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Live Simply - Embracing the simplicity of natural living and real food Embracing the simplicity of natural living and real food
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Body Care, Cleaning: Kitchen, Wellness

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

by Kristin Marr
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Fall Salad In a Jar
Family Meals, Make-Ahead Meals, Recipes, Salads

Harvest Fall Salad In a Jar: A Make-Ahead Mason Jar Salad

by Kristin Marr
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Easy Healthy Lunchbox Swaps
School Lunch, Simplify

9 Food Swap Ideas for a Healthy School Lunch

by Kristin Marr
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Instant Pot black bean soup
Instant Pot, Make-Ahead Meals, Recipes, Soups

Easy Instant Pot Black Bean Soup Recipe

by Kristin Marr
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Cleaning: General, Wellness

6 DIY Natural Air Fresheners For a Fresh Home

by Kristin Marr
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Hot Lunch Ideas for School
School Lunch, Simplify

8 Hot Lunch Ideas for School

by Kristin Marr
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DIY Yogurt Face Mask
Body Care, Wellness

DIY Yogurt Face Mask: Rejuvenating & Anti-Inflammatory

by Kristin Marr
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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Drinks, Recipes

Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (with Dairy-Free Option)

by Kristin Marr
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non-toxic skincare brands
Body Care, Wellness

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands

by Kristin Marr
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School Lunch Food Prep Ideas
School Lunch, Simplify

6 School Lunch Food Prep Ideas

by Kristin Marr
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Live Simply, The Podcast: School Lunch Q&A
Podcast

Live Simply, The Podcast Episode 060: School Lunch Q&A

by Kristin Marr
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How Two Moms Approach School Lunch (routines, recipes and ideas, & more)
Podcast

Live Simply, The Podcast 059: How Two Moms Approach School Lunch (Routines, Ideas, & More)

by Kristin Marr
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About The Site

I’m Kristin. I started Live Simply to share my family's journey toward a real food and natural wellness lifestyle. Now, I help families all over the world do the same, one small step at a time. I believe nourishing yourself and your family shouldn't be complicated. Let me help you simplify!

    DIY Disclaimer

    The DIY recipes on this website are based on my personal experiences. I am not a trained chemist, cleaning specialist, or skincare expert. The DIY recipes shared on this website haven’t been tested in a lab. Information about my products or recipes haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a doctor or specialist for specific concerns about any skincare issues, cleaning products, or dietary needs. Please use your discretion, based on your own research, when making homemade products.

    COPYRIGHT © 2013 - 2020 Live Simply | PRIVACY POLICY
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    livesimplymom
    Being a Florida gal, I crave humidity and moisture Being a Florida gal, I crave humidity and moisture! Once the cooler temps arrive, along with less humid days (like 70% humidity versus 100%, lol #floridaproblems), my lips feel SOOO dry. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Enter lip balm... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's the one thing I can't live without in my bag. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Making homemade lip balm is really easy to do. In about 20 minutes, I can make enough lip balm to last me the entire year, too! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There's a recipe on the blog (Google, Live Simply lip balm) that I'll share below... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ HOMEMADE LIP BALM ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨2 TB body butter such as: unrefined shea butter (24g), mango butter (24g), or cocoa butter (16g) ✨2 TB nourishing oil such as: olive oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, or virgin coconut oil ✨2-3 tsp beeswax pellets 7g-10g ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I buy both the body butter and beeswax pellets on Amazon--they last forever. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1️⃣In a glass bowl, combine the butter of your choice, oil of your choice, and beeswax pellets. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2️⃣Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat until the beeswax and butter are melted, stirring occasionally. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3️⃣Turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the pot. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4️⃣As the mixture cools, the lip balm will set. If you want a scent, now is the time to add one. I love a few drops of peppermint essential oil. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 5️⃣Pour the mixture into lip balm containers (tubes or cases--you can find these on Amazon too), and allow the balm to sit for a few minutes until formed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The lip balm will last for the life of the ingredients, generally 6-12 months.
    Farmers market week 8 (follow along #livesimplyfar Farmers market week 8 (follow along #livesimplyfarmersmarket). @littlepondfarm , @wordenfarm , @gulfcoastsourdough , @trailbale . I love the tiny sweet potatoes, they’re perfect for slicing in half and roasting up to enjoy throughout the week—drizzle with some nut butter and slice banana with an egg for breakfast or serve alongside a big salad for lunch. Piper, my oldest, who apparently hates tomatoes but loves tomato soup, has already requested tomato soup (recipe on the blog, google Live Simply tomato soup) for lunch this week. And all those herbs—always a delicious way to jazz up salads, sprinkle in soup, and add to homemade salad dressing (among so many options). I’ll probably also make some herby meatballs this week too. And maybe some stuffed bell peppers. There’s a delicious butternut squash Mac and cheese in my holiday book that would be perfect for today’s squash (link my profile to download the cookbook @livesimplymom). And some lamb shanks that will be braised tomorrow (thank you @trailbale ). The ideas are swirling, now to create a written plan so I don’t forget anything!
    This week, I released a brand new digital cookbook This week, I released a brand new digital cookbook Holiday Celebrations. It's my gift to you! Download the book using the link in my profile @livesimplymom 2020 has been one heck of a year and I want to help you end the year in a delicious and joyful way. If you're looking to create memories in the kitchen and eat real food this holiday season, this is the resource for you! What you get: ✨ 33 simple and timeless real food recipes ✨ A list of easy-to-make ingredient swaps to keep things real and healthy this holiday season (and beyond) ✨ Printable custom-designed gift tags so you can share your delicious homemade goodies with family and friends
    Did you know that you can make homemade candles in Did you know that you can make homemade candles in your SLOW COOKER? I know...🤯 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Why make your own candles? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Most conventional candles are made with paraffin, which is a petroleum based product that can give off toxic fumes. Homemade candles are made with either soy or beeswax. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Along with the paraffin, the other concern is fragrance. I’ve shared about the dangers of fragrance in the past. Most candles are scented which means that many different chemicals may be used to create that “one” scent and make it strong and long-lasting. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As the Environmental Working Group shares, “…fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens and can trigger asthma attacks. The same kinds of chemicals are often used for fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, and air fresheners.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m not here to preach perfection. I get lash extensions and paint my fingernails. I’m also aware and intentional about reducing our overall toxic chemical load. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Making candles (or buying them from sources that don’t use paraffin wax and use essential oils for the scent) is one way for us to lower the overall toxic load in our home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here's what you need to make candles in the slow cooker... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1st, gather a slow cooker and 4-4 ounce mason jars ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Per 4-Ounce Mason Jar: ✨1 1/2 cups wax soy (180g) or beeswax (120g), divided ✨ boiling water ✨ cotton or hemp wicks ✨ 1 tsp coconut oil melted, optional ✨ 50 drops essential oil optional ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Google "Live Simply slow cooker candles" and the recipe will pop right up with all the directions! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Have you made your own candles? They're the best homemade gifts, too!
    (Recipe below ☕️) When I read this message yes (Recipe below ☕️) When I read this message yesterday in my inbox, I wanted to reach through my phone and give this person a great big high five! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Because this is what real food is all about... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Being an empowered consumer! Flip over boxes, packages, and cans and read the ingredient list. That’s the only way to find out what’s actually inside that food package. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Making real food swaps and preparing your own food. If you buy ingredients and prepare your food at home, you’re naturally going to avoid a ton of ultra-processed food-like substances. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👀 Let's take a look at the ingredients you'll find in the most popular hot cocoa mix... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Whey, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Nonfat Milk, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono- And Diglycerides, Natural Flavor ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔 Real ingredients? Some, others no ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔 Necessary ingredients? Nope--you don't need Dipotassium Phosphate or Mono- And Diglycerides to make hot cocoa ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔 Could you purchase the ingredients at the store? Some, some are only found in a food lab. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ☕️ Here's a cocoa mix you can make in advance and keep in your pantry. I make this every year for the kids to enjoy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨1 cup organic cane sugar or coconut sugar (you can reduce this amount if desired) ✨1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips ✨1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ✨1 vanilla bean scraped (optional) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In a food processor, pulse the sugar until fine. Add the chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and the vanilla beans (split the bean in half & scrap out the tiny seeds inside using a spoon or butter knife). Pulse until the chocolate chips have been ground into a fine powder. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Store in a jar. Stir 2-3 Tablespoons in 1 cup of warm milk. If you’d prefer a recipe without refined sugar, google “live simply stove top hot chocolate.” That recipe isn’t a mix but easy to make on the spot. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you're looking to create memories in the kitchen and eat real food this holiday season, click the link in my profile to download a free cookbook.
    Lunch on Monday usually means pulling in some brea Lunch on Monday usually means pulling in some breakfast food for snack or lunch. Pancakes, muffins, and waffles make for a fun lunch or snack. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For pancakes and waffles, we usually make sammies--nut or seed butter or cream cheese and jam. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For muffins, I like to make some mini muffins which pair perfectly with yogurt, soup, or just about any lunchbox main. They also make for a great snack with some cheese or apple slices. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you have a a go-to lunch for Monday morning?
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