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This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. I love walking into a room filled with the fragrance of a scented candle. There's something about the way warm scents rise on the air and welcome you home. Candles are soothing, and their fragrances can calm us down or lift our spirits. But why are candles relaxing? Can you really use scented candles for stress relief? Let's examine some of the reasons why candles are good for stress relief—and justify your desire to bring more candles home. I mean, we all like to make excuses for our splurges! Gentle, diffused light The soft glow from a candle creates a soothing atmosphere that helps us calm down and create a quiet space. This gentle, diffused light is similar to early morning or late evening hours when the sun sits below the horizon, and our eyes are protected from the harsh brightness of midday (or fluorescent office lights). Focused attention Candles help us with meditation by giving us something to focus on. The mesmerizing dance of the flame helps us bring our thoughts back to the present moment. Candles can help with meditation, yoga, and tai chi or add to the ambiance when we take a luxury bubble bath, sit quietly sipping tea, or when reading a favorite book. If you'd like to try a candle gazing meditation for stress relief, just follow these simple steps: Light a candle, and dim all other lights in the room. Place the candle where it will be at eye level a few feet in front of you when you are comfortably seated on the floor or in a chair. Rest your hands in your lap, and take three deep, slow breaths with the out-breath lasting slightly longer than the in-breath. Then return to normal breathing. Let your eyelids relax, but try to keep your eyes open, gazing at the candle's flame. Let the image of the flame be your focus. Imagine that you are breathing the light in and out with each breath. If you feel the urge to close your eyes, allow them to softly close and visualize the image of the flame in your mind as you continue to breathe the light in and out. Continue this practice as long as you feel comfortable. Aromatherapy candles You've heard the hype about essential oils, but how does aromatherapy work? Aromatherapy stimulates our scent receptors. These receptors send messages to our nervous system and limbic system (which controls emotions). Different essential oils produce a variety of responses, including relaxation, improved sleep, and happier moods. Kevill and Green, in their book Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art (Crossing Press, 2009), provide evidence that scented candles and aromatherapy oils can improve well-being. To benefit from aromatherapy, choose candles made with pure essential oils (not artificial fragrances), and select scents known for their relaxing qualities. Not sure which essential oil fragrance to choose for your aromatherapy candle? These are some of my go-to scents for stress relief: Lavender Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and aromatherapy fragrances. Believed to promote relaxation and encourage restful sleep (so long, insomnia!), lavender is a favorite for pillow sachets and nighttime diffusing. Add a lavender candle to your collection for those sweet dreams moments. I really like this Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day lavender-scented soy candle! Clary sage Clary sage might be related to culinary sage, but its sweet, herbaceous fragrance reminds me of an early morning herb walk. Clary sage is believed to help us release tension and inspire inner balance. Sweet Orange Sweet orange must be one of my favorite year-round fragrances. Combined with lemon in the spring or cinnamon in the fall and winter months, sweet orange brings its clean, citrus scent into my home no matter the season. Sweet orange has been shown to reduce anxiety and lessen feelings of depression. Peppermint Peppermint essential oil adds a bright note to any aromatherapy experience. Especially popular around the holidays (candy cane scented candles, anyone?), peppermint has been shown to improve mental function and reduce stress. Vanilla Vanilla is my favorite flavor, and I love the sugar cookie fragrance that fills my home when I burn a vanilla candle. This warm, comforting smell brings me back to carefree childhood days and freshly baked treats. Vanilla pairs well with many other fragrances, too. Try combining it with almond—or sweet orange for a Creamsicle-inspired scent. Frankincense Frankincense has a sweet, woody fragrance that calms the mind and decreases feelings of stress and anxiety. If you're making your own soy candles (beeswax works, too!), combine frankincense with myrrh and sandalwood so you can de-stress after all those holiday parties. Ylang ylang Ylang ylang's bright floral fragrance is believed to soothe away stress, tension, and sadness. It combines well with jasmine or eucalyptus. Use ylang ylang scented candles during your meditation and envision yourself walking through a field of flowers on a warm, sunny day. Artificial fragrances What if your favorite fragrance isn't an essential oil? Familiar fragrances, whether natural or artificial, evoke memories and emotions. If you've ever wondered if scented candles help with mental health, there is some evidence to show that the positive associations we make with certain smells can help restore feelings of calmness and relieve stress. If the scent of clean linen (like this Yankee Candle) reminds you of grandma's house, or apple cinnamon brings back memories of a special holiday, I say go for it! Although artificial fragrances are not the same as aromatherapy, use the fragrances you love, and you will still benefit from the relaxing quality of scented candles. Should I choose soy candles or beeswax candles? Soy candles and beeswax candles are dominating the scented candle market, and for a good reason. Traditional paraffin wax candles (paraffin is a petroleum byproduct) release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These toxins are known to be carcinogenic and can cause issues with asthma and allergies. Some soy candles have paraffin added to make the wax harder and longer-lasting. But you can also find candles made from a blend of pure soy wax and beeswax. Soy candles and beeswax candles release fewer toxins into the air (without the soot!) and are considered by many to be a healthier alternative. What about the candle wick? If the crackling sound of a fire soothes your soul, look for candles with a wooden wick (a cotton wick is silent). Wooden wicks make a natural crackling sound that provides gentle background noise for your meditation or book snuggling. What else should I know? The US does not require manufacturers to list all ingredients in scented products, so if you have an adverse reaction, it might be to something that isn't listed on the label. Use plant-based ingredients that are not tested on animals when making candles, and stick to natural essential oils for your fragrance combinations. To sum it up … If you're still asking yourself if candles can really be used for stress relief, the answer is yes. By choosing a fragrance that evokes feelings of calmness and relaxation and selecting candles made with natural ingredients, you can add beauty and pleasing scents to your home, bath, or meditation practice. How do you use aromatherapy in your daily life? Share your ideas with us, and we'll add them to an article or share them on social media!

This article contains an excerpt from the “Ultimate Off Grid Gift Guide for Modern Homesteaders.” Click here to read the full article. There’s something refreshing about getting my hands dirty in the garden and knowing that food is growing to feed my family every month of the year. Even in the snowiest months of winter, I have roots buried below the frost line in my garden, waiting for the first warm days of spring to send up shoots and grow with renewed vigor. Sunchokes and garlic cloves stay fresh under the soil, ready for me to dig up a handful to prepare comfort food as needed. I leave the extras so they can sprout and divide (or multiply!) in the spring and summer months, but I can harvest a few here and there no matter the season. Winter holidays might not seem like the best time of year to give gardening gifts, but if your loved ones are like me, gardening supplies are always a welcome beacon of the spring that is yet to come! This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Yard and garden Gardening gloves: Gardening can be tough on hands and fingernails. Protect your loved one from splinters and callouses by gifting them a pair of rubber-coated gardening gloves or rose pruning gauntlets to protect tender forearms. Heirloom seeds: Is your favorite off-gridder worried about the apocalypse … or do they simply enjoy gardening? Either way, a seed vault with non-GMO, heirloom seed varieties is sure to be a serious gardener’s delight! Composting bin: Composting outdoors in the winter can come to a halt when temperatures drop below freezing. Give this cute indoor compost bin to keep kitchen scraps out of sight until the weather warms up. Compost barrel: Compost should never be stinky, but it can be dirty (and backbreaking) work to turn a large compost pile with a shovel. Save your loved one’s back and the mess by gifting them a tumbling compost barrel. Indoor gooseneck grow light: An indoor grow light is a necessity for seedlings and herbs that have been brought indoors for the winter. This gooseneck grow light provides full-spectrum lighting for those little plants you just can’t bear to leave outside. Trail camera: Solar trail cameras recharge with the sun, so you never have to worry about running out of battery in between camera checks. By adding wireless technology (and a monthly wireless plan), you can see images from your trail camera on your phone day or night. Choose a trail camera with high resolution and long-distance views plus infrared so you won’t scare the critters away at night. Chicken coop: Although I’ve always let my chickens have the run of the yard, a chicken coop is a great way to start baby chicks or keep banties safe from hawks. This nifty chicken coop with a wire run is great for beginning hobbyists. Cast iron dinner bell: My dad could never hear my mom yell for dinner when he was out in the workshop at the back of our acreage. She kept a cast iron dinner bell, like this one, hanging from the porch rafters and sent me out to ring it when supper was ready. Rain barrel: Rain catchment is an excellent way to save water and use it in the garden during a dry spell. How about gifting a rain barrel kit (made from recycled materials) to supplement your loved one’s water supply? Gorilla cart: This is one of those things that you don’t think you need until you actually need it! I love using a gorilla cart to lighten my load and haul groceries, bags of feed, and gardening soil. Get one with removable sides to make unloading even easier. Gathering basket: I can’t count how many times I’ve gone out to the garden thinking there would only be a few tomatoes to pick and ended up using my shirt to carry loads of tomatoes, squash, and peppers into the house. A gathering basket makes life much easier and keeps my shirt clean. And for gathering eggs, try this egg gathering apron with individual pockets to prevent the eggs from cracking against each other. Poultry balm/chicken first aid: While we’re talking about eggs, how about gifting your off grid hobbyist with a chicken first-aid kit or some poultry balm to help those little chickies stay healthy and protected from leg sores? Newspaper pot maker: Talk about sustainable living! Turn sheets of paper into biodegradable seedling pots with this handy wooden newspaper pot maker. Steel forged garden tools: Anyone who lives off the grid and raises their own food knows that having the right tools for the job makes all the difference! Gift your gardener some sturdy, steel forged garden tools. If you think they already have all the gardening gear they need, how about something a little different, like a hori hori knife for cutting through roots or stems and poking holes for planting seeds? Walking stick for your wildcrafting and gathering hikes: I enjoy wildcrafting, and sometimes looking for berries takes me a little further into the wilderness than I had originally planned. I love my Black Diamond walking poles—they’re collapsible, lightweight, and easy to carry in my pack. Tree diapers: A tree diaper refills during rain and slowly releases the water back into the soil to keep young trees protected from drought. If your off grid loved one is trying to establish an orchard or planting fruit trees for the yard, tree diapers will help establish a moist growing medium for their newly planted saplings. Rain gauge: Why depend on the local news to find out how many inches of rain fell on the garden last night? Give this glass rain gauge to your favorite gardener, and they’ll never have to wonder how much moisture fell. Arbor Day membership: I’m all for planting trees! Give two gifts in one with an Arbor Day Foundation membership. Your loved one will not only become a member, but they’ll also receive free trees as part of the deal. Boot scraper: All that mud needs to go somewhere, and tracking it in the house on the bottom of your boots isn’t an option. How about giving an industrial-strength boot scraper so the dirt can stay outside where it belongs? Need more gift ideas? Check out these 21 Gift Ideas for Outdoor Chefs!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Those of us who use off grid cooking methods know that fuel is a precious resource. Whether you're using solar power stored in batteries, a gas generator, propane, butane, wood, wood pellets, or charcoal—that fuel must come from somewhere, and it has to be replaced. Even if you’re cooking in a solar oven and using the sun as your power source, your hours of sunlight are limited, and you need to cook with daylight hours in mind. To save precious cooking fuel and power sources, I’ve created a list of 15 cooking hacks to save you time and resources. Prep your food first Wash, trim, and chop your ingredients before you start up your heat source. You don’t want to waste fuel heating pots and pans when the ingredients aren’t even ready. Have everything prepped and ready to go so you don’t accidentally burn part of your quick-cooking meal because you forgot to prep one of the ingredients. Size matters Foods cook faster when there’s more surface area and less distance for the heat to travel. The smaller your ingredients are, the greater their surface area, and the faster the heat will reach the center of each of the bits and pieces. Stir-fry meals cook up in minutes because the meat and vegetables are in bite-sized pieces. A mandoline can help you evenly slice fruits and veggies. You’re grate! Use a grater to make quick work of root vegetables like carrots and beets. The tiny slivers will cook almost instantly when they hit the hot pan. Go boneless Boneless meats cook faster. If you’re removing the bones yourself, save them to make stock or bone broth. You can use it for soups and stews or bone broth, or pressure can it to use later. If you have a freezer, you can freeze the bones to use another day. Use your meat mallet For recipes where chopped meat isn’t practical, use a meat mallet to flatten steaks and chicken into even thicknesses. Slice meat thinly or pound it into thin, flat pieces (like you’d do for chicken fried steak). Watch closely once you put it on the heat so it doesn’t overcook! Uniform pieces Make sure your ingredients are uniform in size so they’ll cook in the same amount of time. It’s not fun to bite into a raw potato cube followed by a mushy bit of something else. Bake in portions Size matters when you’re baking, too. Smaller baked goods will bake quicker, saving fuel and time in front of the oven. Convert cakes into cupcakes by decreasing your baking time by ⅓ to ½. Make mini loaves of bread, or use the bread dough to make breadsticks or dinner rolls. Cupcakes and minimuffins are perfect for baking in a solar oven. Try using silicone baking cups when baking with the sun! For even quicker bread, make pita bread on a hot baking stone in your outdoor oven, or cook tortillas, chapatis, or naan in an iron skillet or griddle over a low flame. You can even use less cooking fuel when baking pies by making them into little tarts or turnovers—perfect for parties and dinner guests or a late-night sugar craving. Use the right pan Use a pan the appropriate size for your food and cooking method. Don’t put a giant pan on a small flame. You want even heat distribution but not overcrowding, so size your cooking vessel appropriately. Shallow, wide pans might cook food more quickly, but if it’s too big for your heat source, you’re defeating the purpose. Put a lid on it Cover your pot or pan with a lid to trap heat. As long as you’re not frying or caramelizing an ingredient, pop a lid on it and trap the steam and heat inside. Cook under pressure Talk about lids! Use a pressure cooker over your propane or butane burner, or plug in your Instant Pot if you have an electricity source. Pressure cooking locks in the heat and pushes it through your ingredients in a fraction of the time. This is especially helpful for long-cooking grains like rice. For outdoor cooking over a fire, try an Afghan pressure cooker (which can be used on a regular stove as well). Regular pressure cookers with plastic handles are not meant for cooking over a campfire—the food could be unevenly cooked, and the handles may melt. But an Afghan pressure cook is designed to handle the heat. Lower the flame Decrease the flame once the water is boiling. Even pasta will cook with water at a simmer instead of a full rolling boil. Save gas by using a lower flame whenever possible. This counts for things like hard-boiled eggs, too. Once the water boils, remove it from the heat and cover the pot--the heat from the boiling water will continue to cook the eggs even after the boiling has stopped. Preheat Remember when I said not to heat your pans while you’re prepping ingredients? That’s still true—you don’t want to heat your oven or pans too early. But preheating them at the right time—right before you put in the food—will save time and fuel in the long run. Preheat your pan, so foods start cooking the instant you add them. When cooking with fire, make sure you have the flame or coals just right before you put the food on so you make the most efficient use of your wood. Double up Sometimes it’s more practical to cook a large batch instead of making smaller portions. Make double batches when it’s more practical—like when cooking soups and stews, large portions of meat, rice, or beans. You can eat leftovers the next day, freeze portions for another meal, or pressure can the extras to store for later use. If you’re slow cooking in a fire pit, double the amount of brisket, pork, or chicken. You’ll need to increase the number of coals you’re using, but not as much as you would if you were starting from scratch another day. Beans, beans, the musical fruit Dry beans can take hours to soften. Speed up cooking time by soaking the beans overnight while you sleep. For old or stubborn beans, add baking soda to your soak water or cooking water. Use About 1 tsp per cup of soak water or ¼ tsp per pound when cooking. Thaw foods or bring to room temp Always use safe thawing methods, but try to bring meats to room temperature before cooking them. You won’t waste any fuel while you’re letting it rest, and you won’t drop the temperature of your pan as much when you add the food. Chew on this Living off the grid has its pros and cons, and one of the most enjoyable is using a variety of creative cooking methods instead of getting into the habit of putting something on the electric range or popping leftovers into the microwave. But along with the creativity comes a need to protect the resources you’ve carefully stored. By paying attention to how you cut and portion your ingredients, doubling batches when practical, and using leftovers to your benefit, you’ll have more time to enjoy those evening sunsets you moved off grid for in the first place! Now that you have extra time after dinner, why not relax in a warm bubble bath and soothe away the stress of the day? Or, if you're in the mood to do a little shopping, check out our Ultimate Off Grid Gift Guide!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Living a sustainable off grid lifestyle means being disconnected from public utility systems. So how do you take care of your family’s needs while still enjoying modern conveniences, like running water and warm baths? When you start planning a water supply system for your home and family, make sure you check local regulations, permit requirements, and restrictions on water use. Most states require homeowners to obtain a permit before constructing a new well or refurbishing an old one. And in many places, only licensed contractors are allowed to drill wells. But water wells aren’t the only option for your renewable water supply. Let’s discuss off grid water system alternatives to public water utilities, their pros and cons, and how you can incorporate them into your off grid life. Water Water is a necessity of life, and taking care of your water source is an essential off grid skill. Living in a remote location may mean going without a public water source, but you’ll still need water to survive. So will your plants and animals. Unless you have a live water source on your land—along with the rights to use it or redirect it—you’ll have to find a way to provide water to your home. Another factor you’ll need to consider is the layout of your land. Will your water storage tank be placed on higher ground than your home, allowing gravity to assist with the water flow? Or will your storage tank be downhill and require a booster pump to increase the pressure and flow? Do you want a water filtration system, like reverse osmosis, a bio-filter, or a UV purification system? These things will also add to the cost of your off grid water system. Hauling water For the first few years that we lived in my childhood home, my parents hauled water. My dad had a big, round, metal (steel?) tank welded to a trailer. He would pull it behind his Chevy pickup to the private water supply company a few miles down the road. I’d climb up on top of the tank while the water ran into it from a giant hose, listening to the sounds change as the water rose higher and the sides of the tank cooled off against my legs. When the tank was almost full, I’d yell to him so he would quit chatting with the other guys who had come to fill up their tanks, and he could shut off our spigot before the tank overflowed. We’d drive home, attach a hose to the tank, drain all the water into our underground cistern, and then repeat the process a couple more times in the same day. Our cistern was large, so we only needed to haul water once a month during the off months—and twice a month during the growing season. My dad installed a pump going from the cistern to the house, so we always had water from the tap whenever we needed it. So what are the pros and cons of hauling water? Well, for one thing, you’re still dependent on a public or private utility company to provide you with potable water to haul. If they have a problem with their system, you’ll have to find another company within a reasonable distance or find an alternative water source. Aside from that, let’s look at some other advantages and disadvantages. Pros You always know how much water you have available in your cistern. You can choose which days you want to haul water and budget what you have stored as needed. Hauling water is typically less expensive than drilling a well. As long as you already have a truck, you’ll just need to purchase a cistern and a trailer with a tank. If you don’t have a truck, you may need to spend more to buy one than the cost of a well. Cons You can only store as much water as your cistern and hauling tank can hold. You have to spend gas money every time you make a water run. You’ll still have a monthly water bill; you’ll be paying it to the company where you fill your tank. Hauling water to a remote location can be time-consuming and difficult in adverse weather conditions. Well water In some states, you have to own a certain number of acres to get a well permit, or you may be restricted to a certain type of well permit depending on how much land you own. After a couple of years of hauling water, my parents were able to save up enough money to dig a well. The well drilling company had to dig down around 700 feet before they found water, but that was the best tasting water I had ever had! Installing a well can be expensive, and several factors determine the cost. How deep it needs to be (which will also determine whether you need a submersible pump or a jet pump) What kind of water pump you choose (A/C or D/C, solar or generator-powered, or even a hand pump) What size of pressure tank you need Whether you need to pump into a cistern or storage tank and from there into your home, etc. Pros You can rely on your own source of water year-round. You can avoid chemical additives such as chlorine and fluoride. You won’t have a monthly water bill. Cons If you live in an area that freezes during the winter, you’ll need to protect the well pump by insulating it and the pipes. The cost can be prohibitive. You need to maintain the system, check the health of the water, and call the well company to inspect the well if any issues arise. Rainfall catchment systems In areas with adequate rainfall and where catchment systems are allowed, harvesting rainwater is a viable option for supplementing household water needs. The goal of rainwater catchment is to harvest the water and use it for a specific purpose in the home or garden instead of letting it run off onto barren ground. A rainwater harvesting system typically includes gutters (or some way to direct water from a roof), a tank (like this recycled rain barrel), a water purification system, and a pump. Pros Rainwater is free. Rainwater catchment systems are usually low maintenance. If you aren’t using the water for drinking, you don’t need a sophisticated purification system. Renewable resource that reduces stress on groundwater systems. Reduces soil erosion around your home by capturing the water and redirecting it. If your rain barrels are placed on a raised platform, gravity should provide enough water pressure for your gardening needs. Cons Areas with low rainfall may have restrictions on capturing rainwater. Weather is unpredictable; some years may not provide enough rain to meet your demands. Rainfall catchment systems can be costly to set up (but usually costs much less than drilling a well). Some states limit the size or number of rain barrels per home. Contamination from roofing materials: some roofs release chemicals into the water that runs off of them. If possible, plan ahead and install a metal roof instead of asphalt shingles. Make sure to direct the rainwater away from your septic tank and drain field; you don’t want to oversaturate the soil. Hydropanels Hydropanels collect condensed, clean water from the atmosphere and store it in small tanks connected to a home’s plumbing or a designated dispenser. Current systems, like SOURCE Global (previously Zero Mass Water), claim to collect up to 7.5 liters of water per day even in low humidity conditions. Pros Humidity in the air is a renewable resource. Hydropanels do not rely on rainfall or groundwater. The collected water is filtered and remineralized to provide pure, clean-tasting water. You can install multiple panels to increase the amount of water collected. Cons Small water storage: A relatively small amount of water is collected; one two-panel system provides drinking water but not enough water for household needs such as bathing, showering, or laundry. High cost initially. Air filters and cartridges require regular maintenance (yearly for some parts, every five years for others). Some users complain about the noise level generated by their hydropanel system. The panels hibernate in freezing conditions. Conclusion Off grid living has many benefits—having a reliable and renewable water source is one of them. Do your research, plan your budget, and choose the system that is best for you. Since off grid water systems provide a host of options, you can have more than one water source. Plan two or three, so you always have a backup (like a well and a rainwater catchment system, for example). It's what self-reliance is all about. Want more off grid lifestyle tips? How about supporting your favorite off gridder or homesteader by giving them a unique gift!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Going to the grocery store isn’t as convenient when you live in a remote area. You can’t just hop in the car and make a quick trip to pick up a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread when the closest store is miles away. So how do you save time, money, and gas when your off grid home doesn’t produce all the food your family needs, and you still need to make shopping trips? Try grocery shopping once a month! In this post, we’ll talk about how you can plan ahead, meal prep, and take the stress out of meal planning. Why should you plan ahead for grocery shopping? Not everything your family needs can be produced on your off grid homestead—at least, not for most people, anyway. If you live in an off grid community, you might be able to barter or trade for items you can’t produce, but there are still likely to be other things you’ll need to order or go into town for. Grains such as wheat, oats, and corn, and legumes like soy and lentils, are usually produced on a large farm—not small homesteads (although yours could be an exception). You might raise chickens to produce eggs but prefer to purchase milk instead of raising a cow. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you might make your own oat milk, but do you grow oats or purchase and store them for later use? What if you enjoy soy products? Do you make your own tofu, or would you rather buy it ready-made? Part of living a sustainable life means preserving resources and reducing waste. By making fewer grocery shopping trips, you can reduce your dependence on fossil fuels by using less gas. You’ll also save time (driving time and meal prepping) and be prepared with plenty of food during adverse weather conditions—when you’d rather stay at home in front of your cozy woodstove than make a trip to the store. What should you consider when planning a month of meals? Budget What is your current grocery budget? Does that include eating out at restaurants once in a while or having guests over for dinner? By shopping ahead of time, you can take advantage of sales, coupons, and the savings that come with buying items in bulk. Your grocery bill will thank you. Getting started with once-a-month shopping costs a little more at first because you’re buying more items at one time—but the cost decreases over time as you build up your pantry. Try budgeting your shopping trip a different week than when your mortgage or other bills are due. Shop your kitchen first Before you start your shopping list, see what you already have in your kitchen. What’s in the fridge? Did you have a lot of leftovers this week? Is there anything that you can use up or that you’ll need to replace this month? Pantry staples What’s in your pantry right now? What about your root cellar (if you’re lucky enough to have one)? Do you have a month’s supply of staple items, like flour, pasta, cereal, and canned goods? Take inventory of what you already have on hand, and work those items into your monthly meal plan. When you use up an item or remove it from the pantry into your meal rotation (like a can of tuna or box of elbow macaroni), add it to your next shopping list so you can replace it and not run completely out of stock. What’s in your garden? If you have a garden, what is it producing right now? What will be ready for harvest over the next month, and how much of it will you be able to preserve or store for future use? If your garden is abundantly producing tomatoes, you won’t need to buy them at the store. But you may need to purchase the ingredients you’ll need to preserve them. Will you be canning spaghetti sauce, making fermented salsa, or dehydrating them and packing them in oil like sun-dried tomatoes? Ensure you have herbs for seasoning sauces, salt for fermenting veggies, and sugar or pectin for making jams and jellies when fruit is in season. And don’t forget canning jars, freezer bags, or other non-food items you might need for storage and preservation. What does your family eat? Does your family have certain meals the same night every week? Think taco Tuesday or Friday fish day. Does anyone in your household have special dietary needs (gluten-free or vegan)? What about picky eaters? You don’t want to buy an ingredient in bulk just to save money if no one will eat it. Do you need to buy fresh fruit, or do you have a favorite veggie that you can only get at the store? Holidays and special occasions Planning a month of meals will look different if a holiday, birthday, or other special occasion is coming up. Likewise, you may want to purchase more if you are having guests or less if you plan to go out of town for several days. Pets Plan ahead for your pets, too! Buy dog food and cat litter in bulk to save money—and save yourself an emergency trip to the store. Meals and snacks Remember to plan for all your daily meals and beverages, plus snacks. Who wants to wake up with a middle-of-the-night cookie craving just to find out that you forgot to restock your supply? If you include homemade desserts in your meal plan, make sure you have the ingredients you’ll need to make them, too. You’ll need peanut butter for peanut butter cookies, cinnamon for apple pie … you get the idea. Meal planning After you take stock of what you have on hand, you’ll need to make a list of the meals you plan to make. If your family eats the same basic meals every week with little variation, your job just got easier. Simply write down what you usually eat in a week and multiply it times four. If your family craves variety, can you apply a theme to each week so you can use similar ingredients within the same time frame? Perhaps one week has an Italian theme (think pasta, pizza, and bruschetta), and the next week’s dinners are based on Mexican food ideas (like a taco bar, enchiladas, and smothered burritos). You’ll also want to consider which meals use perishable ingredients and which recipes can be made with shelf-stable or frozen foods. Fragile produce—like lettuce and cucumbers—should be used up within the first few days, while longer-lasting items—like winter squash and apples—can be saved for recipes in week two or three. As you’re planning your meals, think of ways to cook in bulk and use up leftovers. For example, my mom always used leftovers from meatloaf night to make meatloaf sandwiches the next day. And since she usually made a pot of pinto beans on Monday nights, Tuesday was a great day to have refried beans or burritos. Depending on how your off grid kitchen is set up, this method can save you time and fuel resources. Once you’ve created a meal list, write down the ingredients (including amounts) you’ll need for each recipe. Then take your ingredient list and cross off the items that you already have enough of. The items that remain become your grocery list for your next shopping trip! Make sure your recipe has the number of servings you’ll need for your family and for prepping meals in advance if that’s your plan. If you’re buying a specialty ingredient (like a special cheese or perishable item), can you use it for more than one meal? If you have an off grid freezer, can any of your ingredients or meals be frozen and used later in the month? Some meals, like soups and stews, are just as tasty after being frozen and take less time (and fuel) to reheat than they do to make them from scratch. Sample meal plan for one week Let’s look at a sample meal plan for one week and how you can use leftovers or cook double batches to save time. First, create a breakfast and lunch menu. I suggest repeating breakfasts and lunches each week so that you only need to change up your dinner menu. 7 breakfast ideas Sunday: Pancakes (make a double batch and freeze half for another meal) Monday: Oatmeal Tuesday: Eggs and toast Wednesday: Breakfast burritos (make a double batch and freeze half) Thursday: Yogurt and fresh fruit Friday: French toast and fruit Saturday: Breakfast smoothies. Swap out my ideas for your favorite breakfasts and the things you know your family will eat. Then do the same thing for lunches—come up with seven ideas and assign them to days of the week. Southwest-themed dinner meal plan (add in your favorite side dishes!) Sunday: Taco salad (remember, we’re using perishables, like lettuce, early in the week). Cook a double batch of beans and meat (you’ll use half as salad toppings), and save the extras for later this week. Add in other veggies, like fresh tomatoes and avocado, canned or frozen corn, etc. Monday: Burrito bowls. Cook a double batch of rice and save half. Use leftover lettuce as the base for your burrito bowl and top with rice, leftover beans, fajita peppers (make a double batch of peppers!), black olives, guacamole, and your favorite Southwestern toppings. Tuesday: Fajitas. Use up the leftover fajita peppers and add in some cooked chicken. Cook enough chicken to have leftovers to use in enchiladas. Wednesday: Enchiladas. Use up the leftover chicken and enchilada night will be an easy cooking night! Make extra enchilada sauce and save it for tomorrow. Thursday: Smothered burritos. Did you remember to make extra enchilada sauce? Wrap up refried beans, leftover meat, and cheese in a large tortilla and smother it with your leftover sauce for a quick dinner. Friday: Seven-layer dip. This Friday night meal can use up leftover ingredients from most of the other weeknights. Layer refried beans, cheese, meat, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and olives in a baking dish or square glass pan, and serve with tortilla chips. Saturday: Tacos. Crunchy or soft taco shells can be used along with seasoned ground or shredded meat. If you’re having company, plan a taco bar and let everyone build their own tacos out of a selection of ingredients. Store foods properly for the longest shelf life When you cook ahead to make double batches and freeze or can the extras, you need to make sure you are storing your food items properly to maintain nutrient value and keep them safe to eat. Use bags and containers designed for freezer use to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of frozen food items. You’ll want your frozen fruit and frozen veggies to still taste fresh, even though you might not need to use them until later in the month. If you’re canning some of your recipes for later use (like sauces and soups), make sure you follow proper canning protocols to prevent spoilage. Shelf-stable items can usually be stored in the container they come in as long as your pantry is protected from pests. You can also transfer boxed foods (like pasta or cereal) into plastic, metal, or glass storage containers to keep critters out. Remember: Each time you use up something from the pantry, add it to next month’s shopping list so you don’t forget to restock! Are you up to the challenge? Once a month shopping doesn’t have to be difficult, but it can take some time to get used to planning a monthly shopping trip. If monthly grocery shopping seems intimidating, try going every two weeks until you get used to planning your menu in advance. You’ll still save time and money, and you’ll gain the confidence you need to stretch out the time between shopping trips. And who knows what you can do with all the time and money you’ll be saving? You might just be able to indulge in some extra leisure activities or splurge a little for the holidays.

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. “When we have the freedom to shape our surroundings, we experience a heightened sense of personal control, which reduces stress and improves our confidence.” ~ Ron Friedman, PhD, The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace, Perigree Publishing, 2014. Does creativity reduce stress? Can art help you relax? Whether you are a practiced artist or just starting with your first attempt at crafting, the simple answer is yes!—art and creativity reduce stress hormones and help you relax. Although art therapy is a specific field in which a licensed therapist guides clients through art exploration as a way to reduce stress, develop coping skills, and gain personal insight, everyone can benefit from creating arts and crafts at home. Benefits of creating art Creating something beautiful or useful engages both your brain and your hands. You think about each step, and the movement of your hands across the media brings you into the present moment. The ability to focus mindfully on the present boosts our mental health by putting worries on the back burner. Creative expression helps us release emotions. Engaging in a creative activity encourages us to think of new ideas—or new uses for old materials (upcycling used objects or finding new ways to make crayon rubbings or mud pies!). Viewing art can help improve your mood and lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), too. If you come home from work feeling bogged down with work stress, try spending some time at an art museum or visiting an art walk on the weekend. You might just feel your spirits lift and come home with new, creative ideas. Art is beneficial for children, too. When my children were little, we made DIY wrapping paper using finger paint and giant sheets of Kraft paper. Making prints with their little hands and feet encouraged creative thinking and gave them a healthy creative outlet. As a bonus, I had some adorable wrapping paper to use for the holidays! By encouraging children to participate in art and craft activities, they learn how to reduce anxiety and gain focus (which can help when they study). 7 tips for using art to reduce stress Whether you’re looking for a new creative hobby or just want to benefit from creativity, here are seven ways you can use your creativity as a tool to reduce stress and practice a little self-care. Be present. When you engross yourself in the art of creation, your mind becomes so involved with the task at hand that you get into a zone and temporarily stop worrying about the past or future. Creating art is an excellent mindfulness activity. Start a dream journal. Writing down your dreams reveals patterns. These patterns can help you understand how your mind is reacting to daily stressors while you sleep. Decorate your journal, inside and out. Use your favorite markers or colored pencils, and sketch your dreamscapes as well as writing down important details. Color an intricate design. Adult coloring books come in various styles and themes, including mandalas, animals, and floral patterns. You can also print free coloring pages from sites online. Create a gratitude journal. Writing down the things that you’re grateful for helps you look at the positive side of life. If you want to expand this activity, you can make handmade thank-you cards to give to the people in your life you are grateful for. Find an emotional release. Drawing, coloring, and painting can help you express your emotions in a healthy way. Use colors and strokes that exemplify how you feel. You don’t have to share it with anyone to gain personal benefits. Make a sculpture. If you’d like a more tactile form of art, molding and sculpting clay might be just the thing you’re looking for. You can make homemade play dough or buy air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln. Put together a collage. Gather images that represent your hopes and dreams. What would you like to accomplish in the future? Combine the pictures on a poster board, and imagine yourself experiencing success now. Bonus tip: Doodle! Stressed out during a meeting? Doodle in the margins of your notebook. Doodling can help you maintain focus by giving you an outlet for fidgety fingers whether you’re on a conference call or listening to a recorded webinar. If you’re looking for a little positive emotion mojo, grab some supplies and start creating. Have a favorite art, craft, or DIY project? There’s no better time to start than now!

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. When I go to a party at someone’s house, the first thing I do is look for the dog. The introvert in me gets nervous when I meet new people, but making friends with the family dog brings me right out of my shell. Even a party with people I already know makes me a little tense. I like to be doing something—actively participating—so it’s not unusual to find me helping out in the kitchen or finding some other way to distract myself (like playing with the dog!). And it helps the party’s host if they know they can count on me to chip in with a little elbow grease. Hosting a party doesn’t have to be stressful—but frequently, it is. If you love parties but procrastinate planning because you want to avoid the stress, you’ll love our stress-free party planning ideas. Your party might not be completely stress free, but you’ll have less stress knowing you have everything covered! Check out these tips (and a printable checklist) for hosting a spooktacular Halloween party for dogs and people alike! Photo by mark glancy from Pexels Why host a dog Halloween party? Parties are a fun way to socialize with friends and meet new people. Halloween gives us a chance to step out of our comfort zone and share something about ourselves by dressing up as someone or something that appeals to us. By adding our furry friends into the mix, we can give everyone a chance to show off their little buddy in an adorable Halloween costume—an instant ice breaker. And for people like me who always look for the dog to pet (it’s such a helpful way to de-stress), a dog party is a dream come true! “Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol, while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies).” ~ HopkinsMedicine.org You can find dog Halloween costumes at places like Party City or online at Amazon, or you can make a unique DIY pet costume. What am I forgetting? One of the reasons party planning is so stressful is because we are afraid we might forget something. Did we remember to pick up ice? Will the food be ready in time? Did everyone RSVP, and if not, have we double-checked with them to see if they’ll be able to join in the fun? I’m a list maker, so I’ve put together a stress-reducing party planning checklist so you can check off each item when it’s complete. There’s even a little “notes” section you can customize with personal party details. Use this list to reduce stress by checking off the suggestions one by one. One month before the party About a month before the party, you’ll want to choose a location and pick a date and time. (Having it at your home or a friend’s house is usually more convenient than renting a venue.) Make sure the location is dog-friendly and has easily accessible places for them to potty. You’ll also want to plan an area for timid or tired dogs to take a break. If you don’t have a separate place in the house or two different fenced areas, you can set up an exercise pen to create a safe barrier where dogs can still watch without feeling the pressure to play. An exercise pen is also a great idea if your doggie guests have a large difference in size (put the tiny dogs in the pen) or age (separate the puppies from the senior dogs if anyone gets grumpy). You should also set a budget, create your guest list, and think of some helpers who can assist with planning, getting the house ready, and cleaning up after the Halloween party. Three weeks before the party Now it’s time to send out invitations and plan your menu. Are you having a themed party? (Think scary Halloween with scary snacks or a fairytale party with food fit for royalty.) Make sure all menu items are safe for your dog guests as well as yummy for people. Face it—stuff gets dropped, and you don’t want tummy aches to be what your party is remembered for. And if planning a full menu isn’t your style, you can just plan light refreshments and snacks—or assign menu items to guests for a potluck buffet. On your invitations, include any additional info you think would help keep the event safe and relaxed for everyone: dog guests should have up-to-date vaccinations and be in good health; if children are attending, make sure their parents know they’ll need to chaperone; aggressive dogs should be left at home or participate with their pet parent via video (i.e., virtual Halloween party). Pick up decorations and tableware that go with your theme, and make a list of party favors and treat-bag fillers. If you need to order any of this online, now is the time to place those orders. Are you going to have a dog costume parade? What about prizes for best dog costume, best dog and person costume combo, silliest or most elaborate costume, etc.? Pick up prizes or get them ordered so you’ll have them in time for the big day. Two weeks before the party Ready for another shopping trip? When you go out to run errands this week, remember to pick up party favors, treat bags and fillers, and any nonperishable food items. You may also want to buy a stash of poop bags to have on hand for owners to clean up after their furry friends. It’s also time to plan your menu—and your cooking timeline if you plan on making any of the Halloween treats yourself. If you’re ordering from a bakery, get those orders placed. You should also plan the Halloween games and activities and decide what you’d like to set up for a photo area (like the photo prop in the image below—click to purchase!). Buy or make props and supplies if needed. If you’re making keepsakes (instant photos or clay paw prints), pick up what you’ll need so you won’t have to worry about it at the last minute. One week before the party The Halloween festivities are getting close! Check in with guests who haven’t RSVP’d and make sure you have everything you need for games and activities. During this same week—a few days before the party—make sure to check your camera batteries and memory card. You can also buy some perishable ingredients a few days ahead of time and get started with items that can be cooked ahead (cakes and cookies can be frozen and then frosted and thawed the day before the party, for example). One day before the party Time to decorate! Have your helpers come over to assist with putting up the Halloween decorations and tidying up the bathroom and kitchen. Set up the exercise pen and put out a community water bowl. Put the poop bags in a cute bowl or basket near the designated potty area, and remember to place a trash can nearby for pet parents to dispose of waste. You can also cook any make-ahead items, chill the drinks, and pick up last-minute groceries and ice. Go through the checklist one more time to make sure you have everything you need. Party day! The big day has finally arrived! Now it’s time to finish the last-minute food prep, fill treat bags (if you haven’t done this already), and set out tableware and refreshments. Take a quick walkthrough before your guests arrive, then dress up your dog in their Halloween costume and get ready for the fun! After the party Your helpers should help you with a quick tidy-up session after the party. When everyone pitches in, the cleanup gets done in no time. And when all your guests have gone home, remember to give yourself some you time (warm bubble bath, anyone?). After all, you deserve it!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Bath bomb fans have known for a while how relaxing it is to soak in the glorious scent of essential oils. But what if you prefer showers to baths? Shower steamers (also known as shower bombs or shower melts) are a great way to enjoy the stress-relieving benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils without having to fill up the tub. Since shower bombs are designed to have high amounts of essential oils for aromatherapy benefits, don’t use them in the bath. Bath bombs are not as concentrated; shower bombs are too strong to soak in. If a stress-relieving shower is just what you need, and you have a little creative energy to expend, try your hand at making a homemade shower steamer. You can cut the recipe in half or double it if you want to make a bigger batch. Things to keep in mind If you find that your shower steamer fizzes away too quickly, you can make it last longer by moving it further from the water source. Place your shower tablet at the opposite end of the shower floor (out of range of the spray) to extend its life. You can make shower steamer tablets with or without citric acid—just be aware that the citric acid and baking soda combo is what gives them their fizz. If you leave out the citric acid, replace it with an equal amount of baking soda or Epsom salt. There are several liquids you can choose from when making your DIY aromatherapy shower steamers: water, witch hazel, and isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Water and witch hazel create an instant fizzing action when added—so you’ll need to be careful and either use a spray bottle or add the liquid a tiny bit at a time. Rubbing alcohol will also get the fizz going, but since it evaporates quickly, you won’t lose as much fizz if this is your liquid of choice. Using a spray bottle is still a good idea, though. Some people like to add Epsom salt to their shower steamers for a soothing effect on tired feet. I’ll include options below for you to try out both methods: with citric acid or substituted with baking soda or Epsom salt. One of the best things about making your own shower steamers is the ability to customize your fragrances. I prefer to use essential oils (not artificial fragrances) and choose them according to the desired effect. Essential oils can vary in strength depending on the brand, how the essential oil was collected, and how long it has been stored. You can adjust the recommended amount of essential oil by adding a few more (or less) drops if needed. Here are some essential oil blend ideas to get you started with your at-home spa experience. (Numbers in parenthesis are the number of drops of each oil to use. You can adjust the drops to your sensitivity level.) Relaxing Lavender and sweet orange (100:50) Chamomile (80) Rose (rose absolute), ylang-ylang, and vetiver (100:60:40) Stress-relieving Clary sage (100) Bergamot and lime (80:50) Energizing Peppermint* and pine (50:30) Lemon and sweet orange (100:50) *Peppermint essential oil gives a cooling effect, but too much can cause a burning or tingling sensation. If you’re sensitive to peppermint, try using the citrus essential oil blend as your energizer instead. Sinus soothing Eucalyptus and spearmint (80:50) If you’re not an essential oil fan, you can use soap fragrance oil instead. You may need to adjust the number of drops you add according to the strength of the fragrance and the manufacturer’s recommendation. You want to be able to inhale the shower steam without it causing any side effects (like sneezing, coughing, or an unpleasant sensation in your lungs or on your feet). Ready to make your DIY shower steamer? Let’s get started! DIY shower steamer recipe and tips for success Tip #1: If your shower steamer is expanding in the mold, you have added too much water or witch hazel. Just spritz on enough to make a barely wet, sand-like consistency, or the fizz will fizzle before it makes it out of the mold and into your shower! Tip #2: What if my shower steamers are too dry? If your shower steamers crumble when you remove them from the mold, it just means they need a little more liquid added. Go ahead and crumble them back into the mixing bowl, spritz with a little more water, witch hazel, or rubbing alcohol, and press the mixture back into the mold. Tip #3: Wear gloves to protect your nail polish and hands. Citric acid can remove nail polish and irritate sensitive skin. Tools you will need Silicone mold with 1–2 ounce-size shapes Mixing bowl (I prefer glass since it won’t interact with the oils.) Mixing spoon or wire whisk (Avoid wooden spoons since they will absorb the essential oil.) Nitrile gloves (Protect your hands.) Spray bottle Ingredients for stress-relieving, sinus-soothing shower steamers 1 cup baking soda ½ cup citric acid (You can substitute Epsom salt or baking soda if you don’t want to use citric acid, but the shower bombs won’t fizz.) ½ cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder ⅛ cup kaolin or bentonite clay 80 drops eucalyptus essential oil** 50 drops spearmint essential oil** **(Or your chosen essential oil blend) Water or witch hazel or rubbing alcohol Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Gently whisk them until they are evenly distributed. Add the essential oils by sprinkling the drops randomly over the surface of the dry ingredients. The oils won’t initiate the fizzing action, so don’t worry about stirring between different oils. After the essential oils are added, use the whisk to blend them with the dry ingredients. Using a spray bottle (or very small spoonfuls), add your chosen liquid to the dry ingredients a little at a time. Mix well in between spritzes. At this point, you may want to use your hands to knead the mixture to give you a better idea of how the consistency is coming along. You want to add just enough liquid to dampen the dry ingredients so they will stick together like wet sand. Be aware that humidity in the air can affect how much liquid you will need. If you make this recipe on a dry day, it may require slightly more liquid than if you make it on a humid or muggy day. Using a mixing spoon or your hands, scoop the damp mixture into the silicone mold. Press firmly, and make sure the edges are smooth and not too thin. Allow the shower melts to dry for several hours or overnight before unmolding. Stress-relieving shower gift ideas It seems like there’s always a birthday, holiday, or another gift-giving occasion right around the corner. Homemade shower melts are an easy make-ahead gift idea. Whip up a few batches, and tuck them away for last-minute gift ideas. Create a DIY spa gift basket. Include shower steamers, bath melts, sugar scrub, and a relaxing massage oil. Individually wrap shower bombs in clear cellophane and tie with raffia or ribbon. Give several different scents, artfully arranged in a gift box, to a tired or overworked friend for a fun pick-me-up. Stack shower melts in a mason jar and top with a pretty painted lid in a coordinating color (pink for rose-scented, mint green for minty shower melts, etc.). Create a themed gift basket. For sleep, include a lavender shower steamer, lavender tea bags, and a lavender essential oil pillow sachet. If the recipient loves roses, use a rose absolute shower steamer, rose bath melts, and a pretty potpourri made with rose petals from your garden, and other rose-scented ingredients.