Simple Living Tips | Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living

Easy Arm-Toning Exercises for Busy Moms: Strengthening Your Body and Spirit

BearfruitBasics — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:12:32 +0000

As Christian moms, we wear many hats—caretakers, chauffeurs, meal preppers, and the list goes on. With all these responsibilities, finding time to exercise can feel like an impossible task. But here’s the good news: you don’t need hours at the gym to tone your arms. You can do it right at home—or even at your desk! Whether you’re waiting for the pasta to boil or taking a quick break from answering emails, these simple arm exercises can fit seamlessly into your busy schedule. They’ll not only help you stay strong but also give you a few moments to connect with God and refresh your spirit. 1. Desk Stretches to Start Your Day Before diving into the day’s tasks, take a few moments to stretch and get your blood flowing. These stretches can be done right at your desk or kitchen counter. 2. Countertop Push-Ups While the Coffee Brews Push-ups are fantastic for toning your arms, chest, and shoulders. And guess what? You don’t need to get on the floor to do them. As you push up, take a moment to breathe in God’s presence and feel His strength in you. 3. Water Bottle Bicep Curls During Prayer Time Turn your prayer time into a mini workout with this easy bicep curl exercise. As you curl, lift your prayers to God, knowing that He is with you in every moment. 4. Tricep Dips During Playtime You can tone the back of your arms while your kids play nearby. Each dip can be a reminder of how God supports us, even in the busiest seasons of life. 5. Arm Raises While Preparing Dinner Make the most of your time in the kitchen with this simple arm-toning move. While you’re working on those arms, offer up a prayer of thanks for the food you’re preparing and the strength to care for your family. Conclusion As busy Christian moms, it’s easy to put our own needs on the back burner. But taking care of your body is one way to honor the temple God has given you. By incorporating these simple arm-toning exercises into your daily routine, you can stay strong and energized to continue serving your family and God with all your heart. Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress. Every little bit counts, and with God’s help, you can achieve your fitness goals while nurturing your spirit.

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Top Thrift Store Treasure Items to Look Out For

BearfruitBasics — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 01:02:25 +0000

Ahoy, savvy thrifters! If you’re on the hunt for some serious treasure without breaking the bank, you’ve come to the right place. A thrift store is like a hidden treasure chest waiting to be plundered, and today, we’re setting sail to uncover the top loot you should be keeping an eye out for. So grab your compass (or smartphone) and get ready to embark on a thrifting adventure with me! 1. Vintage Clothing and Accessories Ah, the thrill of finding a vintage gem hidden among the racks of clothing! From funky prints to timeless silhouettes, vintage clothing offers a unique style that’s sure to make a statement. Keep your eyes peeled for retro dresses, classic blazers, and quirky accessories like scarves and hats. The main keyword here is “vintage clothing,” so keep it in mind as you browse through the racks. 2. Thrift Store Quality Furniture Finds Who says you need to break the bank to furnish your home in style? Thrift stores are a goldmine for quality furniture finds that won’t cost you an arm and a peg leg. Look out for sturdy wooden pieces like dressers, tables, and chairs that can be easily refurbished or repurposed to suit your space. With a little creativity and elbow grease, you’ll have your home looking ship-shape in no time! 3. Quirky Home Décor Transform your living space into a treasure trove of personality with quirky home décor finds from thrift stores. From vintage knick-knacks to eclectic artwork, there’s no shortage of unique treasures to discover. Keep an eye out for statement pieces like ornate mirrors, colorful vases, and funky sculptures that will add character and charm to any room. 4. Hidden Gems in the Book Section Calling all bookworms! Don’t forget to plunder the book section for literary treasures that are sure to delight. Whether you’re a fan of classic novels, cookbooks, or vintage magazines, thrift stores often have a wide selection of reading material at bargain prices. Keep an eye out for rare editions and out-of-print titles that will make a welcome addition to your collection. 5. Retro Kitchenware and Cookware Spice up your culinary adventures with retro kitchenware and cookware from thrift stores. From colorful Pyrex dishes to vintage mixing bowls, you’ll find everything you need to whip up delicious meals in style. The main keyword here is “retro kitchenware,” so be sure to keep it in mind as you browse the shelves for hidden treasures. Thrift Store Treasures: Conclusion And there you have it, fellow treasure hunters—our top picks for thrift-store treasure items to look out for. With a keen eye and a sense of adventure, you’re sure to uncover some serious loot on your next thrifting expedition. So hoist the sails and set a course for your nearest thrift store—treasure awaits! (Get inspiration from Flea Market Flip, one of my favorite flipping shows.) Happy hunting!

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Quick & Easy to Make Air Fryer Recipes for Dinner

BearfruitBasics — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 14:00:59 +0000

Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes Looking for quick and easy-to-make air fryer recipes for dinner? Well, bookmark this page because here is a round up of fun things to try in your air fryer! I must admit, I’m late to the game with air fryers, as I just got one last Christmas 😂 but I’m always looking for easy air fryer recipes, so let me share a few easy air fryer recipes to get you started: 1. Crispy French Fries To start, just cut your washed potatoes into thin wedges, toss with olive oil and your favorite seasonings. My favorite is salt, pepper, and rosemary. Air fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes or until crispy. 2. Chicken Wings Season your chicken wings with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. For an extra kick, you can add hot sauce if that’s your preference. 3. Fish Tacos Restaurant quality fish tacos at home? Don’t mind if I do! Season tilapia (or your preferred fish) with chili powder, cumin, and salt, and air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Serve in warm tortillas with avocado, salsa, and lime wedges. YUM! 4. Vegetarian Egg Rolls Fill egg roll wrappers (you can buy these already made at the super market) with shredded cabbage, carrots, and anything else you would like to add. Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. 5. Sweet Potato Fries If you like potato fries, but want something a little healthier, go for sweet potato fries. Sweet potatoes contain a lot more nutrients than regular potatoes, such as more antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C. For this meal, cut your sweet potatoes into thin wedges, toss with olive oil and cinnamon, and air fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes or until crispy. 6. Falafel My husband loves falafel and all things mediterranean. Pulse chickpeas, onion, garlic, and spices (you can use coriander, cumin, black pepper, chili powder and/or cayenne pepper). Put all ingredients in a food processor until combined then form into balls. Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. 7. Chicken Tenders Cut chicken breasts into strips, dip in beaten egg and seasoned breadcrumbs, and air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. Kentucky fried chicken, who??? Remember to preheat your air fryer before adding your food, and to shake or flip the food halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Try our quick and easy breakfast recipes when you can! Enjoy your air fryer creations!

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This One Thing Will Help You Accomplish Your New Year Goals

BearfruitBasics — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 22:35:02 +0000

Okay y’all, it’s January–which means new year goals and resolution planning! But let’s be honest, don’t most of them fizzle out by March or even February? We tend to start off the year so hopeful, so determined. But little by little, somehow, we lose our steam. So how do you increase your chances of keeping your new year resolution? Let me share the secret with you… Create a Vision Board! The secret to keeping your New Year goals throughout this year is to create a vision board! Now, this idea is nothing earth shattering, but it is worth taking a second look at if you have heard about it before. The bible verse that comes to mind here is Jeremiah 29:11 when the Lord says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I’d like to add a disclaimer here–you can create a vision board but always remember that God ultimately has a plan for you! Align your vision board with what He wants for you, and you will surely receive all of His bountiful blessings! The idea behind a vision board is being able to stay focused on what you would like to accomplish. Keep reading for some key elements when you create your vision board! Successfully Accomplish Your New Year Goals with These Steps: 1. Be Specific. When it comes to creating your vision board, be as specific as you can. For example, don’t just say “I want to lose weight,” but rather “I want to lose 20 lbs.” Putting an actual number will help you measure your results better. (In marketing, we call this a “Key Performance Indicator.”) You need to make your goals quantifiable. 2. Be Realistic. Vision boards work well if you are realistic with what is within your reach. If you want to get out of debt, for example, you can realistically budget how much you can pay. You may have credit card bills, student loans, whatever it may be, but tally up your debt and calculate something doable. To illustrate, you may not be able to knock out $70,000 of student loans in one year on a much lower income or $15k in credit cards. However, having a plan in place will allow you to see how much of that is realistically possible for you. Maybe an extra $300 a month will help you knock out $3,600 of bills. So write that specific number down so you can accomplish that goal. You know this is achievable because it is realistic. 3. Visualize What You Want. The best thing about vision boards, IMO, is that you get to cut out pictures and add them to your vision board! I remember when I wanted to re-do the kid’s bathroom in our fixer-upper house. Pinterest had beautiful examples of the exact tiles I wanted. When it was time to get the bathroom re-done, we were able to save money when the tiles I had my eye on went on sale. Not only does our bathroom look exactly what I pictured it to be, but I saved so much money because I was ready for that sale haha! 4. Place It Where You Can See It Daily. Ever heard the saying, out of sight out of mind? Well, it’s true! Studies have shown, seeing really is believing. I have my vision board hanging in my bedroom where I can see it on a daily basis. It helps me remember what I am working so hard to achieve. If your new year goals are health oriented, place it in your home where it can be your valuable reminder. Put it on a wall next to where you work out, or in the kitchen where you cook, or even next to your pantry where you prepare your meals. This will keep you focused and determined in accomplishing your new year resolution. 5. Write Your New Year Goals In The Past Tense. This one is the winner for me. Don’t write “I will buy a house” or “I will move into my new apartment this year,” but rather “I moved into my new apartment this year.” Writing in the past tense will help you claim what is already meant to be yours. Claim it, Sis! 6. Make It a Family Event. Did you know that you can increase the odds of accomplishing your new year goals with your spouse? I remember when the pandemic hit, we decided as a family it would be best for me to stay at home with the kids since school was shut down for in-person attendance. Unfortunately, this meant having to resign my marketing job. After a while without income (and our old house was giving us so, so many problems), we knew I had to return to work. At this point, I know that whatever I do needs to be a work from home job. I remember receiving in-house job offers, but because my husband and I knew exactly what we wanted, I turned them down. Then, along came the perfect opportunity, where I was able to work for a company that is fully remote, and I couldn’t be more happier! The job I have now aligns perfectly with our vision board, and I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for my husband’s support. You don’t have to do this with your spouse, you can do it with your child, your parent, or even a best friend. The goal is to have a support system in place so your village can help you accomplish your new year resolution. The Take Away In conclusion, if you are hoping to stick to your new year goals this year, WRITE THEM DOWN! Have a fun family night, and either make one for the family or each family member can make their own! It’s important to tackle your goals together with your support system to increase the odds of being successful. Don’t forget to pray that God blesses you with the determination and self control from the holy spirit to achieve everything you set your heart’s desires on. What are some goals you have set for this year? I’m rooting for you, Sis!

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Home Birth and Everything You Wanted to Know

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 17:33:40 +0000

Choosing To Have A Home Birth Do you want a home birth? Perhaps you, like me, think that the idea of a home birth seems interesting, but never amounts to anything more than just curiosity. I remember wanting a home birth, but time and time again, we end up going the hospital route for each baby. To be honest, at the time I’m young and not asking enough questions. Imagine me: fresh out of college and married at 21. I’m pregnant by 22, and start having children back to back. However, during my last pregnancy–in all honesty–what makes me look into working with midwives this time around is the out-of-pocket cost. Prior to getting pregnant, I was separated heading for a divorce. Miraculously, we reconciled. I quit my full time job to focus on our family. Because of this, we sold our enormous home and downsized to live a more stress-free life. Naturally, cost is a motivating factor for me at this point in time, as well as having some negative experiences with hospitals. So I find home birth appealing paying a fraction of the amount of what a hospital may charge you. Besides the astronomical costs of having a baby here in the U.S., I’m hoping to finally experience what it’s like to have a baby at home! Not having any family close by (ugh, tear!), I don’t have anyone that I can leave the older kids with for the multiple hospital appointments and ultimately, the birth. So in other words, I’m not the only one giving birth at home during a pandemic. Like many others, I’m loving the idea of a more natural, hands-on birth with family present. A safe place where the fears and restrictions of COVID-19 aren’t dictating how I bring my child into the world. How I Prepare My Kids For A Home Birth Preparing everyone else in the family is a pretty neat experience. First, we start by talking about what a home birth means, and educate ourselves by reading plenty of books together. Secondly, we scour YouTube videos for home births to understand what a natural birth may sound and look like. We begin to get more excited about this experience and how much everyone in the family can be a part of this birth! Looking for the Right People My next step in the process is to look for midwives I want to work with. I begin by reading reviews online, searching for midwives near me, and making phone calls to my top three finalists. Out of everyone I talk to, my favorite is Cassie from Teamwork Birthing–a team of sisters who work together. Her bubbly personality spills through our phone chat. She answers every question I have with zero judgment. Paired with her contagious happiness about bringing babies into the world, is her vast knowledge of her love for midwifery, families, and God. This is it. I’m ecstatic to find my team of midwives!!! My Experience Working With Midwives In addition to finding the best people to work with, I’m extremely happy with their services. Every appointment is on time. Their offices are full of toys for the older kids to play with. You can even find supplements, such as vitamins and natural medicines for purchase. They even educate me on birth control and what is right for my family. Never once do I feel rushed, and my husband is equally part of the process as well. Thankfully, every visit goes according to plan, and we eventually bring a beautiful baby girl into this word exactly how we planned. My water birth is awesome for pain relief and I recommend one to anyone brave enough to let their body handle the pain of child birth. We opt for delayed cord cutting (Cassie explains this below), and enjoy the first few hours of her life as we snuggle up in bed in the comfort of my own home. You can see my full review of their services by reading it on google, and if you are in the central Florida area thinking about a home birth, please check them out! All About Cassie, My Midwife, at Teamwork Birthing Because of my amazing experience with Teamwork Birthing, I ask Cassie if it’s okay to interview her for my blog. Naturally, she’s more than happy to! (The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.) Can you please tell us about yourself? I’m Cassie (Cassandra) Largaespada, LM CPM (Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife). Mom to 6 kids, I gave birth to four and adopted two. I had my first baby at a hospital and the next three at a birth center. I didn’t know about home birth back then but if I could go back, I would definitely choose a home birth. What made you want to become a midwife? My hospital birth was not a good experience and I felt out of control and not listened to. I decided to find care where I was able to make choices alternative to the mainstream recommendations. What is the difference between a doula and a midwife for those who don’t know? A doula is a labor support person with no medical training. They support the emotional and physical needs of the mother and are a perfect compliment to the mother’s partner. A midwife is medically trained to take care of low risk women prenatally, during birth and postpartum. A midwife takes the place of an OB unless things become high risk. How long have you been a midwife or working with mothers and babies? I have worked in the birth community for 17 years. I was a doula for 10 years then went to midwifery school for 3 years and have been practicing as a midwife for almost 4 years. What would you say is the biggest misconception about midwives? The biggest misconception I have heard is that midwives are the same thing as doulas or have no medical training and do not know what to do in an emergency situation. People are often surprised that we carry medication, oxygen, and resuscitation equipment. Do you offer genetic testing and/or gender testing for mothers-to-be? Yes, we offer all the same lab testing offered at an OB office. We even do it in office so you don’t have to go anywhere else. We also are ok if you decide to decline some lab testing. Do you accept vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) patients? Yes! We love to support VBAC moms. We do need to have you consult with an OB regarding the risk and benefits of a repeat C Section vs a VBAC but we do this often. Can you deliver twins or multiples? In Florida, we cannot attend twin or breech deliveries at home. Can mothers eat and drink during labor at their home birth? Absolutely, whatever and whenever you want. In fact, we encourage you to drink frequently to avoid the need for IV hydration. What is a common question you get asked a lot when meeting moms-to-be for the first time? We are often asked if we “allow” you to do different things. Our answer is consistently the same. There is nothing we allow or don’t allow. It is your pregnancy. Your birth. Your baby. We have recommendations and we have some things that would exclude us from attending your birth but everything is a discussion and you ultimately have the final say. Is anyone not a good candidate for home birth? Yes. Home birth is only appropriate for low risk moms and low risk babies. We have a risk screening that helps us determine if you are a good candidate for home birth and we have a consulting OB that will help us to determine if you are a good candidate when there are “moderate” risks during the pregnancy. By the way, AMA (advanced maternal age), high BMI, and history of infertility are NOT considered high risk in our practice or by law in Florida. We hear these reasons all the time that women think they are too high risk for home birth. Are your services covered by insurance? Sometimes. We do take Medicaid on a limited basis and we are in network with 2 private insurance companies in Central Florida. We can also bill your insurance as out of network providers and sometimes get a decent reimbursement. Our self pay rate is approximately 10%-25% the self pay cost at the hospital. Do you accept patient transfers into your care? If so, up until how many weeks pregnant can they transfer over? Yes, as long as they have a copy of their records and are low risk. We have had many late transfers even up to 40 weeks for a couple mamas. As long as the family is confident in the decision, we have seen great success with transfers. What are some of the reasons your patients have transferred to Teamwork Birthing? Some of the top reasons we have seen women transfer to us recently are families being welcomed in prenatal appointments and the birth in our care, longer appointment times (and less wait time to be seen) at our office, patients/partners not feeling heard and understood by their OB office, patients desiring to have more freedom during labor and pushing, previous traumatic birthing experiences. What kind of pain management do you offer? We do not offer any medical pain management during labor. However, midwives say the birth pool is our epidural. Obviously, it does not take away the pain, but it can give a great deal of relief. We also try to reframe the thoughts around labor pain and remind mamas that labor pain is different than any other pain in your life. It is pain with a purpose. It is empowering and women have been doing it since the dawn of time. We know that fear makes labor more painful so we aim to bring as much peace and safety to the birth space. What is delayed cord cutting for those of us who haven’t heard that before? There is a wide variety of delayed cord cutting. In the hospital, that typically means 1-2 minutes. For us, we rarely cut a cord (unless there is an emergency that necessitates it) until after the placenta is delivered and whenever you are ready. How much does a birth with midwives cost? Our global package including all care and labs is $6,000. Is there a limit to people being present for the birth? There is no limit to people being present at your birth. We want you to have all the support you need. We do encourage only having those present who fully support home birth and only those you are ok being completely naked in front of. Giving birth is very vulnerable and intimate and if you feel you are “being watched”, it will inhibit your progress. What is one of the most memorable moments you have experienced delivering a baby? This is such a hard question to answer. There have been so many! But, I will say that some of the most emotional births for me have been mamas that have delivered after a loss. We are all grateful for our babies and we all have a story of how we get to where we are but these stories just get me in the feels. Cassie, thank you so much for answering all of my questions! For those in Central Florida interested in working with your team for a home birth, how can people contact you? You can visit us online at: www.teamworkbirthing.com or call 321-296-9399 Our office is located at: 5104 N OBT, Suite #109. Orlando, FL 32810 YouTube – www.YouTube.com/teamworkbirthing Instagram – www.instagram.com/teamworkbirthing Facebook – www.facebook.com/teamworkbirthing

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How to Make DIY Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

BearfruitBasics — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Why Use DIY Laundry Soap? The first time I looked up a homemade DIY laundry soap recipe, was when my son was around one year old. It was evident that he had developed eczema. At this time, his skin is so agitated, dry, and cracked. I begin to try everything I can to make sure I’m doing the best for his health. So we take him to get an allergy test, and this proves to be a huge help! After the results come in, we start to eliminate all of the foods that he is sensitive and/or allergic to. Although changing his diet starts to clear up most of his skin issues, my research into eczema also reveals more. The Dangers of Using the Wrong Laundry Detergent There are things that we put on our skin that have an impact on us. For example, the wrong laundry soap can have a negative impact on our skin, especially to those suffering with eczema. Some detergents have chemicals that irritate your skin, thus triggering eczema. If you are a mom with a child or family member with eczema, getting rid of the chemical dangers around you can understandably be your priority! In addition to laundry soap, also check out your household cleaning spray and aerosol sprays that could have a negative impact on the toxins in your house. Perhaps if you’re short on time, or if your preference is to purchase a laundry soap detergent instead of making your own, look for “clear” and “free” alternatives. These detergents promise to be free of perfumes and dyes. Homemade DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe Not only is creating your own laundry detergent a healthier, chemical-free alternative, but it is also extremely economical! Whatever your reason may be to try making your own laundry soap recipe, here is the recipe I have used for years with great success. To answer the obvious question: yes, it actually cleans clothes very well! Ingredients Here are the ingredients you need to create your own laundry soap: Instructions Our homemade DIY laundry recipe has worked wonders for my son’s skin. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and am only sharing what has worked for us in regards to his eczema. Please consult with your family physician for a professional, medical opinion.) Have you ever tried making your own homemade laundry soap recipe? Let me know in the comments below! Follow me on instagram at @bearfruitbasics for more DIY tips!

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25 Cheap and Easy Ideas for Valentine’s Day

BearfruitBasics — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 21:57:00 +0000

Fall in Love, Without Falling in Debt! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It can be a great holiday to show your loved one how much they mean to you. But as JLO sings in her famous hit, love don’t cost a thing! There is no price tag on spending some good, quality time with your significant other! If you’re thinking of what to do – but have a tight budget – we’ve compiled a fun list of 25 cheap (or free) easy ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day. 1. Cook Them a Valentine’s Day Meal Certainly, you don’t have to get a sitter for the kids and spend a fortune eating out. A romantic idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day is to cook your partner a special meal. Use groceries you already have in your fridge to keep the cost low. But if you want something special, or you just suck at cooking, (it’s okay, you can say it), buy an already cooked meal (think sushi, chicken, KFC, or whatever takeout you want). Make it extra special by decorating your own dining room table, dimming the lights, and using candles for that romantic touch. 2. Have a Romantic Movie Night Nothing beats watching a movie in the comfort of your own home. So, get your popcorn and candy ready and snuggle up to your honey with a movie night. Therefore, with online streaming readily available (such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, etc.) you can watch the latest movies right in your own living room. 3. Enjoy a Cheap Paint Night Likewise, a cheap and creative way to spend Valentine’s Day is by having a paint night. You can keep the cost low by getting budget-friendly art supplies from dollar stores or getting a paint set from Amazon. To set it up, all you need are some newspapers over your table, canvases, paints, and paintbrushes. For example, you can Google pictures you want to re-create (or use an online paint tutorial for beginners) and print them off as a guide. Being creative is a great bonding experience for both of you. You can even gift your painting to the other as their Valentine’s Day present. 4. Host a Valentine’s Day Game Night However, if you are one for hosting and enjoy having friends over, then having a game night is for you! The fun thing about game nights is that there are endless possibilities you can do. From board games, to smart phone apps you can download right on your phone, hosting a game night is great for a couple’s date night at your home. 5. Have Breakfast in Bed A sweet and super cost-effective way of celebrating Valentine’s Day is to have breakfast in bed. Surprise your loved one with their favorite breakfast before the rush of the day begins. If you have a special tray, you can make a healthy homemade meal with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Most importantly, you can make it romantic by decorating the tray with flowers and a handwritten love note. 6. Give Each Other Massages Nothing beats a romantic Valentine’s Day evening than when you give each other massages. The materials you need for a massage are extremely cheap, and you might already own them. You can use lotion, fractionated coconut oil, or divinely-scented massage oil. Make the occasion special by playing spa music in the background and lighting some romantic candles. 7. Take a Charming Walk on the Beach They don’t say walks on the beach are romantic for nothing! If you happen to live nearby a beach, a romantic hand-held stroll with your toes in the ocean can be just what your soul needs this Valentine’s Day. (Unless, of course, the water is freezing – it is February after all!) 8. Go on an Adventurous Hike or Camping If you are an outdoorsy type of person, turn Valentine’s Day into a fun outdoor hike. You can take it one step further by camping out and enjoying nature just the two of you. However, depending on how you like to go camping (or “glamping” for my bougie mamas 😆), the cost can range on the varying types of camp methods. For example, if you like to pitch a tent at a campsite, or whether you choose to bring your own RV, to renting out a cabin suite, the prices will vary. See what is in your budget and try to enjoy the peaceful environment around you this Valentine’s Day. Fishing anyone? 9. Start a Valentine’s Day Tradition Another Valentine’s Day idea that barely costs anything is to start a new tradition. For example, will you visit someplace new every Valentine’s Day? Will you decide to write each other letters? Perhaps a special restaurant will become your Valentine’s Day thing. Starting a new tradition is literally anything you want it to be, and can be something to look forward to every year! 10. Take a Joy Ride This one is for the adventurous spirit. Other than a full tank of gas and a reliable car, taking a joyride can be a great Valentine’s Day idea that barely costs you a thing. You can take out a map and decide to go to a place you’ve never been to before, or you can literally flip a coin (heads means turn left, tails means turn right) and see where you end up. Maybe have your phone fully charged so you can always GPS your way back home and not end up lost lol. 11. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset A free Valentine’s Day idea is to watch the sunrise or sunset. Stargazing is romantic and can be great quality time to have a conversation with your honey as you gaze into the galaxy. That is to say, find a wonderful view and bring a warm, cozy blanket to snuggle up with and watch as the sky changes its celestial colors. 12. Have a Picnic in the Park Having a picnic in the park is a tried-and-true Valentine’s Day date that can’t go wrong. It’s dreamy, special, and of course, romantic. You can make your own sandwiches and food, or get your loved one’s favorite meal. Therefore, you can pack up a picnic basket, a blanket to sit on, and surprise them with a picnic in a serene park. If your partner can’t get away from work, see if you can surprise them during their lunch hour by bringing the picnic to them. 13. Rent a Boat Depending on where you live, you can rent a boat or take a boat ride for a scenic view of a beautiful lake or river. Tour guides offer some historical value, so if you are a couple that enjoys learning something new about your city, this would be a great Valentine’s Day gift. Groupon offers a lot of boat tours near you, and has discount codes often. 14. Ride Your Bikes If you own a bike, loading up your equipment and driving to a new place (for example, a national state park) would be a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. You can explore new trails, and even pack a picnic as mentioned before. Other options instead of riding your bike could be kayaking, roller-skating, or any other fun sport that allow you both to spend quality time together. 15. Be a Tourist in Your Own City Becoming a tourist in your own city is a lot easier said than done. It might be a little more on the costly side if you want to partake in new restaurants or different activities your city has to offer. You can Google “Things to do in my city” for more entertaining ideas. In short, to keep your budget low, look for free concerts, free museums, or other free local events. Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to explore where you live with your wonderful partner. 16. Make a Romantic Bonfire February is still winter, so making a bonfire is a great way to keep the romantic spark going. (See what I did there?) Bonfires create a romantic environment when it’s just the two of you. Make a hot cup of cocoa or bring crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate to make s’mores and enjoy the cackling of the fire as you take time out from your busy schedules to slow down and enjoy each other’s company. 17. Find a Free Event To Go To Valentine’s Day is a great time to find a free event to go to. Many local restaurants, companies, and communities love to promote themselves during a special holiday. Check out your local newspapers or Facebook groups to see if there is anything news worthy to attend. Other than maybe paying for parking and perhaps food at the event site, this is a low-cost Valentine’s Day date idea to try something different. 18. Make Homemade Valentine’s Gifts for Each Other The possibilities are endless when it comes to making homemade gifts for one another. Flowers from your own yard can you turn into a beautiful bouquet. Feeling crafty and enjoy making projects? You can make personalized gifts with your loved one’s name. If you are looking for sentimental gift boxes, there are plenty of online stores that offer cute varieties of gift boxes that can be delivered just in time for something special. Keep in mind shipping delays if you do decide to order something, do it ahead of time so it does not arrive late. 19. Take the Day Off Set your out-of-office reply and use some PTO for the day! Not only do I mean take the day off of work, but you can seriously just skip Valentine’s Day if it’s not your thing. However, make sure you communicate your intentions with your partner beforehand. You don’t want them expecting to celebrate a day with you when you have already checked out. Skipping Valentine’s Day is a personal choice, so don’t feel the need that you have to partake in a holiday tradition if it’s not for you. Bonus: Taking the day off of work does allow you to spend quality time with each other, regardless of the holiday! Finish of your day by chilling by the pool, or enjoying a quiet, relaxing day at home. 20. Write a Valentine’s Day Love Poem I am a sucker for a love note or a love poem. Because of this, I highly recommend that this Valentine’s Day, you take the time to write something special for your loved one. Let them know how much you really care and all the things you love about them. Write them a poem, love note, or even create fun coupons they can cash in with you at a later date. Coupons can range from anything such as daily chores (cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry, etc.), to something fun and exciting, such as a foot massage, ice-cream date, you name it! 21. Recreate Your First Date Re-creating your first date might be difficult to do if you no longer live by the place your first date happened. However, it doesn’t have to be the exact same location because it’s really the thought that counts. If you are able to visit the first place you dated, it would be a wonderful sentimental date for you both to ponder how far you’ve made it. *Cue Shania Twain’s “You’re still the one” song in the background. * 22. Post Love Message Notes All Over the House A cute Valentine’s Day idea I saw one time was to post love notes all over the house. You can use sticky notes to put them in places your partner isn’t expecting. For example, put them on doors, mirrors, in their closet, maybe in their backpacks or purses if they carry one. Shower their Valentine’s Day with love notes that they continue to find throughout the day. Not only is it sweet, but extremely cost-efficient as all you need are some sticky-notes, a pen, and...

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The 4 Simple Christmas Gift Ideas for Minimalists

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 03:41:06 +0000

All I Want for Christmas Is… Christmas can be such a joyful, and special holiday for families. However, it can also be a stressful time for those who might not have the means and funds. We want to lavish our friends and family members with gifts and presents, even if we can’t afford to. A few years ago, our family adopted what we call the “four asks” for Christmas. This is a great way to keep Christmas gift giving stress-free. Basically, we are trying to narrow down the Christmas items we all ask for. Not only does this help with finances, but it also helps our children be more intentional with what they want. By doing the four Christmas gift ideas, they are more appreciative of what they do get and learn to cherish it more. I also notice that they receive much more quality gifts, since we don’t bombard them with smaller, cheaply-made toys. Gift Ideas for Minimalists The four simple Christmas gift ideas are great for those wanting to minimize their lifestyle. Although I myself am not a minimalist, it’s a goal of mine every time I declutter and clean to get rid of things I don’t use or that no longer fits me – thank you Covid lockdown. Donating or selling clothes makes me feel great knowing I’m helping people as well as creating more space in my house. (I might obsess slightly over Marie Kondo’s folding technique and cleaning up method!) The four asks are very simple and goes as follows: 1. Something You Want This one is an easy one and probably the most favorite of my kids. Instead of preparing a long list for Santa Clause full of all their “wants”, they slim it down to the very most important present they truly want. Prepare yourself to receive multiple versions of this Christmas lists and hearing an excited child declare, “Wait, mommy, can I change my answer?” If they start early enough, you’ll know what they really want when they haven’t changed their answer in a while. If you’re kids are a little too young to really know what they want, a quick google search can be helpful for you to find out what Christmas gifts are trending at the moment. Amazon also recently just launched a “Toys We Love” section to reveal the most popular holiday toys. 2. Something You Need This Christmas gift helps expand their thinking into something more than toys and entertainment. It helps children realize that other things (especially things we consider normal or mundane) are actually gifts as well. I’ve seen new shoes, socks, even underwear pop up in this category. My daughter did effectively argue why she “needed” a Chromebook for her homework. “Everything is online nowadays anyway,” she successfully giggled. “And if it can be a touchscreen, that would be great,” she gleefully added. I did cave and get her one, but the price was significantly cheaper than I thought! Asking for something you need is a great Christmas gift idea to really get kids to ponder the difference between a necessity and a frivolous holiday gift. 3. Something to Wear Our kids tend to ask for new Christmas pajamas for this one, but you can get creative with this Christmas gift category. Think outside the box, as it doesn’t just have to be clothes! Asking for something to wear can range from new eyeglasses, to jewelry, to makeup, to a comfy spa bathrobe. I’ve always loved new slippers every Christmas, as boring as that may sound. We don’t wear outside shoes in the house so I have a great need for them once the year is up. Of course, a new fancy dress or clothing items still make it on the list, too. 4. Something to Read This Christmas gift is a favorite for the whole family. The topics range from comic books, to gardening, to history books, to novels. Getting age-appropriate books are great, but it’s also a neat idea to get your kids something a little more challenging to read. Nothing beats spending the day after Christmas, snuggled up with a blanket, and a new book. In conclusion, these four Christmas gift ideas aren’t hard rules we follow, but somewhat of a guide. Our children might get a little more than four presents each, especially when you include presents from loving grandparents, proud aunts and uncles, and excited cousins. If you are wanting a more refined and precise Christmas list full of Christmas ideas that are very well thought out, try the four Simple Christmas Gift Ideas! P.s. Have you tried making your own Christmas room spray? These non-toxic recipes will help your house ring in the holidays with the sweet scents of Christmas. It’s safe for your family and pets, and makes a great homemade gift as well! If you found this article helpful, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts and be entered to win our giveaways.

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How To: Make Your Own Homemade Room Spray with Essential Oils Ready for Christmas

BearfruitBasics — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 17:38:17 +0000

It’s Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas with This DIY Room Spray! This homemade, essential-oil infused, DIY room spray is an easy and all-natural air freshener you can make for your room or bed linens. Firstly, Christmas is by far our favorite holiday in my house. The kids are eager to put up the Christmas tree, the hubby loves Christmas music playing in the background, and I’m all for the magic of Christmas lights down the neighborhood. But what’s better than seeing Christmas? Smelling Christmas! Nothing smells more like Christmas than gingerbread, peppermint, cinnamon, and freshly cut Christmas trees. The best part about this Christmas room spray is being able to customize it to your liking! Why Make a DIY Non-Toxic Room Spray? It’s no secret that most commercial sprays are laden with toxins and chemicals. When it comes to your air quality in your home, did you know that air inside your home is actually more polluted than outside air? Products for household cleaning and maintenance rank high for pollutant sources. For this reason, we have to be careful with what we allow inside our homes. The Cons of Using Toxic Air Sprays: The website, Beyond Toxic, states these following dangers of using air fresheners: As a result of using toxic air sprays, you may be sacrificing your health for something that just smells good. There have been many recalls for room sprays, so be careful. Most importantly, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider a non-toxic, homemade version. Let’s explore some of those reasons next. The Pros of Using Non-Toxic, DIY Room Sprays: Christmas Room Spray Materials To make this Christmas room spray, all you need are these three simple, non-toxic ingredients with no harsh chemicals: You can mix and match oils to make your own signature scent for a custom-made Christmas room spray! To clarify, make sure you use distilled water instead of tap water. The impurities in tap water could alter your room spray. Christmas Room Spray Instructions Step 1: Bottle and Essential Oils Start with a 4 oz bottle. I recommend using a dark, glass bottle over a clear, plastic one. This will protect the essential oils since sunlight can accelerate the expiration date. Some essential oils are even potent enough to break down plastic. If essential oils are stored correctly, you can expect them to have a very long shelf life. Use 30-50 drops of essential oils depending on how strong you want the scent. Some people like the scent a little stronger; this is safe since it won’t be used on your skin. Keep reading for recipe ideas below! Step 2: Add Witch Hazel Take your unscented witch hazel and fill your bottle halfway (approximately 2 oz). Having a funnel really helps with the pouring! Let this stand for a minimum of 10 minutes. Witch hazel will allow the water and oils to combine to help your Christmas spray last longer and linger in the air more. Step 3: Add Distilled Water Once you have given the essential oils and witch hazel time to marinate, fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water (approximately 2 oz). Make sure you leave a little space at the top for when you screw on the spray top. Shake well every time you use it. Spray in the air, on your furniture, or linens and enjoy! Christmas Room Spray Recipes Now that you know how to make a Christmas, non-toxic room spray, it’s time to check out these cool recipe ideas. Remember, you can experiment and use your own scent mix to make your favorite spray. Play with the number of essential oils drops to make the scent weaker or stronger. Don’t forget to write down your room spray recipe so you can replicate it later if you like it, for instance. Citrus Mint Christmas Spice Silent Night Gingerbread Cookies Christmas Tree Candy Cane Morning Star Christmas Cheer Conclusion In conclusion, it’s best to let your spray sit for at least a day to marinate and really blend well together. Don’t forget to shake well with each use! Let me know in the comments below if you tried any of these recipes, or if you have a recipe of your own you prefer instead that you can share with us. We’d love to try it! Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts and be entered to win giveaways. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

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How to Travel on a budget Stress Free

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:26:01 +0000

The Stress-Free Frugal Traveler’s Guide: How to Travel on a Budget Time off for the holidays, but you’re bougie on a budget? Does the thought of spending too much money hinder your ability to enjoy a family vacation? If so, this blog post on how to travel on a budget is for you! If you want to live a luxurious lifestyle, but don’t want to break the bank – or rack up credit card debt – there are tons of ways you can travel with a small or very limited budget. We just got back from an amazing, adventure-packed vacation visiting family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Our plans to visit the UAE went from a far-away unreachable dream, to a realistic trip to paradise. Surprisingly, there are many affordable methods in traveling stress-free, even when you’re not swimming in dollar dollar bills, y’all. For those of you that don’t already know, I gave up my full-time, corporate America job to be a stay-at-home mom. I work from home doing Marketing and Graphic Design. With my husband’s full-time income, we try to budget for one big vacation a year; it’s important for us to get away from time to time. Having a “family escape” to enjoy the fruits of our labor and, most importantly, enjoy time with each other is vital in strengthening our bonds with one another. Our trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai was hands down one of the best and memorable vacations we have ever done. We follow these tips and advice to aim to have a stress-free vacation by learning how to travel on a budget. Travel on a Budget: When Is the Best Time to Fly? Firstly, did you know that there are best days to fly? Flights tend to be more expensive during the weekends, due to more people being free to travel. Try and fly during the week, Tuesday through Friday if possible for a cheaper alternative to stay within budget. If you are planning on leaving the country, it’s important to know when is the best time to fly to your location. Depending on your final destination, there are busy seasons and off-peak seasons. Aim to plan your travel when it’s not the busiest season and during off-season. This allows you to find plane tickets within your budget. Research to see when peak season is and what the weather will be like, to see if it aligns with your vacation desires. For example, if you are aiming for beach weather, try for the end of summer. Prices are more inexpensive but still warm enough to have salty hair and sandy toes. You can visit your destination’s official website to discover more information on weather conditions and any events that you might find relevant in order to catch them on your vacation. Visit Family Members or Close Friends Overseas If you are fortunate enough to have family or friends in a location you’ve never been to before, go visit them! There are some places that are naturally cheaper than others to travel to, but if you have the advantage of crashing with the fam, then by all means go and enjoy! Knock out two birds with one stone by having family time as well as indulging in a new place. Our magical adventure in Abu Dhabi and Dubai would not have happened had we not been able to lodge with our loving and generous cousins overseas. They allowed us to stay in their guest room and eat and drink all their juice and snacks. The amount of money we saved simply by being able to live at their loving home was THOUSANDS for a two-week stay in the UAE. Talk about a stress-free, living-on-a-tight-budget answered prayer! Uncertain if you can stay with someone you know? Another route to traveling on a budget is to find housing for much cheaper than a hotel. Airbnb is a great alternative to a hotel, as it offers multiple variations of lodging and activities. I have personally used them multiple times. We book housing and activities for our whole family to stay. Some places are pet friendly, where I’ve been able to bring my German Shepherd dog, Leo, too. This helps me stay within budget by not having to spend money on dog boarding. Book Well in Advance to Travel on a Budget Booking in advance really helps you save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Not only do you get the best deals when booking so far ahead, but you get additional options or promotions that might not be available to you if you procrastinate. Take advantage of being able to pick which possibilities work best for your family and budget by planning months in advance. Although last minute deals can be a great surprise, often times booking ahead of time allows you to find cheaper transportation, activities, and accommodations all of which permits you to stay within your travel budget. Pack Light but Clever When it comes to packing, I suggest to pack light but clever. Most of the time, you won’t use everything you pack. Think of clothing items that have multi-purpose use that you can wear several times. Airlines charge extra if your suitcase is overweight or if you have too many bags to check. That’s why it’s important to pick a good travel bag to store all of your things conveniently. It’s important to look up your baggage allowance with your airline company so you know the weight and the luggage pieces allowed before you get to the airport. There is nothing more stressful than having to move items around and/or pay extra because you didn’t check the terms prior to boarding. Conversely, although you should pack light, it’s vital to still take everything you need so you are not wasting time or money trying to find something you forgot at home. Here are some ideas for simple things that you can take with you to save money later on: Ask Locals for Ideas on What to Do There are plenty of free experiences you can partake in, but you have to research and know the best spots. In my experience, asking locals for their opinion on what to do has been a great source of budget-friendly knowledge. Don’t be scared to meet new people and ask what local things are worth doing. There are plenty of art galleries and museums that are free, or charge a small entrance fee for visiting. Places like beaches, hiking trails, and city monuments tend to be free of charge as well, depending on where you visit. Find Reasonably-Priced Restaurants or Pack a Lunch! Most hostels, rooms for rent, Airbnb’s, and some hotel suites have access to a kitchen. By eating in, you can save money by stocking up on groceries and cooking at home. This option is so much cheaper than when going out for a night in the town and eating out. You can eat breakfast at home, then pack a lunch if you’re on a tight budget and go explore! However, if eating out is an important part of your vacation and experience, you can still eat well on a budget. I highly recommend checking out restaurants in advance. You can read google reviews, find an online menu, and even check out prices ahead of time to see if the new food spot falls within your dining-out budget. Again, ask locals where they like to eat for traditional food that doesn’t break the bank! Shop at Local Markets When traveling abroad, the well-known malls and plazas tend to come to mind or may be much easier to find. However, shopping at local markets or souks tends to be much cheaper. Not only can you find better prices, but you’re more likely to find homemade products where you can support locals and their small business. Asking for a deal if you buy in bulk is always a nice way to save a little money, but definitely recognize when a price is fair and worth their hard work and craftsmanship! Shopping locally allows you to have a closer experience with people who actually live where you vacation. A lot of small businesses are family owned. They are ecstatic to share their products with someone who appreciates their work. Local shopping allows you to feel good about saving money, but also support ethical, smaller entrepreneurs. In Conclusion To wrap it up, if you put a family vacation on hold because you can’t afford it, please know there are viable options that you can take to travel on a tight budget! Don’t procrastinate and find good deals in advance. Check different days for flights, seek lodging with friends or family, and shop local for a true, authentic experience. Please remember, it’s not the worse thing in the world if you end up using your credit card (within reason) to enjoy an amazing, lifetime experience. If you found this article helpful, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts and be entered to win our giveaways.

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