September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 💛
This month, I’m wearing these pins in honor of the courageous children and families who are facing or have faced childhood cancer.
When I was younger, I had the opportunity to spend time working with children at MD Anderson. It was heartbreaking, but also incredibly inspiring, to witness the strength of these children and their families as they fought battles no child should ever have to face.
This month is a reminder to honor the fighters, celebrate the survivors, remember the children we’ve lost, and continue supporting the families walking through childhood cancer. 💛🎗️
Healthy Snacks / For the Kitchen
If you are a parent like me, a lot of your time goes into managing your household. Here are some of my current favorite snacks going into my kiddos backpacks- thank you Amazon for having such healthy stuff and making it easy for parents!!!
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.
Top 6:
Naturally rich in iodine, essential minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and important vitamins—including vitamin K, folate, and vitamin A—to support overall health and wellness.
Chicken and Maple Protein Sticks:
Protein is essential for growing bodies and developing brains. It supports a healthy immune system, strong hair, skin, and nails, and also plays an important role in mood, focus, and cognitive function. My kids absolutely love these, and they’re such an easy way to help them meet their daily protein needs!
The Good Crisp Company Pringles:
My kids love these for snacks—especially the White Cheddar and Sour Cream & Onion flavors! I always keep a few in the pantry because they’re an easy grab-and-go option for busy school mornings, and most importantly, they’re something my kids actually get excited to eat. They’re perfect for tossing into backpacks or packing in lunchboxes.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Cheddar Crackers:
These are a great pantry staple for busy moms looking for a simple, kid-friendly snack made with thoughtfully selected ingredients. They’re crunchy, cheesy, and perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or tossing in your bag when you’re on the go!
My kids love these! Pickles contain sodium, an important electrolyte that helps support proper hydration. When kids aren’t drinking enough fluids, dehydration can sometimes show up as headaches, fatigue, or low energy. These are an easy, convenient snack to keep on hand, and my kids genuinely enjoy them!
A nutrient-packed snack and an easy way to add a little extra nutrition to your family’s day! Pumpkin seeds provide plant-based protein, healthy fats, magnesium, zinc, iron, and antioxidants—perfect for lunchboxes, snacking on the go, or sprinkling over yogurt and salads for an extra crunch.
A few more staples that I love keeping stocked in our kitchen—or tucked into my bag for busy days with the kids:
These are such an easy, kid-friendly snack! Yogurt can be a source of beneficial probiotics, which help support a healthy gut microbiome. Since gut health plays an important role in normal immune function, I love finding simple ways to incorporate probiotic-containing foods into my kids’ diets.
Tillamook Grass Fed Beef Sticks:
I’m almost always throwing a beef stick or a Paleovalley bar into my purse before we leave the house. They’re convenient, protein-packed options that can help make snacks more satisfying, especially when paired with a source of fiber or healthy fat.
BEAR Fruit Rolls (Apple, Pear, and Strawberry):
A fun, convenient fruit snack that my kids love. These are great for lunchboxes, road trips, sports days, or anytime I need something easy to grab on the way out the door.
Another kid-approved treat I like keeping around for lunchboxes and snacks. They’re an easy option when the kids want something sweet!
A longtime favorite in our house! It’s light, crunchy, easy to portion into lunchboxes, and always a hit with my kids.
Curious About Peptides?
There’s so much conversation around peptides right now, and they’ve become a big topic in the wellness world. I personally use peptides, and I put together a more in-depth guide covering what they are and why they’re getting so much attention. Read my Complete Guide to Peptide Therapy here.
Need Healthy Back-to-School Smoothie Ideas?
I also put together some of my favorite Gracefully Kristen kid-friendly smoothie recipes here. They’re perfect for busy school mornings, after-school snacks, or an easy way to add more nutrient-dense ingredients to your kids’ day.
Something that made me LOL this week 😂
Some people say being a mom isn’t a “real job”... until you try to hire someone to do all the things a mom does and realize it costs MORE THAN A MORTGAGE. 😂💸
Chef. Chauffeur. Nurse. Tutor. Counselor. Scheduler. Snack distributor. Finder of the thing that is literally right in front of them. And somehow, we’re always on call. 😂
Being a mom is 1000000% a job—and easily one of the hardest, most exhausting, hilarious, and rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.
So here’s to all the incredible, faithful mamas out there raising little humans, keeping the wheels on the bus, and doing approximately 847 jobs before 9 a.m. 🤍 You’re doing important work, Mama!
Struggling with Addiction, Heartbreak, or Simply in Need of Encouragement?
Life can bring seasons that feel incredibly heavy. Life is hard. I am trying to be more helpful and present for people around me who are struggling. Whether you’re walking through addiction, healing from heartbreak, experiencing anxiety, or simply needing a little more peace and encouragement, you don’t have to walk through it without hope.
One resource that has been such a blessing in my own life is the Abide app. I listen to it every night, and it has brought so much peace into my evenings while helping me quiet my mind, pray, and refocus my heart on God.
If you’re in a difficult season or simply want to deepen your faith and bring more peace into your daily routine, I hope it can be an encouragement to you, too. 🤍
Check out the Abide app here.
Screen-Free Kids Toys We Are Loving
My son has been loving this. I also gifted one to my nephew for his birthday and he loves it too!
Current Faith/Self Development Favorites
Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World
The Mingling of Soul's: A Great Book On God's Design for Love, Marriage, Sex, and Redemption
Fashion / Makeup
The Best Mascara That Won't Totally Break the Bank
These are truly the best!!! I love to put it on for one hour before date nights, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and wonderful. Store them in the refrigerator. My friend recently educated me on Korean and European skincare, and I have been fascinated ever since!
Audrey Hepburn Pink in the Afternoon Lipstick
I love wearing it during the day with a soft, light pink lip for an effortless, feminine look. 💕 Then, for date night or an evening out, I turn up the glam with a brighter pop of pink. It instantly makes me feel polished, feminine, and a little extra glamorous. ✨💄
Cute Tennis Skirt for Everyday:
I love the light pink color. It's super feminine, comfy, and cute!
Cute Everyday Tennis Dress- I wear a size small!
Shop all of my current favorites above, and check back because I’ll keep sharing the things I’m actually using and loving—both on my Gracefully Kristen Instagram and here on my website.
Bible Verse of the Week On our Family Fridge
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” — 1 John 2:16
For me, this verse is such a powerful reminder to pursue purity in our relationships, guard our hearts against comparison and coveting, and keep our eyes fixed on what is eternal rather than what the world tells us to desire. 🤍
Until Next Time,
𝓖𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓚𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓷
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Whether you came for the recipes, stayed for the workouts, or simply needed a reminder that a beautiful life is still worth building — welcome. Gracefully Kristen is a community grounded in love, wisdom, and grace. There is a place here for you.
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