Free "180 Movie"

If you haven't seen this movie, watch it now. This is powerful and life changing.

Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

How I Shop For Groceries/Supplies

I  am often asked how I shop for my groceries and household items. I have decided to do a few posts to share with you how I get my stuff. I hope that some of you reading will share things that work for you as well!
In this first post, I would like to share about how I get a lot of my vitamins/herbs and some household items online.

One of my favorite sites to shop is Vitacost.com. I can usually find what I need for a better price than I can pick it up off the shelf at a store. But not always. It always bears checking out.

A simple way for me to save a bit extra when I shop at Vitacost, is to go through the ShopAtHome.com website to also get 6% back on my purchase. It is a very simple and easy way for me to save money on stuff I am already planning to buy.

Here are a few of the items I get from Vitacost.com:
Dr. Wood's Castile Soap 
Trace Mineral Stamina
Rainbow Light Vitamins
Cod Liver Oil
Spirulina
Hemp Hearts
Chewable Vitamin C
Shampoo Base (I'll write more about my shampoo later! I really stretch this out...)

For my dried herbs/spices, I have two sites I use the most. The Bulk Herb Store and Mountain Rose Herbs. Between these two sites, I can always get what I need in the way of essential oils, spices, herbs, seasonings, oils for lip balm, lotion, etc, and even the containers needed to store the things I have created. So far, neither of these sites are listed on any of my cashback sites. But that's okay, I still like them and I save money by getting my herbs in a larger quantity than what is on the grocery store shelf. And they are sooo much fresher! I also like to shop with a friend on these when I can. It helps both my friend and I out when we can split shipping and even products.

I usually shop at The Bulk Herb Store for most of my bulk dried herbs. I love their herbal mixes, which includes their Cough Tea, Double-E Immune Boost Tea, Mama's Milk Tea, and, one of our favorite, Doctor Cinnamon. I also get Bentonite Clay from them and have recently been using one of the HerbaSmoothie mixes. I also love the fact that you can learn so much about herbs right on The Bulk Herb Store site. Each page is loaded with a ton of info about each product. Many times there are excerpts from several herb books telling about what the herb is used for right on the herb page. They also list whether or not an herb should be used while pregnant or nursing, which is very helpful. There are also simple directions listed on the site telling how to make herbal preparations, such as a tincture, salve, etc. And last but not least, there are numerous how-to videos. These are fun and informative. Bottom line: Go check The Bulk Herb Store out. Even if you are new to herbs, this is a great place to learn.

Mountain Rose Herbs is also an awesome site for learning and shopping. I have not used one thing from them that disappointed me. They usually have good prices and a great selection of high quality herbs, spices, essential oils, carrier oils, clays, teas, bath and body products, etc, etc. It is a really fun site to shop!

One thing I really like about Mountain Rose is the bulk quantity discounts. From their site:

"Bulk Ordering Discounts
Mix and match to receive substantial discounts without having to purchase multiple pounds of the same herb. Accumulate the total whole poundage of your order to receive these discounts
(does not apply to ounce orders)
5-9 lbs - 10% 10-24 lbs - 15%
25-49 lbs - 20% 50-99 lbs - 30%
100+ lbs - 40%"

This can be so helpful when putting in an order! Last time I ordered, it was easy for me to get the 10% discount. I also got some items in my order on sale, and then with the 10% discount it really paid off.

Mountain Rose Herbs also has a large selection of supplies to help with all kinds of herbal projects. Tins, jars, dropper bottles, lip balm tubes, etc.

Thanks for reading about some of my way of shopping. I will share more later, but in the meantime, what are your favorite ways to get the supplies you need?

Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Help With Homemade Products

A friend asked me to share some of what I use instead of buying expensive cleaning products/personal care products. I am still learning in this area, but here are a few things I do to save money. This is actually a quote from an email to another friend asking for help...

Here is the laundry soap I am currently using. It is working well.
http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30455/Homemade%20Liquid%20Laundry%20Soap-%20Front%20or%20top%20load%20machine-%20best%20value

"Organic Body Care" is a good book I would recommend for recipes for personal body care recipes. It is a great resource. I use her recipe for herbal shampoo. This can also be used as a face wash for oily/combination skin/body wash.

Here is the basic version I use:

 Bring to boil:
2 C. water
Add to boiling water, remove from heat, cover and steep 30 min:
1 T. each of dried herb: Yarrow, Lemongrass, Lemon Balm, Peppermint (I get these from Mountain Rose Herbs and the Bulk Herb Store.)
Strain herb mixture, add:
1/2  C. shampoo base or all natural shampoo. (A natural baby shampoo will work as well. I use this one. http://www.vitacost.com/Jason-Daily-Shampoo-Fragrance-Free)
Add essential oils to empty shampoo bottle:
5 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops basil essential oil (Unless user is pregnant.)
10 Rosemary essential oil (unless user is pregnant. Rosemary is not to be used by pregnant women!)
5 Lavender essential oil

Add shampoo mix to shampoo bottle and gently mix. Let sit for 24 hrs to fully blend, but I have used it right away many times. =) The book suggests storing it in the fridge or only having a small bottle in the shower and the rest in the fridge...

Toothpaste:
Yes, it works and we really like this. David asks for it if I run out. We like cinnamon oil in it. Oh, I use the baby toothpaste recipe. This is very easy.  Note: Don't use a metal spoon or container for the clay. I use a plastic measuring spoon to measure the clay and to stir the mixture and I use a small canning jar for the finished product.
http://www.aboutclay.com/info/Uses/toothpaste.htm

A friend and I are about to experiment with soapnuts for handsoap etc. I will let you know how that goes. =)

 Hope this helps!

What are some of your favorite homemade products that work?
Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Free Printable Quote For Mothers

Nancy Campbell had an awesome quote from Charles Spurgeon on her Facebook status earlier. I made a quick print out for my wall and thought I would share it.

If you want to print it out, just click the link below. Feel free to share with others!
Spurgeon Quote



Nichola http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Burzynski, The Movie Watch it FREE until June 13!!! **UPDATE! Now Free Until June 20!!**

I don't have time to write this post, but here I am anyway.

I just found out that there has been a movie made about my Dr. The Dr. I went to when I walked out of MD Anderson 5 years ago because all they would offer me was chemo. Dr. Burzynski took me, I was on his therapy for 1 month and then for financial reasons and at the recommendation of Burzynski, I dropped his therapy and did chemotherapy because MD Anderson would not cooperate with his clinic and allow me to take PB and AminoCare while on the chemo. I know without a shadow of a doubt that if I had not taken the PB first, my outcome would have been drastically different. As most of my readers may know, I have had 2 children since my cancer treatments 5 years ago. My Dr. at MDA told me that I beat the odds. They didn't really expect me to recover from lymphoma. I am so thankful that I did.

Here is a 3 min clip of the movie.


The full movie can be seen online for FREE only until June 20, 2011. It can also be purchased at a discounted rate until that time. To watch the full movie, click below. To purchase, go to Burzynski, the Movie

Burzynski: Cancer Is Serious Business from BurzynskiMovie on Vimeo.
For more information: http://www.burzynskimovie.com

Go here to get the DVD: https://www.burzynskimovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=88


Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

My Newest Gadget

So, I have a new little toy, er, tool in my kitchen, that I keep thinking deserves a word in blogland. This little thing is just great! Ladies, and gentlemen, (if any are reading), I give you the Faberware Stovetop Percolator.

Now those of you who know me well know that I am not a coffee drinker. I could be, but I choose not to be. With pregnancy and nursing being a big part of my life right now,  I decided that I don't want to torture myself. (I can drink it, I can't drink it, I can, I can't, I...) So why am I messing around with a percolator? Glad you asked. =)

I am learning to make herbal teas and healthy coffee alternatives. I recently learned that some teas, such as this one, are better made in a percolator rather than just letting them steep on the counter. Thus began my hunt for the best percolator, that didn't cost me a ton of money.

This little pot, was the best I found to meet my needs. It is an 8-Cup percolator that sits on the stove, has all stainless parts inside and has a sturdy, stainless steel body. It perks beautifully, and is only $21.99 on Amazon.com, which is where I got mine. That is a very nice price, at least in my book, and if you compare the other percolator prices, this one is an easy win. These are also part of the Amazon 4 for 3 promotion.

I am also pleased that this one sits on my stove instead of plugging in. I have more control this way and since I have a gas stove, it is more economical for me to perk on the stove than the counter anyway.

Now, just a word to the coffee drinkers. According to the reviews I read while researching, the percolator is a superior was to make coffee, as apposed to a drip coffee maker. Reviewer after review raved about the coffee made in this thing vs whatever thing they had been using.

Oh, and on the subject of stuff floating in the cup, rest at ease. I have never had floaties in my cup with this. Just fill the cup that holds the grounds/tea while it is on the counter, not over the pot.

Just had to share this with you! Oh, and these would make great Mother's Day gifts!

If you'd like to check out some great teas, head over to the BulkHerbStore.com and look at their teas.

Here is a link to the coffee alternative I have been enjoying, just in case you want to try some. =)

Flirty Apron Deal

I just got a good deal on a new, really cute apron! Here's what to do:

Sign up for a Mr. Rebates account here. This will give you and automatic $5 in you Mr. Rebates account AND 8% back on the purchase you are about to make.
Now, search Mr. Rebates for "Flirty Aprons". Click on the link at Mr. Rebates to go to the Flirty Aprons website.

On the Flirty Aprons site, click on "Women's Aprons" and choose one or both of the Marilyn styles. Add to cart and enter coupon code "MARILYN60" to get 60% off!
You should see the price of the Marilyn apron change from $23.99 to $9.60. Shipping will be $4.73. That's only $14.33 for a cute apron!

Welcome, Rayna Yael!

On Jan 12, 2011, I finally went into real labor and got to enjoy every minute of it. All 12 hrs. =D It was not easy, but I truly did enjoy it. That may sound strange but after my labor with Travis was cut off by a C-section, I relished every part of my labor with Rayna. God was with us and gave me the strength I needed. I labored all night and amazingly none of the kids ever woke up until they heard the baby cry.

Rayna with Mommy and Daddy, just minutes after she was born. This is also her first time to be prayed for on this side of the womb.

Rayna Yael was born Jan 13, 2011 at 5:08am. She was my first HBAC. (Home Birth After Cesarean) She weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 20 1/4" long. Her daddy's hands were the first to hold her as he caught her as she entered this world. As you can see, she is beautiful and worth the wait. =) God's timing was perfect, as usual, and we are very thankful and blessed to have our little Rayna Yael.

Rayna with her happy big sister Keilah

Pleased big brother Jakin with his little sister Rayna. He really wanted a sister.

Rayna being held by big brother Travis, who is also totally thrilled to have a baby sister.

Big sister Sarah enraptured with her new baby sister.

1 day old

Devoted big brother

5 days old caught smiling as she was in between sleep and waking up

5 days old and ready to learn about the new world she has entered

Labor, Or Rather, Lack Of True Labor, Struggles

This post was also written earlier, and scheduled to post later....The date I wrote this post was Jan 10, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

I had my worst time yet in this pregnancy last night.

Things seemed to be getting ready for the baby and then seemed to really start cranking up, so I called my midwife and she headed out. David and the kids got things prepped and ready, and we all were excited. Midwife checked me and I was 1cm. She further ascertained that this was just a better version of false labor than I had previously experienced.

Needless to say, this is not what I was expecting or wanted to hear. Honestly, I am still having a hard time this morning. I am doing better, but my emotions are really giving me a ride when they take the notion. After nearly 2 weeks of this kind of thing, I really thought that I was dilated further than basically a 0.

There is not really a way to go through explaining all the reasons why this is hard for me. But God is faithful and has given me help in my time of need, just as He always has.

One thing that I am really being encouraged with this morning is that God is the One Who will bring me to the time of labor. I know, duh.  

Is 66:9 "Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the LORD; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God."

But as He reminded me of this this morning, I just gave a sigh of relief as I realized that all this really is God's deal and He is the One Whose job it is to bring this baby into this world. I am just a vessel that He has chosen to carry this little person. My part is to stay submitted to Him and rest in His timing. Can I do that on my own? Uh, no. But with His grace and power given to me, I can.

A further calming balm to my out of control emotions this morning is, God is God, not me. Another, duh, I know, but it really does help when things are not going my way to stop and remind myself that I am not the one who sees all. He is. Do I really want His job, do I really want to sit down, throw a fit and demand that the Author of the universe sit up, pay attention and cater to my feeble demands? Really, I don't have access to enough information to make those kinds of demands. I can't answer the questions God asked Job any better than He could, and so, like Job, I surrender and plead no contest.

This video sums it all up.



Really, in the scope of things, my issue is pretty piddly compared to lots of things that other people go through, or even things I have been through in the past. But, an issue is an issue, so no matter how piddly, if the heart can become settled  and still knowing that God is God, then it lays a foundation for other battles. I am praying that God burns this into me in such a way that it is my first response to a trial, no matter how big or how small.

Thoughts From My Pregnancy

This post was written Jan 6, 2011, but I scheduled it to post at a later date, after the baby was born. Rayna Yael was born Jan 13, 2011.

The question on the minds of all around me right now, and understandably so, is, have you had the baby yet? Or, haven't you had that baby yet? It has been on my mind a bit as well. =D Esp since earlier this week it looked like I might go into labor, and then it all went away. And then it looked like I might again, and all went away. And so on. I have been in and out of labor mode a few times this week. A bit like lining up to the starting line, ready for the race, and just before the gun goes off, the whole thing is called off. Leaves you feeling a bit like, "Now what?" And then we line up again... And again....

I have never really dealt with this in my earlier pregnancies and hadn't "prepped" myself for this. But I have been learning a few things that I want to record here. If anything I am going through/learning in this time is helpful to anyone reading, then that is great, too. =)

As I was telling a friend, I am having to just rest in God's timing right now. Or rather, fighting to rest. Sounds like a contradiction, but it has been a constant striving to wrestle my emotions down on the mat and hold them there 'til they submit to the facts: I am resting in the Lord's timing and plan. End of story. This battle has sometimes had to take place several times a day, and I have lost count of how many times I have won and then had to rejoin the fight to rest and trust in the last week. =)

As happens often with this type of battle, I have not been without the encouragement of the Lord. If I had gone into labor on two of the occasions that I thought I was going to, it would not have been good timing. There are two babies that are happy with their mommies right now, and if I had gone into labor my midwife would have either missed my birth or theirs. God knew. =) And His encouragement to me to rest in Him and His timetable was right on.

This is not an easy time for me right now, but I am thankful for it. I am looking forward to taking from the trenches of this battle the lessons that God is teaching me and using them to make other battles easier, or at least helping me to see them differently.

Hot Chocolate Mix

I have been craving hot chocolate. I don't know if this is due to baby, the weather or just weirdness. =D What ever the case is, I am.
So, I made some. Hot chocolate, that is. And it was so good I thought I would share it on my blog for whoever else is having a thing for the hot drink that warms you down to the toes.
Here is the recipe I used:

Hot Chocolate Mix

3 1/2 Cups nonfat dry milk
1 Cup powdered sugar (Hint: I put some of my natural sucanat sugar in my Vitamix dry container and turned it into powdered sugar. This gives rich taste as well as being a bit healthier than the white stuff...)
1/2 Cup cocoa powder. ( I like the dark chocolate...)

Combine all ingredients and store in air tight container.
To make a mug of yummy brown stuff, add 1/4-1/3 Cup of the mix to a mug, and fill with hot water. Stir and enjoy!