Love List ~ June 18

June 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Love List ~ June 18

In this edition of the Love List, I have six amazing products for you to check out. What have you discovered lately that you are loving? Let me know.

♥ Handshine Handwash

Aussie mums, Alisa and Danni from 123 Nourish Me have done it again with another amazing product made from quality organic ingredients. This time it’s hand wash called Handshine. But, it’s not just a hand wash, you can also use it as a shampoo, body wash and bubble bath.

We are loving it! It leaves skin nourished and soft and the pink grapefruit and organic apple make it smell delicious. 123 Nourish Me is fast becoming my favourite brand for not only their hard-working, effective products, but for their uncompromising quality and ethics.

Check it out here.

♥ Hippie Mamas Book

“Hippie in City” Rita Balshaw has just released a new book all about holistic pregnancy, birth, babies and beyond.

Hippie Mamas has a wealth of information about how to take care of yourself and your babies with aromatherapy, nutrition, herbs, natural remedies and self-care. There are loads of recipes for nourishing food and DIY beauty and health remedies that I can’t wait to try.

With beautiful illustrations and an easy-to-read format, Rita’s beautiful book is a fantastic resource for all mums and would make a really thoughtful and useful gift for a baby shower or blessingway.

You might even find Natural New Age Mum listed in the resource section! 😉

Get it here (on sale at the moment!)

♥ Mystic Essential Oil Candle

I am a huge fan of beautiful online store, Lemon Canary!

It’s actually quite hard to find good quality candles that are made with just pure essential oils and not fragrance oils. Fiona, a natural new age mum from the Gold Coast, has an exquisite range of 100% pure essential oils blends that she hand crafts into gorgeous high vibrational products like these candles, massage oils, soaps and mists.

I am loving the MYSTIC blend at the moment but well, I can’t really pick a favourite! All of the essential oil range is blended with lots of thought and love to create something quite special. You can also get LOVE, MEDITATE, DREAM, GRATEFUL and HAPPY!

Find them here.

♥ Note to Self Cards

Some of you know that my friendship with Alisha at Naughty Naturopath Mum stretches back many years now. She is a very special soul with a huge heart and I have often been the recipient of her wise, gentle and loving advice. Somehow, she always knows just what to say!

Well, all of you can now benefit from her wisdom because she’s just released a beautiful set of cards, Note to Self. These cards are like having Alisha as your personal life coach, friend and cheerleader all in a little box!

You can use them as oracle cards to give you guidance. Shuffle the cards while thinking of a problem or something you need help with and pull a card you feel drawn to. The front of the cards has a short message and on the back of the card is the sentiment explained in more detail.

Get them from Alisha here.

♥ Good Fat Mayo

This mayonnaise is the answer to all my mayonnaise problems. I love mayo and I love making it myself at home but it does take a little time to organise (the eggs and ingredients need to be at room temperature) and it doesn’t last very long in the fridge. Not great for spontaneously needing mayo!

Most mayonnaise you buy from the supermarket contains toxic seed oils, usually canola and usually contains a whole host of other weird things you don’t want to be eating either.

Good Fat Mayo is made with olive oil, free range eggs and all natural ingredients and it’s packaged in a glass jar. Woohoo!

Get it here.

♥ Elate Universal Creme

Are you a bit of a low-maintenance/minimalist person like me when it comes to makeup? Or maybe you just don’t have time to spend putting it on in the mornings? Well, the Universal Creme is our new best friend.

You can use this creme as a blush or lipstick and even on your eyes. It comes in five different colours so you can choose one that suits your skin tone. I love that it’s packaged in a reusable (and funky) bamboo container that you can get refills for. Zero-waste, plastic-free beauty!

Seriously, how has nobody thought of this before!?

Elate make a whole range of lush cosmetics that are vegan, cruelty-free and of course made from all natural, quality ingredients.

Check it out here.

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)

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!

Love List Sept 16

October 7, 2016 · 2 Comments

Love List Sept 16

I know I am a bit late with the September Love List as we are already into October! I have been on a little holiday and just chose to drop everything and relax for five days. Bliss!

Anyway, here is what made my Love List this month…..

♥ Turmeric Chai Latte

My gorgeous friend Simone from Nourishing Hub sent me some of her latest addiction to try out. Now I will have to make a confession here and say that I have not gotten into the ‘golden milk’ craze as the thought of turmeric in milk was grossing me out.

But after my initial hesitancy I am now left wondering what took me so long. This stuff is delicious! It tastes like a chai latte with a very subtle hint of turmeric. It doesn’t taste ‘savoury’ like I thought it would. I can easily see myself having one of these every night after dinner. You could also use the powder in bliss balls, raw desserts and on bircher or in smoothies too.

Golden Grind is vegan, sugar-free, nut free, gluten-free, dairy free and preservative free, handcrafted in Melbourne. It only contains turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. I didn’t feel the need to add any sweetener as the cinnamon seemed to be make it sweet enough. Yum.

Check it out here.

♥ Real Food Essentials Course

I have been a big fan of Kristin from Mamacino for years. She is an amazing whole foods cook, blogger and mum of three. Now she is sharing all her secrets of how she does it! The Real Food Essentials eCourse is a step by step, practical guide to saving time, money and your sanity by organising your whole food kitchen. You get 12 emails over three weeks so you can go at your own pace and then at the end of the course, Kris gives you an ebook with all the information in it.

It’s such an affordable price at $39! Find out more here.

♥ Stainless Steel Kids’ Plate

I get a lot of mums asking what is the safest, non-toxic and non-breakable plate they can use for their kids. The Onyx stainless steel plate is finally back in stock and I’m so excited to show you. It’s so affordable at just $7.95 and it’s virtually indestructible! The divided bits are perfect for toddlers or kids with sensory issues and don’t like food touching.

Get in online here.

♥ The Light Between Us

I am always fascinated by what happens in our afterlife. This book from Laura Lynne Jackson was so interesting. She is a psychic medium (and ex-teacher!) and shares insights about her gift of connecting with those who have passed over. There are some really beautiful stories about people she has read for. I found it of great comfort and lessened my fear of dying significantly. I would recommend it for anyone having trouble with the grieving process. Have you read it?

Check it out here.

♥ Global Knife Set

I did some chef training at Uni and the first thing you learn is that you need a darn good knife set. It really makes so much difference in preparing food. I love the Globals – they are so light to use and all stamped out from one piece of stainless steel so you don’t get breakage at the handle. There is also an amazing 10 year guarantee. If they look familiar, they are the knives used on Masterchef!

You can get them for less than half price and FREE shipping here.

♥ Painful Teeth Tissue Salts

I am shouting from the roof tops about these amazing tissue salts. I have been using the Schuessler range for years for various things and always found them to be good. However I just had to share how great the Painful Teeth ones are.

Without regaling you with all the gory details, I had some teeth issues that left me in agonising pain for weeks. While the severe stages needed pain killers, I found that these tissue salts really helped take the edge off, lessened my need for as many pain killers and have been fabulous as an ongoing solution as needed. Apparently they are also good for teething babies.

Find out more here.

♥ Wooly Mates

Natural new age mum, Anna is the brains behind these amazing Wooly Mates dryer balls. Since moving to Brisbane where there is often non-stop rain I have had to buy a dryer. These wool balls go in with your clothes and lessen the time needed to dry as well as softening your clothes and reducing wrinkles. It’s a great way to cut down your electricity usage and ease the eco-guilt a bit! I am a fan.

Check them out here.

As always, such a mixed bag! Hope you found something useful in my love list this month.

Top tips for op shop trips

August 24, 2016 · 9 Comments

Top tips for op shop trips

It’s National Op Shop Week!

Not that I need a special week to go op shopping, but it is a good week for me to share with you my top tips for op shop trips.

I have always loved to op shop.

Even when I was a teenager, I would ferret through the local thrift shop to find funky things to wear. It’s in the blood though as my Dad is a lover of bargains and many childhood car trips involved making detours to random garage sales and second-hand shops! My mum volunteers at op shops so she is a great supporter of them as well.

Why would you shop at an op shop?

Why wouldn’t you? As well as being a frugal way to shop, you are helping charities and helping the environment.

It makes sense to buy something second-hand and reuse it, reimagine it or upcycle it to something new. Op shopping keeps stuff out of landfill and reduces pollution. It’s also a great way to be unique and show your personality.

But of course buying things second-hand isn’t always as easy as shopping at department stores, so here are some of my top tips.

♥ Keep visiting. New things come in all the time so keep checking back to see what’s new. Apparently mid-week is a good time for the weekend donations to show up in store!

♥ Give things a good wash. They are second-hand after all and you just don’t know where they have come from. You might even like to use a drop or two of tea tree oil to kill any bugs (particularly shoes!!) And yes, some op shops have that weird op shop smell that you probably want to get rid of!

♥ On holidays or across town? I always try to schedule a little time for some op shopping in a new location. I just search for them on Google or you can look them up at Op Shop or on one of my favourite blogs, I Love to Op Shop. Obviously op shops need a cheaper rent, so you will find them in some odd out of the way places sometimes.

♥ Have a good look. The bargains won’t jump out at you! Spend some time looking through the racks. Look in different sections too. I once saw a pair of Sass and Bide women’s jeans for $10 in the men’s section. If only they were in my size! I’ve also seen a lot of women’s clothes mistakenly placed in the kid’s section.

My best bargain so far. A Chassuer French Oven for $15 instead of $250!

♥ Make friends with the staff. They might even put aside things for you or let you know of anything new that comes in.

♥ Think outside the box! Many things you find in the op shop can have alternative uses. A funky teapot can become a pot plant, an old cabinet can become a toy kitchen, a tea cup can become a candle holder, you can restring beads or cut things up for craft.

♥ Take your phone. This will come in handy if you want to check the going price for antique or retro items to make sure you don’t pay too much. I also use my phone to take photos and send texts to my kids asking if they want me to grab the amazing thing I have found for them!

♥ Add some elbow grease. Many pieces donated at the op shop are terrific quality for tiny prices. They may just need a good clean or polish, a new coat of paint or clothing may need some adjustments to make them perfect for your use.

You never know what treasures you will find – that’s half the fun!

♥ Never buy another new men’s business shirt. Seriously, one of the most consistent and best things we have found at op shops is men’s business shirts. My son has to wear them for work and we always find the most incredible quality and fabulous brands in perfect condition for under $10. This comes in handy when he tends to get things stained! It’s so cheap to replace them.

♥ Don’t buy stuff just because it’s a bargain. If you have no use for it or it’s not getting you excited, leave it on the shelf. You don’t want to end up with clutter! Don’t forget though you can always donate back to the op shop, pass on to friends and family or on-sell if something is not getting used or not quite right. Disclaimer: If it’s a really, really amazing bargain, see my next tip.

♥ Know your stuff. Having worked in a kitchen store, I can spot a quality piece of cookware. My kids are better at designer clothes and shoe brands. I just can’t leave a $100 Baccarat frypan selling for $6 behind! Items like this that I won’t use myself but are amazing quality are going away in the cupboard for my kids when they move out of home. Yep, I am bringing back the old-fashioned glory box!!

♥ Don’t hesitate. If you do see something you love, that’s just calling your name….grab it on the day. I have been disappointed many a time when I have a think about something and go back and it’s been snapped up.

You can get quality designer clothes and shoes at a fraction of retail prices.

♥ Check everything. Sometimes the staff will miss chips and cracks or stains on clothing. Give everything a good check before you buy.

♥ Kids’ stuff is awesome. Kids grow out of things so quickly – whether it’s toys or clothes, they seem to be onto the next thing quicker than you can blink. I have always found kids’ denim from the op shop to be a winner – it’s hard-wearing and you can always find something. Books, DVDs and toys are usually priced very cheaply so it’s a really frugal way to keep the kids entertained. And kids are not fussy about newness either!

♥ Pick up party supplies. Seriously the best place ever for parties! Grab plates, glasses, cutlery, serving platters, candles, tablecloths, linen, decorations and more for similar prices you would pay for disposable products. If you don’t need it all after the party, donate back or store away for future parties. Get crafty and cut things up for decorations – old books can make paper mobiles and old sheets can become bunting. I decorated the table for my mum’s birthday party with doilies and old silver platters with candles. It looked so good.

An all blue op shop day.

♥ Sometimes suburbs count. If you are looking for designer gear, sometimes you will have more luck in the more expensive or affluent suburbs. However the price may reflect this too!

♥ Colour coded. A lot of op shops will have clothes displayed by colours so if you need a new top, you can quickly find the colour you need.

♥ Find your favourites. Op shops can be so different in terms of products and pricing. Some are outrageously priced and others are much more sensible. Keep looking till you find your favourite.

♥ Haggle. I have never thought of doing this, but if you are buying a higher priced item (like the amazing tea trolley below) you might want to ask what their best price is. Thanks for the tip Susan!

My friend Susan found this 1920’s tea trolley at her local op shop. How stunning!

♥ Follow your local on social media. Seriously! Many op shops are now on Facebook and Instagram so follow along and stay in the loop for specials. Quite often there will be awesome sales like 50% off all books or fill a bag for $5.

♥ Make it fun. Take your friends or your kids! My teenagers are a bit picky about what they wear but they see the value in those designer labels at a fraction of the price and have scored themselves some really great things.

♥ Take a bag. I always carry a fold up recycled bag with me anyway but some shops don’t give out bags so you might need one (depending on how many goodies you find!)

Just some of my op shop books. I rarely pay more than $5 for a book and most are around $2.

♥ Books, books and more books. If you are a reader, you won’t find a cheaper place to buy books. I buy fiction books and then pass on to friends and family. But the best deal is the non-fiction books that I keep as reference books. I have amassed quite a little library of self-help, motivational, new age and health books.

♥ Consider the op shop for gifts. Now you do have to choose your audience here, but personally I love an op shop gift and quite often I will find cute things I know a friend will love. You can also make things like vintage tea cup candles. Vintage sounds so much more chic than op shop bargain! We do a ten dollar Christmas and the op shop is the best place to find a great gift on a budget!

♥ Manifest. You knew I would sneak a bit of woo in didn’t you?? Yep, manifesting totally works. Hold in your mind what you are after and leave the rest up to the universe. It might not happen straight away, but it usually happens. I manifested myself a pair of brand new black leather boots for just $15 and that amazing Dutch Oven. Woohoo!

♥ Give back. Never dump stuff you don’t want anymore. Take it to the op shop so someone else can benefit. Make sure it’s clean and in good condition or it will cost the charity time and money to dispose of it. Never leave your donation outside the shop – always pop it into the shop or in the donation bin.

I love the thrill of an op shop bargain.

I don’t think that feeling ever wanes! My latest finds from the op shops get posted on my new Instagram account @goldcoastopshopper, so check me out over there. You can see a full directory of Gold Coast Op Shops here.

I would love to hear about your amazing op shop finds and your tips. Let me know in the comments or upload some photos to my social media for us to check out.

Love List ~ May 2016

May 23, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Love List ~ May 2016

Here are some awesome finds for you this month!

♥ Botica Bliss Bath Teas

Oh my gosh! So excited about this. My gorgeous friend Rebecca Hurst (you might know her as the amazing eco-mumma and former owner of 4 My Earth) has a new venture and it’s all about delicious bath teas. She has formulated these beautiful botanical blends for you to use in your bath. There are three blends to choose from – relaxing, sleep inducing and soothing. All contain flowers or leaves and no essential oils so they are beautifully gentle for everyone in the family.

Get them online here. (If you sign up to the newsletter you can get a code for 10% off your first order)

♥ The Well Nourished Lunch Box

Georgia Harding, naturopath from Well Nourished is a recipe genius. She is one of my go-to people for healthy recipes. Georgia’s new lunch box ebook is nothing short of amazing with over 50 nourishing recipes. All of them are nut-free, wheat-free and refined sugar-free .

Check it out here.

♥ Onyx Reusable Chopsticks

I am in love with this! If you use chopsticks a lot when you eat out, get yourself your own reusable set. This one from Onyx is made from bamboo and stainless steel and comes in a cute pouch. A gorgeous little gift too.

Get it online here.

♥ Twenty 8 Deodorant Paste

Amazing aromatherapist Kim Morrison has just released her new deodorant! It’s a gorgeous 100% natural paste with essential oils. In a citrusy scent, it works for both men and women.

Get it online here.

♥ DIY Seashell Lights

What to do with all those seashells you’ve collected? Make a gorgeous string of lights! It’s so easy, you can make it in half an hour.

Find the tutorial here.

♥ What’s with Wheat?

The must-see documentary of the year from one of my favourite people in the wellness world, nutritionist Cyndi O’Meara. Register now to watch it for FREE! Cyndi has been all over the world interviewing experts, researching and investigating the growing epidemic of wheat intolerance, and why after eating wheat for thousands of years, it has been linked to so many health problems.

What awesome things have you discovered this month???

Mexican lamb shoulder with pomegranate glaze

September 3, 2015 · 33 Comments

Today I am so thrilled to share with you a recipe from Lee Holmes’ new cookbook, The Renewable Table.

I am a long-time fan of Lee and her amazing recipes. I actually think this cookbook might be her best yet (well, for time-poor mums anyway!) Lee Holmes is a certified holistic nutritionist, yoga teacher, wholefoods chef, best-selling author and a mum.

The reason I love this book so much is that the recipes use the concept of ‘continuum cooking’. I have been doing this for years and I didn’t even know there was a name for it! Basically you make one meal with extra food and then subsequent meals use components of that meal, but re-imagined into something a bit different.

As well as saving you time and money, it’s a very sustainable and eco-friendly way to cook with no wastage! Lee also gives us loads of information, shopping lists and tips on meal planning, storage, reheating and stocking the pantry. It’s designed to give you the basic skills of continuum cooking and then inspire you to make up your own ideas.

There are 50 recipes that are gluten free with some dairy free to get you inspired (and salivating).

Today I am sharing Lee’s yummy Mexican Lamb Shoulder with Pomegranate Glaze. It’s a gorgeous slow roast, full of flavour. You can then make Mexican Fajitas and Lamb Nachos with as your next two renewable meals with the leftover lamb.

Mexican lamb shoulder with pomegranate glaze

Vital Stats: gluten free, grain free, egg free, nut free

Ingredients:

4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 lemon halved and pips removed
1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
1 tsp black pepper
2kg bone-in lamb shoulder joint
2 brown onions, cut into wedges
1 whole quorn of garlic unpeeled
1l pomegranate juice
1 lemon juiced
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp rice malt syrup
250g full fat natural yogurt
Seeds from 1 fresh pomegranate
Small handful mint leaves, chopped

Method:

To make marinade place garlic, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, lemon and rind, salt and pepper and blend until smooth. Place the lamb in a large baking dish and spoon the mixture on top and massage in with hands. Let marinate in fridge for between 2 and up to 24 hours.

Heat oven to 160°C/140°C fan/ gas 3. Place lamb into pan and garlic and onions surrounding the lamb, then pour over the pomegranate juice and lemon and apple cider vinegar.

Cover the lamb with foil and cook for approx. 4 hrs checking every hour and re basting with the juice. When ready and after four hours, remove pan from the oven and carefully remove lamb and pour juice into a saucepan on the stove over a medium heat. Replace lamb into baking tray and place back into the oven whilst you are making the syrup.

Add rice malt syrup and cook until bubbly and a thick syrup is formed adding more rice malt syrup if necessary. This should take about 20 minutes. Once it is ready, remove foil from lamb, pour it over the lamb and return to oven for 20 mins until the lamb becomes crispy on top.

To make the dressing:

In a small bowl mix yogurt, pomegranate seeds and mint. Serve lamb with dressing and a side of green vegetables.

Some other recipe books from Lee that I love and recommend:

The Top Ten Must Have Books for Natural New Age Mums

July 1, 2015 · 7 Comments

The Top Ten Must Have Books for Natural New Age Mums

I am a massive book lover. Ever since I learnt to read, I have always had a book on the go.

We have such a great little library at home, covering all sorts of topics of interest to natural, new age mums! Actually the Natural New Age Dad can also be found reading up on them as well. The kids don’t let us go near bookshops anymore because we spend far too long in there!

I thought I would share the top ten books that I find invaluable. The ones I keep coming back to often and that I use as references throughout the website and our life! Books that have helped me learn more about being happy, healthy, and holistic.

♥ Healthy Home Healthy Family by Nicole Bijlsma

Building biologist, naturopath, acupuncturist and mum from Melbourne, Nicole Bijlsma shares with us her extensive research and knowledge in this book. Healthy Home Healthy Family covers everything you need to know about keeping your family safe at home including: electromagnetic fields and radiation; drinking water; allergens; mould; dust; pets; plants and pollens; chemicals in personal care and cleaning products; pesticides; our clothes, bedding and toys; cookware and building materials. You will be surprised at how many health problems can be caused by ‘sick building syndrome’.

♥Changing Habits Changing Lives

Nutritionist and Aussie mum Cyndi O’Meara has been sharing her healthy living message for 25 years! She is my go-to person for all things nutrition. Changing Habits, Changing Lives is one book that truly has changed my life.

With each chapter dedicated to small changes, healthy living becomes achievable and sustainable. I also love Cyndi’s down to earth, no BS approach. There’s a good reason why she has such a loyal following!

♥ The Chemical Maze Handbook

This book is simply a must-have for decoding all those labels! It’s quick and easy to use and doesn’t hurt your brain with too much advanced science info. Simply look up an additive or chemical via their numbers or name and Bill will tell you if it’s okay or not and the potential health hazards. Keep a copy in your handbag and become empowered to choose the best possible products for your family!

♥ Nourishing Traditions

Although this book is by an American author, the information remains relevant to us. Sally Fallon is a pioneer in the nourishing, traditional, real food movement. Over ten years ago she was dispelling the low-fat myth and urging us to eat animal fats and broth.

She also goes in to other diet myths like soy and helps us to understand how a traditional approach to food is one that is best for our health. Packed full of recipes, Nourishing Traditions is the well researched reference book for anyone who wants to adopt a real food way of life.

♥ Like Chocolate for Women

This is the ultimate self-care bible for women everywhere. Kim and Fleur cover so many topics including aromatherapy, ditching guilt, aging with grace, simple exercise, healthy meals and balancing hormones. Every time I read it, I pick up some new gem to take away. This book is so inspiring and insightful but at the same time presented in a loving, gentle, down to earth manner. One of the books I love to gift to my girlfriends!

♥ The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

We stumbled across this book so many years ago and I still like to refer to it. If you feel like you are constantly butting heads with those you love, have a read of this book! When we work out how our family and ourselves express love via one of the “Five Love Languages” we can then be guided to deeply understand each other. This works not only with our spouses but also our children, our extended families and friends and those we work with. A truly easy to understand and implement concept that will bring more harmony to your relationships!

♥ The Coconut Oil Miracle

Written by qualified naturopath and nutritionist, Bruce Fife, this is one book that was also life-changing for us! We have embraced coconut oil with a passion and use it everywhere and everyhow! This book is your go-to guide with ideas, current research, recipes and detailed information on how coconut oil can be the best thing you have ever discovered for your health and wellbeing!

♥ Buddhism For Mothers

There is no denying motherhood comes with as many highs as it does lows. This beautiful book gently encourages us to become calmer and happier mothers through principles of Buddhism. Sarah applies the practices to the everyday challenges of being a mother and helps us to nurture ourselves to be the best we can be. A must-have for all mums.

♥ Wholefood Baking

Jude has attained the level of goddess in wellness circles! She truly is an inspirational woman and well ahead of her time. In this award-winning book, Jude shares her philosophy and information about nourishing ourselves with wholesome, organic food.

♥ Natural Remedies

Mim Beim is arguably Australia’s best known naturopath! With over 25 years of experience, she really is a leader in her field. In this book Mim has the natural remedies for over 200 common ailments and she firmly believes in diet and lifestyle before medication. This is a must-have reference book you will use over and over again – I do!

It was so hard to narrow this down to ten books! I tried to choose the most popular books by experts in their field to give you the most useful and reliable information. There are so many more I want to share with you though, so I think I will have to do a follow up!

I would love to know what you would add to my list! What is your top ten?

20 Awesome Ebooks for Natural, New Age Mums!

January 11, 2014 · 98 Comments

I love ebooks! They are so eco-friendly and much more affordable in this format. No shipping costs or waiting for them to arrive in the post either.

I am sharing with you a list of some of my all time favourites. Enjoy!

Supercharged Food for Kids

My kids love this book! There are so many fabulous and fun recipes including Zoo Poo! Lee’s recipes use real food and are gluten free, dairy free and sugar free. You can sample a recipe here.

This book will inspire you to create fresh, wholesome and nutrient rich meals that your children will eat again and again and help develop good eating habits they can maintain for the rest of their lives. As well as recipes, Lee gives us lots of practical advice, tips and planners.

Like Chocolate for Women

Overwhelmed? Overstressed? Overtired? Overworked? Over it? Like Chocolate For Women is every woman’s self-care handbook packed with hundreds of tips and ideas to help all women live the life they want, reminding them that self-care is not selfish – it’s essential!

This is one book that I refer to over and over again – it helps me refocus and make self care a priority in my life. I could not be without it and recommend it to all my girlfriends!

Manifesting Matisse

In this moving and inspiring book, Dr. Michelle Nielsen teaches a powerful and practical 10-step system to clarify and achieve your goals by aligning and better connecting your body, mind and spirit. Using this system you will be empowered to create rapid results that are nothing short of spectacular! Additionally, you will be deeply moved as the author narrates the miraculous story of how, through the use of this system, she helped heal her son and set the stage for his transformation from a special needs child into a healthy, happy and thriving boy.

Our Favourite Sweets

From the gorgeous Organic Sisters, Sal and Brooke, this ebook is jam-packed with 25 mouth-watering healthy recipes. The girls show you how to enjoy delicious and simple treats without any nasty additives or processed junk! Every dish is made with whole, real ingredients and they are all gluten–free, grain-free and dairy-free. There’s also a mix of nut free, egg-free and raw one’s too.

Clever Cook – A Year in Recipes

50 Healthy Thermomix recipes by the Clever Cook , Brisbane mum, Sarah Wong. There is a selection of recipes from ice-cream to soups, to entrée’s & mains, sweet things and a gluten-free section.

The Chemical Maze Bookshelf Companion Review and Giveaway

November 11, 2013 · 88 Comments

Bill Statham’s other book, The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, was the first book I ever bought on my toxin-free journey. I was very excited to have a read of this second edition of The Chemical Maze Bookshelf Companion. It’s like the bumper version of the shopping companion. Although this book is designed as a home reference guide, it is still reasonably compact and will fit into a handbag if you want to take it shopping.

Without being too gushy, I really do love this book! It is quite simply a must have for all families trying to avoid chemicals in their lives. It’s the reference book I use to help me decide if a product is suitable for my family, based on the safety of its ingredients.

Bill and Lindy have ten years of research invested in this book and it shows. It is extremely comprehensive with over 1200 chemicals listed. Best of all, the information is unbiased and not attached to any big multinational company!

In the book, you will find listed by name and number:

* Food additives

* Cosmetic ingredients and

* Household products

Also included are some safer alternatives and recipes for homemade cleaners.

Sample page.

I love the way it’s so easy to read and quick to find what you are looking for. You don’t have to dissect lots of scientific information, Bill and Lindy have done all the hard work.

In the directory, you will find:

* The name and number of the chemical

* It’s functions (eg preservative, skin conditioning )

* A code ( a clever use of sad and happy faces on a scale from safe to use to potentially hazardous)

* Potential effects (eg suspected neurotoxicity, hyperactivity, asthma)

Bill and Lindy

Some quick tips from Bill and Lindy:

– Check the label. Remember, ‘no added’ doesn’t mean none at all.

– By simply choosing products with the least amount of ingredients on the label, you are making a choice for better health.

– Asthmatics can have adverse reactions to genetically modified ingredients, especially preservative 220 which can be found in everyday health foods like dried apricots.

– ‘E numbers’ represent preservatives and additives on ingredient lists.

– The notorious food additive 621 MSG is most obviously found listed on a label as 620-622. But MSG is often disguised as other ingredients. Look out for anything ‘hydrolysed’.

I highly recommend this book to any family who want to have a safe and toxin free household. It’s a great reference book for everyone but especially those starting out on this journey and are confused about what is safe and what is not. Bill has changed our lives for the better and I am grateful that he has written this resource for us all of us to use. A firm Natural New Age Mum favourite!

You can get the book on the Chemical Maze website. Check out the blog while you are there for some interesting articles. Keep up to date with Bill and the team on the Chemical Maze Facebook Page.

Giveaway:

**This giveaway has now closed. The lucky winners were Melissa and Monique!**

Would you like to win a copy of The Chemical Maze Bookshelf Companion? I have two copies to share!

How to enter:

* Be a blog subscriber (add your email to the top right box)

* Like The Chemical Maze Facebook page. Go here.

* Leave a comment on this blog post telling us why you would like to win one

Terms and conditions:

This giveaway runs from now until Sunday the 17th of November at midnight. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry requirements. The winner will be emailed and announced on the blog post. Sorry, only open to Australian residents. Good luck!

Special Offer:

Bill is giving away a FREE copy of The Shopping Companion (rrp $16.95) with every Bookshelf Companion purchased through the website before the end of November 2013. Just put NNAM in the ‘note to merchant’ area. Go shopping here.

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