LET THE FRESH AIR IN

Growing up, my mom would open the bedroom windows every morning, regardless of the season, to 'air out the night germs'. It was a morning ritual of her childhood, and one that I have now embraced for good reason. Indoor air pollution is a health concern. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, opening a window or opening a door to let outside air circulate inside is "one important factor in promoting good air quality" as it reduces the level of pollutants (cleaning products, dust mites, new furnishing off-gassing, mould, paint, etc.) in a home. 

Opening your windows will also let bacteria in. I agree, it seems counterintuitive since we clean our homes to rid our living environment of pesky germs, but it's the beneficial bacteria that you want to welcome in -- those very microbes that research has found aid our bodies in digestion, bolster immunity and contribute to overall good health. 

As I type this, I'm sitting close to an open window and I can feel the gentle breeze roll in. 

(Photo)

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RECIPE: GRANOLA

I wake up each morning craving this granola. It is salty, sweet and incredibly satisfying when paired with an acai bowl and berries. Yum! Make it with gluten-free rolled oats and you have a vegan, gluten-free granola to start your day. This recipe is from Gwyneth Paltrow's latest cookbook, It's All Easy, which is easily one of my favourite cookbooks.

Ingredients:
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1/2 cup whole grain buckwheat
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup walnut pieces, very roughly chopped
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon turmeric (this is my addition!)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 250◦F.

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer the mixture to the baking sheet. Bake for one hour. 

Using a spatula, stir and break up the granola. Return to the oven for 15 minutes. 

Let cool completely before eating. 

Enjoy!

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A TRIP TO MONT TREMBLANT #2

Our annual wintry escape to ski at Mont Tremblant in Quebec was such fun. We travelled through a heavy snowstorm, making for a harrowing journey although it set us up with the perfect ski conditions -- piles of snow and brilliant sunshine.

Here are a few photos if you'd like to see ...

A VALENTINE WALL HANGING

 

Valentine's Day is not my favourite holiday. Before we had the kiddos, our celebration involved our favourite take-away meal and a film, a plan that really did not deviate from our standard weekend evenings in. I am a big believer that acts of love and kindness should happen every day with your loved ones. 

My attitude did change slightly when Monkey and Little Bean came along. I am still of the mind that love should be expressed on a daily basis, but now I embrace any holiday or excuse to focus our crafting energies. Taking inspiration from this Christmas decoration, Little Bean and I made this Valentine wall hanging yesterday. She was tickled pink! 

It's an easy craft with the added opportunity to go outside hunting for a stick. Here's a quick step-by-step guide ...

1. Using one piece of twine, tie a knot at one end of the branch and a second knot at the other end.
2. Draw (or trace if you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter) hearts on construction paper.
3. Cut out the hearts and with a needle, make a small hole at the top to feed through the white thread.
4. Tie the white thread to the branch at varying lengths.

Have fun!

(Source of inspiration)

FILM: SING STREET

Last weekend we watched Sing Street, a musical comedy-drama that will have you smiling and tapping your toes. It follows the same timeless story of a teenager trying to win over a crush by taking up music to impress and woe her, but the film is given an edge by being set in Dublin during the 1980s. It embraces the musical scene of the era -- think Duran Duran and The Cure -- and offers a glimpse of the struggles of Irish society during that time. It is believable, uplifting and worth watching.

So, without further ado, let's start the weekend off with an original song from the film, Drive it Like you Stole It. I dare you to sit still while listening!

Happy Friday!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The pumpkin is carved, the candles are lit and the costumes are ready. Halloween is here! Wishing you safe and fun trick-or-treating this evening ... hoot, hoot!

RECIPE: OAT CHOCOLATE ENERGY BALLS

These energy balls have become my favourite afternoon pick-me-ups -- they are so tasty that I can rarely have just one. My friend introduced me to these satisfying little gems, and the recipe is originally from Natural Nutrition.

Ingredients:
1 cup oats
1 cup flaxseeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup dried cranberries (I've used dried cherries and dried blueberries too)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup raw honey

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl. Roll into golf-sized balls and freeze until firm. Keep in the freezer to easily find whenever you need an afternoon boost.

Enjoy!

MINT

Mint is the best. The best herb that is in my humble opinion. I add fresh mint leaves to my green smoothies for a burst of flavour, toss in a salad for a little je ne sais quoi that is delicious and unexpected, and boil in hot water for a soothing after dinner drink.

Mint is healthy too. Not only does it aid in digestion, it is an antioxidant that contains trace amounts of iron, fibre, vitamin A and potassium.

(Photo)

A WEEK OF FIRSTS

This week was Monkey's first day at big kid school. He started Year 1, which is the equivalent to Senior Kindergarten in Canada. It was a big deal with a new school, new teachers and new classmates.

This week was also Little Bean's first day at nursery school. She's now going three mornings a week to the same nursery school that Monkey went to, and she's so very excited to be a big girl.

The first day of school photos 

This week was also the first in almost six years that I found myself alone with no children to play with or coax along during errands. It was a strange sensation. I felt light, as though something was missing, but I accomplished a lot in just two short hours -- my grocery shop was extremely efficient and the search for a birthday gift was executed with military precision.

With new school routines, it does feel like a fresh new year is upon us. With my new-found solo time, I'm eager to handle chores and errands so that the majority of our time together after school can be spent doing the fun stuff. Wait! Is it possible that I might catch and match John with the claim of being the 'fun parent' now?!

PLASTIC-FREE WITH S'WELL BOTTLES

 

It has become my mission to rid our family of plastic in all its forms. The child-friendly melamine dishes were replaced with bamboo, plastic cups were replaced by glass, storage containers were replaced with glass or stainless steel and drinking bottles with any trace of plastic were replaced by stainless steel.

A S'well bottle is a must in our family. Made from non-leaching and non-toxic 18/8 stainless steel, these fun bottles come in three sizes (9oz, 17oz and 25oz, which holds a bottle of wine!) and keep your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. And, the kiddos love to pick their favourite designs.

You can feel good about supporting this company too. S'well has teamed up with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to provide good, clean drinking water to children around the world.

Next on my plastic-free mission is helping Little Bean say goodbye to her pacifiers, which she so loving calls her 'soo-soos'. This will be tough ... for us all.