Crunchy? Silky? Or as Abbie Halberstadt has coined it, crispy at best? These are words used to describe where you fall on the spectrum of natural living. As I began my journey of marriage, homemaking, and motherhood, I knew I wanted to make the best choices for my family. I wanted to bring things in our home that would be good for our health and wellness. But being a 90s kid with your typical 90s mom, I was starting from scratch! Since those early days, I have learned so much and would consider myself pretty crunchy. According to some, I still have a long way to go, but I do my best to be a wise steward and make low-tox choices.

Over the past decade of homemaking I have researched, read articles, listened to podcasts, and gleaned wisdom from people I trust. Little by little, changes added up, and we are living a more natural lifestyle. I try to not be one who is swayed by every new fad that blows my direction (there are a million of those! Thank you social media!) Some have merit to them, some do not. I desire to employ wisdom and stewardship in every facet of my life, even down to the “little things” such as what laundry detergent will we use and what foods will we choose to consume or avoid. These seem like minute details of life, but in a toxin-ridden world, they add up!

Part of the stewardship I have as a wife, mother, and homemaker is to do what I can with the resources God has given us to make my home a haven- a safe place. I want our bodies and health to thrive. This means I am aware of what we eat, wash our dishes and clothes with, clean our home with, and so on. I want us to be able to be the best we can be for the Lord. I fully understand that there are things far beyond my control, but when it’s something I can control, I try to do so wisely.

Going back to the early days me… When I began to realize the overwhelming amount of toxins and chemicals found in almost every product we use on a daily basis, I decided it was time to make some changes! I started where everyone recommends you begin- in the cleaning cabinet. As one supply ran out, instead of running to Walmart for more Windex or bleach, I did some research and made a more natural swap. Now, I can safely hand my cleaning caddy to my 8 year old daughter without fearing that she will die of chemical exposure (we do still teach safety and how to properly handle cleaning solutions!) I cringe when I think of all the “cleaners” I rubbed all over everything thinking I was eradicating germs. It might have accomplished that, but it was also introducing so many toxins into our home. There’s a saying that goes “the nose knows!” Well, it does! Trust it. When you pursue a low-tox lifestyle, you’ll quickly find that your nose will tell you when something is toxin laden!

Where to Begin

-Start with easy swaps.

When you run out of a cleaning supply, instead of replacing it with the same brand item, do a quick search and try to find a more natural solution.

-Start with one area of the home.

What room do you think needs the most overhaul? The laundry room? The kitchen? The bathroom? Focus on one area.

If it is the laundry room, look to make little swaps as you run out of things. Out of detergent = look for a more natural option. Out of dryer sheets = swap for wool dryer balls, you can even add essential oils to them for scent. Out of bleach = that’s ok! Your whites don’t need it anyway! Hang them out in the sun for a few hours, and voila! Bright as new!

-Opt for reusable options.

Cleaning supplies like paper towels, wipes, plastic bottles, etc can all be easily replaced with reusable options. These are better for the environment and much better on the budget! I have a cleaning caddy that I keep stocked with rags to replace paper towels, glass bottles to refill with homemade cleaners, and so on.

-Utilize nature.

It is amazing how God designed the world for our good. The simplest things like I mentioned above about using sunshine to brighten your whites work! Some other natural elements to implement in your home might be opening the windows or having plants that clean the air. Did you know that even opening your windows for 10 minutes a day can cause a huge difference in the air quality of your home?!

-Dust.

I know, it’s not a fun job, but keeping up with the dusting is a huge aspect of keeping a clean home. Dusting regularly reduces allergens, inhibits mold growth, reduces asthma and respiratory symptoms, and improves indoor air quality.

Favorite Cleaners and Cleaning Supplies

• Norwex: The envirocloth and window cloth in particular are great cleaning tools! You can find video demonstrations on YouTube about their cleaning power, but believe it or not, all you need is the cloth and water! This has been a great option to use as I’ve included my littles in household cleaning tasks. Some other products I love from Norwex are the dusting mit, bathroom scrub mit, mop system and the cleaning paste (for all those places that need extra scrub and shine!).

• Young Living: I don’t do a lot with essential oils, but I do love using them in cleaning. It’s a wonder all the things that lemon is capable of! And if you are like me and you struggle to feel like a room has really been cleaned without it having a fresh smell, insert oils and a diffuser! In the early days, I missed that lemony scent of Clorox wipes in the bathroom. I equated that smell with a clean sink and toilet. I can still get that fresh smell, but without all the chemicals of Clorox wipes! I just pop a few drops of lemon oil or citrus fresh in our bathroom or kitchen diffuser and breathe in the moment of a clean room! I also enjoy YL’s Thieves Cleaner. A little goes a LONG way! Simply dilute a capful or two in a glass spray bottle with water, and you have a great multipurpose cleaner! I use this for cleaning the sinks, toilet seats, counter tops, pretty much everything. I have also used their Thieves laundry detergent and found that to be a good option for washing clothes.

• Tineco Vacuum/Mop: We recently bought this vacuum/mop and Simeon and I keep looking at each other and asking, “Why did it take us so long to get something like this?!” We have five littles ages eight and under. Let’s just say that meal time clean-up took ages… and it happened at least three times a day! We needed a solution. This vacuum/mop has been AMAZING! It cleans up all types of food messes off the floor while mopping. It also leaves almost a completely dry path behind. I cannot rave about this enough! It has saved us so much time. I think our future knees will thank us!

• Electric Spin Scrubber: This one is great for cleaning showers and bathtubs!

• Carpet and Upholstry Cleaner: We recently moved and were looking for something to use to clean used furniture we purchased from marketplace. We found this, and it has been a handy tool for so much more than cleaning couches. With little ones in the home, there is always a spill on the carpet or people getting sick on the floor. It’s been easy clean up with this tool.

• A Healthier Home by Shawna Holman: This book takes you through your home room by room swapping things out to make your space a little less toxic. She has many great cleaning recipes that I use in my home (as well as recipes for personal care items, etc!)

Remember

Rome wasn’t built in a day. It has taken us over a decade of marriage to make many of these swaps become our norm and accumulate the different cleaning tools and gadgets we now have. Don’t let any of this cause you to spend money you don’t have! Be wise with the resources God has given you, and if this is an area that is important to you, take baby steps to make it a bigger part of your life. Little changes add up over time.

I’d love to hear what your favorite cleaning supplies, resources, and tips are! Share in the comments below!

Below, you will find several of our favorite breakfast recipes. You can also hear me share tips on how to simplify breakfast while keeping it filling and nutritious on this episode of the NHC podcast.

Episode 93: Tips for a Better Breakfast

Blueberry Breakfast Coffee Cake

Ingredients

[Muffins}                                                                                                 

2 cups flour (I use fresh ground soft wheat)                                      

1/2 cup sugar (I use sucanat)                                                                                

2 tsp baking powder                                                                                     

1 egg, lightly beaten 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup milk 3 Tbsp cold butter

1/4 cup butter, softened [Glaze-optional]

1 tsp grated lemon peel 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups fresh blueberries 2 Tbsp milk

[Topping]

1/3 cup sugar (or sucanat)

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350^o. Grease a 9 inch square baking pan. Whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut    butter into small pieces. Add egg, milk, butter and lemon peel; mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. (batter will be thick) Fold in the blueberries. Spread into pan. For the topping, combine sugar, flour walnuts and cinnamon. Add butter and cut in with pastry blender to make crumbles. Sprinkle over batter. Bake 40-45 minutes. For glaze,  combine both ingredients and pour over warm cake.

*This is also delicious made as a banana nut coffee cake. Instead of the lemon peel and blueberries, add 2-3 mashed bananas, 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1/2 cup walnuts to muffin batter.

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients

10 eggs (farm fresh are THE BEST!)

Salt and pepper to liking

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup Colby jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup sour cream

1 ham steak, cut into bite-sized pieces

Instructions

Scramble eggs with salt and pepper. Melt butter in hot pan. Add in egg mixture. Cook for a few minutes and add in sour cream and ham. Finish cooking until eggs are to liking. Stir in cheese and let melt.

*This recipe originally came from Sally Clarkson. I tweaked a few things to our liking.

Wholegrain Buttermilk Waffles

Ingredients

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1-2 Tbsp sugar or honey (I use sucanat)

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 3/4 cups flour (I use half fresh ground soft white wheat and hard white wheat)

Instructions

Mix all dry ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and oil. Add the dry ingredients. Let mixtures rest for about 5 minutes, so the batter can thicken as the flour absorbs the liquid. Pour batter into preheated waffle iron and cook 3-4 minutes or until done.

Toppings: Maple syrup, honey, fruit (berries, sliced bananas), whipped cream, peanut butter drizzle, chocolate chips

Lemon Blueberry Scones

Ingredients                                                                                                                                  

3 cups flour ( I use fresh ground soft white wheat or pastry flour)                                    

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar, divided (I use sucanat)                                                                     

1 Tbsp baking powder  2-3 Tbsp water

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp milk

1 egg

1 Tbsp grated lemon zest

1 cup blueberries

[Glaze]

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400^o. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well combined. Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter. Blend until mixture resembles a crumb mixture. Add milk, egg, and lemon zest. Add blueberries and combine just until mixed. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead. Flatten into a circle and cut into 8 wedges. Put all wedges on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Make the glaze by combining all ingredients (starting with 2 Tbsp water, if too thick, add more). While scones are still warm, brush each with glaze.

Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas

Ingredients                                                                                                                                  

1 lb sausaged, browned

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

8 8in flour tortillas

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp flour

1/2 tsp salt

3oz real bacon bits

1 cup ham pieces

Instructions

Spray 9×13 pan with cooking spray. In a large bwl, stir together browned sausage, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and ham pieces. Divide mixture evenly onto tortillas. Roll up and place seam side down in baking dish. In a separate large bowl, beat eggs, milk, cream, flour, and salt. Pour over tortillas. You can cover the dish and place in the fridge overnight or bake immediately. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Uncover dish and sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and bacon bits onto tops of tortillas. Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover dish and bake 10 minutes longer or until egg has set.

Strawberry Almond Oatmeal

Ingredients

Oats

Water

Dash of coriander

Dash of cinnamon

Honey

Strawberries

Almonds

Instructions

Combine oats and water to your desired consistency. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Mix in coriander, cinnamon, honey, and almonds to taste. Top with sliced strawberries.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned oats                                                                                                     

1 tsp cinnamon                                                                                                               

1tsp baking powder                                                                                                     

1/2 tsp sea salt                                                              

2 cups milk (I prefer unsweetened almond milk) 1 cup diced apple

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/4 cup honey

1 Tbsp ground flaxseed

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375. Spray and 8×8 dish with olive oil. Combine dry ingredients, then add in wet ingredients. Pour into prepared dish and bake for 40 minutes or until the center has set. Allow baked oatmeal to cool just a bit before serving.

Optional: Serve with a drizzle of peanut butter, honey or maple syrup.

Basic Muffin Recipe

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups flour (I use fresh ground soft white wheat or pastry flour)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 cup oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup honey

1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400^o. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center. Set aside. In another bowl, combine egg, oil, vanilla, honey and buttermilk. Add all at once to flour mixture. Stir together just until  combined. Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Banana Muffins: Mash 3 bananas and add to batter. Optional– add in chocolate chips, walnuts, or peanut butter chips.

Blueberry Muffins: Add 1 cup of blueberries to batter.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins: Peel and dice 1-2 apples,

and add to batter. Add 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg

My Favorite Kitchen Appliances and Tools

• Kitchen Aid Mixer

• Crockpot

• Grain Mill

• Bread Machine

• Electric Knife

• Panini Press

• USA Pans

• Waffle Maker

• Electric Skillet

Staying Clutter-Free

Mail/Key Wall Organizer

Meal Planning

Recipe: Creamy Alfredo Lasagna Soup

Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice

Bulk/Whole Foods Shopping

Azure Standard

Resources

Marcie Fowler’s FREE Hosting Recipes

Finding Joy in Your Home Podcast with Jami Balmet

Jami’s Kitchen Collective

When Sim and I first got married, there were three foods I wanted to find the perfect recipe for- mashed potatoes, biscuits, and pizza. After almost 7 years of marriage, I have perfected 2 of the 3. I’m still looking for the perfect biscuit recipe! But, I have found our absolute favorite way to make homemade pizza and mashed potatoes!

For the first several years of our marriage, we blocked off Friday night as our at home date night. I think we went over an entire year without missing a Friday! Once babies started coming, the dynamics of home changed a bit, and every Friday didn’t happen like it did before. Now that we have 3 littles, we have morphed it into a family pizza party night! Different life circumstances have caused for our schedule to be not only crazy, but also unpredictable. Because of that, our pizza party isn’t always on a Friday, but we do try to have it once each week. We have a living room picnic enjoying our homemade pizza while watching a movie together. The squeals of delight from our littles when I announce that it’s pizza night is a family memory I’ll cherish forever. While my husband doesn’t squeal in delight, he also gets quite excited. My homemade pizza is one of his favorite things that I make.

Many have asked me for my pizza recipe throughout the years, so I thought I’d post it here for easy access and reference. It truly does make the perfect pizza!

Brettnay’s Homemade Pizza

5 cups bread flour (I use a mix of 2 1/2 cups bread flour & 2 1/2 cups fresh ground whole wheat flour)

1 1/2 tsp natural sea salt

1 1/4 tsp dry active yeast

2 tsp cane sugar

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups hot water

Combine sugar and yeast in kitchen aid mixer bowl. Add hot water and mix for a few seconds. Let sit until yeast activates and becomes “frothy” on top (about 5 minutes). Add salt, oil, and flour. Let knead for several minutes. Separate dough into 3 dough balls.

You can either put into a greased bowl and let sit in the fridge for a day or so, then use, or you can wrap the dough ball in cling wrap, put in a ziploc, and freeze. When I make pizza dough, I usually make a double batch. It takes 2 pizzas to feed my family one meal, so I’ll save out 2 doughs and free the other 4.

If you have frozen your dough: When you are ready to use it, put it in the fridge for 24 hours to let it soften. Then remove it from the wrap, and put into a greased bowl. It can set in that for several days in the fridge until ready for use.

On pizza day, you’ll want to set the dough out in a greased bowl for several hours. Then transfer it to a pizza stone. I spray my stones with cooking spray and sprinkle with cornmeal. Let dough rise on stone for several hours.

Preheat oven to 500 (depending on your oven, it can take 20 minutes or so to get this hot). While oven is heating, make pizza according to your family’s taste. We love Mid’s pizza sauce from Kroger. It is thick and flavorful! I spread a generous amount of sauce, layer on our favorite toppings (pepperoni & sausage for Sim and Knox, LOTS of pineapple for me and Eden), and top with a thick layer of cheese (I used a combination of mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar)

Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before cutting. Then enjoy!