It's Best to Eat What God Made

 

"The Diet Dictocrats are strangely silent about the ever increasing trend toward food processing & the devitalization of America's rich agricultural bounty. Food processing is the largest manufacturing industry in the country & hence the most powerful. This industry naturally uses its financial clout to influence the slant of university research & the dictates that come from government agencies. A 1980 study showed that almost half the leading officials at the FDA had previously worked for organizations the agency is mandated to regulate. The universities have equally powerful ties to the food processing industry. A good example is Harvard where Dr. Frederick Stare, head of the nutrition department for many years, began his career with several articles delineating nutritional deficiencies caused by white flour & a study on Irish brothers that positively correlated a high intake of vegetable oils--not animal fats--with heart disease. Soon after he became department head, however, the university received several important grants from the food processing industry. Dr. Stare's articles & weekly newspaper columns then began assuring the public that there was nothing wrong with white bread, sugar & highly processed foods. He recommended one cup of corn oil per day to prevent heart disease, & in one article he even suggested Coca-Cola as a snack!" 

~from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon (highly recommended!)

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Healthful Food~ A Gift

 

“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.”
~Adelle Davis

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{Artwork by Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675)}

What Fats Are Healthy?

Part of being good homemakers and taking care of our families is learning about making and feeding them healthy food--food that will bring health to their bodies and not sickness!  I am so thankful for the Lord bringing information into my life many years ago on how to truly eat healthy.  There is so much information (and mis-information) out there with regards to what is healthy, but the Lord was so gracious to show me about eating real, whole foods prepared traditionally when I was searching for answers. 

Here is some information about fats that you may not know:

"The demonized saturated fats--which Americans are trying to avoid---are not the cause of our modern diseases. In fact, they play many important roles in the body chemistry:

*Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50% of the cell membranes, giving them necessary stiffness and integrity so they can function properly.
*They play a vital role in the health of our bones. For calcium to be effectively incorporated into the skeletal structure, at least 50% of the dietary fats should be saturated. They lower Lp(a), a substance in the blood that indicates proneness to heart disease.
*They protect the liver from alcohol & other toxins, such as Tylenol.
*They enhance the immune system.
*They are needed for the proper utilization of essential fatty acids. Elongated omega-3 fatty acids are better retained in the tissues when the diet is rich in saturated fats.
*Saturated 18-carbon stearic acid & 16-carbon palmitic acid are the preferred foods for the heart, which is why the fat around the heart muscle is highly saturated. The heart draws on this reserve of fat in times of stress.
*Short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids have important antimicrobial properties. They protect us against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract."

~Nourishing Traditions (affiliate link*)

Learn more about fats and their effects on your health here.

*This means Blessed Homemaking may receive a small percentage of your purchase, if you decide to get this book for yourself.  We've owned this book for several years and have found it so helpful. It's full of information about healthy foods, and great recipes.

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Simple Thoughts on the Cost of Healthy Eating

I think paying more for healthy food is worth it. You often end up paying less for doctor visits if you are eating healthy food.

'It's always funny to me when people GASP at the thought of paying $7/gallon for RAW milk. I have gladly payed upwards of $12/gallon for fresh, grass-fed raw milk.

One woman said, "That's way too expensive.  Who has that kind of money? That's why we don't eat organic, raw, and all that gluten-free non-sense." Granted she told me this with a 12-oz can of Coca Cola sitting in front of her.

I asked her, "How much was that can of Coke?" She said, "About a dollar."  "And you think that is a good price?" She responded, "Well, yes, it's ONLY $1."

I said, "Consider this: there are 128 ounces in a gallon, and that coke is 12 ounces, so at ONE DOLLAR a can, that comes out to about $11/gallon, 4 dollars MORE than my 128 ounces gallon of raw milk!"

She was speechless of course and said, "Thank you for the perspective."

This little perspective can be duplicated with candy bars, chips, and other refined foods.

Think critically about the reasons you give yourself about why you do what you do; a critical thought or two may surprise you!'

~from The Cafe Wellness

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Another Free, Old Homemaking Book

Dear Ladies at Home,

Some of you have made requests for me to post more of these books, so I'm writing just another quick post today to give you a link to another free homemaking book.  The Book of Household Management by Mrs. Isabella Beeton has been republished in a sort of e-book form, so you may find it easier to read than the last one.  This one was published in 1861 originally and contains a lot of recipes.  Again, I'm not sure how practical it is, but it's sure to be interesting.  If you're looking for the original version, there are a lot of options to download here.  Also, if you prefer print versions, a lot of these old books can be purchased from Amazon or perhaps eBay.

I hope you enjoy this!


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Free Homemaking Book (an Old One)

If you enjoy old, free homemaking books, you might want to see this one.  In past years, there have been several books published about keeping the home. I have not read this one, so I cannot say whether it is good or not.  I will leave that up to you.

This book was first published in 1915 and is entitled Household Engineering; Scientific Management in the Home, and its purpose was to help women run their households more efficiently.  Of course, some things won't apply to us--such as servants (smile), but it may still be an interesting read.


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The Foundation to Improve Your Family's Health

Many years ago, when my children and I suffered from health problems, I took them to the doctor for help.  But I was either only offered prescriptions to mask the symptoms, or was given no help at all because the doctors had no answers.  After this, I began to research how I could naturally help my family be healthy, and a big majority of my research pointed to what we were eating!  Through God's loving providence, I learned about eating a traditional foods diet and began to implement what I was learning.  We saw dramatic improvements to our health.

I am forever grateful to the organization and work of Dr. Weston A. Price, who pioneered the research into the diets of traditional people groups several years ago.  There is now a foundation (WAPF) in his name that has made it their mission to spread the message and research on healthy eating, and you can join and be a part of the foundation.  I have been a member for several years and greatly appreciate their work and information, so I wanted to let you know that they are offering a discount in March of $10 for new members ($30 for US and $40 for non-US).

WAPF as a group is able to accomplish things that as individuals we can never do alone.

• WAPF has helped bring traditional foods back to the plate—fermented veggies, raw milk, grass-fed meat, bone broth and more!
• WAPF has been active in gaining greater access to these foods by backing supportive legislation and connecting food producers with consumers such that the availability of these foods has increased dramatically.
• WAPF has supported the scientific validation of these foods through articles and research which helps people appreciate the value of these foods and eat them.

See even more things they do at: http://bit.ly/memberoverview

Please support this organization by becoming a member. Membership dollars help them continue their work. You will benefit by getting their quarterly journal, shopping guide and can join their members-only Facebook group. To join:http://bit.ly/membercheckout

If you join, please send me an email to let me know, at blessedhomemaking dot gmail dot com.


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Women are Blessed at Home

Home is a wonderful respite from the world.  It's a place to rest, to relax, to feel at peace.  It's a place to feel safe and sheltered from the world.  It's a place to make as close to Heaven as possible.

What a beautiful occupation the Lord has given us.  What a holy calling, to make our homes a bit like Heaven on earth.  What a joy to wake up every day and minister to our husbands and children here in the safety and security of home.

How the Lord cares for us in telling us to "be keepers at home" and to "guide the house".  We have a special calling that a man cannot and does not have!  It is to us women, and us only, that the Lord gave this task.

I feel so blessed to be able to be at home, taking care of it and all the occupants here.  Each day brings its new challenges, and sometimes surprises, but how wonderful when we can start our days in thanksgiving to God that we have a home here on this earth, and to ask the Lord for His help with the day ahead as we serve Him as we serve our families.

We can bless our families by making home a peaceful place.  We can play lovely music, read God's Word, have a pleasant and lovely voice and demeanor.  We can speak with kindness and smile at our husbands and children.  We can make our homes lovely with decor and keep them clean and tidy.  We can cook lovely meals for our families that also nourish their bodies.  We can train our children up in the ways of the Lord, teaching them to love Him with their whole hearts.  We can be a loving support to our husbands, giving them our appreciation and admiration, and of course taking care of the things at home is a great relief to them!

What a wonderful job we have, that we don't have to go out to work to bring home the living, nor do we have to deal with co-workers, time clocks, nor bosses.  We are very blessed, indeed, ladies.  Let us wake up with these thoughts in our minds every day!

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How to Easily Make Chicken Broth

Many people I have talked to are under the impression that broth is hard to make. It can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. So, today at Raising Homemakers, I am sharing with you how I make our chicken broth.
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Planning Meals for Your Family

If you are not already planning meals for your family, it is a wonderful thing to do and will help you to be organized when you go shopping.  It will also help you to save money, and keep down stress since you have a meal plan for each day at home.  No more meal times where you don't know what you're going to serve your family!  Today at Raising Homemakers, I am sharing with you how I plan our family's meals.

.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What We Eat is Important

 

Does it really matter what we eat? What do you think? We might want to hide our heads in the sand and pretend we can put any old thing labeled as "food" into our mouths and think it will nourish and sustain us. But the truth is that we are living in a world tainted by sin, and what we put in our bodies affects our bodies, either for good or bad.  Join me today at Raising Homemakers where I teach you a bit about eating for health.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturated Fats are Good for You

"The demonized saturated fats--which Americans are trying to avoid---are not the cause of our modern diseases. In fact, they play many important roles in the body chemistry:

• Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50% of the cell membranes, giving them necessary stiffness and integrity so they can function properly.
• They play a vital role in the health of our bones. For calcium to be effectively incorporated into the skeletal structure, at least 50% of the dietary fats should be saturated. They lower Lp(a), a substance in the blood that indicates proneness to heart disease. 
• They protect the liver from alcohol and other toxins, such as Tylenol.
  
• They enhance the immune system.
  
• They are needed for the proper utilization of essential fatty acids. Elongated omega-3 fatty acids are better retained in the tissues when the diet is rich in saturated fats.
• Saturated 18-carbon stearic acid and 16-carbon palmitic acid are the preferred foods for the heart, which is why the fat around the heart muscle is highly saturated. The heart draws on this reserve of fat in times of stress.
  
• Short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids have important antimicrobial properties. They protect us against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract."
  

~Nourishing Traditions

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Errors in the USDA Food Pyramid

"Unfortunately, several dangerous errors are built into the edifice of the USDA Food Pyramid. First, the new guidelines imply that everyone can eat the same foods in the same proportions and be healthy. According the recommendations, grains should be the basis of our diet; but many people do very poorly on grains. Others have a low tolerance for dairy products. These intolerances are due to a number of factors, including ethnic background and genetic inheritance. Secondly the guidelines perpetuate the myth that fats, carbohydrates and proteins have equal nutritional properties no matter how much or how little they are processed. The experts make no distinction between whole grains & refined, between foods grown organically and those grown with pesticides and commercial fertilizers, between unprocessed dairy products from pasture-fed cows and pasteurized dairy products from confined animals raised on processed feed, between fresh and rancid fats, between traditional fresh fruits and vegetables and those that have been irradiated or genetically altered, between range-fed meats and those from animals raised in crowded pens; between natural and battery-produced eggs; in short, between the traditional foods that nourished our ancestors and newfangled products now dominating the modern marketplace."

~Sally Fallon in Nourishing Traditions

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Meal Plans and Cookbooks 40% Off

In an extremely rare sale in the $5 Dinners store, Erin Chase has decided to offer 40% off all products for TWO DAYS ONLY. Small Business Saturday & the following day…everything is 40% off in the store.

You might be wondering…why in the world would I buy a meal plan during this crazy holiday time? A meal plan as a holiday gift? That seems like an odd gift? No, she's totally not crazy.

Start asking your friends and/or family about their meal planning struggles and you’ll find that many of them need help. They need a practical resource to help them get organized, get meals made, and save money at the same time. It might not be a shiny piece of jewelry or new trendy sweater, but a meal plan is a very practical, very helpful gift…and one that keeps on giving back as they help reduce mealtime stress.

Here’s a sampling of what we have available:

Gluten-Free Meal Plans & Resources
Freezer Cooking Cookbook
6-Week Themed Meal Plans, including Paleo, 30-Minute Meals, Vegetarian & Slow Cooker
20 Meals for $150 Meal Plans
10 Organic Ingredients Meal for $102

Get everything you need added to the cart, then use the coupon code SANTA40 to get 40% off at checkout! It's time to stock up for you and your friends! But, please purchase 2 of what you need, if you plan on using for you and gifting to a friend or family member...thanks!

  

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aprons on Sale in July!

I wear an apron a lot--mostly in the kitchen while I'm cooking.  I have some pretty ones and not so pretty ones.  My great aunt sewed one for me that is really nice and feminine.

If you're in need of a new apron, there's a great sale at Flirty Aprons during the month of July.  You can get 25% off and free shipping with code COOLOFF25 on any purchase the entire month of July. 

Note:  I think some of their aprons are ridiculous, but they do have some very pretty ones, plus matching ones for daughters too. 

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beef Stew

Today I am sharing my recipe for Beef Stew over at Raising Homemakers.  Join me, won't you?


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Children Help to...

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Linked to:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deals for Homemakers~Shop at Home

Stay home from the shopping craziness today!  I know I am--I don't think I'd ever want to venture out in the craziness that is Black Friday.  Thankfully, we can get deals right from the comfort of our home.  The first deal I want to make you aware of--perfect for the homemaker--is for aprons.

Flirty aprons

is having an amazing sale now through 12/3 for 50% off plus free shipping.
Here is the deal.  Just click on the link and enter the code.
Black Friday deal: 50% Off + Free Shipping with code BLACKFLIRTY50 GOOD Black Friday through 12/3 

Deborah & Co.

is also having a great Black Friday sale.
Save 20% off the entire store with the code: BLACKFRIDAY at the checkout!
Save 30% off their fleece lined leggings and all full length layering shells.
The entire Little Deborah section is 20% off with the code, so stock up on Princess Play Dresses, Books and Media for your girls!
This sale is good November 28th-December 1st!  Click on the banner below to be taken to the sale.

 

Day Spring is also having a Black Friday sale.

Early Black Friday Markdown Items

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanksgiving Day Meal Plan

I've finally decided on our Thanksgiving Day Meal Plan.  It might not seem like much of a feast to some, but it is for us, and all I can afford.  I've gotten the shopping done, and today I will need to begin preparing dishes.

Most of the recipes are coming from the internet, so you can try them out too with the included links if you like.  Our dishes will be thus:

• Perfect Roast turkey, from Sue Gregg's Dinner's on the Table.  Also available here.
• "Corn Bread" Dressing
• Mashed Potatoes (thankfully organic potatoes were on sale at our local health food store).
• Bacon Garlic Green Beans
• Loaded Baked Fauxtato Casserole
• Popovers, from Sue Gregg's Soups & Muffins
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Pie  with a nut crust

I have to admit that most of these are new recipes to us, but I like a change every now and then.  I think they will turn out well, and we are looking forward to the "feast".  The girls want to help me with the meal preparations.  We will a lovely time at home, and on Thanksgiving will open our Thankful Box.  We will also hopefully listen to some Thanksgiving stories from Character Concepts.

How about you?  What are you making for Thanksgiving this year?

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Cornucopia II
Kathy Mahan
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning in the Kitchen

I am thankful for a new day.  In the morning I boil the water with some sea salt for the oatmeal that has been soaking overnight.  I drain the water out of the beans that will be our dinner--nothing fancy tonight.  Two crock pots full to feed my hungry family for dinner and lunch tomorrow.  I will make some brown rice to go along with it.  I rinse the beans and clean them, put them back in the crocks for their hot water bath.  Season with salt, pepper, and garlic.  Switch to high, and they will warm there and cook all day until supper.  I thank God for slow cookers that cook your food all day and have it ready for your evening meal.

I'm still waiting for the oatmeal water to boil.  We don't really have a "laundry room" but just a doorway to where our washer and dryer sit.  I sort some laundry and put a load of colors in the washing machine.  Pour in the lightly scented detergent and the vinegar and start the cycle.  The clothes will come out clean--what a blessing.  Later some will be hung and some dried in the drying machine.  I think of the homemakers before me who worked so hard for clean clothes.

The oatmeal water is boiling.  Cherished of God comes in, all dressed and groomed, and takes over the breakfast-making.  She's adept at cooking and likes to help with it.  She pours the milky oats into the boiling water and stirs.  She lets me know she'll finish the job, and I exit.  Life changes with seasons and my children grow.  It happens too fast--savor the moments before the time has passed. ♥

Even if you missed the pre-registration for the Homemaking from Scratch Conference, you can still register now and have access to all of the recordings.  Learn more and register here.

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A Kitchen...
European School...
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homemaking from Scratch~LAST Day for Bonuses & $5 Off!

Have you signed up to polish your homemaking skills in a Titus 2 setting yet?  Today is the last day to get $5 off the price of the Homemaking from Scratch Conference and receive over $200 in bonus resources!  I didn't want to let you forget.  This is such an exciting opportunity!
Here is the original information on this conference in case you missed it:
 
Do you want to improve your homemaking skills and grow with other women in a Titus 2 setting? 

Oh wow, I am SO excited about this--it looks great!!!  I wish this had been around when I first became a homemaker.  Keep reading to see how you can save $5 and get a bunch of free bonuses...

The first annual Homemaking From Scratch online conference is comprehensive guide to more efficient and effective homemaking! Join us October 7 - 9th, 2014 for the homemaking event of the year. 12 amazing homemaking bloggers and authors have come together to offer you a conference packed with Biblical homemaking advice, wisdom, tips, and resources on topics ranging from homemaking routines to Biblical motherhood to natural cleaning and more!


One of the beautiful things about this conference is that all the sessions are pre-recorded so that you can listen at your own pace! You can start a session when YOU have the time, pause it, or come back to it later - anytime, anywhere! The conference is "live" from October 7 - 9th with live Facebook discussions with the speakers and other attendees going on. But the sessions are yours to keep - forever! Once the session is posted according to it's schedule, you can watch it however and whenever you like.

Start the process to transform your homemaking today! Here's what you get:

• 13 video sessions on various aspects of Biblical Homemaking (See the schedule and all sessions)
• A Conference Notebook with session outlines, further resources, and more
• Access to a private Facebook group to connect with other women and grow together

And when you pre-register for the conference (Between September 29th and October 6th) you will get: 

• Over $200 in homemaking bonus resources (see the full list here)
• $5 OFF the ticket price!

The Speakers all came together and decided that in order to give you the most transformational conference ever, we needed to give you some resources to get you going.

Pre-Register Between 9/29 - 10/6 to get these Bonus resources for FREE:

• A printable daily disciplines check off list for the busy homemaker
• The Accidentally Green Guide to Cleaning Without Chemicals eBook
• A Wife’s Guide to Understanding Biblical Submission eBook
• A Gentle Answer eBook: Showering Your Children With Words of Grace & Cleaning Schedule
• 10 Steps to Organized Paper eBook: Helping You Organize Your Home
• Real Food Appetizers for Easy Entertaining ~ Printable Recipe Cards
• Teaching Kids to Clean eBook: Teach Your Kids Basic Cleaning Skills
• Homeschooling Day by Day eBook: A Thriving Guide for Mothers
• Grain Free Goodies: Grain-Free and Sugar-Free Treats from our Family to Yours
• See all $217.14 worth of the bonus items you will get FREE with your ticket HERE!

Titus 2 Mentoring

While online relationships in no way replaces real-life interaction, it is still possible to form real, Titus 2 relationships online. I have been so blessed by the online ministry of these ladies and I am so excited to share the line up of speakers for the conference! Find out more about the conference speakers here!

• Trisha from Intoxicated on Life
• Dana from A Slob Comes Clean
• Jolene from The Alabaster Jar
• Lisa from Organize 365
• Kristy from Little Natural Cottage
• Marci from The Thankful Homemaker
• Hilary from Accidentally Green
• Marlene from A Diligent Heart
• Christin from Joyful Mothering
• Katie from Embracing a Simpler Life
• Jami from Young Wife's Guide

Don’t Miss Out on the Homemaking Event of the Year!

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------