Pomegranate, Lime and Mint Fizz

December 15, 2017 · 1 Comment

Pomegranate, Lime and Mint Fizz

We got a Soda Stream last year for Christmas and it’s the best thing ever!

As we don’t drink alcohol anymore (too many health issues) and we are keeping our sugar intake low, sparkling mineral water with lots of ice and fresh lime makes us feel like we are having a bit of a special drink.

It’s also much more eco-friendly and economical to make your own mineral water at home, so there are wins all round.

I created this fizzy drink quite randomly – I had some pomegranate juice leftover from a recipe and I wondered what it would taste like mixed with some lime and mint. Ta da – it tastes delicious.

I love that it’s not sweet and sickly, but it is very refreshing and tangy. For those who want a bit of a kick, I reckon a dash of vodka would go more than alright.

I found an organic brand of pomegranate juice at Woolies – Nuris. It has not been reconstituted and it’s not too expensive. You could do fresh pommy juice too if you have a juicer.

This is what you do:

For each glass you are making add….

a generous portion of ice

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (about half a small lime)

2 large mint leaves, finely shredded

4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) pomegranate juice

top up with sparkling mineral water (about 200mL)

If you want to be extra-fancy, you can muddle (bartender lingo for mashing with a wooden stick thingo) the lime wedge and mint in the bottom of the glass first.

You can also decorate with some lime wedges and mint sprigs. A reusable straw is also fun – my kids love using straws!

It’s such a festive drink and really quenches your thirst.

I hope you love it as much as we do!!

Get Soda Stream here >>

The NNAM Cracker Christmas Giveaway 2017

December 5, 2017 · 292 Comments

The NNAM Cracker Christmas Giveaway 2017

It’s baaaaaack!

You all loved it so much last year, the Cracker Christmas Giveaway is back again this year.

I have teamed up with some amazingly generous people to spoil you with some epic prizes worth over $1000.

All of these beautiful prizes would also make great Christmas gifts, so do check out the links I have there for you. If you can support an Aussie small business this Christmas, I know they will just love you for it.

Okay, here are the goodies. Enjoy and good luck!

♥ 123 Nourish Me Calm Kids Box

Friends Alisa and Danni have mums of Australia in love with them since the release of their 123 Nourish Me products. The feedback and reviews are glowing!

Alisa and Danni have kindly donated a Calm Kids box for one of you to win. In the box is their best-selling Sleepy Head Balm, Chest Rub and Magic Bath Wash.

They are made from all natural and organic ingredients including the highest quality essential oils. There are no harsh chemical, petroleum, mineral oils or artificial fragrance.

Check out all the 123 Nourish Me products here.

♥ Amazing Oils Vanity Pack

I am a huge fan of these two products – Amazing Oils Ugly Bits Stick and Skin Facial Moisturising Treatment. I have raved about them both on the website before. The team at Amazing Oils has changed up the packaging to orange instead of blue but it’s still the same awesome products inside.

The Ugly Bits Stick is great for skin tags, blemishes and spots. The moisturiser is one of the best I have ever used and has helped even out my skin tone and wrinkles.

Many thanks to the Harold family for giving away one Amazing Oils Vanity Pack to one of you!

Check it out here.

♥ Solidtekniks 22cm Sauteuse Pan

The hottest pans in town! Solidtekniks are the brilliant Aussie-made and owned iron cooking pots and pans and you can win one of your own. With thanks to Mark Henry and his team, we are giving away a 22cm sauteuse pan.

This pan has a lifetime guarantee and will become an heirloom piece. They are a healthy, non-toxic and durable piece of cookware – you can’t wreck this one. Brilliant for all non-stick cooking once you have seasoned it, you can also cook cakes in this sauteuse pan.

Check out the range here.

♥ Lhami Essential Oil Set

This essential oils set is divine and makes a very special gift. Four beautiful signature blends from Natalie at Lhami including Clarity, Relax, Refresh and Calm all in a beautiful wooden box. They are the purest quality, certified organic oils blended for the aromatic benefits.

Get it (on sale) here.

♥ Rainbow Sensory Sound Blocks

How pretty are these rainbow sensory sound blocks? Made ethically from safe materials, these blocks also have colour and sound to engage the senses. Use as rattles from a young age and progress up to rolling, stacking, sorting and building. They all fit together in the outer case so it also becomes a jigsaw.

This block set is from the brilliant online toy store, Eco Toys and Melinda is kindly giving away one set to one of you. See it here.

♥ IME Perfume Collection Pack

Tonia makes such beautiful, non-toxic perfumes! You can win an IME Perfume Collection Pack which is one of everything in the range. Tonia has a background in natural therapies and is master perfumer and she has designed these perfumes so you can choose by muse, mood, colour or scent.

With only 100% pure natural, non toxic ingredients, IME perfume is the perfect gift.

Find them here.

♥ Life Changing Food Cook Book

Jo Whitton from Quirky Cooking and chef Fouad Kassab have teamed up to share over 100 of their best whole food recipes. Every recipe is gluten free and most recipes suit Paleo and GAPS diets. There are dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, vegan and vegetarian variations where possible and a focus on gut healing foods.

It’s a truly beautiful hard cover book with stunning photography and design. I love my copy and Jo and Foo are kindly giving away a copy to one of you.

Get it here.

♥ Avanti Spiretti

This spiraliser from Avanti is a three-in-one machine so you can make slices and two thicknesses of spirals with three interchangeable blades. There are suction feet and an easy to turn handle that makes it safe and a breeze to use.

With thanks to Joanne at Shop Naturally, one of you will be winning your own!

Find it (on sale) here.

♥ Parker Unisex Safety Razor

With thanks to Tracey at Biome Eco Store, you can win a Parker Unisex Safety Razor and pack of blades. These safety razors are the stylish way to say goodbye to disposable plastic razors for good!

Parker Safety Razor products are hand crafted and made from brass and plated in chrome for a hard-wearing finish. The blades are fully recyclable so this is the most eco-friendly way to shave. Please note, the prize is this razor and slightly different to the one pictured (which is the one I got myself for Christmas!!)

See them here.

♥ Erica Brooke Deodorant Pack

My favourite deodorant! The lovely Erica is kindly giving away three of her natural deodorants to one of you. There are two 70g deodorants and a sample pot of the new gentle bicar- free version for you to try. Packaged in amber glass jars, Erica uses all natural organic ingredients and pure essential oils to keep your pits smelling fresh all day.

Check them out here.

♥ Karen Murrell Lip Palette

Karen Murell is a beautiful natural make up range from New Zealand. This lip palette has five lush colours with a lip brush. The lipstick is all natural, nourishing and with long-lasting colour. Kitsa at Emporio Organico is your one-stop shop for luxe natural skincare and make up and is kindly giving away this lip palette to one of you!

Get it here.

♥ Karmic Star Chakra Goddess Necklace

Karina hand-makes stunning crystal jewellery at Karmic Star and she is kindly giving away this Chakra Goddess Necklace to one of you! Using 100% recycled sterling silver wire, crystal beads and hemp cord, this necklace signifies the stunning colours of the chakras.

Karina infuses each piece she makes with love and positivity. Her creations are cleansed with water, smudged with incense (air), bathed in sunlight (fire), and spends time on her altar to ground (earth). They are then charged under the light of a Full Moon before being released into the world to find their new keeper. Divine!

Check out all Karina’s jewellery here.

♥ Eco Tan Duo Pack

Nina at Beautiful Because has an amazing range of natural beauty products. She is kindly giving away this Eco Tan Glow Pack to one of you. You get an organic Eco Tan Invisible Tan and Exfoliating Glove in a calico bag gift pack.

Invisible Tan is an organic moisturising self-tanner that nourishes your skin without any synthetic or toxic ingredients. The Extreme Exfoliant glove will help you prepare your skin for tanning. My daughter uses these products and loves them!

Check it out here.

♥ Fearsome Bear Bottle and Lunch Bag

Fearsome bottles and lunch bags are stocked exclusively by Julie at Flora and Fauna and she kindly giving away this set. In wolf, leopard, black cat and dog patterns as well as this gorgeous bear.

The 500ml bottle is insulated twin wall stainless steel and the bag is made from easy to wash neoprene. What a cute way to be eco-friendly and fight the war on waste!

Check out the range here.

♥ Love Tea Cup and Heart Chakra Tea from SpiritualiTEA

Naturopath and Herbalist, Cheryl Brady has formulated an amazing range of SpiritualiTEA chakra herbal teas. She is kindly giving away a tin of the Heart Chakra green tea and this bone china, gold plated LOVE tea cup and saucer.

You have to go and have a look at her shop!! As well as a gorgeous tea for balancing every chakra, there are some stunning tea cups and mugs that make brilliant gifts.

See the goodies here.

♥ The Chocolate Yogi Chocolate Lover’s Hamper

The Chocolate Yogi are kindly giving away this Chocolate Lover’s Hamper to one of you!! Everything is vegan, gluten free, dairy free and soy free.

Malindi has put together some awesome hampers for Christmas, starting at just $16.95. They all come with a gift box, gift card and a no-melt guarantee insulation. With donations made to Sea Shepherd and The Orangutan Project, eating this chocolate is an extra feel good experience.

Check out all the hampers here.

How to enter:

This giveaway has now closed.

The lucky winners are:

Laura Power – Fearsome Bear Bag and Bottle

Lisa Murray – Karmic Star chakra goddess necklace

Lia Thede- Erica Brooke deodorant pack

Rebecca – Karen Murrell lipstick palette

Laura Kirk – SpiritualiTEA tea and love cup

Sue Lilywhite – Amazing Oils Vanity Pack

Kellie Moore – Parker razor

Sue Hills – Life Changing Food Cookbook

Janelle Utting – IME perfumes

Fiona Connan – Rainbow sensory sound blocks

Kylie Smith – Chocolate Yogi hamper

Rachel Durkin – Avanti spiraliser

Sharni Montgomery – Solideteknics pan

Stephanie Fleeton – Calm Kids Box

Bec Sherman – Lhami essential oils

Stacey Shailer – Eco Tan pack

This giveaway is a multi-draw so by entering, you may win any one of the awesome prizes shown.

♥ Leave a comment on this blog post, letting us know one of your family’s Christmas traditions (or if you don’t celebrate Christmas, one of your family’s favourite things to do together at any time of year)

♥ If you would like, let us know your top four prize preferences as well (but of course, we cannot make any guarantees!)

♥ Share this post at least once using the share buttons below.

Never miss a thing at Natural New Age Mum. Get the weekly newsletter here.

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway finishes on Sunday the 10th of December at midnight AEST. The winners will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry conditions. There are 16 prizes to win and there will be 16 winners. Prizes are allocated to the winners randomly. Please provide a current email address when you leave your comment (not made public) so I am able to contact you when you win. Sorry, only those with an Australian residential address are able to enter. Good luck!

(this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links)

10 must-have books for Christmas

November 30, 2017 · 4 Comments

10 must-have books for Christmas

Let’s be clear here that when I say must-have I mean, I must have them!!

This is actually my Christmas book wish list. A girl can dream, right?

I wanted to share these awesome books in my Christmas gift guide but I ran out of room so they had to have their own gift guide.

In this world of technology, reading a real life book (without a screen that distorts your hormones), is one of life’s simple pleasures.

So here are my ten picks of the best books around this year for Christmas. Let me know what you think and also let me know some of your favourite books in the comments to add to our list!

♥ Earth Healing

If you’re worried about the state of Mother Earth but aren’t sure what you can do to actually make a difference, this book is for you! Dr Mahdi Mason shares with us simple and practical ways we can all start giving back to the environment on a daily basis – physically and metaphysically.

In this unique book, you will find strategies to help the environment and wildlife, ideas on how to support the earth energetically and how to become an environmental leader. It will inspire you to take action and get back in touch with the earth.

Mahdi is a land and property healer, international author, speaker and environmental consultant from Brisbane. She is a leading voice on the topic of earth healing and has an in-depth understanding of both corporate environments and alternative healing practices.

Get the book from Mahdi’s website here.

♥ The Art of Simple

I love the whole food recipes that Eleanor Ozich creates and can’t wait to take a peek at her new book, The Art of Simple. Eleanor shares recipes and ideas she has embraced in her quest to cherish life’s simple pleasures. There is nourishing food, practical help to declutter your home and recipes for natural cleaning and beauty products.

Get it here.

♥ Crystal Muse

A book of ‘crystal recipes’ to shift your energy field and empower your life. You can learn how to connect with crystals and use them in your life with daily rituals.

Find it here.

♥ The Garden Apothecary

Herb nerd and naturopath, Reece Carter shares 40 recipes for natural, healing remedies. With things from your garden and pantry, you can make tinctures and ointments to relieve a range of common ailments.

Get it here.

♥ Wholesome Child

Aussie mum and nutritionist, Mandy Sacher shares her strategies and easy, nourishing recipes for healthy family eating. Get help with fussy eaters and try some of her whole food recipes.

Get it here.

♥ Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

This book is a best seller and taking the world by storm! Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls tells the stories of one hundred remarkable women and their extraordinary lives, from Ada Lovelace to Malala, Amelia Earhart to Michelle Obama. Empowering, moving and inspirational, these are true fairy tales for heroines who definitely don’t need rescuing.

Get it here.

♥ The Sun and her Flowers

You may have seen the poetry and illustrations of Rupi Kaur on social media. This is Rupi’s second book, following on from Milk and Honey. The Sun and her Flowers is a journey of wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming. It is a celebration of love in all its forms.

Get it here.

♥ Hungry and Fussy

Over 100 recipes for sweet and savoury gluten-free baking by Helen Tzouganatos. There are also thermomix variations. Get in my belly!

Find it here.

♥ Kindness – The Little Thing That Matters Most

Jaime Thurston shares 52 simple actions you can do to spread kindness in her new book. There are also inspirational quotes, stories and heaps more.

Get it here.

♥ Finding Gobi

Available in an adults and a children’s version, Finding Gobi is a heart-warming true story about a marathon runner who was inspired and motivated by a stray dog in the Gobi desert.

Get it here.

Where to shop:

Dymocks

Angus and Robertson

Booktopia

The Book Depository

(this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links)

The Natural New Age Mum Christmas Gift Guide

November 27, 2017 · 10 Comments

The Natural New Age Mum Christmas Gift Guide

It’s less than a month to Christmas Day!

I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but my hubby couldn’t even get into the carpark at our local shopping centre the other day. It’s crazy town. I avoid it like the plague and prefer to shop online. I don’t need the stress!

Here are some gift ideas to inspire you if you fancy a spot of online shopping for your gifts this year. Get in your pyjamas, grab a cup of tea or wine and have a relaxing browse!

♥ Shakti Mat

Our whole family loves the Shakti Mat! It’s the perfect thing to buy someone who has back or muscle problems or for the person who needs some relaxation.

The Shakti Mat is an acupressure mat with a cotton cover and plastic spikes that work on your body’s acupressure points. You can stand on it, put it under your neck, under your back or under your legs. Some people even do their yoga poses on it!

The ideas is that it not only relaxes you, it boosts circulation, calms down the nervous system and releases endorphins. Benefits can include pain relief, better sleep, more energy and less stress.

Who wouldn’t want that for Christmas??? Get it online here.

♥ Moeloco Inspirational Thongs

Kathy Wong from Moeloco sells very cool inspirational thongs (or fit flops!) that give back to those in need. The thongs come in various sizes and designs for men, women and children. They are ethically made using quality hard-wearing rubber and are packaged in a reusable bag.

As you walk in the sand at the beach, the thongs leave behind an inspirational message so you can spread good vibes and love wherever you go. For every pair of thongs sold, Kathy donates a pair of school shoes to a child living in poverty. I love that!

Get them online here with free shipping.

♥ Bone Broth Basics cookbook

I lovingly call my friend Micheline, ‘The Bone Broth Goddess’, because… she is! Mich is the founder and former owner of Broth of Life. She has been making and using broth for healing and teaching others how to do it for many years.

Now you can take advantage of her knowledge with her new book, Bone Broth Basics. You will find loads of information about broth, how to make it and 40 easy recipes to incorporate broth into your family meals. Broth is a nourishing cheap food you can make to improve your family’s immunity, gut health and overall good health.

Get it from Mich here.

♥ Blue Blocker Beauty Sleep Glasses

Crystal from Ecology Skincare got these Blue Blocker Glasses in store and I thought they would make an awesome Christmas gift.

When we sit in front of the computer, watch TV or scroll through our smartphones at night, the blue light from these screens continually stimulates the hormones that keep us wide awake. This blue light also prevents melatonin (our primary sleepy-time and anti-ageing hormone) from being released.

So, by blocking the stimulating effects of blue light from devices at night time, you can get a better night sleep! Just pop them on when the sun goes down and see what a difference it makes.

The glasses come ready for gifting in a little pouch and bamboo case. Crystal is also kindly giving you all a free Beauty Sleep Mask with every pair of Blue Blocker Glasses! Just use the code: NNAM here.

♥ Joyou Surprise Gift Box

What’s in the box? I have no idea! That’s the fun bit. Gorgeous mum, Amanda from the Gold Coast, has recently launched her unique gift box business, Joyou Gifts and I think it’s so cool.

You can buy a Joyou Gift box as a one-off gift or as a monthly subscription so your family and friends get a surprise every month! The Christmas Gift box is selling now and can be posted worldwide.

So what’s in it? Amanda carefully selects an ethical, eco-friendly, vegan, hand-made piece of art or organic product for each box. The boxes are an opportunity to discover and support Australian artists. No two months are ever the same and these are gifts you will never find in chain stores or mass produced. They truly are unique gifts of JOY.

Find Joyou Gifts on Facebook or at the website here.

♥ Bespoke Skincare Pack

This is something so special. Pure, organic skincare made just for you!! Anna D’Amelio is a very talented mum from Melbourne, with over ten years spent creating natural skincare and running workshops.

Now Anna is using her talent, knowledge and her intuition to create Bespoke Skincare products. We are all so different and unique and skincare is an incredibly personal thing as it’s always changing and is affected by so many factors.

Anna works with you to create the perfect product for your skin using the purest organic ingredients and a beautiful intuitive process. Your personal blend will be stored on file so you are able to purchase a refill at any time.

Get it here from Anna and send her an email if you want to buy it as a gift.

♥ Windowsill Greens Kit

A veggie garden can be a big commitment, but a windowsill garden is much more manageable and a great place to start. This kit has everything you need – a super stylish porcelain box with bamboo lid and drip tray, organic soil mix, Aussie micro-green seeds and full instructions.

Get it here.

♥ Aroma Cards

Just released from Sunshine Coast aromatherapist, Kim Morrison, these aroma cards are the perfect gift for the oil lover! There are fifty cards with essential oil profiles and an intuitive message on each. As well as learning about each oil, you can also use the deck for guidance as to what oil your body needs.

Find them here.

♥ Indah Rose Noir Perfume Balm

This perfume balm from Aussie natural skincare range, Indah, has exotic essential oils of Turkish Rose and Peru Balsam. Beautifully packaged with a surprise crystal in each pot, it’s designed to be lightly rubbed into your pulse points. $5 from each sale is donated to Indonesian charity, Borneo Orangutan Survival.

Find the balm here.

♥ Yoghurt Maker

This electric yoghurt maker has been designed to culture yoghurt at low temperatures so that the lactose is reduced and the live enzymes remain intact. It’s brilliant for anyone following the GAPS or SCD diet protocols because you can culture your choice of milk for 24 hours or longer.

It comes with seven glass jars and is easy to use with a timer, auto shut off and digital display.

Get it here.

♥ Handmade Viking Mug

Hand-made by Brisbane artist, Naomi, these Viking Mugs are inspired by an archaeological find on the island of Gotland, Sweden, that was dated to about 1000 years ago. So cool!!!

Naomi makes them in a range of sizes and colours and she will even personalise them with a name too. Check them out here.

♥ Hammock Chair

This hammock chair is woven from 100% cotton by Mexican artisans, supporting Fair Trade and the development of small communities. It’s got a high 1.5 metre back so you can get really comfy and chilled. It comes in a range of fun colours and designs but I love this natural look.

Get it here.

♥ Treetop Adventures

Experiences are the ideal zero-waste, eco-friendly gift. Adrenaline have vouchers available online for heaps of different activities around the country.

You can choose sailing, bike rides, horse rides and hot air ballooning as well as more extreme fun like jet boating and sky diving. I love the tree top adventures as a great family gift that involves nature, fresh air, movement and time spent together having fun.

Check them out here.

♥ Lotus and Moonstone Ring

Midsummer Star have a beautiful range of sterling silver and crystal jewellery at affordable prices. I really love this Lotus and Moonstone ring. Hot tip: Check out the sale category for some great bargains.

Get it here.

♥ Sol Reusable Glass Bottle

These new Sol glass bottles are so pretty! They are a big 750ml size and are made from glass with a silicone sleeve and bamboo lid. The glass is extremely durable as it contains a high percentage of borosilicate, making it strong, lightweight and 100% chemical free.

Get them here.

♥ Jade Face Roller

This jade crystal face roller is a traditional Chinese anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing beauty tool has been used for thousands of years. Keep it in the fridge and use it on freshly cleaned skin by itself or with a face oil. It helps to clear fluids, boost circulation, improve elasticity, boost cell renewal and improve the lymphatic system.

Sounds good huh? Check it out here.

♥ Stainless Steel Paddle Pop Maker

This safe and durable stainless steel kit is perfect for making your own healthy iceblocks or paddle pops over summer. Each set comes with a stand, six moulds, six wooden sticks and silicone rings (these hold the sticks in place for the perfect icebock).

These will last for ever and save you a fortune buying iceblocks!

Get them here.

♥ Twigseeds Diary

I am such a huge fan of Brisbane illustrator and artist, Kate Knapp. Her Twigseed range is designed to inspire and uplift in a whimsical way.

Made from eco-friendly matte paper and printed with vegetable based inks, it contains daily affirmations and gorgeous illustrations of the Twigseed characters.

Get it here.

♥ Aphrodite Candle Bowl

This is something very stunning! A beautifully hand-made ceramic bowl, lined with gold edging, hand-poured, soy wax mixed with lush pure essential oils and topped with crystals and rosebuds.

Jasmin from Lemon Canary on the Gold Coast makes these with a lot of good vibes and attention to detail. Inspired by love and the divine feminine, it has been set with intentions of happiness, love, sexuality, divinity, clarity, intuition and enlightenment.

Presented in a gift box and beautifully packaged, this candle bowl is something else! Find it here.

♥ Loving Earth Christmas Chocolate

What, you thought I was going to have a gift guide without chocolate?? It’s such a good old standby gift isn’t it? You can make it a bit healthier and a bit more special with this Loving Earth pack.

Loving Earth chocolates are fair trade, organic, gluten free and use compostable, recyclable packaging. Get it here.

Wrap

Christmas is such a wasteful time of year with so much packaging going to landfill. Check out my eco-friendly wrapping ideas to inspire you to have a more sustainable Christmas.

Where to shop

Biome Eco Store for all things good for the planet

Emporio Organico for a beautiful range of eco and luxe gifts

Flora and Fauna for all things natural and cruelty-free

Lemon Canary for beautiful, spiritual things like candles, new age, crystals, oils and perfumes

Australian Geographic Shop for educational and nature gifts

Etsy for all things handmade, unique and beautiful

Dymocks for books, books and more books

Want more?

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

10 Must-Have Books for Christmas

Stocking Stuffer, Secret Santa Gifts under $30

10 Teacher Gifts under $30

A Natural, New Age Christmas Gift Guide

Natural and Non-Toxic Gifts for Kids and Teens

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for kids

The Best Natural Perfumes

(this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links)

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

November 22, 2017 · 11 Comments

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

I had so much fun browsing for kids’ gifts and choosing the perfect things for this year’s gift guide. I hope you love it too and get some inspiration and ideas.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what to look for when choosing safe, non-toxic toys for your kids. Be very careful of toxins in plastics and lead in paints, in particular. Cheap toys are often made with inferior, toxic materials in countries with poor quality control. We all know kids like to put everything in their mouth, so it’s really important to find good quality, safe gifts and toys.

Here are 20 ideas to get you started!

♥ Kids’ Gratitude Journal

One of our very own natural new age mums, Rebecca Ernest, has created this brilliant journal just for kids. It’s a beautiful gift that can teach gratitude, mindfulness, self-belief, resilience and kindness in a fun and positive way.

Each page is different in design, content and layout with 365 spaces for gratitude entries with lots of prompts, positive affirmations, animal totem cards, spaces to draw, fun worksheets to do and heaps more.

Rebecca has created a truly thoughtful, quality journal. I love the spiral binding as this makes it so much easier to use and long-lasting. Find it here.

♥ Outdoor Adventure Pack

This cute pack from New Zealand company, Seedling, encourages adventure and exploration. Included is a wooden slide whistle, a wooden nature bingo game with chalk and a colour-your-own canvas satchel with markers.

Brilliant quality, ethically made and using recycled material where possible, this kit get kids out into nature and sparks imaginative play.

Get it from Meg at Sustainababy here.

♥ At My Family Table

I am so in love with this book!! I am a long-time fan of the beautiful Mandy Dos Santos, nutritionist at Little People Nutrition and mum of three. She has outdone herself with her amazing new book called ‘At My Family Table‘.

It’s a children’s story book which follows four multicultural families sharing their favourite meal around the table. Although each family is unique in appearance, family make-up and foods they eat, they all enjoy that special time around the family table eating, chatting and connecting. The family table is a place to nourish our bodies and our hearts and this book beautifully highlights that in all it’s forms.

‘At My Family Table’ is a quality hard cover book with matte pages illustrated using pencil and water colour by Kancy Ho. Get it straight from Mandy at her website here.

♥ Kinderboard

I know, I may have mentioned this a couple of times, but I think the Kinderboard is just so brilliant! These beautiful beech wood boards are a traditional Danish toy that provides hours of imaginative play. You can balance on it, rock it, push it, spin it, slide on it, use it as a stool, as a house for toys or curl up on it and rest.

Get it online here.

♥ Organic Sashiko Birds Baby Set

This beautiful bloomer and headband set is made from certified organic cotton by a clever Perth mum – Marie Helene from Organic Minikins. The sets are available in different prints or you can request a custom order in sizes from newborn to 12 months. I just love the beautiful colour and design of this Sashiko Birds set – something you don’t often see marketed for babies!

Get them here.

♥ Bamboo Rocking Horse

A lovely first Christmas gift, this bamboo rocking horse will become a treasured family heirloom. Made from renewable and sustainable bamboo and with a natural finish, it will match in with any decor.

Get it here.

♥ Pixipop Bunny Lunchbox

If you need an insulated lunchbox, these new ones from So Young are PVC free & phthalate free. Made of durable raw uncoated linen, it come with a leak proof insert for easier cleaning, bag strap and a cool flying bunny graphic on front cover. I love that these are machine washable too!

Get it here.

♥ Star Wars Reusable Cups

For the Star Wars fan *cough* nerd in your family (yep, I have two!), these Star Wars Keep Cups are the ticket. Use them for hot or cold drinks and ditch the single use cups. They come in a variety of Star Wars characters and help you fight the war on waste!

Get them here.

♥ Beneco’s Makeup

This is such an affordable brand for teenagers just getting into makeup or for kids that want to play. Perfect for experimenting without breaking the bank. My 16yo daughter is a fan of this brand and I’m happy she isn’t using something cheap and toxic.

Check it out here.

♥ Wooden Laptop Stand

This is the perfect idea for kids and teens who like to put their laptops on their laps! Keeping devices away from the body as much as possible is a much safer way to use them. It also improves the airflow around the device so it doesn’t get too hot.

Joe, the ‘Woodmeester’ from Melbourne, designs and hand makes these ergonomic stands from re-claimed solid pine. He will even imprint a name on it for you too. See the little wooden toy laptop on there with the chalkboard? He makes those for the younger kids! So cool.

Find them here.

♥ Lhami Teen Skincare Kit

Natalie at Lhami has a teenager and he told her what to put in this skincare kit! It’s getting great feedback from kids with troubled skin. I love the gender-neutral, unobtrusive packaging that doesn’t scream, “I’ve got acne!”

You get five natural, hand-made products and a cute toiletries bag and it’s 40% off! Get it from Natalie here.

♥ Macrame and Crystal DIY Kit

Macrame is so hot right now and this kit has everything the kids need to make a wall hanging for themselves! Included is 100% Australian cotton cord, a Tasmanian oak dowel, a beautiful crystal (you can choose), easy to follow instructions and a meditation to help you get the creative juices flowing!

The kits are made by a very creative mama, Katrina from the Gold Coast in Queensland. Find them here.

Under $20 for the stockings…..

♥ Happily Made Monkeys

These cute monkeys start at just $12 and are a perfect stocking stuffer! Veronica, a mum from Melbourne, supports women in developing countries with her Happily Made Monkeys’ business. The monkeys come in a range of colours are hand-made ethically in Cambodia. The hands are magnetic so you can have lots of fun hanging them around!

Get the monkeys here.

♥ Dindi Soap Animals

Handcrafted by a mum in the mountains of Victoria, these animal soaps are made from all natural ingredients and no palm oil!

Get them here.

Gift wrapping?

Christmas is one of the worst time for excess waste. We can make a difference by choosing eco-friendly gift wrap ideas.

Where to shop?

Biome Eco Store for all things good for the planet

Emporio Organico for a huge range of eco and luxe gifts

Flora and Fauna for all things natural and cruelty-free

Lemon Canary for all things candles, new age, crystals, oils and perfumes

Australian Geographic Shop for educational and nature gifts

Etsy for all things handmade, unique and beautiful

Dymocks for books, books and more books

{this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links}

Quinoa and Pomegranate Salad

November 15, 2017 · 3 Comments

My parents came down for a visit a few months back and we tried out a cafe that had heaps of great reviews. The Golden Pig is in Newstead in Brisbane and if you get the chance to go, you won’t be disappointed! The food is sublime.

Mum and Dad has this yummy quinoa salad with some slow cooked lamb and we were blown away by the flavours. Of course we had to then try to recreate it when we got home. Sadly, it’s not quite as good as the original but it’s pretty close.

I have served the salad to a few visitors and they all really love it. I hope you do too.

Quinoa and Pomegranate Salad

Vital Stats: gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan, paleo

What you need:

5 cups cooked white quinoa

1 cup finely shredded baby spinach

4 finely chopped small green shallots

1/2 cup finely shredded parsley

1/2 cup finely shredded mint

1 large pomegranate, deseeded

1/2 cup roughly chopped pistachios

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup olive oil

2 crushed garlic cloves

salt and pepper to taste

How to do it:

Whisk up the lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt and pepper together or shake in a glass jar. Add to the rest of the ingredients and gently mix. I like to leave it to sit for a few hours in the fridge for the flavours to develop.

This salad will serve about eight to ten people as a side. We serve this with slow cooked, marinated lamb and a generous dollop of home-made hummus. Divine!

*Hot Tip

A lot of people tell me they hate quinoa!! You do need to give it a really good wash before you cook it as the outside of the grains have saponins which can be quite bitter. I soak it for a bit in some water and then rinse really well. I find adding a little salt to the cooking water also helps bring out the flavour.

This would make an awesome salad for the Christmas lunch menu! Find some more whole food Christmas recipes here.

The bumper list of natural Advent Calendar ideas

November 9, 2017 · 1 Comment

The bumper list of natural Advent Calendar ideas

Advent itself is a Christian tradition but advent calendars came from a German tradition in the mid 19th century. Chalk marks were made on a wall or candles were lit to countdown the days until Christmas.

In the early 1900s the advent calendar became a cardboard calendar with doors that opened showing Christmas scenes. Of course these days, it’s marketed with licensed character calendars and cheap chocolate!

I think harking back to simple and slow traditions with our families is so special. Winding down the pace, being grateful, not greedy and revelling in family fun instead of just more ‘stuff’ for the sake of it. Practised in this way, the countdown to Christmas with an advent calendar can become a wonderful family tradition full of special memories.

Advent calendars can take on any form you like. The main idea is to have the numbers 1-24 representing the days of December up until Christmas. Each day is marked off, acknowledged or something opened to reveal a surprise.

Ideas for Advent Calendars

Let your imagination run wild! There are so many fun ideas. You can make up easy advent calendars every year or invest in a wooden or fabric calendar to re-use over and over again.

You could use paper bags with pegs hung on some twine, glass jars covered in hessian to hide the contents, toilet rolls glued together or a large tree branch with wrapped and numbered parcels.

Here is some inspiration for you:

♥ Handmade Fabric Advent Bags

Make up some cute little drawstring fabric bags or buy them already made and numbered. These gorgeous ones are hand-made in Sydney from linen cotton and drawstring and you can personalise them too if you want. Hang them from an old ladder, a branch or string across a wall. Get them here.

♥ Wooden Advent Calendar

Hunt around craft stores and buy a wooden advent box to decorate yourself. You could also get one hand-made and decorated for you from Sydney based mum Hannah here. She will even personalise it for you.

♥ DIY Toilet Roll Advent Calendar

Okay, this is actually not that hard to do! It looks super cute as well. Find the details here.

♥ Book Advent Calendar

Simply wrap some books and display. I love this gorgeous array with a natural look from My Book Bloom. You can stick with a Christmas theme or just choose any books. Head to the op shop or library to get some books or use what you already have at home for a frugal option. You might also like to include a few new ones.

♥ Natural Leaf Advent Calendar

If super simple and natural is your style, you can’t beat this sweet idea from Tricia at Little Eco Footprint. Just take down a leaf every day!

Ideas for things to put in the Advent Calendar

There are so many great ideas for things to put in advent calendars. It does not have to be cheap chocolate or expensive gifts. Here is some inspiration to get you started.

Schedule in the parties and events you have to attend and use them as a family activity for that day. Work in other activities around it. Don’t have too many activities or you may end up exhausted. Pace yourself! Simple is best and don’t forget, you can always shuffle things around if things don’t work out as planned.

Small Advent Gifts:

♥ Crystals

♥ Playdough

♥ Coins

♥ Small stationery items (hey, you were going to have buy back to school stuff anyway!)

♥ Dried fruit

♥ Worry dolls

♥ Pet rocks

♥ Christmas felt finger puppets

♥ Small educational toys

♥ Natural Gingerbread

♥ Chocolate (the little healthier chocolate orangutans are super cute)

♥ Jigsaw (pop a piece a day in the calendar and complete the jigsaw over the 24 days)

♥ Packets of vegetable or flower seeds

♥ Items that make up a nativity scene or a Christmas centrepiece

♥ A bamboo toothbrush

♥ Christmas Eve’s surprise could be a treasure hunt with clues leading to a gift of new pyjamas and a Christmas movie to watch

Family Activities:

♥ Decorate or make a natural Gingerbread House

♥ Decorate the Christmas tree

♥ Watch a Christmas movie

♥ Drive around and see the Christmas lights

♥ Go to the library and choose some Christmas books

♥ Snuggle up in bed and read a Christmas book

♥ Dance around the house to Christmas carols

♥ Go to a Christmas pageant, parade or party (schedule in the events on the appropriate days)

♥ Go Christmas shopping

♥ Get Santa photos taken

♥ Have a popcorn summer snow fight

♥ Go to the beach and make sand angels

♥ Make up some original Christmas stories, poems, plays or songs and share them in a home concert

Things to make and do:

♥ Make some Christmas decorations for the tree or to decorate your room

♥ Funny Christmas jokes (What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinselitis!) 😛

♥ Make some Reindeer Food (NNAM style)

♥ Do some nature Christmas crafts

♥ Make Christmas cards for family and friends

♥ Make wrapping paper and gift tags

♥ Write a letter to santa

♥ Do some Christmas baking

♥ Make some Christmas play dough – use natural food colourings

♥ Make some bonbons for the Christmas table

♥ Make some Christmas book marks

♥ Print off some Christmas colouring in pages and colour them in

Acts of Kindess:

♥ Clean out the toy box and choose some to donate to charity

♥ Pop on some Christmas outfits and clean up the litter on the beach (invite your friends!)

♥ Do some Christmas baking, wrap it up nicely and share with someone special

♥ Buy some pet food and take it to an animal shelter

♥ Go shopping for gifts for a Christmas appeal like The Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal

♥ Check out some more ideas from my very kind friend, Lorraine at Acts of Random Kleindschmidts

Something Different:

♥ A Reverse Advent Calendar

Get a box or basket and pop something in it every day for those in need.

♥ Gratitude Advent

Write down things you are grateful for every day and put them in a jar.

What do you do for advent calendars?? Leave us a comment with your ideas!

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for your kids

November 5, 2017 · 10 Comments

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for your kids

Play is a fundamental childhood experience.

As well as being an important part of our children’s development, it’s also fun and many of us have fond memories of childhood toys.

Toys are something our kids will come into contact with nearly every day and they love exploring them with their mouths! So, it’s incredibly important to make sure toys you provide them with are safe and non-toxic.

“The World Health Organisation has emphasised that infants and young children are more vulnerable to gene-damaging chemicals than adults” Dr Peter Dingle

What to avoid when choosing toys

There can be many toxins in cheap toys including things like PVC, BPA, BPS, phalates, polyethylene terephthalate, fire retardants and heavy metals. They can be ingested, inhaled or transferred through the skin. These toxins are linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, endocrine disruption, developmental delays, and reproductive system damage. Scary stuff!

As well as being toxic, cheaper toys tend to be very poor quality and can break easily. Be wary of anything that has small pieces that can break off and become a choking hazard. Anything smaller than a ping pong ball can get trapped in airways.

Cheap toys are not designed for longevity. It’s a vicious cycle of consumerism where plastic toys are bought cheaply, broken and then discarded to landfill. Every bit of plastic ever made is still in existence.

There are also issue of fair-trade and ethical practices to consider. Denying a worker in a third world country a decent wage and safe working conditions so kids can have all the latest toys for Christmas is pretty messed up, no matter which way you look at it.

Wishbone 3 in 1 Bike

What to look for when choosing safe toys

♥ Choose a reputable store where you know the owners are eco-conscious and ethical.

♥ Choose natural and untreated materials such as wood, bamboo, metal and natural fibres like cotton, wool or felt. These materials are also an environmentally friendly option.

♥ Check that soft toys are not stuffed with toxic fillers. Natural fillers like bamboo or GMO free corn starch are preferable.

♥ Check that the paints, dyes and treatments used are natural and non-toxic.

♥ Check that wooden toys are not made from MDF or plywood or use toxic glues.

♥ Look beyond the labelling. Just because something says it’s non-toxic or wooden doesn’t mean it’s safe.

♥ When choosing plastic toys, look for recycled plastic that is food grade safe and free of toxins. Some good brands are Green Toys and Miniland for dolls.

♥ Personally, I also look at who makes the toys and where they are from. Is the company ethical and are they looking after their workers? It’s just good karma!

Some of my top picks:

♥ Hevea

Hevea make rubber toys that don’t contain holes so there is no chance of mould build up. The safe rubber ducky! See more here.

♥ EverEarth

EverEarth make beautiful wooden toys from sustainable wood and water based non-toxic paints. Find the whole range here.

♥ Maud n Lil

I am so in love with Maud n Lil soft toys. You will see them featured often on Natural New Age Mum. They are beautiful quality and certified organic with corn starch filling and no small buttons. Find them here.

What about family and friends?

I hear you. A new child in the family gets everyone excited and they want to buy all the baby things!

I find it’s best to nip this in the bud early and explain your stance on toxins, plastics and cheap toys. You might instigate a ‘books only please’ policy or something else that works for your family.

If you need some help navigating those conversations, have a read of my article, What to do when your family and friends don’t support your lifestyle choices.

Kinderboard

Good quality, eco-friendly toys should last a lifetime and may even become family heirlooms. You will be able to pass them on to siblings, other families or sell them when you are finished.

It’s also worth remembering that kids (and babies in particular) don’t need a lot of toys for stimulation – that’s what we are here for! There is something to be said for providing less to encourage more imaginative play. Simple toys without all the bells and whistles (or flashing lights and sounds!) are often best.

Choosing quality over quantity is a safe bet for your kids and the environment. Good quality, ethical toys do cost more than cheap plastic junk from the discount stores but I think our kids are worth it.

What do you think? Do you actively search for safe, non-toxic toys?

Further Reading and sources:

Slow Death by Rubber Duck

Healthy Home, Healthy Family

Is your home making you sick?

The big list of healthy and eco-friendly Halloween ideas

October 16, 2017 · 2 Comments

The big list of healthy and eco-friendly Halloween ideas !

Halloween is such a controversial topic!! You either love it or you hate it. Either way I hope you find this big list of healthy and eco-friendly Halloween ideas useful.

My kids loved dressing up for parties, but we never went door to door because it wasn’t really a thing ten years ago! These days it is fast becoming a very popular celebration.

Personally I think getting kids outside, off their screens and walking around interacting with friends and the community is a good thing. If you want to participate, enjoy it, have fun and don’t worry about the cranky nay-sayers.

Halloween can come with a lot of excess consumerism, a lot of junk food and a lot of cheap plastic rubbish! Like anything, you can choose to participate that way or you can choose to do things differently. It really only takes a few simple swaps to make Halloween less commercialised, healthier and eco-friendly.

I think Halloween can be a great opportunity to create your own family traditions and make some fun memories with the kids. Here are some tips and ideas to inspire you.

Trick or Treating

If you do want to go door to door, remember to be safe! The Queensland Police have some good tips here.

Why not line up some neighbours or family and friends to welcome your kids for safe trick or treating before the night. You can even provide the healthier treats for them to hand out to your kids! This is particularly useful for kids that have allergies or special needs.

Eating a substantial and healthy meal before you got out trick and treating can help with the amount of lollies being consumed and dampen the sugar high! Some savvy parents make a deal with their kids to swap their Halloween lolly stash for something else when they get home.

You don’t need to buy a special plastic bucket for your goodies. What about upcycling and decorating an old pillowcase or using a paper bag, basket, jar or box you already have?

If you want to welcome the neighbourhood kids to your front door for trick or treating, don’t use balloons. You can pop a pumpkin out by your front gate or print out a Trick or Treaters welcome sign. If you don’t want to be bothered, print out or hand write a sign saying, no thanks.

If you want to give out something healthier, what about homemade play dough or slime, crystals, paper fortune tellers, stickers, pencils, bamboo toothbrushes or some better quality treats.

Halloween Activities

You don’t have to go trick or treating to celebrate Halloween! What about these other ideas….

♥ Throw a party at home with friends

♥ Make some Halloween crafts and/or decorate the house

♥ Make a special Halloween dinner and dessert for the family

♥ Go to Halloween events in your community

♥ Have a scary movie night with some healthy Halloween treats

♥ Buy or borrow some spooky or monster themed books and read one for 13 nights in a row

♥ Have a Halloween themed scavenger hunt with some friends dressed in costume

Eco Halloween Decorations

You don’t have to buy cheap plastic decorations for Halloween, get creative and use what you have around the house or in the recycling bin.

Using paper, cloth or things from nature for your decorations are eco-friendly options. Branches with some cut out paper black bats are easy, cheesecloth ripped up makes spiderwebs and old sheets make good ghosts! Store them in a box to use again next year.

You can buy large carving pumpkins from the major supermarkets at this time of year if you want to have a crack at making some traditional jack-o-lanterns. Don’t forget to compost it when you are done.

Halloween Luminaries
So easy but so cute – use cut out paper for the eyes to avoid plastic!

Shrunken Heads!

don’t worry, they are just dried out apples

Ghost Lanterns

save your milk bottles to make these super easy ghost lanterns and recycle when you are done

Barbie Zombies

got some old Barbies lying around? they make perfect zombies!!

Eco Halloween Costumes

Unfortunately cheap Halloween costumes from the discount stores are usually made from poor quality plastic that is not great for the environment.

Why not consider making a costume from recycled materials or things from around the house? You could also hit the op shops and see what second-hand costumes they have or borrow something from your friends.

If you are painting your face, use something safe and non-toxic like No Nasties facepaint and makeup. Some face paints contain lead and heavy metals.

Check out Pinterest for some easy ideas to get you inspired.

Umbrella Bat Costume

Got a broken umbrella lying around? Make this easy, no-sew bat costume!

Zombie Nerd

A simple costume that I sourced from the op shop and dress up box mixed with some fake homemade blood to make my son a ‘zombie nerd’ !

Crafts

For easy Natural New Age Mum style Halloween crafts, you can’t go past the amazing blog, Mother Natured. Check out Penny’s 21 Halloween Nature Crafts.

Leaf Zombies

just one brilliant Halloween nature craft from Mother Natured!

Bat Treat Holder

recycle your toilet paper rolls!! (fill it with my Salted Caramel Popcorn)

Healthy Halloween Food and Treats

Spider Eggs

you could use cut up nori sheets if the kids don’t like olives

Green Apple Monsters

make it even easier and ditch the eyes!

Boonana Pops

just use currants on bananas for an even easier treat

Cheese Monsters

these use mini Babyel cheeses and are super easy

Watermelon Monster

this would be great for a party centrepiece!

Funny Face Oranges

okay you won’t get much easier than this – an orange and a sharpie and let the kids go wild

Yummy Mummies (aka Hallo-Weenies)

if you are in Australia, use the new Cleaver’s Organic Paleo Hot Dogs!

Jack O Lantern Sweet Potato Faces

No junk here, just sweet potato slices, seasonings and oil

Green-eyed Smoothie Monsters

Halloween is the perfect time to get the kids to try green smoothies, am I right?

Spooky Green Monster Zucchini Noodles

a super-healthy, fun Halloween dinner idea

Stuffed Jack-O-Lanterns

Stuff capsicums with your kids’ favourite spaghetti for an easy but effective Halloween dinner

Whew! That’s a bumper post. I really hope it has helped with some ideas on how to do Halloween, Natural New Age Mum style – a bit healthier and a bit kinder on the environment. The big list of healthy and eco-friendly Halloween ideas

Want more?

♥ Check out these three green ideas for Halloween from my friend Bel at The Root Cause.

♥ Katherine at The Ekologi Store has some amazing zero waste Halloween ideas.

What ideas do you have? I would love to hear how your family celebrate Halloween.

Let us know in the comments.

Love List ~ October 2017

October 8, 2017 · 2 Comments

I haven’t done a LOVE LIST in forever.

Actually it’s been nearly a year to the day since I did the last one!

I had a bit of a break from posting this year while I was getting my health sorted out. Now that I am feeling a bit better, I am trying to keep up with posting once a week. Remember the days when I used to smash out three a week!?

Anyhooooo…. I have had so many things in that time that I have been wanting to share with you, so it’s a bumper edition this time around. I hope you enjoy it!

♥ Antipodes Juliet Cleanser

Antipodes is a gorgeous NZ natural skincare brand. This is the first time I have tried anything in the range and I love the cleanser so much. It’s a breeze to use and it leaves my skin feeling soft, clean and fresh. It combines exfoliating action into the gel cleanser so you are doing two steps in one!

My daughter who has blemish prone skin keeps stealing it too. I love that it’s in a big 200g size so it lasts longer and it’s affordable too.

Check it out here.

♥ Kinderfeets Kinderboard

How awesome is this!!! I need an adult one.

These stunning Scandinavian Kinderfeets balance boards are made from eco-friendly beech wood. They were created to help children develop a sense of balance, stimulate their vestibular system and gain a deeper awareness of their body and body parts. It can help improve mental focus and functional strength.

You can rock it. Balance on it. Push it. Spin it. Flip it and slide. Nap, relax and read on it. Use it as a play house for toys or as a bench seat. Let the kid’s imagination run wild with it!

Brilliant for kids with sensory processing disorders, on the spectrum or with special needs. These have been selling out around Australia so be quick if you are interested!

Find out more here.

♥ Mellow Deodorant Paste

The awesome peeps at Happy Skincare have released another in their Woohoo range of natural deodorant pastes. This one is a bicarb-free, essential-oil free version. It’s perfect for all you sensitive souls who react!

In their typically generous fashion, Aaron and Phoebe are giving away their new product whenever you order something over $50!

Check it out here.

♥ Lemon Canary Tea

With Pukka being taken over by Unilever (check out our convo on Facebook about it), many people are now looking for alternatives. Personally, I love buying things from small businesses that handmake their products – there is just that extra love and passion that goes into it.

I recently bought the sample pack of all the teas from Lemon Canary to see what they were like and I am not disappointed!!! Jasmin has hand-crafted an organic, loose leaf range of blends including Love, Mystic, Happy, Meditate (awesome chai), Grateful, Summer, Winter, Dinner Party and Australiana. The packaging is so gorgeous and they would make perfect gifts.

Check them out here.

♥ Tuff Stuff Stain Removing Soap

I bought some of this stain removing soap about 18 months ago at an expo and was wondering how I was going to get another one. Luckily Julie at Flora and Fauna is now selling them!

They are amazing! You just wet it and rub it on the stain – the mesh bag helps to get right into the stain as a scrubber and the stains just wash out. It even worked on a pair of my daughter’s work jeans that had some really black and greasy patches. Julie mentions that a lot of people are using it for nappies and reusable cloth pads. The Tuff Stuff is a great price and lasts ages.

Check it out here.

♥ Eco by Sonya Rosehip Sunscreen

Do you hate the ghost look when using sunscreen?? My hubby often walks around looking like something out of the Walking Dead much to the embarrassment of the teens. 😀

Sonya Driver from Eco by Sonya has a new sunscreen out that solves that problem. This non-zinc, non-greasy formula rubs in clear but sill has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, a SPF30 and a water resistant rating of 3 hours.

Find it here.

♥ Lilypad Reusable Covers

The lovely girls at Biome sent me out one of these to try and I love it!! It’s a BPA free, food-grade silicone cover (inspired by lily pads!). You can convert any bowl you own to an air-tight sealed container for the fridge. It fits onto any smooth rim bowl or pot including glass, ceramic, wood, stainless and more.

You can even put it in the oven or microwave if you want to and you could even use it as a splatter guard. Whack it in the top shelf of the dishwasher when you are done. So brilliant.

Check it out here.

♥ Free Gut Health Video Series

Cyndi O’Meara from Changing Habits has teamed up with Kirsty Wirth from Kultured Wellness to bring us a free four part information series on gut health. I am in the midst of my own gut healing adventure and I am starting to discover that bad gut health is the the cause of so many health issues. It’s not just poor digestion, it’s fatigue, brain fog, mental health and more. It all comes back to the gut!

I have registered and got my spot and can’t wait to learn more from these amazing ladies. When you sign up, they also give you a free ebook with healing gut recipes. Winning.

Check it out here.

♥ Aroma Leather Bracelet

This is on my Christmas wish list!! They are a leather and stainless steel aroma diffusing bracelet. A stylish and safe way to wear aromatherapy oils without touching your skin. There is a felt pad in the stainless steel locket bit that you put a few drops of oil on.

Find out more here.

♥ Low Carb Healthy Fat Cookbook

I’m not a Pete Evans fan in particular, but I do like his recipes! Having to do months of gut repair and a strict diet, I was getting really bored with it but some new recipes have really helped keep me motivated. You definitely don’t have to be attempting to lose weight or be on a low carb diet to enjoy this book. The recipes are just simple, family friendly type food (that just happens to be low carb and high fat).

I have made a few things already and everyone has been impressed. I usually pop the photos on Instagram if you are interested – but be warned, I don’t do fancy styling or anything, I just take a quick photo before we eat!

Check the book out here.

That will probably be my last love list for the year now as I gear up for my Christmas Gift Guides – which really are a love list with more of a gift giving focus. Let me know if you have something that would be perfect for a Christmas gift!