Hey, hey everyone! I am so excited you are here! Today we are going to talk about the basics of the integumentary system. In other words, we are going to talk about your hair, skin, and nails - and how to support them!
So often we look at our hair, skin, or nails and think it only needs support from the surface, but that is definitely not the case! Now don’t get me wrong, taking care of those things topically matters. But what I want to challenge you with today is to focus on what’s happening on the inside and how it affects what you see happening on the outside.
Our body is a complex web of interworking systems. When your liver is abused, you might start to notice it in the color of your skin. When your gut isn’t working properly, you might start to notice things like psoriasis or eczema. When your hormones are imbalanced, you might start to see an increase in acne or hair loss. See how it all connects?
Well, don’t let that overwhelm you. Today we will discuss the basics of the integumentary system so you can see the whole picture. Then we will talk about some of the WORST things you can do and some of the BEST things you can do for your hair, skin, and nails. We want you to leave feeling more empowered than ever! Ready to dive in? Register now for the free email class today and free downloadable resources!
First order of business....CONGRATULATIONS!
Life is about to get REAL in your household.
Babies are not little versions of adults....they need every protection you can offer them.
It begins with what contacts their skin and the air they breathe around them.
It's not just preparing the nursery....because we know your sweet newborn will spend most of their days with you and not in the Pinterest-perfect nursery in the beginning....
It's preparing your entire home....and it....
We begin by exploring what you clean your clothes with. Baby clothes AND your clothes will be touching your baby's skin 24/7. Our skin is our largest organ....and those small babies can't handle a massive load of toxic chemicals. They were living in the most perfect place...protected from harm.
What laundry soap are you using?
Let's begin with the most natural, plant-based organic clothes detergent out there....Thieves Laundry Soap. It's absolutely gentle on the skin...and hard on dirt......speaking from experience with 5 kids. It gets the job done. We want to keep that smooth baby skin smooth as a baby's bootie! You will want to wash all of your clothes and baby clothes/blankets in this organic laundry soap prior to baby coming home from the hospital. #BePrepared
AND....
Avoid using dryer sheets...even those "perfume free, dye free" ones....just use wool balls. Those sheets are laden with ingredients you can't even pronounce! NO THANK YOU! Wool balls will do the trick. They help with static cling AND reduces drying time. YEP! Money saving!
What cleaning products are you using all over your house?
Next step, switching out toxic cleaners for a naturally organic one instead. Thieves Household Cleaner will replace every single cleaner in your home. Simple variations in dilution is the key! You will no longer have 10 different cleaners under your sink that you have to LOCK AWAY. I know what you are thinking....I don't have time to make all those variations. I'll be the first to tell you that it takes longer to go to the store than it does to add some cleaner to a spray bottle and add some water. IT'S THAT SIMPLE. I also have FREE printable labels to slap on those bottles. HERE is the link to the All Things Thieves post on how to make all-the-cleaners you need. Those labels are available for my customers in the free app. More on that later. Because I love free!
Oh, one more thing....I've done the research....and those cleaners at the store have tons of warnings.....warnings that shouldn't be allowed on a grocery store shelf. Ingredients that shouldn't be around you....let alone a newborn. Google harmful ingredients in the most common brands on the shelves....you will be WIDE EYES OPEN. When you know better, you do better....then you tell others. That's why I'm here. #momshelpingmoms
You don't want chemicals on your counters...where you prepare your food. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Finally, baby products. Just because your mother used 'those' products....doesn't mean those products were safe....or are actually containing the same ingredients from 20-30 years ago. Think about it.....synthetic fragrances are all the rage......did you see that? Synthetic.fragrances.are.chemicals. Say NO to synthetic anything on baby skin.
Let me tell you about the uber organic baby products I used on my family. I used plant-based essential oil-infused products that I knew would be safe for my family. I had no reservations on using every single baby product on my baby. It took the guess work out.
As a mom, we want THE BEST for our babies.....
The Seedlings baby line includes diaper rash cream, a soothing balm, baby lotion, baby oil, linen spray, baby wash, and baby wipes.....all infused with organic essential oils like lavender and other soothing oils. That baby smell that you'll absolutely love! You will catch yourself smelling your baby any chance you get! Smelling your baby actually does some amazingly relaxing things in our bodies...google it!
What ingredients are missing from the Seedling's Baby line?
ALL of the products were dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, vegan-friendly, and formulated without
- lanolin
- parabens
- phthalates
- petrochemicals
- synthetic preservatives
- synthetic fragrances
- synthetic colorants
Have I mentioned these products can be shipped straight to your door? Easy Peasy.
Mamas....I can't forget to give you some tips!
Because I know how life after a cesarean section AND a vaginal birth brought different experiences....I'm here to share some tips on what to expect from my personal story.
After having the baby...you will be tired but on cloud nine....is there anything better than seeing that precious baby after 9 months of waiting?!? But there will be needed healing time and bonding with baby.
Always follow your doctors instructions....but here is what I found to be most helpful in recovery.
Walk as soon as the nurses say you are allowed to. Walking helps with the circulation 'down there'.....and you were forcing massive pressure down there causing tons of swelling.
The nurses will be caring for you the first day or so, so expect little privacy down there....but they are looking for gradual reduction of uterine size and bleeding. Ice packs are amazing.....and so are cooling sprays like organic Claraderm Spray. For c-sections, you will need the ok on when to start using this spray on the surgical site....vaginal births should be good right away to help with soothing and swelling.
Bring a diffuser in your birthing and recovery room. Calming essential oils help you relax or "get in the zone." The nurses raved about my diffuser and hung out a little longer in my room. Who wouldn't love a room that smells like a spa? Use only organic essential oils....don't worry...I've got that covered too. Seed to Seal Promise Guarantee are the only oils I use.
More Bonus tips
Every time you think of your baby....take a few sips of water. You will need to stay hydrated to feed your baby. Seek help with a lactation nurse before you leave the hospital. Nursing can be hard at first. You are learning and so is baby.
Be prepared to know if you would be ok with supplementing with formula or not. This is YOUR decision. This is a no judging zone here. We just need baby fed and healthy!
Click here and I'll send you THE PREPARE FOR YOUR NEWBORN, ORGANICALLY printable list, along with information about the products. SEND ME THE GUIDE
Follow me for more tips on raising your family.
I share simple solutions for everyday problems.
Love,
Celeste
Hello there!
It's an exciting day when I get to share some updates on my life and on my health & wellness business.
I got my first website up and running www.SimplyCeleste.net......so if you have been hesitant on learning more about what I do.....now is the perfect time to jump in!
I have created a beautiful space to teach and share all things health and wellness!
My goal is to help mamas with their health and guide them on plant-based options to care for their family.
Coming from the medical world....I didn't think natural based products worked....and thought they were huey....but with years of experience under my belt....I'll be the first to tell you how wrong I was.
Your home should be the safest place in your life....but you might be shocked....for many....it's the most dangerous!
I'd love to give you a personal invite to learn more about the dangers of fragrance and chemicals in our personal care product, soaps, detergents, cleaning products, and even our air fresheners!
From conditions like eczema, allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, to hormonal disruptions....these are NOT normal and do NOT have to be how you live your life forever.
If you've been searching for more answers but not getting results.....I'm here to show you a different way.
Love,
Celeste
Are you saying to yourself.... I want THAT kind of nap...LOL!
Maybe you don't have time for a nap....but maybe you don't NEED a nap.
Maybe you just need to find your source of energy.
What in the world am I talking about?
I'm not talking about a Grande Mocha Latte from Starbucks...
I'm talking about finding your source of happiness....a type of energy that makes you come alive!
When was the last time you thought about your passions? Did they get kicked to the curb when the sports schedule got added to your google calendar? or dance schedule....or a second job?
No matter the reason...it's time for you to re-ignite your passion!!
I personally don't need the nap....I need MY TIME once a week all.to.myself....even if all I do is clean the house or complete a few family-associated items on my To-Do list. I'm an introvert and I recharge when I'm alone....which is hard when you have a family of 7. I am also a craft-o-holic so getting some crafting in excites my neurons and makes me happy!
Are you a crafter like me? Click Crafting a Simple Life to find my crafting group on Facebook. There we inspire one another to craft and create! Everyone is welcome to post their creations!
So maybe crafting doesn't exhilarate you.....so what does?
Take the next 5 minutes and write down the first 5 things that come to mind.
IDEAS to get your mind thinking: running, exercising, writing a heart felt letter to a friend, volunteering, posting encouraging social media posts, random compliments to strangers, reading a book, calling a parent, taking a nap :) , writing your own blog post, trying a new recipe, reading your confirmation statements every morning, sharing about your small business, making jewelry, inspiring others, or organizing a party!
Now, schedule it in your week as a PRIORITY and see how it changes you!
Let's inspire one other!
-Celeste Broerman
Welcome to a sneak peak in my life of the year 2020.
The morning starts about 6am to nurse my 14 month old baby boy before I get out of bed to start the day. His smile and snuggles would melt your heart folks. This blonde, blue-eyed babe is the first out of 5 that wanted to nurse past 3 months of age, ya'll. It's been a blessing and an entirely different experience. Never ever give up trying to breastfeed. God is good!
6:30 am my alarm goes off, I may or may not snooze for 10-15 minutes...then I pop up racing to get ready for work. My hubby preps the school lunches and gets the kids up and going to take off to school by 7 am. We live 30 minutes away from the private school so early rising is a must! I quickly make my power drink, grab my vitamins and I leave the house by 7:15 am in hopes to get to work by 7:50am but usually arrive by 8am.
8am starts the jam packed clinic seeing patients as a Physician Assistant. I love my job. I can talk all day about it. Ask me sometime. Ok, next... I power through lunch to get off in time to leave the clinic by 3pm...just to rush to my tougher "job" as Mom.
I load up the school-aged kids then head to daycare to pick up baby #5....who doesn't want to get in the carseat for the 30-45 minute drive home. That's fun. The big kids do help entertain him driving home. Most of the drive home they whine and beg to stop for treats....but that's reserved for Fridays. They ask about every day what day it is. I always make them figure it out.
Me plus 5 kids head into the house for a quick snack and brief break which inevitably stretches to an hour of not getting homework done...ugh. Homework will be the death of me. Keeping track of the younger ones and homework is like herding cats. You should try it sometime. Now the baby wants to nurse...how do you know...he tries pulling up or down my shirt. I ask him if he wants to nurse and his eyes light up like a Christmas Tree. I wish I could bottle up that look and feeling. The dude understands my English. Baby brains are incredible.
After nursing, I'm bringing in the reins again with the homework....those cats wondered off again. One starts a tantrum that she doesn't want to do homework (she's in 2nd grade mind you....is that stuff really that hard?!?)...the other little is pretending to get some work done. Everything is on the computer right now. Computers and homework...not a good combination. They may look like they are doing important work but could very well be learning how to draw a rooster with a leprechaun hat. Seriously. I remind the big kids again to bring in the trash cans for the 10th time and to grab the mail. Then I fuss for the 15th time today not to eat in the living room or on the couch. Are they still eating snacks right before dinner?
By this time...it's about 6pm, my hubby is getting home and it's time to figure out what we are having for dinner. Yep....not always prepared for dinner...even though it comes EVERY 24 hours. I'm not inspired by cooking....sorry kids. We throw something together and eat. Baby usually cries because he would rather spend the rest of the daylight hours outside....evening hours in Texas are still hot in the Fall.
Did I mention we have a dog? During the last few hours since coming home, I'm also letting the family dog in and out of the back door...because no one else can hear her....like....no one. I also feed the dog. She then starts barking at me because she wants to me to play with her. Sorry fur child...I've got stuff still to do before I can stop and play. Time to turn on that diffuser with something calming...
In addition to keeping homework on track, I try to pick up the living room that looks like a bomb exploded....and for the 1,000th time, I ask that they put their school lunch box in the kitchen. Why must it take raising my voice for them to really hear me? AND masks....why aren't the face masks at the front table? Put your school shoes away. Why is that belt in the middle of the floor? Your dirty shirt and pants don't belong there. Have you finished your homework yet? No you can't watch YouTube right now. Can't find your new computer charger? No, I don't know where your spelling list is. NO, you need to re read that math problem and see why that answer is wrong. Why are you doing cartwheels in the living room...get back to doing your homework. Don't you have a test tomorrow? Where's your book? No, you can get up to get your own pencil. You do NOT need to be crying about that right now. Yes, it's too late to tell me you need a set of headphones for school tomorrow.
8 PM lights out for the school aged kids...but who am I kidding. 2 kids are "secretly" reading in their beds (not a very bad thing...but they are suppose to be going to sleep). The oldest is still getting homework done.
8:45pm Buddy feeds the baby a bottle...then passes him over to me to "knock him out" with my superpowers.
9 ish Baby is out. House needs to stay quiet. Time for mama to get some things done.
10 PM I finally shower and get ready for bed...but just sneaking in a bit of Social Media time....wait...I was just on my phone for 5 minutes right?....10:30 PM...I slather my sleepy roller bottles on ...lotion up my feet and go night-night. Tomorrow will come quickly...just to do this cray-cray all over again.
Welcome to a piece of my life right now....but wouldn't change it for the world.
XOXO
Celeste
