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The Truth About Fat: Why It’s Essential for Your Health and Weight Loss For decades, we were told fat was the enemy. My personal healing journey and science proves that healthy fats support weight loss, brain function, hormone health, and prevents a wide range of diseases. If you haven’t already, be sure to read my previous blog post  where I share our (me and my husband) personal story of chronic illness, misdiagnoses, and how we finally found the path to healing. Everything I share here I have put into practice for our family and have seen the life changing results first hand! The Fat-Free Lie: How We Got It Wrong The low-fat movement, which took off in the 1970s and 1980s, convinced people that eating fat led to weight gain, high cholesterol, and heart disease. The result? A massive increase in obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. An entire generation that fears butter, eggs, and full-fat dairy. A food industry that replaced healthy fats with seed oils, refined sugar, and artificial additives. But what if everything we’ve been told about fat is wrong? Modern research now confirms that dietary fat is not only healthy—it’s essential for survival. For those still believing all of the old marketing, check this out: A 2010 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition  found no significant evidence that saturated fat (like butter, cheese, and other animal sources of fat) increases heart disease risk. ( Source ) How Low-Fat Diets Created a Health Crisis The low-fat movement led food manufacturers to replace fat with processed carbohydrates, sugar, artificial ingredients, and worst of all - seed oils. Removing fat made food less satisfying, leading people to overeat. Refined carbs caused blood sugar spikes, increasing the risk of diabetes. Artificial ingredients introduced chemicals into our diets that harm metabolism. This shift backfired spectacularly, leading to an explosion of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Here is some science that backs this up: Howard et al. (2006)  – "Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Weight Change Over 7 Years: The Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial"  (JAMA) -A large-scale study that found no significant weight loss over 7 years in women following a low-fat diet , challenging the idea that reducing fat leads to weight loss. Ludwig et al. (2018)  – "Dietary fat: From foe to friend?"  (Science) -Argued that low-fat diets can contribute to obesity and metabolic disease  by increasing hunger and promoting blood sugar fluctuations. Why Fat is Essential for Your Health Your body needs fat to function properly. It plays a crucial role in: 1. Hormone Production Your body requires dietary fat to produce essential hormones like: Estrogen (needed for reproductive health) Testosterone (important for muscle growth and mood) Cortisol (regulates stress and metabolism) A study in the Journal of Urology found that low-fat diets can decrease testosterone levels, impacting energy, mood, and more.  (Source) 2. Brain Health Did you know that your brain is nearly 60% fat? Healthy fats—especially omega-3 fatty acids—support: Cognitive function Memory and learning Protection against dementia and Alzheimer’s A 2015 review in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids  confirmed that omega-3s play a crucial role in brain health including memory, learning, cognitive well being, as well as possibly preventing or delaying neurodegenerative conditions like alzheimers.  (Source) Did you know that some leading experts are now referring to Alzheimer's disease as 'Type 3 Diabetes' due to its' profound correlation with dietary caused insulin resistance and insulin dysfunction in the brain? 3. Cellular Function & Nutrient Absorption Every cell membrane in your body is made of fat, allowing for proper nutrient absorption and cellular communication. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they require fat to be absorbed and used by the body. How Eating Fat Helps You Lose Weight It may seem counterintuitive, but eating fat helps your body burn fat. Why? When you consume healthy fats, your body: Receives a signal that food is abundant, so it doesn’t need to store extra body fat. Stays full longer, reducing cravings and overeating. Burns fat for fuel, rather than relying on carbohydrates for energy. I have had people follow my dietary suggestions before on greatly increasing their healthy fats. They were SUPER skeptical and said it made no sense and was against everything they learned but that they'd try it. They were shocked... they started leaning out even though they didn't increase their activity, they were sleeping better, had less brain fog and more consistent energy, and less dramatic hunger spikes that leads to a lot of processed food high carb snacking. This has worked for me and those that I have counseled. It feels wrong because of all the ads we've been inundated with since we were children, but keep in mind that since the beginning of civilization humanity ate an abundance of healthy fats and had little to no obesity! The Best Fats to Eat (and the Ones to Avoid) Not all fats are created equal. The Best Healthy Fats These natural, minimally processed fats are the best for brain health, hormone balance, and weight management: Animal Fats – butter, tallow, lard, meat with the fat & skin, cheese, etc. Coconut Oil – Rich in MCTs, boosts brain function 100% Olive Oil - make sure seed oils aren't in the ingredients Avocado Oil – great for high-heat cooking & homemade mayo Nuts & Seeds – Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds Avocados The Fats to Avoid Industrial Seed Oils  – Soybean, canola, corn, cottonseed Hydrogenated Oils  – Found in margarine, shortening, processed snacks Artificial Trans Fats  – Increase heart disease risk A 2008 study in Experimental Biology and Medicine  found that a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio from industrial seed oils increases inflammation and chronic disease risk.  (Source) Expeller cold pressed seed oils aren't nearly as problematic, but those are rare. Most seed oils are high heat processed, high chemical processed, rancid, high inflammatory foods and should be absolutely avoided. There is an amazing documentary on this with a lot about the science and explains why seed oils are a HUGE contributing factor to the disease and obesity epidemic in America. It contains medical studies to support their claims and features 2 Medical Doctors and a PhD Investigative Science Journalist. It is available for free here  on Youtube. Final Thoughts: The Truth About Fat For too long, we’ve been misled about the role of fat in our health. Fat does NOT make you fat. Fat is essential for brain function, hormones, and metabolism. The real culprits behind obesity and disease are sugar, processed carbs, and industrial seed oils. If you want better energy, brain function, and long-term health, it’s time to ditch the fat-free mindset and embrace healthy fats again.

Learn to craft personalized essential oil blends for better sleep, stress reduction, headache relief, improved breathing, and enhanced immunity. I have been making my own essential blends for several years, and a few years ago I started including them in my natural products business. The customers came back with all the reviews! They were feeling and seeing the benefits from my products including the powerful effects of the essential oil blends I was using! These are some of my customer's favorite blends that I have used throughout the years and now I am ready to share the all with you! Crafting Your Blends ​For each blend, use 100% pure essential oils. Some reputable brands that are affordable are Now and Healing Solutions. Always perform a patch test before topical application. ​ These blends can be put into a diffuser, bath salts, DIY Bath Bombs (recipe here!), or diluted in a carrier oil and used topically. 🌙 Slumber Blend (For Sleep) If you're struggling to fall asleep, this calming blend will have you drifting off in no time! 😴 Cedarwood : Known for its grounding and sedative properties, cedarwood promotes relaxation and helps reduce anxiety. Lavender : One of the most popular essential oils for sleep, lavender helps to calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality. 👉  DIY Recipe : 5 drops Cedarwood 5 drops Lavender Simply add this blend to your diffuser before bed and unwind in a calming, peaceful atmosphere. You’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day! 🌙 🌿 Stress Release Blend (For Stress Relief) Need to unwind after a busy day? This stress-busting blend will help you feel calm and centered. 🧘‍♀️ Bergamot : A citrusy oil that promotes relaxation, helps reduce stress, and boosts mood. Lavender : A calming oil that eases anxiety and promotes tranquility. Ylang Ylang : Known for its uplifting properties, this oil helps reduce tension and emotional stress. Lemon : Adds a refreshing, uplifting aroma that clears the mind and lifts the spirits. 👉  DIY Recipe : 3 drops Bergamot 3 drops Lavender 3 drops Ylang Ylang 1 drop Lemon Perfect for a post-work relaxation session or during stressful moments! 🌱💆‍♀️ 💆‍♂️ Head Relief Blend (For Headaches) If you suffer from tension headaches, this soothing blend is just what you need. ✨ Lavender : Helps relieve headaches by easing tension and calming the nervous system. Peppermint : Known for its cooling effect, peppermint helps reduce head and neck tension. Frankincense : Supports deep breathing and calms the mind, reducing stress-related headaches. Rosemary : Improves circulation and relieves pain associated with tension headaches. 👉  DIY Recipe : 2 drops Lavender 3 drops Peppermint 2 drops Frankincense 2 drops Rosemary Add a few drops to a rollerball, and apply it to your collar bone, temples, and neck for instant relief. 💆‍♀️ 🌬️ Breathe Blend (For Congestion) Breathe easy with this clearing blend that helps open up the airways. Perfect for colds, allergies, or seasonal changes. 🌼 Peppermint : Known for its cooling properties, peppermint helps relieve congestion and promotes clear breathing. Eucalyptus : A powerful decongestant that clears the sinuses and helps with respiratory issues. Tea Tree : With its antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil fights off pathogens and promotes better air quality. Lemon : Helps cleanse the air and reduces inflammation, promoting easier breathing. 👉  DIY Recipe : 3 drops Peppermint 3 drops Eucalyptus 3 drops Tea Tree 1 drop Lemon Diffuse in your home or apply topically to your chest for instant relief. 🌿 🛡️ Health & Wellness Blend (For Immune Support) Boost your immunity with this powerful blend, perfect for protecting your body against seasonal bugs. 🍋💪 Eucalyptus : Helps stimulate the immune system and clear respiratory congestion. Lemon : Known for its detoxifying and immune-boosting properties. Lavender : Soothes and calms, helping to keep stress levels in check while your immune system works its magic. Frankincense : Strengthens the immune system and promotes overall well-being. 👉  DIY Recipe : 2 drops Eucalyptus 2 drops Lemon 2 drops Lavender 2 drops Frankincense Diffuse this blend in your home to fight off germs, or apply it topically to the soles of your feet or inside your wrists daily. 🍃💧  Shop Our Pure Essential Oil Blends Want to experience these benefits with the convenience of pre-made blends? Check out our pure, high-quality essential oils—perfect for your diffuser, bath time, or DIY rollerballs. 🌿 Shop Now! Check out more of my DIY Natural Product posts here!

Cutting Out Processed Foods: The First Step in Our Healing Journey Ultra-processed foods are linked to obesity, inflammation, and chronic disease. Learn why we cut out 95% of processed foods, switched to a whole-foods-based diet, and how it transformed our health. Continuing Our Health Journey: The First Step to Healing If you haven’t already, be sure to read our previous blog post  where we share our personal story of chronic illness, misdiagnoses, and how we finally found the path to healing. The above pictures show me after my first baby at 21 year old, and then after my 3rd baby 13 years later. What grabs my attention more than anything is the vitality in my eyes now. I can clearly see the inflammation, brain fog, tiredness, and growing disease just in my eyes in the first picture. This is especially interesting since my 3rd baby was colicky and I had a very poor sleep postpartum, plus I am much older now. According to standard ideas I should look worse in my recent photo. But that is clearly not the case. So what changed? What is the main factor that makes me look younger, healthier, and more energetic and vibrant now than I did 13 years ago? The simple answer is that I cut out ultra processed food and drinks and started eating real food. This blog marks the first step in mine and my husband's healing journey: cutting out 95% of all processed foods and drinks. It was one of the most profound changes we made, and the health improvements were undeniable. In this post, we’ll break down the serious health risks of processed foods, how they hide in everyday meals, what we eat now, and why a whole-foods-based diet changed everything for us. The Hidden Dangers of Processed Foods The standard American diet is largely made up of highly processed, nutrient-deficient, and inflammation-causing foods, snacks, and drinks, yet many people still don’t realize just how many hidden processed ingredients they are consuming daily. Even when we try to make healthy choices, many times we are still consuming tons of processed ingredients. Consider the ingredient list on a standard salad dressing bottle or carton of oat milk. There is a long list of inferior, highly processed ingredients, many with names we do not know. Now if we look at something like milk, beef, an egg, or spinach, they all contain 1 ingredient - a simple whole food packed with nutrient diversity and many health benefits. Peer-Reviewed Studies on Processed Foods & Health Decline I know from personal experience how dramatically different my body feels and behaves when I am eating a lot of processed foods, and the same goes for my husband, but to drive the point home here are some studies that give some additional information on how processed foods hurt you. Here are just a few of the scientifically-backed dangers of processed food consumption: Obesity & Weight Gain:  A study published in Cell Metabolism  found that people consuming an ultra-processed diet ate more calories and gained more weight compared to those eating whole, unprocessed foods ( source ). I can tell you from experience that part of the reason this happens is because processed foods pack more calories into less food. Plus, the companies make the food highly addictive so you eat more of it, and the ingredients do not support your body's ability to maintain a naturally healthy weight. For example, A McDonald's Big Mac Meal is roughly 1120 calories. In comparison, a homemade teriyaki chicken veggie rice bowl can come in at around 800 calories if you pair it with glass of water instead of soda. Not only is the rice bowl less calories, but those calories are far higher in nutrient density and diversity and do not contain ingredients that can cause inflammation, fat storage, and illness down the line. Chronic Inflammation:  Research in the British Medical Journal  linked ultra-processed foods to increased inflammation markers, which contribute to diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders ( source ). Increased Mortality Risk:  A study from JAMA Internal Medicine  found that higher consumption of processed foods increases the risk of early death ( source ). The food industry has designed addictive, hyper-palatable foods loaded with refined sugars, seed oils, and artificial additives—all of which hijack hunger cues and contribute to nutritional deficiencies and long-term health problems. Where Processed Foods Hide in Your Diet Many people think they eat "healthy" simply because they don’t eat fast food daily. However, processed ingredients sneak into common foods, including: Salad dressings and jarred sauces (even fancy spaghetti sauce!)  – Contain inflammatory seed oils, artificial flavoring, and added refined sugar. Breakfast cereals & granola bars (yes even those claiming to be heart healthy)  – Marketed as "healthy" but loaded with refined grains, seed oils, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. Flavored yogurts  – Often contain more sugar than soda and synthetic additives. Plant-based meat and milk alternatives, coffee creamers  – Heavily processed with seed oils, soy protein isolates, and artificial flavor enhancers, not to mention a terrifyingly long list of strange ingredients. I usually recommend Lactaid Milk, Goat Milk, or A2 Milk for those with lactose intolerance instead of plant milks. Though there are some healthier plant milks they can be tricky to find and many of the labels are misleading. For our coffee creamer we just use whole milk frothed with sweetened condensed milk, it tastes like marshmallow fluff and only contains 2 ingredients! Packaged shelf and frozen foods, even those marketed as healthy  – Many are just ultra-processed junk foods in disguise. Unless they are pure frozen fruits, vegetables, or meats, we usually avoid them. Margarine, vegetable oils - Just straight up all bad. Seed oils are one of the biggest contributors to the health decline in America which is now spreading to the rest of the world. Simply look at pictures of public locations before the heavy push of seed oils into the American Diet starting in the 1950s, versus a public location now. Obesity and nearly all disease sky rocketed after the push for seed oils and the demonizing of animal fats. A great documentary to provide more information on this topic is available for free here on Youtube. It contains medical studies to support their claims and features 2 Medical Doctors and a PhD Investigative Science Journalist. Store bought bread, crackers, chips, and other snacks - finding a healthy version of these items at the store is a lot harder than you think. The organic and healthy labels make it even more confusing. We just avoid these all together and only save these items for special fun occasions.  Most brands are packed with refined grains, seed oils, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. Allowing these items as a large part of your diet can be much more damaging to your health than you realize, especially to your insulin levels. There is now a growing number of doctors that are offering real diet solutions that are reversing their patient's Type 2 Diabetes. A quick Google search will show many youtube videos by MD's who are doing it effectively as well as testimonies from patients who have been successful on their own with these changes such as this one here . Type 2 Diabetes is a diet caused disease, and is a disease that can be reversed by diet as well. Many of the changes the experts suggest are related to removing many of the foods above, as they are damaging to the body's natural ability to balance insulin. Switching to Real Food We transitioned to a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet focused on real, time-tested foods. Instead of relying on boxed, packaged, and pre-made meals, we started cooking from scratch with simple, whole ingredients. Here’s what that looks like: ✅ High quality meat made at home  ✅ Healthy fats – We replaced seed oils with real butter, ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and animal fats. ✅ Pure dairy and eggs  ✅ Homemade sauces & dressings – Avoiding processed additives by making our own. ✅ Rice, Potatoes, Oats, Grits, Homemade Sourdough Breads and Baked Goods, Brown Rice Noodles (we are a gluten intolerant family) - All in moderation and always paired with protein and healthy fats for balanced blood sugar. ✅ Our Snacks now consist of nuts, homemade granola, fruit, dried fruit, and homemade popcorn (not microwave bags) with ghee or melted butter and salt. ✅ No more processed junk allowed in the house including store bought cereal and granola bars. I make homemade dessert once every couple of weeks with real ingredients, and in between we limit refined sugar to our bi-weekly treat. We have pure chocolate bars on hand for the days in between when we are craving a sweet, with a strict allowance on how much is allowed per day. The rest of the time we have fruit or healthy baked goods made with maple syrup, honey, and nutritious ingredients. ✅ No more eating out. We are only allowed 1 meal a week to be processed or restaurant food. And super junk food is allowed about once a month. This limits our seed oils as they are in almost every single food out there including nice restaurants. This also makes it a fun occasion and we enjoy the food even more when we get to indulge! You have never tasted how good a Cheeto truly is until you limit it to only once a month, even the kids agree! This list can go on to include pure beans, lentils, grains, and more, but I think you get the point. The closer we get to food that resembles what humans have eaten for centuries, the healthier we become. By focusing on real food, our health started to transform rapidly. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the food addiction that has been programmed into our biology by these processed foods, so that is why we have rules and allowances to make sure we stay on track with our health and don't allow the addictions to vote on how our future health looks. Packaged vs. Homemade: A Shocking Nutrition Comparison Not all meals are created equal. Here’s how a homemade lasagna made with real ingredients stacks up against a processed, packaged option. Packaged Frozen Lasagna (Typical Store-Bought) Calories:  ~450 per serving Protein:  ~18g Fat:  ~20g (mostly from seed oils and processed cheese) Nutrients:  Low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals; high in sodium Added Ingredients:  Contains preservatives, artificial flavors, emulsifiers, refined grains, and seed oils Homemade Lasagna (Ground Turkey, Real Cheese, and Traditional Noodles) Calories:  ~500 (varies) Protein:  40g+ (high-quality protein from turkey and real cheese) Fat:  Healthy fats from real cheese and olive oil (healthy fats are a game changer for your health and natural fat loss!) Nutrients:  Higher in vitamins, minerals, and fiber from whole food ingredients Added Ingredients:  None—made with whole, real ingredients The packaged lasagna is the perfect recipe for inflammation, stored fat, and future disease. Even though both meals are lasagna, the homemade version provides better-quality protein, healthy fats, and no artificial additives, preservatives, or seed oils compared to the packaged one. Final Thoughts: Processed Foods & Health Recovery Cutting out 95% of processed foods was one of the biggest steps in our healing process. Once we replaced ultra-processed, artificial foods with whole, natural ingredients, we noticed: ✔ More energy & reduced fatigue ✔ Less inflammation & joint pain ✔ Stable blood sugar & fewer cravings ✔ Better digestion & gut health ✔ Improved mood & mental clarity ✔Body weight effortlessly balancing to a healthy level. Healing doesn’t have to be complicated—it starts with real food. __________________ If any part of my story resonated with you—if you’re tired of being dismissed, frustrated with endless prescriptions, or simply looking for answers—I invite you to keep exploring. I’ve written ad continue to write other blog posts that dive deeper into the exact steps I took to heal my gut, reduce inflammation, calm my nervous system, and so much more. You can  click here to explore more natural health topics  and start walking the same path toward healing. New blogs added weekly! And if you're looking for safe, gentle products to support your journey from the outside in, I create small-batch natural products for bath, body, and home right here at  West Texas Soap Co.  Everything I make is inspired by this journey—focusing on ingredients that don't further toxify the body and instead promote natural wellness.  Visit the shop here  and know that you’re not alone in this. Healing is possible.

Make this easy DIY baby powder with zinc oxide, oat flour, and bentonite clay—talc-free and perfect for sensitive baby skin. Calms diaper rash and keeps skin dry. 👶 DIY Healing Baby Powder for Sensitive Skin (Talc-Free & Nourishing) My first two kids, both boys, had 0 diaper rashes their entire babyhood despite using conventional diapers and wipes with them as I wasn't yet educated on the benefits of natural living. But baby #3, my sweet girl, is very susceptible to rashes even in all natural cloth diapers and wipes. This recipe was created out of desperation to try and heal her chronic diaper rashes with the most healing ingredients I had on hand that I could pack into one powder. It has been a miracle worker for her and I hope it is just as helpful for your baby. This soothing, talc-free baby powder is also a gentle and effective natural remedy for adults dealing with chafing, sweat rashes, or skin irritation—making it a versatile staple for the whole family. 🌾 Benefits of Each Ingredient: Cornstarch  – A natural absorbent that helps wick away moisture and prevent chafing. It’s gentle and soothing on even the most tender baby skin. Oat Flour  – Oats are known for their calming, anti-inflammatory properties. This ingredient helps soothe irritation, redness, and itching—perfect for diaper rash or sweat-prone areas. Zinc Oxide Powder  – This is the key healing hero! Zinc creates a gentle barrier on the skin that protects against moisture and promotes fast healing. It’s the same ingredient in most natural diaper rash creams, but here, it’s in powder form. Bentonite Clay  – Draws out impurities, absorbs excess moisture, and supports the skin's natural healing process. Especially great for babies with sensitive or rash-prone skin. Recipe: 🌿 Ingredients: 2 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) 1 tbsp oat flour 1/2 tsp zinc oxide powder 1 tbsp bentonite clay In a clean salt shaker, add ingredients together. Cover holes with your hand and shake until thoroughly mixed. Store in a dry place. Use a small amount as needed on clean, dry baby skin. *Avoid using near baby's face or where powder could be inhaled. *Optional: Add a few drops of baby-safe essential oil like chamomile or lavender (but skip this for newborns or ultra-sensitive skin). 🛁 Great for Gifting Too!Package it in a muslin bag with a handwritten tag and you’ve got a sweet, handmade natural baby shower gift with love (and purpose). 🛍️ Love Natural Baby Care? If you enjoy easy, healing recipes like this one, check out my handmade sensitive-skin favorites for the whole family. Each one is made by hand by me with the same care I use for my own babies:👉  Shop Natural Products for Sensitive Skin Check out more of my DIY Natural Product posts here!

A skin-loving, all-natural bath bomb recipe that's gentle enough for kids and powerful enough to replace lotion. Perfect for dry skin, eczema, sensitive skin, or those trying to go more natural! Though I don't sell them anymore, I am still obsessed with my packaging for them! Soothing, Spa-Like Skin - Straight From Your Tub I have been making and selling these bath bombs with this exact recipe for years now! As I have decided to reduce my product line to something more manageable (I am a single woman team here doing it all!), I am ready to share this recipe with you all for free! My favorite thing about these is that they are 100% natural. Many customers have told me that them or their children have experienced adverse reactions to the many unnatural ingredients found in conventional bath bombs from the store. I don't want you to marinate in a tub full of strange chemicals and dyes. I have had customers with insanely sensitive skin who have only experienced benefits from these like reduced eczema/psoriasis flare ups and healing severely dry skin in adults and children alike! And the best part? No lotion is needed after bath time for the kids or you! You don't know what truly moisturized, brand new, magical skin feels like until you've tried one of these epic bath bombs. Let’s dive into how to make them, why they’re so effective, and how you can tweak the recipe to suit your family’s needs. 🌿 Why These Natural Bath Bombs Are So Good for Your Skin Each ingredient in this recipe serves a purpose—not just for fizz and fun, but for deep nourishment: Coconut Oil (1/2 cup, melted) Rich in fatty acids, coconut oil helps seal in moisture, reduce inflammation, and protect delicate skin barriers—especially important for eczema-prone or sensitive skin. It also gives your skin that buttery-soft feel post-bath. Citric Acid (1 cup) This powerhouse is what makes the bombs fizz, but it also helps gently exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and more radiant. Baking Soda (1 cup) Naturally soothing and softening, baking soda helps balance skin pH, calm irritation, and even provide some detoxifying benefits. Cornstarch (1 cup) This silky powder adds creaminess to your bath water and helps slow down the fizz for a longer soak. It's also naturally soothing and gentle on skin. Essential Oils (1 tsp for adults, 1/2 tsp or less for kids). See my favorite DIY blends here ! Pure, skin-safe essential oils offer therapeutic aroma and topical benefits—lavender for calming, eucalyptus for clearing, or chamomile for soothing sensitive skin. Optional: Mica Powder & Dried Flowers For a beautiful, gift-worthy touch, use natural mica powder for color and skin-safe dried flowers like calendula or rose. Just be mindful of clean-up (tips below!). DIY Bath Bomb Instructions Melt coconut oil and let it cool slightly but stay warm. In a large bowl, mix baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour the warm coconut oil into the dry mixture while stirring constantly. Add your essential oil(s) and stir to combine. Optional: add mica powder and dried flowers. Mix until the texture feels like damp sand—it should hold together when squeezed. Pack tightly into a bath bomb mold (this takes practice!) or skip the mold and use the mixture as a loose powder in your tub. *This recipe makes 4 standard sized bath bombs or 13 kid sized mini bath bombs. *I like to wear rubber gloves while making these. The abrasive powders can exfoliate your hands too much while working the mix, and the essential oils can get strong on the skin during mixing. 🕒 Don’t Skip the Cure Time! After you pop your bath bombs out of the molds, let them sit out to cure for at least 24 hours. This step allows them to fully dry and harden so they don’t crumble when handled or wrapped. Humidity Tip: If it's raining or humid, delay your cure time or use a dehumidifier in the room. Moisture in the air can cause the bombs to activate prematurely or soften. 📦 How to Wrap & Store Your Bath Bombs Bath bombs made with real, natural oils—like this recipe—will often release a bit of oil over time. For that reason, I don’t recommend wax paper or cardboard, which can soak through and create a mess. The best option is shrink wrap or plastic wrapping, which seals in the moisture and oil without leaks. If they're just for you, simply store them in a glass or plastic container or plastic bag until you're ready to use them. Pro Tip : If you’re gifting them, the molded version is lovely. But for everyday use, tossing 3/4 cup of the powder for adults or 1/4 cup of the powder for kids into the bath is just as beneficial—no molding stress required. ⚠️ A Few Quick Safety & Clean-Up Notes ⚠️ No Polysorbate 80 Here While many bath bomb recipes call for this chemical to prevent oil from sticking to your tub, we leave it out. Why? Even though it’s been deemed safe, we prefer to err on the side of caution—just like we’ve all learned from the talcum powder controversy. Tub Slippery? Here’s the Easy Hack After your bath, the tub will be slipper from the coconut oil so be careful getting out! Simply do a quick wipe-down with a sponge and a squirt of standard dish soap (I prefer a natural dish soap). It only takes 30 seconds and prevents the next shower-goer from slipping. Using Flowers? Keep a fine mesh strainer with a handle near your tub to easily scoop them out before draining. Done and done. 🎁 Great for Gifting These bath bombs make a thoughtful gift for teachers, neighbors, new moms, or hostesses. I like to package mine in a beautiful patterned paper, you can seal with a bow or a wax seal like I've done in the picture at the top, or a muslin sack with a cute tag like I've done below! It is a gift that feels luxurious and personal. 💛 Love the Idea, But Don’t Want to DIY? While I no longer sell my bath bombs, I  do  offer a full range of natural products designed for sensitive, dry, and eczema-prone skin—Every item is made with the same level of care and clean ingredients. Check out each product in the link below to see what customers are saying!👉  Shop All Products Here Check out more of my DIY Natural Product posts here!

Discover meaningful Holy Week activities for families to deepen your Easter celebration. Engage in daily reflections, crafts, and traditions that honor the true significance of the season. A few years ago I took the leap of making our Christmas less focused on materialism and "me me me" and more focused on Christ and connection, and we all absolutely loved it, including the kids! This year I am making the same switch for Easter. Easter egg hunts and baskets full of knick knacks just don't do it for me anymore and feels meaningless and flat. This is the most important event in Christian history and I want this season to feel and look like that. So I have compiled a calendar of special events and moments to make it a deep meaningful tradition full of connection and reflection and most of all CHRIST. I have kids ranging from 1-14 so this calendar of events is designed to include all of my children. We are a deep conversations type family. When my boys were just 4 and 8, we started having deep theological discussions late into the night. So this calendar also caters to that aspect of our family culture along with meaningful events. Make sure to include special things that cater to your family's unique home culture! As always for my content, it is all very budget friendly, much more so than traditional Easter in American Culture. For the breads, I will be making them homemade from sourdough in advance. Homemade baked goods are something that has become very special for our family and also allows me to make them gluten free (long ferment) for cheap. I will be printing some beautiful Easter countdown cards off of Etsy that allows us to have a daily visual prompt as well as some stories/scripture on the back that explains the significance of each day. I have also saved some paintings that emotionally impact me, that point to Jesus and the empty tomb that I will be printing and hanging on the wall for the week. This will also be a time of specific Easter devotional for me during my quiet times. This year I am trying to focus on my kids having a personal relationship with Jesus so each day I will be facilitating a time where THEY pray quietly on their own to God while we sit together instead of just relying on me and Dad to pray while they sit and their minds wander. Let's get to it!​ 📅 Holy Week Daily Activities & Reflections Each Day we read the scriptures together over candlelight and sometimes include a cartoon of the events off of Youtube like this series . You can also include a picture Bible to keep them engaged during scripture reading, and then we always end with prayer like I describe above. Throughout these days we also reflected on the Messianic prophecies from Isaiah from roughly 700 years prior to the events in the New Testament. I'll list some of those at the bottom of the post for your reference. 🌿 Palm Sunday: Jesus Enters Jerusalem Scripture :  Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19​ Activity: Create palm branches using construction paper and popsicle sticks.​ Reenact Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, celebrating with shouts of "Hosanna!"​ 🍃 Holy Monday: Cleansing the Temple Scripture :  Matthew 21:12–22; Mark 11:15; Luke 19:45–48; John 2:13–17​ Activity: Make origami tables using a Youtube tutorial and read the passages of Jesus flipping the tables in His righteous anger. Flip your tables and say the words Jesus said. We liked to yell at the top of our lungs His words while we flipped our tables clear across the room. 📖 Holy Tuesday: Teachings of Jesus Scripture: Matthew 21:23–24:51; Mark 11:20–13:37; Luke 20:1–21:36; John 12:20–38​ Activity: Read, watch, and discuss Jesus' teachings on faith and obedience.​ 🕵️ Spy Wednesday: Judas' Betrayal Scripture: Matthew 26:12–14; Mark 14:10–12; Luke 22:3–6​ Activity: Place 30 silver coins on the table as a visual aid.​ Read the scriptures by candlelight, discussing the gravity of the betrayal.​ Reflect on 1 Timothy 6:10 and the dangers of loving money.​ 🍷 Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper Scripture: Matthew 26:17–75; Mark 14:12–72; Luke 22:7–62; John 13:1–38​ Activity: Prepare a Mediterranean-style meal with grapes, dates, pita bread, hummus, and cheese.​ I will also include things I know the kids will actually eat like pepperoni and summer sausage. Dine on the floor the room only lit with candlelight to emulate the Last Supper setting with a scarf or fancy table cloth on the table.​ Use grape juice, or in our case kombucha, as a representation of wine during the meal.​ Conclude with candlelit scripture reading and personal prayers.​ ⚫ Good Friday: Crucifixion and Burial Scripture: Matthew 27:1–62; Mark 15:1–47; Luke 22:63–23:56; John 18:28–19:37 ​Activity: Construct a "tomb" in the garden using natural materials or craft supplies like air dry clay or popsicle sticks.​ Create a figure of Jesus from twigs, wrap it in cloth, and place it in the tomb.​ Seal the tomb and assign "guards" to watch over it.​ Light a candle representing the "Light of the World," extinguishing it during the reading of Jesus' death to symbolize the world's darkness. Sit in silence, reflecting and praying together as a family.​ 🌑 Holy Saturday: A Day of Waiting Scripture: Matthew 27:62–66; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56; John 19:40 ​Activity: Visit the tomb, ensuring it remains sealed.​ Recite Isaiah 53:5–6 in the darkness.​ Engage in silent, personal prayers, acknowledging the anticipation of resurrection.​ 🌅 Resurrection Sunday: He Is Risen! Scripture: Matthew 28:1–13; Mark 16:1–14; Luke 24:1–9; John 20:1–23​ Activity: Before the kids wake, open the tomb, remove the figure of Jesus, and fold the burial cloths inside.​ Have the children discover the empty tomb, celebrating with shouts of "He is risen!"​ Relight the candle as a symbol of the resurrected Christ - the light of the world has returned! Prepare a celebratory meal with traditional foods like sourdough challah and in our case sourdough pizzas cut out with little fish cookie cutters (my kids will not eat fish lol). Conclude the day with prayers of gratitude and personal reflections.​ Some Isaiah Messianic references: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:2 , Isaiah 42: 1-4 , Isaiah 52, Isaiah 53 There are others as well! 🧩 Additional Resources 65 Meaningful Holy Week and Easter Activities for Families ​ Other Than A Mom Christ-Centered Family Activities For Holy Week ​ The Peaceful Haven E  xplore more of my blogs ranging from my natural healing journey, parenting tricks that have worked for me, and even DIY natural products here !

How to Teach Siblings to Share and Solve Conflicts Without Fighting How I Taught Our Kids to Share Without Fighting My sons had a gaming party at my sister's house recently. She was so impressed with how well behaved they were while sharing the VR headset and how they took turns so peacefully without any intervention by setting up their own timer system. This timer system was an idea I had when they were younger, and it has been a complete game changer in our home. Every parent has been there—two kids, one special toy or game, and an argument brewing. Arguing leads to big emotions, tears, or hitting depending on the season you're in. With 2 boys who enjoyed a lot of the same things this became a regular occurrence in our house that required constant interventions and peace talks. As they got a little older I came up with a solution that has been a complete game changer for us. I don't believe in buying more items to end fights, instead I opted to teach our kids how to share fairly by letting them create their own time-sharing system. I wanted my kids to develop skills that would serve them for life: patience, teamwork, and self-regulation - not to run to the store and buy stuff to fix problems. This timer system has completely changed the way our kids handle turn-taking, fairness, and problem-solving—so much so that they now do it completely on their own, without adult intervention needed. A Fair Timer System for Turn-Taking Rather than imposing a strict system, I included our kids in the process by discussing: How long should each turn be? What’s fair for both players? How long are they willing to wait for their turn? I provided input where needed, but ultimately, they learned to weigh both perspectives and decide on their own rules—which made them much more likely to respect the system. How to Implement This in Your Home Step 1: Include Your Kids in the Decision-Making Instead of enforcing a rule, start a discussion: "How long do you think is fair for each turn?" "How long are you willing to wait for your turn?" "What happens if the timer goes off and someone doesn’t switch?" They will feel more invested in the solution when they help create it. Step 2: Use a Timer to Keep It Fair Let the kids set the timer themselves. Once time is up, they switch without complaints (after some practice with Mom's help)—because they helped choose the time limit. The timer eliminates the need for a referee (you!) since the system is neutral and agreed upon. Step 3: Stay Consistent Until It Becomes Automatic At first, you may need to remind them to use the timer—but if you stay consistent, they will eventually self-regulate without your involvement. Now, our kids don’t even ask me to settle disputes—they default to the system they created. Why This System Works: The Core Lessons It Teaches 1. Teaches Kids Problem-Solving & Collaboration Instead of me dictating the rules, they work together to find a fair solution. This helps them develop: Negotiation skills The ability to see another perspective A sense of fairness that considers both parties 2. Promotes Self-Regulation & Patience By setting their own reasonable time limits, they learn to: Manage their own expectations Wait their turn calmly without frustration Feel more in control of the process 3. Reinforces Teamwork & Cooperation This system removes the “winner vs. loser” mentality that often causes fights. Instead of competing, they work as a team to make the system function fairly for everyone. 4. Builds Emotional Intelligence & Reduces Entitlement Many kids expect parents to solve their arguments for them—or they assume that getting another item is the solution. Instead, our system teaches them: How to manage emotions during conflict That fairness is about balance, not just “getting what you want” To appreciate and share what they have, instead of expecting more The Results: Kids Who Self-Regulate Conflict We have used this system so consistently since they were young that now they: Set their own timers without me reminding them Come to fair agreements on their own Switch turns peacefully without frustration It has become so natural to them that they automatically implement this system in new situations—even at their aunt’s house during game night, where they surprised everyone by handling turn-taking with complete peace and fairness with their timer set and ready to go. Final Thoughts: Raising Kids Who Handle Conflict Peacefully When kids learn to share fairly and resolve disagreements on their own, they gain valuable life skills that extend far beyond turn-taking: Patience Collaboration Emotional intelligence Self-regulation This method has completely transformed the way our kids handle conflict—both at home and in new environments. Whether they’re gaming, playing, or using shared resources, they instinctively work together instead of against each other. And the best part? A lot less fighting, complaining, and tears - and Mom no longer needing to step outside to breathe for a few minutes before her head explodes. You can check out more of my posts ranging from my natural health recovery to DIY natural products here!

Leaving the Noise Behind to Embrace a Life of Faith, Family, and True Contentment In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8 I am seeing my previous businesses and visions all slowly folding into this blog dream as time goes on, and now I see one of my most compelling business ventures making it's way into this one.  I once had a business I named Beautiful Living Today. I was driven to inspire others to build a beautiful, meaningful, and slow living life wherever they may be planted. I had learned how to create my own little piece of tranquil heaven in one of the most dangerous and loudest cities in the country, and I wanted to help others do the same. It was composed of blogs, podcasts, and some beautiful videos. I felt it was such a deep calling from God and was so excited, I had spent countless hours on designs and plans, had felt the calling to have a good friend fold into the business with me, and then nothing happened. She never jumped on board like we had planned to, I lost the inspiration, and felt confused as it had felt so deeply a calling from God. The friendship eventually fizzled, life and priorities took over, and here we are years later and it is just a distant memory. But the calling forever remains nestled in my heart. I have seen ways I have let it slip out through different social media posts and countless interactions with people, always encouraging others to find the slow meaningful life among the noise, but I never saw it for what it was, the vitally important Beautiful Living Today mission crying to have an outlet. One of the blog posts I had posted there years ago was called 'Finding Quiet', I lost the blog, but I find myself this last couple weeks deeply yearning for this title in my own life. It has been a complete whirlwind and insane uphill climb to get my natural products business West Texas Soap Co. where it is today. At 9 months pregnant I was working full days until midnight filling orders, literally until she popped out, and then within 24 hours was posting again and never stopped. No breaks, no breaths. It is something I would strongly advise against for most people. I had a mission to build the business to a level that could help support our family and 3 years in, I have never had the space and time to find any quiet other than stolen moments during devotional time. I'd find myself playing with the kids while thinking about getting back to work. Homeschooling them, wishing for it to go by faster so I could get back to work. That is not who I am, and is against all advice I've ever given to anyone, but the mission to provide more money for the family took precedence, as it should when money is too tight for comfort even when living the most frugal humble life. Now a new season has arrived, and I am so excited I could cry. Things are much better, things are in place, the foundation is laid and now I can focus on maintaining the business I've created, instead of striving for growth. I do not require a large business to be happy. We are content with modest circumstances as long as the needs are met. We actually enjoy them because it allows us to continue trusting in God, and allows Him to show us His constant miracles against all odds. I've asked myself, what really is financial freedom? Not in the culture's definition but in the Christian's definition? I have found myself striving for the culture's definition of financial freedom which is empty and meaningless. A desire for more than I have? Fleshly desires and wants that mean nothing. Lack of contentment with my current blessings, striving for more. Not truly settling in and appreciating all that I have, as if I'm telling God "It's not enough'. In a world with constant social media and seeing everyone around the world all day long, we swim in an ocean of seeing what others have and wanting it, instead of loving what we have right around us. What needs work is my soul, not my bank account. Financial worry and stress is a lack of faith and trust that God wants to and will provide each need we have, if we put Him first in our lives, and put in our best effort in our lives (no laziness here), because He loves us. We've chosen family values over money and jobs for about 7 years now. If we show up 100% within the boundaries of the values He wants us to live, He shows up 100% to provide. We've been judged harshly for it by many, choosing family over money filled demanding jobs, but our kids are the happiest kids I've ever known because of it. We have time together as a family every day, they're following their passions and know who they are, they won't have a midlife crisis realizing they just did what everyone expected of them and never did anything they actually wanted to. Our marriage is strong and healthy. Our bodies are strong and healthy. Our faith is strong and healthy. I take all of that over a fat bank account any day, and ever since we started making these decisions to chose family over money, our bank account has been smaller but our joy, meaning, connection, happiness, and faith -much greater. So back to my point of Finding Quiet. I haven't had this since we moved to Texas nearly 4 years ago. We've been in an INTENSE growing season the last 4 years, growing personally, spiritually, as a family, and as husband and wife. The list of torturous jobs found and lost, constant ups and downs, constant needing to cling to Jesus for dear life, is a long one. The death of a parent, 3 surgeries for 2 children, terrifying circumstances around unexpected job loss and no one hiring. Facing possible loss of a place to live while preparing for a baby to arrive. A church found, a church breaking our hearts deeply, misled into severe cult level legalism to the point of spiritual bondage, and the process of breaking free, relationships to heal with many difficult conversations, and God delivering us from every single situation and providing for us through every step of the way. Our faith is beyond anything it was ever capable of before we moved. We cannot believe how we have transformed, we cannot believe who we used to be just 4 years ago. We are so grateful for this 4 years of intense trial because of how it has transformed us into truly loving and having a relationship with God, and how we actually put Him first now to the best of our ability every day. The miracles are too many to even list. The ways He has provided for us and guided us are absolutely unbelievable. He ALWAYS had a plan. We were never forgotten and His hand was never distant. We needed every moment of that season to be who we are now, and we are so grateful for it all, even though it was painful and terrifying many times. We don't need anything but Jesus. So... As I sit and write my intentions for 2025, the biggest item is Cultivating A Quiet Mind and Life - Everything will be different. Much less social media posting and noise, much more deep quiet writings from me, truer to who I am, a deep thinking introvert who loves quiet, slow, meaningful living. I love to write, it doesn't drain from my cup like other types of communication. The nutrition course I have talked about for quite some time will no longer be a thing, more noise that I don't want. Instead, as I feel inspired, I will share on this blog. I have already written multiple chapters of a book that I am excited to share in this space. I have so much in my brain that loves to get out through this medium. I also love the idea of sharing it all freely for all to read as they choose. This year will be the relaunch of my initial Beautiful Living Today mission, but under this new amazing community God has built through West Texas Soap Co. and now this blog. I am so excited to now spend my days Finding Quiet for the first time in many years, and sharing with you along the way. Until next time... -Tej'a

Struggling with chronic illness, fatigue, and inflammation? After years of misdiagnoses and failed treatments, I finally found healing through natural diet changes and limbic system retraining. Here’s my story of recovery and what I learned along the way. The Beginning “I’m in so much pain, I can barely get through my day at work. The typing is killing my hands, all the way up to my elbows. I’ve heard of carpal tunnel after years of repetitive work, but I’m only 22. What’s going on?” I sat on the exam room bed, the paper crinkling beneath me. The doctor glanced over my urine sample results, flipping through the clipboard in his hands. He was chipper and relaxed, completely unconcerned with the story I just shared. “Well, the good news is all your labs look great. It shows you are perfectly healthy.” That was it. Appointment over. I remember him nearly laughing as he told me I was fine, politely shooing me off so he could move on to the next patient. He had no clue—nor did he care—what I was experiencing. I was afraid. I felt like I was 80 years old. The aches and pains, the inability to do my job—if I felt this way at 22, what would I feel like at 60? Searching for Answers: My Health Symptoms & Challenges Desperate for answers, I turned to research. I looked into everything that could help with carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and inflammation—both of which I had to self-diagnose after my dismissive doctor’s visit. I wore wrist and elbow braces all day at work, sometimes even while sleeping. I adjusted my desk setup for better ergonomics and did interval stretching throughout the day. I stopped doing things I loved, like playing the piano and crocheting, because they caused too much inflammation. Then came another doctor’s visit. Recurring Infections and More Dismissals When I saw my gynecologist, I shared concerns about ongoing discomfort and recurring infections. “It looks like you have BV and a yeast infection again,” he said matter-of-factly. “Can we send the prescription for your antibiotics to the same pharmacy as last time?” Again? How was this happening month after month? I had heard of the occasional yeast infection, but this was becoming a regular occurrence. I felt gross and broken. “Why am I getting infections almost every month? What’s wrong?” I asked. “It’s just how some women are.” Another smiling doctor. Another dismissive response. Later, due to a change in my health insurance, I switched gynecologists. My infections had become so frequent that she eventually stopped scheduling appointments for me. “You get these pretty much every month, and you know what they feel like, so I’m just going to write you a standing prescription. You can refill it yourself whenever you need it.” She thought she was doing me a favor—no more unnecessary doctor visits or missing work. What she didn’t tell me was that these monthly rounds of antibiotics were damaging my gut microbiome, making my health deteriorate even further. When I told her about other symptoms, like random heart palpitations, she immediately suggested an antidepressant—despite me having no signs of anxiety or depression at the time. I asked her to run a hormone panel to see if imbalances were at the root of my issues. She said it was pointless. My Health Worsened: Fatigue, Blood Sugar Crashes & Chronic Symptoms During my second pregnancy, my health spiraled. I experienced extreme sugar crashes, near fainting spells, and inexplicably low blood pressure. I even brought in my own blood sugar readings, proving that something was wrong. “All your tests look normal.” Shrug. Goodbye. I started carrying emergency sugar tablets everywhere. At work, I would often be in the private room, lying upside down with my feet in the air to raise my blood pressure. All the symptom management strategies I used came from my own research—not my doctors. In this season of my life, I did come across one doctor who genuinely tried to help. She ran a full blood panel and found that my yeast count was high. She recommended pharmaceuticals, and I followed her plan exactly. I felt the same. As usual, my labs were “perfect.” She looked at me with genuine concern. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to do. We can start sending you to specialists, but I’m not even sure where to start.” At least she believed me. But I declined. I already knew how those specialist visits would end. Thirteen Years Later: My Recovery & Healing Process Looking back, I now recognize the early warning signs I displayed as a child and teenager—signs I never understood at the time. I had been sick for a very long time, but I didn’t realize it until my body started shutting down at 22. Now, I can finally share the hopeful part of my story. I have made significant health improvements. My journey was long and difficult, filled with trial and error. I experienced severe chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, IBS, mood disorders, food intolerances, and insomnia. I even developed a bizarre reaction to direct sunlight at one point. My path to wellness was not linear—it got better, then worse, then even worse… and eventually, I found healing. The Breakthrough: Natural Healing & Limbic System Reset Through intensive diet changes, restoring gut health, reducing toxic exposures, and limbic system healing, I finally turned a corner. The science behind this is fascinating, and it played a major role in my recovery. I can't wait to share more about it with you in the future. One resource that helped me was DNRS (Dynamic Neural Retraining System) . I’m not sponsored in any way, just forever grateful and want more people to find hope and healing. Sharing My Story to Help Others The number of people I need to thank for my healing is countless. Every blog post, online forum, book, podcast, and interview—these were my teachers. But most of all, I thank God. It is only by His grace that I found the right information, the right voices, and the right stepping stones along the way. Some of the most life-changing discoveries I made… I don’t even remember how I found them. But He led me there. And now, I can sit here, typing this blog—pain-free, clear-headed, energetic, and determined to share everything I’ve learned. So many ups and downs. So many tears. So many victories. And now, I want to hand it all to you. Let’s do this. ______________________ If any part of my story resonated with you—if you’re tired of being dismissed, frustrated with endless prescriptions, or simply looking for answers—I invite you to keep exploring. I’ve written ad continue to write other blog posts that dive deeper into the exact steps I took to heal my gut, reduce inflammation, calm my nervous system, and so much more. New blogs added weekly! You can check out my other Natural Health blogs here. And if you're looking for safe, gentle products to support your journey from the outside in, I create small-batch natural products for bath, body, and home right here at  West Texas Soap Co.  Everything I make is inspired by this journey—focusing on ingredients that don't further toxify the body and instead promote natural wellness.  Visit the shop here  and know that you’re not alone in this. Healing is possible.