Does Caffeine Make You Tired?

There are many things that can contribute to fatigue in your body. One of the most surprising things that may be adding to your fatigue is the very thing you are using to stay energized – – caffeine.

Head over to Growing Slower where I've posted 3 Reasons Caffeine is Making You Tired…

“Farewell, Fatigue”! (Plus a Giveaway Worth $200+!)

God taught me a lot of things during the time that I struggled with chronic fatigue.  I believe He allowed me to go through it for a reason.  And I believe that one of those reasons is so that I could help others who are dealing with the same thing.

I know what it's like to struggle just to put one foot in front of the other each day.  It breaks my heart when I hear friends or readers mention that they are not functioning very well.

YOU are the reason I wrote this book!

After much prayer for direction as to where I should seek natural help for the chronic fatigue, God led me to a doctor of functional medicine.  A functional medicine doctor is dedicated to seeking out the root of the illness and correcting the actual problem, not just the symptoms.  For nearly a year, I have been learning from my doctor as well as doing my own research.   I paid thousands of dollars for my “treatment” (which was basically a personalized education as to how to best nourish my body).  But I want everyone to have access to this information!  I want YOU to feel better so that you can have the energy you need to take care of your home and your family!

Is $6.99 a little more affordable than thousands of dollars? Then go ahead and buy the ebook!

I'm also including a set of encouraging scripture verse printables to everyone who purchases the ebook.  They will be included with your book download. If you purchase the Kindle version, you can email me your receipt and I will email them to you.

(You can also purchase the book for Kindle here.)

In this book you will learn:

I am so grateful for these sponsors who have generously provided prizes that will help you along on your journey toward a more healthy, energetic lifestyle.

Are you constantly tired? Do you struggle to get through the basics of your day?

Learn how I overcame chronic fatigue naturally!

Farewell, Fatigue (ebook)

Learn how I overcame chronic fatigue naturally!

Price: $6.99

 

After a year and a half of struggling with fatigue and other miserable symptoms for no explainable reason, I was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I immediately began a quest to find the information I needed to overcome it with nothing other than completely natural methods.

Today I have made a complete turnaround from the way I used to feel.

Although I spent thousands of dollars to learn from naturally minded doctors, I want to share with you what I have learned for just the price of an ebook!

 

In this book you will learn:

• The Basic Essentials of Health
• More Advanced Aspects of Health Management
• The Practical Side of Overcoming Chronic Fatigue
• Helpful Resources for Purchasing Food and Supplements

These natural methods of healing are not spooky or strange, but are lifestyle changes that anyone can implement.

Although I was already leading a fairly healthy lifestyle before ever being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, there were a few pieces of the puzzle that were missing. I have attempted to share ALL of the puzzle pieces that fit together for me so that you can attempt to piece them together in your own life!

Read more at https://www.imperfecthomemaker.com/store/farewell-fatigue#xeoaeqSH38ywM3QX.99

• Third Day Naturals offers natural handmade soap, skin and body care.  It is absolutely amazing how many toxic chemicals are in most of the body care on the market today.  Although it is only one small piece of the puzzle, reducing the toxic load on your body will definitely aid you in overcoming fatigue.  You will only find the purest ingredients in the products from Third Day Naturals.  They are giving away a package of the following products: 1 sugar scrub, 1 full size lotion bar, 1 soap, 1 lip balm.

•  Plan to Eat is giving away a free one year subscription to their meal planning service. Having a meal plan will save you time and money, allow you to spend less time in the grocery store, help you eat healthier food, and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing what is for dinner. Plan to Eat is an online meal planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them. Then, it automatically makes your grocery list using the recipes you’ve selected. Here’s a short one-minute video to show you how it works:

Plan to Eat – The Online Menu Planner from Plan to Eat on Vimeo.

• At Bloom Naturals you will find a variety of natural skincare items as well as products for babies and kids and natural laundry products.  They are giving away a $25 gift certificate to my shop, plus ALL of my readers get a 20% off coupon when you use the code BOOKLAUNCH.  Shop through this link.

• The VitaClay Smart Organic Multicooker makes perfect rice, brown rice, whole grains, quinoa, savory stews, soups and nutritious bone broths or steamed fish or veggies. It also doubles as a low temperature yogurt maker! Meals are super flavorful and nourishing because VitaClay seals in the beneficial nutrients and enzymes.  There is a TON more I could say about this product; you should check out all the cool details here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Healthy Homemade Hot Chocolate

Those who know me know that I am a hopeless chocolate lover.  Just absolutely hopeless.

But, nonetheless, I have been somewhat better about letting myself indulge lately.  I know I don't need the sugar.  But it's hard.  It's really hard.

So here's a way I can indulge in a healthy way!  A complete win-win!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao (maybe a little less if you don't like such a strong chocolate taste)
• 4 tablespoons raw honey

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a saucepan.  Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly. When heated to your liking, serve and enjoy!  Makes 2 servings.

Note: You could also use cocoa instead of the raw cacao.  I just like to use the raw cacao because it is better for you and also has a richer taste.  I get it pretty inexpensively at Thrive Market.

Are you a chocolate lover like me?  What's your favorite healthi(er) chocolate treat?

You might also want to check out these 10 Healthy Christmas Treats!

DIY Peppermint Spice Lip Balm

I love this DIY Peppermint Spice Lip Balm!  I intended to make it for gifts, but I ended up keeping it for myself!

It's so easy to make too!  Here's what you do:

Melt the following in a saucepan:

• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 Tablespoon beeswax beads
• 1 Tablespoon cocoa butter

When everything has turned to a liquid state, add 3 drops peppermint oil.  Pour into desired container (I used an old tin from a pack of mints.)

Enjoy!

Why I Don’t Get Up Early

Read any book or blog post on time management and productivity, and chances are pretty good you will be told to get up early.

I agree – getting up early helps my days run more smoothly and helps me be more productive.

But I don't get up early, and I have a very good reason.

Right now is not the right season of life for me to be getting up early.

I have a 3 week old baby.  She's doing really well with sleeping, but nonetheless I am still running on too little sleep.

A lack of sleep is a large contributor to imbalanced hormones.  Imbalanced hormones are almost a surefire way to send me right back into chronic fatigue.  I don't want to go there.

I could beat myself up for not toughing it out and getting up and getting going on my day.  Or I could recognize that there are seasons of life and get the proper rest until this season passes.

What season are you in? Are you feeling guilty because other moms seem to do so much more than you do?  Do you need to recognize the season of life you are currently in, and do what's right for you at this time?

You're not them, and they're not you.  It's okay to sleep in.  In fact, it may be more than okay – it may be good.

Do you have little ones who won't sleep in?  Sleep as long as you can in the morning and take a nap in the afternoon.

There will be a time and a place to get lots done. Maybe now is not that time and place.

For more information on sleep and other factors which can help you overcome fatigue, check out my new ebook, Farewell, Fatigue: How I Overcame Chronic Fatigue the Natural Way.

How much sleep do you get? Did you realize sleep plays such a vital role in keeping your hormones balanced?

How to Practice Safe Babywearing

Taking 4 kids to the grocery store, to the park, etc. is a little challenging, and it is definitely nice to have my hands free while still cuddling my newborn.

But there are some things about safe babywearing that I didn't realize, and perhaps some of you didn't know these things either. Boba is helping to spread awareness of how to practice safe babywearing.

Because an infant's hip socket is still developing, wearing baby incorrectly can cause a condition known as hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when the baby's hips become dislocated or misaligned.

Hip dysplasia has several different causes, and therefore cannot be 100% prevented; however, wearing your baby in the correct position can go a long way toward reducing your child's risk of developing it.

To carry baby correctly, he should be facing toward you and his knees should be higher than his rear. When a baby's legs are left to dangle or when his knees are at a lower level than his bum, his spine and hips are unsupported and can be injured.

An outward facing position is not good for mom's spine either as it throws the weight of the baby forward, leaving your spine to compensate.

This article at bobafamily.com explains the consequences that outward facing baby carriers have on baby's spine and hips a lot more in-depth.

You can also find a lot of information on hip dysplasia in general at hipdysplasia.org.

I've also created a Pinterest board dedicated to safe babywearing that you can check out:

I think I would be inclined to wear my babies a lot more often now that I know how much better an inward facing carrier is for their development and for my aching back! Boba is the only company that exclusively sells products that leave baby facing inward. I sure have been enjoying lots of sweet snuggle time with my 2 week old, but an inward facing carrier would make it a little easier.  

To learn more and connect with Boba, “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Boba. The opinions and text are all mine.