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Published: October 14, 2017

A few months after our first was born, something happened that no one warned me about. Hair loss. One morning in the shower, as I was wringing out my hair after rinsing, I pulled a handful of loose hair away from my head. I was shocked. What the heck? I had always had thick and healthy hair and it was even more amazing while pregnant. Thank you prenatal vitamins! But what was going on? I called my mom, who happens to be a nurse. "Oh, that's very common after having babies." What?! Over the next few weeks, I started noticing a thinning spot on the top of my head that was becoming very obvious. Thankfully, around that time, my hair stopped falling out and I was hoping I would get some regrowth soon. I did start growing some back before getting pregnant a second time, but my hair never really recovered. I had been using a good quality shampoo that didn't have any toxic chemicals in it, my hair felt really soft and healthy, but felt pretty flat and lifeless.

Recently, I have been hearing about a company called "Monat" that specializes in hair regrowth, while browsing different mom groups on social media. As I looked deeper into Monat as a company, I was pleased to see they strive to provide a safer alternative to other hair regrowth options out there. I was definitely intrigued and was very excited when Emily Mogren, a Managing Market Partner with Monat, reached out to me and asked if I would review her products on my blog. 

Emily Mogren, Managing Market Partner, Monat

I love supporting fellow Catholic mompreneurs, especially when I can use my platform to share about a product that will enrich your life and/or faith in some way! Readers, meet Emily and Monat!

Emily is a Catholic wife, stay-at-home mom, and former pediatric occupational therapist turned small business owner. As life always enters different seasons, Emily has successfully embraced creating an at-home business with Monat. "I tried Monat, my hair got super healthy, and I started growing baby hairs where I was thinning. I was impressed, looked at the business, and saw it as a vehicle to create something more for my family. I was still driven by the desire to help others; it just took on a different look."

Through Monat, Emily has been able to mentor others in creating successful home businesses; to transition their homes into a toxin-free haven with clean, safe, botanical, and non-toxic hair products; and help people who are suffering from hair loss of all types. This journey has give her the confidence to launch an accessory line for women coming in Spring 2017. "For me, faith comes first and everything-from my family, to business, to home life, to my personal passions-stems from the motto that "all things, big or small, can be done with great love". I encourage everyone to be the 'bright, beautiful, you' you were created to be."

Monat (pronounced Mo-nayte), is a company that prides itself on being an anti-aging hair care company that offers naturally-based products and limitless opportunity. Its name is derived from a combination of the words "Modern" and "Nature". Like many stay-at-home businesses with missions to provide safer and non-toxic alternatives, this is a company that relies heavily on empowering its customers through education and teaching them why choosing products with less chemicals is better for the health of our families. Word-of-mouth marketing just makes sense when education is used to empower customers!

Here are some of the chemicals that Monat does NOT use in their products:

When Emily reached out, I told her that, while I was happy with the shampoo and conditioner I was using, I really needed something with more of a kick. While my hair and scalp were healthy, it needed something for volume. I also knew and mentioned to her that I would possibly be facing more hair loss soon after the birth of our second. 

Emily recommended I try the Renew Shampoo and the Smoothing Deep Conditioner. The Renew Shampoo is meant to deeply nourish and bring back strength to dry, damaged hair. The Smoothing Deep Conditioner helps fight frizz, deeply conditions and enhances shine. I warned her I have super sensitive skin as well as strict safety standards when it comes to personal care products, and would need to screen all ingredients before trying anything. She was so gracious and patient to listen to my concerns and sent me the entire ingredients lists to review.

Everything looked good, except I get nervous whenever "Fragrance" is listed within the ingredients of any product, since it can be a blanket term to cover up harmful chemicals for companies who don't want to disclose proprietary information. Fragrances that use toxic chemicals also cause reactions with my eczema. Since all the other ingredients checked out and I saw that they pledged not to use harmful fragrances or parabens in their products, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. It is always a HUGE red flag for me if I am looking into a product and the list of ingredients isn't available to customers. Thankfully, this isn't the case with Monat. If you are ever wondering about the health impact of what you're using on your body, I highly recommend looking up the product or questionable ingredient(s) at: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/. This is such an empowering tool and helps us be more mindful consumers!

Emily was so generous to send me full-sized bottles so I could try them for a full month or more before reviewing them! Good thing she reached out when she did. I began losing my hair right around the time the products arrived!

The Renew Shampoo 

The Smoothing Deep Conditioner

My initial thoughts when I opened my Monat package were how chic and quality the packaging was. As an avid lap swimmer, I knew I would need bottles that could taking a beating in my pool bag. They haven't leaked or busted, even though they've been dropped in the shower and gotten bashed around with my swim gear.

During my first use, I instantly noticed the fragrance since I'm not used to scented products. Again, knowing Monat doesn't use Parabens or harmful fragrances in their products is very reassuring. The best way I can describe the fragrance of the shampoo is a cool, refreshing, and clean smell. It's not offensive at all and my skin and scalp did not have any reaction. The conditioner has a similar scent but it's much more subtle. The texture of the shampoo was great and lathered easily. Since I have thick and long hair, I have to double wash, but I only needed about a dime to nickel-sized portion of conditioner as it is very nourishing and efficient. 

After washing, my scalp felt very clean. Within a handful of washes, I could definitely tell I had an increase in volume! I especially notice it when I blow-dry my hair. Before, my hair would just dry and brush out into a lifeless mass of hair. Now, the texture is much more soft and voluminous, and can hold shape much better. I've also noticed how much the shampoo gets rid of the chlorine smell and harsh texture after a long lap swim session! And get this-as I'm heading into the same postpartum period when I LOST hair with my first, I'm seeing new hair growth in my hair part and along my hairline! I'll have to do a follow-up post in another month or two so you can see even more of a difference!

Here is a photo of my hair after blow drying, before I started using Monat. As you can see, it's healthy and shiny, but a bit dry, limp, and lifeless.

Here you can see how my part is starting to thin out; not just from postpartum hair loss, but also from my swim cap rubbing in this spot:-(

Here is my part from the top. It is really starting to thin out because of postpartum hair loss. And I'm only 2 months postpartum when this was taken!

Here is a photo of my hair after blow drying, after just over a month of using Monat 3-4 times a week (so really, less than 20 washes!). It is much more bouncy and wavy now. I really have to blow dry it and use a flattening iron if I want it to be flat. Its natural wave is back and I love it! (Also, I clearly need a trim, haha.)

See the baby hairs coming it?! YES!!

Are you intrigued and are wondering if this product or company can help you? You can research and browse Monat's entire collection at: emilyk.mymonat.com. If you have specific questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Emily at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Have you tried Monat and loved it? Leave a comment or review below!

*If your hair loss increases and/or continues for a long period of time, please consult your physician as this can be a symptom of a deeper health issue.*

• Pregnancy
• Non-toxic Living
• Postpartum
• Hair Loss
• Postpartum Hair Loss
• Thinning Hair
• Non-toxic
• Non-toxic Hair Care
• Hair Care
• Monat
• Postpartum Hair Care

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Published: September 12, 2017

Judgement. We are all so quick to do it but man, does it stink to be on the receiving end.

Nothing prepared me for the judgement I would receive as a mother; especially by some in my "tribe". (Insert pathetic and self-pitying whine here).

Ever since our first was born, I have absolutely fallen head-over-heels with motherhood. Yes, motherhood comes with its trials (and errors), but for the most part, I have loved a majority of all that's involved. I've also fallen so in love with our children! They bring us so much joy and are experts at wringing every last ounce of selfishness from my self-absorbed body. (God knew what He was doing, didn't he?!)

I'm a naturally inquisitive and curious person, so as soon as that plus sign appeared, I began researching and reading everything I could get my hands on about childbirth and rearing. There was SO. MUCH. Oh my gosh. But on the upside, thank goodness we live in 2017, when there is so much great information (and lots of fearmongering information, too) and thoughtful/super helpful baby gear at our fingertips! Motherhood will never be the same. When we know better, we can do better, amiright?

I grew up in a family of five children and my parents, although very strict by today's standards, did a great job. They weren't too different from other parents back then and were so lucky to be parents in an age without Google. Okay, joking:-) They weren't perfect by any means, but the most important thing was we had a wonderful childhood full of love and sound moral guidance, and they created a home with a very good balance between being protective parents and letting us figure things out on our own. I hope to instill this same balance in our home as we raise our children. Again, there is so much more information that makes it obvious we know much better than when my parents did over 30 years ago. We know more about carseat and sleep safety, product recalls, vaccines, nutrition, toxic chemicals in personal care products, screentime, internet security/safety, abuse, trafficking, and all the other not-so-fun things to worry about as a parent. But again, thank goodness we know this information now!

That being said, with so much information out there in this age, how can anyone expect mothers to mother the same now compared to 5 years ago? 20 years? 50? You probably see where I'm going with this.....

I was warned about "mommy wars" between current moms, but nothing prepared me to be outspokenly critiqued and judged by older generations of mothers. I did expect them to offer their wisdom and advice, but never harsh criticisms and judgement. It's both perplexing and frustrating. And since our hearts really desire to be the best mom our children can have no matter what generation we mother in, golly does it hurt. Especially when it comes from a loved one we respect and admire.

Does this sound like something you are going through? Let me offer some encouragement.

First, GOOD JOB! You're doing a great job! How long has it been since someone has told you that? Feels amazing, doesn't it? I'm very rarely told that by other adults. Not that I'm constantly seeking affirmation and approval, but it feels good when it happens! And if it rarely happens to you, let me tell you this: in your domestic Cathedral, you are enough and God sees it all. He sees you wipe up the poop smudged all over your little one's crib first thing in the morning, for the 3rd time this week. He sees you brush away the tears when your little one is throwing an epic tantrum because they can't find their favorite t-shirt they JUST HAVE TO WEAR today! He sees you slump on the couch in defeat when you've received word that a family member, who you often try too hard to please and impress, continues to criticize you behind your back for how you're raising your kids. You're never good enough for them. It hurts. A lot. The point is, He knows your heart. You aren't working for them and there is nothing you need to prove to them. You aren't doing mother work. You're doing His work. And His opinion of you is all that matters.

Second, empathy. As Christians, we are called to be merciful like the Father. We're called to be charitable and forgiving. Just like we feel very misjudged in these situations because they don't know the whole story and may not know you very well as a person and mother, do we really know them that well? In times like this, I have to wonder: Where is this coming from? What was their childhood like? Do they feel guilty for how they raised their children? Did they have a poor or non-existent relationship with their mother/parents? Were they constantly judged and criticized for their mothering skills by someone close to them? The quote, "Hurt people hurt people" rings true in this case. Sin and brokenness are cyclical. So let the cycle end with you. Let peace begin where you are standing.

And as hard as it is to do, forgive them. They may continue harping on you, lecturing you, talking poorly about you behind your back, or saying cruel things about you to "poison the well" so others develop a poor opinion of you before they really get to know you. Forgive them again. It hurts and it's terrible. But again, it's not about you. It speaks volumes about what is in their heart and reveals possible hurts they've experienced.

In motherhood or any area of your life really, when things like this happen, I love praying the Litany of Humility. It packs a punch and is very hard to pray sometimes (okay, it's really a spiritual kick in the a#$). It really helps change the trajectory of our reaction to these experiences.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

I also highly recommend the St. Francis Prayer. The passages, "Where there is hatred, let me sow love" and "not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand" are especially meaningful.

When these instances first began to happen, I was just angry at this person and kept trying to think about ways I could speak up for/defend myself. I began judging them through my reactions and assuming the worst in them, too! Needless to say, I was not in a good place, spiritually. Over time, the more sorry I've felt for the perpetrator. I can tell Christ has been hard at work in my heart.  Through prayer for this person, Christ has helped me see them as He does, and the humility that prayer brings has helped me see the pain behind their actions and the words they are saying. I may not know the source of their pain, but it doesn't matter. What matters is they are a beloved daughter or son of God who's just as broken and flawed as I am; just in other ways.

A couple of months ago, I began reading Story of a Soul by St. Terese of Lisieux. You really need to read this book! There are a couple of passages where she remembers being accused of something or someone spoke ill of her, and even though these things weren't true, she was so humble and knew they didn't matter. She knew that God saw everything and knew what was in her heart, so she kept silent and offered these transgressions up to God. Wow. I was blown away by her humility!

In any conflict; especially when someone sins against us, we have to remember that how we  react and respond reveals what is in our hearts, as well. I want others to see Christ and His mercy in my heart when I react/respond. It will take some hard work, but I'm willing to give it a shot. I hope you are, too. And when we're the "older and wiser", I hope we're all more supportive to the moms who we see ourselves in when our kids are having children of their own. The next generation of moms will know more than our generation did. But we'll ALL know three solid truths:

Momming isn't easy for anyone.

We're in this together.

And it is all SO worth it.

What lessons have you learned from motherhood that you never expected to learn? I'd love to hear yours!

• Mommyhood
• Littles
• Relationships
• Motherhood
• Parenting
• Conflict
• Mommy Wars
• Forgiveness
• Judgement

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Published: September 6, 2017

In 2014, my husband and I participated in a 67-day Sugar-free eating challenge. We continued this way of eating for 7 months and each lost 30 pounds. We were shocked at how easily it fell off! The crazy part was there were no expensive shakes to buy, supplements or pills to take, or exercise videos to watch. And we weren't starving ourselves! It was all through education and learning about what we were eating, how it affects our bodies, and learning how sugar is disguised under various names in our food.

The biggest tool we learned was how to incorporate this empowering knowledge into our everyday lives and to create alternative sugar-free recipes for those we had been using for years. If we got a sweet tooth, instead of just throwing in artificial sweeteners, we learned how to sweeten foods by using naturally sweet foods such as dates and various fruits. One of the best recipes I created for myself was a smoothie that tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but it's actually energizing and nutritious! It has been such a helpful recipe for me when I get a craving for icecream but am trying to watch my wasteline. Not to mention, when you're a mom chasing after little ones, you need to take care of your health so you have the energy to get through the day!

Here is the recipe!

Healthy Chocolate Shake (sugar-free, dairy free)

• 1/2 c instant oatmeal
• 1 1/2 c unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1 tbs peanut butter
• 1 banana
• 1/2 c frozen cubed mango
• 1/2 c frozen strawberries
• 1 c fresh spinach
• 1 scoop Garden of Life protein powder
• 1-2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until liquified. Add more almond milk to thin texture if needed. If you need more, simply double the amounts. If you're breastfeeding and need a boost in your supply, throw in a scoop of Brewer's Yeast. If you have little ones, throw this mixture into popsicle molds for a tasty and nutritious treat!

*I do not receive compensation for recommending this protein supplement. I simply love it and wanted to share!

• Healthy Living
• Sugar-Free
• Chocolate
• Healthy Eating
• Healthy Shake
• Protein Shake

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Published: August 20, 2017

You sign onto facebook. A new message?! How exciting! You see the name of someone you haven't seen in a long time. They've just requested to friend you. How great is this? Suddenly, your heart sinks when you begin reading these wopartnerrds....."Hey! So good to hear from you! I was wondering if you've ever heard of "Such and such a company" before? Well, I'd love for you to try xyz or join my team as I feel you'd be such a great fit promoting xyz".... "Ugh. Stupid MLMs", you think, as you roll your eyes. "WHY do they always find me on here and why are people always bothering me to buy their stuff with these scam companies!"

• MLMs
• Mompreneur
• SAHM
• Work-at-home Mom
• Multi-level Marketing Business
• Business
• Entrepreneurship
• Catholic Moms
• Working from home

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Published: August 15, 2017

Happy Solemnity of the Feast of the Assumption!

A big thing I LOVE about being Catholic as how pro-woman The Church is. We LOVE our Holy Mother Mary for her incredible example of holy femininity and motherhood, and how she leads us closer to her son, Jesus! And how cool is it that God made her Queen of Heaven?! The Catholic church exalts the feminine body and works very hard to protect it from being desecrated and objectified. This is a huge reason why we don't believe in using hormonal contraception, which not only comes with its numerous health risks, but also the damage it can inflict on our fertility. I could write about this for several posts, but I'll just recommend you listen to Janet Smith's Contraception, Why Not?  or Jason Evert's Green Sex presentations on CD:-)

Ever since taking NFP classes during our pre-cana (marital prep), I've continued to learn as much as I can about my body and how my lifestyle choices affect my fertility. So many women out there just accept that hormonal birth control is the best and only option for them, and live their lives hardly learning anything about how amazing and incredible our bodies are; especially when it comes to our fertility. 

• Beautycounter
• Non-toxic Living
• NFP
• Natural Family Planning
• Fertility Health
• Women's Health
• Safer Skincare Products
• Eczema
• Environmental Toxins