Nicole Alexandra

Motherhood+Lifestyle

DIY Sugar Body Scrub For Soft Skin

This natural DIY sugar body scrub is simple to create and will make your skin super soft! Made using natural ingredients you probably have on hand, it will be a staple in your beauty regimen.

DIY sugar body scrub

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.

If you have dry skin like me or simply want a non-toxic and eco-friendly body scrub that will leave your skin soft, supple, and glowing, then you will love this recipe!

I have dry skin and during the winter it gets worse. Even if I’m doing everything right, moisturizing damp skin with oil right out of the shower, slathering myself in thick body moisturizers, drinking a ton of water, and changing out my razor blade often, I still have dry skin. But when I use this hydrating and exfoliating sugar body scrub, I can say goodbye to dry skin and hello to soft, smooth skin.

I have been making this sugar scrub for a while now because honestly, I haven’t found a product I love and some are so darn expensive and have weird ingredients. I love that this beauty scrub is natural and I can simply make more when I run out. It’s easy, affordable, and makes a great gift too.

If you have dry skin or want a simple and inexpensive way to exfoliate your skin, you’ve got to try this natural DIY sugar body scrub!

Why Make A Sugar Body Scrub?

  • Sugar exfoliates your skin by removing dead skin cells and stimulating circulation.
  • Sugar, in particular, naturally contains glycolic acid which will help to remove dead skin cells and will also not strip your skin of its natural oils.
  • I personally like using brown sugar because it’s less abrasive and therefore great for sensitive skin like mine. But regular white sugar or raw sugar will work in this recipe too. And brown sugar smells amazing too.

Type Of Oil To Use:

  • I like using olive oil during the colder months because it deeply penetrates into the skin making it super hydrating. It also contains a humectant which means it draws moisture into your skin providing soothing relief for dry and or itchy skin. And it’s Italian, like me!
  • During the warmer months, coconut oil is my go-to because not only does it smell amazing, it’s moisturizing and naturally contains antibacterial properties. And the smell of coconut reminds me of a tropical summer and who doesn’t want that in their shower!
sugar body scrub
DIY sugar body scrub

DIY Sugar Body Scrub For Soft Skin

Nicole Alexandra
This natural DIY sugar body scrub is simple to create and will make your skin super soft! Made using natural ingredients you probably have on hand, it will be a staple in your beauty regimen.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Mason jar, or other container with an airtight lid
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3-5 tbsp oil
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

*optional

  • a little lemon or grapefruit juice for added scent

Instructions
 

  • Place your sugar in the container and mix one tablespoon of oil at a time, mixing each tablespoon until you get the right consistency.
  • Sugar scrub consistency needs to be sandy not soupy.
  • Store your sugar scrub in its mason jar for up to one month. I keep mine in the shower so it's ready to be used.

How To Use

  • Best used towards the end of your shower or bath after your skin has had time to soften from the warm water.
Keyword diy sugar body scrub, sugar body scrub, body scrub, natural body scrub, brown sugar scrub

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9 Kid Cold Remedies That Actually Work

If you have a child at home with a cold, here are some tried and true kid cold remedies that will actually help your child feel better and get better quickly.

Kid cold remedies

As a parent, it’s always hard not to worry when your child gets sick. It’s difficult to see them uncomfortable. It’s also exhausting because they aren’t sleeping well which means you aren’t either and you’re most likely stuck at home.

When my son started preschool this year, he got more colds and viruses than he ever had in his entire life. Because of this, I have some go-to home remedies for colds. These tips help with boosting the immune system to fight cough, congestion, and fever.

These are the 11 cold remedies that help my son feel better and I believe help him get better quickly too.

home remedies for colds for kids

11 Kid Cold Remedies That Work:

1. Hydrate

Staying hydrated is important all the time but when your child has a cold, they need even more liquids. This will help the phlegm and congestion to become thinner, and if they have a fever it’s extremely important.

My son is great about drinking water so I have his water bottle with him at all times and I fill it up multiple times throughout the day. I give 100% juice sometimes too and we make homemade popsicles as well.

2. Steam Shower

When my son is congested I like to take him in the shower with me. I give him a quick clean and then let him play while I shower. I make sure he’s in there for about 20 mins and I encourage him to blow his nose and take deep breaths.

The steam helps loosen the congestion and helps him breathe better. It’s a great part of the bedtime routine too.

3. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

I love making my homemade chicken noodle soup when my family is sick. It not only helps my sick kid, but it also gives my husband and me an immune-boosting meal to hopefully help prevent us from getting sick. I will admit my son’s favorite part is the noodles but I know he’s also getting some of the broth and a few veggies and chicken.

Studies have proven that chicken soup increases the flow of mucus, diminishes inflammation in respiratory colds, and helps the body get rid of the cold virus altogether.

4. Green Immune Boosting Smoothie

My son loves smoothies and I have been giving him some version of my green smoothie since he was a little over a year old. With the banana and fruit, he can’t taste the spinach and other cold-fighting ingredients. Plus it helps with hydration and is a go-to when he doesn’t have much of an appetite when he’s not feeling well.

5. Fresh Air

I truly believe fresh air can do wonders for your health. Depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms and use your best judgment, but if you think they can handle a short stroller or wagon ride, then I encourage it. In general, having your kid and yourself get some fresh air and sunshine is actually beneficial. Plus it’s a nice change after all the time spent indoors and being cooped up.

I like to bundle up my son (depending on the time of year) give him a blanket and water bottle, sometimes a snack, and go for a short walk. We all get to enjoy nature and my dog gets a walk too.

6. Humidifier

A cool mist humidifier has been a great addition to my son’s sleep when he has a cold. It puts much-needed moisture into his room which helps with his breathing and his cough.

7. Citrus

I encourage my son to eat orange slices or sometimes give him orange juice. They are high in vitamin C and are excellent for boosting his immune system.

8. Ointment For Sore Nose

If your child is sneezing and blowing their nose a lot, it can make for a red and sore nose. I like to put my favorite ointment on his nose. I use it for the face, lips, and on my hands and cuticles every night, it’s literally a miracle ointment.

And a quick tip for you: if your child is like mine and doesn’t want to have ointment on their face, I apply it soon after he falls asleep for the night. He’s in such a deep sleep he doesn’t notice and it helps to heal it overnight. This works for dry, chapped lips too.

9. Rest

I encourage my son to rest more which yes means more tv time. But I still have to work and he needs to let his body rest and heal. This also includes coloring and looking at books. I also try to put him to bed a bit earlier especially if he hasn’t had a full, uninterrupted sleep the previous night.

10. Elevate The Bed

I started doing this just this year and it really makes a difference. I actually did this when my son had an ear infection and it helped. I have found it also helps with better sleep when he’s congested too.

I just put a folded-up blanket or towel under his mattress under the top where his pillow is. I find it raises it just enough.

11. Honey

*Only for children 1 year old and over* It works well for a cough. My son loves honey so it’s not hard to convince him to have a spoonful. I usually give it to him in the morning when his throat is drier and he’s coughing more. I’ve also read it’s good to give at bedtime to coat the throat too.

The Chocolate Protein Mug Cake You Need To Make

Easy, totally customizable, and so indulgent, you won’t believe this chocolate protein mug cake is actually good for you!

chocolate protein mug cake

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.

If you’ve been craving chocolate cake or a brownie but want something just a bit healthier then this protein mug cake recipe is for you! Made with no egg, no white flour, and no banana, this is the treat you’ve been looking for to curb your sweet tooth!

With simple ingredients you probably have on hand, this protein mug cake packs a nutritional punch with high protein. It makes a great after-workout recovery fuel, healthy dessert, or perfect snack and comes together in 2 minutes!

Ingredients Needed for Protein Mug Cake:

  • Protein Powder: The star of the recipe! I personally love Orgain Simple Protein, both chocolate and vanilla. It’s plant-based and has limited and simple ingredients. If you want more of a vanilla chocolate chip cookie mug cake, use vanilla protein in place of chocolate
  • Whole Wheat Flour: Key to making it have a cake-like texture. Could sub oat flour
  • Coconut Sugar: This makes the mug cake sweet, could use granulated sugar, or maple syrup too
  • Cocoa Powder: This ingredient makes it extra chocolatey and fudgy. Omit if you’re making a vanilla mug cake
  • Baking Powder: Helps it rise and make it fluffy
  • Butter: Just a little bit helps make the cake rich
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds the best sweet chocolate flavor
  • Almond Milk: Or milk of choice, is your wet ingredient to make the batter
  • Vanilla Extract: I think pure vanilla extract helps every dessert taste like dessert
  • Sea Salt: Just a pinch brings out all the flavors
mug cake recipe
chocolate protein mug cake

Chocolate Protein Mug Cake

Nicole Alexandra
Easy, totally customizable, and so indulgent, you won't believe this chocolate protein mug cake is actually good for you! With simple ingredients you probably have on hand, this protein mug cake packs a nutritional punch with high protein. It makes a great after-workout recovery fuel, healthy dessert, or perfect snack and comes together in 2 minutes!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 2 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp whole wheat flour
  • 2 tbsp chocolate protein powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • sprinkle of sea salt
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp melted butter
  • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup almond milk or milk of choice
  • 2 tbsp chocolate chips (mini is prefered)

Instructions
 

  • Grease a small bowl, ramekin, or large mug with cooking spray.
  • Mix flour, protein powder, baking powder, salt, and sugar together.
  • Add melted butter, vanilla, and milk.
  • Fold in chocolate chips.
  • Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds.
  • Enjoy!
Keyword chocolate protein mug cake, chocolate mug cake,

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5 Tips: How To Get Your Kids To Eat A Variety And Try New Foods

With these 5 tips, you can encourage your child to try new foods and eat a variety of foods so they’re eating a balanced diet and you’re only making one dinner.

try new food

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.

As a Mama, feeding my son a variety of foods has always been a focus for me but to be honest, it also stressed me out. After talking with my friend, she was struggling with the same issues around food; are they getting enough protein? veggies? fruits? variety? etc.

Before I even got pregnant with my son, I knew one of my goals as a parent was to have my children eat healthy and eat a variety of foods. I also did not want to make a separate meal for my child every night for dinner. So here are my five tips for getting your kids to eat what you eat.

1. Start them early

Once my son was able to start eating pureed foods, I gave him a large variety and tried blending any and all the whole foods I was eating. Some of my favorites were avocado, banana, sweet potato, carrots, and really any fruit or veg and I would often mix a few together. I even blended cooked chicken breast at one point and it worked!

The point is, the sooner I introduced him to a variety of foods the better. The more he was exposed to, the more he liked. Now if your child is a bit older, don’t stress, I have some tips below for you.

2. Gradually introduce a new food often

I put the new, unfamiliar food on my son’s plate along with foods I know he loves and will eat. I tell him he doesn’t have to try it if he doesn’t want to but I wanted to include him in what the family is having for dinner.

For example, my son is not big on soup yet so if I’m making soup I will make him a quesadilla, but I will also include a small bowl of soup for him too. At first, he wouldn’t try it. Then he would try a bite and spit it out. Now he eats the noodles but not the veggies or broth.

Sometimes he will celebrate when he tries a new food, “Mama, I ate some noodles, I like the soup!” The point is, we’re making progress without pressure so he feels in control and not like he’s a bad kid for not liking or trying a food.

3. Get them in the kitchen

My three-year-old is my designated sous chef! Most toddlers want to help you out while also exercising their independence, at least that’s what I have found with my son. I set Isaiah up with a stool, and cutting board, and most recently these kid-safe knives. But a butter knife will work too and it’ what we started out with.

We chop our veggies for dinner next to each other. Zucchini and mushrooms are great veggies that are soft enough for him to chop. Banana is another easy food to chop up. He feels proud and independent. Plus it gives him something to do when I’m cooking dinner and he’s more inclined to try the food because he helped prepare it.

4. Don’t give up

My advice is, don’t throw in the towel after a few attempts but don’t put pressure on yourself either. I continue to offer the food I know Isaiah doesn’t like yet, but I encourage him without pressure, to touch the food, smell it, taste it, etc.

For example, I offered Isaiah salmon probably once a month for over a year, and guess what?! One day he ate it, liked it, and now he eats salmon! We celebrated lol! But really, he refused it on his plate the first few times but I never pressured him, instead I modeled for him. I ate the salmon because I liked it and eventually he wanted to try it too.

I have found, the less I make a big deal about things, the more likely he is to try them. My goal is for him to follow his intuition and do what is best for him when he’s ready. That’s why I also don’t make him finish the food on his plate, he knows when he has had enough and is full.

5. Give yourself a break

As my son has gotten older, I’ve gotten more comfortable with my role as his Mama and I’ve stopped stressing so much about nutrition. I still aim to feed him fruits or veggies with each meal but I don’t beat myself up anymore if I don’t accomplish that goal.

My son definitely eats more fruits than veggies and shoot, I need to up my veggie intake too. Here’s a fact I found helpful, most fruits have the same vitamins and nutrients as veggies so if your kid eats a lot of fruit like mine does, just know they are still getting a great healthy boost of vitamins and nutrients.

As mamas, we are trying our best and some days are easier than others. I’m a firm believer that the biggest and best strategy for all ages is to keep trying.

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7 Ways To Have A Special Valentine’s Day At Home

Here are seven special ways to have the best Valentine’s Day at home. No fancy expensive dinners or high expectations. Just low-key ways to make yourself, your significant other, and your kids feel the love on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine's day at home

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 think Valentine’s Day comes at the perfect time of year! The holidays have passed and we’re a little over a month into our new year resolutions and goals. The cold of winter weather is still upon us and the nights are long.

Just when it feels as if there’s not much to look forward to, Valentine’s Day is here! People are filled with love and happiness, there are red and pink hearts everywhere and it can be a day that’s filled with love.

But I’ll admit not every Valentine’s Day has been something to celebrate for me, and in fact kind of a day I dreaded whether I had an S.O. or not. 

single girl valentines day

It wasn’t until last year after doing a lot of inner work, healing, and self-development that I decided to view Valentine’s Day differently.

I used to have expectations from my S.O. and if they didn’t meet them, I was disappointed on Valentine’s Day. As if this day marked their love for me and all the other 364 days of the year didn’t count. The pressure society puts on us, women especially, for what we should be expecting on Valentine’s Day, needs to change. 

So I decided last year that I would use that day to celebrate myself as well as the ones I love. And honesty it has been a game changer for me and this holiday that I know so many of us have mixed feelings about.

Valentine’s Day can also be about celebrating our kids. In fact, when I was growing up, my mom made it a point to celebrate my brother and me every Valentine’s Day. She really made us feel like a million bucks. It was her simple gestures and thoughtful planning that always made me feel special.

valentines day traditions
valentine's day for children

And ever since I had my son, I have made it a point to continue my mom’s tradition and make him feel special on Valentine’s Day too.

Below I share some simple ways to celebrate not only your S.O. but your kids and most importantly, yourself this Valentine’s Day.

This post is all about 7 special ways to have the best Valentine’s Day at home.

Special Ways to Have the Best Valentine’s Day at Home:

1. Flowers, Flowers, Flowers!

I know this seems so simple and straight forward but don’t wait to see if you get flowers this Valentine’s Day. Instead, buy yourself flowers. I can confirm it really takes the pressure off if you’re “expecting” them from someone else.

valentines day activities for adults

Bonus tip I started years ago; buy yourself weekly flowers when you grocery shop. You can get fairly inexpensive ones and you’re worth it. I love having fresh flowers on my kitchen island at all times, it makes me happy and it feels good to do something special for myself on a regular basis.

2. Heart-Shaped Pancakes

This idea can be for you, your kids, or the whole family! Most everyone loves pancakes and it’s quite easy to make them into hearts.

Valentine's day at home

I first made these when my husband and I were newlyweds and while I think he could care less, I loved them! They are so cute and festive! Of course, I now make them for my son and he gets so excited and appreciative! You can get the best pancake recipe here.

3. Everyday Smoothie

This is a super easy idea! Turn your daily smoothie into a festive smoothie with simple heart-shaped sprinkles! Simply make your usual smoothie recipe and add red, pink, and white sprinkles on top! Bonus if the sprinkles are heart-shaped.

unique valentines day ideas

4. Homemade Valentine’s Cards

Classic yet so thoughtful, a homemade Valentine’s card goes a long way. My son and I love doing arts and crafts together. As a kid, I specifically remember making homemade Valentine’s cards. There’s something about the colors and hearts that gets me in a good mood

Valentine's ideas for her

I also enjoy coming up with cute and sweet poems to give to my husband and son. A simple, “roses are red, violets are blue” but with your own twist is so very heartfelt.

5. Make and Decorate Muffins or Cookies Together

My son and I love to bake together and he loves decorating with frosting and sprinkles even more. There is something about mixing all the ingredients and helping that kids seem to really enjoy. Let them do most of the work frosting the cookies or muffins with red and pink frosting and decorating them with a ridiculous amount of sprinkles. Or make this easy and delicious chocolate chip blondie recipe to decorate!

valentines ideas for couples

It’s a fun bonding experience and a yearly tradition to do together. My son gets so excited and proud when he points out which muffins and cookies he created. It will be messy but it’s so worth it!

6. Dollar Store Decor and Gifts for Kids

I hit up the dollar store for every holiday. They have great inexpensive holiday crafts and decorations that won’t break the bank. They also have darling small holiday gifts for kids. The gifts don’t have to be anything expensive or extravagant, it’s the thought that counts.

valentines ideas for school
kids valentines day

My mom would set out an adorable heart-shaped box and inside would be a couple small gifts, like a bracelet and stickers. It was the surprise of the gift that made me feel special, not the gift itself. For my son, I do something similar, like a book, matchbox car, ball, or stuffed animal.

7. Date Night In

My husband and I are pros at doing date nights in. We are trying to be better about having a date outside the house every now and again but don’t underestimate staying at home for date night.

There are so many ways you can make Valentine’s day at home special. Simply a movie and take-out may be right up your alley. Or you could make it more romantic by dressing up, lighting candles, and turning on some music.

Whatever you and your S.O. are into, it’s the quiet, quality time spent between the two of you, that shows your commitment and appreciation for your relationship.

Happy Valentine’s Day Friends!

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