Category: A Tribe For Moms

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DIY Pedicure: Get Salon Feet At Home With This Listerine Foot Bath #thrusaleizeyes20

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? #thrusaleizeyes19

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

With Love In Paris #thrusaleizeyes17

Saleisha Averhart January 2, 2019

Paris was everything.

New Years Day starts a new chapter for my marriage. This January 1st, we met the small milestone of year five. Reminiscing on our grown, as individuals and as a couple, I couldn’t help but think of our recent trip to Paris. Marriage is a gift that keeps on giving if both invest wisely. #love #marriage #thrusaleizeyes

Pictured above is a view of 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 #thrusaleizeyes16

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. I’ve slowly been easing my way back into society it seems like. It’s been difficult but I am reminded I am stronger than I believe I am at times. I remembered looking at the ceiling from my bed thinking I am able to help everyone except the life growing inside me and wanted to crawl under a rock. I realized when it happened that “it’s not my fault,” but better said than done honestly. Emotional pain hurts. My confidence took a huge hit, but I’m coming back. 

This miscarriage required carrying my baby a little more than a week after finding out the bad news.

Am I suppose to wear a sign? I don’t know what I need until it’s offered and I accept it. You are given options. Several appointments follow. I was scared I’d start hemorrhaging because I have to be on blood thinners when pregnant. The morning sickness did not stop until after the baby was out of my body nine (9) days later. Confusing is an understatement. 

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 came home and took my toddler out her crib from a nap. Holding her didn’t take the pain away. I wept in my stepson’s arms when I saw him. He just held me and let me cry. There is a lot of shame that comes with not being able to hold yourself together in front of children. They are great motivators for getting your shit together. 

I don’t know who this new me is yet. “I don’t feel like talking” expresses that confusion. All I know is there are multiple layers of guilt and shame to work through. Only God knows how long it will take me to heal from this loss. 

Holiday Party at the North Carolina Executive Mansion with my husband two weeks later. I’m extremely thankful I have a partner who will hold my hand and remind me of my strengths when I can’t see them as clearly. 

Only I bonded with the life inside me and felt that life end. We went to Paris, New York, and Ohio together. I eagerly celebrated you with people and have sadly shared you’re gone. 

Keep praying. Cry. Remain hopeful.

Don’t ever give up on the family you desire.  #pregnancyloss #thrusaleizeyes #atribeformoms 

Update: Since this post, I experienced another miscarriage. Back to back miscarriages are tough. I was more prepared to cope with pregnancy loss the second time around, but it was still a difficult experience. Find positive ways to cope. We are not alone. I am also happy to announce that 2019 ended with the birth of our beautiful daughter Nadia. We are truly blessed.

#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. My daughter was 3 weeks old her first trip and we haven’t really slowed down since then. I absolutely love it.

I have learned a few valuable family travel tips along the way. Here are some highlights of the out of state family travel we did my first year after birth.

#familytravel #thrusaleizeyes #atribeformoms #newbornlife #momlife #celebratingme #recharging #eatpraylove

Bold lip colors
In Atlanta, GA when Safia was three weeks old.

Super dad
It was actually very worthwhile to bring our newborn with us to a fine dining restaurant. She slept thru it and we took turns with feeding. I had just started adding pumped breast milk so she would latch with breastfeeding so it was a nice reward to get a fine dining experience and have my husband feed the baby for a change!

The Westin, downtown Atlanta, GA. Great view for a nap.

Safia is a very well traveled young lady.  In her first year of life, she’s been on 11 trips. 9 of those were in the US, and 1 was international. Of our 11 family trips in 2016, 9 were road trips and 2 were flights. 

Black museums in the USA
June 2016, I went on a day trip with Safia to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio while my husband was at work.

Family photo poses
July 2016 Safia was christened with my parents, my brother and sister in law present with us on a trip to New York for Dad’s birthday.

My parents happy with their grandbabies at Dad’s 70th birthday celebration in New York.

Cute beachwear for women
August 2018, my Aunty took Safia and I to Cocoa Beach, Florida with her on her family trip. I love her and she makes us feel so special all the time.

My baby cousin and my baby girl

Curly girl bikini ideas
I was one happy new mom touching Cocoa Beach waters.

Safia had no complaints either! Family bonding time is the best.

In Atlanta again visiting Aunty Izzy’s studio in October 2016 🎶

New York is so beautiful during the winter months. This was a road trip that took the four of us from New York to Ohio for our Thanksgiving family stops. This is a beautiful shot of good old NYC.

Next stop of the Thanksgiving 2016 season was Ohio to visit the in-laws. It was their first trip seeing their granddaughter in person. As much as family travel has its stressors, to introduce the new addition to our family to everyone who loves her is so special and worth it for me.

We ended 2016 by going on our first international trip as a family. St. Thomas with my parents and a few of my siblings. I loved our warm Christmas. It was very nostalgic spending my daughter’s first Christmas in the type of weather I had my first Christmas.

I love this guy. He’s such a thoughtful partner.

Traveling photography
Getting off the boat to visit St. John’s for the day. What a view.

Caribbean travel photography
A moment of relaxation. I was still breastfeeding.

This is us getting into a weekend on the beach in Hilton Head, South Carolina in February 2017. We had so much fun night crawling the beach and a late dinner.

Family outdoor photography
Gorgeous walk in Hilton Head, South Carolina this day. It was windy, but such nice weather for February. Gotta love the South.

My first year after birth took me on quite a ride. A really fun one. Introspective too. I’ve enjoyed solo traveling before meeting my husband, the two of us enjoy it together, and we do it as a family as well. These are such precious memories and I’m looking forward to making many more. #familytravel #thrusaleizeyes 

Sunset beach travel photography

#thrusaleizeyes10

Saleisha Averhart September 13, 2018

 I’m thankful for my family and friends who have reached out to make sure we are safe as Hurricane Florence gets closer to us here in Raleigh, North Carolina. The love is a reminder of hey, get your life together please!

Currently trying not to eat all the hurricane snacks.

While I may keep it light, devastation will occur to some areas. Please prepare accordingly. This too shall pass. #thrusaleizeyes #lovinthecrew

#thrusaleizeyes6

Saleisha Averhart September 6, 2018

It’s safe to say I buy tea for fun. Today’s blend was an orange spice herbal tea, packet of matcha powder, and a spoonful of honey.

I like boiling the water pretty hot and let the orange spice tea bag seep for a good 5 minutes with the honey. I add the matcha green tea powder at the end. I got mine from Trader Joe’s. It comes with 7 individual packets.

If it’s too cool, pop it back in the microwave for a minute. It’s yummy and warm. Very soothing for my current muscle aches. #lovingme #thrusaleizeyes

Orange spice tea with matcha green tea powder