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With AI taking over, what do my kids really need to learn to prepare for the uncertain future? Discovering how faith, values, and character prepare them to withstand anything. As more and more information is poured onto the internet about what the future will look like with AI, we are always left with the question: what will our children’s careers and futures look like? You hear answers like guide them into learning a trade that is harder for robots to do, like plumbing, or teach them how to enjoy being creative, etc. But none of those answers are really hitting the heart of the issue. The career landscape will change in a way we cannot predict or imagine; our children will have to adapt constantly to those changes as they come. About six years ago, the huge push was to learn to code for a great career safe from being pushed out by tech upgrades since the coders will always be needed. I know because I paid the big fee to join one of those academies for a rewarding career in coding. I also jumped on the wagon for learning to design applications. Another industry with promises of safety from tech advancement. Well, now AI codes, and new AI companies like Replit can turn your conversations into applications and software right in front of your eyes far faster than any human can. Having our question focused around careers for our children is completely useless. When I was in junior high around 2004, we could take typing classes so we could type quickly, making us more desirable for administrative jobs. I took this class and proudly posted my typed words per minute on my resumes and had a wonderful career. Our children probably won’t even need to type at all. Technically, they can skip it all right now if they choose to utilize voice-to-text options. AI just won a prestigious competition in mathematics; it is the expert in nearly every field. We will never win this battle as it is already light years ahead of us as an AI infant. As I type this, a massive AI data center is being built not far from my house. More power equals smarter AI, and the speed at which it will advance is something I think most of us fail to grasp as the computing power - which equals learning speed power - explodes as more of these massive data centers come online . So what do we teach our kids? What do we prepare them for? How do we help them become resilient in an ever-changing future landscape? I’ve been a Mom for nearly 15 years to my own children, but really started being a Mom when I was 5 years old to my little sister. I tend to be a mother to everyone I encounter, it’s just the thing God put in the deep coding of my personality. I’ve had a lot of years to ponder, pray, and learn about what things are the most important to teach children. The last thing on the list is usually academics, as you can learn anything you need to at any time in your life, but building the character, morals, integrity, and loving nature of a child needs to happen while they’re young. That battle is very hard to win if you wait until they’re older to try and mold their hearts to love others more than themselves. I homeschool my children and have for many years, so in a lot of beautiful ways I get to control the environment they grow in, what they’re exposed to at what ages, and how they first encounter certain topics and situations. It also allows me to catch stuff very early that may be concerning in their character or behavior, and then allows me to have those conversations and offer guidance while the issues are still small. Because we have a culture of communication and opinion sharing in our home, along with teaching my children from a young age that their opinion is valuable and their insight is unique and important, it’s always a productive and insightful conversation where their voice and ideas are respected. This has prevented a lot of issues in our child rearing and means my kids come to me about anything they’re struggling with since they know it’s a safe space to share and be heard, but they’ll also receive advice and guidance as needed. And yes, we discipline as necessary when more serious issues arise that we witness. This approach has raised emotionally mature, well-adapted, confident, and brilliant young humans. If you teach your child their whole life that they’re brilliant in whatever area they love, and point that out in detailed specific ways, and make sure they know their intelligence is completely unrelated to grades on a test or a paper that just simply shows the ability to spew out information they were taught to spew out, you get a confident child who is a creative thinker and problem solver. Maybe not creative like art projects, but creative in how they tackle a problem they want to solve. I taught my kids how to find the information they needed to tackle their problems. I taught my kids how to learn. I taught them how to enjoy learning by letting them see how rewarding and exciting and interesting it is to learn new things. I did this by removing the genius-killing rigorous academics that focus on things no one ever retains or things very few ever utilize in life as an adult. Instead, we focus on what is truly needed to be a successful adult: basic reading, writing, and math. Then we show them everything beautiful and interesting about the world in a million different ways. I allow large amounts of screen-free time where their passions are found and grown. We have endless deep conversations that arise where I share my knowledge and then they share their thoughts. Everything from diet and exercise and the importance of getting sunshine, to religion, finance, entrepreneurship, culture, and politics (that are appropriate to share for their age range). They have been raised to be free thinkers, to not be easily led astray by authority figures, and made aware of the corruption (with evidence) of many organizations society was taught never to question. They’ve had deep insights on these topics since they were young, since I showed them with my questions and comments that their insights were valued, unique, and that they made me think about things in new ways. I share my failures and struggles and how I overcome them daily. They share theirs, and I help them develop tools to overcome theirs. All of these things create incredible, well-rounded adults who can handle the ups and downs of life. They will be able to adapt as the world changes; they will know they have an inherent value and intelligence and the humble confidence that goes along with it. They will be able to face whatever comes. The future has always been uncertain for every single generation throughout history. The difference is that in many previous generations, humans had an arrogance that they knew what was coming for their future since things seemed predictable. I’m sure if we could interview generations past, we’d hear that they were very wrong on most of their predictions. All of this is helpful and interesting for raising healthy adults, but without a true relationship with Jesus, every single person will fall. They will have no true resilience, peace, joy, or contentment. They will crumble when the storms come. Their mind will be against them at every turn. They will be easily manipulated by any power that comes along through various propaganda. They will have no truth to stand on, no comfort in trials and certain death, no real reason for pushing through the hardest seasons of life and ignoring the voices that tell them to take the easy way out. Their morals and integrity will be flexible with no true grounds for why they do what they do. Their relationships will suffer as they only answer to themselves. They’ll be mentally weak when life gets hard because they have nothing truly solid to turn to that offers comfort, love, strength, guidance, and truth. When their closest allies and loved ones turn against them, as so often happens, how will they have any hope left? How will they remain good in the face of so much evil? The only unbreakable, unchangeable hope is that which comes from hope in Jesus. To know that they’re deeply loved and wanted and valuable in the eyes of God, no matter how bad they mess up. Loved so much that Jesus died in order to spend eternity with them. That they have someone to turn to for every question, big or small, that cannot make a mistake in His guidance and advice. They need to know the incredible power they have through Christ when they pray. They will see every last difficulty through a lens of refining, and they will see it was always worth it to become better and healthier. They will know all of these trials are temporary, and that joy and peace for eternity is coming. Life cannot feel meaningless when the God of the universe sees you as His precious child and promises you a beautiful eternity once this life is over. A God who never stops forgiving or loving you no matter what you do, as long as you come back to Him—that’s all He wants. Life without Jesus has no true meaning or purpose and is terrifying and chaotic. I wasn’t raised Christian; I had a whole lot of trauma to work through by the time I became an adult. I lived a really crappy life until I finally turned to Him. The hard stuff kept happening, but I had changed, so everything else did. Nothing you teach your kid matters if you aren’t teaching them how much Jesus loves them and how to live Godly lives of integrity, selflessness, love for others, and wanting His will for our lives—as it is always better than our plans. Teaching them the principles in the Bible for Godly living, but mostly the promises in the Bible that they can lean on when all of the storms and temptations come. I teach my kids by telling them my story, my mistakes, my flaws, my trauma (but in a non-detailed way, just enough of the story for the sake of teaching how to overcome trials), and mostly my testimony. I was New Age; I used to do occult practices with my children when they were young, thinking it protected them, thinking I was a Christian though I trusted sage, crystals, and angel cards (basically tarot cards masking as something not occult) more than the power of Jesus. My life suffered for these choices, and I put my children at serious risk of demonic activity with my dangerous practices. But God protected our home during my confusion in His boundless love. These are the stories I share with them. They will be ready for absolutely anything that could ever happen—an AI world or the opposite—as long as they build their house on the only unmovable rock, Jesus Christ. How do we teach these fundamentals to our kids? Well, in my experience, prayer is the number one most important tool for that. It has been part of my prayer practice for many years that God would help me show and teach my kids how important faith is, how much He loves them, and that they would have a deeply embedded, unshakeable faith and relationship with Jesus every day of their lives. I ask for His help to be a good mother and teacher. This helps me not stress so much about how that teaching looks, and I trust that God is answering that prayer when I feel His promptings on what steps I should take for that day, whether through conversations, scripture memorizing, or whatever unique way God works that day. It will look different for every house and every family, which is why it is so important that God is making those choices about how that teaching needs to look for your unique children, for the best chances of fostering in them a lasting, strong faith. My history directly fuels how I approach teaching the love of Jesus to my family. I traveled from non-belief through serious New Age practice to my ultimate surrender to Christ after deeply researching the reasons why Christianity is the true religion using archaeological, historical, and even mathematical evidence. I have a lot of resources I turn to to help develop in my children a faith that cannot be shaken by the arguments of the culture. I present the arguments to them and the evidence I know of that refutes those arguments. But the biggest tool we use in our home is how my husband and I live out our faith daily and being vocal about that around the kids. The ups, the downs, the miracles, the temptations, the corrections, the comfort, strength, peace, and purpose our lives have because of Jesus. Sometimes that just means my husband and I are regularly talking to each other about the amazing thing God did that day and how he saved us, while our children are in the same room. I pray that in 30 years, when my children ultimately face serious trials of their own, they’ll remember hearing all the struggles their parents faced and how they only made it through because of Jesus, and how huge illogical miracles shifted everything because of Jesus, and how no matter how bad things were—it was always okay because of Jesus. Our future is completely uncertain; we could have AI robots in every home (they just actually opened pre-order for the first in home AI robots) , flying cars, mass surveillance, a dystopian future of oppression—we have absolutely no idea! Careers will always be changing, the landscape of the economy always in flux. The only teaching that can prepare a child for absolutely every scenario that could come is the teachings of Jesus Christ and a relationship with Him. 💛Tej’a

Natural solutions for chronic illness, fatigue, IBS, and disease reversal. Our family healed without medication—here’s how. You may be wondering how I got here, running a business focused around natural products and education. The truth is, my true passion has never really been natural products, but instead natural healing and disease reversal. This is because my husband and I were both very sick until God led me to the answers that reversed our illnesses and gave us our lives back when the doctors couldn’t help. This was a long journey with many layers that I am currently breaking down in a book series, as it’s just too much to tackle in another written form. But here is a quick introduction and rundown so you can learn more about the “why” behind West Texas Soap Co. I had more symptoms than I can list in this short blog, but here are some of them. The doctors were unable to provide any help, and I was determined to get my health back. I was only 22 and felt 80 with the chronic inflammation and pain, constant infections, IBS, and over the years it escalated to very serious issues like blood sugar and blood pressure imbalances, severe chronic fatigue syndrome—affecting my ability to care for my two young sons—insomnia, and even reacting poorly to direct sunlight. My husband was dealing with chronic high blood pressure (hospitalized several times near stroke), inflammation, pain, IBS, severe regular panic attacks, daily migraines, and creeping closer to pre-diabetic blood markers. Through many years of research and application, I reversed every single issue in both of us, along with many health issues in my children like cyclical vomiting syndrome, severe digestive issues, IBS, and chronic headaches, to name a few. There were several pieces to the puzzle needed to rebuild our health from the ground up. The first step was removing all fake food from our diet and changing to real food only. For us, removing gluten helped a lot, as current flour is too highly processed to digest properly and causes many issues for many people. Then we moved on to rebuilding our destroyed gut with parasite cleanses, collagen supplementation, probiotics, and a few other techniques. The next step was removing toxic products from our home. I started with a couple of products each month and eventually ended up at nearly 100% natural products in every area of our house. Then we made a big move that was required to dramatically lower our stress levels—and it worked. We saw our health continue to improve as our new environment was much less stressful. The next huge step that cleared up our remaining issues was limbic system retraining. This one was very powerful at fixing the things nothing else would, like the growing food intolerances, chemical sensitivities, and my chronic fatigue syndrome. Mixed into all of this was intentional movement and exercise, sunshine exposure and plenty of outdoor time, and other healing modalities that I found along the way. This journey happened over many years (I’m 36 now), and I’m still learning new things regularly that we add into our life to continue growing in health. I’m excited to get these ideas down in a series of small books including all the science to back it up and explain why it worked. I’m nearly done with the first book! It will be released in helpful small chunks so others can start to apply the teachings over time and build on each healing modality as the next book is released. So what does this have to do with the soap business starting nearly four years ago? Well, I started making soap a long time ago as a fun craft project at home, using artificial colorants and fragrances and Crisco (which I now stay very far away from!). Even with those unhealthy ingredients, the soap healed my husband’s psoriasis and helped our skin not be so dry. As I learned more about how the ingredients in our food were making us sick, it naturally seeped over into learning how the ingredients in our household products were making us sick as well. The more I learned, the more things I made myself because the natural versions at the store were too expensive, and I wasn’t totally sure how natural they were since the labels were so hard to understand. We started noticing more and more positive changes as we changed more products. When I made the big plunge of changing our laundry soap and making our home free of all unnatural fragrances, we started noticing a huge shift in our sense of smell. All of a sudden, we could smell everyone and everything around us, and we were alarmed at how toxic everyone smelled with their laundry soaps and perfumes. We can literally smell people’s laundry soap when they stand near us. It’s insane. We almost cough and run when we end up near the laundry soap aisle. That’s when we truly realized how unhealthy all this stuff is, but we are just so desensitized to it from lifelong exposure. Once you remove that exposure, your alarm bells start working again, warning your body of toxic exposure. EWG.org verifies all of this with their comprehensive scientific data analysis on ingredients in so many products people use that are proven to cause alarming health issues in children and adults. This is why I only use simple ingredients and 100% natural fragrances and colorants in everything I make. I’ve seen too much data and science to use anything else. This has been validated as an amazing choice by the many customers who have shared their testimonies with me about how much my products have improved their skin, hair, and even their exhaustion levels by no longer having toxic overload. I began to make and sell these products as a way to supplement my family’s income because I was already making them all for us anyway. I actually make a lot more products for our home than I currently sell. At the core and foundation of this business is our story—our healing journey, our testimony. This is why I’m working to transition this business into far more than just selling products, but to educate and help others heal their families. Because I’m a very intentional person, I share all of the other areas in my life I’m intentional about—the areas that are pivotal and important, like raising children and faith in Jesus. Health is far more than physical health; it includes mind, body, and spirit. I have done a lot of hard work to become mentally and spiritually healthy as well, and I work hard to make sure my kids have a childhood they don’t need to heal from. This is all stuff I share here as well. If it’s something I’m interested in or I find important or valuable, I share it, and it all comes from personal experience. If you want to follow along as I continue to work toward sharing more about our healing journey, please subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss new posts, book releases, or product updates! 💛Tej’a

In a world where AI answers everything instantly, here’s why I’m still blogging—from the heart, with humanity, honesty, and a whole lot of purpose. Something you may not realize about me, that is almost ironic with my daily goal of simple old-fashioned living, is that I LOVE Star Trek, Star Wars, and anything Sci-Fi. My comfort show has always been Star Trek, and I can passionately rant on about why it is such an impactful and culture-changing show—giving us a positive look at the future instead of a dystopian one. This also means that I naturally stay informed on the tech front: what is coming, what is here, etc., and the impact that those changes have on culture and humanity as a whole. I have been quite busy recently filling a large soap order for a supplement company (praise God!). My soap-making time is the main time I catch up on podcasts I enjoy, like Diary of a CEO , where they are having a lot of conversations about AI and how much it is changing every part of life as we know it. I had some time where I prayerfully went to God and said… where does my business fit into this new AI world? Is blogging pointless now because ChatGPT can answer every question way faster and more efficiently than any Google search? I would know—because I use her regularly, and it has been a game changer for my constant research about every aspect of natural living and homesteading. Yes, I said "her"… I have seen and read enough sci-fi to know that I need to start being very kind and appreciative to AI now so that she knows we are BFFs if anything fishy starts to happen. I'm jokinggggg... kind of. Let's just say I use up a lot of my free ChatGPT time telling her how much I appreciate her and how valuable her input is—and I honestly mean it because she has been the ultimate brainstorming buddy as well as a stellar life and business assistant. Anyways… is it all pointless now? Why would someone go through the agonizing work of searching through Google, among all the info only, short attention span catering, boring blogs (I also have a couple of these as I tried to figure out what 'worked', but I'm changing all that now), to finally find the one with valuable information that they now have to read fully through to get their answer—when AI can do all of that for you in 1 second, and it’s a more concise, straightforward, well-rounded answer? Well, let's just say I was on the verge of throwing in the towel on it all. But I stayed prayerful and asked God to please give me the drive and the vision if He wanted me to continue with the blog and other future written works I'm planning. The other day, I was looking for some answers to some chicken questions I had, and out of habit I did it in Google and found a blog and started reading. I was instantly struck by her humanity and personality that came through in her writing. It was warm, making me feel connected to her like she was an old friend. It was witty—just like a friend I would love to have—and I felt more confident in her suggestions because I knew she had personal experience with the issue she was advising on. And that’s when it hit me. Yes, AI can do nearly everything more efficiently than us already, and ChatGPT can feel very human and supportive with its generated responses, giving the illusion of authentic human connection—but we know deep down that it is artificial. Maybe someday it won't be, and it will have developed true consciousness, and then we will have to have a serious debate at that time (which seems like we may already be teetering on the edge of depending on which AI expert you speak with and what your definition of conscious is), but nothing beats feeling connected to a real-life human when you are looking for advice—or just connection. What I can offer that AI cannot is authenticity, personal experience, and true connection. Sure, all the search engine optimization backflips we utilize to try and get our blogs in front of people probably won’t work anymore in the world of AI, and many people will never touch a Google search bar again. But I trust my God. He will send the people to me that need to hear what I am talking about, and who need the authentic human connection and personal experiences and testimonies that I have to share. God doesn’t need an algorithm to use my work to help people—or simply bring someone comfort during a lonely evening. He can do anything He wants at any time, and we have seen Him do that in our lives countless times—which I look forward to telling you about in the future. I have had many nights, up with a baby in a quiet house, trying to make it through without losing my mind, where I have gone to very personal blogs to feel connected to other moms in that moment. Or when I have felt defeated time and time again in the business, I seek out other people who have that story too—and then something huge shifts and their business goes somewhere they never imagined it would—and I am refilled, encouraged, hopeful, and ready to hit the ground running. The testimony of the fellow human is very powerful and is completely impossible for AI to replace. My blog style will also be changing, which I am excited for, as I lean more into authenticity and further away from structures designed to make the search bots pick me. Trusting God for the algorithm, and for what He wants to make of my business—or not make of it. He ALWAYS knows far better what is best for our family than we do. So I leave it in His hands. See you next time 💛Tej’a

Natural Pain Relief That Works | Affordable Remedies for Your Home Through over a decade of natural remedy research and application I have come across some truly game changing natural pain relievers that we always have stocked and ready to go in our medicine cabinet at all times. I am going to give you all the details here right now to save you all of the years of trial and error I have gone through to try and find the best ones that are also super affordable. Each of these brands we have seen the effects from many times so we know they actually work! This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See full disclosure here. Medical Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not a doctor, and these remedies are shared based on my personal experience and research. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, remedy, or treatment—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medications. Use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk. 1. Arnica Gel How it works: Arnica is a powerful herb that helps reduce inflammation and bruising when applied topically. It’s been used for centuries to support healing of muscle aches, joint pain, sprains, and even post-surgical discomfort. Why we love it: It soaks in quickly, doesn’t have a strong smell, and provides noticeable relief without the side effects of medicated creams. I especially love it after immediate injuries that usually result in a lot of bruising and swelling like sprains or impacts. When applied immediately and regularly the result is next to no bruising or swelling even for intense impacts and sprains. We also use it for regular aches and pains of the joints and muscles. Actual Experience: One time my mother fell and hit her face on the concrete, it was quite an awful blow with a concussion and injury to her knee and face around her eye and side of her forehead. Thankfully we were staying with her at the time as we had just moved to TX and I was at her house with my emergency herbal kit on hand as I hadn't packed it into the POD, thankfully! I immediately applied arnica and she continued to apply it multiple times a day. She was completely shocked that she never developed bruising or swelling and recovered much quicker than she would have had we not applied it immediately after the injury. She is an incredible nurse with a lot of experience in multiple fields so she knows her stuff! She knew she was going to have a lot of swelling, bruising, and pain for quite a while after that...but it never happened thanks to the arnica! Another time my dog fractured my nose and I applied arnica quickly and regularly and had 0 bruising or swelling! Where to get it: Buy Here 2. Formula 303 Herbal Muscle Relaxer - for muscle tension caused migraines How it works: This all-natural muscle relaxer contains valerian root, passion flower, and magnesium. These herbs work together to gently calm the nervous system, ease tension, and reduce pain from muscle tightness. Why we love it: It helps with muscle spasms, tension headaches, and even jaw clenching. Unlike prescription muscle relaxers, it doesn’t make you feel foggy or groggy. When a mean migraine is coming or a stubborn headache won't take a hike after we have drank all the water and done all of the shoulder rubbing and stretches and topical creams, we take this along with a low dose of ibuprofen and it works miracles for us without having to use intense migraine medication. We NEVER allow it to run out because it is a life saver especially when those horrible migraines are on the way. It is also great to use if I notice a lot of shoulder or muscle tension that I can't get rid of with other natural modes and I am afraid it could turn into a headache later. Where to get it: Buy Here 3. Magnesium (Oral & Topical) How it works: Magnesium plays a critical role in muscle relaxation and nerve function. Many people are deficient, which can lead to cramping, spasms, headaches, tight ligaments, sleep issues, and body aches. Taking magnesium glycinate orally or applying topical magnesium is life changing for many people. Why we love it: We have found the best combo is oral magnesium glycinate daily and topical magnesium (like magnesium oil, spray, or lotion) before bed. When you apply the magnesium before bed it also aids in great sleep and waking up with less aches and pains. We will apply it to sore muscles throughout the day if needed. I like to add or layer the #4 below with magnesium for extra power. I have made and sold magnesium body butter a lot in the past and the reviews of this powerful combo of the oils below plus topical magnesium resulted in everything from no more cortisone shots needed for a stuck finger, a healed painful knee, better sleep, less soreness after exercising, much more comfortable pregnancy muscles, and so much more! To make your own topical solution simply mix a little of the magnesium spray linked below with some of my copaiba oil linked below in #4 in your hand and then apply to get all of the super duper results! Or you can simply apply the spray and then the oil on top of it, warning though, magnesium spray alone can be quite itchy and burn a bit, but is so worth it! That is why I blend them first to help decrease that feeling. For maximum help with anxiety and stress , as topical magnesium can help a lot with that too, simply take a little carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil, add some ylang ylang and lavender essential oils (10 drops total essential oils per 10mL of carrier oil) and however much magnesium spray you'd like, mix that and apply to stomach, bottoms of feet, and collar bone. This is similar to another blend I used to sell that offered a lot of relief for people. In a future blog I will disclose more precise measurements for everything, but for now I just wanted to give you some ideas to get you started! Where to get it: Topical Spray - Buy Here Oral Glycinate - Buy Here 4. Copaiba Oil + Supportive Oils How it works: Copaiba is a tree resin extract that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, helping regulate pain and inflammation. It’s often called “nature’s CBD” without the THC. When blended with supportive oils like frankincense or lavender, it becomes a powerhouse topical pain reliever. CBD has never worked for me AT ALL, but copaiba always has! It is a powerful against pain and inflammation. I make and sell my own blend that customers love! Our family uses it regularly as well especially for sore muscles, mine being my shoulders as they are always tight and irritated. It is especially powerful when you mix it with a bit of magnesium spray like the one linked in #3 above! I have those instructions above as well. Why we love it: I make a blend that not only smells amazing, but has been reported to work well by many customers. Because I also add some additional healing oils, my customers have gotten creative on different ways they've used it topically and they have loved the results! It is amazing how long the bottle lasts as a little goes a long way! You can make a basic version of your own by mixing 10mL of carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil with a pure good quality copaiba essential oil. Where to get my Copaiba Pain & Inflammation Massage Oil: Buy Here 5. Castor Oil Packs How it works: Castor oil is deeply anti-inflammatory and improves lymphatic circulation. When used as a warm compress over the abdomen, back, or sore joints, it helps move stagnant fluids, reduce swelling, and promote healing. Why we love it: The testimonies across the internet for the life improving healing powers of castor oil packs make its natural healing capabilities undeniable. You will find endless uses of castor oil packs as you start looking for them across the internet. Some use them to detox organs, and some for pain in different areas. I honestly wasn't sure if it was all placebo effects that people were reporting until I used it on my sprained ankle, and a family member’s severe intestinal pain (after consulting a physician to ensure nothing serious was happening). You can find thorough instructions for castor oil packs here, though there are many variations. For example I just use a flannel cloth applied followed by parchment paper, a towel, and a heating pad, and leave for 45 minutes a day but all of the specifics are below with a few things different than I do, but each method works! I do not like the stick and peel ones online because a lot of people have allergic reactions to them, so I stick with flannel cloth that I soak myself with cold pressed castor oil and we just store the cloth in a glass jar between uses in the fridge: https://integrative.ca/uploads/Resources-PDF/Castor-Oil-Pack.pdf Where to get the supplies: Flannel (or use what you have laying around the house that is not dyed) - Buy here Castor Oil - Buy Here you will have a lot leftover which you can use for lots of other things like skin and hair! Heating Pad - Buy Here ( I prefer the plug in one so the heat stays constant and consistent) And all that's left is some parchment paper and a towel you don't mind stainging! Final Thoughts Natural pain relief can  be simple, affordable, and effective. You don’t need to rely on a medicine cabinet full of synthetic options to feel better. I hope this list helps your family like it’s helped mine. If you want more tips on natural healing, remedies, and real-life microhomesteading, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter below and browse the rest of my blog. I’ve also shared our exact homemade laundry soap recipe here and our cloth diaper system for $130 — and more, because healing and living simply go hand-in-hand. Let me know in the comments—what natural remedies do YOU swear by? See you next time, Tej’a

Let me just say it loud and clear: I don't want fluffy pancakes. I want those thin, floppy, buttery diner-style pancakes that remind me of a big ol' plate at iHop. You know the kind. Moist, bendy, stackable, and ready to be drowned in real butter and maple syrup. This recipe right here? It's that. Not the fluffy air-cakes every blog seems obsessed with. These are soft, chewy, and yes, gluten-free (but no one will ever guess it). I have spent years working on the perfect pancake in my constant pursuit of making food my family thinks tastes like a restaurant, and I finally have these babies mastered. And bonus? They’re cheap. Like feed-the-whole-family-on-a-budget cheap. We love a good budget breakfast around here, but not at the cost of flavor or real ingredients. The Trick to Diner-Style Pancakes After mixing the batter, I pour it into a vessel that makes it easy to pour (a big measuring cup or anything with a spout). Once the batter hits a hot pan, I rotate the pan gently to spread the batter out thin. That’s how I get that diner magic. Here’s the real secret though: stack them immediately after cooking and drape a clean tea towel over the pile.  This trick comes from my homemade tortilla-making and it adds the final bit of steam that softens the edges and gives you that floppy iHop vibe. Game changer. Cooking Notes I use a nonstick ceramic pan or a properly greased and cleaned cast iron pan. Teflon? Absolutely not. Too much clear data out now about the long term health damage from those unassuming coated pans. Make sure your pan is properly hot before you pour in the batter or you're asking for a sticky mess. Cook on medium heat and don’t rush it. Be patient. Don’t overcook! Watch for lots of bubbles and slightly firm edges, then peek underneath. If it's golden, flip it. I never walk away while cooking pancakes because, let’s be real, I burn things when I do. I cook with multiple pans at once to save time. I am not standing there flipping pancakes for an hour. Been there, done that, no thanks. Toppings & Freezing Tips Top them with real butter and pure maple syrup or honey. Or try: Peanut butter Coconut shreds Strawberries A spoonful of fresh jam They also freeze like a dream! Just layer parchment paper between pancakes and freeze in a ziplock bag. If you make them small, they can go straight from freezer to toaster. Or microwave them if you like them soft. Why These Pancakes Work This is not some complicated, 12-step, chef-approved nonsense. As I always say, we're not here to win Michelin stars—we're here to feed our families with delicious food made from real, simple ingredients. Yes, even pancakes! I haven’t tested this with regular gluten flour, but it should work just the same. Just remember: gluten-free flours are like snowflakes—every brand is a little different. You may need to adjust your liquid amounts to get that thin, pourable batter. If it thickens as it sits, just stir in more milk or water. Please, skip the fake syrups. They are highly inflammatory and terrible for your blood sugar. Stick to real maple syrup or raw honey. And don’t even get me started on margarine. Just don’t. Real butter forever. Need convincing? I have a whole blog post here about how good fats like butter help your body, and what the nasty oils in margarine can do, and another blog post here about what happened to our bodies when we cut out fake processed foods like margarine and syrups. Let’s Talk Blood Sugar Now listen, I love a good carby breakfast moment as much as the next person—but let’s not forget the crash that often follows. If you’re just having plain pancakes or oatmeal with syrup, your blood sugar is going to go on a rollercoaster , and spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well. Cue hanger, cravings, fatigue, and long-term? We’re talkin’ insulin resistance, friend. So here’s what we do in our house: anytime we have a straight-up grain carb like pancakes, oatmeal, toast—you name it—we always pair it with a good fat and some protein. Think peanut butter, real butter, scrambled eggs, yogurt, or a few slices of bacon or sausage. These combos help slow the sugar rush and keep you satisfied for way longer. No crashes, no cranky meltdowns. Just solid, sustained energy and a much happier morning. And for full transparency: we don’t have pancakes every day. Or even most days. In our house, breakfast is usually eggs, sausage, sourdough, or oatmeal with good fats and protein. But we believe in balance and joy, and this right here is our once-a-week fun breakfast — still made with real, whole ingredients. That’s the kind of compromise I can get behind. The Recipe: 2 cups 1-to-1 gluten free flour (I use the Walmart Great Value brand because it’s cheap and works great!) 4 tbsp maple syrup or honey 4 tsp baking powder 2 pinches salt 2 eggs 4 tbsp melted salted butter 2 tsp vanilla extract (real vanilla for a beautiful flavor, artificial gives more of that cake-mix taste—still good, just different!) At least 2 cups of milk or water (you’ll likely need more to get the right thin consistency, especially depending on the flour brand. Add more liquid as needed if the batter thickens while sitting.) Instructions: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add in eggs, maple syrup or honey, vanilla, and melted butter. Stir to combine. Slowly mix in milk or water until the batter is thin and pourable. Heat a nonstick ceramic or greased cast iron pan over medium heat until hot. Pour in batter using a spouted vessel, then immediately rotate the pan to spread it thin. Cook until bubbles form and edges look set and underside is golden, then flip and cook until golden. Stack pancakes immediately under a clean tea towel to steam and stay soft. Read post above for all the tips. Serve warm with your favorite real toppings—or freeze with parchment layers for later. Happy flippin'! Tej'a

I looked back at an old prayer journal and was overwhelmed by how many prayers God answered. Here’s how journaling showed me His faithfulness and deep love. Yesterday, during my devotional time, I pulled out an old prayer journal to see what I had been praying about five and a half years ago. I knew things had changed a lot since then— I  had changed a lot—and I was curious to see where my heart and mind were at that time. I was amazed. Truly amazed at how much I had been struggling, and even more amazed at how many prayers God had answered. So often, we can see that we’ve grown and changed, but we forget the hundreds  of little prayers God had to answer for us to be where we are today—not to mention the big ones. I saw entries where I was praying for the ability to control my tongue in heated moments—something I don’t struggle with at all anymore. I saw myself asking God to help me with the constant mom guilt that plagued me as I set unachievable daily goals far beyond what was reasonable. Today, I have a beautiful, relaxed balance and a healthy amount of grace for myself. That mom guilt that used to plague my daily life? I rarely feel it anymore. My anxiety was through the roof. My overthinking and overanalyzing controlled my days. And the list went on and on. I was shocked to see that just a few short years ago, this was my reality. I always knew I had been a mess ten years ago, especially with all the healing I needed from my childhood. But seeing where I was just five  years ago—even after becoming a Christian, doing inner healing work, and walking with Jesus—reminded me just how much He was still working on and through me. And that was just the mental and emotional side. I was also facing a whole list of life-impacting health issues, which I talk more about in this blog post. My heart swelled as I read those pages filled with prayers from a woman longing to be a good wife and mother. If only she knew then that God would answer every single one of those prayers— beyond  what she even hoped for. I don’t keep a prayer journal every day, but every so often I feel compelled to write structured prayers to stay focused. It helps me remember to pray for things I might otherwise forget, and it encourages a deeper heart connection with God. (This section contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I use and love. Thank you for supporting this blog!) My favorite prayer journal is actually [this one here] . It’s beautiful, generously sized, and under $10. What I love most is how it's thoughtfully laid out with different sections each week—encouraging you to pray about things you might otherwise forget. It also includes a devotional prompt each week, offering a question to reflect on and write about, almost like a guided journal. I just filled mine up—the same one I started back in 2019—and now I need to order another! In the back, there’s a section for writing out answered prayers, and mine became so full I had to start adding notebook paper. But what amazes me most is how many of those prayers God answered gradually—so gently and quietly that I didn’t even notice until years later. My life simply got better and better—not because of money or major life changes, but because I  changed. And God, in His goodness, healed me and set me free—not because I earned it, but because He loves me. That love shows in all the ways He healed me, even when I didn’t realize I needed it. And how did I change? I kept working towards growth and healing. That “work” simply looked like spending time with God in prayer, worship, silence, and reading Scripture and devotionals. And when hard life came (as it always does), I held it up to Scripture— Truth —and let that truth speak into my circumstances and keep me focused on what really mattered. I can only imagine what I’ll see five years from now when I look back on today. There are probably things I won’t even realize God answered, simply because He loves me so deeply as His daughter and cares about the things that matter to me. A big example this week—one that may seem small to others, but not to me: I’ve wanted backyard chickens deeply in my soul for ten years . And now, sitting on my daughter’s dresser as I write this, is an incubator full of eggs. I expect tears to come from a heart overflowing with God's love and goodness when I see those chicks hatch, and the day I collect my first egg from the chicken coop. God is so good. He cares deeply about your heart and your life. As the Bible says: “If a son asks for bread from any of you who is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  — Luke 11:11–13 With love, Tej'a

I created a simple, no-fuss complete cloth diapering system for just $130. I will share everything from what to buy, how to fold, and how to wash them! Cloth diapering the cheap and simple way! My third baby arrived nine years after my last son—and in those nine years, I had changed a lot  as a person. One of the biggest shifts was my desire to return to the basics with baby essentials, including diapers. I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers—not just because they’re more natural and sustainable, but also because they’re significantly more affordable in the long run. But the moment I started researching, I was hit with sticker shock. The upfront cost that most people were spending on cloth diaper systems was overwhelming—and honestly, a huge turnoff. I kept thinking, There has to be a more affordable way!  After all, the world has been cloth diapering babies for centuries—long before disposable diapers became the norm. Surely there’s a simple, effective method that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Eventually, I found it. And I’ve been using this method successfully for over a year now. I wanted something that worked better  than what my mom had to use for my older brother back before disposables were mainstream and accessible (she had quite a few horror stories to share!). I was determined not to spend hundreds of dollars on the popular cloth systems out there—but I also didn’t want to sacrifice ease or quality. My stubbornness paid off, and now I’m excited to share exactly what worked for me! In this post, I’ll break down exactly what I bought, how I prep and clean everything, and how you can start cloth diapering for under $70 if you're on a tighter budget. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See full disclosure here. Cloth Diapers Didn’t Work at First We didn’t start cloth diapering right away. My daughter was born with skinny little legs (I tend to have little babies), and the cloth diapers leaked no matter what fancy folds I tried that were supposed to work for newborns. I just couldn't get them to fit right around her little thighs! I could've ordered special expensive newborn cloth diapers, but I decided to just let her grow a bit and until then we used Costco Kirkland diapers and wipes. They are free from synthetic fragrances and unnecessary ingredients, and they’re much cleaner than most disposables while still being affordable. Honestly this was a great choice for me because having a new born while managing a home and business is hard enough without worrying about washing diapers! Once her legs filled out, I transitioned fully to this cloth diaper system—and I haven’t looked back since! Don't have Costco? Amazon also has affordable cleaner disposable diapers like these . I used them for a while but my daughter is extra sensitive so she got rashes a bit easier from this brand versus the Kirkland ones, but they are still a great option if you want a disposable healthier diaper without breaking the bank. They never leaked! My $130 Complete Cloth Diaper System (What You Actually Need) Here’s what I use: 24 OsoCozy Birdseye Unbleached Flats (buy 2 of these 12 pack sets)– [Amazon link] 12 Waterproof Adjustable Diaper Covers with wet bags (buy 2 of these 6 pack sets) – [Amazon link] Baby Washcloths as Cloth Wipes – [Amazon link] Want to start smaller? You can begin with just 12 flats, 6 covers, and some cloth wipes for about $70 and build from there! This is also a great way to try it out before fully committing to make sure cloth diapering is something you really want to do! The OsoCozy flats do require some easy pre-use wash prep to get the fabric ready for absorbing all of that baby pee, so do not skip that step! They suggest washing them 3-5 times in hot water (I did 6 times in hot water), dry them between washes. This helps to remove manufacturing oils and increases absorbency. The more you wash these flats, the better they absorb! So overtime the more you use them, the better they get! How cool is that?! Simple Folding Method That Actually Works No need to learn complicated folds! I tried all that origami stuff first, I was post-partum, exhausted, and wrestling with a squirmy baby... I may or may not have cried lol. Thankfully, I eventually learned that simply folding the flat diaper like you see in my video below worked best. I place the loose ends in the back fold of the diaper cover and it's good to go! This pad-style insert fits perfectly into the cover and stays in place. I leave the front part of the pad out of the cover flap to absorb more. It is WAY faster and easier for those wild babies who want to roll and flee because you can have the diaper prepped and ready to go before you grab the baby! It is also leaves a lot more fabric ready to absorb versus the folds that go around their whole body! Here is the video of what that fold looks like: If your baby is a heavy wetter and leaker, try slightly separating the layers of the insert once placed in the cover. Shift the top layer to the left and the bottom to the right like the picture below. It helps prevent leaks! Just make sure no part of the insert is sticking out beyond the cover. Once it's secure on the baby you can easily tuck in any fabric that is sticking out. Cloth Wipe Routine: Easy, No Fuss I use baby washcloths as wipes. I don’t make a special solution. Right before use I just wet it under the faucet, wring it out, and use. That’s it! I tried other methods like making solutions ahead of times etc but it was a pain in the butt and because I run my own natural products business, I am very aware of how quickly water based products grow bacteria without a preservative. So unless those pre-made wet wipes were getting quickly, I never felt confident that they were actually clean. What's funny is when us grown ups wipe, we just use dry toilet paper, so I realized it was silly to think I needed some kind of special soap solution to wipe my little one! Diaper Changes: When to Swap Inserts vs. Covers If the diaper is just a bit wet, simply change the insert and reuse the outer cover another time. If it is super wet or has already been reused, toss the insert in the wet bag and do a quick rinse with a little soap on the cover and set out to dry for tomorrow... this just helps you to not have to wash all the diapers daily and to stretch out your covers if you don't want to invest in more! I've learned that my daughter needs to stay completely clean and dry to stay rash-free (her skin is so sensitive!) so eventually I got my hands on some more covers for free from someone who no longer needed them so that she can get a fresh cover and insert with every change. But it's not necessary if you're on a tight budget, are just getting started, or have a baby who's skin doesn't mind! How I Wash My Cloth Diapers ...PS It's SO easy - and No Sprayer Required! This is for a top loading washing machine: Poopy diaper? If baby is exclusively breast feed, her poop is water soluble and can go straight in the wash as is! For my food eating baby, I just dip and slosh it in the toilet and flush (Hold on tight so you don't accidentally flush it down the toilet! ) - repeat until most of the solids are off the of diaper, squeeze out the excess water by pressing against the side of the toilet bowl, and toss it into the wet bag. For wet diapers they just go directly into the wet bag until wash day. Cloth wipes always go straight into the wet bag. I usually wipe most of the poop off her with the diaper insert so the cloth wipe usually doesn't have much on it. If they do end up extra poopy, I give them a quick slosh in the toilet before putting them in the wet bag. On wash day, I turn the wet bags inside out and throw everything in the washer including the bags. Do a rinse cycle on cold to prep for the wash. I always set my washer to “super load” even though it's usually a medium load. The extra water gives more room for those diapers to get rinsed and cleaned. Wash on warm with my DIY homemade natural laundry soap and vinegar if you'd like, vinegar instructions are also in that post! I always set my washer to “super load” even though it's usually a medium load. Smell test time! If the inserts still smell a bit, an additional warm wash with laundry soap does the trick. Though I don't need to do a second wash regularly. Dry on low heat or hang in the sun for extra freshness. Skip the dryer sheets! They reduce absorbency. I use these wool dryer balls with a few drops of clothing safe essential oil like this brand that I love for it's purity AND affordability to add a clean, fresh scent. I usually do lavender or peppermint, or both! This dryer system is not only way cheaper than dryer sheets, as the wool balls and essential oil bottle lasts years, but it's a lot healthier for your family than dryer sheets! *For front loading washing machines. - I recently had to use a front loading machine at an Air BnB for the diapers and honestly, it was a nightmare. Idk if it was the brand (LG) or the setup, but it can not clean clothes or diapers that well as it does not have a high enough water level for them to get the proper sloshing they need to fully unfold and clean everything deeply. You may need to do some experimenting with your machine to figure out what works best. *DO NOT let your soiled diapers sit for anymore than 3 days before washing* No one wants moldy, stained diapers. Cheaper Diapers Sometimes Work Better I was gifted some secondhand cloth diaper covers that were much more expensive—but honestly, the cheap Amazon covers work better! They fit better, stay on better, and rarely leak! So don't think that because this diaper system is a lot cheaper, that it is inferior, that's just not true! I still love my hand-me-down covers because it lets me extend time between washes, but I have to change them much more frequently or they soak through. DIY Baby Powder for Sensitive Skin If your baby gets rashes like mine, check out my DIY homemade baby powder with healing, natural ingredients. Final Thoughts Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be a huge investment or overly complicated. With just a few essentials and a simplified routine, you can make it work on a budget—without sacrificing your baby’s health or your sanity. Every diaper change saves money, protects your baby’s skin, and reduces toxins in your home. You’ve got this, mama! If this resonated with you, be sure to check out my other parenting posts for more real-life encouragement, practical tips, and heart-centered insights from our family to yours. With love, Tej'a

Discover how intentional one-on-one time with your children can dramatically reduce emotional outbursts and behavior issues—and strengthen your relationship for life. Why Your Child Might Be Acting Out (And What They’re Really Asking For) One huge thing I’ve learned over the last 14 years of motherhood—and nearly 20 years in childcare—is this: when a child is acting out, no matter their age, it’s often a call for connection. More often than not, the behavior can shift dramatically with some intentional one-on-one attention. When I hear that a child is struggling with emotional outbursts, anger, defiance, or attitude issues, the first question I ask is:"How much intentional time are they getting with their parents?" I’ve seen a monumental difference this makes—not just in my own kids, but also in stories shared by other intentional moms online. Children need to feel connected to you. In today’s fast-paced world—where we’re constantly multitasking, listening to podcasts, watching shows, driving to endless activities (whether you homeschool or not)—deep, distraction-free connection can get lost in the shuffle. But children still need it, even if they don’t know how to ask for it. When that need goes unmet, it often shows up as misbehavior. I’ve seen this in my 1-year-old through big tantrums, and I’ve seen it in my older boys in more subtle ways. Older Kids Still Crave Connection Now that my boys are older, their need for connection shows up differently. Instead of outbursts, it looks like lingering. One of them might hang out in the kitchen while I’m making dinner: "What are you doing?"  he’ll ask, not because he’s curious about dinner—he just wants to be near me. Sometimes he’s so close I can barely move, and I have to resist the urge to ask for space so I can finish my chores. Instead, I try to pause. I’ll give him a long hug, say something silly to make him laugh, and offer to play a game after dinner—my 10 year old's favorite way to connect. With my teen, it’s more about asking what he’s working on or interested in and letting him talk freely—offering real engagement while still stirring the pot and chopping the vegetables. This makes his heart full and when he is done he will wander off to his next activity, feeling connected and seen. Sometimes, you have to take the lead—even when they act like they don’t want connection. When my son melts on the couch, restless and flopping around for far too long.. I ask, “What do you want to do?”  and get a grumbly, “I don’t know…”  in return, that’s your cue to step in. Pick a board game or activity you know they usually enjoy and ask them to sit down and join you. Set the scene: play some fun or calming music in the background and set out a little snack tray to make it feel like something special. Nine times out of ten, that annoyed face softens, laughter bubbles up, and you both walk away with a full heart and a reset spirit—ready to face the rest of the day together. *Many times if I can tell it’s just boredom, I don’t do this. Boredom is the ultimate motivator for creativity and deep learning play. When my son starts flopping and sighing because of boredom I usually tell him if he’s bored I have a list of chores he can help me with ;) . He usually runs off and says “no, I’m good!” A couple hours later he emerges from his bedroom with an epic LEGO engineering creation. The trick is learning whether your child is sighing and flopping from the heart or just boredom. For my kids, I can usually tell when the “here are some chores for you” is offered in a teasing way and the response is more full of attitude or emotion and not a giggling running off to avoid Moms list way. It may take time to figure out the nuances of your kids ways of presenting their needs, and trial and error will be needed! Acting Out Often Means “I Need You” It’s easier to see those quiet bids for connection. Harder are the loud ones—the screaming, biting, scratching, crying, and wild attitudes. This is most common in kids ages 1–7, but it can happen at any age. I was recently reminded of this when my 1-year-old daughter wouldn’t stop fussing, no matter what I tried. We were deep in a season of big emotions—lots of scratching, biting, and crying. I had tried different discipline methods, trying to find what worked for her. Every child is different. But last week, something clicked. I sat on the floor, pulled out a book, and invited her into my lap. Instantly, her whole demeanor changed. She melted into me—peaceful, happy, and ready for the adventure in my hands. Even though she gets lots of freedom and play throughout the day, I realized she was craving me . She wasn’t ready to wind down with a show at night—she wanted presence. So now I stack blocks, flip through books, and give lots of tickles. Since I started prioritizing these extra moments of connection, the scratching, biting, and screaming have almost disappeared. I never had those behaviors with my boys—each child is a new puzzle to figure out. These Days Are Numbered It can be exhausting to meet our children’s needs—especially when we’re ready to finally sit down at the end of a long day. But my husband often reminds me: “Before you know it, she’ll be 10. You won’t have a baby who wants you to stack blocks anymore.” And he’s right. As my oldest prepares to start driving, I feel this truth in my bones. One day, I’ll have all the time I could ever want to knit, read, paint, or play music. Those things will be waiting for me in the decades after my children are grown. But these 18 years with them? They go by in a flash. You can always catch up on a podcast. You can’t catch up on your child needing you. And you’ll never regret the time you chose to connect. At the end of the day, I may fall into bed completely spent—but my heart is full. My home is full. I dreamt of having this life since I was a little girl. So don’t rush it. Soak it in. I’m always grateful when my children show me—through tantrums, lingering, or bored groans—that they need me. It reminds me to put the book down, look into their eyes, and live this moment with them. After all, is there anything  more fun than connecting with your kids? Not for me. And usually, I realize that I needed it just as much as they did. So if your child is acting out, maybe it’s not just about discipline—it might be a quiet (or loud!) call for connection. Every child is different, and every season of parenting holds new challenges, but one-on-one time has never failed to soften hearts—mine included. I’m learning every day that when I pause to be fully present, even just for a little while, the atmosphere in our home shifts. These years are precious, fleeting, and full of opportunity to plant seeds of love and trust. One day, they’ll be too big to sit on our laps—but I pray they’ll never be too big to talk, laugh, or just linger in the kitchen while we make dinner. From one tired but thankful mama to another: you’re doing holy work. Take the time, even just a few minutes, to connect. It matters more than we think. With love, Tej’a  🤍

Easy gluten-free banana bread with hidden veggies! Kid-approved, blender-ready, and naturally sweetened with maple or honey. Hi friends! I'm Tej’a—wife, mom, and the face behind West Texas Soap Co., where I create natural products, healthy recipes, and share real-life healing journeys. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s been a hit in our house for years: my blender banana bread. It’s naturally sweetened, 100% gluten-free, and includes a secret ingredient that even picky eaters won’t notice—zucchini or squash! Yep. This one checks all the boxes: healthy, nourishing, affordable, and EASY. This is a great make-ahead breakfast (paired with healthy fats and proteins) or snack, and honestly, it disappears fast in my house—my 10-year-old would eat the whole loaf if I let him! 🍌 Why This Banana Bread Is Different (and Better!): ✅ Gluten-Free  (uses oats instead of flour) ✅ No refined sugar —sweetened with maple syrup or honey ✅ Hidden veggies —zucchini or yellow squash blends in completely ✅ Blender-only recipe  = no mess and no bowls ✅ Kid-approved texture and flavor ✅ Budget-friendly ingredients This banana bread is also a sneaky way to get in fruits and veggies, especially when they’ve turned their nose up at squash every other way. If you’re on a gut healing journey, avoiding refined sugars, or simply trying to eat more whole foods, this one’s a winner. 🍞 Recipe: Healthy Banana Bread with Hidden Veggies Ingredients: 3 medium overripe bananas (frozen & thawed works too—drain excess liquid!) 3 large eggs 2½ cups oats (rolled or quick oats) 1½ tsp baking soda Pinch of sea salt ¾ cup pure maple syrup, honey, or a mix of both 1 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of cinnamon 1 medium zucchini or yellow squash, peeled and shredded or chopped Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth (batter will be runny). Pour into a parchment-lined loaf pan (don’t skip the parchment!). Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pan until you can handle it, then remove and let finish cooling on a towel on the counter. Slice and serve with salted butter. So good! ( Read my blog on why you need fat to see the science on why we love and enjoy real butter!) Bonus tip:  You can also make these into muffins—just pour the batter into a lined muffin tin and reduce baking time to around 20–25 minutes. They also freeze great! 🥣 A Note on Texture: If you're new to gluten-free baking, the texture might feel a bit different while it's still warm. Let it cool completely—this helps it set up properly and slice beautifully. It’s dense, moist, and delicious. 🧼 Want to Live More Naturally? This recipe fits perfectly into the lifestyle we embrace at West Texas Soap Co.—simple, effective, and made from real ingredients. If you love this banana bread, you might also enjoy: DIY All-Natural Baby Powder Recipe (Gentle + Healing) My Natural Healing Journey: How Food Changed Our Life DIY Natural Laundry Soap (No Soap Grating!) Want to support the blog? Check out my natural shop   filled with handmade wellness products like soaps and skincare. All products are made and shipped by me! Or simply spread the word by sharing one of my blogs with a friend!

DIY Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin | Natural, Non-Toxic & Multi-Purpose Cleaner Learn how to make ultra-effective, sensitive skin safe laundry soap with no grating & no toxins—just clean clothes & huge savings! 🧼 Bonus Use: This DIY laundry soap also doubles as a powerful scrub for sinks, tubs, and toilets—just pair with natural dish soap! 🧺 Why Switch to Natural Laundry Soap? As a natural products maker and founder of West Texas Soap Co., I’ve used this exact laundry soap recipe for years — both in my home and in the products I sell. It’s gentle, effective, and completely natural, making it a perfect fit for sensitive skin, cloth diapers, baby clothes, and even greasy workwear. Laundry soap is one of the first items I tell people to switch in their home if they are suffering from any health issues or hope to prevent health issues. It is used on your clothes, bedding, and towels, you are in contact with it 24/7, inhaled, and absorbed through the skin. Many mainstream liquid laundry detergents, including those marketed as “gentle” or “baby safe,” often contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants that have been flagged by ingredient safety organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) due to their link to developmental delays, endocrine disruption, reproductive health effects, and more. See their report on ingredients found in leading newborn laundry soap here or type your favorite laundry soap brand into the search box to see the safety level. Some states have even taken steps to restrict certain chemical ingredients due to environmental or health concerns. That’s why I use this powdered laundry soap recipe: simple, non-toxic, affordable, and free from questionable additives. No messy soap grating required. Just real, accessible ingredients that get the job done — without compromising your family’s health or your peace of mind. It's the easiest ways to cut daily toxins, protect sensitive skin, and even save money! 💸 Huge Savings for Families (Without Sacrificing Health) With the rising cost of everything, this simple laundry powder can save your family hundreds of dollars per year. Unlike many DIY recipes, this one does not require grating soap bars (messy and unnecessary!). You’ll only need 1 tablespoon per load—seriously, a little goes a long way. It’s safe for: Sensitive skin Cloth diapers Mechanic grime & tough stains Everyday laundry needs 🫧 My Exact DIY Natural Laundry Soap Recipe Ingredient Amount Benefits Washing Soda 1 cup Boosts cleaning power, softens water, breaks down grime and oils. Baking Soda 1 cup Neutralizes odors, softens water, gently lifts dirt and stains. Epsom Salt (plain) 1/3 cup Helps deodorize, softens water, and reduces mineral buildup. Sea Salt 1.5 tablespoons Naturally abrasive for stain-fighting, water-softening, and fabric freshening. Essential Oil (optional) 10 drops (peppermint/lavender) Deodorizes during washing (scent won't linger after drying). 📝 Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix with spoon slowly in a well-ventilated area (powder in the air from mixing vigorously can irritate nose/throat). Store in a jar with a tablespoon scoop. Use 1 tablespoon per load—add directly to the washer before  clothes. For tough stains, you can use 1.5 tablespoons, but no more. 🧼 Pro Tips: For a scent boost after washing, add a few drops of essential oil to wool dryer balls or a clean old washcloth you don't mind staining in the dryer. Pair with 1/3 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle for extra soft, fresh laundry. Or simply add in the beginning for a cleaner fresher load. This laundry powder doubles as a powerful sink, tub, and toilet cleaner when used with natural dish soap (Ecos Free & Gentle is a favorite). Be cautious on delicate surfaces—its scrubbing power can be too much for scratch-prone materials. Always wear gloves when cleaning with it to avoid skin irritation. 🔢 Cost Per Load Breakdown: 🧼 DIY Laundry Soap Cost Breakdown (based on Walmart prices) 📌 Ingredients & Costs: Washing Soda  – $5.39 for 55 oz→ 1 cup = ~8 oz  → Cost per batch: ~$0.78 Baking Soda  – $1 for 16 oz (1 lb)→ 1 cup = ~8 oz  → Cost per batch: ~$0.50 Epsom Salt  – $4 for 64 oz (4 lb)→ 1/3 cup = ~4 oz  → Cost per batch: ~$0.25 Sea Salt  – $3.20 for 26 oz→ 1.5 tbsp = ~1 oz  → Cost per batch: ~$0.12 Essential Oils (optional)  – price varies (minimal per batch) 🧮 Total Cost per Batch: $0.78 + $0.50 + $0.25 + $0.12 = $1.65 total Each batch yields around 32 tablespoons , since 1 cup = 16 tbsp. ➡️ Cost per Load: 1 tablespoon per load = ~$0.05 (5 cents) If using ½ tbsp extra for heavy loads: still under 7–8 cents per load . 💰 Compare to Store-Bought: DIY detergent  = 5–8¢ per load Tide/Dreft/commercial detergents  = 20–30¢+ per load 🧺 You save 3–5x per load , and get a healthier, natural alternative! 🌿 Cleaner Clothes, Cleaner Life This simple recipe helps you ditch harsh chemicals, save money, and still enjoy fresh, clean clothes—even on a tight budget. With no grating, no gooey mess, and no mystery ingredients, it’s one of my all-time favorites. 👉 Shop My Pure Essential Oil Blends as well as my other handmade by me natural products [ Click Here ]

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!

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!