5 Tips to Get Kids to Eat Veggies

If you’re a parent, I’m sure you know the struggle of getting kids to eat veggies. Maybe you’re blessed with a good eater, or maybe you have at least one picky eater. I know I do. I’m sure you’ve tried it all to get them to eat healthy, and that means more veggies.

If you are struggling to get your kid(s) to eat veggies – like I do with one of mine – or if you don’t even know where to start, I have a couple of ideas. Here are some of the ways I try to sneak more veggies into my kids' meals.

1. Mix Veggies in Food

This can be one of the simplest ways to sneak more veggies into your kids' food. They are more likely to try it if they don’t know it’s in there. Try mixing veggies into smoothies, casseroles, etc. Anything to help hide that veggies are included.

2. Substitute Veggie Items for Others

Try swapping some regular food options out for vegetarian ones. Cauliflower wings instead of chicken wings, veggie pasta instead of regular pasta, veggie nuggets instead of chicken nuggets, etc. These are some of my favorite meal options, and most of my kids love them too!

3. Offer Veggies as Snacks

Start offering veggies as daily snacks. Once your kids get used to eating them, they’ll like them more. Think raw veggie trays or even raw/fresh green beans, sugar snap peas, etc.

4. Cover Veggies in Sauce

If your child has a favorite condiment or sauce, try covering veggies in that. When I was a kid, the only way I would eat meat (which I wasn’t a big fan of) was to drench it in BBQ sauce. My son is big on mayo, so we try to cover some veggies in that for him.

5. Add Something to the Veggies

Try jazzing up your veggies by adding something to them. Try eating it with cheese or a dip, or adding peanut butter, etc. 

Every child is different. My son still fights eating veggies even with these tricks, but I’m able to sneak some in other times. Hope these tips help make your feeding veggies to kids tasks easier!

Mess-Free Play for Traveling with Kids

One of the biggest things we put a lot of thought into when traveling with our kids is what to pack to keep the kids entertained. No matter their age, toys are a must for kids. Whenever we take a road trip, it’s easier because we can bring more…but during our recent flight in April, I had to rethink what to bring based on getting through security and having minimal space.

It was trickier, but we did it. You may have to get more creative with what you bring, but there are still plenty of mess-free toy options to keep the kids happy! Here’s my top list of our favorite mess-free toys for traveling!

Moldable Clay

My son loves playing with magnetic sand, Play-Doh, and molding clay. While the sand is his favorite, I knew we could travel with it because of the mess. So we opted to bring our moldable clay. He can still build and shape it, but it doesn’t crumble and leave a giant mess everywhere.

Magnetic Toys

Magnetic puzzles, books, or character story boards are another great option for kids who want to play with multiple pieces, but you don’t want to constantly be losing them. I’ve also heard of someone who took a cookie sheet pan to have her kids play with magnets on so they didn’t fall.

Window Cling-On Decals

There are so many great reusable sticker/window cling-on options these days. I’ve even gotten some at the dollar store. You could get some books or just the window cling-on decals/stickers, and the kids can play with them on car windows and/or airplane windows.

Fidget Toys

The current obsession with little fidget toys like the spinners, poppers, etc. is another great option to keep your kids entertained and in one spot, mess-free.

Writing Tablets

Probably our favorite mess-free toy options are the erasable writing tablets. Both of my kids love drawing and coloring and could do it all day. These tablets are great because they can draw and erase and draw again over and over. You can also play games on them like tic-tac-toe, hangman, etc. So many options for ways to use them. No more crayon or marker mess. My kids used these on every flight and layover we had during our trip in April. We don’t go on a trip without them!

I hope these tips help to keep your little ones entertained during long travels and keep you sane with no messes! Do you have any other mess-free play ideas for traveling that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below!

8 Benefits of Baby Wearing

I have always loved baby wearing. With my daughter, I just liked having her close, but as I had more kids, it became more essential so that I could get stuff done and still spend quality time with each of my kids. My youngest has been my biggest baby-wearing fan–he is obsessed!

Baby wearing is popular for many reasons. And there are different reasons why you may choose to do it. It is good for a baby’s physical and mental development and health in many ways…some that I only recently learned. So I wanted to share what I have learned with you. These are my top reasons why baby wearing can benefit not only your baby but also you!

Being Hands-Free

The biggest reason for me when it comes to baby wearing is having your hands free! If you have a baby who is clingy, or older children that need your help, having your hands free to do other tasks is a huge plus! My littlest guy takes a regular morning nap in the carrier while I clean and get stuff done around the house.

Bonding

Baby wearing builds that bond with your baby. You can easily talk or sing to your baby. You get extra snuggles, and they get the extra time with you even when you are busy.

Security for Baby

Your baby will feel more secure and safe when snug against you in a baby carrier. Think about it: they are snug against you for 9 months and are used to hearing your voice and heartbeat. Being able to do that again after they are born into the world brings an added security for them.

Peace of Mind for Mom

Along with security for the baby, baby wearing also gives mom peace of mind. When I have a newborn, I am more anxious and constantly checking if they are breathing. Baby wearing gives me a sense of relief because I can easily check if the baby is breathing when they are on my chest.

Out of Reach for Others

Baby wearing is great if you want to keep strangers or people from trying to touch/hold the baby when out and about. With my youngest, I wear him in a carrier often, especially when I don’t want people touching or spreading germs to him. You can easily cover baby and/or move away if people get too close to baby.

Reflux & Gas Relief

Baby wearing is also known to help babies with reflux, gas, and colic relief. Being in the upright position helps baby get burps out easier, which helps prevent gas buildup in the belly.

Regulate Functions

Holding baby close helps them regulate their breathing, temperature, and heart rate. Studies have also shown babies who are routinely carried cry less and are generally happier.

Can Help with Breastfeeding

If you are a breastfeeding mom, baby wearing can help with that in a couple of ways. The hormones released when moms hold their babies close trigger milk release (let-down). Having that close physical contact with your baby can help with milk production and help you learn your baby’s hunger cues up close. Women who baby wear are twice as likely to successfully breastfeed.

The ease of use when it comes to baby wearing should be enough to convince you to give it a try. Baby wearing when I travel is a lifesaver for me–especially when flying! What is your biggest reason to baby wear? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Prepare Your Body for Labor

Labor and delivery is a very exciting time, but it can also be a very stressful and overwhelming time. It is true what they say: “you don’t know what you don’t know”, meaning you can’t fully prepare or know what to expect until you’ve been through it. And while you can never 100% prepare or know what will happen (because anything can happen), there are ways to help prepare your body for it ahead of time.

With my first pregnancy, I tried to read and research different ways to help prepare my body for labor early on. I wanted to do my best to be ready for the task of birthing a child. While every person and pregnancy is different, these are the things I still do every pregnancy that I think contribute to a smoother delivery for me.

Exercise

The biggest one for me is exercise. Just moving your body can be a huge help! It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy either. Squats and lunges are great for helping your body prepare for birth. Swimming is great for exercise and alleviating the weight of your body. Even just walking is good for you. My personal go-to is yoga. It is more relaxed but still gets the job done. It’s easy to modify when needed to accommodate your growing belly, and you can do pregnancy/labor specific routines too. In all three of my pregnancies, I walked/chased kids around and did yoga regularly.

Hydration

It might not seem important, but anyone who has ever been pregnant knows hydration is very important during pregnancy. Staying hydrated helps both mom and baby and can help prevent preterm labor. I carry around a water bottle all day. If you need help drinking more water, try out a bottle that has time stamps on it to make sure you are drinking it throughout the day based on the times. Another of my favorites is to simply add cucumbers or fruit to the water for when you want something with taste.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

In my research for labor prep, I came across red raspberry leaf tea. I love tea, so it was an easy thing for me to try with my first. Studies have shown drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy can help make labor faster and reduce complications and interventions during birth. I personally have drunk it for all 3 of my pregnancies. I start taking it in the third trimester (1 cup a day until 32 weeks, and then I increase it to 2 cups a day). If you are unsure or have any questions, ask your doctor about it.

Yoga Ball

Another thing I take up in my 3rd trimester is my yoga ball exercises. I try to sit and do hip circles, slight bouncing, rocking back and forth, etc., a little bit every day. It will not make you go into labor, but it will help your body prepare for labor, and it is also good to help the baby get into the optimal head-down birthing position.

Bonus Tips:

Two other tips I have heard can help (but I have personally never tried) are perineal massages to help prevent tearing and also eating dates at the end of pregnancy.

With my first two babies, I had 2nd-degree and then 1st-degree tearing. With my 3rd, I didn’t tear at all, and he was my biggest baby. These are the methods I used to help prepare my body each time. Just keep in mind every person and pregnancy is different. There is no guarantee of an easy and tear-free childbirth. But my philosophy is that it doesn’t hurt, and anything is better than nothing when it comes to labor prep! If you have any other suggestions that I didn’t mention above, comment below!

Newborn Must-Haves

Just like with pregnancy and postpartum, newborn life comes with many changes. Because each baby is different, it can be unpredictable. No matter if it’s your first baby or 6th, the newborn phase can still be a bit of a learning curve each time.

You might have one baby who loves to be swaddled and another who hates it. You might have one baby who likes to be in a baby wrap and another who prefers just a baby carrier. Each baby has their own preferences and favorite things. It takes a bit of trial and error to figure out what works for each baby.

For example, my first two babies loved their baby swing. I figured it was a staple, and all babies love it. My third baby hates it and screams whenever he’s put in it. But we did find another baby seat with vibration that he likes.

So while these are some essentials I have come to rely on with newborns, sometimes you just never know what they’re going to like. You may have to get creative and play around to figure out what works best for you and your baby.

Once you find what works for you, run with it! I try to keep it basic and minimal with my tips to help you along on your journey. So without further ado, here are my personal top essential must-haves for newborns.

Changing & Cleaning

If there is one thing everyone knows babies need, it's diapers, etc. There are some more items that often are overlooked until they’re needed that you’ll want to make sure to have on hand. Here are my newborn must-haves for changing and cleaning:

• Diapers/Wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Bath/Baby wash
• Gripe water
• Snot sucker
• Baby oil
• Baby lotion
• Grooming kit (Baby brush/comb, nail clippers, thermometer, medicine dropper, etc.)

Clothes & Accessories

Babies outgrow clothes so fast in these early days; I suggest finding what works for you and Baby. Stick with those things as opposed to buying everything. For example, I typically only dress my babies in sleepers for at least the first month (sometimes longer), so I buy mostly those instead of all the onesie/ multiple piece items. Here are my essential must-haves for newborn clothes and accessories:

• Pacifier
• Baby sleepers
• Burp cloths
• Hat
• Blankets
• Swaddle wraps/blankets

Equipment

You will need quite a bit of equipment for your new little one. While each baby is different in what seats they may or may not like, you really don’t need to get one of everything. My best advice is to go with the essentials while they are newborns and slowly add the bigger toys/chairs/seats as needed as they get older. Here are my equipment must-haves:

• Boppy pillow
• Swing
• Pack n Play/Bassinet
• Carrier/Baby wrap
• Car seat
• Stroller
• Breast pump/bottles
• Baby bathtub

For more newborn items you may want/need for your hospital stay, check out Hospital Bag Must-Haves, and for postpartum essentials for mom during the 4th trimester, check out Postpartum Must-Haves.

I hope that these tips come in handy for you and help to better prepare you for life with a newborn. All of us mothers have been where you are. Just know you are not alone! If you have any suggestions for other must-haves that I didn’t list, please comment below and let me know.

DIY Postpartum Padsicles

Recovering from childbirth is no joke. During my first pregnancy, I wanted to be as prepared ahead of time as possible. I came across these postpartum padsicles and have used them after each child.

Since I am recovering from my third baby’s birth, I wanted to share this easy and quick step-by-step guide so that you can use them too (whenever needed)!

What You’ll Need

• Maxi pads
• Witch Hazel
• Aloe Vera gel

MAXI PADS
You’ll need large maxi pads. I use the longest and most absorbent ones.

WITCH HAZEL
I like to use organic or at least the smallest amount of ingredients. I tried to find one that was alcohol free but was unable to, so I just used my regular kind.

ALOE VERA GEL
Take your pick and choose your favorite bottle. I would also make sure to get an alcohol-free gel. The alcohol can be irritating during recovery.

Let’s Get Started

STEP #1
Pour equal parts witch hazel and aloe vera gel into a bowl.

STEP #2
Mix the witch hazel and aloe vera gel until it is smooth.

STEP #3
Lay out maxi pads, keeping the back wrapper on.

STEP #4
Pour the witch hazel/aloe vera gel mix onto the maxi pads. Use a spoon or spatula to spread evenly along the entire pad.

STEP #5
Close/wrap the maxi pads back up.

STEP #6
Put the pads in a zip-lock bag or container.

STEP #7
Place the pads in the freezer to freeze. Use as needed postpartum.

And there you have it! Super simple and fast to make. Trust me, it is well worth it to do this ahead of time! Every little thing helps during postpartum recovery. Happy creating!

Hospital Bag Must-Haves

Just like everyone’s pregnancy journey is different. Everyone’s birth story is different. Having a good hospital bag full of essentials is so helpful when you’re in labor.

There are so many go-tos out there about what you should or shouldn’t bring with you. I’m here to share my two cents from my own personal experience. With my first baby, I packed all the things…and I mean ALL the things. It was a lot, and I didn’t use half of them.

I quickly learned what was a must-have and what wasn’t. I majorly downsized for my second child’s delivery and was much happier. The truth is, the hospital will have a majority of things you need, so you don’t need to truck towels, pads, etc. in with you.

Everyone’s preferences are different, so you may not use all of my essentials or want extras added on, and that’s OK. You want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Packing for labor and delivery doesn’t need to be stressful or full of items you won’t use. So I wanted to share what I have found as must-haves in the hopes it helps other mommas-to-be out there be better prepared.

Toiletries

Typically, you won’t be in the hospital too long if you have a simple birth, so you won’t need a lot of items, but you’ll still want your typical toiletries. With my first two kids, I was discharged 24 hours after birth. These are my go-to toiletries to pack:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Witch hazel
• Lotion
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Dry shampoo
• Deodorant
• Chapstick
• Hairbrush
• Headband

Mom Items

I make sure to include my mom must-haves when packing. My personal go-tos are:

• Purse (with all essential IDs, etc.)
• Hair ties
• Phone/camera and all chargers
• Comfortable coming home clothes (maternity bra, big underwear, pants, shirt, etc.)
• Belly band (postpartum belly band to help stomach shrink back after birth)
• Hip band (belly support/hip band to help hips shrink back after birth)
• Water bottle
• Snacks

Baby Items

Probably the most items I pack are for the new Baby. My go-tos for Baby are:

• Boppy pillow (for nursing and taking photos)
• Baby’s coming home outfit
• Pacifier
• Baby memory book (the nurses will take a footprint of Baby after birth and put it into the book for you)
• Baby accessories for announcement photos (bring along anything you want to take photos of Baby. For me, it is usually blankets or clothes, a custom hat, and a cute boppy pillow cover. You could also include any name signs, hats, etc)

I hope that these tips come in handy for you and help to better prepare you for a more relaxed hospital stay. All of us mothers have been where you are. Just know you are not alone! If you have any suggestions for other must-haves that I didn’t list, please comment below and let me know.

Pregnancy Must-Haves

Everyone’s pregnancy journey is different. Some have it easier, and others have it harder. Some enjoy the process, and others count down until the end. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to pregnancy. And just like each person is different, each pregnancy can be different too. It can be a big learning curve along the way.

Knowing about some options and products that are out there can be such a huge help during pregnancy! You might like some products during a certain trimester of pregnancy and not another. Or you may swear by a product during one pregnancy and not use it another pregnancy. There are some essentials I have come to rely on during my pregnancies. So I wanted to share what I rely on in the hopes it helps other mommas-to-be out there be better prepared.

Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing process, but it is not always easy. So without further ado, here are my personal top essential must-haves for during pregnancy.

Belly Butter/Oil

Being proactive in helping to prevent stretch marks has always been a big deal to me during pregnancy. For my first two pregnancies, I used cocoa butter for stretch marks. For my third, I started looking into more natural and organic options and came across Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter and Belly Oil. I love them and have officially switched to them for any future needs! The belly oil you use after showering and the belly butter I use at least once (sometimes twice) a day. It is a huge relief when you have itchy skin as your belly grows!

Belly Belt

I did a lot of research before birth on tips and tricks to help you get your body back after baby. In my search, I discovered belly belts. I have used a belly belt during all of my pregnancies, especially towards the end. As your belly grows and you add on weight, there is more pressure and back pain that comes along with it. Wearing a belly belt it helps to relieve that pressure and ease back pain. I wear mine whenever I am going to be standing, walking, and/or sitting for long periods. I have noticed a difference in my back pain when I wear it versus when I don’t.

I personally use the Belly Bandit Hip Band for pregnancy support, and it also doubles as helping shrink your hips back to pre-pregnancy size after birth too. I love the two-in-one use! For more on the postpartum use, check out my Postpartum Must-Haves here.

Maternity Clothes

The more your baby bump grows, the more uncomfortable your old clothes become. Even if you say you don’t want to wear maternity clothes–trust me, you do! During my first pregnancy, I waited as long as I could to wear maternity clothes, but they are so comfortable that with my other two pregnancies I started wearing them much sooner. Maternity clothes are made and suited specifically for pregnant women. And I’m not talking only about your growing bump…the changes and growth in your breasts make your normal bras uncomfortable too. Once my normal bras don’t fit anymore, I switch to nursing bras. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of the maternity clothes!

Earth Mama Organic Teas

During my first two pregnancies, I used Red Raspberry Leaf Tea during the third trimester. It is only safe during the third trimester, as it helps to strengthen your lady muscles and help prepare your body for birth.

This pregnancy (third), I have been trying out some other Earth Mama Organic teas that are safe for pregnancy, and I am obsessed! They have a Throat Smoothie Tea for a sore throat, Relaxing Tea to help promote sleep, and Third Trimester Tea to boost vitamins and prepare your body for the end. They also have a Nausea Tea and Heartburn Tea.

There are so many great options to help during different phases of pregnancy. These teas are so helpful since you can’t take medicine. I love that they are organic and caffeine-free (my kids even love having some with me).

Prenatal Vitamins

Your body goes through so many changes during pregnancy. As your baby is growing and developing it is important that you get enough (and extra) vitamins to help support not only your immune system but your baby’s as well. During my first pregnancy, my midwife said to make sure to get prenatal vitamins with folic acid and DHA. If you have any questions about what to take or options, make sure to check with your health care provider.

Emergen-C

During pregnancy, you aren’t allowed to take much medicine. My go-to during pregnancy if I am feeling run down, starting to get sick, or just need an extra little boost of vitamins is Emergen-C. They are flavored packs of vitamins you simply add to water.

Saline Nasal Spray

During my first and third pregnancies, my congestion was really bad. My midwife said congestion is a normal pregnancy symptom, but it’s irritating. And since you can’t take any cold medicine, you kind of just have to deal with it. One thing that helped during my first pregnancy, especially at night when I had trouble breathing, was using saline nasal spray. My midwife recommended it to me because it is simply salt water, so it is safe to use during pregnancy.

Essential Oils

Great for relaxation by using in the bath or diffusing. Lavender is a go-to for relaxation and sleep. Thieves helps kill germs. And if you’re struggling with congestion, peppermint can help clear your nose. There are so many good and natural uses for essential oils.

Pregnancy Pillow

I had always heard of others talking about pregnancy pillows but never could justify spending so much on one during my first two pregnancies. Now that I am in the third trimester of my third pregnancy, I just got a pregnancy pillow and cannot believe I never used one before! I love it! It is so comfortable and makes sleeping so much easier, especially as I’m nearing the end and am more uncomfortable. I will probably be using this even after birth just because I love it so much!

Water Bottle

One of the biggest things I hear from my doctor/midwife during pregnancy is to make sure you stay hydrated. So you will want to invest in a good water bottle to make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. I use a big one I got at the hospital during my son’s birth throughout the day and sometimes use my fruit infuser water bottle to add fruit for flavor.

Exercise Ball

And last but not least, another of my go-tos is my exercise/yoga ball. I use this often as I near the end to exercise and encourage baby to get into position. As I near my due date, I use it every day to prepare for birth.

I hope that these tips come in handy for you and help to better prepare you for a smoother pregnancy journey. All of us mothers have been where you are. Just know you are not alone! If you have any suggestions for other must-haves that I didn’t list, please comment below and let me know.