Invest in yourself with these gifts for YOU!
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Around this time of year, moms spend a LOT of time thinking about gifts for other people. There’s parents, siblings, nieces & nephews, friends, husbands, co-workers … and, of course, the big one — kids. I bet you’ve already looked at about a dozen gift guides by now, haven’t you? (Shameless plug — make you sure you check out my lists for toddlers and preschoolers that won’t be a waste of money!)
But have you given any thought to what you should give yourself? Maybe you and your husband don’t exchange gifts (we don’t – we buy something we need or want for the house). Or maybe your budget is tight and you don’t want to “waste” part of it on yourself. Or maybe … you think it’s selfish to get something for yourself.
But Momma – you deserve to treat yourself every once in a while, and what better time than Christmas!
But if you’re feeling guilty about the thought of gifting yourself something for Christmas, then get something practical. Something that’s going to pour into you, or enrich your life in some way. Don’t think of it is buying yourself a present — think of it as an investment in your life and family.
I’ve put together a list of 9 gifts to invest in yourself. There are a few products and a few courses, but all of them will make your life, your body, and your family a little bit better. These gifts are for YOU, ladies, but don’t feel guilty! Your family will thank you for them, too.
9 Gifts to Invest in Yourself
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MUTU System
If you’ve had babies, and your tummy still isn’t what it used to be (or your pelvic floor — aka the reason you have to cross your legs when you sneeze), then you might have a diastasis recti that never healed postpartum. I discovered I did after I had my first baby, and it only got worse after my second.
(Read my post to learn more about diastasis recti, how I discovered I had one, and how you can know if you have one, too.)
After I had my second child and diet and exercise were just not cutting it, I decided to give the MUTU System a try.
The MUTU System is a comprehensive diet and exercise program designed to strengthen your core, improve pelvic floor function, and help you achieve a strong, fit body. The goal is to help moms lose the “mummy tummy,” regardless of how long ago they had their babies. The main objective is to help correct a diastasis recti, but it also targets pelvic floor function, overall core health, and weight loss through healthy food choices.
I did the 12-week program, and I saw definitive results (and since it was a comprehensive lifestyle change rather than a quick fix, the results just keep coming!). I would recommend this program to anyone looking to strengthen their core, improve their pelvic floor function, make lasting changes to their overall health, and … yes … lose the “mummy tummy.”
You can learn more about the MUTU System and how it helped put my body back together HERE.
Why It’s an Investment
I don’t think it’s selfish at all to spend time and money on your health. This system will make you stronger, help your body function better, prevent issues stemming from a weak core and connective tissue, and improve your body confidence.This benefits your whole family because a strong, happy, confident mom (and wife!) is good for everyone!
I’m not going to lie — this system is a bit pricey. If you have the budget for it, though, I think it’s well worth the cost.
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Make Over Your Mornings course
Oh, mornings … the test of every mom’s patience and often the most stressful part of the day. Breakfast debacles, frenzied preparations, and last-minute scrambles for shoes, coats, bags, lunches … By the time you get out the door, you are often already worn out for the day.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Thanks to Crystal Paine’s 14-day Make Over Your Mornings course (and her Make Over Your Evenings course, as well), I am reclaiming my mornings, restoring peace, and starting my day off well. (For more information about the course and what it did for me, read my post How I’m Accomplishing More By Doing Less).
This course is incredible, doesn’t take a lot of time each day, and is super affordable! (and even more affordable this weekend — keep reading to learn why!) It is low in cost, but high in value.
Taking the Make Over Your Mornings course will not only benefit you — your goals, your life, your sanity — but those benefits will spill over to your entire family. ‘Cause when Momma’s stressed … well, that’s just not a fun place to live. Trust me, your husband and kids will be thanking you for taking this course by the end of the 14 days.
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Other courses from Crystal Paine
If you’ve already taken Make Over Your Mornings, or think you might want to, you might also want to consider her other courses.
Make Over Your Evenings – This is the first course I took from her, and I loved it. It helped me restore some balance in my evenings and helped me use them to their full potential (including time for me!!).
Grocery U – This is a FANTASTIC course for learning how to save money on groceries. If your food budget is out of control, or you simply want to learn a few new tricks for reigning in this oftentimes “budget killer,” then this is a course I highly recommend.
Make Over Your Year – I have not taken this course, but I’ve heard really good things about it (and Crystal’s courses are always amazing). Now would be the perfect time as we’re finishing this year and heading into the next. Start 2018 right with Make Over Your Year
15 Days to a Healthier You – I have this course, but have not completed it yet. So I can’t speak from experience about it. But I do know that she recently revamped it and brought it back for purchase because she had so many people asking for it, so I’m excited to take it!
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The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook
Shameless plug time. This is an ebook I wrote, but I truly believe it is a gift every mom should give herself.
If you have ever struggled with the question, “What’s for dinner?” this is a book you will love. It is packed full of practical strategies and tips to help you get dinner on the table in less time, with less stress, for less money.
Why You Should Consider It
If the only thing you get is more confidence and peace about preparing meals…
If the only thing you get is a more organized approach to meal planning that turns your normally frazzled dinner prep into a calm, stress-free routine…
If the only thing you get is an arsenal of tools and strategies to simplify your meals…
If the only thing you get is one money-saving tip after another to keep your food costs low…
If you get any of these things, the $8 you spend on The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook will be well worth the investment. But you don’t only get one. You get them all!
In the book, you get all these things and more. And I can speak with complete confidence because I know first-hand the difference it made in my meal management system… and my stress levels!
If you could use a little more peace and a lot less stress when it comes to feeding your family well, then I encourage you to consider getting The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook and seeing what it can do for you!
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Roomba
Now we’re getting to some of my favorite splurges for moms – the ones that might seem costly up front but will pay off big in the long-run.
First up – the Roomba!
This little guy is wonderful. I absolutely love him, and would not want to go back to the days without him. We now have reasonably clean floors every day, and I DON’T HAVE TO VACUUM EVERY DAY! Woo-hoo!!
We got our Roomba a couple of years ago for Christmas (my mom got it during Black Friday sales, so watch for those!), and it changed our house AND our marriage. No, I’m serious. You see, my husband was getting a little tired of coming home to dirty floors, and I was tired of him expecting me to vacuum every day. Round and round we went … until the Roomba solved our marital woes. Now all is happy (and clean) in the Mullen house.
You can read my full review, including my best advice, tips, and tricks, HERE.
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Instant Pot
Next up – the Instant Pot!
Now, I’ve been hearing from a few people lately that they don’t use their Instant Pot much, and to that I say (and have literally said), “Whaaaat??” I use mine several times a week, and I love it.
I make the majority of our food from scratch, and the Instant Pot saves me so much time. I can make dried beans in an hour and a half, applesauce in half an hour, and chicken stock in just over an hour! It also makes the tenderest, juiciest, most fall-off-the-bone meat you will ever eat, and seals in all the flavors of the food you make. Plus, it’s one of the most nutritional ways to cook food.
But the BEST thing about it is that I can safely cook food from frozen in it … because I’m kind of known for forgetting to thaw. 😉
You can read more about why I love my Instant Pot HERE. And be sure to read my Best Tips For Instant Pot Success and check out some of my favorite Instant Pot recipes!
This time of year is full of gift guides, trips to the mall, and (if you’re like me) surfing the Internet in your jammies at home. But I hope you take a minute to think about what you’re going to do to treat yourself this year for Christmas.
Don’t think of it as buying yourself a gift, but rather making an investment in your personal well-being and the happiness of your family. Merry Christmas, Momma!
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Share your thoughts!