tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:52:00 +0000motherhoodbaby foodcreative spacegreen petsgood causeseco-living: green celebrationseco-living: urban gardeningrecipes: for springwaldorf/steiner/montessori inspiredgreen cleaningnatural toysnatural parenting: natural pregnancythe omnivorous familyguest postnatural parenting: breastfeedingurban gardeningeco-living: green on a budgetrecipes: seasonal eatingrecipes: dessertsgreen giftswith love to YOUcrafting sewing and knittingnatural babysummer snap mondaysnatural parenting: a tv-free childhoodeco-living: green beautyeco-living: thrifting upcycling recycling** tutorials **ayurveda yoga meditationserene sundaysgentle parentingnatural parenting: family traditionsrecipes: for autumngiveawaysnatural pregnancynatural parenting: cloth nappieseco-living: green cleaning recipestv-free childhoodeco-living: crafting sewing knittingrecipes: snacks and finger foodfamily traditionsthe vegetarian familynatural parenting: gentle disciplinetraveling with childrengratitudenatural parenting: waldorf inspiredgreen celebrationsthrifting upcycling and recyclingeco-living: natural toyscloth nappiesgentle parenting and disciplinegreen on a budgetoutdoor playteas tonics and natural remedieswholegrain sundayseco-living: crafting sewing and knittinghandmade homerecipes: for summereco-living: teas tonics and natural remediesreading recommendationsrecipes: for winterbreastfeedinggreen family traditions and celebrationsinspired playgreen beautyfor your reading liststory-tellingrhythms and routinesnatural parenting: rhythms and routineseco-living: ayurveda yoga meditationrecipes: homemade breadecoMILF sponsorsDaily insight from a mother taking steps towards a more sustainable, compassionate and conscious life. Because going eco is logical.http://www.ecomilf.com/noreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)Blogger867125ecomilfhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-4231096104790480294Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-27T06:00:04.968+11:00 They're oh, so good! I can vouch for it. Wishing you a beautiful weekend with your loved ones.http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/dada-cuddles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-3433954369315899954Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-26T21:25:15.506+11:00natural parenting: family traditions I want to take a moment in this space to pay my deepest respect to the true and traditional custodians of this land- Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Let us not forget that we are all living and celebrating today on their land. On the official Australia Day website under Indigenous Australians, it encourages us to ask:  Is it Survival Day or Australia Day or http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/australia-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-6784000763730560422Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-25T20:08:56.586+11:00** tutorials **recipes: homemade breadThe photos from this tutorial are actually recycled from some bread making directions I posted a year and a half ago. But the last two photos are of the new loaf I have been making. It is divine. Brad can't get enough of it. It's sweet and soft and the closest 'healthy' version of childhood 'Wonderbread' I have been able to come up with. This recipe can be played with a bit but I wouldn't http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/tutorial-homemade-sweet-soft-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-5937537895657919740Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-26T21:25:40.581+11:00natural parenting: waldorf inspirednatural parenting: gentle discipline I was inspired to make this list and tack it to the fridge and in front of my desk after reading the article "Stop" "Don't" and "No" by Miss Faith from Joyful Toddlers.  I really need to see something and be reminded of it often to effectively make it a part of our lives. As sibling rivalry begins to rear its ugly (although at times smirky-worthy) head, I have caught myself saying "no" far http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/avoiding-words-no-stop-and-dont.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-738473421583878762Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-26T21:26:10.291+11:00the omnivorous family We’re a few months into our new and very changed diet and still trying to find a balance between how much meat we eat, what we eat and how often. Right now we buy a cut or roast for Sunday night dinner and eat the left-overs the following day, as well as have an organic roast chicken sometime through the week. We use the bones for stock and the left-over meat throughout the following few days.http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/finding-butcher-we-trust.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-2224799614126006357Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:26:00 +00002012-01-26T21:26:10.283+11:00the omnivorous family A few photos from our kitchen this week- 'prepping' seems to have been the theme. Spinach drying; purple carrots and mushrooms- fried and put in a spelt crust quiche; fennel, apple and cucumber salad; organic chicken to be roasted with vegetables and stuffed with fresh herbs; homemade pickles. I can never manage to take photos of the food once it's out of the oven- it gets eaten too fast! http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/our-whole-foods-kitchen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-787313398901203723Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-19T06:00:01.519+11:00recipes: snacks and finger foodrecipes: for summer Popsicles as we call them back home. What they lack in colour they make up for in taste and nutrition. Read all about the benefits of chia seeds here. Perfect for the kid who's allergic to fish! The coconut milk is also so healthy for children. Just try to buy a brand that uses little to no preservatives in the canning process. Of course if you have access to fresh coconut milk or have the http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/banana-coconut-maple-and-chia-seed-icy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-3539806670515716893Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-18T06:00:03.598+11:00** tutorials ** I still try to tell North an oral story everyday and last week it was a beautiful story I found called 'The Kite'. I use props for storytelling and we had just about everything we needed- silk scarves for the sea and land, a felt pony, a bird finger puppet, a wooden house and wooden blocks to make a forest... but what we didn't have was a little boy. So one evening I set out to create a little http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/tutorial-summertime-farm-boy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-2158529466029443058Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-17T19:48:18.120+11:00natural parenting: rhythms and routines Things are always slow and messy when we come back from holidays.  Between extra loads of laundry, unpacking, overtired and overstimulated children it takes at least a week to get back into our rhythm. We've packed away everything Christmas and are now enjoying the beauty and vibrancy of summer!  We’ve spent a lot of time outdoors this past week, tending to the garden, heading to the http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/rhythm-and-change.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-3206485261723238305Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-17T19:48:30.002+11:00eco-living: urban gardening A few months ago North and I planted a variety of flower seeds in in the front garden and weren’t sure what would work and what wouldn’t.  We scattered sunflower seeds but only a single stalk has sprouted up and flourished. It did pick a wonderful spot to grow though- greeting us with it's happy smile right at the front door!  Wildflower seeds were casually spread here and there, the http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/tour-of-our-summer-urban-garden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-468200813011741784Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:18:00 +00002012-01-13T09:18:57.714+11:00 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - soulemama http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/this-moment_13.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-1028462250988805791Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-12T06:00:01.620+11:00recipes: snacks and finger food Ingredients 1 cup white spelt  flour 2 1/3 cups whole grain spelt flour 1/2 tablespoon baking powder pinch of salt 1 tsp bi-carb 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup rapadura sugar 1/4 cup honey 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup rice (or milk, almond, soy) milk 1/3 cup coconut oil 1 cup finely chopped swiss chard (or spinach) 1 cup finely grated carrot 1/2 cup chopped and pitted dateshttp://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/spicy-carrot-swiss-chard-and-date.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-39343573920700985Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +00002012-01-11T07:26:01.105+11:00** tutorials **natural parenting: waldorf inspiredeco-living: green beautyeco-living: green cleaning recipeseco-living: crafting sewing and knittingThese are really just basic instructions on how to make felted soap, but we made a few pink bars this week to gift for Valentine's Day so if you're inspired to do the same I suggest using a bar of soap that smells of sweet flowers and using some red or pink wool as your base. Felted soap makes a lovely gift, prevents that gooey soapy mess you find on the bottom of soap dishes, feels lovely and http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/felted-soap-tutorial-for-valentines.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-3694513067719590661Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +00002012-01-10T21:48:45.050+11:00eco-living: thrifting upcycling recycling Today I've written a guest post for the Kindred Gifts Blog. If you have great green intentions this year and want to figure out how to remember your green bags, reusable water bottle and other green accessories head on over for a read. Will be back on 'theme' related posts tomorrow!http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/go-green-in-2012-how-to-remember-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-2653022420050697099Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +00002012-01-10T21:48:56.408+11:00eco-living: green cleaning recipes In honour of my intention ‘to breathe’ this year we have decided as a family to hire a cleaner to come in once a fortnight to help with all the spots I’ve missed (ahem, avoided) and to give me a break from the scrubbing and scouring. We’ve had occasional cleaners off and on in the past, but I have been cleaning our house from top to bottom for quite a while now. I’m a bit of a perfectionist http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/hiring-green-cleaner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-5748647018081135850Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:26:00 +00002012-01-06T13:26:35.913+11:00 As I set free the word ‘breathe’, I am trying to carve much more space for calm and intentional living and a little less space for the computer. As of today I will only being posting 5 days a week and leaving the weekends screen-free in order to fully be present with the family day and night. Except for the occasional pre-published giveaway or sponsor love, you won’t see me in this space on http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/taking-time-to-breathe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-4538294835349575551Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:42:00 +00002012-01-06T08:42:03.117+11:00 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - soulemama http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/this-moment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-8073438799693210939Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:04:00 +00002012-01-10T21:49:17.156+11:00eco-living: crafting sewing and knitting I've said it before and I'll say it again- wool felt is very, very forgiving. So when North asked for a cape for Christmas I didn't hesitate when I saw the red and black felt at the fabric shop. No ironing and no hemming? Sold. The pattern was borrowed from a dear friend, including the dragon sketch which her very talented and artistic hubby drew. I bought the knight's hood at a school fair and http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/handmade-christmas-gift.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-7972749457820452333Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:48:00 +00002012-01-10T21:49:33.372+11:00eco-living: teas tonics and natural remediesPoor Indi's eczema has continued to plague her and give me the worried Mama anxiety that leaves me sleepless. Despite the fact that we slather coconut oil on her up to three times a day, she sleeps in gloves, we bathe her minimally, she's on a strict diet, we have her on supplements galore (zinc, probiotics, DHA, vitamin C and D3) and we have put special allergy covers on all mattresses and http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/homemade-bath-soak-for-eczema.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-6583886124389001975Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +00002012-01-10T21:49:58.914+11:00natural parenting: waldorf inspired North is beginning to take more and more of an interest in drawing, painting, cutting and gluing and Indigo takes an interest in anything her older brother does. I realised it was important  that these activities were easily available and accessible for inspired and somewhat spontaneous creating because I found when all of our art supplies were piled up in storage containers hidden in the http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/our-creative-nook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-1182538450592532396Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:12:00 +00002012-01-10T21:50:28.402+11:00recipes: desserts Raw chocolate has quickly become Brad's all time favourite treat. The pinch of salt takes the edge off of the syrupy sweetness and leaves you hanging for more. Ingredients 150g raw cacao powder200g raw cacao butter200g agave syrup pinch of salt Directions Put raw cacao butter in a bowl and place it on top of pot filled with boiling water,  Stir until melted and smoothPour into a mini muffinhttp://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/homemade-raw-chocolate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-6905596892225269223Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:29:00 +00002012-01-01T21:33:10.686+11:00 Happy New Year! What I love about this blog is being able to look back on our year and see where we went wrong, where we went right and to reassess where we're going. The word I chose to live by for 2011 was 'create' and I think I did a pretty good job of continuing to create as much as possible from scratch for our little family. I took up hand sewing (and LOVE it), I made more handmade http://www.ecomilf.com/2012/01/top-posts-from-2011-and-my-word-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-8458325960898421882Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +00002011-12-31T06:00:05.475+11:00Before you start making elaborate New Years resolutions that involve the gym, classes, diet plans etc. Take a look at this video lecture by Dr. Mike Evans. Simple yet effective and shocking that a huge number of us don't incorporate that 30 minutes into our daily life. http://www.ecomilf.com/2011/12/23-and-12-hours-single-best-thing-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-1219959146588359971Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +00002011-12-30T06:00:02.632+11:00 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- soulemama http://www.ecomilf.com/2011/12/this-moment_30.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461228147269301248.post-1245787035672150125Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:30:00 +00002011-12-29T22:30:47.610+11:00 We've been in Melbourne enjoying the company of family and friends. It's been a lovely week with a magical ending at one of my favourite family attractions- The Collingwood Children's Farm. Hoping you're enjoying some time with your nearest and dearest too!http://www.ecomilf.com/2011/12/holidaying.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ecoMILF)2