Living fulltime in an RV may sound like a dream come true. The idea of having the flexibility to work and travel from one place to another without being tethered to a traditional home sounds exciting and adventurous. But is it possible to live fulltime in an RV with kids? The answer is YES, and we’ll explore everything you need to know about living in an RV fulltime as a family.
#1. RV Living is a Great Option for Families
Before we dive into how to make RV living work, it’s important to understand why it’s a great option for families. Living in an RV fulltime allows families to spend quality time together, explore new places, and create unforgettable memories. It also provides the opportunity to disconnect from the daily grind and truly relax in nature.
#2. Choose the Right RV for Your Family
When it comes to living in an RV fulltime with kids, choosing the right RV is key. There are many types of RVs to choose from, including motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels. Each type has its pros and cons, so it’s important to take into consideration your family’s needs, lifestyle and budget. A motorhome, for example, is a great option for families who want to be able to move around easily and have their home and vehicle in one. A travel trailer, on the other hand, is a good choice for families who want flexibility in choosing smaller tow vehicle. A fifth-wheel is the ultimate when it comes to space.
#3. Plan Your Route Carefully
When you’re living in an RV fulltime, planning your route is crucial. You’ll need to take into consideration things like road conditions, gas stations, rest areas, and campgrounds that are family-friendly. Planning ahead will ensure that you have a stress-free travel experience. Don’t be afraid to take the scenic route and explore new areas as well!
#4. Embrace Minimalism
Living in an RV fulltime means giving up the luxuries of a traditional home such as large appliances, excess belongings, and storage space. To make RV living work, it’s important to embrace minimalism and only keep what is necessary. Moms can get creative with storage solutions and opt for multipurpose items that can serve many functions.
#5. Develop a Routine for Your Family
Living in an RV fulltime can be a big adjustment for families, especially for kids. To make the transition easier, moms should develop a routine for their family that includes regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and playtime. Having a routine will give kids a sense of stability and help them adjust to their new lifestyle.
Living fulltime in an RV is not only possible but can be a fun and rewarding experience for moms and families. By choosing the right RV, planning your route carefully, embracing minimalism, and developing a routine for your family, you can make RV living work for you. The key is to be flexible, open-minded and enjoy the journey!
Pssstt…the picture is our family’s “launch day”…the day we took off and said good bye to our hometown!
It’s no secret that being a parent comes with a hefty responsibility, and making sure that your family is healthy and safe is at the top of our list. With numerous studies linking harmful ingredients in everyday products to various health issues, there is no better time to switch to non-toxic products.
Thankfully, going non-toxic is becoming increasingly popular so it’s easier than ever to shop for products. Non toxic (or toxin free) are free from harmful chemicals & synthetic fragrances, are gentle both inside & outside of the body, and are environmentally friendly. For all the moms out there who are considering making the switch to non-toxic products, this blog post is for you!
The Benefits of Using Non-Toxic Products
1. Safer for Everyone in the Family
Our children actually have higher exposure to chemicals than adults. Pound for pound children:
Put more things in their mouths than adults
Drink more, eat more and breathe more air than adults
Have more skin contact on the floor than adults
Absorb more chemicals because their skin is thinner than adults.
Using non-toxic products means that you’re avoiding excessive amounts of chemicals that can be particularly harmful to children. Plus, using non-toxic products reduces the risk of accidental ingestion or poisoning which can be life-threatening *bonus points!*.
2. Better for the Environment
The impact of synthetic chemicals on the environment is absolutely undeniable. Non-toxic products are free from harmful chemicals and are made from natural and biodegradable ingredients, reducing the impact on the environment.
3. Cost Effective
Contrary to what some may think, non-toxic products are not always expensive. In fact, over time, they can help you save money by
reducing trips to the doctor’s office
buying expensive skin products to alleviate skin problems (resulting from the use of traditional,
chemical laden products).
reduced allergies/allergy symptoms/medications
4. Natural Scents
Many non-toxic products include natural fragrances derived from essential oils. Unlike synthetic fragrances, these scents are not harmful to your respiratory system and don’t include added chemicals, making them safe for every member of the family.
These are just some of the reasons why I made the switch to non-toxic products. Check out my Favorite tab if your interested in what products we use in the Free Range RV Mama house!
xoxo,
PS – Don’t quite know how to start your non toxic/ toxin free journey? Grab my checklist for free here.
*this post may contain some affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you chose to purchase from the links*
As moms, our bodies are constantly working hard to protect and nurture our families. We clean, we cook, and we keep the house in order while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, even with the best of intentions, we can expose ourselves to various toxins from the environment, food, and products we use on a daily basis.
But have you ever wondered where these toxins are actually stored in the body? Let’s explore where we store toxins AND how we can help our bodies eliminate these harmful substances.
WHERE IT STARTS The liver is one of the most important organs in the body when it comes to detoxification. It’s responsible for filtering out chemicals and converting them into water-soluble compounds that can be eliminated from the body. However, the liver can only handle so much before it becomes overwhelmed. When this happens, toxins can start to accumulate in our fat cells.
Like…. whaaaaaa????? This is why it’s crucial to support our liver function. Eat a healthy diet high in veggies and fruits while avoiding alcohol, sugar and processed foods.
SPEAKING OF FAT CELLS Did you know fat cells can store toxins too? This is because toxins are fat-soluble, meaning they can easily be stored in our fat tissue. As we lose weight, these toxins can be released back into the bloodstream and potentially cause harm. #foreal
To minimize this risk, it’s important to support our bodies with healthy nutrients and regular exercise, ESPECIALLY if we are losing weight.
NEXT…… Our kidneys are also important players in the detox process. They filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, which are then eliminated through urine. However, just like our liver, our kidneys can only handle so much. To help support kidney function and prevent toxic buildup, it’s crucial to stay hydrated to help eliminate this gross junk.
BUT THE TOXINS DON’T STOP THERE! Toxins are also stored in our digestive system. The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that play a crucial role in our overall health. So if these guys are compromised (for example from poor diet or antibiotic use) then our bodies ability to eliminate these toxins will be compromised too (sad face).
As moms, we do our best to keep our families healthy and happy. But sometimes, we forget to take care of ourselves too. Now that we know where toxins are stored in our bodies, we can take steps to support our natural detoxification processes and minimize our exposure to harmful substances. Let’s prioritize our health, so we can continue to be the best moms possible!
If you’re looking for more ways to support toxin removal from your mom bods, join my community where we share hot tips, products that support us and boost each other up!
*this post may contain some affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you chose to purchase from the links*
Laundry, laundry, laundry. It can be the bane of a mama’s existence, am I right? So how do we take one of the dirtiest jobs in the house and clean it up? (see what I did there)
Mamas, HEAR me when I say when I first traveled down this road I made many costly mistakes. I tried the whole DIY laundry soap and dang near broke my $2500 washer machine and went through hundreds of dollars in clothing, towels and bedding because I couldn’t keep them clean. I’d end up ditching them, starting fresh only to find them disgustingly dirty once again.
All because I didn’t understand what soap or detergents do AND how hard my water is. They play a crucial roll in how to keep your clothes fresh and *really* clean.
It All Boils Down To…
Your water. This is where the problems start. Is your water hard? If your shower is prone to soap scum, you’ve probably got hard water.
Pssttt…….Hard water just means your water has a high concentration of minerals from filtering down through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum. These minerals are largely calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates.
Why Does This Matter?
The minerals in your water bond with the detergent. So not only is the minerals “eating” your detergent, it’s actually making a slurry that draws MORE dirt and grime into your clothes than before you threw them in the washing machine. Talk about a major head slap.
So if you’re anything like me and pulling freshly laundered clothing from the dryer and it’s looking worse than before you popped it in the wash, you’ve probably got hard water my friend.
So How’s A Scrunchy Mama Going To Get Her Clothing Really Clean?
Quickest, cheapest way to battle your hard water for your laundry is to use 1/2 cup Borax per load. Be sure to check your machine’s manual on where to put it. It’s definitely NOT going to be in your water softener slot though!
A long term, whole house solution would be to get a home water softener system. You’ll want to consult a professional for this step.
NOW ONTO THE DETERGENT!
I bet you thought we’d be done with the hard water thing already…..NOPE!
Powdered detergents tend to bind with the minerals in hard water which mean you’d actually have to use more powdered detergent so it’s just a safe bet to stick with liquid detergents.
To Soap or Not To Soap……That is the Question
Soaps are made from natural ingredients, while detergents are generally made from synthetic chemicals. The problem with soap is that, if not properly rinsed, it can leave behind a residue on fabrics and inside your washer- especially if there is ….drum roll please…..hard water present. This dang hard water just won’t quit!
Detergents will rinse away more cleanly and are generally more effective at cleaning than their soap counterpart, especially in hard water. Soaps are also less efficient in high efficiency washer because there isn’t as much water in the rinse cycle.
Anything Else??????
Enzymes….Most commercial detergents have enzymes in them. Enzymes help speed up the breakdown of stains and dirt. Whatever brand you swap to, make sure that your new detergent contains enzymes for a more powerful clean
Don’t Know If You Have Hard Water?
If you don’t know if you have hard water or not, there are a a few ways to find out If you’re on municiple water you get your answers from them. If you’re on well water you can grab a water test kit from a local pool supply store or grab a simple test or a comprehensive test from Amazon.
WHAT I USE
My personal preference is Dirty Labs. They have an A rating on EWG’s Skin Deep plus it’s a liquid detergent that has enzymes. It checks all the boxes that I have for my non-toxic criteria. The 80 load bottle is more economical than the 32 load bottle (of course) and it’s almost neck and neck at Tide’s price point. That’s what I call a win/win/win!!!
xoxo,
If you like this post you’re probably gonna dig my free guide!
*this post may contain some affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you chose to purchase from the links*Are You Living In A Cloud?
When I say that if we aren’t diligent about what we put into our environment that we live in a cloud of toxins I am not kidding.
Every day everyone is exposed to hundreds of toxins. They enter our bodies through various means including the air we breathe, the food we eat, the products we use, the environment we live in and lead to detrimental effects on our health and well-being
What Could It Hurt?
Living with toxins can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, skin irritations, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and weakened immune function. And if that’s not bad enough, it’s worse for our children than it is us. Over time, these toxins can accumulate in our bodies and contribute to chronic illnesses and diseases.
What Can We Change?
By adopting a lifestyle that aims to reduce or eliminate exposure to toxins, we can enhance our overall well-being. This includes making conscious choices in areas such as personal care products, cleaning supplies, home furnishings, and even the foods we consume. It also involves implementing detoxification practices to support the body’s natural ability to eliminate toxins.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of making our home environment “perfect” for our families but it doesn’t have to be. Get my free checklist here to start your journey to toxin free living.
