[ 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.

JOIN ME ON INSTAGRAM

DETOX ||. I find I’m extra sensitive and intolerant after I have babies. Who knew 🤷🏻‍♀️. I went through an Instagram rut after having Eliana and here I am again. I’ve been really “over it” lately and definitely need a detox from this addictive platform that isn’t influencing me in the best of ways right now. .

Just out of curiosity, I made a Pro & Cons list for myself in regards to using IG. I had 4 Pros and 8 Cons. All of the cons are self-inflicted. Issues that I have the power to better with a few changes. So I have thought of a few ways to challenge myself to address my personal concerns. I think it’s a better and more therapeutic approach rather than quitting it all together. It’s only been a few days of changes in the making but I already feel so much better. The mental clarity is so rewarding. .

Of course, the biggest factor is TIME. As of lately, time spent on here feels more like time lost. It’s insane how many times I open this app without even realizing it. It’s habit, an automatic reflex. So the most prominent challenge is spending (way) less time here. And the end goal is to make the time I do spend here all about quality. Supporting, engaging, and sharing. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What changes have you made to make this platform a healthy space for you? P.S I love this pic my hubby took of us looking for elephants in the forest 🌳.

This one isn’t a boob girl. For me I actually think it’s a good thing but it definitely sucks (pun intended) for the tired and lazy mama in me. My babies couldn’t be more different if they tried. It keeps me on my toes (literally and figuratively).

The sun is out! Let’s celebrate with this jar of sunshine. Yellow just might be my favourite colour.
.

This blend has got all the goods:
1 ripe banana
1 cup pineapple or mango
¼ cup steamed or boiled cauliflower
½ cup steamed or boiled butternut squash
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tsp. ground flax (optional)
½ Tsp. cinnamon
1-1.5 cup coconut milk or water

Spent the last two days with my girls inside. Moving slow. Recovering from a crazy long thanksgiving weekend. In our pyjamas. Messy bed heads. Playing with cars, animals, and cooking of course. I adore that she adores playing in her kitchen and serving up food all day long. These are the days.

THANKFUL ||.
For my children.
My husband.
My village.
My wisdom.
Experience.
My passions.
My home.
Our opportunities.
Food.
Coffee.
Sunshine.
Long showers.
Dance parties.
My body.
My changes.
My strengths.
And weaknesses.
My past.
My present & future.
90’s radio hits.
Chocolate.
My intuition.
My life.

I hope the novelty never wears off.
Tell me it doesn’t ever get old.
Watching them smile, create, and learn.
Hearing them speak, sing, and count.
Teaching them, guiding them, and taking so much pride in them.
Seeing the connections they make, the way they incorporate their lessons learned.
I find myself clutching my heart as I admire them sometimes.
I beam with pride, love, and light.
They are my little sunflowers.
Watching them grow together and as individuals has been the greatest gift.

RANDOM THOUGHTS ||. Having lost my younger brother at 19 years old, I have always swayed towards the “life is short, live it up” mentality. And this can create some challenges-especially when it comes to finances. Finding that line between total free spirit and security/responsibility has been a struggle for me in the past. Turns out having children makes it a lot easier to prioritize your current and future goals. My husband and I have both built so much strength & character alone within these past couple years. Tuning out all the outside noise and really focusing on the health and happiness of us and OUR family has really made us rise and shine. I’m really proud of us.
.

Emilia is 3 months old and I still have no idea what I’m doing. People ask me for advice or ask “how I do it” (mainly referring to me being a SAHM with both and solo-parenting quite a bit) and there’s no answer haha. She’s becoming a bit more predictable with sleep now but it’s still a gong show. There’s extra TV, snacks, and bribery. GASP! There’s lots of ignoring one or the other. It’s a total hand off of time, attention, and just parenting in general. I feel like it’s a day long relay race where they just tag each other “in” all day long. Lots of experimenting that leads to both success and failed attempts. But I wake up and keep trying because that’s all you can do. One day I’ll figure it all out and laugh because I know that that’s exactly when they’ll change it on me.
.

I have the greatest “Village.” I was always that woman who hated to ask for help or accept it. Pride issues or some shit 😏. But when I was pregnant with Emilia, I told myself to get a grip. Take the damn help. Be supported. Some don’t have this luxurious opportunity, don’t waste it. And my goodness. I’m a different mother, friend, and woman because of it. My village is my lifeline.

VEGETABLE STEW ||. If you need some meal inspiration for the cooler weather, I love sharing this favourite recipe of ours. This is @thecolorfulkitchen’s “Cozy Coconut and dill vegetable stew.” I use lentils instead of chickpeas and swap the dill for any other fresh herbs I have on hand (if not dill). It always turns out incredible. I’ve recommended this dish over and over and whoever has tried it-has thanked me! You’ll also find the recipe in my Fav Recipes highlights.

LEARN MORE HERE

The Latest and Greatest

Batch Cooking: The Better Way to Stock the Freezer Before Baby

Batch Cooking: The Better Way to Stock the Freezer Before Baby

about 6 days ago

Motherhood has taught me many things but one of the most essential skills it has taught me is the art of batch cooking. Prior to having children, I enjoyed taking the time to make fresh meals from scratch every day and savoured the luxury of a varied menu throughout the weeks. Of course now there is just not enough time, or as a 38 week pregnant mama-energy in a day to play gourmet. Thankfully I have learned a few helpful tricks along the way to keep our family fed, healthy, and happy.

"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:

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