Nicole Alexandra

Motherhood+Lifestyle

11 Best Holiday Books for Young Kids

The absolute best holiday books to read to young children. You must add these sweet and festive books to your collection this year.

Best Holiday Books

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The holidays are the best time of year! The festive decorations and joy of giving puts me in the best mood. There are many ways to get into the holiday spirit from recipes to movies to books. And since I became a mama, it has been a tradition to read Christmas books with my son each season during the holidays. It’s such a delight to introduce new Christmas books to his collection as well.

Reading these stories gives me all the holiday feels. The special holiday memories we make each year through books are memories I will treasure forever.

If you want to start a new holiday tradition with your kids, these Christmas stories are perfect for creating special memories with your child this holiday season. The wintery illustrations and sweet stories will leave you and your child feeling full of love and excitement for the holidays. Connections through these holiday books will spark meaningful conversations about tradition, quality family time, kindness, giving, and holiday cheer.

Tis the season for giving, so here I give you the best holiday books to read to your children this Christmas.

1. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas -Light-Up Board Book

My absolute favorite holiday children’s book! I bought this for my son’s first Christmas and five years later, we love reading it throughout the year, especially at Christmas time. Every page is a snowy winter wonderland with the classic Little Blue Truck animal characters. The very best is at the end when the Christmas tree lights up!! Loved by all ages, this Christmas book is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

2. Construction Site on Christmas Night

If you have a little one who is obsessed with construction vehicles then this is sure to be a hit. The same characters as the classic, each hard-working vehicle gets a surprise gift as a thank you for building something special for a whole new hard-working fire crew.

3. Bear Stays Up For Christmas

We love this series about a bear and his forest friends. In this cute book, the bear stays up for Christmas with the help of his friends instead of hibernating and missing Christmas. This sweet story highlights being kind and thoughtful.

4. Elmo’s Countdown to Christmas

My son got this book when he was one and he still enjoys the story and lifting the interactive flaps. The beloved Sesame Street characters take you along their fun journey of preparing for Christmas.

5. If Animals Celebrated Christmas

Another series that we love, this is a cute book about how animals celebrate Christmas. The animals decorate with their families in a rhythm and rhyme while cuddling, cooking, and falling asleep. My son and I love to talk about how other animals might celebrate Christmas. If you have an animal lover child like me, they will love this adorable book.

6. The Littlest Reindeer

A sweet story about friendship, encouragement, and not giving up on your dreams.

7. Finding Christmas

A little girl finds her Christmas presents every year, but this year her parents teach her a cute holiday-inspired lesson.

8. All the Colors of Christmas

This is new to our collection this year and is beautifully illustrated highlighting all the colors of Christmas; red, green, gold, blue, and brown.

9. Ten on the Sled

Like the children’s song, ten on the bed, this rhyming book is cute and short and my son loves to read it or sing it with me. Great for learning counting, reading, and singing.

10. Llama Llama Jingle Bells

Even though this is a book for toddlers, my son still loves it. This is the holiday version of the classic llama llama books with rhyming and all the fun things to do for the holidays from picking out the tree to decorating cookies.

11. Christmas Wishes for You

This was gifted to my son a few years ago and it’s such a sweet personalized Christmas message of the true meaning of the holidays. On Christmas Eve the child goes on a magical adventure highlighting four wishes you get to choose when creating the book such as wisdom, hope, friendship, and love.

And there you have it! The best holiday books for young kids. I hope your family enjoys reading these adventures as much as mine do, and please let me know your family’s favorite holiday books in the comments below.

This post was all about the best holiday books for young kids.

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11 + Must-Have Self Care Ideas For Moms

Being intentional about caring for your emotional and physical health is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. But how do you do that as a busy mom? These simple yet effective self care ideas for moms are my tried and true tips every mama needs to know about.

self care for new moms gift

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Being a mama is the best, but it can also be exhausting. If you’re anything like me, you crave some alone time and some time to recharge. The saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”, and while cliche, it is so true.

Mom burnout is real. We’re wearing so many hats and our to-do lists are endless. We are taking care of everyone else’s needs often times our needs are at the end of the list. As a mama myself, it’s easy to forget to do things that nourish who I am. Self-care is vital to a healthy heart, mind, and body and is crucial to being the best mama you can be.

In this post, I have put together a simple yet effective list of small things you can realistically implement into your daily life. These tips will greatly impact your mood, well-being, and self-esteem.

Once I figured out what self-care practices fill up my cup, it was a game-changer! My healthy self-care habits have made a massive difference in my ability to cope with being pulled in so many directions daily. I’m confident that at least one of these tips will help you too.

Self-care looks different for everyone, but today I’m giving you the ultimate list of self care ideas for moms that I swear by.

If you’re a mama who is feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and looking for something new and inspiring, then this post is for you. Once these tips become a habit, you are going to learn the importance and necessity of daily self-care.

This post is all about must have self care ideas for moms.

BEST SELF CARE IDEAS FOR MOMS:

1. Gratitude Journal

I started gratitude journaling years ago and it was life-changing for me. Focusing on what I’m grateful for each morning is a great way to start the day, an instant mood booster, and really helps to put things into perspective. I have found The Five Minute Journal to be my favorite and have recommended it to many of my family and friends. I even gifted it to my husband, mom, and best friend. Gratitude journaling in general is a great self-care idea for moms or anyone that wants to focus more on the goodness in their life.

self care for moms
Want this gratitude journal?

This journal is a must-have in my life! It has a gratitude list, a daily inspirational quote, and a spot to add daily affirmations to boost confidence and positive manifestation. Simple yet effective in improving your mental wellness, it is the exact journal I use and recommend as one of the best self-care ideas for moms.

2. Make Fancy Coffee

Take your coffee to the next level by frothing your milk of choice! Add in cinnamon and vanilla extract and revel in the luxurious feeling of a coffee shop latte at home. Over the years, my coffee has slowly transformed into what it is today. Just recently I treated myself to a milk frother and it is worth all the hype lol. For years I used a very inexpensive handheld milk frother or you could even heat your milk on the stove. This is a self-care practice I can do at home that makes me feel special and is something I enjoy.

new mom self care kit

3. Wake Up Before Your Kids

I recently started doing this and I love it! On the days I wake up earlier, I have a much more successful day. It really does make a difference in my morning mood.

It feels amazing to be productive with my goals first thing in the morning and have some time to myself. When I’m consistent with this morning routine it makes a positive impact on my mental, emotional and physical health. Making time for myself in the morning has given me more patience, and a clearer mind. I feel more positive and peaceful, and I’m more self-aware.

My morning routine consists of gratitude journaling followed by reading a page or two out of a poetry book, then I make my coffee and work on my blog.

One of my favorite poetry books is by Yung Pueblo called Clarity and Connection. It’s deep, soul-searching, and extraordinarily beautiful.

4. Meditate

Taking a few minutes each morning to be still in your thoughts is an incredible way to care for yourself. I personally like guided meditation and there are so many free ones on youtube or meditation apps. I like that they prompt you with questions or phrases and soothing music as it helps me to stay focused.

Meditation has helped me heal past pain, visualize my ideal future and practice mindfulness. It encourages me to live more in the present moment. Intentionally being more present allows me to let go of the past and stop worrying so much about the future. It inspires me to enjoy my life and what is happening right now in this very moment.

It is an exceptional way to get rid of my anxiety, calm my mind, and become happier.

5. Daily Walks

Daily walks have been a part of my life for decades. Walking is so therapeutic for me. Being in nature has many benefits including reducing stress and improving your health. The break from technology and all the to-do’s in the home is so refreshing.

Nature is truly a gift and always has something to offer you. Fresh air, sunshine, and observing the birds, can all lift your mood.

self care mom quotes

Walking was one of the first healthy habits I instilled in my son. We look forward to this part of our daily routine. He gets to explore, I get to de-stress and we both get exercise and the many benefits of nature.

6. Exercise

Adding 12-20 minutes or more of exercise into your routine will help you glow and gain a confidence boost! A workout always puts me in a better mood and makes me feel strong and accomplished.

Exercise has so many mental and physical health benefits. Consistent exercise will increase your energy, and improve your memory and quality of sleep. It will reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and protect you against many chronic diseases. Plus you’re setting a great example for your little one. Making your health a priority is important and vital to being the best you.

{REALATED POST: How Moms Can Fit In Fitness}

7. Oil-infused Epson Salt Bubble Bath

Taking a bath is a great way to decompress, have some alone time, and is a free self care idea for moms. Personally, I like to add lavender-infused Epson salt to my bath. The one I like to use is Dr. Teal’s Lavender salt. It is calming and relaxes and soothes sore muscles.

I recently bought this bamboo bath tray and I love the way it looks and holds everything I need. I like it to be as spa-like as possible to really feel pampered.

This is the bamboo bath caddy that I use and love. It’s great quality, affordable, holds everything I need, and looks elegant lying across your bathtub.

8. Take A Day Off Social Media

I do this periodically and it’s a great way to recharge. Social media is addicting and it’s supposed to be. I try to follow people/posts that are inspiring, and relatable, however, it’s difficult not to compare every now and then.

Taking a day off allows me to be more present and it breaks the addiction that can happen if we’re not careful.

9. Daily Affirmations

I started doing daily affirmations with my son when he was about two years old. I remember sharing this with my therapist and she said, how amazing, but do you practice daily affirmations for yourself? That was my wake-up call. If I want to be a good role model for my son then I need to practice what I preach.

Daily affirmations have changed the way I view myself. Affirmations are self-empowering. This positive thinking has enriched my life in many ways.

I subscribe to the I am app and it’s incredible. It’s free and alerts me with affirmations throughout the day. Taking several moments in my busy day to read something uplifting improves my mental health. I highly recommend it!

This is what the app looks like and like I said, I use the free version and it’s great!

10. High Five Yourself

This tip will take tip #9 to the next level. This idea came from Mel Robbins and if you aren’t familiar, she’s an incredible motivational speaker. I find her not only motivational but inspiring. Through research and science, she has proven that high-fiving yourself in the mirror each morning has a positive impact on the way you see yourself. I’m also reading her book, The High 5 Habit.

At first, it was uncomfortable to high-five myself, but now it has become a habit. It has proven to be an excellent way to give myself love and start my morning. Try it!

11. Have A Phone Call With Someone You Love

This could be your best friend, your mom, or any important person in your life. Check-in with them, and let them know how you’re feeling. Discuss the highs and lows of your life at the moment and feel the love between the two of you. Talking to someone that values you and that you value will enrich your life and boost your mood.

12. Listen To A Positive/Motivating Podcast

There are so many excellent podcasts out there. Usually, I choose to listen to a podcast while I’m getting ready in the morning or while I’m cooking dinner. Podcasts are a great personal development tool and I have learned a lot from adding this tip to my life.

13. Listen To Music

My son Isaiah loves music and loves to dance! No matter what kind of mood I’m in, when the music plays, we both can’t help but smile and dance. Music is therapeutic and fun!

14. Indulge In Your Favorite Show

Sometimes we all need to unwind for the evening relaxing on the couch with our fav show. There’s nothing wrong with unplugging and escaping life for a bit with a show you enjoy. I personally like reality tv or comedy shows/movies.

15. Go Out To Eat

I love cooking and making up new recipes. But about once a week, I need a break. Sometimes we order in but there is something about going out that is exciting.

It’s a nice change for family dinners. We get to try out a tasty new meal, meet new people, and see more of our town. And it’s a perfectly refreshing way to reset and give me a night off from cooking!

I hope you can take away at least one of these tips to try in your own life. Cheers to YOU!

This post was all about self care ideas for moms to help make YOU a priority.

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The Absolute Best Immune Boosters for Kids

Cold and flu season can be a stressful time for parents. These immune boosters for kids will help you be proactive this fall and winter and are sure to improve their immune system and overall wellness.

immune boosters for kids

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

With summer ending, this means back to routines, more indoor play, and learning which unfortunately equates to more germs. It’s the worst when our kids are sick, am I right? Not only do we feel bad for them, but we’re trying to stay healthy ourselves.

The possibility that our kids will catch at least one cold this fall and winter is pretty likely. It’s important to me to do what I can to keep my son healthy and feeling good, especially with flu season, and other viruses going around.

Below I share The Absolute Best Immune Boosters For Kids. These are wellness strategies that have helped my little one stay healthy. I know they will keep your kid’s immune system boosted as much as possible.

BEST IMMUNE BOOSTERS FOR KIDS:

1. Prioritize Sleep + Bedtime Routine

Sleep is an essential part of our health but it’s especially important for growing kids. Studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved behavior, learning, and overall mental and physical health. Sleep helps our bodies produce good immune-boosting cells that protect us. That’s why, when we do get sick, we get extra tired. It’s our body’s way of telling us to rest to heal and bump back up our immune system. And kids who are sleep deprived are more susceptible to germs.

When I have a few days in a row of not getting enough sleep, I’m definitely not feeling my best. That impacts everything in my day and it’s the same for our kiddos. Sleep has a direct effect on happiness, mood, alertness, attention span, and cognitive performance. Having a consistent and healthy bedtime routine for our kids and ourselves sets everyone up for a good night’s sleep followed by a great day.

best immune booster for kids

I’ve been giving my son a bubble bath each night since he was a baby. It’s an important part of our bedtime routine for several reasons, one being that it signals him to start winding down. We love using Honest Calm Bubble Bath in Lavender. Lavender is well known for its calming properties and also helps with anxiety. When you combine a bedtime routine with lavender, it signifies to kids it’s time to relax. Routines have been shown to help kids regulate their emotions because they know what to expect.

2. Fresh Air + Exercise

Encourage your kids to get outside and play or go for a family walk or bike ride. Fresh air does amazing things for our minds and bodies! It helps kids get their energy out, sharpens their minds, and makes them happier. Plus exercise can reduce colds!

Fresh air strengthens our immune system by increasing our oxygen. This helps our white blood cells function properly by fighting and killing bacteria and germs.  Venturing outside daily will also help your kiddo produce vitamin D which is essential for supporting their immune system.

3. Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays many important roles in our health. It can help keep your immune system healthy and may protect against respiratory infections. During the fall and winter, my family takes Vitamin D because we don’t get enough of it from the sun.

Along with Vitamin D, we take zinc and elderberry supplements when one of us is feeling like we might be getting sick. We naturally have zinc in the cells throughout our body. Boosting our intake every now and then can help our immune system fight off bacteria and viruses. Zinc keeps our immune systems strong and children need zinc to grow and develop properly.

For my son, I like the Olly Kids Immunity because it has both zinc and elderberry. Like most berries, elderberry could help prevent and lessen cold and flu symptoms and is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins

kids immunity

4. Healthy Meals and Snacks

We all know a healthy diet is one of the keys to good health. But it really does make a difference in how we feel and how our children feel and behave. A balanced diet along with enough sleep is when I know my son (myself included) feels his best. He listens more, cooperates, and is all-around happier and easy-going.

A terrible diet will produce inflammation in our body and in turn, stress our immune system out. That’s why I offer my son plenty of fruits and veggies and I try to limit the added sugar. Foods like berries, bananas, oranges, avocados, broccoli, and green smoothies are all packed with antioxidants that will strengthen their immune system naturally. Our immunity can be improved with a well-balanced diet.

I also try my best to not label foods as “good” or “bad” and I frequently offer not-so-healthy options. I offer these foods with healthy foods so I don’t make the “treats”, i.e. chocolate, cookies, chips, etc., a big deal. I have found when I offer treats with meals, sometimes my son will choose the healthier foods first and not even finish the “treat” food because it’s just another food to him and something he gets often.

foods to increase immunity in child naturally
Kids immune system

5. Water

Drinking enough is one of the best natural immune boosters for kids! I’m crazy about drinking water and having my water bottle with me at all times. I just feel better when I’m hydrated and I have made this a healthy habit for my son too. I always make sure his water bottle is filled up and that he drinks it throughout the day.

Not only is it good for the body, but a hydrated kid has improved digestion, mood, attention, and memory. Plus it’s economical and inexpensive. I really like the simple modern brand for my son.

6. Talk About Feelings

We all want our children to be happy but life and situations can be stressful at times. It’s important to do what we can to reduce stress in our children and ourselves. I have made it a habit to talk to my son about his feelings. I encourage him to feel whatever he needs to without dismissing or trying to “fix” it. I remind him to deep breathe and now he reminds me to do the same when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Another thing that helps is I connect with him at least once throughout the day where I have zero distractions. This quality time is beneficial for both of us. I remind myself, that I can’t get this time back with him. We also spend time as a family and eat dinner together every night. We ask each other, what went well today. It’s a great way to focus on the positive too. Helping our kids decrease stress is one of the best immune boosters we can do for them.

kids immune booster

This post was all about 6 immune boosters for kids and should help keep them as healthy as possible.

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  • Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

Ultimate Healthy Banana Bread Muffins | One Bowl Recipe

These are the absolute best-tasting and healthy banana bread muffins! Simple to make, minimal clean up and the whole family will love them!

healthy banana bread muffins

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

I love a good homemade muffin. I’ve been trying out different banana muffin recipes since my son was about 6 months old and this one is a winner. This recipe is healthy but still buttery and warm. And while there’s nothing quite like banana bread, muffins are so much more convenient and taste just as good. They’re a great recipe to make with kids too!

These banana muffins are my go-to easy breakfast prep and they’re a great snack too. They’re also perfect for when you have guests staying over. Quick and easy, one bowl is all you need! They are soft, delicious, and satisfying. My favorite is to add chopped walnuts but they are just as delicious plain or even with chocolate chips.

You will need 3-4 ripe bananas depending on the size and a few basic baking ingredients. These muffins are convenient, portable, and perfect for little hands. It took me years to come up with a healthy but tasty banana muffin that I felt good about feeding my family often. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does.

banana muffins
healthy banana bread muffins

Nicole Alexandra
These are the best-tasting and healthy banana bread muffins! Simple to make, minimal clean up and the whole family will love them!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast
Servings 12

Equipment

  • muffin tins

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large ripe bananas use 4 ripe bananas if they are small/med in size
  • 1/3 cup salted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 large egg
  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour can sub all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt **Skip if using salted butter
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts *this ingredient is optional, can also sub chocolate chips, or omit altogether

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425F. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Add in the egg and mix with your bananas.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients to your bowl and mix by hand until combined.
  • If adding nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now. Batter will be thick.
  • Pour banana muffin mixture into 10-12 sprayed regular size muffin tins. Bake at 425F for 5 min then lower the heat to 350F for 10-12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

For mini muffins

  • Pour the banana muffin mixture into 12-24 sprayed mini muffin tins. Bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Notes

How I make them:  I usually make 8-10 regular muffins + 12 mini muffins with my banana muffin batter.  My toddler eats the mini muffins and my husband and I eat the regular size muffins.
Why the initial high heat for reg muffins?  The 425F high heat for 5 min will help the muffins rise tall, while the lower 350F heat will bake the inside.
Storage: Store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days or in an airtight container in the fridge to last all week!
For Freezing: Once totally cooled, freeze in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter for a few hours before enjoying or reheat in the oven or microwave.
Keyword banana bread, banana bread muffins, healthy banana bread, healthy muffins, banana muffin, breakfast

This post was all about healthy banana bread muffins.

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