune system. A healthy immune system will help the body fight off germs and viruses better. My boys have been on a smoothie kick lately and have discovered how simple it is to add fruit to their smoothies. My younger son has been making strawberry and banana smoothies for breakfast while my older son has been enjoying chocolate peanut butter smoothies. So to give their smoothies more nutrition, I been having them add a delicious superfood supplement that is made for kids.

 Macro Coco Greens adds a delicious chocolate flavor as well as lots of amazing other nutritional benefits. This all-natural chocolate super “greens” multi-vitamin drink mix has a taste my boys love. I use Macro Coco Greens in many other recipes like this chocolate chia seed pudding and chocolate protein pancakes as it offers great immune support.



•3.5 billion probiotics and enzymes aid digestion and support the immune system
•Essential vitamins A, C, D, E – plus calcium, magnesium, trace minerals and electrolytes
•3+ servings of fruits and vegetables
•Perfect “green food” alkalizing source
•Complete raw superfood and powerful antioxidants
•70% less sugar than other cocoa drinks
•No high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients
•Gluten free and vegan
•All natural chocolate superfood drink with taste kids love!


 My boys also enjoy the Macro Berry Reds in their strawberry smoothies and oatmeal. This all-natural fruit/berry flavored multi-vitamin drink mix adds amazing flavor to the homemade yogurt that I make with an electric blanket. I also sneak the Macro Berri Reds into my daily smoothie for additional superfood nutrition.

Use code MOMKNOWSBEST to get 35% off at https://macrolifenaturals.com

•Multi-vitamin, multi-mineral blend with 19 organic super fruits and berries
•Super antioxidants; goji, mangosteen, acai, and pomegranate
•For those who prefer to get their vitamins from whole foods
•1 billion probiotics and enzymes aid digestion and support the immune system
•Essential vitamins A, C, and D plus calcium and magnesium
•Fortified with trace minerals and electrolytes to help proper hydration
•Contains over 70% certified organic ingredients
•Macro Berri Reds has 3+ servings of fruits and berries
•70% less sugar than other fruit drinks
•No high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients
•Gluten free and vegan
•Berry taste kids love!

A portable blender that is quiet

 Now that my boys are enjoying morning superfood smoothies, they needed a quiet way to make them. The large blender makes way too much noise and makes it hard for their dad to work from home. So I discovered a powerful portable blender for the boys to make their smoothies in. The BlendJet may be quiet and small in size but it has sharp steel blades that cut up the fruit. This blender mixes up their smoothies quickly and it is very useful for even my protein powder smoothies.

 BlendJet also sells these amazing delicious single-serve smoothie mixes that have real fruit and veggies in them. The antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies are harvested at peak ripeness and freeze-dried in an airtight packet to lock in all the flavors for a rich, creamy smoothie that the boys can quickly make before school. When I am able to visit the gym again, this portable blender and JetPack smoothie packs will be perfect to toss in my gym bag as it needs no electricity. I can charge the BlendJet mixer like a phone and use it 8-12 times before it needs charging again. This is also the perfect travel blender. The BlendJet can even crush ice so I can make snow cones for the boys.

Hand Sanitizer

This back to school item is not new to most parents as hand sanitizer has been on the school supply list for quite some time.  What is different this school year is the schools may be using more hand sanitizer than usual and parents need to be aware of the best hand sanitizer to buy. Sadly, there is a recall on many brands of hand sanitizer and they have methanol in them. The best way to clean the germs off of hands is soap and water. If you can't wash your hands that hand sanitizer is another way to kill the germs on your hands.

Ultra Defense is a crystal clear collection of hand sanitizers that kill 99.99% of germs while leaving hands soft and moisturized. This safe hand sanitizer does not contain toxic ingredients and it will kill the germs without leaving you with alligator skin. So make sure to pick up some Ultra Defense hand sanitizer to send with the kids when they go back to school.

 So I am almost prepared to send the boys back to school. I still need to buy school clothes and shoes. I am glad that I have a month left for back to school shopping. For now, while I am waiting for school to begin, I will still be their gym teacher and exercise daily with my boys. I will also provide my boys with at-home STEM learning kits and board games that teach kids so my boys can keep their brains active. I don't want my boys to catch the Covid Slide again. I will also be stocking up on natural products for cold and flu season so I am prepared for this virus.

Will your kids be attending virtual or in-person school this year?