How to Raise a Happy, Healthy Teenager

September 6, 2013 · 34 Comments

How to Raise a Happy, Healthy Teenager

So, you thought the terrible twos were bad huh? Welcome to the teenage years.

I have two gorgeous children, my boy is now 19 and my girl 16 (had to update that!)

So far, the teenager thing is a little challenging but not too bad! I certainly don’t have all the answers but I wanted to share my tips on what is working for us. I would love you to share your tips too, so please add them as a comment.

♥ Love bomb. Just because they are all grown up now, doesn’t mean you should stop hugging and kissing and telling your kids how much you love them. Keep it up, even if they resist. Find sneaky ways to love bomb them, like sending them a message on Facebook! Take them on one-on-one dates to the movies or out for dinner. Look for anyway you can think of to make them feel loved, always.

♥ Talk. Keep the lines of communication open and make the time to talk regularly. Always have dinner together at the table where everyone can chat about their day. For more personal chats, I find going for a walk with my kids really useful. They are more likely to open up when it’s in a relaxed setting, away from distractions and not face to face in ‘interrogation mode’.

♥ Establish boundaries. I have a fairly relaxed style of parenting – I let my kids pretty much do what they want, within reason. There are certain things I won’t tolerate though. Rudeness, disrespect, hurting each other, etc. Make some firm boundaries, let the kids know what they are and have consequences for stepping over the boundaries.

♥ Choose your battles. Best bit of parenting advice, EVER! So what if what they are wearing looks weird (to us!) or they want a wacky hairstyle? These are the small things. Save your energy and angst for the big things that really matter – their safety and wellbeing.

♥ Respect their privacy. Give them some space and respect their right to privacy.

♥ Make your home a safe haven. Teenage years can be tough – negotiating school, friendships, work and romance! Making your home a relaxed, loving environment where they can de-stress. It keeps them close to you and they will come to you for help, advice and validation, rather than looking elsewhere for these things. Keep the nagging to a minimum and the love bombing and fun a priority.

♥ Feed them good, nourishing food and teach them how to cook it. This is so, so important! Fill your pantry with good, healthy food so they always have something good to snack on. I also have taught both kids how to cook as it’s such an important life skill. Get them involved in the weekly menu plan and ask them to cook one night a week for the family. I find appetite is so variable at this age, so I just relax about food and let them choose what and when they eat to some extent. As long as there is good food available, they will be fine. I always try to have healthy snacks with lots of protein for growing bodies ready for them (like bliss balls). Don’t be too hung up on a bit of junk food that they might choose to buy with their own money. Let them explore and make choices.

♥ Encourage activity. So many studies show that sport and exercise is vital for growing bodies and good mental health. Get the kids involved in sport or just going for a familywalk or bike ride.

♥ Use technology with respect. Establish boundaries around the use of technology. We like no phones or gadgets in bed at night as they interfere with sleep. Talk to teens about being safe online. Have rules about appropriate use of phones ie not at the dinner table! Find out some more tips about limiting screen time.

♥ Acne. Please refer to my blog, Natural Acne Remedies for help with acne. Don’t nag kids about it or make them feel bad, give some gentle guidance and help.

♥ Coping skills. I really think this needs to be taught in schools! Coping safely and effectively with emotions and stress is so important. Teach them things like yoga, meditation, relaxation exercises, essential oils and EFT to handle this crazy time.

♥ Give responsibility. Teenagers should contribute to the smooth running of the household. Work out some chores you would like them to do. Make them responsible for the cleanliness of their own spaces. Gradually give them more and more responsibility for things like their lunches, laundry and transport. They don’t learn life skills if you keep doing everything for them.

♥ Get support. There is so much support out there. Here are some of my favourite resources that I use:

The Kids are All Right website. A fabulous Aussie website with forums and blog articles. Ask questions, find information, feel better!

Scarleteen website. This is a sex education website presented in a teen friendly way.

Flower essences are a fantastic emotional support (for you and your teens). I recommend Megan at The Simplest Remedy.

♥♥♥

I know all kids and all situations are different, but I hope some of these tips are useful for you. We seem to just struggle through the best we can and so far it’s working out okay. I would love you to leave a comment and talk about what is working for you. The more information we can share, the better.

Do the best you can. Breathe. Persist. Love.

A Natural New Age Father’s Day Gift Guide

August 16, 2013 · 123 Comments

A Natural New Age Father’s Day Gift Guide

It’s nearly Father’s Day and I have rounded up some amazing organic, eco-friendly, healthy ideas for you to celebrate all the wonderful guys in your life!

Gift Ideas from The Organic Store

Amanda is based in Noosa and has an online store specialising in organic baby, beauty, home and wellbeing products, mostly Australian.

Recycled cement bag toiletry bag. Ethically made in Bangladesh, these upcycled bags are strong, durable, waterproof and a bit funky! Keep Cup. Made in Australia from food-grade bpa free polypropylene, the keep cup is completely recyclable and a great eco-alternative to all those takeaway coffee cups. Pana Chocolate. Raw, organic, handmade chocolate in a variety of sublime flavours.

Tea Tonic Organic Teas

The Natural New Age Dad is addicted to these teas (just like I am!). Lisa Hilbert, the naturopath and herbalist who formulates these Aussie, organic teas says that the Licorice Lover and Dark Chocolate and Black Tea are the most popular with blokes.

They are seriously good. I love that you can get them in caddies, tea bags, loose refills or little tins. Check them out on Facebook or at the website.

Miod for Men

The lovely Anna from Aussie natural skincare company, Miod has just released her new men’s range! You can get Dad a cleansing gel, soothing aftershave oil, daily face cream and beard oil.

I love the ingredients Anna uses – mostly certified organic and totally natural oils and essential oils. Affordable, quality skincare for Dad! Check out Miod Natural Skincare on Facebook or the website.

Handmade Upcyled Wallet

I bet you can’t guess what this cool wallet is made out of? Recycled bike tube! For the funky eco-dad from Moab Bag Company on Etsy.

Chocolate Coated Nuts

Get the kids in the kitchen and make Dad a batch of yummy, healthy choc-coated nuts. Pop them in a glass jar with a big ribbon and hand-made card attached. A great idea for grandpas too. Find the recipe here.

What does your family do for Father’s Day? Do you have a regular ritual?

*this post contains some sponsored content

Natural New Age Mums Chat About….. Hypnobirthing

June 14, 2013 · 34 Comments

Welcome to another instalment of, “Natural New Age Mums Chat About…”

I am so excited to be featuring some amazing Aussie mums who specialize in their own particular natural and/or new age area! The aim is to give us a little bit of inside information into some new things we may not know about, but are curious!

Today I welcoming the gorgeous Tracey Rose to the blog to talk about hypnobirthing.

Tell us about yourself….

My name is Tracey Rose and I’m a 34 year old natural childbirth educator (specialising in hypnobirthing), writer, radio journalist and mother of two adorable children, Honey (5) and Maximus (3). We live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and I run my website www.TraceyRose.com from home.

Prior to having children I was very career focused, working my way up the ladder of several capital city radio stations.

However, my two amazing birthing experiences revealed my true purpose in life – to encourage and inspire other pregnant women to get educated about birth, so they can have the most positive experience possible too.

In my free time I love walking, taking the kids swimming, riding their scooters and catching ferries around Sydney Harbour. I’m also getting back into yoga because my 5 year old daughter really loves it and keeps asking me to do it with her – cute!

Honey has Cystic Fibrosis and Coeliac Disease, so I am committed to learning how to manage her health in the most natural way possible … and as a result I am becoming quite the gluten free cook.

What is your outlook on life?

Life is meant to be FUN and ATTITUDE is everything!

How long have you been a natural child birth educator?

I worked in the radio industry for about 10 years before I had my babies and I still use my skills as a journalist to promote positive birthing now through social media and mainstream media, but I started studying natural birth when I was pregnant 5 years ago.

What study or training did you have to be a natural child birth educator?

The best study and training I did was my own birth experiences.

I researched a lot about the mind/body connection when I was pregnant, then enrolled into a group hypnobirthing course and used the techniques to stun the medical staff at the hospital 😉 They couldn’t believe I was so calm the whole labour.

I have done various teacher training (HypnoBirthing and GentleBirth) to be able to run my own classes and I am currently doing my doula training with Childbirth International.

Teaching mothers how to use their bodies and work instinctively with their babies is truly satisfying.

So, what is hypnobirthing ?

My specialty is to help pregnant women use their own natural pain-killing hormones during labour. These can be switched on and off by the mother’s physical, mental and emotional state by the use of hypnosis, relaxation, meditation and breathing.

Using hypnosis and other relaxation techniques for birth is not new, but the philosophy and techniques were most famously noted by English obstetrician Dr Grantly Dick-Reed in the 1920’s. He observed that in the absence of fear and tension, severe pain doesn’t have to be part of labour.

Most people don’t even realise this is possible, so it’s amazing to share this knowledge.

Gentle and natural birthing is not just about the experience for the mother, but it’s also about creating the most gentle and safe experience for the baby.As a result, mothers and babies are healthier, calmer and have higher APGAR scores after birth. It also makes for easier bonding and more intuitive mothering.

How does a session work?

PRIVATE: I hold private weekend workshops with parents either at their home or via Skype.

They receive a book plus CD’s and I teach them all the skills I used (plus more) to have a to have a positive birth.

This includes lots of tips for dads and birthing partners, plus I teach them how to navigate the hospital system for the safest, most gentle birth possible.

They also receive unlimited ongoing phone/email support and access to a private Facebook group.

VIRTUAL: I have also just launched live virtual classes. This is a result of many women not being in the same city/country as me who want to attend group sessions.

These are held in a webinar format, where couples attend online for 2 hours p/week for 4 weeks.

Parents in the virtual class receive the same course materials as private clients.

They also receive a free 30 minute phone/skype chat to answer questions or assist in technique practice etc. They also have access to a private Facebook group.

PHONE SESSION: Some mums just want some questions answered or want to make sure they are doing techniques/practice correctly. I also help them shift any limiting beliefs about birth enabling them to move forward.

How much does a session normally cost?

Private classes cost $497

Virtual classes cost $297

1 hour phone sessions with me $97

Is hypnobirthing suitable for everyone?

Short answer – No.

If a mother doesn’t want to do hypnosis/relaxation/visualisation and is being pressured by their partner/friend to do it, then it’s not for them.

You need to be an active and willing participant for these techniques to work.

However, what I’d like mums to know is, that all information and techniques I teach is based on evidence and science, so it’s not just for hippies 😉

Also, even women who need to have a c-section find this information very beneficial.

Why would you recommend hypnobirthing ?

Learning how to birth your baby gently and naturally will have such a positive impact on your whole life.

It’s not just about your baby’s birth day, it’s also about how you cope during the newborn stage. Mums and bubs generally recover more easily, physically and emotionally if they have had a positive birth experience.

Hypnobirthing helps women get over the fear of birth and approach it with excitement instead of dread.

I give them the skills to work with their body and baby for a more comfortable birth, meaning they are much less likely to want or need medical intervention.

These techniques enable mothers to keep calm during birth, which in turn helps to prevent the baby going into foetal distress.

Do you have a favourite inspirational quote?

“Giving birth should be your greatest achievement not your greatest fear.”
– Jane Weideman

Check out Tracey in action:

How can people get in touch with you?

Phone: 0488 088 572

Email: tracey@traceyrose.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TraceyRoseLIVE

Website: www.TraceyRose.com

Giveaway:

This giveaway has now closed. The winners were Alisha and Zanni. Congrats!

Tracey is kindly offering to giveaway two of her positive birth packs to two of you!

In each pack you get:

* Tracey’s book – “How To LOVE Your Labour” (e-book download)

* Birth Affirmation MP3 (download)

* Fridge Magnets

How to enter:

♥ Be a blog subscriber (add your email address to the top right hand box)

♥ Like Tracey Rose on Facebook. Go here.

♥ Leave a comment on this blog post letting us know why you would like to win.

Terms and conditions:

This giveaway is only open to Australian residents. You must fulfill the entry criteria for a valid entry. Winners will be chosen using random.org, emailed and announced on this blog post. Please leave a correct email address and don’t forget to check your emails. Giveaway runs from now until Friday the 21st of June at midnight.

Thank you so much Tracey for a glimpse into your world of hypnobirthing!

Mumma Wisdom

May 10, 2013 · 22 Comments

Mumma Wisdom

Sunday is Mother’s Day and I have asked some of the most inspiring mums I know to share with me a little of their wisdom. My questions was how they raise their children to be happy, healthy and holistic.

♥ Kirri from Kirri White Coaching

“I recall my parents attempting to teach me all sorts of things as a kid. What foods were healthy. How many hours I needed to sleep and play. Appropriate etiquette at the dinner table! A lot of the time it felt like a lecture and I stubbornly resisted – just because. But I was always watching…always observing. One of my greatest learnings is that as long as you are being the person that you would like your kids to be, you can’t go wrong. Practice living a healthy, happy and fulfilling life and they will naturally follow.”

♥ Angela from Conscious Community

“For healthy, happy, holistic children, look to nature for inspiration. There is an inherent connection between nature, our health and our inner selves, which we can awaken and nurture in our children by consciously choosing the natural alternatives in our everyday lives.

Look to natural foods; natural health care; natural body care products; toys and clothing and bedding created from natural materials; for these will nourish our children’s bodies and gift them with vibrant health in both body and mind. Embrace the natural environment as an adventure playground to inspire imagination and free play and much laughter, with ever-changing scenery as each day moves from dawn to dusk, and each season flows into the next. Adopt a peaceful and respectful parenting philosophy based on rhythm and reverence and gratitude, and our children will journey with us on our path to a truly holistic way of life.”

♥ Alisha from Naughty Naturopath Mum

“I think the best way to bring up my children to be happy is to stay with them at their level all the time. Each child is so individual and we need to let THEM lead us in terms of what they are ready for next. Childhood is so short and precious and to allow them to be who they want at every stage, without forcing our own notions, ideas and comparisons on them, is paramount. I think they will be happy if they are loved, affirmed, praised often and allowed to grow at their own pace. As for keeping them healthy, teaching them to grow their own food, shop for produce at fresh food markets and get them to help out in the preparation and cooking of the food from an early age. They will find out on their own about unhealthy foods from their own experiences but you hope they will always come back to what is instilled in them from birth at home. Getting them outdoors and into nature whether it’s the park, the bush, the beach…..as often as possible so their appreciation for nature and movement within it is also instilled from an early age.”

♥ Kristen from Street Organics

“Treat your children as emerging adults, with all the respect and dignity you would want for yourself. Children won’t respect you if they feel patronised! And use humour wherever you can! Childhood is too short to be serious about it!”

♥ Ann-Marie from Sanctus Stones Motivational Jewellery

We have a number of principles we live by to keep our precious son happy and healthy. Besides loving our son (who is now 18 months old) to the end of the world and back, we always-

1. Show him his PARENTS LOVE and RESPECT EACH-OTHER deeply.

2. Give him our FOCUS and PRESENCE.

3. Give him nutritious and ORGANIC FOODS. Staying clear of processed foods and until recently meat.

4. LAUGH and Smile with him ALWAYS. Not sweating the small stuff!

5. OVERLOAD him with kisses and cuddles.

6. Allow him to LEARN and discover new things INDEPENDENTLY. We aren’t hovering parents.

7. Have him in a great SLEEPING ROUTINE. We started this from when he was a baby. Sleep is the most powerful influence on emotions and allows his body to rest and grow.

♥Brenda from Brenda Janscheck Health and Lifestyle

“I bring up my kids in a happy, holistic way by providing them nutritious organic real food, keeping them active, having lots of snuggles, and at night at bedtime we talk about all the things we are grateful for, have more snuggles, and end the day with a couple of minutes of mindful breathing.”

♥ Lou from Yogi Tree

“I raise my son to be healthy and happy by trying not to sweat the small stuff…. If I am stressed out then how can I be a good Mama? Keeping things simple is key. Good nutritious food, lots of outdoor fun, and not taking anything too seriously…. I try and look at things from my toddler’s point of view = life is one HUGE adventure.”

♥ Nicola from The Yogic Housewife

“Let them be who they are. We spend so much time dictating how they act, what they wear and where they go that they don’t get much time to be themselves. As an adult you have to dig deep to find your light. Let their light shine brightly from birth. We are all different, unique creatures and that is truly wonderous.

I try to instill in my children gratitude for what they have and the freedom to enjoy their lives. I explain to them why we eat healthy – it’s the key to a long and happy life. I want them (and I) to be present as much as possible and just be in the moment by doing things they love and feeling safe in the love we have for them.”

♥ Bek from Author Rebecca Mugridge

“The best way of raising healthy, happy down to earth kids is by leading a healthy, happy and down to earth life yourself. Something really powerful you can do to enrich your children’s lives is to spend time outside. Kids benefit greatly from unhurried time spent in nature. They have an amazing knack of connecting with the natural world and discovering its treasures. They view the world around them with awe and appreciate it enough to see the magic out there. The combination of fresh air, sunshine, wonder, play based learning, exercise and calmness of nature time is priceless.”

♥Robyn from Overcoming Overwhelm

‘Whatever you won’t accept as a 14-year-old, start when they’re 3.’ and ‘Choose your battles.’

♥ Collette from Cut out the Crap

I believe the easiest and most important way to encourage a healthy lifestyle and eating is to “live by example” …. I can’t expect my children to eat healthy nutritious food if I don’t!

How to make them happy….for me it’s not about ‘material’ things, it’s about quality time, stopping and actually listening to them, laughing as much as you can with them and always telling them “I love you”.

♥Kristin from Mamacino

“My tip for bringing up kids in a healthy, happy, holistic way is to love them like crazy and always be on their side. Celebrate who they are and respect what is important to them. Listen to them, talk to them and try to be the person you want them to grow in to.”

♥ Vanessa from Superfood for Kidz

“These gorgeous kids are my reason for doing what I do – their allergies, illnesses and little quirks have changed my life I’m grateful for my life taking a different path – I’ve been lucky enough to see the difference using food as medicine has made in my family and want to help others experience the joy for themselves.”

♥ Lisa from Happy Tummies

“I like to teach my children to be grateful and that there is always something to be grateful for. For the happy lives they lead, the people in their lives that love them and the ‘stuff’ that they’ve collected. I’m pretty busy like all mums so I try to make time for the small things that matter to kids like a tea party afternoon tea, a story before bed and a cute note occasionally in their lunchbox. I try to make them all feel special.”

♥ Linzi from The Lice Fairy

“It’s important to raise your children in your way, to be true to what you believe and don’t bow to pressure from our children or other parents to do something that goes against our gut feeling just because “so and so’s” mum and dad let them. I it doesn’t feel right or fit for you stand firm and say so. You know your own children better than anyone so don’t ever feel guilty for making a choice that’s different to other people. At the end of the day, the buck stops with you, so don’t whinge about something if you are not prepared to make a stand to change it.

How I try to raise my two children (a 10 and 8yr old) is to always be kind, honest and thoughtful towards others and themselves. Make good choices and try not to judge others. Treat all people (and animals) with respect and always go the extra mile to help whenever possible. Be friendly not hostile, even if you don’t think the person you are dealing with is being friendly back to you.

I’m not perfect but I try and model this in the hope that me setting a good example with what I do will one day rub off.

I hope that through me looking after myself and my family by making healthy, informed choices, exercising regularly, eating organic and whole foods whenever I can and teaching them to take time out to stop and appreciate the things we have to be thankful for that they will grow up to be responsible, useful citizens and make a positive contribution to our world and their future. I really just want them to be healthy, happy, loving and content when they are adults, just like they are now!!!”

♥ Sabeen from Mumchic

“Most importantly, I try to equip my children everyday with the knowledge that they are loved and protected. Little reminders , a cuddle, a kiss, a kind word or even a surprise note in the lunch box are all wonderful reaffirmations. Believe in their dreams, trust their gut, it does wonders for their self-esteem and confidence. And humour – knowing that I have a sense of humour and won’t mind a joke or two makes them happy little campers! And they absolutely LOVE when I go all Bollywood on them 🙂

When it comes to physical health, we talk extensively about good and not so good food choices, exercise and the like but the one thing that stands out for me is how much children love cooking – I think getting hands on in the kitchen is a great way to introduce children to various textures, flavours and cuisines and we do a lot of that around here.”

♥ Sonia from Natural New Age Mum

My advice when raising children to be happy, healthy and holistic is to be authentic. You are the perfect mother for your children, because they chose you. Approach parenting with an open heart, listen to your intuition and do your best. You might like to read this blog post I did – The only three things you need to know to be a good mum.

Have a very happy Mother’s Day!

A natural, new age Mother’s Day gift guide

April 22, 2013 · 22 Comments

A natural, new age Mother’s Day gift guide

Mother’s Day is a time to show appreciation of our mums and all the wonderful things they do for us! Here are my favourite gift ideas for the natural, new age mum. Ladies, you might like to share this on Facebook or email to the appropriate loved ones!

♥ Cosima Skincare

Cosima Flawless Nourishing gift pack. I am a big fan of this range – I was lucky enough to win some from Facebook a while ago and totally loved how they made my skin feel. Angela is a Queensland mum who has created these natural products using certified organic ingredients of remarkable quality.

Flawless is a new line, full of anti-aging ingredients and is a natural alternative to Botox (much better than injecting yourself with toxins, I reckon!). It’s all backed up with clinical evidence, not false promises. Not tested on animals, recyclable packaging and manufactured in Australia – it ticks all my NNAM boxes.

You can get it online direct from Cosima.

♥ Pana Chocolate Gift Pack

It’s no secret I love chocolate and Pana is one of the best healthy chocolates around. Pana chocolate is handmade in Melbourne using raw, fair trade, certified organic ingredients. No sugar, soy, dairy. gluten, additives, preservatives, GMOs or animal products.

I totally love the packaging which is made in Australia with 100% recycled cardboard, soy based inks and recycled foil. Yeah, this company walks the talk!

Get it online here.

♥ DIY teacup candle.

I have seen this idea in so many places and I can’t wait to give them a go. It’s so easy and thrifty! Just pick yourself up a vintage tea cup from an op shop, some soy or beeswax and pure essential oils. Find out how to do it at Inhabitat.

♥ A maternal care pack.

For just $20, get Mum a charity gift from Act for Peace. The maternal care pack is for women in Pakistan who are not allowed out of their home and often give birth with untrained help. The pack goes towards midwives and safe birthing delivery kits as well as post and ante natal care.

You can help lower the maternal and child mortality rates in this country, which are among the highest in the world. Head to Karma Currency for the details. “Thank you for coming to provide us with the clinic and health care. You have done more for us than you will ever know.” – Yesmeen, Pakistan.

I hope this has given you a little inspiration for your mum or some ideas on what you can put on your wish list! However you like to celebrate, have a fabulous Mother’s Day and enjoy the precious time with your family.

Your guide to a Happy, Healthy Easter !

March 13, 2013 · 16 Comments

Your guide to a Happy, Healthy Easter !

It’s an early Easter this year! Are you ready?

This pagan celebration has somehow turned into a giant choc-fest! I also think it’s outrageous that hot cross buns appear on Boxing Day. More and more catalogues and shops are suggesting that Easter is another Christmas and we should buy gifts as well as copious amounts of chemical-laden chocolate.

It is easy for kids to get caught up the hype.

Okay, so how do you participate in Easter, enjoy some chocolate and not be a party-pooper? Well, it’s easy. Just go back to basics – home made is best or choose your products wisely. Create family traditions based around making treats together on the Easter weekend. We ask family and friends to not buy chocolate for our kids. We all just get one small portion of chocolate each. That is really enough and we all enjoy it!

Here are some more healthy ideas and alternatives for you.

Easter Bunny cupcakes from Including Cake!

Cute egg bunny from Lifetime Moms

It’s all in the packaging! Cuteness from A Lemon Squeezy Home.

Upcycled packaging from The Old Fashioned Mama.

A cute way to serve Easter snacks from Ebony at Neat 2 Eat.

Bunny Crackers from Kaboose.

An easter-egg fitness treasure hunt from Super Healthy Kids!

Fruit Bunny Snack from The Prime Pursuit.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bunnies from Elana’s Pantry. Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan.

Pink Bunny Egg from Parents.com . I suggest using beetroot to colour!

Browse some of my other Easter posts for some recipes and ideas:

Healthier Hot Cross Buns

Healthy Homemade Easter Eggs

Homemade Chocolate Bars

Whatever you do for Easter, enjoy the lovely time spent with family and friends!

Do you have any healthy Easter ideas or recipes? Please link up with me!

How to host an eco-friendly kids’ party!

March 9, 2013 · 45 Comments

How to host an eco-friendly kids’ party!

Today I am bringing you my top tips for a very green kids’ party. Keep in mind that even the little things we do can all make a difference.

♥ Plan ahead. Many environmentally friendly products are sadly not widely available, so you may need to hunt around or order online.

♥ Make a list and consider what you will need. From here you can work out how you can make the party greener. Borrow from friends, consider using things you already own or things that can be re-used, composted, recycled or upcycled in anyway.

♥ Invitations can be made at home with recycled paper or cards or you can use some eco-friendly invitations.

♥ Skip the paper invites and email the guests or create a Facebook event!

♥ You need to be very careful with balloons. If you want to have them, please dispose of them properly as they pose a choking risk to animals (even the biodegradable latex ones).

♥ Tell your guests that your party is eco-friendly and ask them to join in the fun. You could ask them to wrap the gift in recycled paper, make the gift a preloved book or toy or have a no-plastic gift policy. One year my son invited so many kids to the park and we really didn’t want over 20 toys (and the packaging!) to add to our home. Luckily he felt the same way and was more than happy to say ‘no gifts, donation if you prefer’ on the invites. He felt very proud donating over $250 to NAPCAN, one of our favourite charities.

♥ Set up boxes or bins, clearly labelled for recycling for easy clean up.

♥ Make paper chains. Use old wrapping paper, cards, brown paper or homemade artworks. Masking tape is best as its recyclable.

♥ Get creative with party decorations. Use things like candles, flowers, leaves, gumnuts, pebbles, shells, seeds and pods! Popcorn garlands and hanging biccies are fun too.

♥ Instead of using disposable plastic tablecloths and banners, invest in a gorgeous fabric party decorations that can be reused over and over again at every celebration! Check out these hundreds of ideas at Etsy – you can even find people who will make customised products for you.

♥ Check the local op-shop for colourful platters, plates and cups. It’s not hard to wash them up and you can store them in a box to be used again and again.

♥ If you want to use disposable party-ware, check out this range that is all natural and compostable. You could even use washed banana leaves as plates – what fun for a jungle themed party!

♥ Food covers are better options than using cling wrap (gosh we used to go through a lot of that stuff for parties!)

♥ Try and cater most of the party yourself. Buying individual portions of food uses lots of packaging and it’s usually more expensive.

♥ Face-paint can be really toxic. My daughter always breaks out in a terrible rash if she gets her face painted! Choose a natural face paint like No Nasties Nevada.

♥ Instead of plastic party bags, use paper bags, fabric bags, noodle boxes, paper doilies, pot plants or even paper cups! Check out my healthier party bag ideas here.

For your next birthday party, spare a thought for the environment and see if you can make even one small change. Trust me, it makes you feel good to know you are doing you’re little bit!

Do you have any more ideas?

10 DIY Christmas Gifts to Make with Love!

November 8, 2012 · 47 Comments

10 DIY Christmas Gifts to Make with Love!

I have put a challenge out to my family this year.

We have to make, with our very own hands, one gift for each other for Christmas!

This challenge was met with shock, then laughter and disbelief. When the hoo-ha had died down and they realized I was serious, their brains started ticking over and then ……… they started getting excited!

Trying to avoid the commercialism of Christmas time without being a Grinch is a pretty fine line. But this year, getting back to basics and making something with love for each other might just be the answer.

Now, DIY gifts may seem a bit daggy. But if you have been browsing Pinterest lately, you will soon see that DIY can be very funky, stylish and not all that hard, even for a creatively-challenged person like me!

We have all sorts of ideas lined up and I wanted to share a few with you that I have found with thanks to the wonderful world wide web.

Of course, I am going with natural and new age theme!

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

Simply mix 2 1/2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and a few drops of essential oils. Any of the citrus oils would go beautifully with this. For the full tutorial, go here. Put it into a pretty jar with some ribbon, a cute spoon and a home-made tag. Wonderful!

Christmas Tea

Oh how I love my tea and I also love these cute jars from Ikea, which I have a zillion of! I am looking forward to making some of this blend up for family and friends. Choose organic black tea and organic spices for extra goodness. Find some pretty Christmas ribbon and make some tags or find some free printable tags online.

Quote Crockery

This very cool idea has been going viral on Pinterest and Facebook. I can’t wait to try it. I can imagine all my favourite quotes on a whole dinner set! Draw some of the kid’s favourite characters with coloured Sharpies onto plates or a funny moustache for Dad onto a mug. The ideas are endless. Check out your local op shop for some white crockery and get into it! Go here to see how to do it.

Photo candles

How beautiful is this idea I found on Pinterest? I couldn’t find the original website, but the instructions were on the pin. Use glass vases (try the op shop!) Then print out your black and white photos on vellum (from a scrapbooking store or Spotlight) and glue them (or use double sided tape) to the outside of the vase. Add a soy tealight candle and you have a beautiful and heart-warming gift for family and friends!

Oil Diffuser

I love my aromatherapy oils! First, get yourself some good quality oils (check out the ones at Twenty 8). Then all you need is a pretty jar or bottle (try the op shop), some bamboo skewers and a carrier oil like almond or jojoba. I have also seen it done with twigs from the garden for a really rustic look. Go here to see how it’s done.

Aromatherapy Playdough

I used to make this all the time when my cherubs were little, but with a little imagination, it transforms beautifully into a special gift. Make a whole set of play dough, each with their own natural colour and scent! Use Hoppers natural food colouring and good quality oils so you know your littlies will be safe. You can even name them fun things, make labels and package in some upcycled containers. Go here to see how it’s done.

Upcycled Jewellery Rack

How sweet is this!! Find a piece of driftwood or old bit of wood you have lying around. Go to the opshop or hardware store and find some cute door knobs. Attach. I even think I could manage to do this one! You could make it a coat or tie rack for the men in your life using slightly more masculine knobs (ooh that sounded a bit rude). Get creative! Go here for the details.

Upcycled Tyre Swing.

A seriously cute and budget friendly idea for the kids. Get an old tyre, paint, attach hooks and chain and find a tree. Lots of fun! Go here for the info.

Okay, so that is some of the very funky and clever ideas I have found so far! We still have a few weeks to go until the fat man arrives, so we are busy thinking and plotting and planning. I am really pleased at how fun this is turning out to be!

I would love to hear from you. Do you make handmade gifts for Christmas? Do you have any more ideas or links to share with us?

A natural, new age guide to the Sunshine Coast….

October 15, 2012 · 13 Comments

……. or what I did on my holidays!

The Sunshine Coast in Queensland, is about one hour north of Brisbane. It is a mecca for all things natural and new age and it’s a great spot for a fabulous family holiday.

I have been a local a few times in my life and enjoyed many holidays and I just love it. There is something really special about it.

This time around, we met some amazing people, saw some wonderful sights and ate some fabulous food.

Please note, that all of these recommendations are my own. No-one paid me to say anything nice or gave me any freebies (maybe next time, hey? 😉 )

Here are some highlights.

chai at The Silva spoon

The Silva Spoon. A very cool cafe at Cotton Tree. The Natural New Age Dad and I went on a bit of a chai-tea-tour of the Sunshine Coast. We love our chai. I think the best though, was at The Silva Spoon – look at the presentation! The cakes and treats are all baked on the premises and cater to gluten-free. They were so delicious and looked amazing as you can see in the photo of my daughter’s gluten-free chocolate cake. A few treats on holidays are good for the soul. You can buy lots of different teas, teapots and teacups to take home as well. I had to get some of the masala chai and some immunity booster tea. Visit their webpage or Facebook page.

gluten-free goodies at The Silva Spoon

Right next door to the Silva Spoon is a fantastic organic food store, Get Fresh Cotton Tree. We purchased some groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables and lots of healthy, gourmet treats. The locally made butter chicken curry paste was to die for. Visit them on Facebook.

While you are in Cotton Tree, there are lots of cute little stores and boutiques to look at. My favourite funky little store was the lovely bird. Tanya blogs and sells some of her stuff online too. Visit her webpage or Facebook page. I had some pampering in Cotton tree too and highly recommend the gorgeous girls at Juhi Hair Body Life to look after you using their Aveda natural products.

Lake Baroon

Lake Baroon. Tucked away behind the hinterland town of Montville, is the idyllic Lake Baroon. We stopped here for a picnic lunch and to soak up the serenity. There are rest room facilities, bbqs and a playground for the kids. Visit the webpage for more details.

Obi Obi Creek

Obi Obi Creek. We did a short, but steep bush walk down to the creek, just near Lake Baroon. What a magical place, with an interesting indigenous history. You can do all sorts of bushwalks as part of the Great Sunshine Coast Hinterland walk.

the water wheel at Montville

Montville. This hinterland town is almost like a quaint English Village. It has some very cute shops and cafes with views stretching right to the coast. Our favourite shop by far was Cadman Cottage. They sell all sorts of new age treasures at very reasonable prices with friendly service. We bought books, some feng shui nick nacks and some lovely gifts. Check out their website.

locals at Eumundi markets

Eumundi markets. These markets are so famous and there is a reason why! The atmosphere and energy is second to none. Stall holders must ‘make it, bake it, grow it or sew it’ and there is an awful lot of talent around. Check out the market website or Facebook page.

paella!

The food is superb. We tried calamari, paella, okonomiyaki, sushi, Tibetan dumplings, yoghurt, fresh limeade, local strawberries, curry paste, brie, lots of samples and of course, chai. Check out the huge paella pans – it was so delicious!

Acro Yoga

Once a year, the markets also host ‘All Well and Good’ – a free health and wellness event. We were so lucky it was on while we were there. I was fortunate enough to meet so many beautiful souls interested in all things natural and new age, including the lovely Natalie from Enlightened Goddesses. We had a lovely reading using the Body Consciousness system and were in awe of the Acro Yoga display.

The Natural New Age Dad and I were drawn to a wonderful man, Pratika-Sahayak playing a really unusual instrument. Simply blissful music for the soul. We had a lovely chat and bought a windchime for our new yoga space. The Samjjana CD is on my Christmas list. Check out the website or Facebook page.

Eumundi Markets are not to be missed! Make sure you get there early and allow most of the day to experience everything.

cake display at Husk and Honey

Husk and Honey. Jodi from Hot Pink Chilli recommended this place, so we had to stop for (yet another) chai and some morning tea. Everything at this eclectic little cafe, tucked away in a side street at Nambour, is grain-free and gluten-free. Guilt free too! We sampled raw shortbread, sticky date muffins and apple and cinnamon cake. All I can say is, do yourself a favour and stop by sometime! Check out the website or Facebook page.

the view from our apartment

Mooloolaba. We stayed right on the beach at Mooloolaba. Listening to the waves at night, taking early morning walks along the beach, evening strolls down the Esplanade and browsing the Twilight markets are some highlights. If you are inspired to stay, you can’t go past Bellardoo Holiday Apartments for very affordable, family-friendly accommodation. Check out the website or Facebook page.

There is so much more I could share with you. The Sunshine Coast really is a little piece of paradise. Put it on your must do list!

Have you been to the Sunshine Coast? What are some of your favourite places?

Guess who is from the Sunshine Coast!!

Cheap and Cheerful School Holiday Fun!

September 19, 2012 · 25 Comments

Cheap and Cheerful School Holiday Fun!

Do you love or loathe school holidays? It can be a bit of both around here!

The secret is keeping the kids amused so they don’t start fighting! Here are some things my kids have had fun with over the years.

♥ Virtual painting

Don’t panic – this is no mess ‘painting’. Get a bucket of water and a large paint brush. Take kids outside. Let the kids go nuts and paint whatever they want! You can sit back with a book. Older kids can actually do painting for you (or other household jobs). However, you may have to fork out some cash for this one.

♥ Head to your local library

Gosh I love the library! As well as being able to borrow books, you can also borrow CDs, DVDs, games and toys. Some libraries will offer free or low cost activities in the holidays and some have great kids chill out areas where you can read, watch movies or play games on the computers.

♥ Let’s Cook

We do loads of cooking every school holidays. It’s educational, it’s learning a life-skill and you get yummy treats afterwards! You can do a theme day or play restaurants. Cook dad a special lunch and meet him at the park. Here are some easy recipes for the kids to try.

♥ Parcel for Grandma

Get the kids to write a letter for relatives. Add a drawing, artwork or craft, parcel it up and post it off. This is a little bit educational but sssshhhhhh! don’t let on!

♥ Photographer for a day

Give the kids the camera or phone for the day. Suggest a theme or just let them go crazy. Upload to Be Funky to edit and have more fun. Check out this creation by my daughter – it kept her and a friend amused all day!

♥ Get your craft on

The internet has a billion and one craft ideas to explore. Also check out 10 Cool Nature Crafts for Kids.

♥ Scavenging

Go to the park, the beach or even the backyard, armed with a list of things to find – feathers, rocks, five different types of leaves. Make sure your scavenger hunt list age-appropriate. If you need help, check out these free printable lists.

♥ Go fly a kite

Such good fun for kids of all ages and it will get you all outside into the fresh air. If you are feeling really crafty, you could make your own kite first!

♥Abracadabra!

Go onto you-tube and learn some simple magic tricks. Dress up and put on a magic show for family, friends and neighbours. You can even charge admission and make snacks too. My kids spent a whole weekend doing this and had a ball!

And what about these ideas from Pinterest…. my kids are keen to give these a go!

Make a tree gargoyle! Go here for instructions.

Make mini bow and arrows! Go here for instructions.

I hope these ideas have given you some food for thought and keep the kids busy. Please link us up with or share any ideas you have too.

Enjoy your holidays!

How to Raise a Happy, Healthy Teenager

A Natural New Age Father’s Day Gift Guide

Giveaway:

Mumma Wisdom

Have a very happy Mother’s Day!

A natural, new age Mother’s Day gift guide

♥ Cosima Skincare

♥ Pana Chocolate Gift Pack

♥ DIY teacup candle.

♥ A maternal care pack.

Your guide to a Happy, Healthy Easter !

More:

Do you have any healthy Easter ideas or recipes? Please link up with me!

How to host an eco-friendly kids’ party!

Do you have any more ideas?

10 DIY Christmas Gifts to Make with Love!

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

Christmas Tea

Quote Crockery

Photo candles

Oil Diffuser

Aromatherapy Playdough

Upcycled Jewellery Rack

Upcycled Tyre Swing.

Cheap and Cheerful School Holiday Fun!

♥ Virtual painting

♥ Head to your local library

♥ Let’s Cook

♥ Parcel for Grandma

♥ Photographer for a day

♥ Get your craft on

♥ Scavenging

♥ Go fly a kite

♥Abracadabra!