From Pinterest to Real Life: December Edition

by on December 30, 2011
in inspiration & creativity, repurposing · 12 Comments

It’s that time again… the last Friday of the month means our fun linky where you can showcase some of the fun things that you’ve taken from your pinboards to reality!

What better use of Pinterest than for inspiration for a handmade, homemade holiday?

With limited time for crafting and creating due to the needs of three certain little people, my Christmas board is full of pins that will have to wait for future years to see reality. But I still enjoyed collecting a few ideas. Maybe 2012 will be the year I finally get started on the holiday crafts and gifts at the end of summer like I always hope to!

Here are some of my pins that did see the light of reality one way or another.

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Too Many Holiday Treats? Give Your Body a Sugar Break

by on December 28, 2011
in health, nutrition, & food · 57 Comments

Written by contributor Stephanie Langford of Keeper of the Home

Holidays are a time for indulging. We stuff ourselves on turkey feasts, swear that we couldn’t eat another bite, and then happily inhale a scrumptious piece of pumpkin pie. We attend multiple social functions, each one presenting its own array of sweet treats or special drinks.

Kitchens are full of temptation, as we bake cookies or make fudge to give as gifts and stocking stuffers (and sneak just a little taste ourselves).

I (unfortunately) find that I eat a lot of sugar during the Christmas season. Certainly more than I usually would. Most of us do, despite the fact that we know so much sweetness isn’t good for us in a multitude of ways.

If I had written this post a month ago, I might have given you tips on cutting back on sugar during the holidays, healthier alternatives and that sort of thing. But it’s a little late for that now. The damage is done, the sugar consumed. So now what do we do?

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Building A Better Fire

by on December 26, 2011
in living mindfully · 19 Comments

There’s nothing better than a cozy fire in the fireplace on a cold night. I’ve always assumed that manufactured fire logs, such as Duraflame, were filled with unhealthy chemicals and not as “natural” as real fire wood.

I was surprised to learn recently that manufactured logs are actually better to burn than real wood.

It’s not that the wood is the problem, it’s the smoke that the wood releases when burned. Wood smoke has many negative health and environmental effects.

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Merry Christmas from Simple Organic!

by on December 24, 2011
in news · 4 Comments

This weekend I’m excited to be celebrating Christmas with my family. It’s been a busy holiday season, and we’ve enjoyed all the lights, events and festivities… but what I was looking forward to more than anything was a quiet weekend at my parents’ house, lounging around and enjoying the family time.

I’m done with all my sewing, baking, cooking, churning, and shopping and can’t wait to give my recipients their gifts.

So today I wanted to wish you all a wonderful Christmas from Sunny Southern California…

Wherever you find yourself this holiday weekend, I hope it’s with your loved ones, and that you’re soaking up the time as much as I am.

I’m so thankful for your readership and look forward to connecting more with you in 2012.

For to us a child is born, 
   to us a son is given, 
   and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called 
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

             Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

12 Green Living Books For Your 2012 Reading List

by on December 23, 2011
in living mindfully · 7 Comments

Written by contributor Emily McClements, of Live Renewed.

Reading is one of my very favorite pastimes.  I love to get lost in the characters of a novel, or explore new topics and learn new things from non-fiction books.  And one of the things that I really like to do for the new year is to make a Reading List of books I plan to, or would like to, read over the next year.

Usually my list includes at least a few green living books, and this year is no exception.  So, I thought I would put together a list of books that either I have read and would recommend, or that I would like to read in the next year, to inspire you in making your own Reading List for the upcoming year.

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