Welcome to the Meet Up Monday Link Party # 106! It’s been an exciting week! I received my new Nectar mattress in the mail, and I am ready to get some serious sleep. I made this AMAZING DIY Lavender Vetiver Deep Sleep Balm to seal the deal and send me into slumberland. If you need to wind down before sleep I highly suggest you whip some of this goodness up and get some zzz’s!
What projects have you been up to this week? Join in with me to share and comment on the posts the love is shared and to keep this party growing! As always, I will feature 3 posts and the most clicked post as well! I can’t wait to see what you all have been up to! Be sure to check out and follow the Meet Up Monday Pinterest Board . SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! The more partiers, the merrier! Also, follow along on my , , and/or accounts to follow along with my new and exciting posts!
This link up closes Thursday night, so be sure to link up now! (more…)
Cough, cough…. sniffle, sniffle…. I am just turning the corner and getting well again after a NASTY respiratory infection. One of the things that helped me most to get some respite and relief from the discomfort in my chest were these nifty little DIY Shower Steamers I made in minutes! Turn your shower into a soothing machine as the power of the eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils fill the air as you inhale, instantly calming your lungs and opening breathing passages. You can buy these life-savers commercially but they are expensive and who knows what is in them. In just a few minutes, and with only 4 ingredients I already had in my pantry, I whipped these disks up. When they are finished drying, instant relief. 
I LOVE the autumn season here in NY! To me, that means cool, crisp days warmed by some of my seasonal favorite recipes! Spiced breads, mulled ciders, and my homemade maple syrup drizzled over everything! And yes…. pumpkin things. I know, I know….. everyone and their mom is cooking up pumpkin treats, lattes, and candies this time of year. What sets my Healthy Maple Pumpkin Walnut Bread apart from all others this season? It is HEALTHY. The pumpkin adds JUST the right amount of moisture and flavor to this delectable loaf! The only sweetener added is the pure maple syrup. All other ingredients are wholesome and healthy. What is also great about this recipe is that you can substitute the pumpkin with either butternut squash or zucchini throughout the year when they are in season! Filled with healthy ingredients, fats, and no refined sugars, you can enjoy this bread and not feel guilty about it. Here’s how…. 
Maple + Muffins = Autumn. That is at least my equation for this fall season. The weather is changing here in New York. The leaves are turning colors and the air is getting crisp and cool. What better way to warm things up with these ridiculously delicious Healthy Maple Muffins with Chocolate Chips? These healthy vegan muffins have the PERFECT amount of sweetness and flavor. I LOVE enjoying these really anytime of the day, but my favorite time is for breakfast, snuggled up on the couch on a cool crisp autumn morning with a hot cup of coffee. Can you relate? 
What was the most important thing you have ever forgotten on a vacation? My answer is my DSLR camera. It is inevitable- I ALWAYS forget something! I thought this was the biggest mistake I had ever made. Luckily, I was wrong. Forgetting my “fancy” camera actually forced me to have a blast while using my iphone camera to take pictures at the Chinese Lantern Festival located at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in North Carolina. I had SO MUCH FUN playing with the different settings on my phone which I wasn’t to familiar with. The results…. some really unique snapshots of handmade, life-sized (or larger) sculptures called “The Wild”. Travel around the world with me ….