A few weeks ago, Eddie came home and mentioned that he wanted to put together "Blessing bags" to keep in the car. I had never heard of this and I asked him to elaborate. Blessing Bags are bags filled with essentials like deodorant, water bottles, a toothbrush/toothpaste, snacks, etc. You keep them in your car and when you see someone who is homeless, you can hand it to them.

Eddie and Caleb took complete charge of this project and Caleb has been very excited to help those who are in need. Every morning he asks me, "Mommy, keep your eyes out for anyone we can give the blessing bag to!" Finally, last week, we had a chance to give one out, and he was very excited. He told me afterwards how good he felt doing something for someone in need. 

Blessing bags can contain pretty much anything you think might be helpful, including, but not limited to some of these: 

• A couple dollars/loose change
• mini water bottle
• a toothbrush (these wisp ones would be a great option since they are waterless)
• socks
• baby wipes
• hand wipes
• lip balm
• a comb
• Travel-Sized toiletries
  • 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash
  • toothpaste
  • deodorant
  • sunscreen
• snacks
  • a bag of chips
  • crackers/cookies
  • trail mix
  • other good options include jerky, pudding, and jello. 

Have you ever done these before? Let me know what you included that we forgot! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

I haven't shared a book rec in a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading! I've actually been making my way through the Bridgerton books because I really just wanted some escapism. But last week I borrowed The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins from the library, and I flew through it. 

Jane is a drifter who finds herself in Birmingham, Alabama, walking dogs for the residents of a wealthy gated community. She spends her days walking dogs and lifting knick-knacks and jewelry from the bored housewives. 

After a near-fatal run-in with Eddie Rochester, a recently widowed, mysterious resident, he invites her in for coffee. She soon discovers that Eddie's wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend. Jane knows that Eddie has everything she is looking for - wealth, good looks, and he's willing to protect her from her past.

But Jane grows increasingly intrigued by the ghost of Bea. She was beautiful, successful, and well-liked, and Jane isn't sure she will ever measure up. As bits and pieces of all their stories start to unravel, Jane discovers that she isn't the only one with secrets. Will she get her happy ending?

This story is suspenseful and full of plot twists, and just when you think you know what happened, something knocks you back a step. The story is told from Jane, Bea, and Eddie's points of view, and it weaves the past with the present very well. If you're looking for a good story of suspense, definitely check this one out!

xoxo, 

​Jenise

Last week, I shared about easy ways to live a greener lifestyle by making a few simple swaps on everyday items. One of the items I mentioned was making your own cleaning spray. This cleaning spray is disinfecting and makes the house smell great. I keep it on the kitchen counter for easy access (and since it's in a pretty bottle I don't mind having it there). With only 3 ingredients (one of which is water, and the other is vinegar, an inexpensive household staple), it's a breeze to make, reduces waste and is an economical option. 

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup white vinegar (if your counters are sensitive you can sub this out for a squirt of dish soap or 2 tbsp DoTerra OnGuard Cleaner Concentrate)
• 1 3/4 cups water
• ​30 drops DoTerra OnGuard

Directions: 

1. Add all ingredients to 16 ounce spray bottle. 
2. Shake thoroughly. Spritz on surfaces and wipe clean. 

I would never claim to be totally eco-conscious or constantly aware of the environment, but there are a few small changes I've made around the house that make me feel better about what I am consuming and the impact I am making on our world. Here are 10 small things we do to make sure we are being more eco-friendly. If it seems like a lot, just try one thing at a time. By making a lot of small changes, over time you can make a huge impact. Plus, you are teaching your children and setting a good example for them as well. 

1. Switch to a menstrual cup. Think about the waste that accumulates after years of using pads and tampons. A menstrual cup can really help cut down on that. 

2. Reusable snack bags. We go through Ziplock bags like crazy, and this is one change I've been debating for a little bit, but I'm going to make it, this week. 

3. Reusable makeup remover pads. I have been using a cloth to remove my makeup for a long time and I have found it to be useful, less abrasive than wipes, and again, much less wasteful than makeup remover wipes. 

4. Reusable face pads. These are great for applying toner and anything you don't want to use your hands for. They come with a little satchel so you can throw them in the wash and not lose them. 

5. Silicone dish sponges and brushes. I was skeptical about these, but they are great! I also feel like they don't harbor as much bacteria as a traditional dish sponge, so win-win!

6. Cleaning Cloths vs paper towels. I am guilty of relying on paper towels way too much. But a few years ago I started using these cloths for cleaning and not only do I feel less wasteful using them, but they also clean better and don't leave fibers behind!

7. Make your own cleaning spray. I recently made an all-purpose cleaning spray with some essential oils and some products I already had at home. I've already re-filled it four times and I spend pennies on the dollar each time I refill it! Plus, no throwing away bottles of cleaning products constantly. 

8. Diffuse essential oils instead of burning candles. I love candles, but they produce more waste and they aren't really all that great for us to breathe in constantly. 

9. Use real dishes, cups, and cutlery. I figure this is an easy one. I'd rather run my dishwasher once a day to cut down on the consumption of paper goods, and it's something that adds up over time. This also includes water bottles! Buy yourself a good refillable one and take it everywhere!

10. Use reusable straws. The kids use straws pretty often, and reusable straws really help to cut down on waste. I'm also not a fan of paper straws, because the kids always manage to rip them up, so reusable ones in plastic, metal, or silicone are helpful!

What are some things you do to be more conscious of the environment? Let me know in the comments! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

Taking part in the program is easy - the list of products is available on www.stockingspree.com, so you can check out the participating products before you head to Publix. Make your list, purchase $50 worth of participating products. When you get home, take a photo of your receipt, log into the site and upload the photo of your receipt - I did it in under 5 minutes! Once your receipt is reviewed, you will be able to claim your $10 Publix gift card. You can opt for a physical gift card, which will be mailed to you, or a digital gift card that will be applied to your Publix Digital Wallet. ​

See StockingSpree.com for a full list of participating products and to upload your receipts. Don’t miss out on this awesome chance to be rewarded for your Publix purchases! 

Xoxo, 

Jenise

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