Inspiration

Discover Your Meditation Style

January 25, 2013 by Natureal Mom Comments

Image credit: universal-wanderer.tumblr.com

Meditation is a simple way to relax, relieve stress, boost your immune system, and create more balance and happiness in your life. The method of meditation you choose is not as important as achieving the desired result ~ a quiet mind to promote inner peace and relaxation. If you’re not very familiar with meditation, here are a few different styles:

General Meditation. Find a quiet place and time when you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and clear your mind of any thoughts. Sit like this, attempting to eliminate all thoughts and experience total peace. If you have never meditated before, consider starting your meditations in intervals of five minutes. When you feel comfortable, increase your intervals to ten minutes, and continue like this until you feel a length of time that suits you.

Focused/Conscious Breathing. Focused breathing is another popular, yet simple, meditation. As in general meditation, find a quiet time and place where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and clear your mind of any thoughts. From there, focus on your breathing. Focus on the in-breath, and the out-breath. This is also commonly known as conscious breathing, because as opposed to our normal breathing which we do not focus on or attempt to control, “focused breathing” is consciously monitored and controlled. By focusing on your breath, you draw your attention to that, and eliminate random thoughts, which creates a feeling of inner peace. To help focus on their breath, people will often draw their attention to the air entering their nose and leaving their mouth. You can similarly draw your attention to the rising and falling of your chest. As for controlling the pace of your breath, some people count a certain number of seconds between each breath and attempt to maintain this slow, rhythmic, controlled pace.

Visualization. Visualization can be used to achieve a variety of results. One simple visualization is to first quiet yourself and begin as you would in general meditation or focused breathing, then visualize yourself inhaling healing white or golden light, and exhaling gray, stale, old energy. The white or golden light represents new, fresh, rejuvenating energy, while the gray energy represents any stress, anxiety, unhappiness, worries, anger, or other negative emotions you may be holding inside of you. If you have a specific ailment you are trying to relieve yourself of, visualize the same white or golden energy surrounding the area of your body which is in need of healing. Focus on that white or golden light healing and energizing the afflicted area of your body.

Transcendental Meditation. There is much to be said about Transcendental meditation, but I will just cover it briefly here, as there are many sources of information on this topic. Transcendental meditation uses a mantra (a word or phrase which is repeated throughout the duration of the meditation) to focus oneself on that one word or phrase, thereby allowing all random throughts to be released. To begin, prepare yourself as you would doing any of the other meditations listed here, then find a mantra which feels good to you and repeat it either out loud or silently.

Yoga. The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit word ”yuj,” which means ”to unify.” Although many people think this refers to the union between the mind and body or mind and spirit, the traditional acceptance is union between the Jivatman and Paramatman, that is between one’s individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness. Therefore Yoga refers to a certain state of consciousness as well as to methods that help one reach that goal or state of union with the divine. Yoga increases strength and flexibility, improves circulation, promotes well-being, and provides relief for common postural and chronic pain problems. Anyone can practice yoga. Each individual works within her/his own level of comfort listening to their own body’s messages. One comes away feeling energized, rejuvenated and at peace.

Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that is primarily practiced for its health benefits, including a means for dealing with tension and stress. Among the martial arts, there are two basic types: the “hard” martial arts such as karate and kung fu and the “soft” or “internal” martial arts such as ba gua and tai chi. Tai Chi emphasizes complete relaxation, and is essentially a form of meditation, or what has been called “meditation in motion” as it is characterized by soft, slow, flowing movements that emphasize force, rather than brute strength. Though it is soft, slow, and flowing, the movements are executed precisely.

Filed Under: Health + Fitness, Inspiration, Mind + Body, Spirituality, Uncategorized Tagged With: conscious breathing, focused breathing, meditation, tai chi, transcendental meditation, visualization, yoga

DIY Holiday Gnomes

December 8, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

This simple, affordable and fun project is sure to delight your little ones! Here is an easy tutorial on how to make these cute little holiday gnomes.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

You can either use wooden Peg People which come in different shapes and sizes or old-fashioned wooden clothespins. Peg People and Wooden Doll Pins can be found at your local craft store or there is a nice selection here and on Etsy. You will also need some pieces of Eco-fi felt, a hot glue gun and a pair of scissors. I chose three different colors of felt for Hanukkah. Red and green would be festive for Christmas or Kwansa

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

First, I made the little cloak by cutting a rectangular shaped piece of felt long enough to fit around the wooden body. I rolled it around the body and secured the edges together in the back using a hot glue gun.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Next, I made the little gnome hat by cutting a triangular shaped piece of felt, making sure it was just the right length to fit over the wooden head when glued together.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Using the hot glue gun, I glued the two sides together. Then I put just a dab of glue onto the inside of the hat and positioned it onto the gnomes head so that it was tilted slightly backward.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Isn’t he a cute little fellow? He’s ready to spin some dreidels and eat some latkes!

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Happy Winter Crafting!

Filed Under: Creativity + Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: crafting, creative play, DIY, felt crafts, gnomes, holiday, holiday decor, imaginative play, kid crafts, seasonal, Waldorf, winter

Interview With Motherhood Artist Katie m. Berggren (and Mother’s Day Special Offer!)

September 19, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

I am so honored for the opportunity to interview internationally recognized award-winning painter and mother Katie m. Berggren. You may already be familiar with her beautiful paintings or perhaps you are discovering her here for the first time. I am deeply moved by the warmth, love and magic captured between mother and child in her paintings and I know you will be too!

NM: Hi Katie! Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions. Can you please share a little bit about yourself?

Katie m. Berggren

KB: Thank you Lacey, certainly. I grew up in the country with my parents, two older brothers and my older sister. We loved being outside, but when forced to be in, we all four gravitated toward make-believe, drawing, reading and playing school and games. We had a crazy television signal so we didn’t hardly bother sitting and watching, except on Saturday mornings for cartoons. I feel that the lack of “plugging in” allowed us ample time to explore the gifts we had inside us. 30 years later, we are all artists of one kind or another. My father was an entrepreneur and he had us help him in the business. We learned a work ethic from him, that we all now employ. All four of us are self-employed.

I love people. I love to watch and learn. I love to see mothers with their children and study the relationships of those around me. I love watching documentaries about people and lifestyles. I like watching others.

I am blessed with a great husband and two creative and inspiring little boys. Their love is my muse.

NM: How would you describe your paintings?

KB: I would describe my paintings as moments scratched feverishly onto canvas or board with lots and lots of paint! Stories and figures and relationships that have come through because they need to be seen and shared. Stories that need to be told. I love tucking figures together, seeing how bodies can twirl, fold and interact. I see these paintings as messages. Messages for me, most definitely, to pay attention and be still. I’ve been so honored to discover that they go out into the world to act as messages for others as well.

In regard to the Commissioned Paintings, these pieces are created to capture a moment for a loving family. I allow myself to be inspired by their photos and their story, then let the paint flow for them.

NM: How did you discover your love of painting?

KB: I always wanted to be “an artist, a teacher, and a mother.” I tried many art materials during my years at community college, then decided to become a graphic designer and went off to University. A few years later, after doing computer design, digital art, and colored pencil illustrations for clients, I was reunited with the joy of paint. I was painting a mural on my baby boy’s wall ~ a whale family taken from a colored pencil illustration I’d completed ~ and I remember reaching up with the painted brush and with that first smear of paint across the bumpy wall, I was re-hooked. WHY? I asked myself, did I ever walk away from painting?! I got my supplies out of the closet and began painting the next day. Never looking back. Painting is my meditation, my education, my doorway to a quiet mind.

NM: Who are some of your favorite artists?

KB: At one point I went searching for motherhood artists who that I could say I was inspired by (because people have always asked!). I like Mary Cassatt. Her paintings of the life going on around us are charming, beautiful and fleshy. I also very much like Gustav Klimt’s color and pattern.

In truth, there is only one artist that awoke something within me when I was young ~ an urge to capture emotion and to paint life and the human condition in all its honest rawness. Her name is Kathe Kollwitz ~ a german sculptor, printmaker and painter creating emotional works during the early 1900s. I studied Kathe Kollwitz when I was in middle school and her work affected me in a way that I couldn’t have imagined until I started my own art exploration years later.

NM: What mediums, materials and tools do you use in your paintings?

KB: Acrylic paints became my medium right away because I had small children (they are still rather small!) because of the quickness of drying and the lack of solvents. I still love acrylics. I love being able to paint over a spot 12 times if I desire, knowing the paint will be dry, allowing me to retry. Acrylic paint is forgiving, creamy and dreamy, for me. I paint on canvas mostly now, but I also enjoy painting on board. With brushes! More recently I’ve been experimenting with adding bits of paper to my pieces, and hand-written text. I look forward to more of that.

NM: What are some of your favorite works that you have created?

KB: There are some paintings that I consider Signature pieces ~ pieces that seem to be markers along my path. Here they are:

Lyric
© Katie m. Berggren

Home
© Katie m. Berggren

The Very Breath
© Katie m. Berggren

Simple Gifts
© Katie m. Berggren

NM: From where do you draw your inspiration?

KB: Often, inspiration first takes hold and makes its mark in the journal sketchbook. I try to keep it with me at all times. Inspiration is first born through words, phrases or sketches. Sometimes even one word will take me to the blank canvas and make itself known as an image that seems to come from nowhere. I am inspired by the people around me, families. I am inspired by nature and things frequently taken for granted. I am inspired by color and texture, architecture and natural shapes such as the bend of a branch on a tree, a bunch of berries, a leaf or a mushroom. In truth, I’m also inspired by a blank canvas! Such a thrill it is to approach that canvas, that is just waiting for a story.

Important to mention, also, is the inspiration drawn from the amazing community of mothers that I have discovered around me on Facebook and Twitter. I hear stories every day, and I see photos every day that touch my heart. I hear from mamas with such huge hearts and I just feel so much love for this virtual community.

NM: How would you describe your creative process?

KB: It is a very simple process! I look at the blank canvas. I sometimes have a sketch in the sketchbook that I glance at, or I have nothing but a word. Or I have nothing but an open mind. I take a brush, fill it with brown paint and start. I start my paintings in brown and white so that I may finesse the shape and form and purpose before adding color, clothing and hair. But most importantly, we must Start.

NM: What do you want to capture in your work?

KB: When I paint, I have in mind to capture a simple single moment, and to encourage myself and others to stop and see the moments that swirl around us on a daily basis. I have in mind to celebrate even the tiniest breath of peace that may come in a day of stress and chaos. I am also discovering that the paintings are telling me about internal peace, calm that we create inside ourselves, within a world where so many choose stress and busyness.

There is also an urge to honor a mama’s values for how she chooses to parent her child. To capture, celebrate and share the breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby-wearing and cuddling relationship.

NM: Could you tell us about the Mindful Mothering Project?

KB: Certainly! In general, I have many ideas for paintings, but sometimes, I desire to be inspired by another mother! So I have been asking my online community to send me photos of their families that, to them, represent Mindful Mothering. It may be breastfeeding, baby-wearing, sleeping together, eating together, walking together, crying together, cuddling. The list is endless because each mama has her own feelings of what makes her mothering special. When I’m in the mood, I take a peek into the Mindful Mothering Project photo folder and see what image inspires me. I look quickly, just to get the feeling of the image. Then, the chosen image is created into an original painting, and the entire process of the piece is shared through photographs on the Facebook page. Upon completion, the mama whose photo inspired the painting gets a free 12×12” print of the finished piece (a $29 value)! There are more details here.

NM: The documentary Who Does She Think She Is? chronicles the lives of artists and their challenges to pursue their passions while nurturing families. How do you balance “work” and motherhood?

KB: I really enjoyed watching Who Does She Think She Is? and I can relate to many of the struggles these mothers face. None of us are automatically immune to the opinions of others. I started my art career when my boys were just babies, nursing while drawing, and sitting at the table while pregnant, doing art with my 1 year old son.

I did art when I had time, and because of a conviction to create, I made time almost every day. Before children, I did my drawings at a drafting table in my office. Once the children needed that room, my kitchen table was my ‘studio’ and I painted on small pieces of Masonite board. One night, while painting at the table, I realized that I had a fairly large laundry room just around the corner. It occurred to me that my art (and future career) deserved more space than dirty clothes! So I made myself a small studio in the laundry room. It worked great! I believe that we will do our work if we are called to do it, no matter where we find space. Waiting for a perfect ‘studio’ before beginning is resistance.

As my boys grew, I painted while they played, I painted while holding them on my hip, I painted with them. But mostly, I painted at night while the family slept. I did what I could do in the time I had and I didn’t beat myself up for much of anything (well, sometimes). I have a great memory of painting while talking to and swaying a sweet naked two year old on one hip.

Currently, my boys are in grade school, and I have an official studio/office space in our home. I have mapped out times for working and creating and squeeze in many other times as well. I paint while they play, I paint while holding them on my hip, and I paint with them. I do what I can do in the time I have and I still don’t beat myself up because I know that I am doing my best! At the same time, I am always working toward improving my painting skills, bettering my time management skills, further simplifying the schedule and home, and self-improvement as a mother and a human.

NM: Your two little boys must love being around art all the time. Do they enjoy painting as well?

KB: Oh yes! My six year old son sold his first painting this past summer, to someone he didn’t know. And that thrilled him. They both love to paint, they love to create, strategize and develop products and publications. They are tiny entrepreneurs and daddy and I are their biggest fans and biggest collectors. To watch those boys bloom is pure joy.

NM: What advice would you offer to someone who wants to follow their passion as a profession?

KB: Stop what you are doing right now and do something towards your goal. Paint ten lines, write two paragraphs, sew for fifteen minutes. Then, do it again tomorrow, but for a little longer. Repeat.

Every day, move forward. My motto used to be “Make Progress Everyday”. And I did. Later, my motto became “Paint EVERY Day”. And I did. Now, one of my mottos is to “Work Smarter” and I have created tools to help me to do that. This whole thing is a process, and that has to be understood. You don’t wake up one day and discover you are where you want to be. But you can take a step forward every day. More advice, of course, is to not listen to anyone who questions your passion as a profession. Believe in yourself, carve out a place for your work, simplify your life so that you can make time for what you love. Simplify your schedule and your to-do list, and just do it. Junk the to-dos that don’t matter and donate the stuff that gets in your way. Start creating today!

NM: Thank you so much for your time and for the opportunity to talk with you, Katie!

Katie is generously offering Natureal Mom readers 15% off from September 19, 2012 to October 3, 2012. Katie’s work is rarely discounted so this is a perfect opportunity to own one of these truly special pieces!

Visit http://www.kmberggren.com/shop and enter promotional code: natureal

Update: The above promotion has expired, however, Natureal Mom readers can get Free Shipping from Katie’s new online studio shop on April 29th & 30th with coupon code: MAMASHIP. Just in time for Mother’s Day! ♥

Filed Under: Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged With: art, baby-wearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, family, inspiration, interview, katie m. berggren, mindful mothering, motherhood, motherhood paintings

10 Ways to Strengthen Your Relationships

August 30, 2012 by Natureal Mom 1 Comment

Image © Natureal Mom 2005

My husband and I celebrated 7 years of marriage this week. Like most couples, we have been through ups and downs, highs and lows. We have come to appreciate the more painful and challenging times as they have provided invaluable opportunities to grow individually and as a couple.

Marriage and all relationships take a great deal of hard work but they are worth every drop of love and effort that is put into them. I’m by no means a relationship expert, but by learning and applying some basic spiritual principles, the entire course of our marriage has changed for the better. Here are 10 simple tips you can start practicing today!

Communicate. Be careful how you use (or don’t use) your words. This is especially tough for me as a Sagittarius! Although I’m usually well-intentioned, I have a tendency to put my foot sometimes. I’m getting better at choosing my words more wisely and speaking simply and from the heart. Silence is also very powerful – it can either hurt or heal depending on how it is used. At times, my husband keeps things bottled up inside and holds back from sharing his emotions with loved ones. He has learned that by communicating and expressing how he feels, people can grow closer together. Remember, each time you speak (or don’t), you have the opportunity to strengthen your relationship or damage it.
Pause. Sometimes it’s difficult to stop and think about what you are saying when emotions are running wild. In these instances, take some time to process your feelings. Tell your loved one that you need some space and assure him or her that you will come back. Return with a conscious intention to speak calmly with an open mind and softer heart.
Empathetic listening. Sometimes we think we are listening, when really we are listening to ourselves… what we are going to say next or how to counter the other persons arguments. Try setting aside your own story and really listen to what the other person is saying and not just what you are hearing. Imagine how this person feels in his or her shoes without making it about you.
Take responsibility. Instead of focusing on your partners faults or being defensive, recognize how your own words and actions could be causing or perpetuating the situation. I find it helpful to ask myself, “What am I doing to make this situation worse?” and “What can I do to make it better?” Resolve to change the only thing you can change – your reaction.
Benefit of the doubt. Although most of us are capable of intentionally saying or doing mean-spirited things to hurt the ones we love when we are upset, conflict is rarely the result of malicious intent. In these instances, acknowledge and communicate your hurt to your partner, but remember a vicious crime wasn’t committed toward you. Instead, see the innate goodness in your partner instead of vilifying him or her.
Let go of being right. You might be convinced that your perspective is right or have difficulty understanding someone else’s view. Be open to seeing how the other person could also have a valid point and create room for his or her feelings to co-exist alongside your own without insisting that they are wrong. A spiritual teacher once asked, “Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?” It’s not a contest of who’s right or wrong – the goal is for both of you to feel loved, respected and valued.
Forgiveness. Being human means you will make mistakes – as a partner, friend, child, parent, or any other role you’ll take on in life. This goes the same for the people in your life. Forgive your own mistakes and imperfections, and those of the people around you… and move on.
Continual nourishment. In order to grow and to flourish, relationships need to be nourished on a regular basis. My husband and I make a point to set some time aside with no distractions. This is not a time to discuss work or problem-solve, but a time to renew and develop our relationship. Taking time to compliment one another, being generous with affection, giving a simple or thoughtful gift, doing an act of kindness and lavishing appreciation are all ways to nourish your relationships.
Be a team. Yin and Yang are defined as opposite but complementary forces that combine to form harmony. Similarly, people have different strengths and abilities. When combined and partnering together as a team, we can do great things! Remember you are on the same team. My husband and I chose a favorite quote by the Baal Shem Tov for our ketuba (Jewish marriage contract) which serves as a wonderful reminder. “From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven, and when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, the streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from that united being.”
Give for the sake of giving. Try going against your nature and really let go of the expectation that your partner is someone who is there to make you happy and instead focus on truly giving/serving/sharing/meeting your partner’s needs instead. You’ll be amazed at the results!

What tips do you have for creating stronger relationships? Please share by commenting below!

Filed Under: Relationships, Spirituality Tagged With: advice, anniversary, communication, consciousness, empathy, forgiveness, listening, love, marriage, relationships, spirituality, tips, wisdom

10 Outdoor Activities to Connect Kids to Nature

July 30, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

Image © waddler.co.uk

Some of my most treasured childhood memories are of playing outdoors… swinging from a tire that my Dad tied to a big oak tree, picking ripe juicy plums, running through the sprinklers and picking red seed pods out of Magnolia tree cones.

Nowadays, children hardly get outside. According to several studies, the average American child spends just four to seven minutes playing outdoors each day, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic device or screen. This shift profoundly impacts the wellness of our children.

Research connects the lack of outdoor time to increased obesity, depression, stress, diabetes, ADHD and poor academic performance. More children are out of shape, tuned out and stressed out because they’re missing something essential to their health and development: connection to the natural world.

Screen Shot 2013-03-06 at 6.54.14 PM

Here are 10 outdoor activities that require very little planning or money and will help you and your kids build lasting memories, unplug from technology and plug into nature:

Birdwatching. This is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy. You’re never too old to learn or young to start a hobby that could last a lifetime! A great way to begin is right in your own backyard. Invite birds in by making DIY bird feeders.
Plant a garden. Children are natural gardeners- they’re curious, learn by doing and love to play in the dirt! Gardening teaches children about life cycles, pollination, and nutrition. If you don’t have a yard, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers can be planted in raised beds that sit directly on the ground or placed on patios, decks or porches.
Make art from nature. Go for a walk and let your child collect wildflowers and leaves to make beautiful keepsakes. To press flowers, simply put them between sheets of wax paper and close them in a heavy book for about two to four weeks. To make leaf prints, use a sponge to ink the leaf and press it into a sheet of paper for an instant artistic creation!
Get dirty. Dedicate a small part of your yard as a digging station or set aside a large container or flower box just for digging in the dirt. Put a spoon or a small shovel in your child’s hand and they will go to town digging holes, building mounds and making mud pies. Research shows that good old-fashioned dirt play exposes children to a myriad of bacteria, viruses and microbes that strengthen their immune systems.
Observe the night sky. Exploring nature doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Grab a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and spend some time gazing at the moon and stars. Trace constellations, look for shooting stars or help your child keep a moon journal to understand the different phases of the moon.
Build a fort or tee-pee. Children love outdoor forts- it gives them a place to call their own. All you need are some simple materials like long branches, a large cardboard box, a broom, sheets and blankets… get creative and your child’s imagination will run wild!
Watch the clouds. You don’t need any supplies or special expertise for this one. Picking out shapes in the clouds is a classic childhood activity. All that’s needed is a sky filled with big fluffy marshmallow clouds and an imagination.
Nature collection. Take a walk on your favorite trail, through the neighborhood or along the shore to collect natural trinkets like rocks, shells, branches, pinecones, leaves, flowers, acorns, tree berries and seed pods. These little treasures can be stored and displayed in a number of ways- in a bowl, on a seasonal nature table or grouped and labeled in jars or boxes.
Puddle jumping. Don’t let the rain stop your child from playing outside- just make sure everyone is dressed appropriately for the occasion. Once everyone’s rain gear is on, go in search of puddles and get jumping!
Enjoy the simple pleasures. Sometimes the simplest outdoor activities leave the most lasting memories for kids. Teach your child how to skip a stone, make a daisy chain or blow a grass whistle.

In our busy and hectic daily schedules, it’s important to remember that children (and adults) need time to get outdoors and unplug from technology to think, dream, build, create and explore.

What was your favorite outdoor activity as a child? Do you have any outdoor activities to share? Add to the list by leaving a comment below!

Filed Under: Baby + Kids, Creativity + Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: Earth Day, imagination, imaginative play, inspiration, nature, outdoor activities, outdoors, play

DIY Pinecone Bird Feeders

July 29, 2012 by Natureal Mom 1 Comment

Image © Natureal Mom

Old fashioned pinecone bird feeders are fun, easy to create and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand:

Pinecones
Nut butter (Omit if anyone has a nut sensitivity or allergy)
Ghee or butter
Finely chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit

Steps:

Tie a piece of string around the pinecone. This is a great way to re-use ribbon, twine or jute.
Image © Natureal Mom
Mix together equal parts nut butter and ghee. Thoroughly spread the mixture over the pinecone.
Image © Natureal Mom
Roll the pinecone in the mixture of nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
Hang it on your favorite tree or where the birds will find it.
Watch for feathered friends to visit!

To keep the birds coming back to your spot, keep the following tips from the National Audubon Society in mind:

Provide birds with a variety of quality seed.
Provide fresh water for drinking and bathing.
Give the feeder ample cover, preferably provided by native plants. Native plants also provide potential nesting sites and a source of natural food.

Filed Under: Creativity + Play, Inspiration, Projects + Crafting Tagged With: autumn, crafts, DIY, kid crafts

Your Own Song

July 19, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

A woman in my local Holistic Mom’s Network chapter shared a beautiful story about how a certain African tribe comes together and uses song to remind us of who we really are. Touching my heart with inspiring words of wisdom, I share this story with you.

There is a tribe in Africa where the birth date of a child is not counted on the day of his birth or when he was conceived, but on the day he was a thought in his mother’s mind.

She would go out into the wilderness and sit under a tree and listen until she heard the song of the child, for every soul has its own vibration that expresses its unique purpose. She would then return to the tribe and teach it to the midwives and older women in the village who would also sing the child’s song.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child’s song to him or her. Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the child’s song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come together and sing. At the time of marriage, the union hears their song. Finally, when the his or her soul is about to pass from this world, the community gathers again, just as they did at his or her birth, to sing the soul into the next life.

There is one other occasion upon which the village would sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community form a circle around him or her and sing the song.

The tribe recognizes that the correction for negative behavior is not punishment, but rather love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire to do anything that would hurt yourself or another.

We all have times in our life when we get off course and lose sight of who we are. The essence of who we truly are is often hidden by our perceived limitations, mistakes, insecurities and fears. We all have a unique melody that we came into this world to express, and when we’ve forgotten the words to our song, our friends, family and community are there to sing it back to us!

Filed Under: Baby + Kids, Community, Connecting, Inspiration, Parenting, Pregnancy + Birth, Spirituality Tagged With: birth, Children, community, conscious parenting, identity, inspiration, life lessons, motherhood, Parenting, spirituality, tradition

Mother’s Day Poem

May 13, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

Image © Natureal Mom & Christina Dely Photography

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as
living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the
infinite, and He bends you with His might that
His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He
Loves also the bow that is stable.

On Children, from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
First published in 1923

This poem has many profound messages and is a reminder that our children are who they are – their own unique seeds that already contain everything within them to thrive. As parents, it is our role to nourish their environment so that they can sprout, unfold and grow into their fullest potential and uncover their own special purpose.

Maternity photograph taken by Christina Dely Photography at the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden

Filed Under: Baby + Kids, Connecting, Family, Inspiration, Parenting, Spirituality Tagged With: Children, enlightenment, inspiration, life lessons, Parenting, philosophy, poetry, spirituality

Creating an Inspiring Playspace

April 22, 2012 by Natureal Mom 2 Comments

Image © Natureal Mom

I wanted to create a playspace that inspires creativity and imagination and nurtures growth and development. I invested in a few key pieces that are open-ended and will grow with a child, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create an inspired playspace. Many items can be made by hand, found around the house, thrifted or upcycled.

Simplify

After our babe’s birthday and the holidays last Winter, we received more toys than we knew what to do with! More toys mean more clutter and too many choices can overwhelm a child. Too many toys can also take away the “specialness” from individual toys and lessen the chance to fully explore any one toy. To keep things simple, we rotate toys to keep them fresh but are also careful not to take anything away that he is taken with. We also choose to invest in a fewer amount of heirloom quality toys that are natural and non-toxic. Extra toys and clothes have been donated to a wonderful local organization Baby2Baby that distributes new and gently used toys to underprivileged children.

Environment

Because the environment is so important to a young child, I wanted to create a space that is welcoming and comforting. Toys have been arranged on low shelves and in shallow baskets so that they are inviting and accessible which encourages self-motivating play. The walls are painted in a warm neutral shade and the windows covered with natural bamboo. Lighting is kept soft. I found these two beautiful wall hangings on Etsy made of soft wool that have been hand painted and wet and needle felted.

Purchased at Sunflower Wool Art; Beads & Fairies Etsy Shops

I did splurge on a soft high pile sheepskin that has been vegetable tanned with extracts from African mimosa trees and is certified free of harmful chemicals. My little guy loves how soft it feels and it’s a popular spot for reading books and cuddling together.

Image © Palumba

Toys for imaginative play

We have a small amount of plastic and battery operated toys. As an adult, I get overwhelmed when surrounded by noisy toys with flashing lights so I can’t imagine what it must be like for a small child who can only process so much information at a time. These toys also tend to “think” for a child. Open-ended toys inspire creative play, foster development and grow with a child which makes many of these items a good investment.

Play kitchen - Our pediatrician has a play kitchen at his practice that our little guy loves playing with so much that we had to get one. A Simple Hearth by Camden Rose is a truly beautiful hand crafted heirloom quality play kitchen. There is plenty of space for “cutting up” veggies, a faucet and stainless steel sink for “rinsing” dishes and a four-burner stove top. There are shelves and a cabinet for storage and an oven with baking rack. Accessories are limitless – pots and pans, bowls, utensils, towels and play food. My little guy loves making me soup and feeding it to me!

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Playstand - Playstands with canopy arches and shelves are very versatile and can be used to create a cozy “space within a space” where a child can find refuge.

Image © Palumba

This is another great item that will grow with your child. They can be transformed into spaces for household play, puppetry, caves, storefronts and more… the possibilities are endless. We recently added a market shelf add-on with paper pulp baskets and filled them with play fruits and veggies.

Playsilks - Playsilks are a staple for creative play. They can be used for playing peek-a-boo, making forts and puppet theatre curtains, used as capes, walls and roofs of houses, hammocks, rivers, ropes, blankets, table cloths… there is no end to what they can become. Scarves and pieces of fabric work just as well.

Available at Mosey Etsy Shop

Dolls - A little blanket doll is the perfect doll to introduce to a baby. It usually has a formed head with a simple face and soft flannel body with small knots at the corners. I soaked the knots in chamomile tea to soothe my little guy’s swollen gums. For toddlers, handmade dolls with arms and legs and clothes that can come off and on are warm to the touch and feel more real than synthetic and plastic materials used in commercially produced dolls. I like that the facial features are intentionally made simple which allows a child to imagine the doll experiencing different emotions. There are many benefits to doll playing for both boys and girls. It allows children to develop love and care for other people.

Musical Instruments - Our son (like most) absolutely loves music. He bangs on his floor tom or djembe drum, plays the xylophone and tone block, shakes rain sticks and strums the strings of his small guitar.

Felted wool balls - These are amongst his favorite toys. I found some gorgeous artisan wool balls with intricate designs. He loves to play catch and cart them around in his wooden push wagon. Wool dryer balls are great too.

Wooden toys - We have a few wooden toys that he really loves like these organic recycled rubber wood fruits and vegetables from Plan Toys. He also enjoys wooden puzzles, pull toys, cars and stacking toys.

Push wagon - We got this because he was obsessed with pushing the stroller around the house. Now he loves pushing around some toys… and occasionally the dogs.

Books - We have a few simple books. These beloved classic Elsa Beskow books are beautifully illustrated. Gerda Muller’s seasonal books are also a favorite.

Nesting/sorting/stacking bowls - These are lots of fun and can be used in many ways. We have some colorful crocheted ones.

Blocks - Stack and knock down. Repeat!

Tree blocks are wonderful for older children and can be handmade.

Available at Monkeys on the Roof Etsy Shop

Nature objects - Baskets of natural objects like gnarled pieces of bark, sticks, rocks, shells, branches, pinecones and acorns are great because they can mostly be found while out on a nature walk. Just be careful to supervise small children with these items and avoid anything that can be a choking hazard.

Costumes - A few simple costumes can greatly enhance a child’s play. Children love to dress up and transform into characters who can act out roles in imaginative play – especially with other children. Having a few special hooks for capes and a shelf for hats can make costumes easily accessible and suggestive of imaginative play. Our little guy loves putting on “silly hats.”

Finger puppets - These are lots of fun!

Here are some of my favorite places to find beautiful and imaginative toys ♥

Filed Under: Baby + Kids, Creativity + Play, Environment + Decor, Home, Inspiration, Natural Living Tagged With: eco friendly toys, green toys, imaginative play, montessori, non-toxic, playroom, playspace, simplify, toys, Waldorf

Fun Eco Project: DIY Terrariums

March 18, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

Terrariums are wonderful, magical environments. They are fun to make and are a great opportunity for children to learn how ecosystems work. Terrariums are essentially miniature ecosystems that can sustain themselves for long periods of time, very similar to that in the real world. The glass lid creates a continuous rain cycle: Moisture evaporates from the soil and plant leaves, water gathers on the top and sides of the jars, and then it returns to the moisture-loving plants. This was a fun and educational eco project that my niece and I did together to celebrate the early days of spring.

Items You Will Need:

* A glass jar and lid (apothecary jar, mason jar, candy jar, repurposed food jar, etc). Make sure the opening is large enough.

* Small stones, pebbles or aquarium rocks

* Activated charcoal (found at your local garden center)

* Potting soil

* Moss

* Small live plants – Select plants that have similar environmental needs. Slow growing, low light varieties work well.

* Decorative objects – I used a miniature gnome and mushroom toadstool to add character to my whimsical woodland-themed terrarium.

Instructions:

1. Find a good spot to assemble your terrarium – it can be a little messy.

2. Clean your jar well to prevent bacteria from growing and so you can see all the wonderful things growing inside.

3. Place a layer of pebbles on the bottom of the jar to allow for proper drainage.

4. Add a small layer of charcoal on top of the pebbles to filter the water and keep the soil fresh.

5. Add a layer of moss on top of the charcoal to keep the soil out of the drainage area.

6. Add a layer of soil deep enough for proper root growth.

7. Add your plant selections. Be sure to loosen up the roots a bit and pack the soil tightly around the plants.

8. Add the decorative objects to their new habitat.

9. Mist with water to dampen. Place the lid on.

10. Place your terrarium where it will receive indirect sunlight.

With a little care, terrariums can last many years. The plants will need to be trimmed occasionally to keep the balance of the ecosystem, but most maintenance will be to mist or slightly water the terrarium about once a month. A little condensation is ideal but be careful not to over water. If it is too wet, simply remove the lid and it will evaporate.

Enjoy!