A natural and new-age Father’s Day gift guide!

August 21, 2012 · 7 Comments

Father’s Day is nearly here and it’s time to show our Dads how much we love and appreciate them.

Here is my pick of the best online gifts for Dad.

Upcycle.

I love these quirky, hand-made vintage signs for Dad’s shed from Whatsy Dots. Find the whole range online at Etsy.

Organic.

Get your dad looking spiffy with some Aussie organic skin care, especially designed for men. Sanctum Men’s Essentials pack contains shave gel, shower wash and face moisturizer. Available online here.

DIY.

Make your own green gift for dad! A little bit of nature for dad to put on his office desk, bedside table or in the shed. This beautiful and easy to make terrarium is something the whole family can help out with. See how to do it here at My Green Australia. Add some crystals or a write a nice message on a smooth rock.

Eco-friendly.

The Contigo Travel mug is possibly the best on the market. Perfect for hot or cold drinks, it is 100% leak proof and spill proof. Perfect for Dad to drink his coffee on the way to work. No more takeaway cups means your Dad is doing his bit for the environment too. Buy it online here.

Charity.

A piglet – such an awesome gift. Don’t panic. You don’t actually get the piglet delivered to your home! For $39, you can gift a piglet on Dad’s behalf to a family in Laos. Or for $10, a chicken. Go to the Oxfam Unwrapped website.

What have you got planned for your Dad?

The only 3 things you need to know to be a good mum

May 11, 2012 · 42 Comments

The only 3 things you need to know to be a good mum

Motherhood is a tough gig. To smack or not to smack. Breastfeed or bottle. In your bed, out of your bed. The list goes on. But I think that quite possibly, there only 3 things you need to know to be a good mum.

There is always a plethora of experts (and non-experts too) telling you how to bring up your kids. Books, blogs, baby whisperers – who do you listen to?

Did our grandparents worry so much about parenting?

I don’t think so. When did it all get so complicated, confusing and competitive?

I have been thinking about this a lot. Now that my kids are older, I can look back at the journey and wonder why I spent so much time fretting about everything!

I was one of those mums who read loads of parenting books and magazines. I approached motherhood like I would a university assignment. I was determined to get an A + ! Not everything went to plan though and I had to learn some hard lessons.

I had to give up my desire to be ‘the perfect mum’ and just be the ‘best mum I could be’.

Anyway, in hindsight, I have come to the conclusion that there really are only three things you need to know to be a great mum.

♥ LOVE. Always come from a place of love. Always act with love. Pretty simple, right? Actually, this applies to everything in your life.

♥ MAKE YOUR KIDS A TOP PRIORITY. When your kid’s needs are put right at the top of the list (don’t forget your own health and wellbeing), everything works. I know as soon as I start making other things a priority (like work), the cracks appear.

♥ FOLLOW YOUR HEART. I think we are born with maternal instincts. You should always follow them. Sit quietly and think. Does this feel right for me, for us as a family? The answer will come to you. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing or thinks about it. Just trust your instincts.

What do you think? Are these the only 3 things you need to know to be a good mum or would you add some more?

You might also like to read about reclaiming motherhood.

The shocking things I found in my son’s shoe drawer!

May 8, 2012 · 34 Comments

I have no words. The shock. The horror. Mortified and devastated is what I am.

Look what I found in my 13-year-old son’s shoe drawer.

Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Not just one bar, but three large packets! All of it laden with artificial rubbish!

At first I was a bit cranky. Not just about the chocolate – I hate it when my kids do sneaky stuff behind my back. He is well aware we don’t buy this stuff and we don’t eat this stuff.

Then I got to thinking, why? Why, oh why?

Am I being too strict in our food choices? I didn’t think so. We are by no means 100% clean eaters! It’s just impossible to be that perfect!

Just this week, hubby and kids shared two blocks of Green and Blacks organic chocolate (I buy it when it’s on special). I am all for treats – what is a life lived without some pleasure, after all? But, I want those treats to be the very best quality treats, not some chemical concoction.

It’s all relative though isn’t it? Compared to the vast majority of his friends, we do eat differently. Mostly organic, very little processed foods, very little takeaway or junk foods, most things made from scratch. I find it pretty sad that we are the odd ones out.

Is it a case of peer pressure and trying to fit in with his friends? Is he rebelling against the choices I make for him, being the supposedly older and wiser parent?

Part of me is sad. Sad that my baby boy is growing up – he has his own money, he goes out with friends, he is starting to make some of his own choices.

All I know is that eating chemical laden crap isn’t what I want for my kids!

Looks like we are going to spend some quality time with The Chemical Maze Handbook this afternoon!

What do you think? Are you too strict with your kid’s food choices? Or not strict enough? Is there ever a happy medium?

Our Trip to Henderson Park Farm Retreat

April 6, 2012 · 6 Comments

I love those holidays where we don’t have to do anything, see anyone or be anywhere. It’s nice to unplug from the world and just be. I was desperately in need of some down time, time with my family and a big dose of Mother Nature. Kids and hubby were worn out from school and work too. So last week, we took off for a couple of days to Henderson Park Farm Retreat. Truly one of those magical spots where you can just relax and connect with nature.

sunrise over Hedlow Creek

Henderson Park is just north of Rockhampton, in Central Queensland, Australia nestled on the banks of Hedlow Creek. The farm has been in the family for generations and now they share their little piece of paradise with visitors from all over the world.

We stayed in a motel room in the lodge with a shared kitchen. It was very luxurious and comfortable. Happy Natural New Age Mum! I like my creature comforts.

four star rooms at a farm stay? you betcha!

There is not a lot to do at Henderson Park. There are no shops, no restaurants, no entertainment. Bliss! What there is to do, is bushwalk around the farm, canoe on the beautiful Hedlow Creek, and chill out. We also did a lot of napping, reading, yoga and board games! We didn’t even turn on the tv, use our phones or check Facebook!

bushwalking

canoeing on Hedlow Creek

(the canoes are free for guests to use whenever they want)

local wildlife

Being a farm stay, you will see lots of cows and you can do a tour around the farm with the hosts if you like. We also saw lots of native wildlife. These kangaroos were very interested in us paddling past them! We also saw some wallabies and lots of different birds. Apparently the odd koala makes an appearance in the gum trees, but we weren’t lucky enough to see them this time.

sunset over Hedlow Creek

By the time dark descended over the farm each night, we had enjoyed our bbq dinner, a round of Pictionary and were ready for bed !

We came back so very relaxed, recharged and happy with some more beautiful memories to cherish and add to the memory bank!

Have you had a holiday lately where you were able to really relax?

Our Trip to the Crystal Castle.

March 19, 2012 · 9 Comments

Some of you may have noticed the beautiful picture I have on my blog and Facebook page. It is a massive piece of quartz crystal, set in the gardens of the Crystal Castle. Nestled up in a little mountain in the Byron Bay Hinterland, not far from Mullumbimby in New South Wales, Australia is the most magical, spiritual, beautiful place I have ever been.

We went on a road trip to visit my parents last year and finally I got to visit the Crystal Castle! We even made a whole day of it, staying at nearby Murwillumbah overnight. You really need at least a good three or four hours to visit. Both of my children, as do I, have a fascination with crystals. They are drawn to their beautiful energy and love collecting them. So, we were really looking forward to this trip!

The Crystal Castle is like an uber cool hang-out joint in the rainforest! We had a lovely lunch first off at the Lotus cafe – sitting out on the deck, overlooking the mountains – bliss! The food was yummy, healthy and organic. We had a bit of stroll around the shops, all tucked away in little rooms, branching off the main area. You can buy crystals (of course!) in all shape and forms, spiritual books, music CDs, gifts and loads of other things. The kids had a bit of a muck around in the playground – it’s right near the deck, so you can have lunch while keeping an eye on the kids.

The focal point is Fireheart the dragon, complete with crystal eyes.

They also have a large building for all sorts of workshops and you can even have readings done by resident clairvoyants. If you go in school holidays, there are lots of activities on offer, including face painting.

Didn’t they do a good job on my Natural New Age Girl?

How awesome is this picnic table and chairs made from rose quartz? It was so cool and smooth to sit on!

Once we did all the stuff in the main area, we headed off for a walk in the gardens. They are magnificently landscaped and feature statues of all different gods. We followed the lead of many others and left coin offerings on the statues as we made wishes. Crystal Castle collect the offerings and donate them to a Tibetan kindergarten in India.

An image of Ganesha, a Hindu deity.

The walks are not long and there are plenty of spots to sit and meditate or just enjoy. The highlight of the gardens would really have to be the Blessing Buddha statue which is four metres high !

Blessing Buddha Statue with gorgeous lotus mosaic.

We walked the magic spiral, the ancient labyrinth and gazed at the enormous statue of Buddha. Then we sat down for some quiet time – just relaxing and soaking up the amazing energy.

Walking the rose quartz magic spiral.

What I found most incredible was the sheer size of some of these crystals. Absolutely breathtaking!

♥♥ Rose quartz – the stone of universal love. How could you not feel the love with a crystal that big?? ♥♥

We had such a wonderful time and left reluctantly, not wanting the spiritual high to end. The Crystal Castle’s motto is “enrich your spirit” and I can honestly say that they deliver on that promise. This is a tourist attraction like no other!