Why I Ditched Dryer Sheets (and What I use Instead)
Did you know… Researchers found that all top-selling laundry products and air fresheners tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels; with paint thinner being one of the ingredients! (source) Crazy right? The main reason I ditched…
Read More4 Components of a Waste-Free Lunch
Whoever said that quote, “the days are long but the years are short” must have been specifically talking to parents of young children. I’m sure it feels that way with older kids but raising little ones is really hard work. It seems just yesterday we came home with our first born, completely terrified and lost, knowing…
Read MoreHow I Have Fed My Family REAL Food on $87.50/week (3 Tight Budget Tips)
Up until now, I would have to say that I was pretty mediocre at creating a budget and sticking to it — especially when it came to food. This year, my husband and I decided to get on the same page with our finances. We were ready to take charge of our budget and where our…
Read MoreHow to Clean and Refinish Cast Iron Cookware
Note from Naturally Loriel: I’m taking some time off to enjoy my sweet newborn but I’ve lined up some amazing guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers while I’m away. Today’s guest post comes from my good friend Amanda of Refocus on Being. Amanda is a frequent writer on Naturally Loriel with some of her best posts…
Read MoreWhy I Don’t Use Paraffin Candles Anymore + The Better Alternative
I’ve said it before but I feel the need to say it again; when it comes to natural living and making the switch to a more non-toxic lifestyle, it’s important to do what is most sustainable for you and your family. The things that are important to me may look different than the things that…
Read More3 Tips for Reheating Frozen Foods
Note from Naturally Loriel: I’m taking some time off to enjoy my sweet newborn but I’ve lined up some amazing guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers while I’m away. Today’s guest post comes from one of my best friends Tara of We Got Real. Tara is the expert on frugality (have you seen her frugal…
Read MoreHow to Make Homemade Italian Dressing (Real Food Style)
Note from Naturally Loriel: I’m taking some time off to enjoy my sweet newborn but I’ve lined up some amazing guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers while I’m away. Today’s guest post comes from Renee of Raising Generation Nourished. Renee is well known for her amazing school lunch ideas and pretty much all…
Read MoreHow to Make Homemade Whipped Cream
I can’t be the only one who used to sneak into the refrigerator when their parents weren’t looking to grab the can of whipped cream and fill my mouth full of it. Or even better, when there was a tub of Cool Whip in the freezer and you’d take more than a few spoonfuls and shove…
Read MoreHow to Make Homemade Non-toxic Germ-Fighting Foam Hand Soap (2 Different Ways)
Although I’m not really a germophobe (my husband can vouch for that), I am an ingredient-phobe when it comes to the products we use in our house, on our bodies, and in our bodies. No where near perfect, I do my best to stay away from any ingredient that is hard to pronounce and that…
Read More7 Supplies Needed for Successful Essential Oil Use
Essential oils are powerful little things that can help with numerous amounts of ailments. I don’t necessarily consider myself an avid essential oil user but I have really been trying to remember them when I’m faced with a certain ailment because I truly believe in the healing powers they hold. When used correctly, essential oils can…
Read More8 Ways I Save Money on Organic and Natural Foods
I have been working hard to exercise all my options for saving money on organic and natural foods since we have a weekly budget of $100-$120 to spend. From meal planning and making sure my pantry is stocked, to relying on helpful money saving resources and going to various stores for the lowest priced items. Saving…
Read MoreWhy I Decided to Try Thrive Market (+ Cost comparison between Thrive, Amazon & Whole Foods)
If you follow a couple natural wellness or real food blogs, you’ve probably noticed them promoting a new buying resource called Thrive Market. Basically Thrive Market is like Costco meets Whole Foods only you don’t have to leave the comfort of your house and yoga pants to shop it. Alright, well maybe I do leave the house…
Read MoreWhy I Think Buying Meat in Bulk Can Be Beneficial
Psstt.. every Wednesday I write a post called “Why I” and last week I wrote one on Why I Use SeedsNow Seeds for my Garden — just in case you missed it. Once I made the transition from regular store-bought meat to pastured, grass-fed meats that were typically raised locally, I was a bit sticker shocked at…
Read MoreWhy I Use Einkorn Flour + 10 Einkorn Recipes to Get You Started
Psstt.. every Wednesday I write a post called “Why I” and last week I wrote one on Why I Don’t Use Vegetable for Cooking — just in case you missed it. I’d love to see a raise of hands to see how many people actually enjoy the taste of whole wheat baked goods. Guessing from my invisible audience,…
Read MoreHow to Enjoy French Onion Dip Without The Additives
You know those foods that bring you back to memories of good times spent with people you love? It might be a little funny to say, but french onion dip does that for me. The creamy, onion-ey taste matched with the saltiness of chips is one of my favorite food sensations… ever. Like, I can…
Read MoreMy Naturally Minded Travel Essentials: Real Food + Personal Care
There’s not much I obsess over when it comes to traveling but I do like to be prepared with a few naturally minded travel essentials because 1) I am no means a food snob but I will absolutely not be stopping at Burger King to eat a quick meal and 2) It’s always good to be prepared…
Read MoreTurn Mish-Mashed Bags of Frozen Fruit into Usable Easy Smoothie Packs!
What happens when you’re expecting 20lbs of delicious grass-fed beef delivered to your door from Home Grown Cow and you only have one freezer that is currently full of stuff? For me, I went through my freezer, threw out some things that have been sitting in there for way too long and found that I had an…
Read More6 Personal and Beauty Care Products I Make From Scratch
By now I hope you know that I am no superwoman. I’ve learned that living a natural lifestyle is not about trying to make everything from scratch; it’s about learning to find what is sustainable and important to my family. It may be different than what is sustainable for your family but that’s quite alright and I…
Read MoreWhy I Don’t Buy Everything Organic
It may come as a surprise to you when I say I don’t buy everything organic, but it’s true. The reality is that organic food is more expensive… there is no hiding that. Even though it’s expensive, I feel it is totally worth it and the benefits of reduced pesticide exposure — especially for children —…
Read MoreNo-bake Oat Bites + How to Make Shredded Coconut from Coconut Flakes (Video Tutorial)
Have you ever eaten something so good that it literally becomes like a drug addiction? You can’t stop eating them until they are all gone and then when they’re all gone you are left desperately wanting more. These no-bake oat bites? Yep, they’re like a drug. I’m not sure if it is the creamy taste of…
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