Smoothie Update

I meant to jump on here a few days ago and share an update about our challenge. Oops. Things have been really busy here the last couple days. But here we are, so a little bit about the smoothies and the week.

 

Things have gone really well! I have explored some new smoothie ingredients (no not the cabbage). But I kinda feel like doing the challenged pushed me to add new fruits and veggies to our fridge. It was really exciting to go shopping and have so much colour in the cart, and even more exciting in the morning opening the fridge and choosing what to mix up!

Something I found a big help for busy mornings was prepping the night before. I got the jars clean and ready, the blender out, and prepped some of the fruits and veggies so they were ready to pop in the blender in the morning. We started out the week with 3 smoothies a day, and some healthy snacks. As the week progressed we incorporated healthy meals and focused on including lots of veggies. There were a few moments of weakness, but overall we are pretty proud of the healthy eating choices!

Here is a list of a few ingredients I wouldn't have reached for a week ago, and am so glad I tried!

• spinach, blends well with little taste
• zucchini, blends well
• fresh ginger, grated, gives a refreshing zing
• sweet potato, baked, 1/3 of the potato adds some fibre and tastes creamy (to me)
• baked beets, sweet and provide a brilliant colour
• avocado, creamy, great fats
• hemp hearts, creamy, protein packed

And I will leave you with my favourite recipe from the week, which just happens to be a green smoothie and tastes divine!  

Sweet Green Smoothie

• 1 banana
• 1/2 avocado
• small handful of spinach
• 1/2 small zucchini, sliced
• 1/4 cup of plain greek yougurt
• 1/3 cup frozen bluberries
• drizzle of raw local honey
• grate a little fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• Blend together, and add water to make the consistency you prefer

Happy Smoothie Making friends! What is your favourite recipe?
xox
Margot

DIY Natural Baby Wipes

I've been working recently to rid our home of toxins by replacing personal items we use every day, with homemade natural and healthy versions. I have been replacing items for quite a while, but for time sake I chose to go with natural and safe options available from reputable companies. In the case of baby wipes I really love the Honest Company, but ordering from them regularly was getting a little pricey, and as one of my main goals this year is to spend less I was looking for another option. My cousin mentioned that Wellness Mama had a great blog, with a super simple wipes recipe so I checked it out. I decided to try it myself and was super impressed! I have tweaked the recipe a little for our needs and what I already have in the house.

DIY Natural Baby Wipes Recipe

1 1/3 cup  boiled water, cooled slightly (or distilled if you have it)

2 tsp         Pure Witch Hazel Extract
2 tsp         Aloe Vera Juice

1 1/2 tsp   Castile Soap

12 drops   Essential Oils (I use Lavender, Melaluca, and Orange)

1 roll        Heavy Duty Paper Towels (cheap ones do not work well! :))

DIY Natural Baby Wipes Method

Using a sharp knife cut the paper towel in half. Then accordion fold one half of the paper towel roll and place into a clean and dry reused wipes container.

Combine all the ingredients listed above in a glass jar and mix gently. Then, gently pour the liquid over the paper towels in the wipe container. You may have to flip the pile of paper towels over part way through to ensure the bottom ones get soaked through.

Pull the end of the paper towel up through the hole in the wipes container and use as often as necessary!

This recipe took me only about 10minutes from start to finish. It is super simple and very cost effective. I also love that I know all of the ingredients that are added to the paper towels that will be going on my kids' skin. Wellness Mama has some great points about the scary ingredients that are included in conventional wipes brands, even the 'natural' versions.

Have you ventured into making your own personal care products? I'd love to hear what you make and which recipes you love!!!

Check back tomorrow for an update of our first day of the Smoothie Challenge!!
xox
Margot

Smoothie Challenge

Recently we watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on Netflix. We were interested by the idea of Rebooting your body from the inside out, allowing the body to heal itself, and incorporating more micronutrients in our diet. Since we don't have a juicer, we decided to challenge ourselves with smoothies instead of juices.

So here's the plan: 4 smoothies a day, 7 days in total. We will not cut out food completely, but will replace all snack foods with fresh fruits and veggies, and maybe some nuts or seeds for some added protein. We are hoping a the end of the week to feel more energetic, and have made regular habit of incorporating more micronutrients in our diet.

Here we go! Do you juice? Have you done any challenges to change your diet? I'd love to her about it!

Staying on top of the Cold Weather Season

Winter has finally settled in, with all the snow, and cold, and blustery winds that come with it. We are trying our best to stay on top of the cold weather season this year, and I thought I would share some of the ways we are doing so!

I have made a point this winter to start every day with Greens. Sometimes they are in a smoothie, sometimes just mixed in a glass of water. I love these Greens because they offer 38 herbs and nutrient rich 'superfoods', 8+ servings of fruits and veggies in each glass, they help promote an alkalized environment in the body, and they provide amazing probiotic support for optimum digestive health.

Did you know that disease thrives in an acidic environment? And that promoting healthy gut flora with the use of probiotics is  great way to improve immune health?

I made a chest rub for the kids. To help ease congestion and calm them to ensure they get a good sleep at night. It is super simple, and takes only  few minutes to whip up:

2tbsp   Coconut oil (unrefined)

1tsp     Apricot oil (or Almond)

5drops Tea Tree essential oil

5drops Lemon essential oil

3drops Lavender essential oil (optional)

3drops Copaiba essential oil (optional)

Warm the coconut oil in a glass jar until it is liquid, add the apricot oil, allow mixture to cool slightly. Add all the essential oils and mix. Rub on chest nightly before bed.

Add 10 drops of Thieves essential oil to a roller bottle, and fill to the top with Apricot oil (or any other carrier oil). Apply to the bottoms of your feet morning and night to help give your immune system a little boost and enjoy the pleasant scent! ;) I like to dilute it simply to make the oil stretch farther, even diluted it still has great benefits!

Finally, we've been diffusing oils regularly. As you can see above there are many benefits to diffusing oils. The benefits will depend on which oils you choose to diffuse. This time of year I love to diffuse Thieves, Purification, Lavender, Lemon or my personal favourite Northern Lights Black Spruce.

What do you do to make it through the winter season?
xox
Margot

Foaming Hand Soap

Many people wonder why I would bother to go to the 'trouble' of making my own cleaning and body care products. I have been dabbling in homemade products for about 6 years, but never committed fully to replacing all of the products in our home. In the past I replaced many of the regular products with those from The Honest Company, it is great company and I love the products, but ordering products every 5-6weeks was getting expensive. I knew there was a better way. Since I joined Young Living I have been replacing traditional solutions to ailments and cleaning with essential oils. Making our home and bodies healthier.

I am making about 1 product day right now. So it isn't time consuming and you use really cost effective ingredients (and a small amount of them). And so far I am over the moon with the results!

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

12oz       Previously boiled water, cooled (or distilled if you have it)
2tbsp      Castile Soap
1/2tsp     Olive Oil (optional*)
5-8drops Essential Oils

Add the water to the jug, leaving about 1" of space from the top. Then add the Castile Soap, Olive Oil and Essential Oils (I used 3 drops Thieves, and 5 Orange, you can use any scent you like). Shake gently to combine.

*The Olive Oil will help keep your pump working well, and make your Essential Oils last longer but isn't necessary.

Have you made your own soap? What oils did you use?

xox
Margot

Outdoor Play in the Winter

Sometimes I avoid outdoor play in the winter. Mostly because of all the time it takes to get everyone dressed. But I have to say when we take the time everyone benefits. We all get some much needed fresh air, expend some energy and get a little exercise in the process. Pip loves to pull out his bicycle, no matter the season - he calls it his motorcycle. And Emi finds anything she can to climb. It's cute. I love watching them. And I always feel better after a little fresh air mid winter.

Did you get out in the snow today?

xox
Margot

Reaching Goals with DIY Laundry Detergent

This year one of my biggest goals is to crush some debt! I have been working on spending less for a long time, and really thinking about items before I purchase them. But I want to do more. So I decided to take a look at some of the products that we use daily, and find ways to make them more affordable. The great thing about making these products at home is they are not only easy on your wallet, but they are so much better for you and your family than the conventional products.

DIY Laundry Detergent

1 cup      Castile Soap
1 cup      Sea Salt
3/4 cup   Baking Soda
6 L         Warm Water
30 drops Essential Oils (your choice, Purification, Thieves, Lemon, Lavender, Citrus Fresh all good options)

Using an up-cycled large detergent jug, measure the sea salt and baking soda and combine with water and pour into jug. Measure soap, add Essential Oils (I chose to use 10 drops each of Purification, Lavender and Lemon), and pour into the jug. Add the remaining water and shake jug gently. Use about 1/2 cup detergent for a large load of laundry.

This simple recipe works so well, smells great, and cost me less than $7 to make a large jug. This is kind of amazing, and I can't believe I didn't start doing it sooner!

Have you replaced any of the items in your home?
xox
Margot

Hiatus and a Winter Warm-up!

It has been a while since I have been on here, I kept meaning to log on and share something but just couldn't find the time. I returned to work fulltime last year in March, when Emi was only 5months old. It was extremely hard, I definitely wouldn't recommend it if isn't something you have to do. But, one of the major benefits of working seasonally is an annual Hiatus. So at the end of November, I was done my fulltime contract and I finally had a little more time with the kiddos.

Now that it is January, and the Christmas rush has subsided, the kids and I are having many slow days at home. Catching up on little jobs around the house, playing in the fluffy snow, reading and watching movies, and lately enjoying lots of yummy hot chocolate. Recently Pip requested some hot chocolate, but we were out of mix. So I whipped up some hot cocoa, which we all liked immensely!

Winter Warm-up

2 big 'mugfuls' almond milk (or any milk of your choosing)

2 teaspoons cocoa powder

4 teaspoons honey (maple syrup or raw sugar work too)

1 drop of orange or peppermint Essential Oil

Warm milk in a saucepan on the stove, whisk in cocoa powder and honey pour into mugs. Add 1 drop of your preferred oil (for the adults) and mix up for a tasty treat!

I recently joined Young Living, and have to say I can't believe I didn't do it sooner! I have dabbled in Essential Oils for years now, but have never included oils in all aspects of my life. Young Living oils are therapeutic grade and 100% pure, also the only oils I would personally consume. I am steadily replacing everything in my home with essential oils, and enjoying the benefits of having them in my life!

Do you use essential oils in your home? Do you have any questions? I am happy to help!

xox

Margot

Come and Hook!

This weekend I will be at the 5th Annual Peterborough Fibre Arts Festival. This is my third year attending this festival and I love it more every year. It is so nice to chat with other fibre artists and organizations, and share my love of rug-hooking with the event visitors! I always have a demo table set-up where anyone can sit down and try their hand at hooking, and I will of course have a variety of rug-hooking kits and some others supplies.

 

Hope to see you there!

xox

Margot

Winter Fun for Everyone

This weekend we packed the family up and headed North. I know, some of you are thinking 'don't they already live North?'. Well friends, we went further North.

It all started with an idea. We heard about the ice trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park, and thought it would make a fun winter destination. So we found a place to stay near-by and made a weekend of it. We bribed the boys with the promise of ice-fishing, and off we went.

Photo Credit: Nicole

We arrive at the cabin around supper time, on Friday. Moved in, had some food and the boys headed out to set-up the ice-hut for the weekend. The first night proved to be difficult to convince the pre-schooler to go to bed. Pip was just too excited about everything we had planned and refused to go to bed until almost midnight (yawn). In the morning we relaxed, ate some food, the boys did a little more fishing, and we headed out to Arrowhead in the afternoon.

Pip is still just learning how to skate, and in the beginning he wanted Daddy to carry him. Finally, dad decided on tough love. He put Pip on the ice trail and stood to the side. After a minute or two Pip was standing on his own, and trying to move forward. One of the cutest things I have seen since becoming a parent!

The ice trail is 1.3km loop, on an ice covered road through a campground. It has only been open for the last three years, and has become quite the popular winter destination. We went on a Saturday, which (after a little late research) is the busiest day! If you are thinking about heading up there perhaps try for a Sunday afternoon. Even though it was very busy, it was a lot of fun. I would love to go back sometime, but I think we will wait until the kidlets are a little bigger.

Emi rode in the chariot (thank goodness for that invention). And after skating like mad to lull her to sleep, she slept the entire time! She also had a great time snuggling with everyone during our cottage time. On our way out, our friends noticed that Arrowhead also has tubing, and decided to return the next morning for some more outdoor fun. I figured our little guys were too small for that, so we stayed behind and had a lazy time at the cottage.

Snuggling with Daddy and smiling at Pip.

We ended the entire weekend with an awesome fish fry once we got back home. All the time the boys spent in the ice-hut resulted in a big pile of fish to clean, fry and eat! And then everyone in this house had a big sleep. It was an awesome, but extremely exhausting weekend. I understand why some people choose to stay close to home with babes, but I think the fresh air was good for everyone!

Here's to our next outdoor adventure! Spend time in nature, you will feel better :)
xox
Margot

Life Lately...

Things are busy around the NaH household. Pip is getting closer to 3 than 2, and just never stops. He even decided that afternoon naps are no longer a necessity, which sometimes makes for a cranky afternoon. And Emi is 3.5months already! I'm just not sure how the time is passing so quickly, but I better hang onto my hat, because it is going amp up even more.

I just found out recently that I am headed back to work early this year. Towards the end of March I will be back to work full time, and Emi will only be 5months old. This is proving to be a lot of work as she has absolutely no interest in a bottle, and without one she will be one little grump. But I am trying to have a positive outlook and hope that things will get easier.

 

The other business in this household revolves around outdoor play, crafting and teaching. I organized an outdoor play group for Pip and other children around his age. The first one was a pretty big hit. We all bundled up, and went into the back yard to learn about some of the animals that are awake and active this time of the year. It is so amazing to watch children exploring the great outdoors. I am hoping to run some more in the future, and keep these kids learning about the world around them.

I am also gearing up for some rug-hooking activities, as well as a baby food workshop I will be instructing. More on those activities later.

How are things in your neck of the woods? Have any fun outside lately?
xox
Margot

Sustainability Through the Eyes of a Meat Eater

Today I am sharing a little of my life experience over on Oh So Nourished. 

I tried vegetarianism years ago, but it wasn't for me, I was unable to maintain my busy extra-curricular activities without meat in my diet. So, I went back to eating meat. But I was never very excited about it, I didn't like the idea that animals were kept in unfavourable conditions and treated poorly throughout their lives, not to mention the hormones and antibiotics which are passed on to the consumers. I tried to find healthier, organic, free-range options but something still didn't feel quite right. 

Crab and Lobster Pots. Early morning on Bonne Bay, Gros Morne Mountain in the background.

Then I had the chance to live in Newfoundland, with a local family, and see how they practice traditional activities and self-sufficient living (for a little more on that subject click here). From small scale farming (beef, chicken/eggs, pork and veggies), to harvesting local abundant animals like moose, ptarmigan and trout, animals are an important part of their life and diet...

For the rest of the article hop on over to Oh So Nourished. 

xox

Margot

Getting Back in the Swing

I know I have said this a few times now, but now it is actually happening. I was asked recently to share some of my experiences  and lifestyle choices over at a lovely space called Oh So Nourished. I couldn't be more excited to contribute, and I think it is going to help me get back into blogging, which I have missed.

On a happy home note: Pip started gymnastics today, he needed a little energy consuming activity with some other little people to help him burn through his energizer batteries. And Emi is getting huge! She is over 15lbs, has three chins, smiles constantly and is sleeping unbelievably well for a babe of not quite 3 months.

I will share some photos soon. :)

xox
Margot

Making Memories Last

When I was expecting Pip I had some Maternity photos done, and wanted badly to get newborn photos, including some nursing photos done - I never ended up getting any of the maternity photos and never had the time/money to get the newborn photos done. So this time round I was bound and determined, and am I ever happy I did.

As someone who is interested in photography, I always assume I will be able to find the time to take beautiful photos of my own. But that rarely ever happens. It is so worth it to have had these beautiful moments to look back on. When I saw that the lovely ladies at Glow Maternity had hired a photographer I decided I would inquire, and was so happy when I finally met Stephanie during my maternity shoot.

Here are a few of my favourites from the maternity shoot:

I was so happy to be able to capture a few moments with Pip. Unfortunately Daddy was not home that day so he missed out on the the photo op. We are lucky we fit it in when we did, because less than a week later, little miss Emi decided to make her entrance (5 days early).

These are a few of my favourites from the newborn shoot:

So precious. I love all of them, and I have no idea how I am going to choose which to print. However I am so glad I made the investment of time, energy and money to get these. In 20-something years when they are both grown I will be so happy to have these to look back on.

If you live in the Peterborough area and are looking for a maternity/newborn/family photographer I would highly recommend Stephanie from Glow Maternity. She is a beautiful person, and takes amazing photos!

xox
Margot

Welcome Babe!

We have been home a little over a week, but I haven't had the patience (until now) to sit down and share a little bit about our new family member :)

Pip would like to introduce his new baby sister, Emi (just a nickname).

She was born on Thursday October 30th, in the late afternoon and weighed 8lbs13oz. We couldn't be happier with the new little addition to our family. A few photos:

 Sleeping peacefully in her brother's hand-me-downs ;)

 I'm keeping this one for when she is a teenager... hehe

 A sneak peak of her newborn photos, I took this one, the photographer has many (better) others!

So there she is, our little bundle of joy! And our family is complete :) I will sleep again in 20 years or so.
xox
Margot