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Chantal Urbina

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[ WELCOME ]. My name is Chantal . I am a retired Registered Massage Therapist and a current Stay at Home Mom looking after my first baby, Eliana. I am a Culinary Nutrition Expert who is passionate about making healthy and wholesome meals for the whole family. 

[ WELCOME ]. My name is Chantal .I am a retired Registered Massage Therapist and a current Stay at Home Mom looking after my first baby, Eliana. I am a Culinary Nutrition Expert who is passionate about making healthy and wholesome meals for the whole family. 

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You know those moments where your personal views, beliefs, and goals feel a little bit shaken by all of the outside noise?Those moments where you are momentarily knocked off your firm and stable rock? . They are moments of opportunity. Yes, they suck but they come about every now and then and do so to test us. They are here to remind us to ask the important questions. They are here to force us to repeatedly dig for the answer to our WHY’s. . These moments can make us feel weaker than anything. We start reverting back to our old ways. Our old thoughts. Habits that we have worked so hard to unlearn and undo start tempting us. And that’s where the test lies. We can succumb and sink back into familiarity or we can rise. Rise above all the noise. Rise above our own selves. Rise above these moments that question who we are and who we want to be. Let’s keep our eyes up. Our chests proud and always, always remember those WHY’s. They belong to us and they will guide us in the right direction. // 📷 by @jamiemaephotography and is of one of my biggest WHY’s.
First thing Eliana says when she wakes up is “I wanna see Emilia.” And every morning Emilia’s face lights right up as soon as she sees & hears her big sister. Watching these two interact does something to the heart that I almost can’t handle 💕.
HONEY HIBISCUS BODY SCRUB ||. I’ve got a few people at home that I could spoil tomorrow for Valentine’s Day but I’m going to be honest....I’ll be spoiling myself the most. I give so much to my loves and I deserve the same respect, ya feel me? . I shared my favourite DIY scrub with @thebodybook. It’s the perfect recipe for this long ass winter. It exfoliates and moisturizes at the same damn time-yep, it’s that good. It’s super simple to make and it’s a treat and a half after a long day. Pamper whoever you want tomorrow but guys, don’t forget yourselves. Get this Honey Hibiscus scrub recipe over @thebodybook blog-link is in their profile. Check out the “Beauty & Fashion category.”
NAME CHANGE ||. I could write a very long winded caption on this but I won’t. . The thing is, I am “nutty” for nutrition. But I also love and stand for a million other things. It has been awhile since I’ve outgrown the handle name and now more than ever feels like the right time to make the shift. My content will NOT change. I’ll still post, story, and talk about the same shit I always do. . And the answer to everyone’s burning question is yes, you can still call me Nutty 😜. // 📷 by @jamiemaephotography
I’m in a slow pace right now. It feels great after being in a very fast pace for a few weeks. I’m in transition and I’m on track. There are many things I could talk about but I don’t have the energy to. This happens a lot. It’s why I post so inconsistently. I find I have a week or two where I overload my account with words, emotions, thoughts, and questions. And after that unload, I rest. I rest my mind and my body. . This cycle is natural to me. It’s authentic. When I force a caption, the response usually reflects that. I’m lucky in the sense that I don’t consider myself a “brand.” Im not trying to sell anything so the pressure to keep up with all number games that is social media, doesn’t overwhelm me. Do my numbers suffer? Yep, no doubt they do. But again, I’m just here to be me. And to be inspired by you being you. . All this say thanks for letting me go through my own cycles of motivation to share. A lot of what I do touch on is heavy. It comes from a place buried deep in my heart and soul. To release it is therapeutic for me. And rest should always follow a phase of healing whether it’s through realizations, acceptances, and/or surrenders. // 📷 by @jamiemaephotography
In light of recent events, I wanted to share a post I wrote awhile ago for @thebodybook. With my recent announcement of returning back to work as a Registered Massage Therapist I have had so many uplifting DM’s. Some are full of interest, best wishes, and some have been messages of regret that we don’t live in the same city! Trust me, I wish I could treat you all. But because I can’t, I’ll give you the next best thing: this blog post. . It covers everything you need to know on how to get the most out of your massage treatments. This post is great for those who haven’t yet tried massage therapy and for those who have yet to find their dream therapist. There are many things a therapist can and should do for the best interest of the client but there are also many things you can do as a client to ensure you are getting everything you need from us. I cover it all. Let me know what you think-direct link is in my profile. *My favourite tip and the one I find most important is the third. // Photo by @mountainroseherbs.
My emotions at home have been all over the place knowing that I’ve chosen to go back to work part-time. . Sometimes I feel as if I’m counting down the days until I can start. Being home with an energetic toddler and a baby is a lot. We don’t get out too much because I have anxiety heading out with just the two of them alone so day trips usually include just going to my moms or another friend’s place for a play date. Winters are cold and long. So after a long day I can hear myself thinking “how many days until I start work?” Obviously, guilt tries to sit on my heart every time this happens. Sometimes I’m not strong enough to shut it out but I always try to remind myself of the facts and it helps. . When I’m not itching to start work, I’m doing the opposite and smothering my kids to death. Knowing I’ll be seeing less of them is hard to accept sometimes. I love watching them grow as individuals and as sisters. It’s the biggest honour to be able to witness and guide these little beings. I try to make every moment count because I know I can’t ever get them back. . I’m also not even sure I’ve had much of a chance to process all of my mixed emotions. We’ve been so busy! Everyday I have been tackling checkpoints on my to do list, going to bed too late, somehow still exercising, and cooking. If you are asking yourself how and what gave-the answer was social media 😜 (and it feels amazing). . All in all, the feelings that come out on top each and everyday are excitement, readiness, confidence, and faith. This is the right move and not just for me, for the whole family. We. Cannot. Pour. From. Empty. Cups. 🙌🏻. . Listen. Staying home full time with kids is HARD. Having no choice but to go back to work is HARD. And choosing to go back to work is HARD. There’s no easy path in parenthood but at the end of the day-we got this.
A few months ago I wrote a blog post on not having a clue what I wanted to do and be, professionally. It had been weighing me down for years since I’ve been battling this question for my whole life. This past year, I finally learned to let it go. I came to peace with the fact that I haven’t yet found my professional passion. I realized that it’s ok to NOT have a plan. And I immediately felt all the weight come off my shoulders. . One month ago I decided I was ready to pursue something part-time. This threw me for a loop since I thought I’d be staying home full time for a lot longer yet. But life did what it does best and challenged my “plan.” I felt ready for more. I feel ready for me. So I started exploring options. Cafe baristas, greenhouse worker, farmers market fun, etc. And suddenly the most obvious option (that I had previously written off) ignited the biggest spark. Massage therapy. I was an RMT for a decade before going on my extended mat leave. At the time of leaving, I felt ready for a change and decided I would do something different when I did return to work. And for some reason, it came back to me-clear as crystal. . From this unexpected calling to return back to work and my unexpected exploration of returning back to massage-it’s been full force coming into play. Nothing has happened faster. And nothing has ever felt so right for me. It’s clear that I’m heading in the right direction. This is what I need to be doing to get to my next step, whatever that will be. . I’m excited. I’m motivated. I’ve been hustling everyday to make this all happen for March 1st. All this to say don’t take plans too seriously. I stressed over figuring out a professional plan. I planned to stay home longer. And when I finally decided it was ok to NOT have a plan, voila-the most unexpected outcome arose almost immediately. Relax and breathe. Our time will come when it’s meant to. We can’t force these things. I repeat, we can’t force these things. // 📷 is from @thenowmassage in LA. Please go for me because this place looks SO dreamy and it’s a tad too far from me.
#MOMTRUTHS GIVEAWAY ||. By sharing we are able to lead a community. A community where struggles are supported, all good things are celebrated, and there’s always that constant reminder that we are truly never alone. Sharing allows us to cleanse our souls, speak for those who cannot, and inspire others along the way. By sharing we honor truths. . Social media is a great way to express parenthood. But it’s not all smiles in clean and pressed white outfits. It’s also not all dark and depressing. It’s bittersweet, it’s moments of defeat interrupted with moments of pride. It’s a lot of learning and in the hardest ways possible. It’s poo explosions and giggle fests. It’s total meltdowns followed by memories that we will cherish forever. I share everything that I do to keep reality alive in our digital, editable age. I share for myself as much as I do for others. And I’m inspired to do so every time I read a caption full of lively truth. The more I realize I’m not alone in this journey, the more I want you to know that you are also not alone. . Mom friends, @catandnat have made huge strides using social media to fully express parenthood. The good, the bad, the sad, the ugly, and always the funny. They always know what we as parents, need to hear. I’m thrilled to have the chance to giveaway a pair of tickets to their #momtruths tour. They will be doing what they do best in Winnipeg on Thursday, April 25th. For a chance to win a pair of tickets, simply-. . Be following both @catandnat and I. Like this photo. Tag anyone you’d love to bring to the show (each separate comment with a tag counts as an entry). The giveaway will end this Saturday at 9pm, CST.
7 MONTHS ||. A week late but hey, it still counts. . Honestly, I don’t even know how to begin trying to explain what this girl has brought me. Lately I have been reminiscing about my post-partum period after I had my firstborn. I honestly didn’t know how far off from myself I had gotten. It was as if I was numb. I definitely wasn’t living- I was just surviving. And I can only see this now because I’m currently living a post-partum life so opposite of that. . I was straight terrified for adding another child to the family. I constantly stressed over juggling schedules, love, attention, and time, etc. And not long after Emilia was born I was surprised to learn that we were all ok. We were better than ok. I was better than I had been in a long ass time. The level of respect I have for myself is at its highest peak. It feels as if I have risen and I’m finally living life again. My post-partum circumstances after having both girls couldn’t be more opposite and that plays a huge role. However I am also putting into action everything I’ve learned along the way. Honouring and fulfilling my needs and desires. Constantly working on shutting out that external (and internal) noise. And just letting loose about things that don’t need to be so strict (which is a lot fyi 😉). . 7 months and a week ago I gave birth to this beautiful girl full of smiles. And at the same time, the best version of myself was also created. The love and gratitude cannot be measured.
It’s been a minute, hey? Well hi, I’m here. The truth is I’m planning for some upcoming changes (real life ones not online ones). I’ve been busy mapping out my next move as an individual while mastering that whole rolling with the punches thing that parents have to do at the same time. . I’ve done and will do a few things I just never thought I would in my personal season of motherhood with two young girls. I’ve made decisions that weren’t easy but that were and are SO right. These decisions aren’t made lightly but are made by following a clear instinct coming from within. There’s been bouts of clarity where the answers have hovered around the corners of my mind for days. Weeks even. I pushed back for awhile, hesitating. But when I finally followed the path my instincts were leading me to all along, everything fell into place so smoothly. Stresses sank. Anxiety fled. All that was left was a sense of rewarding freedom. . Had I made my decisions based on what I knew and know others will think-I’d still be sitting on that fence teetering back and forth. And had I let the fact that these decisions were unplanned and not the path I had originally envisioned, I’d also still be sitting on that fence. Battling judgements against myself and the (fear of) judgements from others. . I feel like everyday presents us parents with an opportunity to choose what is best for our families. And I know that everyday, instincts are crushed because of fear. Sometimes it’s days, weeks, months, or years. Sometimes we grow old and look back wishing we followed the paths our own selves were trying to lead us to. So forget what everyone else will think or MIGHT think. Thanks but no thanks Aunt Susan, I got this. Thanks but no thanks the friend of my mom’s friend whom I’ve never met that lives across the country and makes her scrambled eggs in the microwave. And thanks but no thanks, self. I got this. Get the fuck off my fence because I’m about to jump over it. . So here’s to making hard decisions but making the right ones. The ones that make you and your family happiest and healthiest. And here’s to embracing change and understanding the fact that we are all faced with it. Respect.
It’s National Spouse Day and not that I need an excuse to post about him, it’s a good one. This man is everything and I’ve never felt so much love and support from anyone else. He encourages me to get out and do things I enjoy doing, he pushes me out of my comfort zones, he shares all duties as a parent, rocks bedtime solo so I can get out of the house in the evenings, teaches my kids Spanish, makes better pancakes than I do, and values cleanliness as much as I do (okay more than I do lol). We naturally always fall on the same page when it comes to the big futuristic goals and we make such a good team. His smile is also radiant and he looks incredible in a pair of jeans.

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It's OK to not have a Plan
It's OK to not have a Plan
about a month ago

I am 33 years old and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. And I am finally okay with it. It bothered me for years that I was living a life without “purpose” or so it seemed. It affected me so deeply because I grew up with your typical millennial mindset. I believed that happiness should always triumph a paycheck.

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"Autumn's Up" Pumpkin Smoothie

October 23, 2014 in Smoothies, Breakfast, Snack

I would try and fight the ongoing stereotype of every “white girl” being in love with fall but I can’t since for me, that stereotype rings to be true. It’s the season where we obsess over everything pumpkin and indulge in a few Starbucks seasonal beverages. I was wanting to get my pumpkin on ever since our first cooler day hit but I kept forgetting to buy some because I never marked it on my list. So instead everyone teased me day after day with all of their eager pumpkin making madness until I finally caved and ran to the store just for pumpkin alone.

I stocked up on several cans of the ever so popular seasonal star and I will most definitely be experimenting with different recipes. One of my goals is to master a gluten free, dairy free, and egg free pumpkin pie. A baked one. I’ve tried a couple raw pumpkin pies in the past and they were good, but they did not carry the “100% amaze balls” factor. Anyways, stay tuned for that…In the meantime, sip on this creamy, pumpkin smoothie that I’ve created with inspiration from Angela aka Oh She Glows at www.ohsheglows.com. Cheers and “Autumn’s Up!”-from the fall loving, pumpkin errthang white girl.

Photo taken by www.simplychicphotography.com

Photo taken by www.simplychicphotography.com

"Autumn's Up" Pumpkin Smoothie                                            

*Yields 1 large smoothie

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup soaked cashews (so ¼ cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 6 hours)
  • ½ cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
  • 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. molasses
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. maca powder (optional)
  • ¼ tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
  • ½ cup of crushed ice

Garnish:

  • Coconut whipped cream

  • Pure maple flakes
  • Maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Blend all smoothie ingredients together in a blender until you have reached a creamy, velvety texture.
  2. Pour into glass of your choice and garnish however your little heart desires!

 

Tags: Glutenfree, Grainfree, Dairyfree, Vegan, Plant-based, Vegetarian, Paleo
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