Why Self-Care is So Important for Moms

This is a sponsored post for Self Care Catalysts. I have been compensated through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

As moms, we have a tendency to take care of everyone else first and put ourselves last.  For a lot of people, mom=martyr. 

I'm just going to come right out and say this...

That's stupid.  The often-used example of the flight attendant telling you to put your own mask on first before helping anyone else with theirs...completely true.  You're not much good to your kids if you're dying.  You can't pour water into someone else's glass unless yours is full.

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  Because of it, I have physical limitations and often need to stop what I'm doing to rest because of the severe fatigue and/or intense pain.  I explain to my kids that Mommy has owies and doesn't feel good, and that I need to sit down.  They are accepting of that, and the older kids make it a point to help out with the younger ones when I'm not feeling well.

Saving money with Groupon coupons

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions expressed are mine. 

When my oldest child, Katie, was two, she was diagnosed with wheat, dairy, peanut, and egg allergies.  Thanks to allergy drops, she now can eat all of those things again, but the three years that she couldn't were hard on our checkbook.  Her groceries cost as much as the groceries for the rest of the family.

3 year old Katie eating a Sunbutter sandwich made with rice bread.

At the time, I'd heard of Groupon, but didn't know what it was.  One day, a Facebook friend shared a groupon coupon for an online gluten free shop.  I don't remember the exact deal, but I do know that I ended up getting 50% off my total cart which saved me a ton of money on Katie's special allergy food. 

Must Read Blog Roundup #1

Not only do I write a blog, but I love reading other blogs.  Sometimes I come across something that I really want to share with you guys so I decided to put together a round up of posts that I think you'll love too.  Enjoy! 

Cheap and Easy DIY Picture Wall

This post contains referral links which means that if you purchase from one of my links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.  

When I was a kid, my favorite thing at my great grandma's house was her wall of pictures.  The pictures were of relatives, mostly from her generation and earlier.  I fell in love with her "picture wall" and decided that when I grew up and had my own house, I was going to have one too.

We've had our own house for a little over two years now.  It was time to put up my picture wall.

I was a little daunted at the thought of buying a ton of frames and then having to hang them so I started researching other options.

I decided to opt out of framing my pictures and go for a simpler look, using Scotch Clear Mounting Squares.  The squares are removable which appealed to me since I didn't want to end up with marks on the wall.  

21 Mouth Watering Apple Treats to Buy This Fall

This post contains referral links which means that if you purchase from one of my links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.  

It's the last day of August and fall is right around the corner! I'm looking forward to the cooler weather (yes, it gets hot in Minnesota!), wearing sweaters, and traditional autumn food like apples and pumpkins.     

To kick off this autumn, I put together a collection of apple themed treats to share with you.   (Caramel apple...*drool*)
 
Look for my pumpkin spice treasury coming soon!