Monday Musing and Our Meal Plan

Monday, Monday, oh Monday!! *sigh*

This past week has been an interesting one. I have teamed up with another sponsor and will be reviewing their product and hosting another giveaway shortly after the Chasing Cloud giveaway is over. I've been dealing with milk blisters and clogged ducts and horrible nursing. Hey, no one said nursing a kid at 22 months would be easy! And then there is the gardening, laundry and getting everything ready for summer. {Why did I type that while singing Cinderella? Oh yeah, we watch it daily here. Family favorite.} It's been busy around our tiny little home, and while I wouldn't have it any other way, it would be nice to have 20 minutes of a break and enjoy the trees blooming.

So what's exciting? Well, a few friends of mine and I are teaming up for a mutli-person blog that will showcase different aspects of parenting that we all focus on. Pretty excited for it's launch on May 1st! What a great day to launch our new blog too.

With the kids we are working on our Schooling Adventures and I hope to be able to update the area on that shortly. It is amazing what nature teaches you. We are focusing on growing and catching our own food and ways to prepare it this summer. The 4 year old is very excited for this. He loves fishing and mushroom hunting.

I'm working on getting enough goods together to launch my own Etsy store. I'm pretty excited. I'm going to be offering Mama Cloth, Nursing Pads, Nursing Covers, Wet Bags, Dryer Balls and Personal care products. It's coming along, but then with finding time for everything my head is spinning.

I was given new pots and pans today. My mom gifted me a brand new set of Rachael Ray pots and pans with utensils! I'm pretty stoked about that one. I also received a Big Boss single serving blender set (think Magic Bullet). It is awesome. I have been enjoying iced coffees and smoothies. The things I have in store for it! 

So that leaves me at the meal plan.

I'm thinking about doing it differently now. Today I went and did about 3-4 weeks worth of grocery shopping. I'm going to now be making my meal plans based off what I have on hand and work on just replenishing my stock when I need to each week/month.

So what's to eat you ask?

Breakfast

Chipped beef and gravy on biscuits

Bacon and Eggs

French Toast

Omelets x2

Southern Skillet

Pancakes

Lunch

Sandwiches and Veggies

Leftovers

Spaghetti

Dinner/Supper

Sandwiches and Fruit

Chicken Stir-fry

Burgers and Fries

Chicken and Dumpling on Mashed Poatatoes

Parmesean Salmon and Broccoli

Mexican Fiesta Night x 2

So excited for this next week ahead. With all the rain we're getting my lettuce is just a growing. You can see the difference daily. I cannot wait until we are harvesting our fresh food and enjoying it! 

Oh, did I mention I was able to get avocado's for a.25 a piece today! I bought 16 to cut and freeze using my vacuum sealer.

Inspire me- what's on your menu this week!?

Hugs & Coffee, 

-The Anti-Mainstream Mom

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Chasing Clouds Essential Oil Review (And a Giveaway!)

Recently I was on the market for an affordable and excellent quality essential oil to add to my doula bag. While I like the big name brands, I just can't afford them right now and I would much rather contribute to a small business any way. So as I was rummaging around on the various big names pages I thought, "Why not check Etsy!?"

And boy was I pleased.

There aren't but a handful of stores on Etsy who sell EOs, but I kept search and reading about everyone I found. And finally decided to order from two store. While I am most happy with both stores, the one I find even more inviting and feel like I am getting the best quality from is featured today.

Chasing Clouds stole my eye by their unique name and variety in their store. They not only offer oils, but vintage homemaking items and more. They are located in Canada with a great shipping rate to America. They respond quickly and get your order processed in a 2-3 day turn around. Their customer service is amazing and you can message them asking for paperwork on their oils and what they tested at. All their oils are therapeutic grade. 


So now on to the oils.

I am reviewing three oils today from their product line. They variety they offer is amazing, but these are my three favorite. And for good reason!

1. Lemon
I love lemon. It's a great refresher and works really well with my doula clients and around my house. Mixed with vinegar it can make everything smell squeaky clean and fresh while disinfecting. For my doula clients who might be battling some nausea during labor and delivery it can help calm a upset tummy. This smell of this oil is so pure. It literally smells like someone fresh zested a lemon in front of you. It is organic and amazing!

2. Clove-Stem (sadly this product is discontinued in their shop)
As a mom of young kids who are teething, this one is essential (pun intended) for me. Clove oil is a great numbing agent and works wonders in the mouth and teeth area. The smell of this is like fresh ground cloves. Spicy and sweet and aromatic, this is great for cleaning with if you like the spicier smell. But it's true benefit lies in it's use as a numbing agent. **This always needs to be diluted with a carrier oil and should not be used by pregnant woman.**

3. Thievery
Thievery oil is worth it's weight and value in gold. This oil began with it's own legend and has since proven itself time and time again. Chasing Clouds version holds it up to that standard and assures the highest quality. Their version can be used neat (straight) or diluted for use in children and infants and works best on your feet or as a disinfectant mixed with water. When you open the bottle you smell the variety of oils that go into making this blend so valuable. With a blend of clove, eucalyptus, lemon, cinnamon and rosemary you are getting a powerhouse of healing in one bottle. This is a must have in the house at all times. And Chasing Clouds makes it affordable without sacrificing quality.

In fact, I'm such a fan of their Thievery blend, that I want to offer you a chance to win a 2mL bottle! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This review and giveaway was sponsored by Anti-Mainstream Mom.

Hugs & Coffee,
-The Anti-Mainstream Mom