Summer is here! The bitter cold temperatures of this past winter will soon be a distant memory as the days get longer and warmer. So what can you do to take advantage of these longer, warmer days? Our family loves to be outside. My kids would spend entire days outside if I let them. They love riding their bikes, going on walks, and just running around in the sun. But there are so many more family activities you can do outside! And many of them are free. Here's our 20 favorite Family Fun Outdoor Activities! ...Read More
Beyond Baking Soda: Natural Ways to Wash Hair (Part 2 of 4)
Did you know that there are natural ways to wash hair? There are many natural alternatives to shampoo for you to try. What’s the purpose of washing your hair? Most people would answer with something along the lines of getting your hair clean. What you need to wash out depends on what you put in throughout the day. In part 1 of this series, we talked about why harsh shampoos and silicone based products are bad for your hair. Go back and read the first post if you missed it! This week, we’re discussing shampoo alternatives and some awesome natural ways to wash hair. For most people, a daily shower is needed to remove ...Read More
Heavenly Blueberry Coconut Coffee Cake
Yes, you can have a heavenly piece of blueberry coffee cake and still be walking the healthy-eating walk. What's more, you can enjoy it, even when baked with coconut flour! I know many people have avoided baking with coconut flour because the results can end "eggy" tasting or too dry. The texture can be like "cardboard" and it can be a pain to work with. So let me relieve some of your worries by giving you a great recipe that's sure to turn out (and few tips too). Looking for more gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked ...Read More
My Family’s Summer Bucket List: 21 Fun Activities
The first day of summer is technically June 21st, but here at the Gilkerson home we've already entered summer mode. Yeah baby! Time to open the pool and get some vitamin D therapy. I greatly enjoy our more relaxed summer schedule. The boys stay up later and sleep in later. We don't have as many weekly evening obligations. We don't school through the summer. It's a much more relaxed time of playing and having fun with my boys. Every year I say, "Oh, in the summer I'm going to do X, Y, and Z," and it seems that most years there are several between A to Z on my list that slip through the cracks. It's not that we don't ...Read More
No-Poo? What? A Beginner’s Guide to Natural Hair Care (Part 1 of 4)
I first heard about natural hair care on a healthy living website about 6 years ago. I tried washing my hair with just baking soda and vinegar for about a week. It was an absolute disaster! I tried again a few years later using a different method with great success. I have not used shampoo on my hair in almost 4 years and usually only wash my hair once a week. My hair is the healthiest it’s ever been, I’m not using harsh chemicals, and my hair care budget is pretty low. I've tried just about every natural hair care method and recipe out there. In this series we will walk through all the elements of natural hair ...Read More
Homeschoolers and the “S” Word (Socialization)
It is probably the most common question asked by people who have never met a homeschooler or by people who are interested in homeschooling. “But what about my child’s socialization?” “Will they ever interact with peers their own age?” “Will my child have friends?” “Won’t their social skills suffer from being home all the time?” Today I want to share with you why socialization should not intimidate you from homeschooling your children. Your children really will turn out okay! After all, I did, and I am a homeschool graduate! I was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade, beginning in the late 80’s. My ...Read More
{DIY} Father’s Day Gift Ideas
When my husband and I got married, we decided that money would not be spent on frivolous gifts - even for birthdays and anniversaries. We often make each other cards or write each other notes in lieu of spending money. Now when it comes to the kids, they always enjoy making cards, drawing pictures and creating anything special for their Daddy. So each year around Father's Day, I scour the internet in search of some fun, cute and easy DIY gifts. Here are some of my favorites. Coloring Pages and Painting 1. Design-Your-Own Tie for Dad 2. Have you ever made your own mugs? Let the kids decorate a mug from the ...Read More
No-Brown Creamy Guacamole
This is my favorite no-brown creamy guacamole recipe. These tips will keep your guacamole from getting brown too quickly. And if you love creamy guacamole like me, this recipe will make you very happy. I love avocados. Not only are they a great source of healthy fats and vitamins, they're also delish. Avocados are perfect on burgers, chopped up in salads, and of course a bacon avocado salad is simply divine. But I can't help but think guacamole whenever I have a perfectly ripe, ready to use avocado. Health Benefits of Creamy Guacamole Avocados aren't just a tasty fruit though, they're also a powerhouse ...Read More