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Ensuring the Purest Air in our Home: Austin Air
First of all, happy 2020 to you all! We are incredibly grateful for the community that has developed on LSK. It is truly one of the greatest highlights from this past decade!
NEW YEAR
First of all, happy 2020 to you all! We are incredibly grateful for the community that has developed on LSK. It is truly one of the greatest highlights from this past decade! As you guys probably know by now, I am so passionate about living a clean and nontoxic lifestyle. My life experiences, personal research and wellness journey has all led me to where I am now, which I am ultimately so grateful for!
NEW HOME
Okay, so...I have so much to fill you in on. We have been in a bit of a holding pattern as this past year was wild yet exciting, challenging, and quite adventurous to say the least. I will get into way more detail in blog posts to come, but a small portion of this year was digging into the renovation and remediation of our new home!
MOVING FORWARD
Long story short, we were in escrow on a house we fell in love with, and it happened to be in the Woolsey Fire 4 days before we closed. We first made sure our house was still there as the house next door burned down, prayed if we should continue forward, felt extreme clarity to do that, and then the remediation and renovation process began! What an intense learning curve this last year has been. We truly had no idea what we were getting into, but I must say, it ultimately has been so rewarding and worth it.
NONTOXIC RENO
We aimed to do a fully nontoxic renovation + made sure to remove all toxic contamination in our home caused by the fires and smoke damage. We installed a special HVAC system, we painted the interior of our home twice with non-toxic, no-VOC paint, had several deep cleanings, replaced insulation, installed a whole house water filtration system, and did multiple toxicity examinations with solutions to follow.
CLEAN AIR
Even though we installed a rare and highly productive HVAC system to filter toxic air that could remain, I felt like there was more we could do to make sure we had the cleanest air circulating through our home. This has been my top priority. I did extensive research to find the most effective air purifier , and through many recommendations and research, Austin Air takes the cake. We chose to get the HealthMate Plus because it removes the widest range of gases, chemicals, VOC’s and formaldehyde. This broad-spectrum adsorption makes it the best choice for anyone exposed to smoke from wildfires and people living close to busy highways. The HM+ filters the broadest range of pollutants, so it totally won me over.
HEALTHY HOME
We run our filter 24/7 as they are designed to do. I love to know that our air is being filtered all day; it is the most settling feeling! They have three different levels of filtering strength, and we love turning it on high when we are out of the room or house so it’s extra productive when we are gone. At night, we put it on level two. For max health benefits, it is so great to run the unit in your bedroom when you sleep. And the best part is, it’s so easy to move, so we run it in other areas of the house during the day, but we always do it in our bedroom at night.
THE BENEFITS
My favorite part is seeing how pure air inside our home, thanks to Austin Air, physically affects our health!
-Eases headaches and reduces nausea related to chemical exposure
-Strengthens the immune system
-Eases coughing, wheezing and sneezing
-Reduces dry mouth and runny nose
-Sounder sleep
-Reduced snoring
-Lessens night time allergies and asthma attacks
Another bonus: it actually filters viruses and bacteria! What’s not to love?
THANKFUL
Jase and I are so thankful to have this running in our home. It is worth the investment as the air we breathe is one of the most important aspects of our wellness. Also, Austin Air is so kind and is offering a code for you to use to receive 15% off your purchase!! Use code: LSK15 at checkout.
If like me, you’d like to clean up the air in your home, check out the Austin Air HealthMate Plus here. And its free shipping if you order direct with Austin Air. And thank you, Austin Air, for this collaboration!
Five Winter Recipes To Try
Now that we are all moved-in to our new home, I am spending so much time in our new kitchen! It is so nice to be settled and have a space to create home-cooked meals.
Now that we are all moved-in to our new home, I am spending so much time in our renovated kitchen! It is so nice to be settled and have a space to create home-cooked meals again. Winter is also such a cozy time and makes me want to stay in and cook yummy, warm meals. Who’s with me? Below are five winter recipes I am wanting to try.When looking at them, there are definitely a few edits I would make to the recipes, like making them gluten and dairy free. Typically, this is very simple to do! Whenever following a recipe, there are many times I don't follow it exactly. There is such freedom when cooking, so don't feel like you have to use every ingredient listed in a recipe. Take out what doesn't suit your body or health plan!Do you have any recipes on your to-try list? Please share in the comments! xo
THE LIST
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Image credit: Public Lives, Secret Recipes
My New Favorite Face Mask From Primally Pure
You have heard me talk about Primally Pure many times here + on my @thecleanstuff IG account and that is because their clean skincare products are simply the best. That being said, no surprise that my excitement level when they dropped face masks was off the charts! They released three masks: clarifying mask, plumping mask, and soothing mask.
Today I want to pay all the attention to the soothing mask because soothing is just one part of this incredible product! It is definitely my new favorite face mask, and I have to tell everyone about it. It soothes and nourishes my skin, leaving my face noticeably healthier than moments before the face went on. It is gentle yet powerful, light yet impactful. Crafted with raw honey, spirulina, chlorella, and more of the purest ingredients work to soothe the skin and help heal it from irritation.Treat yourself to a mask at home that your skin will love you for! And bonus, a little goes a long way, so this mask will last you for many spa-mornings-at-home. Even better, take 10% off your first Primally Pure order with code: LSK10. Enjoy!xo
Favorite Posts From 2019 on LSK
As we walk boldly into this new year, we also take a moment to look back graciously on the past year. We thought it would be fun to round-up our favorite from from 2019 on LSK...
Hi friends!As we walk boldly into this new year, we also take a moment to look back graciously on the past year. We thought it would be fun to round-up our favorite from from 2019 on LSK, so see below for our list of what we loved a little extra this past year. What were your favorite posts here on LSK? Let us know in the comments below!
Old Jeans Can Insulate New Homes
The Natural Deodorant You Need To Try
Rest & Renewal: 5 Questions With Rebekah Lyons
As we approach the new year, we can't think of a better Q&A than one with Rebekah Lyons- author of Rhythms of Renewal, a book all about releasing anxiety and entering a life of rest and renewal. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3865027"]
Hey friends!As we approach the new year, we can't think of a better Q&A than one with Rebekah Lyons- author of Rhythms of Renewal, a book all about releasing anxiety and entering a life of rest and renewal. Yes, please! It is on our hearts to make 2020 a year of slowing down to savor the gift of life and to resist the temptation to get caught up in the stress loop that never ends well. If you agree with us, this Q&A with Rebekah will inspire you to implement four rhythms into your life: rest, restore, connect, and create. Keep reading for more! xoYour book, Rhythms of Renewal, is truly a game-changer. What do you hope your book will ignite within a reader while or after reading it?My hope is that the reader will feel empowered and equipped to take charge of their emotional health through tangible and practical steps. With the understanding that transformation happens one small step at a time, one day at a time.--Out of the four rhythms, is there one that particularly is near & dear to your heart...if so, which one and why!?Rest is dear to my heart because I know how important it is. It is the foundation for having something to offer someone else. When I don’t rest, I burn out. It’s also the most challenging for me because I tend to like to run hard and fast, but each time I do that without resting, I feel the waves of burnout. I think the reason why 77% of our society experiences physical symptoms of stress is because we’ve lost the permission to rest.--In the Create section, we particularly loved how you described the importance of dreaming and creating space to dream. What is it about this step that is so important when living out the lives that God designed us for? We are all born with birthright gifts that are established in our mother’s womb. These are unique to every one of us, and I believe that calling is where our talents and burdens collide. So part of the journey is reawakening the things that were effortless for us at 8, 9, 10 and finding that childlike wonder and excitement around the things that we loved to do. That way as adults when we recapture those things, it brings back a feeling of joy and confidence when we feel fully alive.--In the conclusion, you have an exceptionally beautiful quote about strength: "There's nothing more beautiful than finding strength on the other side of yes. It's not a strength of doing, but one of being. Being in the center of his will." Can you elaborate more on this God-given strength that equips us and enables us to do what He has called us to do?Strength comes when we surrender the life we thought we wanted, and embrace the life we are given. It’s a strength of contentment and peace. Knowing that god goes before us and brings people around. Some of the hardest things I had to say yes to were the things that inspired and matured me the most. So now I understand that strength is holding my plans loosely and embracing the moment right in front of me.--The way you write about your daughter, Joy, is beyond beautiful. Can you try to describe in a sentence (or two!) what bringing Joy in your family has meant to you all?She’s been the glue that brings us together in a whole new way. I can hardly remember life before her. She makes every day fun. And because my other children are older, we are all getting to experience the joy of her childlike wonder together.
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This Brand & This Sale Event
Hope you had the merriest Christmas and are enjoying the rest of this special holiday week! Chiming in with this blog post because this brand & this sale event are two things that you need to know about. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3863835"]
Hey friends!Hope you had the merriest Christmas and are enjoying the rest of this special holiday week! Chiming in with this blog post because this brand & this sale event are two things that you need to know about. Say hello to Everlane & their Choose What You Pay sale event. It seems like it is too good to be true, but it is real and it is happening now.Some of my favorite items are from Everlane. Their quality is incredible and their mission is admirable. Take a look at their sale event and find something that you will love now and always. These jeans, this top, these sneaks, this sweater and this denim jacket are at the top of my want list right now![show_shopthepost_widget id="3863835"]xo
A True Celebration
Two more sleeps until Christmas! [show_shopthepost_widget id="3861637"]
Just a few more sleeps until Christmas!Every year around Christmas I find myself in awe of the reason for the festivities. Christmas is a true celebration of the birth of our Savior, and this fact is really overwhelming in the best of ways. Christmas day is such a blessing for all of us and is extra sweet that it is tradition to celebrate such an incredible day surrounded by those you love most.The season of advent is full of hope and a time to look forward to the future with expectancy for what He has planned for all of us. Christmas marks the birth of Jesus and all the days that have followed have been full of hope for all of us, despite trials and hard seasons. No matter what, our Savior has come and He is here to save us through his love and grace!And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son. -1 John 5:11 CSB [show_shopthepost_widget id="3861637"]Wishing you all peace and joy this Christmas season! xo
Christmas Morning Plans
Christmas morning is right around the corner and I can barely contain my excitement. It is such a special morning, celebrating the birth of our Savior, and it is something I looked forward to yearly.
Hi friends!Christmas morning is right around the corner and I can barely contain my excitement. It is such a special morning, celebrating the birth of our Savior, and it is something I looked forward to yearly.I always seem to get up a little earlier on Christmas because I get so excited! We have a tradition of making a big breakfast together and then we all sit around the Christmas tree and open presents. We of course have cozy Christmas music on all day, and we love going to the park to play football if it’s not too cold. If we don’t do that, we go on a long neighborhood walk. It’s so fun!This year on Christmas morning, I cannot wait to make this pumpkin bread. It is my favorite as of lately and it is so easy to make! There is something about baked goods on Christmas morning that just feels so cozy and comforting. There are a few little changes I make to the recipe: I only use coconut sugar for the sugar, olive oil for the oil, and almond milk for the milk!What are your plans for Christmas morning? Let us know in the comments below. xo
Cozy Jammies from Serena and Lily
One of the things I look forward to most during the holidays are the long cozy pajamas that you just want to live in all day every day! [show_shopthepost_widget id="3858791"]
One of the things I look forward to most during the holidays are the long cozy pajamas that you just want to live in all day every day! Who else tends to wear them a little too late in the day? Or is that just me? ♥I couldn’t love these PJs from Serena and Lily more! They are so cozy and get softer and more snuggly the more you wash them. What makes the holidays extra cozy for you? [show_shopthepost_widget id="3858791"]
thank you, Serena & Lily, for the jammies and for sponsoring this post! xo