The best $3 I ever spent was on a 1 hour foot massage (somewhere in rural China).  That lady worked magic on my weary travellers feet and I’ve yet to match that experience spending 20 fold the amount.  

Lately, I spend a lot of time standing.  I may not be exploring new places (more like pacing in circles to calm a crying baby or chasing a toddler) but my tootsies could use a respite all the same.  

For about the same amount of cash, I have come close to finding a method to refresh my feet that may not be as memorable, but comes close to being as rejuvenating as my travel experience.  

Lemon, epsom salt and some warm water (perhaps with a glass of wine on the side) are a wonderful soak that not only make your feet feel pampered, but promotes overall relaxation. On the particularly long days, it feels like hitting the refresh button.  This has been one of my favorite little ways to use 5 minutes for self-care which is so desperately needed as a new mom.  

What are your favorite little luxuries? 

P.S.  Now that it's September, one of my favorite Fall nail colors is Essie's Chinchilly

I have tried countless natural deodorants over the years with disappointment.   So after a month of rigorous testing (giving birth and nursing a baby in the summer qualifies as rigorous in my book) I’m excited that Schmidts works beautifully.  

When you have but a few precious moments to get ready in the morning, every product counts. And while deodorant may be the most pedestrian of beauty products, this one is worthy of a quick post. 

The ylang-ylang scent is lovely but not overpowering in the way that some can be. And because it’s aluminum free and natural I feel good about using it and having a baby be so close.  So while I may not have enough time to put on makeup, at least I’ve found something to help me feel fresh!  

P.S. Some of my other favorite natural beauty products are here or here.

*this post was not sponsored

I've been especially interested in trying their face wash, but wasn't sure which one was for me.  I have mentioned before how hard it has been to find a replacement for Cetaphil that is more natural.  After a few weeks of using their Nourishing Cream Cleanser, I can confidently say I'm a convert.  I love that it is gentle enough to double as a eye makeup remover and also makes my skin feel cleansed but not tight.  

In preparation for having a newborn, I've been thinking a lot about the beauty products I use.  Especially when they are so little and you have so much skin-to-skin contact, I like to be mindful of what I am putting on my skin as it will be shared.  I feel great about these products! Void of harmful chemicals; they are made with stringent standards (more here).

Coincidently,  they recent came out with a line of baby products too.  I was able to sample the baby balm and am hooked.  This stuff is gold! 

James Robert has suffered with eczema since he was a baby.  His cheeks are an area that tend to especially suffer; they get ruddy and chapped easily even in warmer weather.  Many doctors have recommended aquaphor, which is a useful product, but not at all natural.  The baby balm from Beauty counter cleared up his chapped cheeks in just two applications.  It easily massages into the skin and doesn't leave a residue or stickiness.  After trying literally dozens of products, I can say this one has worked the best for us by far. 

This is in no way a sponsored post, and after sampling I eagerly purchased both of these on my own. but These two products were too good not to share!

 P.S.  Here are some of my other green beauty favorites.  Or click on the wellness tab above for more!

This pregnancy is flying by. I’m astonished that we’re over half way to meeting this baby boy and can hardly contain my excitement.  I’m also relishing every moment of the second trimester while I have energy and feel good! Looking back, my third trimester with James Robert was challenging- I had pregnancy induced arthritis and I generally didn’t feel great.  So this time around, I’m determined to take better care of myself-- a little pampering can go a long way, right?! 

Trouble with pampering is that it usually takes a lot of time and often I'm ready to crash at the end of the day.  But these two recipes proved to be a quick and easy pick-me-up with ample time leftover. 

The dry winter cold is taking a toll on my skin and although I’ve been eyeing the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish forever, I haven’t had a chance to make it to the mall (and was too impatient to wait for it to be shipped).  Yesterday, I had an I-need-it-now kind of moment. So, on a whim, I tried my hand at making two scrubs- one for the body and one for the lips all with ingredients in my pantry.  

I’m not typically a DIY beauty type of girl.  But these saved me time, money and are 100% natural which makes me feel great about the end result.  There are a ton of recipes on pinterest, and I’ll link to the ones I used below, but in general, there are some easy formulas to follow.   

Both scrubs are very effective at sloughing away the winter blahs and feel totally indulgent. I consider this little project a  nap time success!

Lip Scrub:

Ingredients:

Mix equal parts sugar (granulated or brown) + honey + coconut oil*.  I also added a dash of bourbon- vanilla (from TJ's) for extra deliciousness. For my little pot I only used about 1 teaspoon each. 

Directions: 

Apply in circular motion to lips for about a minute and then wipe away (I dare you not to eat some). 

Whipped Sugar Body Scrub:

(adapted from Bitz and Giggles)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup coconut oil*

1 teaspoon of corn starch (optional)

1 cup granulated sugar

essential oil (optional)

Directions:

1) Mix equal parts olive oil + coconut oil in a pan.  Melt over low heat.  Do not let boil. 

2) Pour into a large bowl (I used one that goes to my stand mixer) and then put in freezer for 10 minutes. 

3) Once the edges start to harden, whip the oil on high speed for about 2 minutes.  It will become opaque.  Add cornstarch if desired (it will have a less oily consistency) and continue to whip for another 2-3 minutes. 

4) Once the oil becomes a cool whip-like consistency, gently fold in 1 cup of granulated sugar. 

5) Add essential oils if desired. I added about 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops of ylang-ylang. 

*Quick note on coconut oil. I LOVE coconut oil.  I wrote about it during my first pregnancy here.  My favorite brand is this one. 

I used two glass containers with lids from emptied beauty products, but you could easily use a mason jar or whatever you have on hand! What tips and tricks do you have for at-home pampering?  I'd love to know! 

1. Poach 2 chicken breasts in boiling water.  Add the chicken breasts to boiling, salted water (I also add a few bay leaves to mine) and let simmer for about 20-25 minutes.  Once cooked, shred the chicken and set aside.  If you have leftovers they are delicious for chicken salad the next day.
2. In a large heavy-bottom pot, add the butter and oil.  Once warm, add the garlic, onions, a dash of S&P and let saute for about 5 minutes.  Add the carrots and celery and continue to saute for another 5 minutes or so. At this point, I add a dash of Herbes de Provence. 
3. Add about half the broth (3 cups or so) to cover the veggies and let them simmer until soft or about 15-20 minutes. 
4. Add the rest of the broth and noodles and let them cook until soft which is about 8 minutes. 
5. Add the shredded chicken. 
6. At this point add the turmeric and then taste to adjust seasoning and add more Salt and Pepper as desired. 
7. Serve with a garnish of parsley and your favorite crackers. 

Over the years, I have tried a lot of different products.  I don't claim to be an expert.  I don't even claim to only use clean products... but my motto is, it's not about doing everything, it's about doing something.

It's been forever, so I thought it would be fun to recap some of my more recent favorites. So if you're just dipping your toes into the green beauty scene, of if you're a green beauty maven, I hope this list of some of my current favorite products will be fun to read through.

What are your favorites? Please let me know!

1) The Cleanser by Graydon:  I have had the hardest time swapping my old standby, Cetaphil, for something less toxic. In fact, I held on to that the longest.  But, I finally found something that performs similarly for my sensitive skin.  It foams a bit more than Cetaphil, but the consistency is similar.  It makes your face feel thoroughly cleansed but never tight.  I'm really in love with this product.

2) Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Toner:  I used to be skeptical about toner, but after using it religiously for over a year, I can say that it does indeed make your other product work better.  I like this line of products, but this toner is my favorite.  I've used other more pricey toners, but keep coming back to this one and you can't beat the price point (you can usually get it on sale at WF). Plus it smells great.

3) Antipodes Serum:  This stuff is a miracle worker.  It makes your skin feel plump and supple instantly.  It is the extra moisture boost I need without feeling sticky or like there is an extra layer on your face.  It's a game changer.  Side note, this product line originated in New Zealand. It's harder to find in the states, but you can get it at Whole Foods in Canada.

4) Acure Night Cream:  This is a light weight night cream that doesn't feel heavy, but gets the job done. With the winter months approaching, I have turned to this for a the needed moisture protection. I alternate between using this and #5 nightly.

5) I like to make my own face oil with a mix of grape seed oil and frankincense and lavender essential oil.  I use it every couple of nights and in the dead of winter, I will use it every night.  It smells wonderful and it beautifully restores skin over night and doesn't feel heavy.  If I'm feeling really ambitious, I'll do a little face massage with it like this.

6) Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask:  There is a reason her stuff has a cult following- it is that good.  I use this mask about once a week.  I may have been known to fall asleep with it on a few times and it truly makes your skin feel brand new.

7) Burt's Bees Blemish Stick: For pesky little spots, this is a life saver.

8) Rescue Aromatherapy by Rocky Mountain Soap Co: I was introduced to this product line while in Banff.  I have been using this mist as a great way to banish the stuffy noses that come with this time of year.  I like to spritz it before bed and inhale deeply. It doesn't do anything for my skin as much as just make me feel refreshed and relaxed.

Mat and I just returned from an incredible trip to Banff, AB (more on that later)!  After our flight yesterday and taking James Robert to pre-school this morning, fighting off colds and the flu are at the top of my mind.  So many people coughing and sneezing-yikes!

But how do they stack up?

Efficacy:

Green rating: 

Price point: 

• Compared with other baby detergent, this falls somewhere in the middle at $15.99 for 64oz, it is highly concentrated though, so it will last forever.

via

via

via

via

What does you're future look like?    

So I bought a few products {the instant lift and the eye cream} and have been using them religiously.  I can honestly say that this is the most enthusiastic I've ever been about skincare.  I love the smell and feel of the products, but more importantly I love the results.  

While there are many other great natural skincare lines out there, this one has stood out to me above the rest. Arbonne also has a natural cosmetics line I can't wait to try. 

More Reading:

Be wise with plastics

WebMd

6 reasons to use glass

{image}

From yoga class to the farmers market, this gift guide is for the recipient who glows from the inside-out. Bringing some bliss to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season; here is a round-up of my favorite holistic items for that health-nut on your shopping list.

1) Salt Crystal lamps emit healthy ions and clean the air, this version plugs into a computerUSB port- it's the perfect desktop zen.

2) Auric Blends Egyptian Godess Roll-on perfume is wildly popular scent for a reason, it evokes an inner calm. I roll this stuff on before every yoga class and Om my way through practice.

3) Gorgeous and green are adjectives that can apply to the gift as well as the recipient when giving air plants, the ones from Airplant Supply Co. are my favorite.

4) Trinkets that remind the wearer to live with purpose bring a sense of shavasana to all wardrobes. Satya's heavens necklaces are a pretty way to do just that.

5) Detoxifying and energy-boosting, a natural bristle brush with a removable head is perfect for dry brushing away holiday stress.

6) Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi elevates vegetables to a whole new level. It is this year's crown jewel of vegetarian tomes.

7) For instant skin hydration with naturally skin-healthy ingredients, Ahava's Dry Oil Body Mist is incredible. It is also paraben-free, and produced without the use of petroleum or harsh synthetics.

8) A subscription to Whole Living magazine will keep them inspired all year long.

9)Modern, colorful and BPA-free, bkr bottles are portable friend for any filtered H2O fiend.