this whole family

nourishing bone broth

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:43:00 +0000

When our family switched over from a vegetarian diet to an omnivorous one, one of the very first foods I felt was essential for my growing children, (especially allergy-riden Indigo who still has a 'healing gut') was homemade bone broth. Bone broths are rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are highly bioavailable. The gelatine derived from homemade bone broth aids in digestion and aids in healing the lining of the digestive tract if you have any allergy, skin or other 'leaky gut' issues. The vinegar added assists in drawing the mineral content from the bones.

Ingredients
1 kg grass-fed beef or lamb bones OR 1 organic/grass-fed chicken carcass
optional: sliced bone with exposed marrow OR grass-fed chicken's feet or head to increase nutrient density of the broth
(our bones are most usually from here and we store them in the freezer until use)

3-4 litres water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

optional: veggie scraps and sea salt

Let's Begin
Place the bones, water and vinegar in a large stockpot
Bring to a boil, skim any excess foam or sediment from the top
Reduce heat to a low simmer and cover for desired amount of time*
optional: add veggie scraps and sea salt during the last 2 hours of simmering**
-----------
I often simmer our bone broth in an ovenproof casserole dish in the oven. This is simply because if I want to go out during the day or go to bed at night I can safely leave the pot in the oven and not have to worry about an exposed open flame.

*There is still an ongoing debate about how long to simmer your broth. One camp believes the longer, the better (12+ hours) as more marrow and gelatine is extracted from the bones the longer they simmer. The other camp believes that after about 3 hours the delicate amino acids in your bone broth will start to disintegrate and that prolonger heating will cause an increase in free-radicals. Our bone broths usually simmer at a very low heat somewhere between 4 and 7 hours depending on the time I start cooking, when I actually need to use the broth and how lazy I am!

**A couple hours before you remove your broth from heat you can add vegetables and salt to give it more depth of flavour. To be honest we rarely do this as I prefer to add a tablespoon of my homemade veggie stock concentrate to soups and stews with a bone base. Then I can choose to use the plainer stock to add flavour and nutrients to cooked rice while maintaining a subtler taste.

20/52

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:48:00 +0000

Inspired by Jodi, I have made the resolution to take a portrait of my children each week throughout the year. Visit her at Che and Fidel for more details and perhaps you'll be inspired too.North and Indigo- after an awful wave of the flu that rushed through everyone, we were all recovered within 24 hours and a bit more grown up. Sickness seems to change them in the most subtle ways.

on staying calm and centred with children under 7

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:59:00 +0000

We actually haven't been experiencing too many major meltdowns or tantrums lately... more so on the weekends when our rhythm is a bit thrown, bedtimes are a later than usual and having Dad around usurps the usual rhythm. But I wanted to say a few words about staying calm and centred in the heat of the moment because this really is what our children need more than anything- for us to keep calm and carry on and it is also one of the most challenging parts of being a mother, isn't it?

Children are such sense beings- what they feel they feel immediately and totally RIGHT NOW. So the injustice your toddler experiences when you button her buttons for her during the morning rush (even though she wanted to do it herself) and the resulting meltdown because things haven't gone exactly the way she had foreseen can be somewhat understandable no matter how irrational it seems at the time. There are habits you can practice to avoid these 'episodes' from happening all the time but they cannot and should not be completely avoided- disappointment, frustration and tears are all natural parts of life. We cannot always be completely contented and it's best to honour that concept for our children instead of bending over backwards to ensure they are always happy.

There are a whole list of things we can do as parents to help our children transition from one moment to the next. Here are just a few things to help smooth out bumpy days, some of which I have gone into detail about in past posts:

creating a set of family values which will help you in identifying and upholding the boundaries that are most important to you and your family
creating and upholding a strong and steady daily rhythm which includes lots of outdoor play, in breaths and out breaths, unstructured play, time to explore through the senses and meaningful work
being organised, managing your own time and avoiding including your children in too many adult activities like grocery stores, appointments, computer work and errands
eating wholesome, unrefined and unprocessed meals and snacks together as a family
providing a warm, kind, gracious and joyful home life
using less words for direction and and leading more by example, physical gestures, verses and rhymes
being familiar with normal developmental stages and adjusting the expectations you have of your child to these norms (The Parenting Passageway is a great place to start reading)

But what do we do when things still go awry? When the screaming, crying, kicking, sometimes even biting or hitting begins?

First of all as mothers we take one big breath and remind ourselves to be the calm during the storm. Keep calm and centred. This is what young children need more than anything in the heat of the moment- a grounding and stable force. The last thing they need is another person throwing a tantrum right there next to them. Instead try as best you can to centre your emotions and to be present with how your child is feeling and acting in that moment and determine what the best action would be to suit his or her needs. If they're getting violent you will need to remove them from other people and perhaps even yourself until their little limbs gain a bit of control again. You don't have to talk everything out right there and then, sometimes a small child simply needs a change of environment or some space to him/herself without parents or siblings for a little while to get over a meltdown.

I have been reading quite a bit on the Non-Violent Communication (NVC) website. They offer some great free resources including a "Free Compassionate Parenting NVC Tips" weekly newsletter.

I also try to find a bit of time to myself although believe me, I know how difficult this can be for mothers with young children. Sometimes just a 10 minute hot bath at the end of the day is enough of a treat. When I practice yoga even as little as once or twice a week I have even more will in me to remain patient when the going gets tough.

Meditation is also a powerful tool for mothers. Every seasonal guide from Whole Family Rhythms includes a weekly meditation to contemplate and carry with you through your days. Meditation does not have to mean sitting crosslegged in silence. It could be enjoying a hot cup of tea in stillness for 5 minutes while your children play at your feet, it could mean waking up earlier than the rest of your family, putting a load of laundry on and looking ahead at your day or it could mean having a spiritual or religious practice of some kind- daily prayer or attending regular worship. For mothers the important part of meditation is cultivating an inner awareness of the bigger picture and creating a space to breath and revitalise when it feels as though little hands, voices and hearts are always taking from you.

What do you do to stay calm and centered with your little ones?

the little things

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:07:00 +0000

A weekly meme capturing the hidden beauty and grace found in the little things that remind us of just how blessed we are :

simple, wholesome lunches

flowers for mama

colours and life at the kitchen sink

cuddles at the park

Add your link below (click 'read more') if you're so inspired and grab the button if you're so inclined

whole family rhythms winter giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

It's May and time to start looking forward to planning your family's Winter Rhythm. Some of my favourite things about winter include warm wool clothing, increased time crafting, sewing and knitting by the warmth of a fire, hot soups for dinner, early bedtimes, warm lavender footbaths and hot cocoa whenever you need a pick me up.

Whole Family Rhythms are a series of seasonal and monthly guides created and designed to help you maintain a calm, joyful and steady rhythm in your home. The rhythms include unstructured, child-led play both outdoors and indoors; early childhood stories and fingerplay; weekly bushwalking themes; daily art, handwork or creative projects; holistic baking and cooking recipes for the whole family as well as weekly caregiver meditations and monthly handwork projects.

For today's giveaway the winner with receive:

The Whole Family Rhythm Winter Guide valued at $29 including:

1. The Daily Rhythm - a glance at the week- in editable excel format

2. The June, July and August Monthly Guides

Notes and Guidelines

The Daily Rhythm

June, July and August Ingredients and Supplies Master List

Twelve weeks of Daily Activities including a weekly story and bushwalking theme

Twelve Weekly Caregiver Meditations

Three Caregiver Handwork Projects

Seasonal Book Recommendations

Plus some lovelies to stock up your crafting cupboard including:

10 Million Blossoms Beeswax Candle Kit- valued at $17.50
3 Stockmar block crayons in winter colours: Ultramarine, Violet Blue and Magneta valued at $7.50
Hand-Dyed Winter Coloured Wool Felt Pack (pack of 6) courtesy of Winterwood Toys valued at $23
1 Waldorf Journal (white papered journal) valued at $3

You can enter this giveaway a maximum of three times:

first entry- leave a comment below

second entry- like Whole Family Rhythms on Facebook

third entry- share this giveaway on your blog, twitter or Facebook page

**Please write a new comment for every entry!**

A winner will be chosen by the random number generator on Tuesday, May 21st by 10pm EST and announced here on the original giveaway post.

creating watercolour notecards and stationery together

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Set up a the table for watercolour painting
You'll need soft brushes, paint and water for everyone including yourself
Use a combination of complimentary colours
Soak the watercolour paper for a minute or two then wipe with a clean sponge before beginning
A piece of wood or a cutting board under each piece of paper keeps it from breaking and bleeding

Take your time and paint, try to keep the space quiet and warm
Natural inspiration from your environment- stones, feathers, flowers and leaves might act as colour or texture inspiration

Let them dry in the sunlight

Cut into assorted card sizes and save them to create thank you, congratulations and love you notes and cards or even gorgeous to do and grocery lists for Mama

19/52

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:34:00 +0000

Inspired by Jodi, I have made the resolution to take a portrait of my children each week throughout the year. Visit her at Che and Fidel for more details and perhaps you'll be inspired too.

Indigo and North- Finally just cold enough this week for them to wear their stunning, new knit hats by the immensely talented Greer from Typically Red. The artistry and detail put into them takes my breath away.

mother

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

It's no coincidence that the word 'mother' has such close linguistic roots to the word love

mama, mum, ma, amma

amor, amare, kama, aimer, ai

North and I My Mum and me

Happy Mother's Day to my Mum and my first love.

And Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

the creatives

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:59:00 +0000

Last Friday I abandoned all motherly duties and instead sat on a creamy white couch absorbing poetic, insightful and authentically unique advice from Jodi and Tim.

It was a beautiful day interspersed with new and familiar faces, laughter, tears and wholesome vegetarian food. Just the restorative pick-me-up I needed leading up to the arrival of another bundle of sweet and hard work.

My camera is now more than ever my constant companion and I am joyfully (and finally!) capturing our daily moments only in manual mode.

Thank you to Belinda for welcoming us into her home, to Steph for the gorgeous handmade journals, to Jodi and Tim for sharing their knowledge and passion and to all the women who shared the space and made the day so lovely. Visit Che and Fidel for information about the upcoming July workshop. It really is a magical day spent inspiring the creative in everyone.

the little things

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:42:00 +0000

A weekly meme capturing the hidden beauty and grace found in the little things that remind us of just how blessed we are
::
the soothing yellows of homemade jelly and chicken broth for a very sick little one

the next round garden seedlings climbing their way towards the sunshine

bushwalks at twighlight

Add your link below (click 'read more') if you're so inspired and grab the button if you're so inclined

grain-free, naturally sweet brownies

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:43:00 +0000

These chewy, sumptuous brownies are sweetened with with dark chocolate (which can have added sugar depending on the brand) and dates. They are the perfect kind of rich- not too sweet but sweet enough that you're more than satisfied with just one.

Ingredients

1 cup (ideally homemade, soaked, then blanched and ground) almond flour

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon bi-carb

100 g dark chocolate, in chunks

8-10 organic dates

3 open range eggs

1/2 virgin coconut oil, warmed

1/22 teaspoon natural vanilla

Let's Begin

*I used my (beloved) thermomix for this recipe which was very easy but if you have a food processor it should be almost as simple although you may have to change the order of processing and do one ingredient at a time before adding them all together*

Preheat the oven to 180˚C

Grind the almonds if they're not already ground

Add salt and bicarb and mix with almond meal for a few seconds until well combined

Add the dark chocolate to the food processor and pulse or mix at high speed until the mixture is dark brown and crumbly

Add the dates and pulse or mix again at high speed until the mixture has a similar texture but is shiny and more wet looking

Add the warmed coconut oil, eggs and vanilla and combine well

Pour into a small, lined and greased cake pan

Bake at 180˚C for 25 minutes

Let it cool thoroughly (30-40 minutes) until set before cutting

According to my latest readings, nuts are not the ideal health food, but as an occasional grain-free treat I still think almond meal beats the bloat and sensitivity that wheat causes in our family.

on staying at home... and not feeling guilty about it

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:51:00 +0000

As we march to the rhythm of the school term and our weeks fill with activities and appointments I have become more conscious of making the effort to stay at home as much as we can. Staying home, for me, means enjoying the quiet and simplicity of our house and backyard and the company of no one but each other for the entire day.

Staying home all day long can evoke mother guilt (or craziness) in us if we're not accustomed to it. As North grows older I find it more and more challenging to see these days as enriching as opposed to stifling. We live in a time where busy-ness is synonymous with productivity and growth while often domestic duties are seen as burdens and simple living as unnecessarily hard work. But for the young child, staying at home is more nourishing for their bodies, minds and souls than any outing you could take them on.

Staying at home allows me the space and freedom to plan, prepare and cook three wholesome meals, hang the mountains of laundry, tend to our growing garden, clean neglected corners and above all to be fully present and patient with my children for the entire day. Nothing is rushed or hurried because we have all day to do what needs to be done. Lessons are learned through doing- washing, folding, playing, pouring, digging and scooping.

As I prepare for the arrival of our third angel and the first four weeks (or more) at home doing very little but simply being there for him or her and the other two I remind myself of the blessings found within our walls and that the great big world will still be there in its entirety when we open our doors and return.

18/52

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sat, 04 May 2013 19:08:00 +0000

Inspired by Jodi, I have made the resolution to take a portrait of my children each week throughout the year. Visit her at Che and Fidel for more details and perhaps you'll be inspired too.

North and Indigo- I've been worrying lately about how often their drawings turn to 'writing'. North is absolutely determined to read and write no matter how much I have been trying to slow him down. Indigo does everything her brother does. But then I look at what I do on a daily basis- write grocery lists, fill out my calendar, fill journals with dreams, goals and poetry...words, words, words... it's no wonder they love them- because I certainly do.

nourishing pate

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:21:00 +0000

Ingredients
60g organic grass-fed butter
1/4 red onion
1/2 clove garlic
200g free-ranging organic duck or chicken livers
1 tbs tomato paste
2 tbs brandy or red wine
1 bay leaf
sea salt and pepper to taste
clarified butter to seal

Let's Begin
Heat a tablespoon of the butter over low heat in a pan and add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper
Cook until translucent and then add the thyme, brandy and wine
Continue to reduce for a minute and then add the livers cooking gently for only a few minutes until cooked on the outside and rare on the inside
Remove from heat
Put the livers in a food processor and add the rest of the butter with some more salt
Process until smooth and put into a small glass terrine or dish
Pour clarified butter (ghee) to seal and refrigerate for at least three hours

Liver (like many organ meats) is a nutrient-dense food containing high amounts of vitamin A, D, E, C, B6, B9 and B12 as well as calcium, magnesium, iron and selenium. You can read a little bit about the health benefits of pate and other superfoods in the Nourished Kitchen article '10 Nutritional Powerhouses that Won't Break the Budget'. I try to make pate once every 2-3 weeks and enjoy it in small amounts in combination with raw vegetables and rice crackers. Be sure to purchase high quality free range and organic chicken livers from a reliable source. Livers from factory farmed, stressed animals that were likely on antibiotics should be avoided.

the little things

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:43:00 +0000

A weekly meme capturing the hidden beauty and grace found in the little things that remind us of just how blessed we are
::
sweet and sticky recipe sampling from the lovely and talented Emma from My Darling Lemon Thyme

lingering lazy, warm, family days at the beach

handmade toys and siblings who play more beautifully together each day

Chewy Cranberry, Millet and Pistachio Bars

Add your link below (click 'read more') if you're so inspired and grab the button if you're so inclined

from our urban garden

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

The last time I wrote about our urban garden we had some seedlings planted and a few plans written up. Since then we've planted more herbs, grown and picked lettuce which has recently gone to seed and as of this weekend enjoyed sweet, slightly curly carrots.

No matter how little we sow it is always such a rewarding and holistic experience when the children harvest what we've grown. This organic understanding that our food grows from seed with help from the earth, sun and rain, I feel, is so nourishing for their souls.

We feasted on roast carrots and organic chicken with freshly picked rosemary that evening along with a fresh salad with apple and lettuce from the garden.

17/52

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:47:00 +0000

Inspired by Jodi, I have made the resolution to take a portrait of my children each week throughout the year. Visit her at Che and Fidel for more details and perhaps you'll be inspired too.

After a disappointing diagnosis from the camera medics last week I said goodbye to my water-drenched Nikon and received a very exciting package on Friday afternoon- a new Canon camera.

I've been playing with it all weekend- first time I have only shot manually and am trying to cram as much learning as possible into this week in preparation for the Creatives on Friday!

identifying family values. a tool for gentle discipline.

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:52:00 +0000

What are your family values? Have you ever put down on paper what it is that is deeply important to your family and what isn’t? Perhaps you’re content assuming that your values are in your heart, but I believe the secret to a (mostly) peaceful, happy and vibrant family life is to get very, very clear about your family values.

When I feel confused or lost about whether we have too little or too many boundaries in place, or whether I should be taking a stand or giving a consequence, I often go back and review our family values. Family values are not set in stone- they can be changed, added to or simplified. Since the last time I shared our list here it has slightly altered:

Our Family Values

to love one another always and to forgive

to be faithful, kind, honest and supportive of one another and ourselves

to have respect and develop empathy for all living beings

to be passionate about learning, changing, expanding and growing

to have fun

to share

to plant, to grow, to get dirty, to harvest and to spend time every day outside

to hug, to cuddle, to kiss and to use kind words

to eat whole foods and nourish our bodies

to read everyday

for each of us (young and old) to be able to enjoy a quiet moment to ourselves in silence every day

to strive to reduce our environmental footprint through mindful habits

to listen to music, to dance, to play instruments and to sing

to learn about and appreciate the cultural and environmental diversity in this world

to give thanks everyday for our blessings

With this list in the back of my mind I can approach a family conflict with a clearer head. For example, rough-housing is acceptable (as long as they’re not in danger of hurting themselves) as long as there is mutual laughter and fun being had. But if this kind of play is more one-sided and one sibling is teasing or getting too rough with another it needs to be stopped and redirected immediately.

Using kind words and having respect for one another is another value on our list. It so follows that toilet talk, rude words and insults are not tolerated on any level in our home. It is vitally important that the adults in the family model the values on a daily basis through our own interactions with family members, friends and community. Sometimes we are unaware of how much our children absorb- berating words between a husband and wife, sarcastic humour or casual use of words like ‘stupid’ or ‘dumb’. Sometimes when our children reflect the adult behaviour they have observed we find it difficult to identify that the problem has stemmed from parental behaviour! It is our responsibility to be conscientious of our own daily words and actions and to discern whether we ourselves are authentically modeling our family values.

The clearer and more consistent we are with our expectations the easier it is for children to learn to respect the boundaries we have put in place. Of course it is children’s work is to push boundaries and experiment with all sorts of behaviour- it would be unhealthy if they didn’t, but our work is to establish a foundation of values and to model and uphold these for our children.

Would you add anything more to (or take away from) this list? Do your family values influence the way you parent? And the most difficult question: if boundaries are pushed and ignored- what are the consequences?

I’d love to discuss this further and learn from each other in the comment section!

16/52

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 09:27:00 +0000

Inspired by Jodi, I have made the resolution to take a portrait of my children each week throughout the year. Visit her at Che and Fidel for more details and perhaps you'll be inspired too.

We went on our first family camping trip this weekend and it was everything to be expected- a bit cold and rainy but filled with hot chocolate, fireside songs, stories and marshmallows, bushwalking adventures, a few cheeky possums and and ending with a Mama and her belly who is very, very ready for a warm and soft bed!

Unfortunately there was an accident involving water and my camera... my stomach still lurches thinking about it. Off to the repair shop with fingers crossed in the morning but in the meantime here are two shots that the beautiful and talented Natalie took for me very recently- perfect timing Nat- thank you!

North- He can often be found whistling, snapping, hopping and winking all at the same time- just because he can.

Indigo- upset because we asked her many times to give the little one some space... she so desperately wants to be a big sister

this whole family: essential resources and inspiration for early childhood

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Holistic/Nature-Based/Waldorf Education and Parenting
Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer
You are Your Child’s First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
How Children Learn by John Holt
Discipline without Distress by Judy Arnall
Phases of Childhood Bernard C J Lievgood
Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour by Susan Perrow
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge by Barbara J. Patterson and Pamela Bradley
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Calm and Compassionate Children: A Handbook by Susan Dermond
The Parenting Passageway
The Online Waldorf Library
Star Weavings - A Newsletter of the Australia Associations Rudolf Steiner Early Childhood Education (quarterly magazine)

Inner Work
Moments of Peace in the Presence of God the Baker Publishing Group (Christian) Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali (Buddhist)
Everyday Blessings- The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat- Zinn (Buddhist)
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Lively Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp (Christian)
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman

Holistic Baby
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The Yoga of Birth by Katie Manitsas
The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Childcare by Sally Fallon Morrel
Milk, Money and Madness- The Culture and Politics of Breastfeeding by Naomi Baumslag
Australian Breastfeeding Association

Watercolour Painting Instructions and Guidelines
Sarah Baldwin’s youtube guides parts one and two
Painting With Children by Brunhild Muller

Crafting
Snips and Snails and Walnut Whales by Phyllis Fiarotta
Sew Soft Toys by Karen Neuscutz
Feltcraft by Petra Berger

Holistic Eating and Menu-Planning
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Whole Food for Children by Jude Blereau
Whole Food for the Family by Jude Blereau
The Nutrition Coach
Ray Peat
Nourished Kitchen

Natural Remedies, Health and Beauty
Dr. Sears
The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears
Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles

Children’s Fiction, Fairytales and Verse
Complete Book of Nursery Rhymes
Grimm’s Fairytales
The Oxford Book of Children’s Verse
Books by Elsa Beskow
Books by Gerda Muller
Books by Sibylle von Olfers

Rhythm and Family Traditions
All Year Round by Ann Druit
The Creative Family by Amanda Soule
The Rhythm of Family by Amanda Soule
The Book of New Family Traditions by Megan Cox

Children’s Music for the Whole Family
Albums and Songs by Elizabeth Mitchell
Albums and Songs by Peter Paul and Mary
Albums and Songs by Renee and Jeremy Albums and Songs by Jetty Rae
Albums and Songs by Raffi
Albums and Songs by The Vespers
Albums and Songs by Sharon, Lois and Bram
Nursery Days and Songs to Grow On for Mother and Child by Woody Guthrie

the little things

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:37:00 +0000

A weekly meme capturing the hidden beauty and grace found in the little things that remind us of just how blessed we are
::
A new book- the first 'baby' related book I've read in the past 7 months. It's encouraged me to continue to eat a few more egg yolks, to increase my fish intake (difficult with little miss allergy), fearlessly drink raw whole milk and take my daily probiotic.

Baby treasures. A gift for a dear friend who is due 6 weeks before me. Gorgeous cashmere doll by Ziezo Designs, beautiful book and lush sling from Sakura Bloom.

Hospitals and medical glue (instead of stitches) on her eye. The incident involved our coffee table... the one we just took out of storage because we thought it was finally safe... and is now going straight back into storage for an indefinite amount of time.

A homemade sandpit that has transformed grumpy afternoons into quiet peaceful ones. Of course it still hasn't stopped them from digging up the garden beds and making sandy mud, mudpies and their very own version of 'compost'.

::

Add your link below (click 'read more') if you're so inspired and grab the button if you're so inclined

Whole Family Rhythms- Winter now available

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Whose idea was it to launch a business halfway through the pregnancy of her third child?

After much work- little bits here, little bits there intermittent with sleep, sipping raspberry leaf tea, new baby reading and nesting and of course each and everyday with my children living our own Family Rhythm- the Whole Family Rhythm Winter Guides are finally ready for purchase!

Whole Family Rhythms are a series of seasonal and monthly guides created and designed to help you maintain a calm, joyful and steady rhythm in your home. The rhythms include unstructured, child-led play both outdoors and indoors; early childhood stories and fingerplay; weekly bushwalking themes; daily art, handwork or creative projects; holistic baking and cooking recipes for the whole family, reading recommendations as well as weekly caregiver meditations and projects.

Although Whole Family Rhythms focuses primarily on the early years the daily activities are flexible and varied enough to inspire and work for families of all ages and sizes.

Guides for June, July and August are available now, taking you right through the cool and calm Winter season. Take advantage of the "buy one get one free" opening sale: buy any guide and get the same guide to gift to a friend or family member.

A winter giveaway will be coming soon but in the meantime please head over to Whole Family Rhythms and have a look around. There are few more free samples to peruse and lots of information to get your started.

15/52

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:17:00 +0000

Inspired by Jodi, I have made the resolution to take a portrait of my children each week throughout the year. Visit her at Che and Fidel for more details and perhaps you'll be inspired too.

Indigo- we planted the seeds together just 8 weeks ago and the flowers are already taller than her!
North- pulled some gifted sunglasses out of his treasure box and wore them with pride ... for about 3 minutes.

the little things

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:50:00 +0000

A weekly meme capturing the hidden beauty and grace found in the little things that remind us of just how blessed we are
::
fresh, nourishing organic produce, dairy and eggs that magically arrive at our doorstep each and every Wednesday

her 2+ hour naps that (knock on wood!) look like they'll continue to be a part of our daily rhythm for many more months to come

blue skies, yet cooler weather- something this growing bump really appreciates right now

homemade marshmallows that are helping to assist the fermented cod liver down (yes, this may be a
form of bribery... an effective one at least)

::

Add your link below (click 'read more') if you're so inspired and grab the button if you're so inclined

autumn window star tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Meagan) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Gather Your Supplies
8 pieces of kite paper in autumn colours
glue

Let’s Begin
Choose eight pieces of autumn coloured kite paper.
Lay out one square of paper and fold it in half lengthwise.
Fold it in half again to form a smaller square
Open up this square shape to reveal creases that will form four small squares within the larger piece of square paper
Start with the outer edge of the paper pulling the point into the center.
Continue to fold in all four sides to create four small triangles in a diamond shape
Fold the left point up against the center 'line' to make a sharp point at the very top
Fold the right side in the same way
Flip the paper over- this is the first of the 8 points to your window star
Repeat the above steps with the 7 remaining pieces of paper until you have 8 points

Assembly
Add glue into the lower right hand corner of your first point and line the next piece up agains the center fold to glue together
Continue until all eight diamonds form a star