Featured/ Homemade Gifts

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

I recently was part of a planning team for a local IF: Conference. I had the fun job of decorating. I got to create an atmosphere where the women who came felt comfortable, loved on and cared for.

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub was a small touch, both for beauty and for pampering, that I put in the restroom. It got rave reviews from the women who used it. I personally love this recipe, and was delighted when it was so well received. I even got sweet comments on my Facebook page that evening– women asking for the recipe.

{photo from conference via Lelia Chealey}

This Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub is quick to throw together and leaves the hands so very refreshed and soft. Just take a small spoonful, rub into hands, then a quick warm water rinse and a blot dry. This will leave you with a slight bitof moisture that can be rubbed into your hands. It is a cleanser, scrub and moisturizer in one!

Don’t forget to rub the scrub into those cuticles. Winter can wreak havoc on cuticles and dry them out. When rubbing the scrub into your hands, gently massage into the cuticles, too. Then rinse. Then massage the leftover oil into your cuticles. My cuticles have never looked better after using this scrub!

It is addicting and amazing.

I keep a jar at all times at my kitchen sink. It sits on my kitchen sill in a cute little mason jar & has a fun, tiny little spoon with it.

I also have made a batch for the shower and used as a full body scrub. It is amazing stuff!

I highly recommend adding lemon essential oil to this recipe. It makes the world of difference in how your hands smell after using the scrub, and adds great cleansing and even lightening properties for those pesky age spots we get on the back of our hands. It truly is divine!

Lemon Sugar Scrub

{via I Heart Naptime}

2 1/2 cups sugar, divided

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (almond or jojoba oils works well, too)

1 lemon

5-7 drops lemon essential oil (optional, but not really!)

~Put sugar in a large bowl. Set aside. Measure out 1/4 cup of coconut oil and place it in a microwave safe bowl. Heat coconut oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the oil is melted. Add 5-7 drops lemon essential oil & stir. Pour oil over sugar and mix to combine.

~Using a zester or small rater, zest the rind of 1 lemon. Then, cut tested lemon in half and, using a juicer or a fork, juice the lemon. Remove any seeds from lemon juice. Add lemon juice and zest to the sugar mixture and stir to combine.

~If sugar scrub is still too “wet”, add up to 1/2 cup more sugar until desired consistency is reached.

~Store in a cute little jar, with a cute little spoon.

~Add a free printable label courtesy of I Heart Naptime.

Keep for yourself or give away as a sweet and meaningful gift. Enjoy!

Uncategorized

8 Awesome Gifts For The Tea Lover In Your Life

TEA-LOVER-GIFTS

I have a few tea lover’s in my life that I love to buy gifts for. I’m also personally beginning to fall more and more in love with tea. The health benefits of tea cannot be argued with, and it is the perfect beverage to help slow life down. The ritual of heating up water & stopping to sip something warm is a beautiful way to live slow and well. Holding a warm cup and stopping to enjoy the aroma is another way to slow and just allow one to breath, which can be so healing in the middle of busy days.

Below are 8 awesome gifts I have gathered for the tea lover. All are from Mountain Rose Herbs, which is by far my favorite company for tea and for essential oils. The below links are affiliate links, but know that I will not recommend anything I would not buy myself here at New Nostalgia. Enjoy!

MOUNTAIN-ROSE-HERBS-TEA-COLLAGE-1

1. WOMEN’S BALANCING TEA

Rich, healthy, and delicious; this full flavored tea is ideal for every day. An infusion designed to keep all of the wonderful women out there balanced. For a balancing decoction try our Women’s Freedom Tea, or keep both around for whatever mood you may be in.

This tea blend is on my next order list. It looks beautiful, sounds delicious, AND I can use all the mood balancing help I can get!

2. MESH TEA INFUSER WITH HANDLE

This is one of the most versatile mesh tea infusers offered by Mountain Rose Herbs. The infuser has a convenient wooden handle, and a stainless steel lip which creates a snug fit around your mug. Rim measures 3” in diameter, and the mesh reservoir measures 2” deep.

Love the simplicity and easy use and design of this infuser.

3. GLASS TEAPOT CLASSIC

This beautiful clear glass tea pot has a 32 ounce (4 cup) capacity and is made of borosilicate glass that is temperature resistant, lead-free, and made from 20% recycled materials. Glass teapots allow you to fully appreciate the marvelous art of tea brewing and are especially suited for flowering teas, which enable you to see the furling of tea leaves. Each teapot is fitted with a glass infuser reservoir for placement of your loose leaf tea. Our glass tea pots are dishwasher and microwave safe.

A glass teapot with a built in diffuser. Perfect. I would love this with the below teapot warmer to sit at my desk all morning while I work.

4. TEA POT WARMER

New design! This glass tea pot warmer is not only functional and sturdy, but stylish as well! Suitable for glass and porcelain teapots, and perfect for those of us who enjoy leisurely sipping our tea. Made in Taiwan, it features a glass tea lite candle holder, and metal teapot platform. The lit candle will keep tea heated for hours, while simultaneously providing a perfect ambiance of relaxation and warmth. Measures 5 1/2” in diameter and 2 5/8” tall.

I’m drooling over this glass tea warmer. On the list it goes.

MOUNTAIN-ROSE-HERBS-TEA-COLLAGE-2

5. DISPOSABLE TEA FILTERS

Enjoy loose leaf tea in these convenient, simple to use, and ecologically friendly tea infusers! These filters are ideal for those who dislike the mess commonly associated with loose-leaf tea, and are especially useful for shops and cafes.Uniquely designed with a gusseted bottom which allows the tea leaves to completely unfurl, thus increasing the flavor and strength of the tea. These tea filters also have a paper flap which is perfect for tucking under the lid of a tea pot or a travel mug. Made from 100% natural, unbleached, and chlorine free paper.
Each box contains 100 tea filters.

These disposable bags are great for those who don’t want to mess with cleaning up an infuser.

6. TEA TIMER

This elegant glass and stainless steel timer takes the guesswork out of brewing a perfect cup of tea! Whether you prefer a light, medium or strong cup, the colored sand in the hourglasses alerts you when your tea is finished brewing just the way you like it. Hourglasses run for 3, 4 and 5 minutes.

I have not seen a timer quite like this one. It would be so handy, especially having the option of 3, 4, or 5 minutes! It would be so cute stuck in a gift bag for a tea-loving friend.

7. TEA BAG SQUEEZER

A popular tea-brewing tool, especially among those with sensitive fingers. If you grow tired of blisters, burnt fingers, or the occasional pain associated with squeezing your scalding teabags by hand, then try one of these! Stainless steel.

There is something satisfying about getting that last bit of squeezed goodness from the tea bag. I read a study once that said that last bit of squeeze can really amplify the goodness and nutrition of the tea. Who knew?

8. SMALL ROUND TEA CARAFE

This eminently useful, single serving carafe is ideal for your bedside, desktop, mobile retreats, or, when a smaller amount of tea is preferred for single use. Like our standard Tea Carafe, this one has a similar French style design, with a charming round glass vessel which hoists a stainless steel mesh infuser into it for immediate infusing.This is a beautiful and efficient way to make tea. Simply fill the infuser with your tea of choice and submerge into a carafe full of hot water. When your tea reaches its desired strength, simply lift it out and enjoy! Replacement glass available.
Carafe holds 20 oz liquid.

This personal tea carafe is so good looking! Drooling.

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Do you drink tea regularly? Everyday?

Do you use a teapot or a special tea cup?

Do you feel it slows you down and allows you to breath in the midst of your day?

Drinks/ Featured/ Healthy Eating/ RECIPES

Honey Ginger Lemon Tea – A Cold Reliever

Yesterday there was a blizzard here in the Midwest. It was super fun to be snowed in, even though it was Super Bowl Sunday. We stayed in our jammies all day, I made a big ol’ lasagna, and my Avery made some chocolate chip cookies. It was a super slow, super chill, super fun Super Bowl Sunday!

Today my 3 girls had a snow day as the roads were still a mess and the windchill was too low to be outside and stay safe.

We decided it is the perfect day for tea, especially when my Avery girl (11 years old) came to me and said “Mom, I think I’m getting a cold. My nose is stuffy and my throat is a little sore and has ‘stuff’ running down the back of it.” Oh no. Not cool. Especially when she has been home bound for 2 days already. She will be extra bored with a 3rd day at home, especially if she is not feeling well.

Time for a cup of good, healthy tea.

I’ve been drinking this particular tea every morning, shortly after I wake up, and before I have a cup of coffee. It is a great way to hydrate and get all those amazing good things that lemon- in -water gives you. The addition of honey and ginger makes the tea even more nutritious. When I drink it in the mornings, I add a pinch of cayenne. I’ve read that it is a great way to stimulate the liver to do its detoxifying magic first thing in the morning. Read more about that here.

I know when I have a cold, sipping on something hot is so very soothing. I prefer something hot & light…like chamomile tea or this honey ginger lemon tea. The steam will warm you right up, and the ginger & lemon will help clear sinuses, and the honey will help soothe a sore throat. My sweet Avery certainly enjoyed it
and was very thankful for her cup of tea. Later I will make her my Sweet Tart Smoothie for even more nutrition from aronia berries. I do not want this cold going anywhere but away!

The lemon in the tea gives a nice dose of vitamin C & there is wonderful goodness to the essential oils that diffuse into the tea from the rind of the lemon. The ginger, honey and lemon all have their own natural medicinal qualities so when you drink them combined, they create a calming and relaxing tea that can ease cold symptoms and boost immunity.

This cleansing tea will become a favorite , whether you have a cold or not. Make it for your family. You will love it and so will they. It tastes like a lightly sweetened hot lemon drink, with just a hint of ginger flavor. It is so very thirst quenching and soothing.

Before we move on to the recipe, I have a great tip for having ginger on hand and how to store it. It is to keep it in the freezer. I like to store it in mason jars in the freezer 2 ways. One–sliced thinly for tea. Two–in chunks in a jar ready to be grated and used in the next recipe…like Korean Beef over Rice. Frozen ginger is easy to peel and grate, and it lasts so much longer in the freezer.

Here are 7 of the top benefits of ginger:

1. Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.

2. Ginger clears the “microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.

3. If you chew on ginger, it will help with nausea and airsickness.

4. Got a tummy ache? Eat some ginger.

5. Joints giving you trouble? Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can bring relief.

6. If it is cold outside, ginger tea has warming benefits.

7. Rid throat and nose congestion by drinking ginger tea!

Don’t you love that porcelain infuser teacup? It was a gift and it is my fav. Buy it here.

On to the recipe.

Honey Ginger Lemon Tea

6 oz hot water

1 teaspoon raw honey

1 teaspoon thinly sliced ginger

1/2 lemon

~Start heating up water. I LOVE my electric tea kettle and use it everyday. It does a great job of heating the water quickly and keeping it warm for multiple cups of tea throughout the morning.

~Take a tea cup that has an infuser in it, and using a fork, pierce the half of lemon while holding it over the infuser and twist the fork and lemon to juice it. Squeeze as much of the juice out of the lemon half as possible. Cut the lemon half into 2-4 pieces. Add them to the infuser.

~Meanwhile, take 1 teaspoon of thinly sliced ginger and put into the infuser. (Slice using a mandolin and store in the freezer in a mason jar.)

~Last, take 1 teaspoon of honey and drizzle it over the lemon and ginger.

~Put the infuser into the cup of tea, then pour hot water over.

~Let steep 3-4 minutes.

~Lift the infuser our of the cup and enjoy your amazingly light, clean, fresh & oh- so- good for you Honey Ginger Lemon Tea!

Spiritual/ Sponsored/ Uncategorized

Come To The Table – IF: Gathering

I’ve been preparing tables for a gathering, and having a blast doing it.

I was asked to decorate for an upcoming gathering called the IF: Gathering. Have you heard of it?

From the IF:Gathering website:

We exist to gather, equip and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose. This 2-day gathering will bring women together from around the world to wrestle with belief that God is real, the places in our lives where we are struggling with unbelief, how can we overcome unbelief and then what God can do with our belief.” – IF:Gathering

If God is real… then what?

IF:Gathering from If Gathering on Vimeo.

I can hardly wait!

The gathering is February 6-7, and during a 2-day simulcast over the weekend, thousands of locations will stream the women’s conference, and my hometown, Lincoln, NE will be one of them. We will join thousands of other IF:Locals from across the U.S. and internationally, where we will come together and empower and encourage each other to live with purpose.

Won’t you come and gather with us around tables to eat, drink coffee, listen to some of the most amazing speakers, & just show up for something that was an awesome event last year, and promises to be even more-so this year?

IF: Gathering 2015 Theme Verse

This years theme is Faith. Seems like a simple word, but give that word to God, ask Him to help us have it, and He WILL do amazing things.

Not the church type? It’s ok. Come gather. Don’t know anyone going? You will find wonderful women friends, gathered around tables with a spot open for you. Can’t afford the typical conference ticket price of over $150? It’s ok, our If: Gathering is only $20 if you sign up online, so come gather around. Don’t know yet? Have littles at home and can’t give up an entire weekend? Then just come gather on Friday, or just Saturday. Come as you are, when you can. Come one. Come all. Come and gather at the table.

These tables where we will sit and break bread are taking shape and being made beautiful for YOU! Please come.

IF:Lincoln Event Information:

This schedule is subject to small changes. All times are Central Standard.

friday, february 6th

Session 1 – 3:00-6:00
Break – 6:00-7:30 (Dinner provided)
Session 2 – 7:30-10:00

saturday, february 7th

Session 3 – 8:30-12:00 (Breakfast provided)
Break – 12:00-2:00 (Lunch on your own)
Session 4 – 2:00-5:00

Ticket price will cover two meals, printed materials, and venue fees.

Location: The Space @ The Trade Center

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Register Here –>

https://www.picatic.com/iflincoln

Let Us Know You Are Coming at our Facebook Event Page –> https://www.facebook.com/events/610472425747717/

Join us on Facebook–>

https://www.facebook.com/iflincoln

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Don’t live in the Lincoln Area? Don’t despair, for there are gatherings happening all over the world. Click here to learn how to find one happening around your area!

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*How great are these little light-up letters? I found them at Michael’s. They can be backed with any type of paper and painted to match your event. They will be part of our gathering decor.

Emotional Health/ FAMILY/ Kids/Family/ Sponsored

Family Night With Hallmark Hall Of Fame + Peanut Butter Chocolate Slice Recipe

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hallmark Hall of Fame for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Our family loves movies.

Even before our 3 girls were born, (who are now 15, 13 & 11 years old) you could find Todd and I in our basement in front of the TV with a whole bunch of snacks and a movie. When our girls came along, they joined us every week for family movie night. I have vivid memories of them sitting in front of the television in their little portable chairs with a tray, with their faces full of chocolate and smiles.

Now that they are teens, we do our best to continue the tradition each week. It is not as easy to find a movie we all agree on!

That won’t be an issue this week. This week I’m planning on making a couple of our family’s favorite snacks, and gathering us all around the television to watch Hallmark Hall of Fame’s“AWAY & BACK” movie.

Hallmark Hall of Fame“AWAY & BACK” Movie

The movie stars Jason Lee and Minka Kelly and the premier is on Sunday, January 25th at 8/7 Central on the Hallmark Channel. It sounds like a movie that we all will enjoy. It is a heartwarming, family -friendly film that has adventure, humor & romance.

With 3 girls, family-friendly romance is always a fun thing! My two older girls love it, but my 11 year old just rolls her eyes and moans. I know she will be fine during “AWAY & BACK” as there is a girl who is just a bit younger than she is in the movie.

What I Know About The Movie

“There is a 10 year old daughter named Frankie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) in the movie who experiences love at first sight when a family of swans makes their home on the Peterson farm. But along comes no-nonsense ornithologist Ginny Newsom (Minka Kelly), who rushes in to “save” the majestic birds. For Frankie’s dad Jack (Jason Lee), it’s dislike at first sight when he encounters pushy, know-it-all Ginny. Frankie and her brothers are anything but neutral observers as they watch the initial hostility between their widowed father and the song-willed Ginny transform into something else.”

How great does that look/sound? I’m really looking forward to it, and I know my girls will love it. Todd will appreciate the humor and that the movie is family-friendly. He also loves any excuse to get the family gathered into the basement for some family-time.

It never fails, when we are all down there together, (in what I call Todd’s domain), I can glance over at him and he just sits there and grins with his eyes. Ever since the day I met him, he has smiled with his eyes and I melt. Aww…can you feel the romance? Can you just see my little one rolling her eyes?

Hallmark Hall Of Fame

More than 60 years, the Hallmark Hall of Fame has presented original films that entertain, enlighten and inspire. AWAY & BACK is the latest in the series and is no exception to the Hallmark Hall of Fame legacy! It is directed by Jeff Blackener, director of Hallmark Hall of Fame fan favorites like Remember Sunday (2013) and Loving Leah (2009).

Enter the AWAY & BACK Trailer – Share to Win Sweepstakes . Watch the trailer, sign up and share the trailer for a chance to win a family vacation!

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Family Movie Night Recipes

2 things we always ‘need’ during our family movie nights is popcorn & chocolate! This Sunday for our Hallmark Hall Of Fame AWAY & BACK movie, I am going to make delicious Raw Peanut Butter Chocolate Slice & pop some popcorn! Chocolate, sweet & salty. Can’t wait!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Freezer Slice

6-8 Fresh medjool dates

¼ cup of raisins

1 cup of nuts (they can be mixed nuts or not. I like to use macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts or walnuts)

pinch of good quality salt

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup of honey

2 Tsp of water

Icing

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 Tbsp coconut oil (melted) (no substitutes)

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

~Place Your nuts into your food processor or high speed blender and process until crumbly.

~Add your dates and raisins and process again.

~Now add your salt, cocoa, honey and peanut butter.

~ Process till it starts to come together. If the mix is too dry add a little water a bit at a time till the mix sticks together when pressed into a ball.

~Press this mix into a small lined container.

Directions For Icing

Mix cocoa, melted coconut oil, honey, vanilla & a pinch of salt to bring out the flavor. Add water if too thick, if too thin, don’t worry, it will firm up in the freezer.

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What About You?

Do You Have A Regular Family Movie Night?

Are You A Hallmark Hall Of Fame Movie Fan?

What Are Your Favorite Foods To Snack On During A Movie?

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION/ HOME/ Uncategorized

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday

Here Are My Goals…What Are Yours?

(please share!)

EVERY MONTH GOALS 2015

~Meaningful Mornings (The Miracle Morning Book Plan)

~Meaningful Marriage (Love Todd Well)

~Meaningful Parenting (Love Kids Well)

~Meaningful Home (Loving Home Environment + Beautiful Home Atmosphere)

~Computer Clutter (Notes, Reminders, Photos, Emails, Posts)

~Blog Posts In Order (Plan Ahead; Work Efficiently)

~Ebook (Get Writing!)

~Socialize (Social Media Flow + In Real Life Socializing With Loved Ones)

~Clean Mama Monthly Rotating Cleaning goals

EVERY WEEK GOALS 2015

~Up Early Every Week Day (Start Day With God & What Matters)

~Blog Posts Planned For The Week (Work Efficiently)

~Home Blessing Hour (One Hour of Cleaning…Dust, Bathrooms, Sweep, Mop, Vacuum)

~Date With One Of My 3 Lovelies (Girls are Growing Up. Do It Now!)

~Grocery List/Meal Plan (To Feed Them Well)

~Move Body (Walk, Yoga, Strength Training)

~Greens + Water Every Day (Hydrate + Nutrients)

SPECIFIC GOALS LAST WEEK

~~~finish landing area~~

~paint Avery room

~Avery art on walls

~continue to plan decorations for IF: Gathering –local ladies–wanna come? Click Here.

SPECIFIC GOALS THIS WEEK

~paint Avery room

~Avery art on walls

~continue to plan decorations for IF: Gathering –local ladies–wanna come? Click Here.

~print all Caring Bridge pages out

~clean oven

~vacuum couches & spot clean

Home Zone This Week: (15 minutes a day in said zone)

~Kitchen

Hot Spot This Week: (5 minutes a day in said hot spot)

~oven

~under kitchen sink rescue

~sweep behind refrigerator & stove

Computer Hot Spot: (getting my digital organization on!)

~~Immediate Inbox Folder to Zero

Last Week’s Pin Accomplished:

~Forcing Tulip Bulbs In Water

This Week’s Pin To Accomplish:

Lemon-Sugar-Scrub

~Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

Last Week’s Most Clicked On Links:

Morning-Person-Blog-Post

How To Become A Morning Person & Beat Depression | Bravely

happy-home-header1

5 Easy & Cheap Ways To Make Your Home Look Happier | Bravely

10-724x1024-1

10 Easy Health Changes To Make This Year | Mama’s Got It All Together

8 Smart, Free YouTube Fitness and Health Channels | Saving Sarah

Healthy Chocolate Green Smoothie | Pink Recipe Box

5 Minute Fridays/ Books/ Uncategorized

To Write The Mind Alive

Five minutes to write on the word: SEND.
Write–don’t edit–just 5 minutes to be in the moment.

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GO.

Send thoughts upward than inward. Zero in.

Simply scribe them.Easier said than done, it takes such honesty.

Even if not meant for anyone else, what if someone stumbles upon them?

It is quite a courageous venture, this one I’m about to go on.

To write the mind alive.

I wonder if these 5 minute Fridays have given me a glimpse of what it might be like. Five minutes goes by like a blink and one has no choice but to just write their immediate thoughts.

Writing the mind alive…what’s the word? Proprioceptive Writing? Yes.

It is a whole new world of real. I have always thought I wrote real, but here before me is another level.

I am eager to send my exact thoughts to paper. Eager to explore and see where it might lead.

It will be different to pen them onto paper, instead of typing and pushing send.

Would you like to come on this adventure with me? Yes? Grab an unlined journal, a candle, a bit of Baroque & a copy of this.

STOP.

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VOTIVO Red currant. My ‘by-far’ favorite candle that my Mommy always gifts to me. You will love it!

Click here to buy.

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Happy to be linking up to 5 Minute Friday.

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