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7 layer dip

7 Layer Dip (Protein Packed)

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While I have my favorite stand-by appetizers, I’m always looking for something new to try. Especially when it involves making a traditional dish even healthier. This 7 layer dip recipe is packed with protein thanks to a few, easy ingredient swaps. Serve it with chips, crackers, or veggies for the perfect snack or appetizer. 

I brought this dip to a gathering recently and it was a big hit judging by the empty dish I brought home. My kids also love snacking on it and I’ll often make it ahead of time for easy meal prep.

7 Layer Dip Ingredients

So what’s in a 7 layer bean dip recipe? While there have been some different variations over the years, the basic ingredients have largely stayed the same. What’s in 7 layer dip depends on who you ask, but there’s usually refried beans, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, olives and salsa or pico de gallo. 

My recipe is a 7 layer dip with taco flavors and uses Greek yogurt and cottage cheese instead of sour cream. This decreases the fat (even though I’m pro-healthy fats!), but it also really ups the protein. 

How to Make a 7 Layer Dip

The order of the ingredients doesn’t matter too much, but of course you’ll want toppings like olives and green onions on the top. Each layer is spread evenly into a clear dish to showcase the individual layers. The traditional 7 layer dip ingredients are ordered as follows:

  • Refried beans
  • Sour cream (or in this case cottage cheese and Greek yogurt)
  • Guacamole
  • Shredded cheese
  • Tomato (I use pico de gallo) 
  • Green onion 
  • Olives

This creates a beautifully layered dip that looks great at any gathering. It’s simple enough to keep in the fridge for snacktime too. 

And if you want to increase the protein even more you can add meat. Ground beef works really well and can go on top of the bean layer. I like adding meat when I make this ahead for a simple lunch. Fresh ingredients make for great flavor!

Here’s how to make the ultimate 7 layer dip that’s packed with protein.

7-Layer Protein Dip

A healthy, high-protein twist on the classic 7-layer dip! Perfect for game day, snacks, or a quick protein boost. Kid-approved and full of flavor.

  • Spread the refried beans evenly on the bottom of a serving dish.

  • Combine cottage cheese and Greek yogurt with taco seasoning. Spread this mixture evenly over the beans.

  • Add guacamole by spreading over the protein layer.

  • Layer pico de gallo evenly on top of the guacamole.

  • Sprinkle shredded cheese over the pico layer.

  • Spread black olives evenly over the top.

  • Sprinkle sliced green onions over the dip.

Nutrition Facts

7-Layer Protein Dip

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 173
Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Trans Fat 0.002g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 599mg26%

Potassium 288mg8%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 407IU8%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 116mg12%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Optional Toppings

Technically this is a 7 layer dip, but who’s counting? If you want to add some more toppings for more flavor, here are a few ideas.

What are some of your favorite appetizer recipes? Leave a comment and let us know!

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health risk assessment

What My Health Risk Assessment Showed Me (and How It Can Help You Too)

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I used to think that serious disease was either genetic, unavoidable, or something that appeared suddenly later in life. You went to the doctor when something felt wrong, ran tests, and reacted from there. I never thought that there was a better way to do health risk assessment. 

Over the last decade, that view has changed dramatically. I’ve since learned that most of the diseases that impact us the most are not sudden at all. They develop quietly over years or even decades, often without obvious symptoms. What’s different now is that we finally have tools that allow us to see those risks early and respond long before our body reaches a crisis point.

Lately I’ve been taking a deep dive into data backed, noninvasive ways to identify disease risk early and how to actually reduce that risk. It’s something I’ve personally explored, invested in, and used. I truly think it represents a major shift in how we think about our health.

The Four Horsemen 

You might think chronic disease is really diverse and complicated, but there are a lot of similarities. Just four health categories account for about 85% of deaths over age 50. Often referred to as the four horsemen they include heart disease, cancer, metabolic diseases (like type two diabetes), and Alzheimer’s dementia. 

Even more concerning is that the rates of all four are increasing. Not just in older adults but in younger populations and even children. So what do all of them have in common?

They’re not sudden and they don’t appear overnight. Instead, they develop slowly as the result of a build up of lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and biological changes. Symptoms can start to slowly develop and creep up on us years or decades before a diagnosis. 

Despite this, most of our medical system is built around reaction rather than prevention. We typically wait until a disease is so far along that we can get a diagnosis before taking action. By then our body has often been stressed and sending us subtle (or not so subtle) signals for a very long time. I was struggling with hypothyroid symptoms for many years and felt off, yet couldn’t get a diagnosis until I’d hit a crisis point. 

Understanding this shared pattern is important because it reframes disease not as an inevitable outcome, but as a process. And when we can see the process early through a health risk assessement, we have a chance to change its direction.

Why Waiting For Symptoms Doesn’t Work

One of the biggest challenges of chronic disease is that the early stages are often subtle. There may be quiet changes happening beneath the surface, but nothing that clearly signals a problem.

For heart disease, the first symptom for many people is a heart attack. And about half of heart attacks happen in people who had no prior warning signs. Cancer is frequently detected only once it’s progressed to a later stage, even though we know outcomes are dramatically better when it’s found early. Alzheimer’s disease can begin twenty to thirty years before noticeable memory loss, yet we rarely screen for risk during that window.

Standard screening approaches don’t do much to address this gap either. Heart disease risk is often calculated using a narrow ten year model. Cancer risk for the average person is not routinely assessed at all. And Alzheimer’s risk typically isn’t evaluated unless someone is already showing symptoms. 

Many people have experienced the frustration of knowing something feels off, seeking answers, and being told everything looks normal. Years later, a diagnosis appears that confirms what the body had been signaling all along. This isn’t a failure of intuition. It’s a limitation of a system that wasn’t designed to catch early risk.

The Most Empowering Truth About Disease Risk

When I realized we can often change our chronic disease risk, it completely changed how I think about health. Depending on the condition, we can influence about 60 and 90 percent of our disease risk. For cancer specifically, less than 10 percent of risk is purely genetic. The rest is shaped by lifestyle, environment, and daily habits over time.

That means risk isn’t fixed, it’s flexible. Early detection makes an enormous difference. When cancer is caught early, survival rates can approach 90 percent. When it’s found late, survival rates drop dramatically. Similar patterns exist for heart disease and cognitive decline.

Lifestyle isn’t just a vague concept here, it’s measurable. Small choices made consistently compound over time, either increasing or decreasing risk. This is where early, personalized data becomes so powerful. It helps identify which levers matter most for each individual instead of relying on broad, one size fits all advice.

How Data and AI Are Changing Early Detection

Until recently, assessing early disease risk at an individual level wasn’t realistic. Each condition is influenced by dozens or even hundreds of variables that interact and change over time. No human could track or interpret that complexity accurately.

With advances in data analysis and AI, that’s changed. Large datasets from thousands of studies can now be analyzed together to identify meaningful patterns and calculate personalized risk.

This is why I became involved with a company called Catch. They use data from over ten thousand studies to analyze hundreds of individual variables and generate personalized lifetime cancer risk profiles. These profiles show which factors increase risk, which reduce it, and which changes are likely to have the greatest impact. Even though this just covers cancer right now, it offers insight into positive changes we can make for overall better health too. 

They also help prioritize screening in a more personalized way, focusing on what actually matters for an individual instead of just age based guidelines. This approach doesn’t replace medical care, but it adds a layer of insight that simply didn’t exist before.

Lifestyle Factors That Quietly Shape Risk

One of the most fascinating parts of reviewing this kind of data is seeing how specific lifestyle factors influence risk in ways that aren’t always intuitive.

For example, adding even a modest amount of extra vegetables to our daily diet is linked with a lower risk of multiple cancers. Eating oily fish once per week is linked to lower stomach cancer risk. Adding just one more serving of fruit a day, especially berries, is linked with a lower risk of lung cancer risk.

Some associations are more surprising. Drinking coffee regularly (not full of sugar and vegetable oils!) is linked to a lower risk of several cancers. A history of asthma or allergies appears to reduce the risk of certain brain cancers, possibly due to differences in immune system activity.

On the other hand, certain risk factors often go unnoticed. Head injuries and concussions can significantly increase lifetime brain cancer risk. Radon exposure in homes is a major contributor to lung cancer that many people never test for. Poor sleep, circadian disruption, and indoor air pollution are all linked to higher disease risk.

When these factors are viewed together, it becomes clear that risk is rarely random. It’s the cumulative result of small inputs adding up over time.

What My Own Risk Assessment Revealed

Using a personalized health risk assessment model taught me several things I didn’t expect. Despite having a family history of cancer, my overall risk was lower than the population average. That reinforced how much lifestyle and environment matter.

I also learned that having children at a younger age, having multiple children, and breastfeeding all reduced my risk for certain cancers, including breast and uterine cancer. My blood type slightly increased risk for a few cancers, something I had never considered. My height increased risk marginally (something I can’t change), while my activity level offset that increase.

Some recommendations were simple and practical. Increasing vegetable intake, especially fermented vegetables, adding more colorful plant foods, and increasing weekly intake of oily fish were all identified as meaningful levers for me.

What stood out most was how achievable these changes felt. I didn’t need to overhaul my life. A few targeted adjustments could meaningfully reduce lifetime risk, which made the process feel empowering rather than overwhelming. And these were already things I was doing, I just decided to bump it up a little. 

Why Nuance and Personal Discernment Matter

While I found Catch to be very insightful, there was one area where I disagreed with my health risk assessement. When it comes to sun exposure, sunscreen, and skin cancer, I have a different opinion than some. Many health experts suggest sunscreen helps prevent or reduce skin cancer risk, but there’s more to it.

The data does not show a clear link between moderate, non-burning sun exposure and increased skin cancer risk. It does show a strong link between sunburn and cancer risk. Healthy vitamin D levels are linked with the reduced risk of several cancers, and for me personally, sunlight is essential for maintaining those levels. Sunlight is also crucial for so many other healthy biological functions in our body!

This isn’t a recommendation for or against sunscreen. It’s an example of why data should guide curiosity, not replace discernment. Tools like this provide information, but it’s still important to ask questions, understand context, and listen to your own body. So even though Catch said my risk of skin cancer is higher than average due to my health sun exposure, I respectfully disagree. 

Taking a Peak at Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s

What excites me most about this approach to health risk assessment is that it doesn’t stop with cancer. The same principles apply to heart disease and Alzheimer’s dementia.

Heart disease risk isn’t fully captured by cholesterol numbers alone. Inflammation, calcification, metabolic markers, mineral balance, and even light exposure play significant roles. Half of people who experience heart attacks have normal LDL levels, which highlights how incomplete our current models are.

Alzheimer’s disease begins decades before symptoms appear, and lifestyle is one of the strongest drivers of risk. AI driven models can identify early patterns long before traditional screening methods would detect a problem.

This is where proactive health truly becomes protective health, giving us time and space to make changes that matter.

Final Thoughts on Health Risk Assessment 

We don’t have a shortage of health information, but a lack of clarity and personalization. Generic advice and fear based messaging leave many people overwhelmed or disconnected from their own bodies. Personalized data helps bridge that gap by showing which factors actually matter for each individual and where small changes can have the greatest impact.

The good news is that our health future isn’t random. It’s shaped daily by choices, environments, and habits that compound over time and that are largely within our control. Early detection gives us the opportunity to change outcomes before disease takes hold.

That’s not to say that if we eat healthy and try to avoid toxins that nothing bad will ever happen to us. However, there is a lot we can do to mitigate that risk, and personalized and actionable health recommendations have never been more available. 

When we change and tweak our habits, we change our future health story. 

What steps and daily habits do you take to lessen your chronic disease risk? Have you ever used a health risk assessment tool before? Leave a comment and let us know!

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herbal throat spray

DIY Herbal Throat Spray Recipe

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Once upon a very terrible time, all my kids got a stomach bug at the same time… while I was gone. We don’t get sick often, but it was terrible and I wasn’t on hand to use all of our natural remedies.

Thankfully, that was the first and last stomach bug they’ve all gotten at once. However, at least one child gets a stuffy nose or cough sometime during the winter. Or I dust my closet and get a cough/congestion/nasal drip for a few days.

In those cases, I like to have this herbal throat spray on hand. It’s great for sore throat, cough or congestion.

Herbal Throat Spray Ingredients

This herbal throat spray is essentially a strong herbal tincture mixed with raw honey. The herbs provide both immediate relief and longer-lasting benefits for beating illness. You can use many different immune boosting and throat soothing herbs, but I prefer the following:

  • Echinacea root – Naturally antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Eases sore throat and cough and supports the immune system. Helps soothe throat pain and is great for strep throat or tonsillitis in a tea or throat spray. 
  • Ginger – Warming and stimulates circulation. Its antimicrobial and helps thin mucus and get it out of the body. Helps ease inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms. Ginger also stimulates white blood cells, helps prevent viruses from attaching to cells, and destroys viruses. 
  • Marshmallow root – A soothing demulcent herb that coats and soothes inflamed, dry, or damaged tissues. Reduces inflammation, supports white blood cells, and is an expectorant. 
  • Elderberry – Traditionally used for throat inflammation and may help reduce swelling in the mouth and throat. It also supports better drainage, less nasal congestion, and is an expectorant. It’s especially great for cough and congestion from viral infections. 
  • Thyme – Not just for Italian food! Thyme herb is excellent at breaking up stuck congestion and mucus in the lungs and getting it out. It’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and helps with better breathing. 
  • Peppermint – This adds a refreshing flavor and is warming and stimulating when used internally. It’s antimicrobial and helps fight a variety of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. 
  • Cayenne – Cayenne is warming, stimulating, and boosts circulation to improve healing. It’s been traditionally used for sore throats, coughs, and illness prevention. It does add a spicy kick though, so reduce or skip if preferred. 

You don’t need every single herb on this list to make an herbal throat spray. If you don’t have some of them on hand, then just use more of the ones you do. I make an herbal tincture with the herbs and then mix with raw honey for a strong spray. When it’s made this way the herbal throat spray will last for months in the refrigerator.

Premade Herbal Throat Spray

Don’t feel like making it or don’t have the herbs you need? I also like this pre-made herbal throat spray that includes echinacea and propolis. This propolis throat spray is also a family favorite. 

Herbal Throat Spray Tincture

To make the tincture, I combine 1 tablespoon each of these dried herbs: Echinacea, Ginger, Marshmallow Root, Elderberry, Thyme and Mint and 1 teaspoon of dried cayenne pepper (optional) in a pint-size mason jar.

Fill the rest of the jar with a strong food-grade liquor like rum or vodka (must be at least 80-proof alcohol). Put on an airtight lid and let it sit for at least two weeks or up to eight weeks (the longer it sits the stronger it will be). Store in a cool dark place. I make this once a year and have enough to last at least the year.

Here’s my full tutorial on making herbal tinctures if you’re new to herbal remedies.

If you get a cough, sore throat or cold this winter, try this herbal throat spray to get some relief and feel better soon! Here’s how to make the standard tincture version.

 

DIY Herbal Throat Spray Recipe

Prep Time5 minutes

Active Time5 minutes

Steeping Time14 days

Total Time14 days 10 minutes

Author: Katie Wells

  • Add the herbs to a pint-size Mason jar.

  • Pour alcohol over the herbs, leaving a ½ inch headspace.

  • Cap tightly with the lid and let the tincture steep for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally.

  • Once the tincture is done, strain out the herbs and reserve the liquid.

  • For every 6 Tablespoons of tincture add 2 Tablespoons of raw honey.

  • Shake well to combine and store in the fridge for up to 6 months.

  • I pour some into a small spray bottle for easy use as needed.

You don’t have to use every single herb on the list. If you want/need to omit some of the herbs, just replace them with more of the others. 
 

Two Hour Herbal Throat Spray Tincture

If you want to use the full herbal mixture and don’t have weeks to sit around waiting for the tincture, you can make a two-hour version with this method:

  1. Combine 1 teaspoon of all of the herbs (2 Tablespoons total) in a pint size glass jar.
  2. Pour enough boiling water on them to just cover the herbs with water.
  3. Let steep for 20 minutes until the water cools.
  4. Strain out the herbs and mix with equal parts of 80-proof or higher liquor. I use rum or vodka.
  5. For every 3 parts of herbal liquid, add 1 part of honey. 

This version should last for a few weeks in the fridge. 

More Throat Spray Variations

If you prefer not to make a tincture with alcohol, you can make a glycerite with vegetable glycerin instead. Glycerites aren’t as potent and generally don’t extract the herbal properties as well as alcohol. It will still be helpful though and you’ll just need to use a little more of the spray on the throat. 

You can also make a strong herbal tea and mix with honey. This won’t last nearly as long and should be used within a week. 

 Do you ever get a sore throat or cough? What remedies do you use?

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Homemade Lush-Like Lavender Sleepy Soap

Homemade Lush-Like Lavender Sleepy Soap

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Calming essential oil blends transform your bathroom into a pre-bedtime sanctuary with this homemade sleep soap with calming lavender. Coupled with a hot shower to relax muscles and turn off the nervous system, these soaps will revolutionize your bedtime routine and have you sleeping through the night in no time.

When was the last time you had a really good night’s sleep? For me, I honestly can’t remember. Aging, stress, and hormones have all affected my ability to either fall asleep or stay asleep, and I often wake up feeling exhausted. Which is why I’ve resorted to things like herbal remedies and hot showers before bed to get my body into sleep mode.

I added a simple swirl technique to give these homemade lavender soaps those dreamy, cloud-like patterns in vibrant blues and soft whites. But even if you skip the swirl in the Lush lookalikes, they’ll still be super effective (and smell amazing).

Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you get started:

  • Melt and pour soap base — You can use any type of soap base you like. Clear glycerin, white, goat milk, shea butter, or coconut milk bases all work well. But whichever one you choose, I recommend sticking with the same type and brand, rather than mixing different bases together.
  • Mica powder — Mica is a great natural colorant that won’t irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
  • Round soap mold — Single-cavity silicone molds are my go-to because the soap cools quickly (this prevents the colors from swirling and settling too much as the soap cools) and pops out easily. 
  • Heat-safe containers — Glass measuring cups or microwave-safe bowls work perfectly. You’ll need one for each color you’re planning to use.
  • Stirring utensils — Silicone spatulas or spoons are ideal for stirring in your colors and essential oils.
  • Wooden skewers — Ideal for swirling soap colors.
  • Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle — This is essential for popping bubbles and helping layers adhere to each other if you’re doing a layered pour.
  • Thermometer — To get the best swirls, you want the temperature to be somewhere around 120°F. Without a thermometer its hard to know when the soap reaches the perfect temperature, so I highly recommend investing in one. 
  • Essential oils — As always, you can use whatever oils you have at home, or you can choose from the sleepy time blends below.

Essential Oils for Sleep

If you want your soap to smell as relaxing as it looks, essential oils are the way to go. Whether that’s classic lavender, cozy chamomile, or something with a hint of cedarwood or ylang ylang, there’s definitely a scent in there that’ll work for you.

Here are some of my favorite oils for creating that sleepy-time atmosphere:

  • Lavender — The classic calming floral. Lavender is probably the most well-known essential oil for relaxation, and for good reason! It has a soft, herbal scent that just makes you want to curl up and unwind.
  • Chamomile — Soft and incredibly grounding, Roman chamomile is especially gentle and works beautifully in sleep blends.
  • Cedarwood — Warm and steadying cedarwood has a woody, slightly sweet scent that’s perfect for evening. It pairs really well with lavender.
  • Bergamot — This one’s a little unexpected. Bergamot is bright and citrusy, but it also has relaxing properties that help quiet the mind. Just use it sparingly since it can be a bit strong.
  • Ylang ylang — Lush, floral, and deeply soothing. A little goes a long way with ylang ylang, so use it lightly or it can be overwhelming.

Instructions

I’m keeping this high-level here since there’s a detailed recipe card at the end, but here’s the basic process:

Melt and mix the soap. Cut your soap base into small cubes and melt each color in separate containers using the microwave (in short bursts) or a double boiler. Stir in your chosen colors and essential oils until everything is evenly distributed.

Dreamy Essential Oil Blends

You need a total of 1-2 teaspoons of essential oil per pound of soap base so you may need to scale these blends up depending on how much soap base you’re using and your own personal preference.

1. Soothing Lavender Blend

30 drops Lavender + 16 drops Cedarwood + 6 drops Bergamot

2. Nighty Night Blend

25 drops Roman Chamomile + 12 drops Lavender + 8 drops Vanilla

3. PM Calm Blend

20 drops Cedarwood + 8 drops Ylang Ylang + 5 drops Lavender

Let it cool slightly (this is important!) If the soap is too hot when you pour it, the colors will blend together and you’ll lose that beautiful swirl definition. Aim for 120°F, give or take a few degrees.

Pour the colors into the mold at the same time. Then lightly drag a skewer through the soap 1-2 times to create the swirl. Pouring simultaneously ensure that you can see the swirl on all the surface of the soap.

Let it harden and unmold. This usually takes at least 4-5 hours. If the soap is being stubborn, pop the mold in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes to help it release.

Top Tip

In order to get those gorgeous, distinct swirls, let the colors cool a little longer than you think you should before pouring. I know it’s tempting to pour right away, but slightly thicker soap creates more distinct, dreamy swirls and keeps the colors from muddying together. Trust me on this one, patience pays off!

Storage

Melt and pour soap naturally attracts moisture from the air, which creates those little beads on the surface. So you’ll want to wrap finished bars in plastic wrap to prevent glycerin dew. 

Then store in a cool, dry place away from bright sunlight. Depending on your soap base and colorant, you may find that the swirls start to bleed into each other over time, and heat and light can exacerbate this.

If this happens, either melt the bars down and blend the colors so there’s no more bleed. Or toss them out and make a fresh a batch.

More DIY Lush Madness

FAQ

Can I re-melt the soap if I mess up?

Absolutely. That’s one of the best things about melt and pour—it’s incredibly forgiving. If you don’t like how it turned out, just chop it up, re-melt it, and try again.

How long do the soaps last?

Typically 1 to 2 years, depending on how you store them. Keep them wrapped and in a cool spot, and they’ll stay fresh for a long time.

Can kids use these soaps?

Yes, just make sure to use kid-safe essential oils.

Print

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How To Make Sleepy Soap with Essential Oils

The cloud soaps make wonderful gifts, or you can keep them all for yourself and enjoy a little slice of calm every night before bed. Sweet dreams!

Prep Time1 hour

Cooling Time4 hours

Total Time5 hours

Course: Bath and Body Soap, DIY

Keyword: soap

Yield: 6 soaps

Author: Stephanie Pollard

Cost: $15

Equipment

  • Circular silicone soap mold

  • Heat-resistant containers for melting and pouring one per color

  • Stirring utensils for stirring soap as it melts

  • Kitchen thermometer

  • Wooden skewers for swirling soap

Notes

For wispy swirls: Pour from a distance to make the colors mix more intricately.
For bold swirls: Pour larger amounts of soap at once.
For defined layers: Pour a layer, let it form a thin skin, and then pour the next layer on top.

Soothing Lavender Blend

30 drops Lavender + 16 drops Cedarwood + 6 drops Bergamot

Nighty Night Blend

25 drops Roman Chamomile + 12 drops Lavender + 8 drops Vanilla

PM Calm Blend

20 drops Cedarwood + 8 drops Ylang Ylang + 5 drops Lavender
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Homestead Blog Hop - Homestead tips, ideas, animal care, and recipes every Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop 578 – Advent and Breakfast Tacos

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Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop!

Homestead Blog Hop will take place every Wednesday and is for all things homesteading: real food recipes, farm animals, crafts, DIY, how-to’s, gardening, anything from-scratch, natural home/health, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, natural remedies, essential oils, & more! Basically, anything related to homesteading.

Meet Your Hosts!

Follow Their Blogs

Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes (Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram)

Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead (Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram)

Liz – The Cape Coop (Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram)

Kelly – Simple Life Mom (Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram)

FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week we take turns choosing three posts to feature. Each post will be shared on all social media platforms by all of the hosts! Here are the features from Last Week’s Hop:

1. Breakfast Smash Tacos from Homemade on a Weeknight

2. Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour from Scratch Made Food

3. 50 Advent Calendar Gift Ideas You’ll Love (That Fit in the Smallest Boxes! from Sonata Home Designs

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and ‘save image as…‘

Guidelines for this Get-Together:

  1. Click on the “Add your Link” Button below and add a great image of your project or recipe. Make sure you link to the page of your family friendly post – not the main page of your blog.
  2. Link up to three posts each week.
  3. Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by.
  4. Link your post back to the Homestead Blog Hop. If the hop isn’t linked to your post then you cannot be featured. All featured posts will be shared on all hosts’ social media channels.
  5. Please link up posts that you haven’t linked to the hop before. You are welcome to link old posts from your blog.
  6. By joining the party, you are giving the hosts permission to use one photo from your post with a link back to your site if it is selected as one of next week’s Features.
  7. This is a family-friendly link up meant to inspire and motivate the homesteader in all of us.

Let the Party Begin!

Join Our Pinterest Board

Follow all your hosts on Pinterest and send me a message that you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. The only rule is to only add posts that you’ve also added here.

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8 Thoughtful Last Minute Gift Ideas

8 Thoughtful Last Minute Gift Ideas

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Have I ever told you about Operation Popcorn & PJ’s — the night where my husband and I tell our kids to get ready for bed as usual, then surprise them at the last minute by piling them into the car with gingerbread cookies to drive around and look at holiday lights?

Most years we plan it for a certain day, then reschedule the mission because another activity takes way longer than expected, or I forget an ingredient for the cookies, or . . . life. 

All that to say, if you planned to have your holiday shopping done by now and life got in the way, I get it. Here are seven last minute gift ideas that are truly thoughtful and don’t scream “I picked this up at the grocery store fifteen minutes ago.”

Or if you prefer – here are some homemade gift ideas that turn out beautifully and don’t require any special skills.

1. Toups & Co. Gift Card

Toups & Co. is one of my longtime favorites for natural skincare and makeup – their ingredients lists are short, recognizable, and intentionally simple.

Instead of guessing shades or skin needs, a Toups & Co. gift card lets your recipient choose exactly what works for them—their favorite lipstick colors, the right foundation match, and skincare that supports their goals.

Something to put under the tree:

  • A small beauty bag or zip pouch
  • A natural-bristle makeup brush tied with ribbon
  • A simple card explaining the gift

2. Purity Coffee Gift Subscription

Purity Coffee Gift Subscription (SAVE 20% WITH CODE MP20) –  For the houses that run on laughter, love, and really good coffee. Purity is the only brand I’ve found that’s certified organic and screened for mold, mycotoxins, pesticides, and other things you don’t want in your morning cup.

Their gift subscription delivers fresh, antioxidant-rich coffee to your giftee every month – available in whole bean or ground – and you can prepay for 3 or 6 months.

3. The Making Herbal Preparations 101 Course from Herbal Academy

Perfect for the curious beginner herbalist, this course covers the four basic categories of herbal preparations, 12 everyday safe herbs to use at home, and 33 DIY herbal recipes from teas and tinctures to salves and oils.

This course will guide your recipient through 7 convenient and compact lessons that are chock-full of hands-on activities, videos, and helpful herbal charts to guide them on their way to making herbal preparations at home. 

Something to put under the tree:

  • Tie a handwritten card with course details to a small hunk of beeswax (often found at health food stores) that your recipient can use to make herbal salves
  • Tie a fresh sprig of rosemary to the outside of a card with details inside

4. PACT Gift Card

If your recipient loves organic cotton basics, sustainable wardrobe staples, and ultra-comfy loungewear, a Pact gift card is an easy choice.

Their pieces are soft, well-made, and built for everyday comfort – and the gift card lets them choose the styles they’ll reach for most.

GIVE A PACT GIFT CARD

5. Kids Cook Real Food eCourse

Your kids learn an essential skill they need in order to eat healthy, and someone makes dinner instead of you.

The Kids Cook Real Food Course is taught by my friend Katie, a trained teacher with a passion for making sure our children know how to nourish themselves well before they head off to college.

Something to put under the tree:

Cute little aprons or whisks.

6. Wishgarden Herbs Gift Card

WishGarden makes blends loved by frequent travelers, athletes, new moms, and not so new moms . . . and a gift card is a wonderful option if you’re not sure which formulas your recipient would love most.

They offer herbal supports for sleep, stress, immune health, digestion, and more – so your giftee can pick exactly what they need.

7. Green Kid Crafts Subscription

When my kids were younger they loved their Green Kid Crafts excavation kit and detective kit, which taught them how to dust for fingerprints and write messages using different “invisible ink” techniques.

Something to put under the tree: A note telling your recipient to expect something fun in the mail. (Kids love mail!)

8. Thrive Market Membership

If your gift recipient loves discovering better-for-you brands but not grocery store chaos, this is the perfect fit. Thrive Market is basically Whole Foods meets Costco – only everything ships straight to their doorstep.

With a membership, they’ll save 25–55% on organic pantry staples, clean beauty, home goods, supplements, and so much more. It’s the kind of gift that makes everyday life easier (and healthier!).

Gifting it is simple: scroll to the bottom of the Thrive Market page and select “Give Gift Card.” You can even include a starting shopping credit so they can stock up on their favorites right away.

Something to put under the tree: Something to put under the tree:

  • A small treat they can actually buy on Thrive, like artisan chocolate
  • A pretty kitchen towel + wooden spoon
  • A few glass canisters to organize their new pantry goodies

FREE Ebook: DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple

Do you want to give gorgeous, handcrafted gifts for family and friends, without spending a bunch of time on them?

Then I’d love to give you a free copy of DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple – my step-by-step guide to making gorgeous handcrafted gifts without stressing yourself out – as a gift for signing up for my newsletter. I’ll show you how to make vintage labels, luxurious lotion bars, lip balms, sugar scrubs, body sprays and more like a pro. Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be redirected to the download page immediately!

Share with a friend! 👇

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11 Last Minute Herb and Essential Oil Gift Ideas from Simple Life Mom

11 Last Minute Herb and Essential Oil Gift Ideas

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I love making handmade herb and essential oil gifts. They are pure, healthy, beneficial, and they even help to teach those who do not use herbs and essential oils very often. That’s another reason these last minute herbs and essential oil gift ideas are so great.

On top of all of that, you can make them the day before or the morning of an event, so they make wonderful last minute gifts!

Herb and Essential Oil Sources

Before we jump into recipes and ideas, it’s important to consider sources. Herbs and essential oils vary in quality because how you raise or process a plant will effect the product.

Organically raised plants that are harvested while they are at their prime will produce highly quality herbs and oils.

I have, in a pinch, purchased herbs and oils from locations that I don’t typically buy from because I haven’t researched them thoroughly. Even though they were ok (though I have returned or thrown away products before), they were not as potent and in the end money was wasted.

So do your research. There are a lot of wonderful sources out there, especially for herbs. Good essential oils can be more difficult to find. But don’t let someone tell you they are the only good source. Not true.

My go to sources are usually Herbal Academy, Starwest Botanicals, and Bulk Apothecary. These are great for herbs! Starwest Botanicals is high quality when it comes to essential oils. And Herbal Academy is a wonderful source of herbal knowledge.

11 Last Minute Handmade Herb and Essential Oil Gifts

1. Herbal Academy Course

This is the ultimate of last minute gifts! Herbal Academy is one of my favorite sources for high quality education. If you or someone you love wants to learn from scratch or expand their already advanced knowledge, they have courses specifically tailored for you. They have a sale through December where courses are around $50 off so make sure to check them out.

Here’s a few of my favorites:

  • Introductory Herbal Course
  • Botanical Skin Care Course
  • Botany & Wildcrafting Course
  • Clinical Herbalist Path Package

Learn more here

2. Handmade Soap

I know a lot of you who follow by website are soap lovers. If it’s a last minute situation, you can still make some beautiful melt and pour soap. Learn how here. You can also get handmade soap ready to go in my shop.

3. Body Lotion

If you have shea butter on hand, some body lotion can be made with oils like olive, apricot kernel, sweet almond, avocado, hemp, primrose and so many more. You choose! Here’s my favorite recipe. I also have hand salves and lotions in my shop.

4. Herbal Teas

If you have a tea drinker in your life, you an make a custom set of herbal teas and place them in 4 oz jelly mason jars and tie a ribbon around them. Here are Herbs to help you sleep and herb and fruit combinations for detox.

5. Elderberry Syrup and Hand Salve

This is a wonderful gift set. Having an herbal hand salve ready for winter dry hands and feet is such a great gift. This plus elderberry syrup for a pick me up and self defense when colds hit make a great gift set. Learn how to make elderberry syrup here and get my favorite hand salve recipe here (Or find it in my shop to get it now).

6. Lip Balm

Lip balm is always something I suggest for a last minute gift because you can make a of it and everyone loves it. I have a basic lip balm recipe, herbal lip balm recipe, instructions for how to color or flavor lip balm, and even a chocolate truffle lip balm recipe. So have fun!

7. Essential Oil blends for diffusers

There are so many wonderful holiday scents that you can combine and give as gifts. This can be less expensive when you use a tiny sampler type bottle like this. Here are blends for:

8. Natural Beeswax Candles

These can be made in one day if you have beeswax, wicks, and 4 ounce mason jars. You can get full instructions here.

9. Handmade Ornaments

If you’d like to make something memorable, then an old fashioned ornament scented with essential oils or made with herbs can be a fun family project. Get some great ideas here.

10. Car Air Freshener

This is another fun projects that kids love to do for parents and grandparents. They can cut up some felt into their favorite shapes or decorate a jar and make a wonderful car air freshener. Here are some great ideas and instructions.

11. Bath and Body Products

This can be a super long list, but think of what you have on hand and what would be a fun combination to make for someone so that you can put together a nice basket or bag of goodies for them.

I could go on and on, but if you want more ideas, just do a quick search on my website. Tell me if you don’t find what you’re looking for and I’ll try and put it together for you or direct you toward some good sources. Have fun! and let me know what your favorite projects have been this year.

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stocking stuffer ideas

Healthy Stocking Stuffer Ideas (To Make and Buy)

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What is it about a Christmas stocking? Old or young, waking up on Christmas morning to a stocking lumpy with little surprises has its own special joy. These healthy stocking stuffer ideas have the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

It’s always fun pulling the hidden items out to reveal the small gifts inside, even if it’s something as small as a pack of gum or as practical as a pair of fuzzy new socks! Having all of these ideas in one big list makes your holiday season shopping even easier (even if you did miss the Black Friday deals).

The Tradition of Christmas Stockings

Thanks to the famous poem “The Night Before Christmas,” we know Christmas stockings have been “hung by the chimney with care” for over 200 years. But exactly how long ago the tradition began and why it became so popular aren’t as well known.

Most agree the Christmas stocking tradition pays tribute to St. Nicholas, the real man behind today’s Santa traditions.

The legend goes that St. Nicholas heard of a widowed man who couldn’t pay a dowry for his three daughters. This was a desperate situation in those times. St. Nicholas dropped gold coins down the widower’s chimney by night and a coin fell into one of the stockings hung by the fire to dry. The widower and his daughters were overjoyed to find the coins the next morning, their worries over.

The example of St. Nicholas continues to shape our idea of the true spirit of Christmas today! My kids also participate in the St. Nicholas Day tradition of leaving a boot out for “St. Nick” to fill with treats every December 6th.

Best Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Whole Family

Here are some stocking stuffer ideas on the healthier side. I’ve come up with these over the years or heard others recommend them. And don’t forget to check out my 2025 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide. It has plenty of last-minute ideas for your whole Christmas list!

I have several individual gift guides, one for kids, one for her, and another gift guide for men. Those include some great stocking stuffer ideas separated by gender and age. The lists below are divided by category and include perfect stocking stuffer ideas for various ages and people. A lot of them are also good stocking stuffers for kids.

On to the list…

Edible Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas

Something for the foodie on your list.

DIY and Beauty Christmas Gift Ideas

DIY skincare makes great gifts for everyone who loves a little self-care. Or if DIY isn’t your thing, there are plenty of natural versions to get your loved ones. Many of the skincare gift sets at stores have ingredients I’m not a fan of. You can easily create your own healthy beauty stocking stuffers with the ideas below!

Health Nut Stocking Stuffers

These supplements and healthy products are great for the health nut on your list. From immune boosting to brain support, there are plenty of options. I’ve even included kid-friendly ones.

Experiences / Sentimental

Give your loved ones the precious gift of your time and attention. These are great to give to the kids, a spouse, or even grandparents.

  • Coupon for “date” with Mom or Dad
  • Carousel or gaming tokens
  • Movie night with a favorite dessert coupon
  • A coupon to stay up an hour late (special Mom and Dad time!)
  • A coupon to pick the meals for a day
  • Mini photo book with family memories and inspirational quotes
  • A personalized bookmark for your reading enthusiast (and a book to go with it!)
  • A keepsake letter or love note
  • Movie tickets or gift certificates
  • A flip photo book with pictures from the year

Perfectly Practical Stocking Stuffers

Who says socks can’t make a good Christmas gift? Even if they’re not a socks person, here are some fun, yet practical gifts they’ll love.

Games & Fun

I love giving games as gifts in the kids’ stockings. It encourages learning, brain development, and creativity, and they have tons of fun with them. They’re also great for family game nights. And fun-loving adults appreciate them too!

Crafty Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Have a crafter on your list? Here are some arts and crafts gifts that are perfect for their stockings. I love sitting down at the table and doing art with the kids. And this gives them more supplies for our family art sessions.

Themed Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Instead of a bunch of random gifts, you can do a stocking stuffer theme! These are great for kids and adults alike.

  • “Adventure” kit for camping: compass, mini-flashlight, beef jerky, trail mix, binoculars, fanny pack – or buy one already made
  • Letter-writing kit: stationery, stickers, pen, address book, fun stamps
  • Crafting kit: yarn and crochet hooks, mini cross-stitch set, buttons, stickers, ribbon
  • Art supplies: watercolor paints, brushes, glue, stickers, paper punch or stamps
  • Purse theme (for mom or older child): mints, tissues pack, pens, hand lotion

Just Because Stocking Stuffer Gifts

Here are some other fun ideas that didn’t really fit into the categories above.

One fun twist on the stocking stuffer tradition. Instead of gifting everything in one day, slip one new gift into the stockings on each of the twelve days of the Christmas season. This traditionally runs from Dec. 25 to the feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6. Your kids will love looking forward to a new surprise. And it will help keep their focus on the whole Christmas season!

What are some of your favorite healthy stocking stuffer ideas? Let me know in the comments!

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unique gifts

Creative & Unique Gift Ideas (They Don’t Already Have)

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I’ve shared my holiday gift guide, but many of you have asked for a gift guide of unusual ideas that aren’t the normal kitchen gear, clothing, and toys. This list of gift ideas is just that… a compilation of unique and creative ideas that your recipient likely won’t already have!

All of these gifts are practical, healthy, and usable, so they won’t sit on a shelf. Give them for a wedding, birthday, or just because. As a bonus, if you live in the same house as your recipient, you can also take advantage of the health benefits of these gifts!

Food and Drink

Chemex With Coffee

I have two rules when it comes to coffee… I don’t drink it every day, and I only drink good coffee. My Chemex is one of my favorite ways to make coffee. It’s a pour-over coffee maker that makes coffee without any trace of bitterness or acidity. Plus, it’s beautiful.

Pair it with some healthy, delicious coffee from Four Sigmatic coffee or Purity coffee. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.

Camel Milk 

Years ago I got to try camel milk at a conference and was surprised to learn how nutritious it really is. It’s more similar to human breastmilk than cow or goat milk and it doesn’t have the same proteins that many are allergic to. This also means you can freeze it and the texture stays the same.

If you don’t happen to have a camel dairy in your neighborhood, here’s where you can buy frozen camel milk. 

Barukas Nuts

A totally different type of nut, Barukas nuts have a unique nutritional profile. They’re found only in South America and are wild-harvested. Barukas are thought to be the healthiest nut thanks to their high protein, fiber, minerals, trace elements, and antioxidants. They’re roasted to neutralize anti-nutrients and increase absorption and taste great in recipes or as a snack.

CSA Box

A great way to support local farms and give the gift of fresh veggies all year. CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture,” and it means the member is essentially sharing in the yield of the farm that year. We’ve been a member of several different CSAs over the years and loved them all. 

You can find products like dairy, meat, fruits, veggies, and even fresh-cut flowers, depending on the farm. Search here for CSAs in your area to find one near you.

Cacao Calm

An absolutely delicious and healthy hot cocoa drink! This one also makes a great stocking stuffer. Cacao calm is expertly crafted by my friend and chocolatier Jonathan Pantalis to have a beneficial amount of stress-relieving adaptogens. I love drinking this before bed!

Clearly Filtered Water Bottle

I’ve bought (and used) several different water bottles over the years, but this one from Clearly Filtered is certainly unique. It’s stainless steel and has a built-in filter that eliminates up to 99.99% of contaminants without removing beneficial minerals. Plus, you can refill it from practically anywhere for fresh, filtered water.

Nature Lovers

Mountain Rose Herbs

One of my favorite places to get high-quality, ethically sourced herbs. Mountain Rose Herbs is my go-to for bulk herbs, but they also have essential oils, tinctures, teas, and bath and body products. Give them some ready-made products or some ingredients to make their own DIY projects.

Flower Press and Glass Frame

Many people love to decorate their homes with fresh flowers, but flowers don’t last that long. With a wooden flower and plant press though, they can preserve nature for years to come! Once they’ve pressed a variety of leaves and flowers, they can arrange them in a beautiful display with this hanging glass frame.

Mushroom Log

You may have heard of mushroom growing kits that come in a box, but these fungi come with their very own log. They can grow organic shiitake mushrooms in just 10 days from inside their own home. They don’t even need to have a green thumb since these mushrooms are guaranteed to grow. Each box/log can grow two crops of mushrooms.

Kids

Kids Daylight Computer

It’s like an iPad but so much better. I love my Daylight Computer and use it when I need to take notes before bed. Their kids’ version is similar, with no blue light, no flashy colors or videos that overstimulate, and features calm learning apps and experiences. 

The Kids’ Daylight Computer values curiosity and growth and can even be used outside in direct sunlight. 

Talkbox

Know some kids (or their family) who want to learn a foreign language? Talkbox is unique in that it approaches language in a natural progression. First, we hear a language, then we see it, then we learn how to speak it. 

I also love that it’s designed to be used in real-life, everyday situations, and the whole family is involved!

Puzzle Boxes

These beautiful Japanese puzzle boxes are a unique way for older kids and adults to keep valuable items safe, and they’re fun to learn. They’re handmade and require creativity and problem-solving. Or gift a Money Maze Puzzle Box with cash inside. This way they get the fun of a puzzle plus cash to get whatever they want. 

Balance Bike

This one is only recommended for the 5-and-under crowd on your list. It’s a fun approach to a training bike. No training wheels or pedals here, just an ultra-light bike that teaches balance. The best part? Kids can carry it, put it away, and move it on their own.

Bodycare

Red Light Facemask

This one can look a little weird when you’re wearing it, but the benefits are well worth it! For anyone who wants targeted red light therapy on their face to help with inflammation and aging. The red light face mask works at a cellular level to rejuvenate cells. 

Hard Lotion

I started making lotion bars years ago and have quite a few recipes on the blog. You can also add any skin-friendly essential oil you want to the base recipe here. And if you prefer not to DIY, MadeOn makes great hard lotion bars that meet my standards. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.

Red Light Toothbrush

I recently switched to this red light toothbrush and I’m loving it! It combines two of my favorite things: oral health and red light therapy. The near infrared and red light help to calm gum inflammation and promote circulation. And the sonic vibrations stimulate and massage.

Ice Roller

I’ve been known to dunk my face in ice water for some facial cold therapy. Not everyone wants to do that though, so an ice roller is the next best thing. It helps depuff the skin, drain lymph, and tighten and tone skin. I love the mint ice roller from Skinny Confidential.

LED Teeth Whitening

Ditch the whitening strips with this LED teeth whitener. This option does not use peroxide or other chemicals that can cause irritation, burns, and enamel erosion. Instead, they use a natural whitening gel with remineralizing hydroxyapatite, charcoal, essential oils, and other natural ingredients. And the LED system uses red and blue light therapy to target bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Red Light Hat

Is your recipient looking for fuller, healthier hair? BON CHARGE has a new red light therapy cap that uses 650nm red light to stimulate hair follicles. It takes just 10 minutes a day and they can easily wear it while doing other activities. 

Rest and Recover

JOOVV Go light

I bought one for my mom years ago and she loves it! Red light therapy helps improve skin, boost collagen, and improve mitochondrial function. The Go Light from Joovv is a mini version for on-the-go red light therapy. I also have a Joovv Combo light, a modular option. So your recipient can purchase more panels later on for a more full-body experience.

Trigger Point Massage

A Trigger Point Massage Tool looks like a cane but works for self-massage. It hits hard-to-reach spots and is great for releasing tension in the back. I love to use this while watching a movie (bonus if you’re sitting on the yoga ball chair too!).

Myobuddy Massager

I got the Myobuddy Massager as a gift and it’s one of my favorite things now! It’s basically percussive massage meets myofascial release meets infrared heat. It feels like a mixture of deep tissue massage and fascia massage, and I find it so relaxing! Use the code wellnessmama for a discount.

Sauna Blanket

There are so many benefits to daily sauna use, and an at-home one is the easiest way to accomplish this. We have a two-person Clearlight Sauna and I love it because it’s my “quiet box” where I go to sweat, listen to a podcast, and get a few minutes of me time.

The sauna blanket from BON CHARGE is an affordable, portable option. Use code wellnessmama20 for a discount. I also like the sauna blankets from Higher Dose. Use code wellnessmama15 for a discount.

Pranamat

Improve sleep, relieve tension, and increase relaxation in just a few minutes a day. The Pranamat has thousands of acupressure relief points that increase blood flow to muscles in your back and neck. This can help reduce inflammation and pain while releasing endorphins. It also boosts circulation and helps muscles breathe a sigh of relief!

Unlike other acupressure mats, Pranamat uses natural fibers like untreated cotton, linen, and buckwheat hulls for pillow stuffing. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.

WAVwatch

I got to try the WAVwatch at a conference and I bought it on the spot! It uses restorative frequencies to target specific organs and areas in the body. The WAVwatch comes preloaded with 166 frequency sets that address everything from sleep issues to reproductive health to headaches and more. Use code wellnessmama for a discount. 

LeelaQ Energy Products

You don’t have to understand quantum mechanics to harness its power. LeelaQ offers their quantum blocks, which harmonize energy and help protect from harmful energies like 5G and other radiation. They offer a variety of quantum energy products for every budget.

Mini Trampoline

Great for the lymphatic system, as an easy way to exercise, and just plain fun! A mini trampoline (also called a rebounder) will fit in most houses, and jumping on it is a great daily practice. They’re great to keep in the living room while watching your favorite shows or for small brain and movement breaks during the day.

Balance Chair

Have someone on your list who works at a desk for part of the day? Many companies are fine with switching out a chair for a more ergonomic chair, even if they won’t go for a standing workstation. This balance chair combines a yoga ball and a rolling chair for a desk chair that engages the core and negates some of the harmful aspects of sitting.

Full Spectrum Lamp

For anyone who experiences Seasonal Affective Disorder or daytime sleepiness, a sunlight lamp may be the answer. It has a bright full-spectrum bulb that simulates daytime, even indoors, and even in the winter. This is the one I use to keep my cortisol levels healthy.

Everything Else

Magic Wallet 

Not just any wallet. This magic leather wallet is like a magical illusion and is fun to use. It’s also made by my favorite leather company, Saddleback Leather. Made from full-grain leather and comes with a 100-year guarantee. 

Daylight Computer

I started using the innovative new Daylight Computer after sunset because it’s more circadian-friendly. There’s no blue light, so it won’t mess with your hormones and can be used even in direct sunlight. It has a fast, paper-like display to read, write, take notes, and use your favorite apps. The first computer that’s more nature and human-focused for a distraction-free digital experience. 

Pet Probiotic 

Have a pooch-loving friend or family member who would love a gift for their pet? Get healthy probiotics for their cat, dog, or horse here. It contains probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes for better digestion and happier pets.

Probiotics For the Home

It turns out our homes have a microbiome just like our guts, mouths, and skin. We can improve our gut bacteria in many ways, but we can also support our skin and gut microbiome by interacting with probiotics in our environment. 

These beneficial bacteria may also help ward off mold and odors in the home. Homebiotic is probiotics for the home environment that the super-crunchy person on your list may just love!

Personalized Photo Book

I make a photo book for each of my kids every year with special memories from the past year. Use Mixbooks to customize the design and size and get hardcover or lay-flat options. Record memories from a special trip or event in your photo book for your recipient to cherish.

What are some unique gifts you’ve given or gotten over the years? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Homestead Blog Hop - Homestead tips, ideas, animal care, and recipes every Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop 577 – Make Crafts and Chocolate Mousse

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Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop!

Homestead Blog Hop will take place every Wednesday and is for all things homesteading: real food recipes, farm animals, crafts, DIY, how-to’s, gardening, anything from-scratch, natural home/health, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, natural remedies, essential oils, & more! Basically, anything related to homesteading.

Meet Your Hosts!

Follow Their Blogs

Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes (Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram)

Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead (Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram)

Liz – The Cape Coop (Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram)

Kelly – Simple Life Mom (Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram)

FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week we take turns choosing three posts to feature. Each post will be shared on all social media platforms by all of the hosts! Here are the features from Last Week’s Hop:

1. How to Turn a Flat Sheet into a Full Kitchen Linen Set from The Once and Future Homestead

2. Easy Christmas Coffee Filter Wreath Craft for Kids from Darcy and Brian

3. Vegan Banana Chocolate Mousse from Esme Salon

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and ‘save image as…‘

Guidelines for this Get-Together:

  1. Click on the “Add your Link” Button below and add a great image of your project or recipe. Make sure you link to the page of your family friendly post – not the main page of your blog.
  2. Link up to three posts each week.
  3. Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by.
  4. Link your post back to the Homestead Blog Hop. If the hop isn’t linked to your post then you cannot be featured. All featured posts will be shared on all hosts’ social media channels.
  5. Please link up posts that you haven’t linked to the hop before. You are welcome to link old posts from your blog.
  6. By joining the party, you are giving the hosts permission to use one photo from your post with a link back to your site if it is selected as one of next week’s Features.
  7. This is a family-friendly link up meant to inspire and motivate the homesteader in all of us.

Let the Party Begin!

Join Our Pinterest Board

Follow all your hosts on Pinterest and send me a message that you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. The only rule is to only add posts that you’ve also added here.

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