Foods 
It might seem silly to write an article about gluten free spices, since on their own, individual herbs and spices do not naturally contain gluten. When my family first went gluten-free, I didn't bother to check my spice cabinet. However, I soon found out that it was booby trapped! Many companies are tempted to add anti-caking ingredients when they make spice blends. This includes gluten products or by-products. Unfortunately, you can't take for granted that you're consuming gluten free spices! Are you looking for more tips for going gluten free? I’ve gathered them all together in this Everything Gluten Free ...Read More
7 Things Your Teen Needs to Know About God
My oldest daughter is almost fifteen. I'm not sure how that's possible since I would've sworn she was a newborn in my arms just last month. But alas, one look in the mirror at my own reflection confirms that time has indeed passed and we are both getting older. There are things I know my teen needs to know about God before it's time to launch her into the world. As I ponder how to make the most of these last couple of years with her at home, I've been wondering: What conversations do I need to have with her? What truths are more important than any other to relate? What lessons are the most crucial to ...Read More
Pregnant without Health Insurance: How I Saved Thousands
"Fill out these forms and I'll need your drivers license and health insurance cards." I told the receptionist, "I don't have health insurance"—and noticed her raised eyebrows. But I quickly followed up with, "But I am part of a health sharing plan, so the bills won't be a problem." She looked skeptical, but nodded. Through my pregnancy, every time I had to tell someone I didn't have health insurance, I was a little worried at what they'd say...what they'd think. It was my first pregnancy with no health insurance, and truth be told, I was also a little worried about the bills. At first. While we'd had ...Read More
23 DIY Projects for Your Garden
Gardening is like any other hobby or life skill, it can get expensive as you buy equipment and tools. To help your garden budget, I've assembled some great DIY projects for gardeners who are willing to put some time out to save some money. Some of these projects can be made with reclaimed lumber (check Craigslist) or other items you may have around already. Others will require you to pick up some supplies. How you prioritize your DIY projects is up to you, but I do hope you find at least one that will make your gardening life a little easier. ...Read More
Homeschooling Copywork Using Great Literature Broadens Minds
I love using copywork in our classroom because it’s such a powerful teaching tool. I’ve found it has numerous benefits that reach far beyond just learning to write neatly. Today I'm going to share some tips for copywork using great literature. (To learn more about copywork read What is Copywork? And why it’s the missing piece in your homeschool day!) One of the great things about copywork is how it lends itself to broadening a child’s world. Through copywork, beautiful works of literature are available to a child in a way that’s more easily consumed and understood. It’s one thing for a child to sit down and ...Read More
Your Wife and the Essential Oil Craze (a letter to skeptical husbands)
I remember the first time I walked into our local "health food" store. I felt a bit like an unclean pagan walking into a holy hippie temple. Surrounded by little boxes of organic herbal teas, agave fiber scrape cloths, and homeopathic pellets made of albatross, I just prayed to the heathen gods that the beatnik priestess behind the cash register didn't smell the McDonald's fries on my breath. And then there was the wall of oils. Check that. The walls (plural) of oils. None of it made much sense to me. Then, some time later, my wife was diagnosed with Lyme disease. And I'm not talking about the ...Read More
How to Get Your Husband on Board with Essential Oils
Hands-down, one of the questions I get asked the most is: how do you get your husband on board with essential oils? Now, I admittedly have a very supportive husband. I was the skeptical one. And when I finally got to the point where I was ready to dive in, he trusted my judgement that these little bottles of oily goodness were worth the investment. But I get it: if you're reading this article, your husband may not be on board with your desire to try or buy essential oils. Learn more about my favorite essential oils in this post. 4 Steps to Helping Your Husband Understand Your Love of Essential ...Read More
Is “Self-Esteem” Biblical? (a parent’s guide to doing it right)
What comes to your mind when you hear the term "self-esteem"? Given the emphasis on self-esteem in today's culture, maybe you think of catchphrases like "Believe in yourself" or "Follow your heart." While mottos like these are spoken with the best of intentions, aimed to build up the self-esteem of the hearer, they aren't at all biblical according to Scriptures like Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Galatians 6:14. In fact, the term “self-esteem” has become taboo in some Christian circles, as Christ-followers rightly resist a secular worldview. But since self-esteem is the perception of one's own worth, is ...Read More
