Fast Five – Edition No. 5 (Fall Edition)

Conventional candles and fragrance oils often contain an assortment of toxic ingredients that are considered “trade secrets.” In fact, you will be hard pressed to find a conventional candle or fragrance oil that actually discloses its full ingredient list. This is a problem, as the fragrance industry is known to use a plethora of ingredients that are proven endocrine disruptors, respiratory irritants, and even carcinogens. Enter: Fontana Candle Co.

Fontana Candle Co. is doing things differently. No longer do you have to choose between a beautifully scented home and a non-toxic home. Their candles are made with beeswax, coconut oil, and pure essential oils, and they use wood wicks instead of wax-coated wicks. Finally, a candle you can trust to add that extra level of cozy and freshness to your home! To peruse their candles, you can click here.

After checking out the book At Home with Madame Chic from the library and reading the first few pages, I knew I wanted to purchase my own copy to keep. The author, Jennifer L. Scott, has an easy-to-digest writing style, and I found her tips and ideas for organizing, entertaining, and finding enjoyment in everyday life to be so helpful. If you are wanting to elevate your everyday life, without being fussy or adding unnecessary complications, you definitely need to give this book a read. You will not be disappointed!

A few years into my homemaking, I discovered a little trick to weed through the so-so recipes that often find their way to the top of my Google searches. The trick? Type “the best,” followed by the recipe title (e.g. “the best pumpkin muffin recipe”). That is how I found this recipe for delicious pumpkin muffins!

Over time I have found that I can easily swap out regular (wheat) flour for weaker-gluten flours (like spelt), I can swap out the granulated and brown sugars for coconut sugar, and I can use coconut or olive oil or even butter for the 1/2 cup oil in the recipe. It is a truly adaptable recipe, and I am always pleased with the results.

If you are craving some pumpkin goodness, you can head to the blog This Grandma is Fun or simply click here to pull up the exact recipe page.

Fall can be the perfect time to transition your kids’ wardrobes to items better suited for tucking in and getting cozy. These light-weight hoodie and sweatpant sets come in sizes Newborn to 5T and are listed at a good price point. They are made with 100% organic cotton, and the pants have an elastic waistband with drawstring, allowing for a more customized fit.

While you’re on the Honest Company website, you might enjoy checking out the other 100% organic clothing options they have. We have been very pleased with the children’s items we have purchased from them, both with fit and quality. If you are a new customer, you can use this link to get 20% off your first purchase!

This link will take you to an almost four-hour-long, soothing soundtrack that is well suited for the fall months. I think the producer of this video did an excellent job of blending gentle nature sounds with peaceful piano and guitar. Each element is well balanced, making it easy to set a distraction-free atmosphere in your home, car, or office. The visuals that accompany the music are also exquisite!

I have found that listing to soothing music, even for a short period of time, can provide a mental reprieve from a full day and attune my mind to God’s peace. I encourage you to listen to this soundtrack while doing your morning stretches, going for an afternoon walk, or making dinner. You could even try putting it on in the background at work or while doing homework or housework.