How to | Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living

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!

The post Quick & Easy to Make Air Fryer Recipes for Dinner appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

The Best Easy Peasy Banana Muffins Recipe

BearfruitBasics — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 21:48:38 +0000

I buy way too many bananas every time I go shopping. It’s an easy snack, healthy, and great for smoothies. However, if you can’t eat them fast enough, they go bad – quick! This is why I’ve perfected the art of making banana muffins! If you find yourself in the same pickle as I do – with plenty of bananas that have reached the mushy stage – don’t through them away just yet! I have the best, easy-peasy banana muffin recipe to use. It’s so easy, even the little ones can make it. Not only do they come out perfect every time, but the best part is you can customize this recipe to add whatever you want. What’s So Special About Banana Muffins? According to WebMD, bananas contain many nutrients that help lower your risk of stroke, prevents kidney stones, keeps your muscles strong, and your bones healthy. Bananas have fiber, and contains vitamins A, C, B6 and Magnesium. They also keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check, as well as reducing any inflammation. So to sum it up, there are good for you. Not just for your body, but they make some great jokes too. If your family is anything like mine, we love to laugh. Knock, knock? Who’s There? Banana Muffins! Okay, I’m sure you’ve heard this joke before, (but in case you haven’t it goes like this): “Knock, knock!” “Who’s there?” “Banana.“ “Banana, who?” “Knock, Knock!” (repeat “Banana” and “knock knock” a few times before you answer with “Orange”) “Orange, who?” “Orange you glad I didn’t say Banana?“ Never underestimate a cute banana joke, especially when mushing up bananas at the same time. One of my favorite puns about bananas is this one: “You need to be extra nice to bananas, or else you’ll hurt their peelings.” LOL via GIPHY For more hilarious, clean humor about bananas to giggle about while you make banana muffins with the kiddos, you can always check out more banana jokes here. So back to baking: Grab your old, mushy bananas, a bowl, and the following ingredients below, and let’s get started! Shopping List Here are the things I recommend that you’ll need: Banana Muffins Recipe And that’s it! You did it! Banana muffins in five simple steps. via GIPHY So instead of throwing away mushy bananas next time, please give this a try. If you enjoyed this post, you can stay connected with Bearfruit Basics by following us on instagram and signing up for our newsletter! Did you make the recipe? I want to see! Please tag @BearfruitBasics on Instagram.

The post The Best Easy Peasy Banana Muffins Recipe appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

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!

The post How to Make DIY Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

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!

The post How To: Make Your Own Homemade Room Spray with Essential Oils Ready for Christmas appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

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.

The post How to Travel on a budget Stress Free appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

10 Ways How to Simplify Life and Be Happy

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 01:12:44 +0000

The older I get, the more I realize that happiness comes from simplifying my life. If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you are looking to simplify your life as well. If you find yourself drowning in clutter, work, or personal commitments with no time for yourself, here are 10 ways how to simplify your life and regain your happiness: 1. Get Rid of Excess Clutter One of the first steps to living a simple life is getting rid of clutter. The more things you have and the more clutter around you, will just add unnecessary stress and hassle to your every-day routine. Learn to get rid of clutter in your home to be better organized and in control. An important thing to note is to not just get rid of what you already own, but stop bringing clutter into your household. I am guilty of buying things just because they are on sale even if I have nowhere to put it or no real use for it. I like to pay off my credit cards and then take them out of my wallet so I am not tempted to use them again for unnecessary purchases. I also have a strict budget where I try not to buy things I don’t need; Amazon is my downfall here! A great way to not hear about sales is to unsubscribe from any marketing emails or newsletters you may receive from stores or from nearby promotions. It’s tough, but it can be done! 2. Only Say Yes to Meaningful Obligations This one is complex, as a lot of us have obligations we must do even if we don’t feel like it. For example, we might have a work obligation or things with the family that we simply must attend. The trick to handling this one is to prioritize what you can handle, and learn to say no to anything else that is stretching you too thin. Does your boss need someone to work extra and asked you? If you can’t handle it, be honest about it. With much prayer and understanding, hopefully you have a boss that understands your situation, and someone else that can cover for you. Try to say “yes” to social events or family obligations that bring you joy. Part of having a simple life and learning to be happy is by doing things that are important to you. At the end of this life, all we truly have are our memories. 3. Take Time to Do Things You Enjoy I cannot stress this enough – you unquestionably need to set time apart for self-care. Simplify your life by having moments to do things you enjoy. Whether it be traveling, spa dates with your girlfriends, more time with your children, or hobbies you relish, take time out for yourself without feeling guilty about it. (Although this is easier said than done.) My biggest issue, especially as a mom, is not feeling selfish when I need a moment to myself. If you can try to remember this quote, “You can’t serve from an empty cup” it might help confirm your need for self-care. Simplify your life and find happiness by taking a breather for yourself in order to reset. Then you can give your best self to those around you. 4. Cut Out Toxic People Controversial topic here – but I’m a strong believer in cutting out toxic people from my life. As a Christian, I believe in forgiveness. There are many reasons why forgiveness is good for you and your health. But just because you forgive someone, doesn’t mean they get a free-pass back into your life. Sorry not sorry! Toxic people can be draining. They defy logic. Some people can be blissfully ignorant and unaware of the damage they do to you and your family. Dealing with toxic situations can expose you to massive stress. Studies show the long-term, everlasting, negative effects toxic people can have on your brain. This Harvard research proves toxic employees destroy culture in the workplace. It explains how feelings of danger and mistrust destroys organizations. It’s essential to reassess who is in your inner circle, and make sure you surround yourself with compassionate, kind, and encouraging people. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.” 5. Clean Out Your Email Subscriptions Okay, maybe you’re not as OCD as I am, but I absolutely hate having hundreds of unread emails. Just seeing the notification on my phone makes my eye twitch. A way to simplify your life is to clean out your email subscriptions. Have you ever noticed how much time you waste going through emails? How much of that time is pure junk emails that aren’t relevant to you anymore? When you have a moment, go through your emails and hit that “unsubscribe” link to as many irrelevant emails as possible. Hopefully, unwanted spam, newsletters, and annoying email marketing won’t make it to your inbox. Only subscribe to things that will make you happy and provide value to your life, like our monthly Bearfruit Basics Newsletter. (See what I did there?) 6. Donate or Sell Clothes You No Longer Wear This advice of donating or selling your clothes is such a win-win. Not only do you get to clear out your closet and make room by de-cluttering, but someone less fortunate than you can get some neat clothes and up their fashion game. Too many possessions complicate our lives. They can be a financial burden to us. If you can, go a step further and see what else you have laying around that you can donate or sell. Decluttering your life will help simplify it by taking out the energy and attention you spend on keeping everything organized and in order. I love the KonMari Method of cleaning. She has amazing tips on how to only keep things that bring you joy. I highly recommend you check it out! 7. Keep Healthy Snacks at Your Desk Simplifying life also means evaluating your health. Take your daily vitamins and any subscription medicines you need to stay in optimal shape. Try to dedicate time to your health by making smart, nourishing choices when it comes to food. As a stay-at-home mom, I also work from home. I am guilty of snacking all day and, to be honest with you, I’m not the best at eating healthy foods. An easy tip is to stack your desk, purse, or pantry with healthy snacks. Healthy snacks will give you energy to get through your day. If you meal prep, this is a great way of keeping life simple. Your whole family will benefit from meals that are planned out. Meal prepping improves your nutrition, allows you to make healthier choices, saves money and time, and most importantly, decreases stress so you can be happy! I have a magnetic menu stuck to my fridge and, although I don’t prepare my meals in advance, I do prepare a weekly menu in advance. Then, I base my grocery shopping on what we will be eating every day. It helps keep me on track, and on budget. 8. Write To-do Lists This is one of my favorite ways to simplify life. I undeniably adore lists. Whether it be with a pencil and paper, on your computer, smartphone, or even a scribble on a napkin: to-do lists are the bomb and I’m going to tell you why. Not only does it help you stay organized, but it creates manageable goals so you don’t feel overwhelmed. You can take it a step further and delegate to people (kind reminder – it’s okay to ask for help). If you are a procrastinator (like me), you’ll be happy to know that to-do lists make you productive. To-do lists help you stay focused. It can be a stress reliever if you give yourself realistic deadlines and a doable timeframe of completion. Also, writing down your tasks ensure you won’t forget about it, therefore allowing you to relax more. So grab that notebook and make yourself a to-do list! 9. Use Fewer Words Remember the phrase, “Keep It Simple, Stupid”? (I’m sure you do). Challenge yourself to use fewer words: in your speech, in your email responses, etc. Learn to say what you mean by speaking plainly and honestly. The bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” But what does this mean, exactly? Here is another bible verse that might offer some clarity. In Matthew 12:36-37 it says: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” You might have well-intentioned words, but aim to speak purposefully. Simplify your life by letting your yes be yes, and your no be no (Matthew 5:37). Another valuable quote I love is “No is a full sentence”. 10. Reduce Your Screen Time I am guilty of binge-watching episodes when I know I should be doing something way more productive. When you give your attention to movies, social media, television, or video games, this can affect your life more than you realize. Technology addiction is real, and although technology has some magnificent benefits, we can unfortunately develop an unhealthy attachment to it. As we know, comparison is the thief of joy, and comparing our lives to movie storylines and pictures on Facebook and Instagram is extremely dissatisfying. Due to influencer culture, we are becoming more disgruntled with our own lives. In order for us to protect our mental health online, we should establish healthy habits. Learn to disconnect by taking a break and detoxifying. You don’t have to completely quit, but limiting your screen time will be very rewarding for simplifying your life and learning to be happy. What are some ways you simplify your life? Challenge yourself to embrace simplicity and live a happier, more meaningful life. 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.

The post 10 Ways How to Simplify Life and Be Happy appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

Easy DIY Natural Lip Scrub Recipe With Sugar and Honey

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 00:48:53 +0000

Homemade, All-Natural, DIY Lip Scrub Recipe? Don’t Mind If I do! Putting things on our skin (let alone lips) without reading and understanding the ingredients is a big risk. These days, we are fortunate enough to be educated on toxins and how they effect our bodies and health. If you are looking for a quick, simple – and most importantly – healthy way to keep your lips soft and smooth, this DIY, all-natural lip scrub recipe is perfect for you! Why Should You Use a Natural Lip Sugar Scrub? Did you know that your lips are part of your throat? Not only does a lip scrub help improve the look and feel of your lips, but an exfoliating lip scrub helps remove dead skin. Your lips will be able to easily absorb a moisturizer you put on after you have exfoliated. How Often Should You Be Exfoliating Your Lips? Great question! The answer depends on your skin type. You can exfoliate once or twice a week if that is sufficient for you. If your lips tend to be on the dry and flaky side, you can use a lip scrub on them daily. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, your lips should not feel irritated or raw after using a lip scrub. If you experience any discomfort, you may be scrubbing too often or too harshly. A great tip from Chapstick for when to use your lip scrub, is to pick a dedicated time for your beauty routine. This can be done either in the morning or for your bedtime routine. Sticking to a schedule means you are less likely to forget about it. Best Ingredients for Your Natural Lip Scrub Recipe A huge advantage of making your own lip scrub is being able to use healthy and natural ingredients. Not to mention, if you are frugal and enjoy saving money, making things your self is a great way to be financially savvy! The best ingredients for a lip scrub consist of two elements. The first being something that you can exfoliate with. The second element is something you can moisturize with. The reason both parts are vital in your scrub is because you want to remove dead skin, while at the same time replenish and hydrate your dry lips. Recipe for DIY Sugar and Honey Lip Scrub Below is a lip scrub I have personally made for myself and find the results to be quite lovely! We will be using sugar as the exfoliator. We’ll use organic virgin coconut oil and honey as the moisturizer. Make sure to use regular coconut oil and not fractionated coconut oil. Fractionated coconut oil removes the lauric acid naturally present in virgin coconut oil. This means it does not have the antimicrobial properties that regular coconut oil has. Ingredients: Other Ingredient Alternatives Exfoliators If you don’t have sugar or prefer to use something else, you can experiment with coffee or ground spices. You can also use brown sugar over white sugar for a gentler scrub on your lips. Moisturizers If you don’t have coconut oil, consider using jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, or another carrier oil you have on hand. Directions Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Apply by gently scrubbing your lips in a circular motion. Rinse your lips with warm water and pat gently with a face towel. It’s recommended to use a spoon to scoop out your keep your lip scrub fresh. Your DIY lip scrub should keep for about 3-6 months if you use a clean spoon and keep it sealed. Let me know in the comments below if you tried it! Stay connected with Bearfruit Basics by following us on instagram and signing up for our newsletter!

The post Easy DIY Natural Lip Scrub Recipe With Sugar and Honey appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

How To Clean Dirty Silver Jewelry with DIY Recipe

BearfruitBasics — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 05:53:51 +0000

My grandmother would clean her silver plates with ketchup. Word on the street – from her Puerto Rican neighborhood – is that the acidity from the tomatoes react with the tarnished silver. I remember watching her scrub plate after plate and her silver forks and knives in a bloody mess of ketchup. After barely seeing a difference, I nod approvingly as she pinches my back fat to show me what she was up to. Since then, I use a different method (that is way less messy than ketchup lol) and in my opinion, much more effective way to clean silver! Toxic Silver Cleaners There are many diverse ways to clean silver, but unfortunately some include toxins. So why are some silver cleaners bad to use? For starters, the scent alone is unpleasant and releases harmful chemicals into your household. This is bad for you and any children or pets in the household. Some silver cleaners may contain ammonia, a harsh chemical. Health.ny.gov states this about ammonia poisoning: “Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.” No muy bueno, if you ask me. via GIPHY Secondly, many silver cleaners will attack the silver by stripping away its silver molecules. Instead of taking away from your silver, you can reverse the tarnish build up by using a simple, safe, and easy homemade DIY silver cleaner. All-Natural Silver DIY Cleaning Recipe If you have silver pieces laying around that you no longer use because it has oxidized and turned rusty and brown, this recipe is for you. Before you throw your silver pieces away, or lock them in your jewelry box for good, here is a simple DIY hack to clean silver and make it shine as good as new right in your own kitchen! ✨ This recipe is safe, extremely simple, and the best part: SO EASY! All you need is: Watch a demonstration here, or read instructions after the video: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bearfruit Basics•Living Simply (@bearfruitbasics) Steps to Clean Your Dirty Silver Jewelry Disclaimer: I have only tried this method with real 925 sterling silver, and 10k, 14k, and 24k gold. I don’t know how this would work on costume jewelry. Follow me on instagram at @bearfruitbasics for more DIY tips!

The post How To Clean Dirty Silver Jewelry with DIY Recipe appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

How to Make Non-Toxic, DIY Simple Homemade Cleaning Spray

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 05:14:30 +0000

Homemade Cleaning Spray Solution I must admit, I never did think about the dangerous chemicals in my household cleaning spray until having children. Seeing my toddler in their high chair, I realized that the only thing I had to use to clean up their food tray was a bleach bottle (or something similar). A quick internet search can show you the dirty truth about using a toxic cleaning spray. Not feeling comfortable with the ingredients listed in my household cleaning sprays, I began searching for a healthier, non-toxic alternative. Because of this, I found out that you can clean by using simple, household items with no harsh adverse effects. Why You Should Ditch Toxic Cleaning Sprays We’re all aware of pollution outside our homes, but sometimes we forget to be vigilant with eliminating toxins inside our home. Using household cleaners with dangerous chemicals in them – for example ammonia – can induce physical symptoms such as: Some people can be more at risk for severe symptoms than others. If you have asthma, you may notice your symptoms being triggered more after using something harmful. So instead of using these things, how about using something healthier? Even better, you can make your own! All you need is a secret ingredient: What’s the Secret Ingredient for Homemade Cleaning Spray? Vinegar! Vinegar is the super star when it comes to cleaning sprays. White vinegar is mildly acidic, with a pH of 2.5. You can use white vinegar to clean, deodorize, and disinfect. Vinegar can even kill mold. This vinegar cleaning spray will clean just about anything. However, something you do NOT want to use it on would be granite countertops. Frequent use of vinegar on your granite can dull the shine of your precious stone. Regular soap and warm water works best for these kinds of countertops. For everything else, check out this cleaning spray recipe to do the trick. Cleaning Spray Ingredients You only need four simple ingredients for this recipe, with two of them being completely optional! How to Mix Them Together The ratio for water and white vinegar varies. I have seen 1:3 ratio of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. I’ve also read that the more white vinegar you have, the stronger and more potent your spray can be. I personally prefer 1:2 ratio of 1 part vinegar to 2 part water because this is what works for me. I counteract the vinegar smell with essential oils. Vinegar does have a smell to it, I’m not going to lie, but if you add a citrus scent such as lemon or orange, it can smell very fresh and clean. Here is my recommendation: A nice mix of essential oils to try is grapefruit (15), lemon (5), and lavender (10). Mix and match your favorite scents and see what you like! The Takeaway In conclusion, making small changes – such as swapping out your toxic spray for a healthier version – might not seem like much in the moment, but in the long run it helps keep toxins out of your house. It’s cost effective, too! P.s. If you like creating your own cleaning recipes, check out this non-toxic, silver cleaner recipe. This is a quick and chemical-free way of polishing your gold and silver. Let me know in the comments if you use your own homemade cleaning spray, I’d love to hear about it. Follow me on instagram at @bearfruitbasics for more DIY tips!

The post How to Make Non-Toxic, DIY Simple Homemade Cleaning Spray appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.

Summer Hair and 10 Easy Tips How To Protect It

BearfruitBasics — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 11:38:32 +0000

Summer Hair Don’t Care! Summer is finally here, and as ecstatic as you may be to see the cold, icy winter come to an end, your hair might still be in need of some TLC. Because the winter wreaks havoc on our hair in different ways than the summer does, looking after your hair during the Summer requires different techniques than wintertime. Here at Bearfruit Basics, we’ve compiled a list of top 10 tips on how to take care of your locks this summer! 1. Be Proactive With Your Summer Hair Care Before you even leave the house, think about what activities you’ll be doing and how you can be proactive with your hair. For example, if you are off to the pool, wet your hair before you go for a swim. Dry hair is like a sponge, so if it’s already wet before getting in to the pool, it won’t soak up as much of the chlorinated water. If you are a blonde, don’t let the dread of having green hair keep you from enjoying your summer days with a refreshing dip in the pool. A cool trick is to apply a leave-in conditioner in your hair after you’ve rinsed it with cool, fresh water. This will help prevent your hair from drying out your hair when swimming in the salty ocean or the pool. The more you baby your hair beforehand, the less chance salt or chlorine water have to enter and penetrate the hair shaft and cause more damage. 2. Going Outdoors? Wear a Hat to Protect Your Hair When you are outside for a long period of time, you can cover your hair with a summer hat or a scarf to protect it from the harmful, ultraviolet rays of the sun. Wearing something on your head keeps your hair protected from the environment and the sun’s damaging results. A fun advantage of using a hat is being able to make it fashionable. There are plenty of options that will pair well with your swimsuit or beach attire that will keep you looking stylish and chic. 3. Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day When it comes to washing your hair, less is more! During the summer days, we may think that washing our hair more often is best, but it can actually cause the adverse outcome. If you wash your hair too frequently (every day), you are cleansing your scalp of the natural oils needed to protect your hair strands. With humid summer nights, it may be tempting to shampoo your hair every day. A lot of gals extend the time between washing their hair by using a dry shampoo in-between hair wash-days. Use this powder to soak up extra grease to revamp your hairstyle and extend your look. If you do indeed need to wash your hair more frequently than not, you can use a gentle cleansing cream that’s not as a harsh as your shampoo. Read labels, and buy shampoo and conditioners that help encourage hair repair in the areas that you need them. 4. Keep Your Hair Away from Heat Another thing you can do this summer to shield your delicate mane is to ditching the heat all together! It’s no secret that heat is damaging for your hair. When it comes to using heat appliances during the summer, it’s extra damaging – now you’re heaping heat damage on top of the sun’s damaging rays. Use the summer season to rock your natural look by letting your hair air dry and embracing your summer care-free style. If you are going to use your blow dryer or flat iron, make sure you use a heat protective product to minimize the harm as much as possible. 5. Get a Trim for Unhealthy Split Ends Another vital hair care tip for the summer – don’t forget to trim your ends! I know it sounds counterintuitive (especially if you are trying to grow your hair longer), but it’s crucial to remove any split ends, and cutting them is the only way to get rid of them, unfortunately. Most people believe you should trim your hair every six to eight weeks but that’s debatable, as some stylists say you can trim your hair every three to six months. Keep those pesky split ends at bay by following these tips: 6. Give Hair Coloring a Break If you have gray hairs, dyeing your hair might make you feel youthful and cheerful – and you deserve to feel happy with yourself. Whether you color your hair due to grays or just want to change your hair color for a brighter, summery look, take a hiatus and stop dyeing your hair for a while if you feel like your hair might need a break. In addition to allergies and hair loss hair dye dries out your hair. Skip a touch up or forego the exciting color for a little while if your hair is brittle and dried out this summer. Nurse your hair back to health before you book your next appointment at the salon or buy your at-home hair dye. If you dye your hair yourself, I love to use ammonia-free hair dye. 7. Use a Hair Mask When your summer hair is screaming for attention, a quick life vest you can throw on is using a hair mask. (My curly hair loves this Black Castor Oil Hair Mask.) Using a hair mask formulated specifically for your dilemma is another great summer hair tip to help maintain healthy locks. Many cosmetology experts agree in using a nourishing mask once a week to condition your hair. Soften and rebuild your hair with moisturizing hair masks with protein. If you are into making DIY hair masks, here are some easy and simple ingredients that you can whip together in the kitchen and apply to damp hair: Use any combination of these to keep the sun from making your hair dry and frizzy. 8. Use Protective Hairstyles During The Summer Using protective hairstyles this summer is another great way to keep your hair sheltered from the destructive sun’s rays. Loose mermaid braids, messy buns, or French braids are all great options to keeping your hair tied back without causing extra stress on your strands. Experiment this summer with new hair styles. Go natural this summer by going easy on the rigorous hairstyling and living a more relaxed lifestyle for the summer. 9. Use Hair Sunscreen I know, I Know. I didn’t even know this was a “thing” either! We’ve all been told that we’re supposed to be wearing sunscreen on our skin under the hot summer sun, but what we didn’t know, was that we could have been extending that protection to our hair as well! Sunscreen for your hair can be weightless and non-greasy with nourishing ingredients – making your hair look shiny and smooth. Scalp and hair sunscreen can come in many different forms, such as: mists, oils, primers, veils, and even powders. If you won’t be covering up with a hat or scarf this summer season, consider getting a sunscreen formulated just for your hair. You can check out this article from allure to learn more about hair sunscreen. 10. Nourish Your Hair From Within Lastly, the most important summer hair tip we can give you, is to nourish from within! The best tip I’ve learned is to fill a large water bottle early in the morning, and try to empty it throughout the day. I love these daily water intake bottles. Our hair is a reflection of our health. Treat your body right by drinking more water and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Promote healthy hair growth by eating fruits and vegetables, spinach, eggs, nuts, berries, and healthy fats – such as avocados and fatty fish like salmon. The summer sun brings conditions that promote dry, frizzy hair with split ends and color fade. To combat the majority of these problems, make sure your hair stays hydrated by not washing too frequently, and moisturizing your hair with deep conditioners and protecting it from heat damage. In conclusion, it’s vital to enjoy yourself all season long with beautiful, shiny hair with these tips to keep dehydrated and frizzy hair at bay. Embrace simplicity by letting your hair dry naturally and enjoy your summer hair. Stay connected with Bearfruit Basics by following us on instagram and signing up for our newsletter!

The post Summer Hair and 10 Easy Tips How To Protect It appeared first on Bearfruit Basics | Simple Christian Living.