tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41106753551913700092024-03-20T12:13:52.042+02:00musings of the big red henNatashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-87618295173050460442013-11-01T15:20:00.001+02:002013-11-01T15:20:34.057+02:00Hi ho, Hi ho...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today has a theme, and the theme is hard-core women power. Everywhere I look today, its been in my face. Now, I'm a big believer in 'everything happens for a reason' - I don't sit around navel-gazing trying to figure it all out, but I'm open to the fact that the reason will reveal itself when I'm ready to see it. So, the reason for all this awesome, uplifting fem-power in my day? It was preparing me to take a BIG dose of medicine...</div>
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I recently had a late-night, wine-fuelled conversation with a friend, in which I said some things that were really hurtful to her. I didn't say mean things, but I spewed out some nonsense that was really unsupportive of her life choices (which you can read about <a href="http://cherryblossomboutique.blogspot.com/2013/11/dream-catcher.html?spref=fb">here</a>). Now this is someone I have been friends with my whole life, someone I love deeply and someone for whom I certainly do want the very best - So why, oh why do her completely valid and, to be frank, utterly delightful life choices bother me so much? I knew it wasn't her, even as I was saying those things, I knew they weren't about her. Really, the problem lies with me, and that is a bitter pill to swallow.</div>
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Every day we share inspiring talks and clever memes on Facebook, we've read the book, seen the movie and bought the t-shirt - we talk the talk, but do we walk the walk?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpg45MBww7KdqvVoZXNxictOvMBIo-pzUGBUfY4SS21cqMWmgb3Kyk3NZ9aWNFdjUqOgOBK9ZV6HkrR6Ei9Jo8wg-k7LkQ8jEr6GAFxU-wAfLIDWpS2VC6uC09fc1aZgjAVf7MYi1-UTm/s1600/this+is+what+a+feminist+looks+like.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpg45MBww7KdqvVoZXNxictOvMBIo-pzUGBUfY4SS21cqMWmgb3Kyk3NZ9aWNFdjUqOgOBK9ZV6HkrR6Ei9Jo8wg-k7LkQ8jEr6GAFxU-wAfLIDWpS2VC6uC09fc1aZgjAVf7MYi1-UTm/s1600/this+is+what+a+feminist+looks+like.jpg" /></a></div>
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The truth about me, is that sometimes I don't, sometimes, I judge - ugly, but true.<br />
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What I'm realising though, is that mostly it comes down to issues of my own self-worth and how I measure that. Even the fact that I want to be able to <i>measure</i> my worth, speaks volumes about how I value myself. Just because someone's choice wouldn't be right for me, does not make it wrong. Just because there are alternative choices they could make, does not make them better. Accepting the greyness and relativity of life is clearly a learning-curve I am still climbing. I think part of my struggle lies with the fact that I apparently need external validation. It's not that I want us to all look the same, but when my friends make similar life choices to the ones I have made, I feel validated. I have made some choice over the years that left me sitting out on a limb all by myself, and it can feel pretty cold and lonely out there - I don't like being cold or lonely. I guess it's all a matter of perspective - if I looked up, I would likely see my friend sitting out on her own branch - we are all pushing our own boundaries in some way. The trick seems to be to not allow our choices to divide us, but rather let our common goal of growth unite us. </div>
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Since I'm being brutally honest here, I will admit that there is also an element of jealousy. Jealousy at the fact that others can make the choices I wish I could make, and still feel good about themselves. I look at my friend's life and I wonder if she is hiding her true feelings. Is she doing all these activities to fill the void? Is she secretly depressed? Um, no - no she is not. She is truly happy and fulfilled, she is chasing her dreams, catching them and making them come freakin true! No, the person who was desperately filling the void, the person who was secretly depressed - that was me. When I took two years away from a formal 9 - 5 job (ah, yes - I've had my turn too), I was not happy. I wasn't bored, or sitting around doing nothing (anyone who thinks that SAHM's do nothing all day is retarded. That is all.), but I was not happy. I am jealous that she can be so happy doing the thing that made me so miserable. I will admit that perspective is important. She has embraced her "time off" with open arms and a glad heart, while I know I didn't bring the same lust for life and growth with me on my journey. And now that I'm older and wiser, and have a long list of all the things I would pursue given my liberty, I still fear that I would turn back into that sad little person without the sense of self-worth and formal validation I derive from my job and paycheck (however meager) at the end of each month. I hope not.</div>
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Really, I think my friend represents the next step in female evolution. She had the successful corporate career and she <i>chose</i> to move beyond that, to follow her dreams, not to allow herself or her sense of worth to be defined by "the man". She is making life-affirming choices on a daily basis and has taken <i>real</i> control of her life, without all the comforting structure that the formal employment sector offers. Her sense of self-worth comes from within and that is something to be celebrated. To me, she is the X-men of girl power, and when I grow up I hope to be a mutant too. </div>
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<br />Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-42050728515540466252013-02-28T15:16:00.000+02:002013-02-28T15:16:33.674+02:00Got Milk?As anyone who knows me will know, I am a MAJOR proponent of breast feeding and the concept of 'human milk for human babies'. That said, somewhere along the way cows milk gets introduced to our lives and we never seem able to part company - bread and milk, they are the staples, yes? uh, maybe not so much....<br />
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They other day I was sent a link to <a href="http://www.care2.com/causes/milk-it-does-a-body-bad.html">'Milk: It does a body bad'</a> and the information they gave got me thinking.<br />
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Then, today I watched<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI4ZEs_WN9g"> this</a> fantastic and inspiring TED talk by Sarah Britton, author of my favourite food blog, <a href="http://mynewroots.org/site/">My New Roots.</a> Enter the idea of MAKING my own milk - and for once I am not talking about my breasts!<br />
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And the answer my friends, are nuts, seeds and grains.<br />
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If you don't have time to watch the whole TED talk (it's about 15 minutes long) then watch <a href="http://vimeo.com/27840577">this</a> video - it really is that simple folks and if you don't want to try nuts then why not try <a href="http://mynewroots.org/site/2009/04/rice-milk-101-2/">rice milk</a>?<br />
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Happy milking!Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-63866044728937161842012-08-06T18:57:00.000+02:002012-08-06T18:57:04.632+02:00Being Human<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, over the weekend I managed to bash the fender and wing mirror of our car on a pillar, while reversing out of a parking bay - and my very first thought was 'Ohhhh, the Rooster is going to be SOOO angry with me'.</div>
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Coward that I am, I Whatsapp'ed him the bad news before actually arriving home, and his response was pretty much 'As long as you and Chicken little are fine, then that's all that matters and we deal with the rest later'. Needless to say, this was not the response I was expecting. When I got home he didn't even have a look at the car. I spent all evening in a state of nervous anticipation, waiting for the other shoe to drop...and it just didn't. Granted, when he did finally look at the car the next day he wasn't thrilled, but still not to the extent I was expecting. </div>
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This got me thinking....was my fear all in my head? completely unfounded in reality? I felt like this was the fact I had to accept, that somehow I had turned my fairly mild-mannered man into some sort of monster in my head. Until this afternoon....</div>
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The Rooster and I had a very interesting conversation, in which he shared something he had been keeping from me - and why was he keeping things from me, you might ask? Because he was afraid I would be angry! In fact, he told me the only reason he felt he could share was because I was kinda in the dog box over the car and in no position to get to upset about any misdemeanours on his part. </div>
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Ridiculous! Here we both are, thinking that the other one expects some sort of other-worldly perfection from us, when really it's our own expectations of ourselves that has backed us into these corners. Sometimes it's good to be reminded that we are human, that we make mistakes, both intentional and accidental, and that's ok. Even if that reminder costs a few grand!</div>
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Today I am glad to be loved by, and be in love with, a human.<br />
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<br />Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-87907765819010520832012-06-03T14:34:00.002+02:002012-06-03T14:34:23.074+02:00Product Review: Body Thrill's Face Butter<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, yesterday I gave you a brief introduction to <a href="http://www.bodythrills.co.za/">Body Thrills</a>, and I thought I would follow it up with a few short reviews of my favourite Body Thrills products.<br />
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First up, is the <a href="http://www.bodythrills.co.za/products/from-head-to-toe/chamomile-lime-almond-face-butter/">Chamomile, Lime and Almond Face Butter</a>. Hear me when I say, THIS MOISTURISER IS AMAZING. It smells delicious, absorbs instantly, lasts forever and is perfect for sensitive skin. Both the Rooster and I love this product, and yes, my man is a metrosexual, thank you for asking.</div>
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My favourite thing about this moisturiser is the inclusion of almond oil. Almond oil is a lightweight oil, easily absorbed by your skin and, unlike synthetic moisturisers in most commercial face creams, it is more similar to the oils naturally produced by your skin. </div>
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NOTE: If you're allergic to nuts, this is not for you, but don't worry, there are plently of other lovely products to choose from!</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-19440316762886371242012-06-01T15:25:00.000+02:002012-06-01T16:00:28.723+02:00Body Thrills: 100% homegrown & handmade<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am a hippy.</div>
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I don't generally like labels, but this one is hard to get away from. I recycle, have a worm farm, gave birth at home, still breastfeed my 3 yr old, use a moon cup, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30337386/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/t/ditching-shampoo-dirty-little-beauty-secret/#.T8i9cNX9OZQ">no poo</a> my hair and use bicarbonate of soda as deodorant. So, while I don't have dreads and I do wear shoes, I accept that I'm a hippy. However, that doesn't mean I have to be deprived!</div>
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I have written about <a href="http://www.bodythrills.co.za/">Body Thrills</a> <a href="http://www.musingsofthebigredhen.blogspot.com/2011/08/perfect-antedote-to-cold-wet-weather.html">before</a>, and their products undoubtedly account for at least half of the bottles in my bathroom - the Rooster, Chicken Little and I are all huge fans! These products are all natural, preservative-free and locally hand-made. Not only that, but they have something for everyone - pregnant thrills, manly thrills, child-friendly thrills (Chicken Little loves<a href="http://www.bodythrills.co.za/products/bath-crystals/lemongrass-lime-neroli-bath-crystals/"> these</a> bath crystals) and lots and LOTS of womanly thrills!</div>
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This week Body Thrills is running some amazing <a href="http://www.bodythrills.co.za/specials/">winter specials</a> (just in time for Father's Day ladies), so check it out - you will be glad you did!</div>
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<br /></div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-54983105009136726042012-04-24T10:55:00.000+02:002012-04-24T10:55:55.543+02:00A fishy experience<div style="text-align: justify;">Ever since seeing that episode of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugly_Betty">Ugly Betty</a>, where Wilhelmina gets a fish 'pedicure', I have wanted to try it. So I was pretty thrilled when my mum bought us a couple of <a href="http://www.groupon.co.za/">groupons</a> for a little fish therapy. </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We went to<a href="http://www.lefishspa.com/"> Le Fish Spa</a> in Blouberg and I have to say, while the pedicure and fish therapy were great, the service was not. The spa was being used by a film crew, delaying our appointment by 45 minutes, for which the spa was not particularly apologetic! Also, as an aside - I am a busy working mom on a fairly tight budget, I don't often get to do pampering things, so when I do I want the full experience, so offer me a cup of tea, for crying in a bucket, or at least a glass of water! I hate looking forward to a spa experience, and then sitting there for an hour dehydrating. After all, isn't hydration the cardinal beauty rule? but I digress...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7yOznC1kslQDPUESFB9LBRkA7UHBMYIjaGK8I5j8IhlDsU3VyIlPYoWkJKaRWXK3M8jDTpcsZLkOQCpAWWuICkHtcm7NQITXAWEBig6Z5EleWCKme46b7Bsz2Cvc1xou8baGkxD6pq6w/s1600/le+fish+spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7yOznC1kslQDPUESFB9LBRkA7UHBMYIjaGK8I5j8IhlDsU3VyIlPYoWkJKaRWXK3M8jDTpcsZLkOQCpAWWuICkHtcm7NQITXAWEBig6Z5EleWCKme46b7Bsz2Cvc1xou8baGkxD6pq6w/s320/le+fish+spa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Back to the pedicure. It started with us putting our feet in a foot spa, after which our nails were filed and buffed and cuticles trimmed, followed by a foot scrub. I REALLY enjoyed the citrusy foot scrub, which both smelt and felt invigorating. Then it was into the fish tanks - eeek! Even though I was really keen to try this it still took me a couple of attempts to work up the courage to put my feet in. The tank had about 6 fish in it and they were pretty big! I'd say about 15 to 20 cm each - not exactly the little nibblers I had imagined. Once you get over the initial 'eek!' though, it's actually fine. Their little mouths feel like soft sandpaper suctions. The only time it borders on painful is if they nibble on your ankles or legs, which they do occasionally, but its not bad. Actually, worse is when they get the ticklish spots under your feet! Trying to sit still so they can do their job when your instictive reaction is to pull your foot away is actually quite challenging! So, after 20 minutes of fish time we dried off our feet and then had a short foot massage, about five minutes a foot. Again I REALLY enjoyed this part, but then my feet are very sensitive and I LOVE foot massages :)</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gbECgCFqVaXAW7vksJMCgrXkSM2MImbqyxBBK9AhoFC6xzoEn7VSFZ03R8wwTYqEE8K7M19s-Y9E_Gr8UMWrA7Zx74803MB6cn5PVlwJkARlEUh7A8Wk2l38pTogNdD9_a1OWepRb2lT/s1600/Garra_Rufa_Doctor_Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gbECgCFqVaXAW7vksJMCgrXkSM2MImbqyxBBK9AhoFC6xzoEn7VSFZ03R8wwTYqEE8K7M19s-Y9E_Gr8UMWrA7Zx74803MB6cn5PVlwJkARlEUh7A8Wk2l38pTogNdD9_a1OWepRb2lT/s320/Garra_Rufa_Doctor_Fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garra Rufa aka the Dr Fish</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, my verdict is that the experience was fun, but to get the most out of this therapy you probably have to do it at least bi-weekly, which can get pricey fast. I don't think I will bother to do it again, but if you get the chance to give it a try, then I say jump in with both feet :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-24523026541027302362012-03-28T16:27:00.001+02:002012-06-01T16:05:53.312+02:00Wild Flour<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you may or may not know, I am fairly obsessed with baking, and my current focus is all about ridding our lives of processed food. This has been an exciting and fascinating journey thus far, including much discussion about goats...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_HdrW7L50TjbXqTsWIlaFA8525zjDkqE3W7hdKn8Q4MRaflLuLov8YYMYNLthVdbG0dSPUxBVdyl3fsRg7EPuBMs8BzMI4fWs6O5AVmnpgM_mLxRQz6FLrTV8KDiwARmlrRt6EgMNQDR/s1600/baby-goats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_HdrW7L50TjbXqTsWIlaFA8525zjDkqE3W7hdKn8Q4MRaflLuLov8YYMYNLthVdbG0dSPUxBVdyl3fsRg7EPuBMs8BzMI4fWs6O5AVmnpgM_mLxRQz6FLrTV8KDiwARmlrRt6EgMNQDR/s320/baby-goats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...but more on that another time. </div>
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At first my quest, to produce better than I could buy, began with bread. I buy bread, so why not just make it myself? However, once you pull the thread it all begins to unravel, and then you start asking questions about what you are making it with...</div>
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Today lets talk about flour. White powdery stuff, simple right? actually not so....</div>
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I, like most people I imagine, have been in the habit of just buying which ever brand is cheapest. I was aware of a brand of flour produced by <a href="http://www.eurekamills.co.za/">Eureka Mills</a>, and I knew that it was stone ground (because it said so on the bag) but I actually had no real understanding of what that meant, or how significantly different the end product can be.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-od_1sHgMMyvW3Aalnj654YZC6dYQc1CjROJ_UE17LrOULe9uzvfMrR1mC9KwlW5aClP224lvTgy2BUwXVBXcZNWYvSsitk1qxAEos2QSUVIXzEMixdd9Q_5-StDfnY1Zt-DuheB1oNP/s1600/eureka+products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-od_1sHgMMyvW3Aalnj654YZC6dYQc1CjROJ_UE17LrOULe9uzvfMrR1mC9KwlW5aClP224lvTgy2BUwXVBXcZNWYvSsitk1qxAEos2QSUVIXzEMixdd9Q_5-StDfnY1Zt-DuheB1oNP/s320/eureka+products.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Allow me to break it down for you. Modern mills generally use a large number of steel rollers to grind their flour, this results in a huge amount of heat being generated. This heat basically destroys the beneficial enzymes within the wheat. Stone grinding flour is essentially the 'old-fashioned' way of doing it - with large stone grinders. However, fewer grinders made of stone, produce far less heat than many, made of steel. Thus, the protein in the wheat is not damaged before your body can use it, making this flour much better for you.</div>
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Modern flour processing also generally contains a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour#Bleached_flour">bleaching step</a>. While this has been purported to produce better baked goods, it is certainly not better for the health of your body! Happily, <a href="http://www.eurekamills.co.za/">Eureka Mills</a> does not bleach their flour and I, quite frankly, have never noticed a significant difference in my baked goods.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ILMbkmn_tRN8LRIANjHwZac_EbaQLf5k8khDvEIP0qTYU3XaV9FusD7CzzKIDjknvbcl_6HxcohUD4SjjwAQCzpzPMvzd2saMLPsyNLjF7hK3zmP8uNBxmbs9IX-4jdAKhpiTKbx9JCO/s1600/unbleached+flour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ILMbkmn_tRN8LRIANjHwZac_EbaQLf5k8khDvEIP0qTYU3XaV9FusD7CzzKIDjknvbcl_6HxcohUD4SjjwAQCzpzPMvzd2saMLPsyNLjF7hK3zmP8uNBxmbs9IX-4jdAKhpiTKbx9JCO/s320/unbleached+flour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unbleached flour</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.eurekamills.co.za/">Eureka Mills</a> also source all of their wheat locally, with most being grown in the Southern Cape by farmers using sustainable farming practices. These include crop rotation with legumes, so that nitrogen fertilizers need to be used much less than they would on commercial wheat farms. Therefore, better soil = better wheat.</div>
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If you care about what you eat, and are going to go to the trouble of making baked goods yourself, then you are at liberty to control what you put in your food. As such, choosing good quality products makes the best sense, both in terms of your health and your purse! It is still cheaper to buy good quality flour and make your own bread, than to buy commercially-produced bread. And honestly, there is nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the house.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu4EJ1hMbBhp3zeTtujeaiQy1lgGqAOtr3hsDM3QvBfKAgyM3aRR339yrxRd8x2B1o1PTbIaFG_vAPubtqWR96TCbUs9tPG61TPznhHRhPg12eiwMn8uJutRnwihwhvZAMzUO_54flziU/s1600/artisanbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu4EJ1hMbBhp3zeTtujeaiQy1lgGqAOtr3hsDM3QvBfKAgyM3aRR339yrxRd8x2B1o1PTbIaFG_vAPubtqWR96TCbUs9tPG61TPznhHRhPg12eiwMn8uJutRnwihwhvZAMzUO_54flziU/s320/artisanbread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-62157786897714967852012-02-16T14:54:00.001+02:002012-06-01T16:02:42.121+02:00Whenever God Closes a Door.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember the scene from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Music">The Sound of Music</a> where the reverend mother tells Maria that 'Whenever God closes a door, He opens a window."? Yes, it has become quite the cliche, but as is so often the case with cliches, it is also true.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6FdlfB8kIdyrVofcSSygmNOOvC30iRKRxnueT57Qz7uQwb6y47KUYEOF6YYsd3Be-vxgzTOj2VQq5uc8z8U4_MnF5V72WxczWqKPXIXohmcJVN55LDH2-tPrN2QyfhRbNbaKLhjuIcGp/s1600/The-Sound-Of-Music-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6FdlfB8kIdyrVofcSSygmNOOvC30iRKRxnueT57Qz7uQwb6y47KUYEOF6YYsd3Be-vxgzTOj2VQq5uc8z8U4_MnF5V72WxczWqKPXIXohmcJVN55LDH2-tPrN2QyfhRbNbaKLhjuIcGp/s320/The-Sound-Of-Music-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, recently my favourite blog, <a href="http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/">Bonzai Aphrodite</a>, came to an end. I know at this point you must be thinking that invoking cliches, God and The Sound of Music is a bit extreme if all I'm going to talk about is a blog....but oh what a blog it was! Is, actually, since the remarkable woman behind it has left it up as is, which is great because I constantly refer back to it. But I digress...</div>
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Anyway, when I read the farewell post I was literally in tears at my computer, I felt like I was loosing a best friend (don't judge me, good blogs can be like that!). I was bleak for days afterwards......</div>
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But now, a window has been opened (no internet related pun intended)</div>
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Enter <a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/">My New Roots</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4h9VlvfxNYTxasfI59GNteJDQp-wVXrt6Id9_hvg8rv9358wZrSoeykSqKTQuSKBo3d4HWHJFX3JXbX3SPFIDoBZ24wVGfD6h2lt28NCr4BDzRtuR22_NRdFyJUM-yN8ROQJ317J2iv9/s1600/my+new+roots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4h9VlvfxNYTxasfI59GNteJDQp-wVXrt6Id9_hvg8rv9358wZrSoeykSqKTQuSKBo3d4HWHJFX3JXbX3SPFIDoBZ24wVGfD6h2lt28NCr4BDzRtuR22_NRdFyJUM-yN8ROQJ317J2iv9/s320/my+new+roots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wow! what an amazing blog about whole foods<span style="font-family: inherit;">, prepared in interesting, mindful ways. For the last year and half I have been really focused on diet with regards to weight loss. Now, as that phase (slowly) draws to a close, I am becoming really interested in nutrition, as opposed to just calories. What I love about the way the recipes are presented, is that Sarah (the author of the blog) introduces each of the major ingredients to you, almost like friends at a cocktail party, with interesting and complimentary details.</span></div>
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"Hi Natashia, have you met Amaranth? Amaranth is is often lumped into the “grains” category, but it is in fact the seed of a cereal-like herb. The Aztecs greatly valued amaranth, and used it not only as a dietary staple, but also in their worship rituals." - love it :)</div>
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Also, her recipes are INTERESTING.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7mpb9m9_2Gb1vXgHOIlmYezbdHADO_wF_gNwFPB3OFnEdygYwmIMRctbDM4sKnUG6-tc9jMZN4HrfEpbtkjlBlquKitYvphS9cU4adDLO-yOJtxVpj05rP59AvunABKR62J5KFWgAEKF/s1600/White_velvet_soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7mpb9m9_2Gb1vXgHOIlmYezbdHADO_wF_gNwFPB3OFnEdygYwmIMRctbDM4sKnUG6-tc9jMZN4HrfEpbtkjlBlquKitYvphS9cU4adDLO-yOJtxVpj05rP59AvunABKR62J5KFWgAEKF/s320/White_velvet_soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/2011/01/white-velvet-soup-and-guest-post-at.html" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">White Velvet Soup</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> - hello delicious!</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLSU89sA_ssWLi3PL2EusXwTqCp5RH5SRn2j8sKEADNxhbAohppoKblKqVNt3qUDQOBGSqQyKYZnwHJxh6EeBUXYeD7WQkqspQzBG_ZB32SrzTKXveVnNKr0GzpGWqdtj3oOQKER7NPgj/s1600/Parsley-Root-Fries1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLSU89sA_ssWLi3PL2EusXwTqCp5RH5SRn2j8sKEADNxhbAohppoKblKqVNt3qUDQOBGSqQyKYZnwHJxh6EeBUXYeD7WQkqspQzBG_ZB32SrzTKXveVnNKr0GzpGWqdtj3oOQKER7NPgj/s320/Parsley-Root-Fries1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/parsley-root-fries-with-roasted-tomato.html" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Parsley Root Fries with Roasted Tomato Sauce</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> - a revelation </span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakj2q7cmgznpNNbsSZrgOmL2tybLJR5luPTFFT-0m_7huQLeVBnCGrm6995GhrvooUo-3yvgP_PsxnKHnukEagWTb-teFRAKiKtf5D8UnbphFW85QE-GmmeIk__BQGEaT-FWTnMYbOTVZ/s1600/blackbeancookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakj2q7cmgznpNNbsSZrgOmL2tybLJR5luPTFFT-0m_7huQLeVBnCGrm6995GhrvooUo-3yvgP_PsxnKHnukEagWTb-teFRAKiKtf5D8UnbphFW85QE-GmmeIk__BQGEaT-FWTnMYbOTVZ/s320/blackbeancookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/2011/11/black-bean-chocolate-chili-cherry.html" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Black bean chocolate chili cherry cookies</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> - I cannot wait to make these </span></td></tr>
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I feel revived, refreshed and inspired when I read this blog (like I did with Bonzai), and I think that these are the true marks of a great blog. I hope that one day too, this may become a great blog, but for now, go check out <a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/">My New Roots</a> - you will be glad you did :)</div>
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</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-41257920496965549482012-02-08T15:36:00.001+02:002012-06-01T16:03:22.518+02:00made of words<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, as part of our annual training at the <a href="http://www.uct.ac.za/">UCT</a> <a href="http://www.writingcentre.uct.ac.za/">Writing Center</a>, I did a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_writing">free-writing</a> exercise that lead me to a surprising revelation about myself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCkIwgcZS6tR6qIV4eVR09Jg39ME4eKh7vIMHRt-qmsU2SP8Xn04nQpKjNhkCe_C8XTLOWPX_9XI1lbrGB60PEJPTkR2KsZMVL6dAPIhJmc25l0sWGFua4kByozDhX3FEaaY92AROIFR3/s1600/girl-made-of-words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCkIwgcZS6tR6qIV4eVR09Jg39ME4eKh7vIMHRt-qmsU2SP8Xn04nQpKjNhkCe_C8XTLOWPX_9XI1lbrGB60PEJPTkR2KsZMVL6dAPIhJmc25l0sWGFua4kByozDhX3FEaaY92AROIFR3/s320/girl-made-of-words.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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The theme of the free-write was our earliest memory of writing, and this is what I wrote:</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The first time I ever remember writing was when I was in sub A. We were living on a small-holding at the time, and I don't know if that influenced my choice of subject, but I was writing about cows. Actually we didn't have any cows on the farm and perhaps we had to choose a magazine article or picture, and I chose pictures of cows? I'm not sure, anyway it was on a small page, an A5 and on the top of the page I stuck a cut out colour picture of a friesland cow and at the bottom a picture of a jersey cow. My text was in the middle and consisted of just 2 or 3 sentences. I said something about how jersey cows produces thick creamy milk. I must have paraphrased the text from the article in the magazine. Thinking back I suppose my mother must have helped me, or at least read the article to me.The pictures were stuck down with cellotape. I still have this 'first writing assignment' somewhere. I remember my teacher, Mrs I have forgotten her name suddenly, was really pleased with it. I remember a great sense of pride over this project.</span></div>
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And then I jotted down a few more thoughts that came to me while we were discussing the exercise after we had finished.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Tartan book and ABC book - very excited about writing. The only other thing I remember academically was joining the WWW society.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">annie is an apple</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">my dad - creative writing stories</span></div>
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What I realised while writing this, and through our discussion afterwards, was that even though now I'm a scientist, ALL my early academic memories revolve around literacy. This surprised me because I have a great memory, but honestly I don't remember learning anything in school besides reading and writing until about the age of ten or eleven. This seems to suggest how powerful the written word was during my formative years, and why I keep finding myself being drawn back to writing over and over again, in increasingly meaningful ways. First recreationally, then competitively, and now in a more professional capacity at the Writing Centre. Even this blog, the point really was to give myself another place to write, to experiment with different genres. </div>
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I remember while doing English A-levels that my teacher, who generally didn't like me and knew I was planning on pursuing a career in science, told me that writing would become a late-onset career for me. Now, more and more, I'm wondering if she will be right?<br />
<br /></div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-88461533846800058202012-01-08T15:47:00.000+02:002012-06-01T16:04:44.353+02:00Getting out 'enough'<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other day I was accused of not getting out enough, while out enjoying a beautiful lunch at<a href="http://www.tokaradelicatessen.co.za/"> DeliCATessen</a> - the irony was not lost on me. Yet, at the time, I really couldn't think of a good way to respond to this, except to say 'Of course I do!', shrug it off and change the subject. However, after the perspective of a good nights sleep and a little mental percolation, I find myself becoming increasingly indignant at this accusation, in fact I'm actually rather cross about it.</div>
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The accusation came from someone only 3 years my junior, a mother like myself. Yet here she is still measuring the quality of my life, and probably her own, based on how many nights out she has sans child. Really? REALLY? When are we going to grow up?</div>
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The more I think about it, the more I realise that my life is so full of so many more enriching and wonderful things (and I am NOT simply referring to my child) that a night out in a club kind of pales in comparison. I went out plenty before I had a child, most of the time I was out more than I was in. I loved it, and missed it for a long time after it stopped being a realistic pursuit. However, I also know that at that time, in comparison to now, my life was pretty empty - I studied and I socialised, prefect when your 25, less than fulfilling in your 30's. Now I grow vegetables, I belong to a book club, I belly dance, I still study full time, I have a part-time job, I am involved with organisations that I am passionate about such as<a href="http://www.llli.org/"> Le Leche League</a> and the <a href="http://www.ces.org.za/">Community Exchange System </a>, I have started a small market-based business with a friend and obviously still spend as much time as I can with my family and friends - I'm a busy girl, and I get out plenty! Sure, the hours between 9pm and midnight are no longer the most happening (thank God!), but from 6:30am to 9pm I'm your girl!</div>
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Now, if you will excuse me I have to get ready, I'm off to a club tonight.</div>
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<br /></div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-17748091736586827292011-11-29T17:06:00.002+02:002011-12-02T14:20:49.969+02:00Be kind to yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZf2BFFd9ALrx5YF-R3lN4PKL0fz9ZLCxxo8Xj3Oba_yFG4rggAL5Vc8fsUOnFq3hUYeS__EAW_eiKgEA3AensjtoeHPMieT6TsxGAbO3Wdr9lNTttmmwUIj7yaJck37GzNR2WTtGZ52x/s1600/dont-forget-to-love-yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZf2BFFd9ALrx5YF-R3lN4PKL0fz9ZLCxxo8Xj3Oba_yFG4rggAL5Vc8fsUOnFq3hUYeS__EAW_eiKgEA3AensjtoeHPMieT6TsxGAbO3Wdr9lNTttmmwUIj7yaJck37GzNR2WTtGZ52x/s320/dont-forget-to-love-yourself.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a hard one, as children we are taught to be kind to others, to do unto other as you would have them do unto you. But the message 'be kind to yourself', well that kinda gets lost along the way. In fact, the messages we do get are 'try harder', 'do more', 'be better'. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking striving to be your best, I believe in that, but I do think that sometimes, we should cut ourselves a little slack. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we are constantly focusing on what we haven't achieved yet, we so quickly forget to celebrate what we HAVE achieved. And I don't know about you, but I tend to find it much easier to reach my goals when I remind myself that I AM a strong, capable woman, rather than constantly berating myself for not being there yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, it's not enough to just tell yourself that you are strong and capable, you have to give yourself concrete examples. So, here is my challenge to you. Make yourself a cup of tea, sit down and <i>actually write out</i> a list of the things you have achieved. My secret tip here is not just to write down those things that you have viewed as major goals in your life, but also the things that you have achieved without making them specific goals. These are the things, little and big, that millions of people fail at every day. Things that may have come easily to you, so easily that you don't even view them as achievements. But the fact that certain things come easily to you is a product of who you are, a product of your talents, and so these things too must be celebrated. </div><br />
So here is my little list, I wrote this in my head a couple weeks ago when I needed a bit of a 'pick-me-up', and and it really helped.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I have given birth naturally, with no pain medication</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have breastfed a child for over 3 years</div><div style="text-align: center;">I continue to proudly breastfeed my toddler in public</div><div style="text-align: center;">I only used cloth nappies</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have completed a BSc, BSc (Hons) and an MSc</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have quit smoking</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have stayed married for almost 6 years</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have stayed in the same relationship for over 10 years</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have lost 23kg</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have belly danced, on a stage, in public</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegyVNfghMSdnT0tEn48ON6bu43vkE9Txo6OECxKgOpv6HjqEPleorkHZJWsHjKlTm1i1wpnpbDj9hARLhrdpTNb6oScK5s8aph614atLUqoF9tHE-U8g_4CitU_G8043wdRpepzdhUmdQ/s1600/love-yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegyVNfghMSdnT0tEn48ON6bu43vkE9Txo6OECxKgOpv6HjqEPleorkHZJWsHjKlTm1i1wpnpbDj9hARLhrdpTNb6oScK5s8aph614atLUqoF9tHE-U8g_4CitU_G8043wdRpepzdhUmdQ/s320/love-yourself.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to share your own list in the comments section, that would be great. Be inspired by the achievements of others, and as proud of your own achievements as you are of those of others. </div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-6747227705697701812011-11-18T21:47:00.005+02:002012-06-01T16:05:21.836+02:00Tori Amos LIVE IN CAPE TOWN!It is still sinking in that last night I sat, mere meters away from <a href="http://www.toriamos.com/">Tori Amos</a>, and watched as she played the most beautiful and transforming music. I don't think I'm exaggerating to say that it was akin to a religious experience.<br />
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I was first introduced to Tori 14 years ago, when I was 16, by <a href="http://www.cherryblossomboutique.blogspot.com/">my best friend</a>. Since then Tori has pretty much been the sound track to our lives. We both have so much emotion, pain, joy, growth and metamorphosis wrapped up in her music. So, sitting there with her last night, watching Tori, was definitely nothing short of spiritual.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Cr-JQdnKFWjGAu2L2NBsIjxsKdq77r4xYrNUiFwKXe1JQTP6j8MS7y8y3U377vm-SpNqK9zwq6m8UlozY8yKZ2R-U24Epoy6t_3SkafSRJiQb8Y9qj59jV0jbq3qE0w5Ldnebo4p3p4/s1600/In+the+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Cr-JQdnKFWjGAu2L2NBsIjxsKdq77r4xYrNUiFwKXe1JQTP6j8MS7y8y3U377vm-SpNqK9zwq6m8UlozY8yKZ2R-U24Epoy6t_3SkafSRJiQb8Y9qj59jV0jbq3qE0w5Ldnebo4p3p4/s320/In+the+bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the bus from the car to the venue - we are two VERY excited girls</td></tr>
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I cried, laughed and squealed with excitement. I was moved and transformed, yet again, by Tori. She is older now, and to me she has become like the wise mother, and I listen to her wisdom because her music is real, powerful and honest. The pain on her face when she sang <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlMKpkPWa_s">Hey Jupiter</a>, and the emotion in her voice when she sang <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKzCxi2yf5s">Me & a Gun</a> - I felt that at my core, I was shaken. And, although she looks different now, her voice is still as powerful and beautiful as it ever was. Rich and deep, it bows to her every command.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRQHk5KhGVPBmtK5kOEIiNcRSwIG4M_0Kc5kI156BA2MLjzra0qIdDF2iNsRhch4e2mC4NrZqJLLQEm2EH5_jLvxdMKhuUJ0Aa7RoAKsJoQ5Zs_v6mKfLH9i23S15H2-rq1McJOP3vBZl/s1600/In+the+bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRQHk5KhGVPBmtK5kOEIiNcRSwIG4M_0Kc5kI156BA2MLjzra0qIdDF2iNsRhch4e2mC4NrZqJLLQEm2EH5_jLvxdMKhuUJ0Aa7RoAKsJoQ5Zs_v6mKfLH9i23S15H2-rq1McJOP3vBZl/s320/In+the+bathroom.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing silly buggers in the bathroom before the show :)</td></tr>
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She had total and complete respect from the audience, with absolute silence during every song she played. The few times I could bear to tear my eyes from her, everywhere I looked I saw people holding on to each other watching her, the atmosphere was so intimate, it felt like it was just you and her.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_87QIrye5yyI4lPdAkYzJQCUIBi2kAudhI8WgOUPQPguLuA2pERjIrU0ZyH8heuUHCD7RIloINUByYYQnmp_0_Ialxn8WJ39foUIA84izhyphenhyphenWVZ7bqBFmbVgL2EUEQqAk0VK_fM3Qi1dzf/s1600/tori-amos-performs-during-night-hunters-tour-cape-town.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_87QIrye5yyI4lPdAkYzJQCUIBi2kAudhI8WgOUPQPguLuA2pERjIrU0ZyH8heuUHCD7RIloINUByYYQnmp_0_Ialxn8WJ39foUIA84izhyphenhyphenWVZ7bqBFmbVgL2EUEQqAk0VK_fM3Qi1dzf/s1600/tori-amos-performs-during-night-hunters-tour-cape-town.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was actually taken during the show by someone - found it online this morning</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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She played a staggering 17(!) songs, with no back-up or accompaniment, just Tori and her <a href="http://www.boesendorfer.com/">piano's</a> - perfect. I don't know how she found the strength, but I think she knew we were like the starving and she was manna from heaven, feeding us as much as possible of her very best. She opened with Little Earthquakes, then Icicle, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8tdm_CMZDw&NR=1">Silent all these years</a>, Consitina, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuXf5dU_45o&feature=related">Hey Jupiter</a>, Dragon, Sorta fairytale (very special to me), Bells for her, Mother, Pancake (I felt like I was hearing this for the very first time, incredible) , Me & a gun, I can't see New York and finally closed with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzKwOcCOYA&ob=av2e">Carry</a>, the only song she played that was actually from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_Hunters">Night of Hunters</a>. For the encore she played Personal Jesus, Leather, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLL6ON18vGI">Precious things</a> and Tear in your hand.<br />
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I continue to remain, ever more powerfully, under her spellNatashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-57198483777916632352011-09-06T19:06:00.002+02:002011-09-06T20:18:13.639+02:00Story Time!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMBv5FJ0l9c_omYlYlBsoyb4mau8Iw3sD6Den1iwrocNU6YdW48-buIpk3JJdQiT0zTCyOL3g_Z-0lHw1UaDLhVWvubrPnq0qHxhfMmU2nrdwjQRcCQ3YA1meGf2B0Bapc1cTVydHwxRU/s1600/the+cat+in+the+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMBv5FJ0l9c_omYlYlBsoyb4mau8Iw3sD6Den1iwrocNU6YdW48-buIpk3JJdQiT0zTCyOL3g_Z-0lHw1UaDLhVWvubrPnq0qHxhfMmU2nrdwjQRcCQ3YA1meGf2B0Bapc1cTVydHwxRU/s200/the+cat+in+the+hat.jpg" width="146" /></a>One of my favourite things, now that Chicken Little is almost 3, is story time before bed. When she was younger she would enjoy looking at her books with us, but didn't yet have the patients to sit through a whole story. Now she will quite happily sit through 3 or 4....or 5 or 6 stories.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first book she fell in love with was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cat_in_the_Hat">Cat in the Hat</a> by <a href="http://www.seussville.com/">Dr Seuss</a>. Such a classic, the copy she has actually belonged to the Rooster when he was little. Enough said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYoZHNSMl0KF-lUza7Jkepd1EomU1LGuULvSdPS8GCdiB0PwdVKN89S9dmQxFqti2wzNbupN3O-1Na67pXwcSqLqbEPt9M01k-QbA64r9E6y9Q80-sOPAlbRQTWB6tG4eDGSKWEaxequ5/s1600/the-gruffalo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYoZHNSMl0KF-lUza7Jkepd1EomU1LGuULvSdPS8GCdiB0PwdVKN89S9dmQxFqti2wzNbupN3O-1Na67pXwcSqLqbEPt9M01k-QbA64r9E6y9Q80-sOPAlbRQTWB6tG4eDGSKWEaxequ5/s200/the-gruffalo.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNmdnEglS-38t6FVs2f6o9gbOWBRcq0C-NDZNt2cYTB-HJ_WiikaXCbOFO9Kw_RJgmQtNsNJF-c_WuN6R4Mg2zudL_vgG-gOEvmuTsM-Ri86FcFCujItjqwDzdEeQ7ALCmtmiS-touPfi/s1600/Tiddler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNmdnEglS-38t6FVs2f6o9gbOWBRcq0C-NDZNt2cYTB-HJ_WiikaXCbOFO9Kw_RJgmQtNsNJF-c_WuN6R4Mg2zudL_vgG-gOEvmuTsM-Ri86FcFCujItjqwDzdEeQ7ALCmtmiS-touPfi/s200/Tiddler.jpg" width="200" /></a>Then came her <a href="http://www.juliadonaldson.co.uk/">Donaldson</a> phase, The Gruffalo, Tiddler and What the Ladybird Heard - oh lordy, the imagination of this woman! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYoZHNSMl0KF-lUza7Jkepd1EomU1LGuULvSdPS8GCdiB0PwdVKN89S9dmQxFqti2wzNbupN3O-1Na67pXwcSqLqbEPt9M01k-QbA64r9E6y9Q80-sOPAlbRQTWB6tG4eDGSKWEaxequ5/s1600/the-gruffalo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNmdnEglS-38t6FVs2f6o9gbOWBRcq0C-NDZNt2cYTB-HJ_WiikaXCbOFO9Kw_RJgmQtNsNJF-c_WuN6R4Mg2zudL_vgG-gOEvmuTsM-Ri86FcFCujItjqwDzdEeQ7ALCmtmiS-touPfi/s1600/Tiddler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7-FQFWlihXEYzfn1iJPf0fkl7W8qnD-eBqbcScSNZfHlqn0gMiuJjztUtZ7U5Ez6lFKtVNIebCAw9l6CmQqhn91gGD1tEC-tGSa3TTZW7KGfoP5sntOlL-JuLcUQUqdOb3U7z9nP04D7/s1600/lost_and_found.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7-FQFWlihXEYzfn1iJPf0fkl7W8qnD-eBqbcScSNZfHlqn0gMiuJjztUtZ7U5Ez6lFKtVNIebCAw9l6CmQqhn91gGD1tEC-tGSa3TTZW7KGfoP5sntOlL-JuLcUQUqdOb3U7z9nP04D7/s200/lost_and_found.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjly-_JsdGmX8w0cXsuH1AdWf8j-UZ7WW3EDCSbkIALjzN1ghuYXC1UvV3OffWw8RtqPDQWaQ5bRjJxJXd4Yjuf43L046mafcXy2qYRfBTCxHCYOpeZUstCxX4j-H1iRZ7TowdiAQUZqzEO/s1600/how-to-catch-a-star.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjly-_JsdGmX8w0cXsuH1AdWf8j-UZ7WW3EDCSbkIALjzN1ghuYXC1UvV3OffWw8RtqPDQWaQ5bRjJxJXd4Yjuf43L046mafcXy2qYRfBTCxHCYOpeZUstCxX4j-H1iRZ7TowdiAQUZqzEO/s200/how-to-catch-a-star.png" width="197" /></a>Next we moved onto <a href="http://www.oliverjeffers.com/shop/book02.html">Oliver Jeffers's</a> How to Catch a Star and Lost and Found. SUCH beautiful, evocative</div><div style="text-align: left;">illustrations!</div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKRlDM6zGknN5BunQpgojb-h_EGn0pdyEZLmZ0J0PQs48fO5zLjpsQ2Se9JfxjIiQPhE9t8bu-0OAbhPRl3JHV7AADQyPMVvIh6bX_ZLIvaqD6s4mjWzxEu-oOGuvLyws_TVrhBUfg_8I/s1600/angelina%2527s+invitation+to+the+ballet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKRlDM6zGknN5BunQpgojb-h_EGn0pdyEZLmZ0J0PQs48fO5zLjpsQ2Se9JfxjIiQPhE9t8bu-0OAbhPRl3JHV7AADQyPMVvIh6bX_ZLIvaqD6s4mjWzxEu-oOGuvLyws_TVrhBUfg_8I/s200/angelina%2527s+invitation+to+the+ballet.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
At the moment her favourite book is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angelinas-Invitation-Ballet-Angelina-Ballerina/dp/0670062014">Angelina's Invitation to the Ballet</a>. She received this for her 2nd birthday, but we only really discovered it again recently. She loves the fact that this book is full of pull-out letters, invitations and tickets to the ballet.<br />
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Looking forward to what comes next!<br />
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P.S. Chicken Little just came in and spotted this post, she was beside herself with excitement and shrieked "What did you make for me mummy?!"Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-76246695022118825692011-08-25T22:08:00.000+02:002011-08-25T22:08:06.907+02:00Breeding Season<div style="text-align: justify;">So I now have four friends who are pregnant and due early next year<span style="font-size: large;"><b>☺</b></span>Three of which I found out about in the last two days! This is making me very broody and the Rooster very nervous. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wishing all these mamas safe and healthy pregnancies ♥</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC5Gl7eEdT6DwXQul72jQQRT8qQMHDhyphenhyphen4TDTmvUMPCb2P-TrfmbvJacXSkinG8aPjgKjjpU1Km9_jfcJwPWjWeuPGzrLrmS_g6448_pEQrjPQ2cj8vlveu8ziArAVuqJ8R6_W4JESkmE5/s1600/pregnant-women-steve-gribben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC5Gl7eEdT6DwXQul72jQQRT8qQMHDhyphenhyphen4TDTmvUMPCb2P-TrfmbvJacXSkinG8aPjgKjjpU1Km9_jfcJwPWjWeuPGzrLrmS_g6448_pEQrjPQ2cj8vlveu8ziArAVuqJ8R6_W4JESkmE5/s320/pregnant-women-steve-gribben.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Pregnant Women' by Steve Gribben</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-54602688408395084772011-08-24T21:07:00.000+02:002011-08-24T21:07:33.934+02:00Be Proud of Co-Sleeping!<div style="text-align: justify;">An article posted today, on <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/sleeping-parenting-tips-children-sleep-beds/story?id=14368358">ABC News</a>, really got my blood boiling - so now we're going to talk about it! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The article (poorly) addressed the issues of co-sleeping, with a predominantly negative slant. So first, lets examine what co-sleeping is. Co-sleeping implies children sleeping in the same room as their parent, room-sharing, which includes, but is not exclusive to, sleeping in their parent bed, or bed-sharing. <a href="http://www.aap.org/">The American Academy of Paediatrics</a> supports co-sleeping, but not bed-sharing - although their research does not support the hypothesis that bed-sharing can increase the possibility of <a href="http://www.sids.org/">SIDS</a>. In fact, the reason that they support room-sharing is because it has been proven to reduce the possibility of SIDS. Researchers are still not sure what causes SIDS, but what they do know is that the elevated levels of Carbon dioxide, given off by the parents while they sleep, continually stimulate the baby to keep breathing. As far as I'm concerned that alone is a good enough reason to co-sleep with your child. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are, however, a slew of other practical, emotional and psychological benefits to co-sleeping. From a practical perspective, the disruption of night-time feeds is greatly reduced by having your baby as close to you as possible. Once mama and baby have their system down pat, the baby can usually feed with the mama barely waking up, can I get an <span style="font-size: large;">Amen?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are two very popular baby books at the moment, <a href="http://www.babysense.com/">Baby Sense and Sleep Sense</a>, which I am <b>NOT</b> a supporter of. I mention them though because they have been quite instrumental in encouraging parents to have babies in their own rooms, and when children resist this transition, leaving them to cry it out (also known as <a href="http://www.askbaby.com/baby-sleep-training.htm">controlled crying)</a>, under the guise of teaching children to 'self-sooth'. However, <a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fussy-baby/letting-baby-cry-it-out-yes-no">crying is an extremely important means of communication</a> for a young child or baby. When you respond quickly to your child's cries you teach them two things. Firstly, that they can trust you and secondly, and more importantly, that they can trust themselves to communicate their needs effectively. These are the very first build blocks of your child's self-esteem. Young children are not meant to self-sooth. It is their parents job to provide soothing comfort, in whatever form that may take, until the child is emotionally and psychologically read to do so on their own. Being 'tough' with your child, rather than meeting their needs, does not teach them to do it themselves, rather it breaks their trust in you as a parent and protector. I look forward to the day when 'cry it out' and similar parenting techniques are considered child abuse, and responded to as such! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I hope you can see form this post that I'm not just one crunchy parent preaching alone in the wilderness - Co-sleeping has a myriad of benefits for both you and your child, and I have only touched on the most obvious ones here. Bed-sharing was one of the BEST decisions the Rooster and I ever made :) I wish you all nights of peaceful slumber!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9cm6YoCx7_AwQk4khCga08qcKFu2ic_bnVnzhPBw1hJmCksslrGhPnH02JokALYF0PQS0tJgxUJ_aVe9nGsAkhA0DQlu84NSqx8iYl_As-06wjRBaTDCUgQMbJ9qNqzVxVgCi8TW5KtG/s1600/bed+sharing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9cm6YoCx7_AwQk4khCga08qcKFu2ic_bnVnzhPBw1hJmCksslrGhPnH02JokALYF0PQS0tJgxUJ_aVe9nGsAkhA0DQlu84NSqx8iYl_As-06wjRBaTDCUgQMbJ9qNqzVxVgCi8TW5KtG/s320/bed+sharing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-84470761966467606552011-08-22T21:44:00.000+02:002011-08-22T21:44:41.262+02:00The Business of Being Born<div style="text-align: center;">How you get from this...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bPrWrk-OhLa2Iv0OINEUfnNo85EkADW-5b74F1MZdPeVZiiA5YMnymwHUSX5HfqaL7_guIP_cTbJZwEMF2aktKopGuRaRxjaipYWE9HfQYWSv5AJX-JJseFWYH46oZTIXgoSg_P_MKKR/s1600/pregnant-belly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bPrWrk-OhLa2Iv0OINEUfnNo85EkADW-5b74F1MZdPeVZiiA5YMnymwHUSX5HfqaL7_guIP_cTbJZwEMF2aktKopGuRaRxjaipYWE9HfQYWSv5AJX-JJseFWYH46oZTIXgoSg_P_MKKR/s1600/pregnant-belly.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...to this</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZJMogqgVcr21g33DVbEL50HmW-O1Ypoo-yAwp5x1uKorQFm82rXlzmeZ0GbPjetO6H9NpsbN0uJv9TdIH_Q8xLWctQUXQod27PTQUxqjqW_rEA2Ie2uefn-ATUM2W88I2BqQo60Wv3mC/s1600/newborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZJMogqgVcr21g33DVbEL50HmW-O1Ypoo-yAwp5x1uKorQFm82rXlzmeZ0GbPjetO6H9NpsbN0uJv9TdIH_Q8xLWctQUXQod27PTQUxqjqW_rEA2Ie2uefn-ATUM2W88I2BqQo60Wv3mC/s320/newborn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>really does matter.</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">And anyone who says differently has not done their homework! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, the amount of information easily available to pregnant women has been shockingly meagre, until now. Enter <a href="http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/">The Business of Being Born</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3vBI9stYRSNUkqnxFXxqpvUMs-WMcKJU4oriKIhRkZNSv7AG9rjlQhsjUSUlu2qjeFkjko9JiS4CnrXvsKaSX3IeXALWoi7je1_Rnr4DvXIiropH6eseSB1wvI0kSHKvBYu68k_8y8Wd/s1600/the+business+of+being+born" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3vBI9stYRSNUkqnxFXxqpvUMs-WMcKJU4oriKIhRkZNSv7AG9rjlQhsjUSUlu2qjeFkjko9JiS4CnrXvsKaSX3IeXALWoi7je1_Rnr4DvXIiropH6eseSB1wvI0kSHKvBYu68k_8y8Wd/s1600/the+business+of+being+born" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
This movie should be mandatory for everyone of reproductive age. Men and woman need to be be equally well-informed about the process of birth, the options available, and the reasons why some choices actually are better than others for getting the birth experience you really want.<br />
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A woman's body was designed to give birth naturally without any medical intervention, including drugs. Most pregnant women you speak to will tell you they want a natural birth. However, most woman are also afraid of the pain of labour. What few know is that fear actually <i>causes</i> pain in labour. Ok, I know this is beginning to sound a bit fruity, but stick with me!<br />
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Let's take a look at other mammals. When an animal is in labour, and becomes afraid (perhaps due to a predator approaching) the fight/flight response kicks in. Massive amounts of adrenalin are released into the labouring female's system. The adrenalin has two effects. Firstly it slows down the progress of labour, and secondly, it actually causes the cervix to close up again. This protects both the mother and baby, giving her a chance to escape and find a new safe spot to continue her labour. Well folks, <b><span style="font-size: small;">it's the same with humans</span></b>. When a woman is afraid during labour, adrenalin is released, in effect working against the progress of labour. <br />
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So, because women are not taught how to manage their fear/pain during labour they are only too glad when the drugs arrive. Unfortunately, this is just the start of a domino effect of interventions. You have the epidural, so labour slows down, so you are given pitocin, which produces contractions that are stronger and longer than would naturally be produced. Eventually the pain overwhelms the epidural, so you get a top-up, but then you need more pitocin, and on and on it goes until the ptiocin contractions are so long and strong that they send your baby into foetal distress due to a lack of blood supply/oxygen - next thing you know you are getting a C-section and everyone is saying 'Thank God for modern medicine'. This is not the birth that most women want, nor do they want episiotomies or vacuum and forceps deliveries.<br />
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If you know what kind of birth experience you want, but your not sure how to get it - start with this movie. The business of being born really just introduces a lot of the important information you need to be aware of, but it is easy to watch and very accessible. Take what you see and do you own research, you will be amazed at how much control you really do have as a woman over your birth experience.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It is up to women to take back our birth!</b></span></div><br />
</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-6425287778561534532011-08-20T18:07:00.000+02:002011-08-20T18:07:53.848+02:00The perfect antedote to cold, wet weather....?A candle-lit bubble bath of course!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcVQlae62kp5N_iThwFTQLx-z-utdIa7bddL4QUX2GFVyPn6n2jHODe8AXq0B1D61h1jbMSjXCDn9peAlDcBFWJxMfnNvAgpZtekDA_ecLXKlvK3B6JZHsVpP2YqVzSJaKBs-Z6V6LkTX/s1600/bubble-bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcVQlae62kp5N_iThwFTQLx-z-utdIa7bddL4QUX2GFVyPn6n2jHODe8AXq0B1D61h1jbMSjXCDn9peAlDcBFWJxMfnNvAgpZtekDA_ecLXKlvK3B6JZHsVpP2YqVzSJaKBs-Z6V6LkTX/s320/bubble-bath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The art of the bath is something that has evaded me until this very winter. Yes, I shamefully admit that it has taken me 30 winters to discover that I LOVE bathing (I know, I can barely call myself a woman). I'm pretty sure that I liked taking a bath as a child, and I have some fairly vivid recollections of tunelessly singing arias from the little mermaid in the bath with my sister.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But since the days of "ahhhhha" I have religiously been a shower girl. However, now that chicken little is almost 3, and I can take my top off with her attacking me for 'milky' I have started bathing with her. From a practical perspective I find it more convenient, we are saving water and it's great bonding time after a day spent apart, but it's also just so darn relaxing! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That being said, you have to do it right, and there are certainly a few guidelines that must be followed. Firstly, small people must ALWAYS make a wee BEFORE getting in the bath - I prefer spicy scents, like sandalwood, to that of fresh baby urine. Secondly, invest in a good bath pillow, because inevitably you will always be relegated to the side of the bath with the overflow thingymibob, and no one can relax with that digging into your back. Next you have to get the products right. I am a HUGE fan of <a href="http://bodythrills.co.za/">Body Thrills</a>, particularly the <a href="http://bodythrills.co.za/2010/09/featured-product-lemongrass-lime-neroli-bath-crystals/">Lemongrass, Lime & Neroli Bath Crystals</a>. Mmmmmmmm delicious!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUoLTLlL5BOo8vnuyfZFjcpnqWVjpAV6cP-MJk4DELV6nyv67lftS8luG8VnE7Q1Wf4fKXYuQATmLoLR6q2cABb78rT1WpgLRbDABHdLNdRo_Cn2_bT9k4xw91rpZ__wt2PkBU_U7snJF/s1600/lemongrass-lime-neroli-bath-crystals1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUoLTLlL5BOo8vnuyfZFjcpnqWVjpAV6cP-MJk4DELV6nyv67lftS8luG8VnE7Q1Wf4fKXYuQATmLoLR6q2cABb78rT1WpgLRbDABHdLNdRo_Cn2_bT9k4xw91rpZ__wt2PkBU_U7snJF/s320/lemongrass-lime-neroli-bath-crystals1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And finally, you need a little mood lighting. Candles are better than electric lights, any day of the week. My favourites are these gorgeous <a href="http://www.agrariahome.com/left-bank">Charlotte Moss Left Bank Votives</a> that my sweet sister bought me for Christmas. SO divine, again with hints of lemongrass.....sensing a trend here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRePo4Wm7UYTRrFprVl-4HCTt32eIW_YWL_3goRFghVcbvo_dsprie-lNxj7oKVWFoVT2ZK8sR7CPSYo2P9u6ZMVqeAMDcMDNFcx6bSpgPerXE2tRcZ0dINbDgajvUfnYrhiWjRG2_xNk7/s1600/Charlotte+Moss+Candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRePo4Wm7UYTRrFprVl-4HCTt32eIW_YWL_3goRFghVcbvo_dsprie-lNxj7oKVWFoVT2ZK8sR7CPSYo2P9u6ZMVqeAMDcMDNFcx6bSpgPerXE2tRcZ0dINbDgajvUfnYrhiWjRG2_xNk7/s320/Charlotte+Moss+Candles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So my dears, if the weather is inclement, and you get home from work tired and freezing cold, never mind, bliss is just a bath away :)</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-6608842504698804072011-08-18T12:48:00.001+02:002012-06-01T16:06:36.625+02:00Are you really hungry?<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been on a diet for almost a year....and so far I have lost 23kg :) I started the <a href="http://www.dukandiet.com/">Dukan Diet</a> on the 1st of September 2010, and it has been easier to follow than any diet I have previously tried (although there haven't been that many), but still hard to stick to all the time. Things went very well last year and I lost 16kg by Christmas. But then, well, as I said, it was Christmas. I didn't gain anything over this joyous period of over-indulgence and feasting, but I did loose my momentum. Luckily <a href="http://www.cherryblossomboutique.blogspot.com/">my best friend</a> was getting married in March 2011, and I was the Maid of Honour, so that gave me the push I needed to get going again, but I only lost another 4kg by the wedding - good, but not great. Since then I have only lost another 3kg, and I want to loose 5 more, by the 1 year mark. Argh....are you bored of this story yet? Ok, I'll come to the point. So, I have decided to post this sign on my fridge in an effort to stop myself from mindless eating.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx2nVA-jNPtDxKD-xRDTiKyGXfUHBMqy7ON8GNaBaZzuhOqbkCCD4bGHQkSpIe-LispgdJgzOOWkjSBF8YHqrt2ldTqwMjrimQo8YlCdavHd_GJtp0Al-P-_Yfncg0tXAQsU_DEck699g/s1600/Fridge+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx2nVA-jNPtDxKD-xRDTiKyGXfUHBMqy7ON8GNaBaZzuhOqbkCCD4bGHQkSpIe-LispgdJgzOOWkjSBF8YHqrt2ldTqwMjrimQo8YlCdavHd_GJtp0Al-P-_Yfncg0tXAQsU_DEck699g/s320/Fridge+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dear Diet Fairy - PLEASE LET THIS WORK, love from the (not so big any more) red hen<br />
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<br />Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-68227400119066893792011-08-17T11:59:00.000+02:002011-08-17T11:59:48.910+02:00Ode to a Stripey Sock<div style="text-align: center;">Stripey sock you make me happy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The way you warm my foot.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But even more than what you do,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way you look.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLMx6P1rOIphBv_Yx4TNSw-muEMjnS1kLfqUbfCH8VnTstAIuWAJ57yJ2zkmc-c-oN-0RNvWIb-m2TKuJP5WSZ8MqXgXZSBYYCgoCEELA9ilxtsZjjeiv2m1NTkBHJ43Mgs39QZ6V1f1/s1600/Stripey+socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLMx6P1rOIphBv_Yx4TNSw-muEMjnS1kLfqUbfCH8VnTstAIuWAJ57yJ2zkmc-c-oN-0RNvWIb-m2TKuJP5WSZ8MqXgXZSBYYCgoCEELA9ilxtsZjjeiv2m1NTkBHJ43Mgs39QZ6V1f1/s320/Stripey+socks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-20425818400414508312011-08-16T20:33:00.006+02:002012-01-08T15:50:46.173+02:00Music I'm Loving Right Now....I just discovered this band today, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thehoneytrees">The Honey Trees</a>, and I LOVE them!<br />
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</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/C70SnkZETc0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Their sound reminds me a lot of a South African band I love, <a href="http://dearreadermusic.com/">Dear Reader</a>. The first time (okay, the first three times) I saw this music video I cried. Then I spent the weekend tracking down a copy of my very own *happy sigh*. This video is SO beautiful, SO emotive - you can feel the desperation, the euphoric giddy elation that hope brings, and the despair at the end of it all. One of my favourite videos ever.</div><br />
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Enjoy!Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-63321052056163026652011-08-15T19:17:00.002+02:002011-08-18T17:29:51.058+02:00Blogs make a difference, oh yes they do!<div style="text-align: justify;">Blogs are important, they really REALLY are. I often feel like I navigate my life by the hazy glow of a computer screen, and you know what's on that screen? a blog. As I change, so do my favourite blogs (although there are always a constant few - kinda like best friends). I suppose blogs can certainly be a little voyeuristic, but if you use what you learn to better shape your life, then gaze away I say!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I first discovered blogs through my Rooster (who is very techno savvy) while I was pregnant with Chicken Little. What I didn't know was how important they would become to me once she was born.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhOnkbjjW4vNvHgikd71ceTB9UYnmPjATXP6LHEbaeqHNSweWF5cbYz8XmXXJsSIfVUqLTMN0D8dzQz4yjGEh8AeLSqF-CxgetBK1QxnOUtzdN6V9BvXtUxHoJdXEWLQyhH7JTSF2utxu/s1600/Bread+%2526+Honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhOnkbjjW4vNvHgikd71ceTB9UYnmPjATXP6LHEbaeqHNSweWF5cbYz8XmXXJsSIfVUqLTMN0D8dzQz4yjGEh8AeLSqF-CxgetBK1QxnOUtzdN6V9BvXtUxHoJdXEWLQyhH7JTSF2utxu/s320/Bread+%2526+Honey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://bread-and-honey.blogspot.com/">Bread & Honey </a>was the first blog I ever fell in love with. I was desperate, and man did I fall hard. The nature of the blog has changed over the last couple of years and we have grown apart, but in the early days it was a thing of beauty. Two young, tattooed, baking, stay-at-home mums. *swoon* After Chicken Little was born I had a rough time adjusting to mommyhood, as well as staying at home for the first time. <a href="http://bread-and-honey.blogspot.com/">Bread & Honey </a>was like a life-line to me, saving me one recipe at a time! I know I could have managed without it, but would I want to have tried? no.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I owe a lot to those cool mommy's from Portland (my <a href="http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/">current crush</a> is a mommy from Portland too), and someday perhaps I'll send them a link to this post and let them know they made a real difference to my life. But for now I'll just dedicate this blog to cool mommy's everywhere, who are making a difference through their blogs - whether they know it or not.</div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110675355191370009.post-41040565335377241262011-08-13T17:28:00.002+02:002011-08-18T17:30:36.391+02:00Welcome!<div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to you (who ever you may be) and welcome to me! I have been toying with the idea of starting a blog for about four (4!) years now - I have dreamt up blog posts and even created a blog I never used, but now, today, at this very moment I am finally, FINALLY, starting this blog!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This will be a place for me to muse, ponder and pontificate about the life I lead and the world around me. If you are interested in green living, natural childbirth, breastfeeding, science, love, music, art and beauty, then stick around - this could get really interesting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi0A5VCD7SGiBP_fD50upThnQCZg0rEGrSl2lcLjYUZIF6yn8Wk3kXATt2xBnJRECFvWMb_lvyhH8qdkpQY15wZSLSoyyzwGMPWZ0sngp01VCdE8CeuCFKAiFuZiUGKkgC5X6BtpnJ1-x/s1600/Picture+029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi0A5VCD7SGiBP_fD50upThnQCZg0rEGrSl2lcLjYUZIF6yn8Wk3kXATt2xBnJRECFvWMb_lvyhH8qdkpQY15wZSLSoyyzwGMPWZ0sngp01VCdE8CeuCFKAiFuZiUGKkgC5X6BtpnJ1-x/s320/Picture+029.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>Natashiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05404471251048568309noreply@blogger.com0