COCONUT OIL FOR $5 with this coupon code...

Coconut oil is hands down one of my favorite products of all time. It has so many uses! You can find coconut oil at lots of places now, but liquid coconut oil is still a bit hard to find. They have it Whole Foods and online. I have a special offer to share with you gals! You can get COCONUT OIL FOR $5 online with the code below.

If you don't already know, Coconut Oil is naturally AMAZING! Here are my top 10 favorite every day uses (and the most common ones) for coconut oil around our house...


1. Oil for cooking- gives food a subtle, but great flavor! Very good for you! A nice, flavorful change from EVOO...

2. Skin moisturizer - Works just as well as any moisturizing product out there, and only has ONE ingredient. Smells great too!

3. Base for essential oil dilution - Into aromatherapy or natural, medicinal uses for essential oils? Try using coconut oil as your carrier oil! I diffuse coconut oil and lavender oil in my daughter's room (and our room) frequently. It is also my base for diluting other oils and using them for various things around the house.

4. "Mouthwash" and for oil pulling - It has natural antiseptic and disinfecting properties. This stuff kills mouth bacteria and naturally whitens teeth. I did my own month long story on it along with my dentist. I saw big time results. My teeth turned 2 shades whiter in 30 days and my mouth bacteria improved by 20%!

5. Shave gel - Why buy shave gel? It contains a bunch of toxic chemicals...I can just use coconut oil and my legs are nice and smooth afterwards.

6. Bath and shower gel - I LOVE BATHS. I really don't use bubble bath anymore. I pour liquid coconut oil into the tub with hot water, and my skin feels amazing afterwards! Sometimes I drop some lavender oil in there too....(I guess I really love lavender oil too!)

7. Coffee "creamer" -  I don't use milk or half and half, or butter...I just put 1 tsp of this in my coffee or tea, and it becomes silky and smooth, It also adds flavor. It sweetens it a bit too. You don't even need sweetener!

8. Hair conditioner - Coconut oil treatment on my ends for 10 minutes works just as well as the $25 power dose of conditioner from the hair salon!

9. Eye Makeup remover - No need to buy anything else. It really takes off mascara - even waterproof mascara!

10. Formula Additive - I make homemade formula for my little one, because I am supplementing in addition to breastfeeding and pumping. Most commercial formulas contain rancid vegetable oils, but my homemade baby formula contains coconut oil! OF COURSE!

You can spray coconut oil out into your pan on the stove or onto your skin. I keep some on a little glass spray bottle like this...

Coconut Oil is a quality product, but it's not cheap. I have paid $14 for coconut oil before in stores. But I have a better deal for you! Keep reading...

I am an Ambassador for Radha Beauty and they have a fabulous product that I use all the time. It is the 100 % Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil - available for only $5 on Amazon! This is a special deal for my readers. Go to the link below and type in the promo code RCOCONUT at checkout to get 16 oz. for just $5! What a steal! 

Go here- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TKPGHDK

If you ever have questions, you can always email me! kellygers@gmail.com

HAVE A BLESSED EASTER!

It's Tea Time!

I have been drinking more hot tea lately. I have been essentially caffeine free for 4 years now, and I only have a cup of decaf coffee 3 x a week, (which contains 2-9 mg of caffeine) vs. a regular cup of coffee's (90-129 mg of caffeine.) Many teas are naturally caffeine free. I am drinking Mother's Milk tea to boost my milk supply, and also dandelion root tea lately.

Dandelion Root Tea has countless benefits and tastes delicious too. Here are some of them:

Benefits:

Dandelion acts as a digestive aid in that it is a mild laxative. It is also a diuretic in that it helps the kidneys flush out excess water, salt and waste. Dandelion also improves liver function by removing toxins. It increases urination, which then lowers blood pressure. This amazing plant also contains fatty acids that reduces inflammation all over the body.

Right now, I have wrist injury, so I am drinking dandelion root tea to help reduce the inflammation. It also helps my bowels stay regular.

Dandelion isn't a pesky weed. It is a beautiful flower and food with lots of healing properties!

My preferred Dandelion Root Tea brand is Kiss Me Organics. This tea contains zero calories, is naturally caffeine free, Vegan and Non-GMO.  It also contains Hibiscus and Cinnamon. It tastes great and calms the soul. It does the body good.  You should really try it!

You can order the Dandelion Root Tea here...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFYLN18

The Perfect Probiotic

I'll never be able to adequately explain the trauma my tummy, colon and digestive system went through after having my baby. I am sure many, if not most, of you Moms out there have experienced something similar.

For a week after delivery, I couldn't go to the bathroom. After I finally did, it was weeks before those body systems felt regular again. It was an absolute nightmare. I could write a whole book on "My First Poo" alone! Anyhow, both my Doctor and my Doula told me to take a probiotic to get some digestive regularity back in my life. This is the one I have been taking for a few months, and I am proud to say I am pleased with my bowel movements.

It is the PRO-15 Probiotic by Hyperbiotics. It contains kiwi extract, which is a powerful superfruit ingredient that assists the strains of good bacteria to colonize and work quickly in the intestinal tract, nipping digestive issues in the bud right away! (Thank Goodness!)

This probiotic also contains 100 % natural ingredients, you don't have to refrigerate it, and you only have to take it once daily. Some probiotics must be refrigerated, which becomes inconvenient when travelling or on the go...

You can read more about the company, Hyperbiotics here...

http://hyperbiotics.com/

Why should you take a probiotic? Our bodies are full of bacteria, both good and bad. Taking a probiotic can lower the amount of bad bacteria in the body. They can also replace the good bacteria, if some were killed off after taking an antibiotic. They can help regulate digestive issues in the gut. They can also help balance good and bad bacteria. Probiotics, most importantly, in my opinion, help move food through your gut. And who doesn't want to feel cleaned out regularly? I DO!

Probiotics are often recommended hand in hand with pre-natal vitamins during and after pregnancy. It's a really good idea to take one. Probiotics have been found to also improve other ailments or issues in various body systems including skin conditions, vaginal health, oral health and allergy issues.

This product has benefited me greatly. My bowel movements are substantial and I feel great! I have not experienced acne like I did during pregnancy. Additionally, I really suffer from seasonal allergies. I can't take a decongestant like Zyrtec right now, because it will dry up my milk supply. So I even think, this product has helped my allergy issues a bit. Lastly, I have lost weight at a rate I am happy with. I am feeling like myself again, now 3 months post- partum. I have 7 lbs. left to lose, and I am fitting some of my pre-pregnancy clothes. I firmly believe this probiotic paired with a healthy diet and regularly exercise is a triple threat!

You can order it on amazon here...

http://www.amazon.com/PRO-15-Recommended-Supplement-Technology-Probiotics/dp/B00JEKYNZA

First Night Away From Baby Girl...

This past weekend, My husband and I took our first overnight getaway together. We had a purpose. We needed a little break! AND we had a wedding to attend in Austin, Texas.  Just a 3 hour drive from where we live in Houston, this is a spot we used to frequently visit for quick weekend trips.

We departed at noon on Saturday and dropped Grace off with my pregnant sister, her husband, and her 3 kids. I knew my 9 year old niece, Anna, would be a tremendous help with babysitting. I felt organized and confident as I left Gracie in the care of the most competent mother I know, along with just one bag for overnight, and the diaper bag, Bumbo chair and her egg, which is actually called a SnuggleNest Sleeper Surround. I brought all her milks and a checklist I made that would ensure I would leave with everything I had brought. This list would help me to look super organized, too! I was proud of myself that I hadn't brought too much. Ha!

So then we left! Charlie and I traveled for a few hours on the way to Austin that afternoon. Guilt hadn't hit me too badly; I only cried once on the drive over...We stopped for jerky and apples like old times, and jammed some good old country music. We arrived at our hotel and hustled to get ready for the wedding that evening. It felt great to wash and blow dry my hair! Of the 2 choices I had brought, I put on the dress that looked the most flattering, and that was most appropriate for this lovely Austin-esque wedding. I knew there would be an element of causality to the wedding, so, I chose the neutral beige cotton dress. I wore heels not flats though, so that was a nice change.

We enjoyed the venue and the lovely occasion..The food was delicious, and the company was great too! I drank a beer and so Charlie had a few.  I ran to the truck once to pump, and stared at photos and videos of Grace. I was really missing baby girl by then, but my sister had provided me with a great Facebook update and several photos, reassuring me Gracie was having a nice time with her cousins. I was feeling pretty good.

We both grew tired around 8:30 pm. Ha! (Of course...#old)  We decided to hit up one other place then head back to our hotel. So we went to a Mexican food joint around 9 pm, shared a margarita, ate a second dinner, and talked about Gracie and some other things too, like life, our marriage, a second kid, people we know, etc. It was some really nice, interrupted quality time that we really needed together. Our plan for the next day was to have a nice brunch the next morning, enjoy a hike or maybe even some stand up paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake, and then head to pick up Grace around noon for a 3 pm arrival. My sister had planned to take my daughter with her to church, then to lunch with them. It occurred to me Saturday night, that at this point, Grace might be wondering where Mom and Dad were. I felt a little sad.

The next morning (Sunday,) I woke up around 6:45 am and made the executive decision to forgo further out of town activities, and head back to get my baby girl. as soon as possible. I wanted to race home, nurse her, hold her, touch her sweet big head, tickle her toes, watch her laugh, and hug her so tight! This being away stuff is not for amateurs. It's rough! It's worrisome! And it makes you feel guilty! I started counting down the hours, then minutes, til I would see her. I'm sure my husband was annoyed with my updates, "Only 2 hours to go!"  "Only 30 more minutes!"

Then, that moment we arrived at my sisters house to pick her up, (10 am,) I saw that sweet face, she was almost in tears and ready to eat...My sister had just heated her bottle. Grace saw me,  smiled, then burst into tears, which sounds like something I'd do. I grabbed her, held her close, then fed that sweet, hungry angel. I love her so much. I'd missed her terribly!  But, I'd made it 22 hours. I did great! I felt proud of myself for making it that long, without feeling too guilty for leaving.

This is love, people, deeper that the world's many vast oceans, stronger then hurricane force winds, and more tender than a perfectly prepared Wagyu steak. I now believe my Mom, all the times she's said, "You'll never understand how much I love you, til you have a child of your own."

Sunday afternoon we played together, napped together, I dressed her up like my little living doll and took her picture. We had a blast. 

 

I love my Gracie so much and I can definitely wait to leave her again.

The Simple Beauty of my Daughter, Grace

This blog post isn't about how to save money, or how to take advantage of a special offer. It isn't about how to eat clean or a good workout to try. It's about simple beauty of my daughter, Grace. How quickly 3 months has flown by. Indeed, it's true...

You're looking at her one moment, and then you look up the next, and she's a month older. Sweet Gracie Lou is almost 3 months old and we are going away for the first time this weekend. It's for a wedding, and we will be gone just one night. Grace will be staying with my sister and her family. She will get to hang out with her cousins. 

I've been excited to get away, have a drink, have a little fun, and sleep in just a little bit, but I know the feeling I have when I'm gone from her for four or five hours, so I can't even imagine how it will feel being gone from her for over 24 hours! 

My Grace is such a pretty little girl. She has my laughing eyes, her Dad's half smile and his lips. She's got my hands, Daddy's feet, Grandma's legs and an angel's heart. Her skin is so lovely and her little head so edible. I could just gobble her up! 

Holding her is the answer to my daily prayers. She loves to be held and I love how she needs me. Gracie has excellent head and neck control. She can sit up in her Bumbo chair pretty well. She loves to press out her legs, stand, and dance.  She squawks a lot! Little girl loves her voice and tries so hard to use it! I think this child will talk early. 

When she's playing on her activity mat, you can tell she wants so badly to move around and crawl. She can roll too! She's a passionate eater and a deep sleeper. She likes the doggies and LOVES her big tall Giraffe, George, in her room. 

She is the love of my life, the pep in my step, my all and my everything. 

It's hard to believe she's my daughter. What a miracle two people can create with God's help! 

That smile lights up my life every time I see it. She's the biggest blessing and I love her so very much! I think I tell her I love her 50 times a day. My heart fills with joy just thinking of her. 

Even when life seems too busy and stressful, she makes the hardest job on the Earth, the best one in the Universe. This morning, I'm sure feeling like a happy, thankful, blessed Mommy. 

Stay flexible! Because life throws curve balls like EVERY DAY!

It's important to stay flexible, Mamas,  and I don't mean bend over and touch your toes! 

I mean 'stay flexible' as in don't be rigid and robotic about a feeding schedule or a sleep schedule, etc. Even though some of those things have worked pretty well for us, every baby is different, and not all babies will be eating every three hours and sleeping through the night at 8 weeks old. 

Here's the reality of life. Not every baby will drink breast milk all the time either.  And that's ok. Millions of babies are formula fed and go on to be as healthy and as productive as Breast-fed babies.  Duh! In fact, I read the other day that there isn't a whole heck of a lot of research proving breast milk is so much better. 

However, I'm a big fan of breast feeding. Not like psycho Le Leche League 'scorn you if you don't do it' fan of breast-feeding, but I do believe it's the best nutrition for babies. Its also highly dependent on the mom's diet. So if Mom eats junk, their Breast milk content is kind of junky as well! I also believe, and KNOW that some Moms just can't breastfeed for a myriad of reasons, or decide not to.  Maybe they adopted a child, or just struggled with breastfeeding so much that they moved on...After all, breastfeeding hurts at first, it's awkward in public, and when you're a working Mom, it's hard to keep up with pumping! 

Also, don't freak out if you're baby won't stick to a schedule or isn't sleeping through the night yet...

All babies are different and so are all families and households. I think Babywise is a fantastic book to read, but not all people agree. 

My point is, I think Moms just need to stay flexible. I had never planned on using formula! But there I stood, in the Doctor's office with a growing baby in the 16th percentile for her weight, being told to supplement with formula to get baby girl some extra calories. I really do shudder at the thought of the ingredients of commercial formulas. I cannot lie about that.  I've been making my own batches of homemade baby formula, which makes me feel slightly better, all the while searching for a Soy free brand, (ain't gonna happen in America! Sorry, ladies. The only Soy free brand is manufactured in New Zealand, but does ship to the US for a small fortune.)  here's the link...

http://www.littleorganics.com.au/products/126-holle-organic-infant-formula-1-from-birth.aspx

Check out these websites for more formation on making your own baby formula. Be sure to consult with your provide first though! 

http://nourishingjoy.com/homemade-infant-formula/

http://www.westonaprice.org/beginner-videos/baby-formula-video-by-sarah-pope-2/

I'll be posting more next week on this topic...

But back to the subject at hand, we do what we can and our babies are thriving anyway. I mean, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...like when you're trying to pay out at the grocery store and Poor Baby is screaming her head off, sometimes you gotta just pop open that ready to go formula bottle of Similac and stick it in the little one's mouth to hush her up so people won't hate you! 

Like my older post stated, about staying flexible with your 'birth plan,' (http://www.fitthriftymom.blogspot.com/2015/01/you-told-me-so.html?m=1) I think it's also important to stay flexible with your plan for feeding your child, caring for your child, and raising it in general, etc. Don't beat yourself up if your plans or thoughts on somethings change. It's ok! 

Here's another good example: My husband and I had previously decided, before Grace was born, that we would have a nanny come to the house to care for our daughter while she's so young. And now we are researching day care! See? (Although it still makes me feel better to say 'infant program at a church pre-school.  Ha! Get over it, self!) Things can change at any moment. Just take a deep breath, go with the flow, and be open to doing whatever you've got to do. 

You've got to stay flexible, and you have to make your life work, with the baby now in the mix. 

Moms, this post wasn't for you all as much as it was a kind reminder to myself not not beat myself up. Ha! 

Stay flexible, my friends! Having a baby and bringing it up in this world is an ever-changing journey full of new information, exciting experiences and developments everyday.  Cherish every decision and each milestone, because everyone says how quickly time flies! Most importantly, love your little darling with all your heart. That's what matters most...Not what they ate, or when they ate it, when they slept or who changed their diapers today. 

And give yourself a pat on the back RIGHT NOW, because you're doing a great job! 

Shedding for their wedding...and summer!

Today I decided to pull out all my size 4 cool racer back work out tops from lululemon athletica. I said to myself, "Oh what the heck. I'm wearing this!" I probably should not have gone with the stripes, but oh well, the print is just too cute! 

I'm 12 weeks post partum and I have 8 lbs left to lose. I'm working out and eating pretty good. I'm feeling pretty good-like I'm getting there, but naturally not totally confident about this post-baby body.  Kale salad is my new go-to daily favorite. You can of course, make them yourself or for you Texas Ladies, grab one to go at Snap Kitchen locations or other fresh food stores selling to go meals. I just add shredded carrots, grape tomatoes and sliced almonds to a big bowl of kale. Then I add my own homemade healthy dressing: EVOO, lemon juice, chopped garlic and black pepper. 

My friends keep saying be patient with the weight loss, but the weather is going to warm up and stay that way, and I'm ready to get my former body back. My goal was to look good by our friends Vic and Katie's wedding. That's April 18th! These are our friends pictured below...

Slowly but surely, I've lost pounds and inches. I'm really not doing many ab exercises like crunches or sit ups, but every CrossFit workout is pretty much a full body workout, so my abs get passively worked.  

Starting this week, I'm really going to work on abdominal exercises though, because I've lost strength in that area, and my tummy looks like hell too! After all, it really really stretched a lot and housed a human for the greater part of last year. 

Also, my husband and I started a 60 day clean eating challenge last week on Wednesday. I've been eating lean meats like chicken and fish for protein, and TONS of raw and cooked greens and veggies, (like my poop is green!) Anytime I crave something sweet, I grab a Lara bar. Those are made with nuts, dates and fruits and they are Paleo! Every other day, in addition to my 4 egg/2 bacon breakfast, I have oatmeal to boost my milk supply.  

I'm going mostly grain free (aside from the oatmeal) and dairy free too. I'm drinking tons of water and breastfeeding and pumping  my tail off. A mother's breast milk content is directly related to her diet, so I'm really trying to give little girl the best! 

I'm still terrified to get into a bathingsuit, but that moment is coming. It's right around the corner and I'm going to work HARD for it!