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Pink Glossier Bags: The Perfect Care Kit

Chelsea HarrisonComment
Pink Glossier Bags: The Perfect Care Kit

When I posted on Instagram about my favorite way to repurpose those extra Glossier bags, I had no idea how much this idea would resonate with people. And I’m thrilled. Because this idea is a fun and easy way to be prepared when someone asks for help. So here is what I do:

When I’m driving and see someone without shelter asking for assistance, I like to have something ready for them. I often see people at red lights and there isn’t much time to scramble to find money or snacks in my car to share. I realized I had extra Glossier bags building up and connected that they would be useful for someone outdoors since they are waterproof. So I threw some items in the bags that I wished I had on hand when people asked for help and stuck them in my glove box and center console.

I shared this on my Instagram stories and had tons of people ask for ideas about what to include in the care packages. I wanted to make a post to use as a resource. This list is by no means exhaustive and the best way to find out what people really need is to ask them or to ask people that work directly with homelessness.

As far as having things on hand for making the care package, I just keep an eye on when items on this list go on sale or I check the dollar store. That way I always have something ready to make a care package. If you have more ideas to add to this list, please leave them in the comments!

  • period products (tampons, pads)

  • individually wrapped ibuprofen

  • snacks

  • cash

  • giftcards to Starbucks or chain restaurants/stores (this can also provide someone bathroom access as a customer)

  • socks

  • wet wipes

  • hand warmers (in winter or cold climates)

  • bus pass

  • tissues

  • bandaids

  • chapstick

  • deodorant

  • toothbrush

  • toothpaste

  • sample size toiletries (save them from hotels)

  • ear plugs

  • a hand written note of support

And of course you can use any bag to make these care packages if you don’t have a bunch of extra Glossier bags sitting around. But in case you are tempted to order some Glossier products, here are my favorites. These are affiliate links, but I literally own and use everyone of these products and love them.

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Chelsea Harrison7 Comments

Quinoa and Avocado Veggie Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Last week marked the autumnal equinox, the end of summer and the beginning of fall, a day when sunlight and darkness are equal in balance.  As this day approached I was feeling completely out of balance.  In an effort to "reset" myself, I decided to try a juice cleanse.  I had tried one five years ago, but I wasn't as invested in my health at that point in time, so I decided to give it another shot.

While I know that many people benefit from juice cleanses, I can now safely say that juice fasting is not for me.  As someone who typically has a good relationship with food, I suddenly felt obsessed.  I was so hungry that I was craving junk foods that have never interested me.  I don't normally have any "rules" about what I eat.  I simply eat what appeals to me while trying to make the most nourishing choices I can.  But as soon as foods were off limits, they were all that I could think about.  Half way through the third and final day I decided to break the cleanse.  I was so hungry that I knew if I kept it up I'd end up eating something unhealthy.  By stopping early I was able to make a more sensible yet delicious choice: quinoa and avocado veggie bowl with tahini lemon dressing.

Chelsea Harrison7 Comments
Quinoa and Avocado Veggie Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Chelsea Harrison2 Comments

Black Quinoa Kale Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts

This week I'm switching things up.  Switching blogs that is.  I will be sharing my recipe for Turnip Oven Fries & Raw Avocado Dip on Straightforward Nutrition's website and Linn will be sharing her salad recipe here!  Linn creates delicious healthy recipes and has great advice on how to live a healthy vibrant life.  I'll let her tell you a little bit about herself:

Chelsea Harrison2 Comments
Black Quinoa Kale Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts
Chelsea Harrison7 Comments

6 Tips for Planning a Wedding on a $5K Budget

When Sam and I decided to get married, one thing was clear: We were not going to splurge on a wedding. I wanted to elope, but Sam wanted a wedding, so we began planning. The average cost of a wedding is about $30,000. We are incredibly practical people, so spending enough money to put a down payment on a house for one party was out of the question. We set a goal of spending $5,000 knowing that we would probably go over and spend closer to $10,000. But the more we planned, the more we realized how little we really needed and the more we got excited about proving that we could actually make a wedding with more than 150 guests (we have HUGE families) happen on a shoestring budget.  Here is how we did it...

Chelsea Harrison7 Comments
6 Tips for Planning a Wedding on a $5K Budget