I’m excited to share this list of breastfeeding essentials with you. I’ve been successfully breastfeeding my son for 7 months now. Now, I’ll be honest, it took A LOT of trial and error for me to confidently feel like I knew everything I needed to successfully breastfeed and pump.

In the first few weeks, I found myself relying heavily on my husband to grab items I inevitably forgot when trying to get Baby Boy to latch. I FINALLY got the hang of breastfeeding about four weeks into the process!

I shared some of my breastfeeding tips in a previous post that was crucial to my successful breastfeeding journey. Below are breastfeeding essentials to make your breastfeeding journey at home and at work a breeze.

This post is all about Breastfeeding Essentials First Time Moms Need

Breastfeeding Essentials At Home

Comfy Rocking Chair

You will find yourself in this chair a lot! You might as well make sure it’s comfortable.

If you’re wondering which items to splurge on and which you can go generic, I’d say the comfy chair is a splurge item because of the amount of use it will get.

Your baby will be waking up every two hours to nurse and you will be exhausted during those night feedings. Having a supportive and comfortable chair will make a huge difference.

My kids are now two and four and we still use these rocking chairs! They’re petite in size and fit well in the nursery. What I love about this chair most is that it is comfortable while also being sturdy and supportive. The chair is classic and simple, making it go with any nursery decor.

Nursing Cover

I love these nursing covers! I would use them in person when nursing, but I’d also use them when people came over and I was nursing. During those first few weeks, Baby Boy was eating ALL the time.

Instead of leaving the room each time, I’d just use these nursing covers to feed him privately while still getting some much-needed adult interaction with visitors. They also work great as car seat covers!

Haaka

Bless the friend who gifted this item to me! I had no idea what this was before a dear friend of mine bought me one as a gift. Talk about a lifesaver! This is one of the best breastfeeding items I owned.

Leaking is inevitable and breastmilk is VALUABLE the haaka helps you collect breastmilk from one breast while nursing on the other. There’s a super helpful video on how it works. Or you can check out my blog post on the top 11 baby items you need before you bring your baby home.

Boppy

The boppy is an incredibly comfortable pillow that was definitely important to my breastfeeding essentials. This pillow is so good I had my mom go to my house and bring it to the hospital for me!

This will elevate your breastfeeding routine! The bobby makes it so much more comfortable to breastfeed, especially when you are just starting out. It also and helps you maintain good posture which your back will thank you for later.

Nipple Shields

Nipple shields are soft silicone pieces that are made to help moms with flat or inverted nipples as they adjust to their breastfeeding journey. If you’re having trouble getting a proper latch consistently, these are so helpful!

To be honest, I had no idea nipple shields existed before I started my breastfeeding journey, but they were so imperative to helping me get accustomed to breastfeeding and making sure my son was getting what he needed. One of the nurses gave them to me at the hospital and it was the first time I actually got a comfortable latch!

Overall, these nipple shields helped a lot with getting a pain-free latch and helping me understand what a proper latch looked like. I love that these are clear so it is easy to still see your nipple through them. You won’t need them forever! As your breasts adjust and you learn your baby you’ll no longer need them, but they’re perfect for first-time moms.

Nipple Cream

I won’t lie and say there is no pain with breastfeeding. It can be painful at first. I’m honest when I say it gets easier and less painful. Until then, use nipple cream! Check out this breastfeeding cream that helped me as I adjusted to becoming a first-time breastfeeding mom.

Burp Cloths

Protect your clothes from the inevitable spit-up. Make sure to have burp cloths and lots of them! There are so many cute variations of burp cloths you can get. I love these organic cotton burp cloths because they’re so incredibly soft aganist your baby’s skin.

Nursing Pads

Do not leave home with these! I kept them everywhere. In my purse, my night stand, my diaper caddy, at work, in my car. You won’t need them for your entire breastfeeding journey, but in the beginning you will definately need them. It is amazing that your body responds so well to you baby’s needs, but it also means you will have milk leaking through your shirt without nursing pads!

These resusable ones are comfortable and so easy to wash and use again. It’s less expensive than having to continously buy the disposable nursing pads. In addition, they don’t leave that weird sticky reside like the dipsoable nursing pads.

Storage Caddy

You’ll want several of these! I would highly suggest setting up stations around your home for the baby. We had a caddy downstairs in the living room, one upstairs in our bedroom, and one in his room.

These caddies had all the essentials in them so everything was in one place. The most important component of these caddies is keeping them stocked! They will be completely useless and empty so make it a priority to help your future self by keeping these caddies close by and full of your breastfeeding essentials.

Items in our caddy included

• a change of clothes
• extra diapers
• burp cloths
• wipes
• nipple cream
• nipple shields
• a receiving blanket
• nursing pads

Snack and Water

According to research, a breastfeeding momma should keep water nearby to drink after each breastfeeding session. Breastfeeding momma’s should also consume about 300 to 400 additional calories a day! Try to always keep snacks and water next to you to keep your breastmilk flowing and keep your energy up!

Check out one of my most popular posts on 10 superfoods guarenteed to increase milk supply (with meal ideas!)

I hope you enjoyed this post all about breastfeeding essential for the first time mom!

Did I miss any breastfeeding essentials? Let me know with a comment!

Related Posts:

• Everything You Need To Prepare For Breastfeeding at Work
• Are you making these breastfeeding mistakes?
• 11 Best Inexpensive Eco Friendly Baby Gift Ideas Every Parent Will Love

Like many of you out there, Christmas is my favorite season. Can you name another holiday that has a slew of traditional songs dedicated to its celebration? I think not!

My radio is tuned into everything Christmas starting the third week of November, regardless of when Thanksgiving decides to arrive.

Christmas creates a feeling of hope, excitement, warmth, generosity, and happiness.  Part of the magic of Christmas is the anticipation of all of the things to come. For me, that means family holiday traditions. 

The family holiday traditions suggested in this blog are from my blended family – my inlaws, my parents, and of course, my family. The purpose of these family holiday traditions is to build on the excitement of Christmas and create memorable family moments to look forward to year after year.

Here are 9 family holiday traditions you need to start right now!

1. Advent Calendar

The word Advent means coming in Latin. This symbolizes Jesus coming into the world.

Advent calendars are a great reminder of the reason for the season, but also an awesome way to gear up the excitement for Christmas day.

Each year we have at least two advent calendars. One for fun and one to eat!

This one is fun because you get a different book each night. The kids get excited to find the number that correlates with the date and anticipate which book they’ll choose! Believe it or not, it actually helps with bedtime because they’re excited to see which book they will choose.

These go fast! Don’t wait to order. It is perfect for kids and is such a fun tradition every day leading up to Christmas. I love reading our advent calendar storybook to our son before bed each night.

This advent calendar is the one we eat! I’ll be honest, I let the kids get one every morning once they wake up. Having them wait all day for the one piece of chocolate did not work well in our house. Instead every morning they wake up and look for their elf and choose their piece of chocolate.

And if you’re looking for yet another advent calendar variation for your family holiday tradition, check out these printable advent calendar coloring pages on my Etsy shop. These are incredibly inexpensive and DIY! My daughter is still too young for school so while my son is in school, I do these coloring pages with my daughter every day in December!

2. Elf on the Shelf

You’re either an Elf on the Shelf lover or the elves are not welcomed in your household. I’ve found that most parents have a very strong opinion, one way or the other, about Elf on the Shelf. Personally, I love it! Don’t get me wrong, it is difficult to remember to move that thing on top of everything else you have going on, but they’re so much fun.

To make it easier, plan out how you want to move your elf BEFORE the month of December. That way you can make sure you have any extra supplies you need and have a game plan ahead of time. This should remove some of the stress and make it easier to remember to move your elf. Even if I forget, I have my little sheet to know exactly what to do on each day. I use this FREE Elf on the Shelf Checklist. Download it here.

We purchased this brown-boy Elf on the Shelf! We were so excited to find an elf on the shelf that my son can identify with. You can purchase one here.

Elf On The Shelf Boy

Elf On The Shelf Girl

3. Christmas Eve Dinner

Enjoy a nice meal on Christmas Eve before Santa comes!

Whether you invite your extended family or you decide to have dinner with your immediate family, sit down together for a good meal.

Why? Because Christmas is much more than the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and receiving gifts. Christmas is also about family. After dinner, everyone can go to bed full, in good spirits, and even more excited for the next day. I know what you’re thinking…cooking another meal for the holidays!? Don’t feel like you have to cook a big meal! You can order takeout, have a potluck, or have a fun-themed dinner (surf and turf, make your own pizza, breakfast for dinner, etc.).

If you’re unable to gather with your family because of social distancing or family being out of town, take the family gathering to Zoom! Pick a time to have the entire family sit down and eat dinner together.

4. Christmas Eve PJs + “one more thing”

Christmas PJs are a must. The family holiday tradition I have created over the years is Christmas PJs + “one more thing”.

Here are the PJs I’m so excited about for on Christmas Eve!

One more thing is something small that can engage the whole family or at least keep everyone entertained as they await Christmas day.

Here are some ideas for “one more thing”:

“One more thing” ideas for my husband:

• a nice bottle of wine or liquor
• board/card game
• book/audiobook
• cookbook

“One more thing” ideas for kids:

• a coloring book
• an activity book
• a puzzle
• legos
• play dough
• board games
• crafts
• a tonie character
• ink books

Related Posts: Simplified Christmas: Ideas For A Minimal Christmas Gift Exchange

5. Holiday Lights

Nothing gets me in the spirit more than viewing the holiday lights during Christmas time. Young or old, infant or elder – going to see the lights is appropriate for everyone. We usually visit our local botanical gardens lights, but we’ve also been known to walk (or drive) around the neighborhood to view lights for free!

6. Secret Santa

FREE Santa’s Helper Packet

Are you prepared for Christmas? Download the FREE Christmas Bundle and make sure you’re all set for Christmas Day!

YES! Send my Christmas Gift List Tracker!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

While sometimes difficult to coordinate, Secret Santa is a must!

We have so much fun with Secret Santa. We play the traditional way. On Thanksgiving, we set a price limit, pull names, and our Secret Santa is revealed on Christmas Day.

I have been known to group text my wish list just to spark ideas, but that is totally optional!

7. Clean for Claus

My mom started this family holiday tradition when my brother and I were younger. “Santa won’t bring you new toys if your old toys are all over your room,” she would say.

That was enough to motivate my brother and me to make sure our room was always cleaned before Christmas Day.

Even now, as an adult, I make sure the house is cleaned before Christmas. After all, you can’t bring in new things if you’re not taking care of what you have!

Pro Tip: This can be extended to include a deep clean with decluttering and a donation of old items to a local church or consignment store.

8. Christmas Day Games

Our annual gingerbread house competition is a family holiday tradition for us!

There are teams, a timer, judges, and a presentation. It’s a serious competition and so much fun!

Gingerbread houses aren’t your thing? There are a ton of other holiday games you can try or go traditional. The idea is to gather the family together for some quality time. Have some fun competition with these Christmas activities below! There are over 17 pages of interactive games for the whole family!

9. Quality Time

For some families, the holidays is all about hustle and bustle.

Incorporate the family holiday tradition of being intentional about quality time with your family on Christmas Day.

It is easy to get caught up in the day or to watch each of the kids go into their own separate spaces to enjoy their gifts from Santa, but remember Christmas is not just about giving and receiving, it is also about love.

Your children will forget the new toys they got and definitely be asking for something new in the next few weeks, but the quality time is unforgettable.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post all about family holiday traditions!

Let me know if you will try any of these suggestions! Do you have any family holiday traditions of your own? I’d love to hear about them!

Related Posts:

• Simplified Christmas: Ideas For A Minimal Christmas Gift Exchange
• 16 Best Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers Everyone Will Love For Christmas {All Under $50}
• Top 23 Items You Need To Know About Right Now For Your Eco Friendly Christmas Gifts

Currently, the United States is projected to hold about $21 trillion in debt. And, although no one could have predicted something as catastrophic as the Coronavirus impacting the world, the problem is only getting worse as it continues. This debt number is projected to increase to at least $32 trillion by 2030.

This blog post is all about how to plan a family budget.

Understanding Spending Habits

So, not only is our government in debt but we, as Americans, are in debt ourselves. This is only being passed on from generation to generation! Initially, I believed I was alone in my struggles with debt, but as a working mom, it is important to understand debt is a serious obstacle facing 87% of American families who are attempting to attain financial success.

Most U.S. households have the same major spending categories. Depending on your circumstances and stage in life, however, you may be spending a ton more on childcare, college tuition, or healthcare. Something that may not come as a surprise is that life often throws unexpected expenses at us, which makes saving for them difficult.

A Federal Reserve survey of household finances indicates that over 40 percent of Americans could not cover an unexpected expense of $400 in case of an emergency, with cash, savings or a credit card charge that they could quickly pay off. Most of these unexpected expenses end up being charged to a credit card.

Understanding Credit Card Debt

The average American family carries a balance of between $7,000 and $10,000 on all their credit cards. Over $1,000 per family goes only to paying the interest each year. And that’s just the average–some people owe much more!

There are approximately 530,000 families turning to bankruptcy each year as the solution to their credit woes. Over 90 percent of Americans’ disposable incomes are being spent paying back debt. Currently, Americans collectively charge over $1 trillion every year on their credit cards and owe more than $500 billion in interest alone.

When you add credit card debt to the regular bills we all have to pay each month—which can tax anyone’s budget—this results in some bills going unpaid and others being paid late.

Even Celebrities Have Issues With Debt…

Did you know that in 2003, Mike Tyson was forced to file bankruptcy? With the media reporting that he was worth over $23 million.

Michael Jackson, the king of pop music, died in 2009 with over $400 million owed to creditors. The “Thriller” singer is said to have been a millionaire who lived the lifestyle of a billionaire.

What is common in both these real-life anecdotes? It tells us that you can still have financial problems even if you are earning millions of dollars.

If we adopted a mindset that forced us to prepare for the unexpected, things would be better for us. Anyone in any financial situation can do this, especially working moms.

How to Build A Family Budget:

How can you prepare yourself and your family? By implementing a family budget. Anyone in any financial situation can do this, especially working moms.

50/30/20 rule:

One oft-used rule of thumb in budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule. Under this rule:

• Half of your income goes to necessities
• 30 percent of your income goes to splurges and fun
• 20 percent of your income goes to savings and investments

When creating your family budget, it’s easy to look at your expenses, like utilities, food, transportation, clothing, and entertainment, and start slashing. Although this budget may look good in theory and build savings quickly, you have to ask yourself the following: Will I be able to stick to it? What will it do to my quality of life? After all, splurges and fun are factored into this rule of budgeting at a higher percentage than savings and investments for a reason.

Even as a working mom, you can have a workable budget to help you guide your spending and build your savings while still enjoying your life. Unless you are in dire financial trouble, there’s no reason setting a budget should be painful.

So the question is, how do you prepare and stick to a family budget?

Steps to Preparing a Family Budget:

Step 1: Calculate your total family income.

You cannot prepare a family budget without knowing what your total monthly income is after taxes.

Step 2: Calculate your total family expenses and allocate them to ‘expense buckets’.

Next, analyze your purchases for the last month and consider which of them made no sense. By doing this, you can identify money you can save to allocate elsewhere.

Once you have a picture of where your money is going, it’s usually clear to see where you can make changes.

Step 3: Calculate the net difference.

Subtract all the typical monthly expenses from the family after-tax monthly income. If you have savings left at the end of the month, that means you are a net saver. You can skip to step 4 in this case.

If the family expenditure is more than the family income, figure out which of the expenses you can cut back on from step 2. Small sacrifices can add up to significant savings.

Step 4: Determine what to do with your savings.

You can use your monthly savings to pay off your debt, credit card bills or even establish an emergency fund to cover those unexpected expenses you now expect to happen.

Once you are in a place where you feel more comfortable then it is safe to invest some of your savings to generate dividends and capital gains which will increase your family’s wealth in the long run.

Realistic Budgeting Tips:

Many families successfully create a monthly budget for themselves to follow. But the majority of them fail at implementing it.

Some helpful techniques to stick to your family budget:

    1. Automate your savings. Every month, transfer a certain portion of your paycheck automatically from your checking to your savings account. The rule of thumb for withdrawing from your savings account should be only during emergencies.

    2. Use budgeting tools like mobile applications to keep track of your daily expenditures. Use your Saturdays and Sundays to call “family budget meetings” and discuss the weekly progress with your family.

    3. Start a savings competition with a family in a similar financial situation as you are in. Update each other about the progress you have made each week. The best results come out when you are competing with someone.

    4. Like in the case of a food diet, you can have a “cheat day” every month in which you and your family can enjoy. Fix the budget for that cheat day. Something like $200 in a day. It will depend on your income as well obviously. Remind your kids about the “cheat day” from time to time to make them look forward to something every month.

Conclusion

You should be aware of where your money is coming from and where it is going, at all times, because when you aren’t aware of that information, you are basically giving up control of your financial situation.

Even after creating a family budget, you’ll want to do routine check-ups to see if and where you can cut some unnecessary costs. Some may say that creating a budget is easier said than done. In truth, having an idea in mind of where you and your family currently stand will hopefully be the ultimate driving force in just how successful you all can be at implementing and sticking to a budget.

Sticking to your family budget is not as hard as it sounds. All you need is a little discipline, willpower, and some positive reinforcement that the family decides on to push you all, even on those hard days.

This blog was contributed by Asha Gilliam of Mommy Talks Podcast.

A short time ago, I was like the other 63% of U.S. parents, raising my kids without either of their dads in the home, living paycheck to paycheck to support my family. After a near-death experience, I realized if my sons became motherless they would be destined to endure the same financial struggles I had because of my conditioning. A series of events flipped my world upside down, it was during this time in my life that things became crystal clear to me. I realized that in order to learn how to have my money make money for me by investing in assets instead of liabilities, I had to figure out where my money was going.

Connect with Asha on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Youtube

I hope you enjoyed this blog post all about how to plan a family budget!

Related Posts:

• 19 Things You Should Stop Buying Right Now| Eco-Friendly Swaps That Save Me Money
• Affordable Kids Summer Essentials – Less Toxic and More Planet Friendly
• How Can People Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle? Here are Free Ways to Reduce Your Waste

I’ll be honest, I was always skeptical of black bean burgers. I didn’t think it would be possible to achieve a burger-like experience with anything other than meat.

BEHOLD!

This recipe is a combination of basic ingredients that pack a big flavor punch and will even have your carnivore friends asking for seconds.

It’s a big promise, but try this recipe and let me know if you agree!

This post is all about the best spicy black bean burgers!

Add beans, corn, rice, egg, onion, garlic, and jalapeno to your mixing bowl. Add seasoning as desired! My suggested seasonings are paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper, but you can use anything you would normally use to season a burger. For extra spicy burgers, feel free to add crushed red peppers or cayenne pepper!

Time to mash!

Use a potato masher to mash all the ingredients together. The corn doesn’t mash very well, but the beans, rice, and other ingredients should combine nicely. You’ll know you’ve mashed enough when your burger looks like a paste – check out the picture above.

Now, its time to add the breadcrumbs! Feel free to add more breadcrumbs than the amount suggested in the recipe. The more breadcrumbs, the more dense your burger will be.

Form your mixture into patties!

Pan fry in olive oil until both sides are nice and crispy. Don’t worry about cooking it through. Your objective is to get a nice crunchy crust on the top and bottom of the burger. Finish the burgers in the oven to make sure everything is warm throughout and the ingredients have combined nicely.

Add cheese and your favorite toppings and serve!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post all about spicy black bean burgers!

Related Posts:

• 50 Healthy, Gluten-Free Snack Ideas the Whole Family Will Love
• 11 Crazy Helpful Flexitarian Tips To Make Eating Less Meat Way Easier
• What is a flexitarian? Discovering 5 benefits of eating less meat

This post is all about breastfeeding foods guaranteed to increase your breastmilk supply!

Can certain breastfeeding foods really increase your breastmilk supply? 

In short, yes. There are certain foods that can lead to increasing your breastmilk supply. According to research, however, this link is more closely tied to having an overall balanced diet than it is tied to the exact food you consume.

This means the nutrition provided by the food is more important than the particular food itself. 

That being said, as a breastfeeding mom, you’re hungry and thirsty ALL THE TIME. It is extremely easy to not eat nutritious meals because you’re tired, exhausted, and need something quick. And, let’s be honest, as moms we often don’t even have full use of both our hands to cook meals because we’re busy with the baby and balancing a million other things. 

Regardless, we still need to maintain a healthy diet and eat foods that keep our breastmilk supply up.

Here are some food groups and meal ideas to help you get the nutrients you need to increase your breastmilk supply.

Here are the top 10 breastfeeding foods to help increase your breastmilk supply (source):

1. Whole Grains
2. Salmon and Sardines
3. Beef
4. Eggs
5. Leafy Green Vegetables
6. Sweet Potatoes
7. Legumes and Beans
8. Nuts and Seeds
9. Apricots and Dates
10. Yogurt

Keep in mind that each of these breastfeeding foods provides essential nutrients your body needs to maintain a good breastmilk supply. You may obtain the nutrients you need from other sources, not exclusive to this list.

For example, I am a flexitarian. Most of my meals do not include meat, however, I maintain my protein intake through other sources. Regardless of your type of diet, this is a great place to start if you are looking to increase breastmilk naturally or promote milk production. 

Please note I am not a doctor. I’m an eco-conscious, working mom sharing my personal breastfeeding experience and foods that have helped me!

1. Whole Grains

Benefits of whole grains: high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein, antioxidants, plant compounds (source). 

Examples of whole grains: quinoa, barley, buckwheat, brown rice, oats, millet, popcorn

Notes: Please note whole grains may not be for you if you are gluten sensitive. Please check out my blog post for 50 gluten-free snacks the entire family will enjoy.

Whole Grains Breakfast Ideas

• Oatmeal with almond milk, chia seeds, and pecans
• Homemade granola cereal 

Whole Grain Lunch Ideas

• Whole wheat toast with avocado
• Quinoa salad

Whole Grain Dinner Ideas

• Brown rice health bowl
• Cilantro lime black bean brown rice – recipe here

2. Salmon and Sardines

Benefits of salmon and sardines: rich in calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B12, and selenium (source).

Salmon and Sardine Breakfast Ideas

• Smoked salmon on avocado toast – recipe here
• Smoked salmon frittata – recipe here

Salmon and Sardine Lunch Ideas

• Fish cakes – recipe here
• Sardine spread on toasted bread – recipe here

Salmon and Sardine Dinner Ideas

• Sheet pan chili-lemon salmon dinner – recipe here
• Avocado salmon rice bowl – recipe here

3. Beef (alternatives)

Benefits of beef: packed with vitamins such as vitamin B12, Zinc, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin B6. I personally don’ eat beef, but here are some awesome alternatives I incorporate in my diet to get the nutrients beef provides to help maintain my breastmilk supply.

Beef Alternative Breakfast Ideas

• Chickpea potato breakfast hash – recipe here
• Scrambled eggs with veggies

Beef Alternative Lunch Ideas

• 15-minute black bean chili – recipe here
• 15-minute veggie quesadilla – recipe here

Beef Alternative Dinner Ideas

• General Tso’s Tofu – recipe here
• Crispy cauliflower wings – recipe here

4. Eggs

Benefits of eggs: Eggs provide protein, potassium, Omega-3 fatty acids, cholesterol, and vitamins A, B, E, and K (source). 

Egg Breakfast Ideas

• Boiled Eggs
• Scrambled egg on whole-grain toast

Egg Lunch Ideas:

• Baked cheddar eggs and potatoes – recipe here
• Egg, cheese, and avocado burrito

Egg Dinner Ideas:

• Loaded omelet
• Egg fried rice- recipe here

5. Leafy Greens and Veggies

Benefits of leafy greens and veggies: vitamin K, Magnesium, B vitamins, Calcium, amongst many other essential nutrients (source).

Leafy Greens Breakfast Ideas:

• Spinach, strawberry, and kale smoothie with almond milk
• Spinach and mushroom egg muffins – recipe here

Leafy Green Lunch Ideas:

• Salad
• Kale and carrot quinoa bowl – recipe here

Leafy Green Dinner Ideas:

• Spinach lasagna roll-ups – recipe here
• Collard greens with cornbread – recipe here

6. Sweet Potatoes

Benefits of sweet potatoes: abundant in vitamin A, contain anti-inflammatory properties, fibrous, and good for digestion (source).

Sweet Potato Breakfast Ideas:

• Roasted sweet potatoes with fruit on the side
• Hash with eggs, fruit, or a smoothie on the side – recipe here

Sweet Potato Lunch Ideas:

• Sweet potato black bean quesadilla – recipe here
• Baked sweet potato

Sweet Potato Dinner Ideas:

• Mexican quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes – recipe here
• Garlic parmesan sweet potato side dish – recipe here

7. Legumes and Beans

Benefits of legumes and beans: contain protein, antioxidants, and promote helpful gut bacteria

Examples of legumes and beans: lima beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, soybeans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, pinto beans, red beans

Legume and Bean Breakfast Ideas:

• Black bean breakfast burrito – recipe here

Legume and Bean Lunch Ideas:

• Black bean nachos – recipe here
• Black bean veggie burgers – recipe here

Legume and Bean Dinner Ideas:

• Curried lentils – recipe here
• Lentil sloppy joe – recipe here

8. Nuts and Seeds

Benefits of nuts and seeds: contain mixtures of fats, including monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids (source).

Nuts and Seeds Breakfast Ideas:

• Homemade granola (with yogurt or with milk as cereal) – recipe here
• Power balls – recipe here

Nuts and Seeds Lunch Ideas:

• Arugula apple salad with pecans – recipe here
• Fruit, nut, and seed salad – recipe here

Nuts and Seeds Dessert Ideas:

• Dark chocolate trail mix – recipe here
• Nut and seed clusters – recipe here

9. Dates and Apricots

Benefits of dates and apricots: high in fiber, boost metabolism, anti-inflammatory, a good source of iron and copper (source).

Date and Apricot Dessert Ideas:

• Skinny Pecan Date Bars – recipe here
• Apricot Vanilla Jam – recipe here

10. Yogurt

Benefits of yogurt: packed with nutrients, high in protein, beneficial for the digestive system (source).

Yogurt Snack and Dessert Ideas:

• Yogurt Bites – recipe here
• Frozen yogurt with crushed peanuts, pecans, and almonds
• Strawberry Banana Granola Parfait

The breastfeeding foods and meal ideas in this post can help you promote milk production, but having a balanced, nutritious diet is most important when breastfeeding. Do you have other breastfeeding foods or meals that have helped your supply?

I truly hope these breastfeeding foods are helpful for you and your breastfeeding journey!

Other Posts You May Like:

11 Best Inexpensive Eco Friendly Baby Gift Ideas Every Parent Will Love

How To Prepare For Your Return to Work After Maternity Leave

Everything You Need To Prepare For Breastfeeding at Work

If you’re anything like me you’re feeling elated, fearful, and severely anxious all at the same time.

After spending so much time on maternity leave with your little one, deciding to get back into the workforce is a big deal. I was ready to be an adult again. I craved the ability to have adult conversations, drink a cup of coffee in the hallway while catching up with coworkers, receive validation for the hard work I was putting in and the work I was producing, and do a job that I loved.

On the other hand, the thought of separating from my child for more than a few hours literally pained me. That being said, Baby Boy was not going to survive on breastmilk forever and I needed to help put food on the table for our family.

It was time to go back to work.

If you’re reading this, you’ve either already returned to work after having your baby or you’re anticipating (and probably dreading) your return to work.

Here’s the thing: for most of us, returning to work after maternity leave is not easy. Take comfort in the fact that so many of us do return to work, have a healthy transition, build new routines, and find ways to cope peacefully.

Maternity Leave Facts in the United States

• Out of 41 other countries, the United States is the only country without a national paid maternity, paternity, or parental leave. – The Guardian.
• California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia all have state-mandated paid leave plans in place. –PEW Research
• In March 2018, 17 percent of all civilian workers had access to paid family leave, and 89 percent had access to unpaid family leave. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
• According to a 2018 study, paid family leave was available to 25 percent of state and local government workers, and 94 percent had access to unpaid leave. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Seven-in-ten moms with kids younger than 18 were in the labor force in 2015. – PEW Research
• Mothers are the primary breadwinners in four-in-ten U.S. families. – PEW Research

I list these facts here, not to create a sense of guilt, or make you want to pack your bags and move to another country, but to reassure you, you are not alone in your feelings. There are many women who have been in the same position as you.

Here are some practical tips to prepare to return to work after maternity leave

1. Release Your Emotions

When you return to work after maternity leave, it is okay to cry.

I will venture to say there is a 99.9% chance you will cry at some point during your transition from full-time momma to working parent.

I want to be completely honest when I say this…when I returned back to work after my 12 weeks of maternity leave, I sobbed.

You know the kind of crying where you start hyperventilating a little and your eyes get all big and puffy?

Yeah, that was me.

I cried the night before I returned to work in anticipation of returning to work, on the way to drop him off that morning, on the way to work that morning, and I even shed a few tears on my lunch break while strolling through pictures of him.

I don’t want to sound totally sad and depressed or scare anyone into thinking returning to work after a baby is impossible, I only say this to be truthful and open.

What I’ve found is that it is okay to cry.

In fact, I think it is healthy to express your emotions.

According to research, crying helps to self-soothe, triggers the need for support from others, relieves stress, and aids sleep.

Admit to yourself that the transition may take some time to get comfortable and don’t be afraid to let those tears out. BIG GIRLS DO CRY!

Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed of your tears and emotions. Embrace them! Give yourself some time and know that what you are feeling with ease up.

2. Find Your Morning Motivation

For me, coffee is motivating. There is something about a delicious cup of coffee that makes me feel motivated, inspired, and ready to conqueor whatever the day has for me.

What is your morning motivation? A podcast? A fresh cup of tea? A morning jog? Reading a devotional?

In order to prepare to return to work after maternity leave, identify what brings you joy in the morning!

By the time we get back to work most of our sweet bundles of joy aren’t sleeping through the night. If you’re anything like me, you’re not getting more than three hours of consistent sleep a night.

Hearing that alarm go off in the morning to head into work when you’re used to determine your own schedule for the day can be difficult and put you in a funk.

On top of that, you have to show up at work with a smile on your face, energy to complete tasks, and enough social enthusiasm to interact with other adults who have gotten 6-8 hours of consistent sleep.

I began drinking a small cup of cold brew in the morning on the way to drop off the baby and when I got to work I would indulge in coffee in my reusable cup.

Whatever brings you joy in the morning – do that!

3. Purchase a Planner

New planner, who dis?! I bought myself a new planner and the stickers to go with it. Although I live by my Outlook calendar, I still have so much fun writing on a paper calendar.

Planning out my day allows me to stay organized and intentional about where I’m dedicating my time so I can maximize time with my son.

Planning ahead helps minimize anxiety and uncertainty. When preparing to return to work after maternity leave it is important to keep in mind that your previous schedule will most likely change dramatically.

Help ease some of the tension involved in your new transition by planning out your week.

4. Update your work wardrobe

Try to purchase (or thrift) a few new staple pieces for your work wardrobe!

Having a set work wardrobe helps to reduce decision fatigue and makes you feel your best. By week 12, I still wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be with my weight and body and couldn’t fit into some of my old work clothes.

Instead of sticking with the three pairs of pants I actually felt comfortable in or forcing myself to wear my too-big maternity clothes, I updated my wardrobe altogether.

I gathered all the items I knew I probably would never fit into again – these were the items I could barely fit into pre-pregnancy (am I alone here or do we all keep clothes that are too small hoping to fit into them someday?!) and donated them.

I then planned a shopping trip two weeks before I returned back to work to update my work wardrobe.

To make it special, we made a family day out of it! We drove up to Williamsburg, went to the outlets, went out to dinner, and made a stop at Williamsburg Winery on the way back. It was so much fun and I was actually excited about wearing my outfits back to work.

When I returned home, my closet was cleaned and organized from donating my old clothes.

Having an updated wardrobe really helped me find joy in my return to work after maternity leave. I completely avoided the frustration of trying on a bunch of clothes that didn’t fit properly when I was already sad, anxious, and in a hurry.

In addition, when you look good, you feel good. Physically being ready for work helps you mentally get on the same page.

Pro Tip: Pick out your wardrobe for the week on Sunday. Look at your professional planner to see what you have coming up for the week and plan your outfits accordingly.

You can even do this for the baby! It saves time in the morning and helps you mentally prepare for what is to come!

5. Rejuvenate your workspace.

Jazz up your workspace to feel happy and inspired!

Let’s be honest, most of us would rather be home cuddled with our little one than at work, but if we have to return to work after maternity leave, why not do it in a space that makes you want to be there?

Easy office update ideas:

1. Frame updated photos of your family, friends and of course, your little one.
2. Add plants or trinkets to give your office a chic flare.
3. Purchase a mouse pad with your favorite family pictures from Shutterfly.
4. Change the background on your computer to an inspiring quote, a picture of your baby, or even a goal you’re working towards like a trip to Disney or a visit to the mountains – literally whatever inspires you.

My favorite place to look for these items is the Dollar Spot at Target and thrift stores.

The smallest upgrades can totally elevated my desk space.

6. Do a Practice Run

As you’ve probably noticed throughout this post, preparation is key to help ease into your return to work after maternity leave.

Before you jump right into work, try doing a few practices runs!

Here are some suggestions:

• Take a drive to your job to remember how long it takes to get there (don’t forget to calculate traffic time)
• Drive to your child care provider and then to work to become familiar with the route
• Start waking up at the time you would be getting up for work. Get your baby into the habit of waking up at that time too.
• Do the whole routine, waking up early, packing the bags for work, driving to daycare, and then work – all of it.

Make yourself familiar with what is to come. This will help you mentally prepare and ease some of the tension you are bound to feel with your new routine. It will also prepare your baby for what is to come.

7. Incorporate Mommy and baby time before work.

To get more time with your baby before work, start your morning routine earlier!

For me, this meant that by the time Baby Boy was awake, I was fully dressed, packed up, and ready to walk out of the door. That way, the rest of the time I had in the morning was completely dedicated to him.

Those few extra minutes with him had a dramatic impact on my day!

How can you plan your day to make time for bonding before you go off to work?

One tip is to try to dedicate an extra 10 minutes or more to quality time with the baby instead of rushing through the motions to get out of the house. Rushing triggers anxiety which negatively contributes to our already overwhelmed mental state.

8. Try To Get Excited!

I know. This is a tough one. It is very possible you’re not only fearful to return to work after maternity leave, you may also be depressed.

Focus on the reasons you are returning to work and the positives of the return.

Getting through a tough time is all about perspective. Add some fun and excitement to the mix to lighten the situation and give yourself something to look forward to.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post all about how to prepare for your return to work after maternity leave.

Yes, you will probably cry. Yes, you will scroll through the thousands of pictures you’ve taken over the last three months. You may even feel some mom guilt. And all of that is OKAY! You are allowed to feel that way – just don’t dwell in it. Allow yourself to be excited about returning to work.

How are you preparing to return to work after maternity leave? If you’ve already returned back to work, do you have any tips to share?

Remember, you can do this! You’re not alone.  

9 Unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Her:

Disclaimer: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you choose to take action (and I hope you do!), I will earn a commission. I have chosen these products because they are awesome and helpful, not because of the small commission I will receive. Thank you!

1. Luxury Bath Tub Caddy

Grab the champagne, candles, matching robes, and bubble bath! With this gift, you and your partner can spend some relaxing time in the bath this Valentine’s Day. This Bath Tub Caddy is a practical and unique gift that she can use over and over again.

Why she’ll love it:

• Sturdy and fits most tubs perfectly.
• Encourages relaxation.
• Shows you value her need for self-care.

2. Wine Club Membership

A gift that keeps on giving! Wine has always been a timeless gift, especially for your special someone. This wine club membership perfect as a unique Valentine’s Day gift idea because it is affordable, customizable, and goes beyond 2/14.

Why she’ll love it:

• The wine selection is based on her preferred type of wine (red, white, sweet, etc.)
• The membership lasts for months! She’ll be reminded of the gift month after month.
• She’ll be able to try new, unique wines and share her experiences with others.

3. Personalized Hand-Crafted Candle

These hand-poured, non-toxic candles are the perfect unique Valentine’s Day gift idea because they’re customized!

Why she’ll love it:

• The custom messaging makes this gift extremely thoughtful
• The candles smell amazing and give a non-toxic burn
• Candles promote romantic moods and stimulate the senses

4. Kissing Mug Set

Cheers to unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas like this one! This adorable kissing mug set is a perfect gift for any coffee lover. Instead of a standard coffee mug, try this idea instead! Pair this with a bag of coffee beans from her favorite local coffee shop.

Why she’ll love it:

• It’s cute, thoughtful, and romantic
• The symbolism for love is evident
• She’ll think of you every time she drinks her morning coffee.

Did someone say breakfast in bed? This gift works especially well if your partner is the person who cooks in your family. This Valentine’s Day, make her breakfast with this awesome stuffed waffle iron. This would also pair great with the Kissing Mug Set!

5. Stuffed Waffle Maker

Why she’ll love it:

• She’ll feel Valentine’s Day love from the start of the day
• It’s thoughtful, unique, and food can be customized to her liking
• This is a long-lasting gift that can be used over and over again for breakfast and dessert

6. DIY Wine Tasting

Most of us won’t go out this year so bring the fun to her! Download this FREE wine tasting checklist and create a wine tasting experience at home! Find out everything you need for wine tasting at home here.

Why she’ll love it:

• You’re bringing the fun at home in a unique way
• Spending quality time together while trying new wines
• You’re gifting an experience to create lasting memories

7. Climate Change Puzzle

This puzzle is a must for a unique Valentine’s Day gift idea! Being environmentally conscious is extremely important and something that many of us take seriously. Combine her interest with fun with this gift!

Why she’ll love it:

• You can work on the puzzle together as a date -night activity
• She can use puzzle glue to transform the completed puzzle into framed decor
• It’s meaningful and thought-provoking

8. Instant Print Digital Camera and Scrapbook

Help her capture every moment, instantly. Instant cameras are so much fun because you receive gratification immediately.

• She won’t need to worry about her phone has enough storage space for pictures
• Scrapbooking lowers stress and is known as a form of meditation
• She’ll great lasting memories to tangibly cherish forever

9. Vintage Bluetooth Record Player

Girl put your records on (song reference here)! This unique Valentine’s Day gift idea is for the music-loving partner. To add to this gift, visit a local thrift store or a second-hand book store to find vintage records!

Why she’ll love it:

• Music elevates your mood and stimulates memories
• Vintage record players are symbolic antiques
• Vintage record players encourage sharing the love of music

Let Me Know With A Comment

Will you try any of these gift ideas? What are your favorite unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas? I’d love to know!

To help fight through the mom fatigue and motivate you to live your best Marie Kondo life, I’ve come up with organization and time management tips to help you with staying organized, maintain balance, and ensure time management, even as a busy mom.

You may be wondering – what is the difference between organization and time management? Organization is defined as an arrangement of related or connected items. This includes taking an efficient and orderly approach to tasks. Time management, on the other hand, means planning your time in a way that is productive and effective.

Once you get the hang of organization and time management, you’re well on your way to a more balanced and productive lifestyle.

In this post, you’ll be learning all about organization and time management skills to help you navigate your busy life as a mom. I’ve included practical tips, advice, and examples to help you achieve more peace and balance in your home.

This post is all about No BS organization and time management strategies every mom needs.

Organization Strategies

It’s no secret that being organized is directly linked to clarity and higher productivity.

1. Plan out your week

If you’re new to planning, start with planning one week at a time. Take 30 minutes out of your week, sit down, and think about the next seven days.

Ask yourself:

• What goals do I need to accomplish this week?
• What events do I have coming up?
• Are there any specific activities I want to do with my family this week? 
• What errands must be completed?

My Favorite Planner: This planner has a monthly calendar you can use to plan out holidays, birthdays, etc. Your daily tasks can be written in the weekly-view. It also has spots for monthly goals and reminders! I love it because it is so easy to see exactly what I have going on that week. The quotes on each page are motivational and inspiring.

This planner is also great because the pages come out! You can mix and match new pages in the planner to customize it for you.

Here are my favorite stickers for my planner. Adding stickers is so much fun for me! It helps me know what to pay attention to and gets me excited for what I have coming up. Stickers are yet another way to make yourself feel more organized while using a planner and help you stick to the tasks you have planned.

2. Meal Plan

Meal planning is one of my biggest tips for organization. Every week I write down five meals for the next week. Then, I create my grocery list according to those meals.

Here is the exact dry erase calendar I use to meal plan!

Anytime I deviate from meal planning – forget to write out meals or buy groceries without considering the meals I’ve planned – my grocery bill is too high and I have to make random trips to the store during the week because I don’t have everything I need.

Get Your FREE Meal Planner NOW!

BONUS! Includes a weekly planner!

Send it my way!

No worries, I won’t be spamming your inbox. I don’t like spam either! Unsubscribe at any time.

Powered By ConvertKit

3. Clean at the end of each night

My husband and I clean up the high traffic areas of the house every night. This includes the kitchen, living room, playroom, and office.

Every night, we take 30 – 45 minutes after the baby goes down and do a tidy-up, speed clean of your home hotspots. Cleaning at the end of each night ensures you will start the morning with a clean home and be much more prepared for the day.To make it more exciting sometimes I pour a glass of wine or set a timer and challenge myself to see how much I can get done! 

4. Find a Home for Everything

Everything in your home should have a set place. What I mean by this is that every physical thing in your house should have a location where it resides – a home.

Knowing that everything belongs in a specific place helps keep you organized for several reasons:

• Everyone knows where to look for it. This helps when you get the inevitable mom question “where is my *insert lost item here*”. If everything has a home, it helps to have a place to start.
• Cleanup should be easier because you know where it goes. Have you ever cleaned out a junk drawer or a catch-all area in your house? Part of the battle with tackling these areas is that they’re filled with a collection of items with no home and you have no idea where to put anything. Cleanup is much faster when everything has a designated space.
• Your home appears more neat and clear. Making sure everything is in its place creates a clutter-free home. A clutter-free home helps to relieve anxiety and provide clarity. 

5. Budget and Autopay

Setting bills on autopay is one of the easiest tasks you can do to keep yourself organized when it comes to money.

Currently, I set aside 30 minutes to an hour a week to organize bills and double-check my budget spreadsheet. Setting the bills on autopay takes one more task off your hands.

I use this weekly budget sheet from Joseph Sangle’s I Was Broke, Now I’m Not budget tools. The budget sheet is saved in my Google Sheets and I share it with my husband so we both have access to it.

I use a zero balanced budget to assign a value to every dollar we receive. 

Here’s an incredible book to get you started with budgeting and organizing your money:

6. Find cleaning/organization YouTubers who motivate you to get moving

Below are two of my favorite YouTubers for organization motivation.

I feel so motivated after watching their videos. I usually turn them on while I’m cleaning the house or when I need a good kick in the butt to get a task done. 

This Crazy Life: Love her! She’s a mom of three boys and creates the most motivational and inspiring videos. You’ll finish her video wanting to deep clean your entire house…and scrub out your sink! 

Jessical Tull: Jessica Tull serves us her weekly vlogs as a single, stay at home mom while also serving us deep clean and organization videos weekly. It’s a must-watch for any busy mom looking for some motivation to get things done, maintain a clean home, and keep a house full of happy kids.

Time Management Strategies

Benefits of time management

Adequate time management helps ensure work is completed on time and helps you deliver a better quality of work. When your time is well managed you’re putting your energy on the right task at the right time.

6. Focus on one task

Take on one thing at a time. I used to think multitasking was an art until I realized in most cases multitasking means doing several things ineffectively at one time. Multitasking splits your brain in a bunch of different directions which makes it hard to complete one thing.

To better manage your time, focus on one task at a time.

Focus all your attention on an individual task and you’ll notice you can get it done much more quickly and effectively than trying to do many things at once.

7. Put your phone on do not disturb

There is power in disconnecting. Try placing your phone on do not disturb for a set amount of time. During that time, only focus on the task you are trying to complete.

Our phones are our lifelines, but they’re also major contributors to our lack of productivity. I’m so guilty of getting on my phone to “check something” and accidentally spending 30 minutes on Instagram or Pinterest.

In those 30 minutes, I could have cleaned the kitchen, put in productive work on my blog, made dinner, etc. etc. Instead, I’ve wasted time scrolling. 

Add more value to your time by taking breaks from your phone more often.

8. Plan how you will spend your child’s nap time

Naptime can be “you time”, but it can also be time to complete a task.

Regardless of what you choose, plan out how you will make that uninterrupted time useful to you in some way. 

For example, my son takes two naps a day. Generally, on his first nap, I focus on completing a blogging task, and on his second nap, I focus on a house task. This isn’t always the case of course, but it’s my general rule of thumb.

9. Stick to the plan

We talked about planning out your week, but it’s important to stick to the plan! Don’t let the fact that things may change deter you from planning.

It’s okay if you have to rearrange! Schedules are guidelines used to keep you organized and manage your time. 

10. Wear a watch

Most of us are using our phones to tell the time!

As I mentioned in the tip above, putting your phone away is a healthy time management tool to prevent you from mindlessly wasting time.

If you only rely on our phone to check the time, there’s a large chance you’ll get a notification that is much more entertaining than the task that needs to be completed.

Wearing a watch helps you keep in touch with the time, but is much less distracting than a phone. 

Monitoring the time helps you track the completion of your goal and holds you accountable to work steadily.

11. Delegate

Over the years I’ve gotten so much better at this.

You cannot do everything. Set your priorities and decide what you can delegate.

Choosing to ask for help or delegate does not make you less of a mom, employer, wife, or person if you accept assistance from others.

Do you really have to be the one who puts the baby down for every nap? Are you the only person in the household capable of making the grocery list and going grocery shopping? Can you divide up the house chores and smash them out twice as fast?

The same is true in your work life. Rely on the people around you to get things done so you can focus on tasks that are most important and use your time wisely.

12. Get the Toughest Tasks Done During Your Best Time of Day

When is your most productive time of the day? Are you a morning riser, a mid-day person, or a night owl?

Make sure that my most difficult tasks are accomplished first thing in the morning. This is not only incredibly motivating for the rest of the day, but it ensures I’m using my best time to do my best work.

13. Accept that perfection doesn’t exist. 

What I’ve realized is that if I keep striving for perfection I end up procrastinating and never actually accomplishing my task. Or I spend so much time planning and anticipating I never actually execute.

To better manage time it is imperative to be okay being really great, not perfect. 

Bonus Organizationa nd Time Management Tips:

1. Make lists

Live the list, love the list. Lists keep you focused and organized. Make one every single day.

2. Grocery shop online

Grocery shopping online is such a time saver. You order at home so you’re less likely to forget anything and it’s so much faster! No more 2-3 hours in the store every Sunday for me!

3. Combine tasks when possible

Can you go order groceries online for pickup, get gas at the grocery store and stop by bank on the way home all at once instead of making these three separate trips? Can you cook enough for two meals at once to have leftovers for dinner the next day? Maybe you can also do that for breakfast and lunch.

4. Have at least one “easy meal” every week

Whether that’s a frozen pizza or a quick meal like tacos. Every meal doesn’t need to be gourmet. 

5. Take notes

You don’t have to remember everything. Taking notes keeps you organized and helps you set priorities to manage your time better.

We can’t do it all, but we can do a lot! Organization and time management are the keys to getting the most out of your days.

Related Posts:

• 5 Greatest Habits to Bring More Peace In Your Busy Life
• How To Create a To-Do List That Actually Motivates You
• Building a Family Budget: A Quick Guide for Working Moms

That’s right!

If you’re wondering when to start Christmas shopping, the answer is right now! Let’s be honest, Christmas is technically one day a year, but in reality, Christmas starts (for some) on November 1. 

For this blog, I asked the only “Christmas Queen” I know – my best friend-  to give me her best tips on her top Christmas shopping hacks for a stress-free Christmas. Why is my best friend the Christmas Queen?  She starts Christmas shopping for the next year before the current year is over! 

I’m excited to share some of her awesome tips to help you prepare for Christmas!

via GIPHY

Most people are scrambling at the last minute to find gifts and the perfect wrapping paper. Meanwhile, my best friend has her gifts purchased, wrapped, and organized by the recipient weeks before Christmas.

On top of that, every gift she buys is thoughtful and appropriate for the person receiving it! 

Now that Christmas is just a few weeks away, I figured it would be helpful to share some of her insanely brilliant hacks for early Christmas shopping.

This blog may contain affiliate links. If you choose to take action (and I hope you do!), I will earn a commission. I have chosen these products because they are awesome and helpful, not because of the small commission I will receive. Thank you!

Early Christmas Shopping Tip:

Start shopping for Christmas the day after Christmas

December 26 has some of the best deals of the year! Take full advantage of this. If you can, sneak away for a few hours and check out some of your favorite stores for Christmas items. 

Of course, check the dates to make sure whatever you’re buying is timeless. 

The best items to buy the day after Christmas are:

• Wrapping paper
• Gift tags
• Tissue paper
• Stocking stuffers.
• You can usually find clothes on sale as well! Especially Christmas sweaters and PJs.

Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift Tip:

Practice active listening

Time to put on your listening ears!

The biggest tip for finding the right gift for your family and friends this Christmas is to listen to them throughout the year.

If you pay attention, your friends will often say things like “I like this”, “I want that”, “Isn’t this cool”. Write those items down and look for them on sale throughout the year. 

FREE Christmas Gift List Tracker

Are you prepared for Christmas? Download the FREE Christmas Gift List Tracker. Make sure you gifts are purchased and wrapped in time for Christmas day!

YES! Send my Christmas Gift List Tracker!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

Stress-Free Christmas Shopping Tip:

Use Amazon lists

Did you know Amazon has private lists? Create a private list on Amazon and gather items all year long!  

Here is how to create your list:

Here is how to invite your friends and family to see your list:

This is probably one of my favorite features. If you’re really struggling about what to get someone, just ask them! Have your friend or family member create a list on Amazon and share it with you.

My husband and I do this often. We load our list up with lots of options to make sure our gifts to each other are helpful and useful. 

Christmas Budgeting Tip:

Buy a gift card every payday

No matter how hard we try, sometimes it is difficult to set cash aside for Christmas shopping. Instead of putting away cash, buy gift cards to use for Christmas shopping!

Each payday, buy a gift card at a store you usually shop at, no matter the amount. Collect the gift cards in a safe place until you’re ready to use them to buy gifts for family and friends. 

Another idea is to use those gift cards as Christmas gifts! 

Christmas Money-saving Tip:

Take advantage of sales

Sales are happening year-round. This means your Christmas shopping can happen year-round as well. Anytime you’re in the store or browsing online, sneak a peek at the sales section or the clearance Isle.

See anything that would make a great Christmas gift for someone? See an item on sale that is also on your Christmas list or Amazon list? 

You don’t have to wait until fall to start shopping for December 25.

In fact, the earlier you shop, the better deals you will get and the more meaningful your gifts will be.

Waiting to the last minute usually means little effort and through was put into the gift. 

Looking for Gift Ideas?

Check out the most popular Amazon Christmas gift ideas here!

Let Me Know With A Comment

To help with a stress-free Christmas, start Christmas shopping now! Will you try any of these tips? Are you a last-minute shopper or do you prepare for Christmas ahead of time?

Like many of you, I’m a busy mom. I’m juggling working full time, blogging, self-care, staying fit, etc. 

This article is full of resources about exactly what you need to create a to-do list that motivates you!

List out all your tasks

The easiest way to work is by laying everything out and organizing it from there. 

The first thing you should do is list out all the tasks you have. 

Here is step by step how I list out all my tasks:

1.) Create a new list on a clean sheet of paper or Word document

2.) Add any tasks from the prior week’s to-do list you did not get accomplished

3.) Go through your inbox and write down action items from your email

4.) Scan your calendar and write down any tasks associated with upcoming appointments or meetings

Organize Your Tasks Appropriately

This short video does an excellent job of breaking down how to organize your tasks appropriately.

Ways to organize your tasks:

1.) Priority

2.) According to your most productive times of day

3.) Based on urgency and importance

4.) Block schedule

5.) Give each day a theme

Personally, I do a combination of organizing tasks based on priority and time of the day. There is usually one larger task that must be complete that day. This is my “domino task”. Once I complete this task, all the other tasks can fall into place like a domino effect.

I complete this task first thing in the morning, if possible when I am the most productive.

Make it Pretty

Grab your pens, stickers, washi tape, and highlighters…it’s time to plan!

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen this planner so many times. I love my Happy Planner! I use one planner to organize my personal life and one planner to organize my work life. 

As much as possible, I try to reduce my impact on the world by making sustainable choices, however, I thrive with my paper calendar. To keep me organized, I need to physically write out my tasks and cross them off. 

Having these tasks written in my planner filled with bright pen colors and sassy stickers is so motivating to me! It makes creating my lists fun, but it is also incredibly motivating.

Set realistic expectations

If you want to have a to-do list that motivates you, you should work to set realistic expectations.

As great as it may feel to tell yourself you’ll do all the things, what will most likely happen is you’ll get completely overwhelmed with the tasks and not actually accomplish anything at all.

Get Your FREE Meal Planner NOW!

BONUS! Includes a weekly planner!

Send it my way!

I don’t like spam either!

No worries. I won’t be spamming your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

Have Grace

I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist. It has taken me a long time to get here, but I can proudly say I now grant myself the grace to not freak out when I don’t accomplish all of the tasks I’ve prioritized for myself.

It’s inevitable. You’ve organized, you’ve planned, you’ve set realistic expectations and you still didn’t finish everything.

While you can allow that to cause you anxiety and give up on all things organization and to-do lists, I would encourage you to give yourself some grace. 

Some weeks are busier than others and sometimes tasks just don’t get done like we’ve planned and that is okay. There are also the inevitable unexpected situations that are out of your control. 

Remember, a lack of planning on someone else’s part does not constitute an emergency on your part.

It is not always possible to rearrange your to-do list because someone else has missed a deadline or given your important information at the last minute.

Let Me Know With A Comment

To-do lists are so important to help layout tasks in front of you and keep you focused. Try incorporating these tips to create a to-do list that motivates you.

What does your to-list look like currently? Are you motivated to complete the tasks you’ve set? Do you stick to your to-do list? Let me know with a comment! I want to hear from you.