The two substances in this world that have the power to make everything better happen to be chocolate, and bacon. So what happens when you put those two things together? The most delicious bite of food you have ever eaten. BOOM! Dipping things in chocolate is basically the easiest way to a happy Valentine’s day. Dipping bacon in chocolate is like dipping amazeballs into awesomesauce….
My little Lyla is four years old! I can hardly believe it. She has grown into such a bundle of fun and personality. And she certainly knows what she likes. This year, she had her heart set on a Monster’s Inc birthday party. So I put together a Monster Mash I knew she would love!…
I recently received a sweet gift from my new friends over at Prayer Packages. Coincidentally, it happened to arrive just on time as I was recovering from a Crohn’s flare up and a week-long hospital stay. Good old fashioned snail mail is not something I receive too often, and this beautiful package was quick to put a smile on my face.
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Heather Holland’s Holiday Gift Guide – Part 1
For the foodie:
1. 
Of all my kitchen gadgets, I use this the most. My husband declares this is the best gift he has ever given me, because he loves my pasta dinners. This baby can make noodles out of anything (anything with a core, not a giant seed.). This is the easiest way to enjoy pasta on a grain-free diet, without spending big bucks on specialty flours and making a huge mess in your kitchen 😉
2. 
Say goodbye to foil. These food grade silicone baking mats are amazingly non-stick. Perfect for cookies, candy, cheese….anything you don’t want sticking to your pretty pans. They clean up so easily, and are incredibly durable. Get this set of two, one for you, and one for a special someone!
3.
I have an old-school Ninja that was handed down from my brother-in-law, (Thank you Jerry!) which I LOVE, but I am dreaming of this new and improved complete blender set. THREE sets of blades for ultimate blending. I sat in awe (maybe more than once) watching the hour-long infomercial as cupid shot me with his love darts. The commercial explains in detail the nutrient-releasing power of this awesome gizmo. Seriously. I need this.
4.
A quality slow-cooker is essential for every food lover. Our busy lives are always throwing us those curve-ball days that you just don’t feel like standing in the kitchen slaving over a good meal, no matter how much you love to cook. Having a crock pot on hand has saved my sanity many a curve-ball day. Also perfect for fixing up some gut healing bone broth to keep handy for those sick days. Every cook needs a crock.
5.
Another eco-friendly baking essential, these cupcake liners are easy to clean, and save you money never again spent on paper or foil liners. They come with a lifetime guarantee. And they are so cute!
6.
Most people are unaware that conventional oil sprays like Pam use aerosol and chemical propellants which can damage your stainless steel cookware. This conveniently refillable oil sprayer is an eco-friendly option, and it comes in lots of pretty colors. I love my stainless steel Misto.
7.
Grain free waffles are easy to whip up, and have become a weekend tradition for the Hollands. Such a special treat to enjoy together on a Saturday morning. They also make an awesome bread replacement. I can enjoy all of my old favorite sammich combinations thanks to my waffler!
8. 
Danielle Walker happens to be the first Paleo blogger I ever started following. I own, and love, her first cookbook, Against All Grain. I have heard great things about her newest release and cant wait to add it to my collection.
9. 
Brittany is my absolute FAVORITE gluten-free blogger. She has made baking enjoyable for me once again. Her recipes are spectacular….she is a gluten-free miracle worker. Not one dish of hers have I tried that I didn’t love. I am really anticipating the release of her new book!
10.
And of course, the mother of all kitchen supplies, a KITCHEN AID! Every home maker dreams of owning one of these beauties. Myself included. Over 20 colors to choose from. I guarantee the receiver of this baby will be eternally grateful. And thank you in cookies.
One of the first things that I learned when I became a mother was that if I wanted to get anything done, while keeping both myself and baby calm and happy, I was going to need a carrier. I was fortunate enough to have an awesome Dad who decided to purchase a Chicco carrier for me so that we could spend the day walking around the shops of Senoia together. Being a new mommy, I was unaware of the better choices available to me. I wore the heck out of that thing. Baby was on me at least 3 hours a day as I cooked, washed dishes, folded laundry, etc. I loved it.
I didn’t leave her in for long periods of time, because it seemed to me that she could get quite uncomfortable. I didn’t want her to loose circulation in her legs, or make her little hiney sore from being held up by her crotch all day. Since my first child, or perhaps even before then and I just didn’t know about it, some genius came out with a Moby wrap. One long piece of fabric that you wrap around yourself and baby keeping you all snug and warm and cozy. But by golly those things are expensive. My husband and I like to consider ourselves very minimalistic. We work hard for the money we earn, and we don’t like to blow it away on anything other than necessity. Of course we have an occasional splurge, but why spend money on something when I know I can make it myself?
I’m all about a good DIY project. Craftiness is in my blood. But even if you don’t happen to have a knack for creating, this wrap is incredibly simple, and easy to customize.
All you need is 3 t-shirts. I bought mine at Walmart for $4 a piece, making this project come to a total of $12. ($8 if you happen to already own an A&A swaddle, and $0 if you have some old t-shirts laying around.)
Lets get started.
(Please excuse the unprofessional cell phone photography. These pics were originally taken for a facebook group “Paleo Pregnancy and Beyond”. Shout out to my girls!)
First things first, you need to gather your materials.
-3 men’s t-shirts. (I wear a women’s small and used men’s small)
OR 2 t-shirts and one a&a swaddle
-scissors
-baby
Now take a third t-shirt, which you already cut from armpit to armpit, and now cut once more, diagonally from armpit to waste, only through one layer.
