Author: Saleisha Averhart

I am an attorney, wife, and a mom. I have a law practice based in Raleigh, NC. My self-named blog, Saleishanadia.com, is a reflection of me and I encourage those who want to get to know more about me to come here to find a more holistic view of who I am. My professional counterpart is Bowens & Averhart, PLLC (www.bowens-averhart.com) which has a legal blog attached to it that I created that is called Education and the Law.

DIY Pedicure: Get Salon Feet At Home With This Listerine Foot Bath #thrusaleizeyes19

Saleisha Averhart May 28, 2020

So it’s been a rough few months (pun intended 😉 ) and my feet have been feeling it. I’m religious about getting a pedicure. Although I know I know how to care for my feet at home, I really enjoy getting a pedicure. But as many of us face a new reality of wearing masks to go outdoors and kids at home while working from home, I have come to enjoy the simple pleasures at home. Taking care of my feet while at home is one of them.

It’s really simple. I took to Pinterest to find ways to use products I have at home to take care of my feet because buying an expensive foot spa treatment system is not something I want to plan for. The Listerine foot soak probably caught my attention because I know I have all these products at home. Any antiseptic mouth wash will do, but I did hear that blue or green ones make your feet discolored for a short time. It’s inexpensive and I’m not going out of my way to give my feet some TLC. I kept seeing Listerine Foot Soak when I looked up foot care or diy pedicure and though to myself, well just try it already!

IT MADE MY FEET FEEL EXACTLY HOW A PEDICURE FEELS. Game changer status. Look for yourself in this before and after image.

diy pedicure footcare at home

So let’s share some home remedies because I did not come up with this myself. I’m sure moms and grandmothers for generations have been scrubbing their feet with mouthwash and vinegar for years and we’ve been over here thinking we need to go to the salon for a pedicure.

Step 1: Make your foot soak

Ratio:

I cup Listerine (or any antiseptic mouthwash). I used the yellow kind because I read that the blue or green one may temporarily stain your foot.

1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider). I used white vinegar because I rather ingest my apple cider vinegar. You can find it any any grocery store.

2 cups warm water. My water was hotter than warm.

Step 2: What to soak it in? (Well…this is kind of step 1 as well.)

I have a two sided container I use to put my cleaning products in. Because this was a let’s try this out kind of project, I just took my supplies out and used the container as a diy foot spa. It was perfect. Even my husband’s feet could fit them, so men, this is foot care for you too.

Step 3: Enjoy then scrub!

I soaked my feet for 30 minutes. You can probably get away with a little less and I’m sure keeping your feet in there for an hour wouldn’t hurt either, especially if your feet need some extra TLC.

I put my kids to bed and did this before bed. It was very relaxing in addition to being a great way to scrub my feet. Self care plus.

Step 4: Remember I said scrub!

Use your favorite foot file, pumice stone, or brush and scrub your feet. You will see the dead skin fall off easily. If you didn’t get your feet as well as you would like, repeat treatment in a few days or the next day.

Aftercare: simple!

Rub your feet with your favorite lotion. My go to for my feet is a combination of coconut oil and Doterra tea tree essential oil.

I think I’m officially hooked on DIY footcare and will be taking on more at home remedies that my feet love! Pro tip: I used this ratio but used more than the ratio since I had a two sided container.

Are electronics parenting my children? #thrusaleizeyes18

Saleisha Averhart April 9, 2019

The technology debate is an extremely touchy subject for many. Where do you stand on this issue?

It is safe to assume each parent has a very specific opinion on this issue. The bigger question is, why judge each other?

Of course I want my children to get lost in a book, but what about a road trip when the tablet is all that will stop the are we there yets? Or that mid-afternoon desire for a mental break that only Baby Shark can offer. The examples are as endless as the opinions. What value does this debate add to your day one may instead choose to ask if tempted to engage.

two girls reading a book
Photo by Ben White
a boy and girl using a phone
Photo by Tim Gouw

We are creatures of habit. A product of our collected experiences. What may be a fun conversation for one may be an endless trip down the rabbit hole for another. Let’s consider being thoughtful when engaging in this discussion.

Whether your child is 3 or 16, how many times do we find ourselves asking whether they are getting too much screen time? Trust me, my house deals with both of these ages! Isn’t it a great day when instead we choose to go with the flow of the day? In my house we read, the wifi is always in demand, and we focus on other fun stuff like a game night or outdoor activities. Balance is daily.

boy in the water with a starfish
Photo by Claude Piché

With warm weather emerging, the variety of available activities have my wheels spinning. Thinking about a road trip soon. Tablets and electronic devices will be charged up and ready for the ride! What do you envision a fun family weekend to include? #balance #parenting #begentlewithyourexpectations #parentinggoals #thrusaleizeyes

“How One Wake County Attorney Approaches Issues-Based Advocacy” #thrusaleizeyes17

Saleisha Averhart January 31, 2019

By: Saleisha N. Averhart, ’09

Of Counsel Magazine is a North Carolina Central University School of Law publication. This is an article I submitted which was published in the Fall 2018, Volume 20 issue “Power and Protesters, Struggle and Resistance”. At the time of submission, I was serving as 1st Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers and as Vice Chair of my precint for the Wake County Democratic Party. By the time the publication was out, I also added State Executive Committee member of the North Carolina Democratic Party as a position I hold. I thank God for allowing me to do his work.

The article is not available online as a link, so I have shared it below in the photo and as text for those unable to read the words in the photo clearly.

Gun control, immigration reform, public education, voting rights, and other similarly situated issues begin at the local level. Time management is essential. These are the cornerstones of my approach to issues-based advocacy. I became active in community based organizations, statewide and local. In law school, I was active in student government and my internships were as mayor’s assistant for the Town of Chapel Hill and as a Congressional Black Caucus intern in Washington. I’ve gained experience as plaintiff’s counsel representing individuals’ interests protected by state and federal law, including the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, and Section 1983 claims.

I started by offering more of my time to support community-based initiatives. This led me to organizations that best reflect my values. For me and others, November 9, 2016, served as a day of reflection. I took on more substantial roles such as organizing educational and social community events and supporting election protection initiatives. Efficiently using my time is an everyday process, but I have found it is a key factor in sustainability. Please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in North Carolina, including election protection workshops.

With Love In Paris #thrusaleizeyes16

Saleisha Averhart January 2, 2019

Paris was everything.

New Years Day starts a new chapter per usual.

Pictured below is Paris from the Arc de Triomphe.

Musee du Lourve
Paris, France

With Love In Paris

Bathing in the romance of the rain,
It drips down the streets.
Pat Pat Pat Pat Pat Pat Shhhhhhhhh.

Biting air wrapped in layers, 
Holding my hand and laughing with the wind instead.
It does not mean to be so cold.

I locked eyes with love.
It’s fingers brushed my opening smile
And we danced instead of spoke. 
Love came home with us too. 
For that I am most grateful. 

Do Not Disturb: I’m in the middle of a miscarriage #thrusaleizeyes15

Saleisha Averhart December 8, 2018

There is no do not disturb setting for pregnancy loss. I think people assume you wake up one morning pregnant and go to bed beginning to process a loss. That’s not always the case.

Motherhood is so layered. My confidence took a huge hit, but I’m coming back. 

If I wanted a pity party, I’d send an Evite and invite everyone to it. 

You’re invited! Join me for a Pity Party! Bring my baby’s heartbeat back with your stories, strangers experiences, and tears! Remember non-alcoholic beverages only because the baby has a small chance of still being alive. We will know for sure next week!      

Super awkward right?

Having living children does not make the loss less difficult. I don’t know who this new me is yet. “I don’t feel like talking” expresses that confusion.

Flying as a lifestyle #thrusaleizeyes11

Saleisha Averhart September 14, 2018

I was able to take a year off work when my daughter was born. It was a full on adventure that really hasn’t stopped since my daughter was 3 weeks old.

I have learned a few valuable family travel tips along the way

My first year after birth took me on quite a ride. A really fun one…introspective too. I’ve enjoyed solo traveling to family excursions as well. These are such precious memories and I’m looking forward to making many more. #familytravel #thrusaleizeyes