Self Care

My mom comes over once a week so I can go to the gym/pool, go grocery shopping, get my lashes done or in some cases all in the same day. Today I went solo grocery shopping, which if you know being a mom is a form of self care just to have that time to yourself. Then I stopped in and did a 2075 meter swim and it felt ridiculously good as it’s been over 2 weeks since I went for a good swim. Then I stopped in for a lash appointment.

I have been getting lash extensions on and off for the past couple of years with my longest bout being 15 months straight of fills. I know a lot of people are apprehensive about getting them done because it’s your eye area, and people are worried about ruining their eyelashes. I had them for over a year and my eyelashes have been totally fine. However I do know people who it has affected their eye lashes. The good thing about eye lashes is they grow back and eventually you’ll get a new cycle of lashes so sometimes you just need to take a good break in between. I also recommend seeing a trained professional, someone who specializes in eye lashes and who works with the best quality ingredients and glues. That makes a big difference in how nice and long your lash extensions will last.

I get my lash extensions done from MacKenzie at Delong Lashes. I have been seeing her for a couple months now but I used to see Kate who previously worked for MacKenzie and now has her own business she runs, Willow and Oak. I would 110% recommend either of these girls if you are looking for Lash Extensions in Winnipeg.

I went in for my 3 week fill with MacKenzie and she suggested I try the Mad Hippie skin care line. She suggested the exfoliating serum and I am very excited to try it out. This year is all about skin scare because we are not getting any younger. I will let y’all know the results.

I know a lot of moms might lose themselves as they get so engrossed in their roles as a mom. I was lucky enough to know right off the bat how important self care and me time is. Even if it’s just a face mask, 10 minutes of mindfulness and watching my favourite show. But it also means that I like to get lash extensions, and so what if I do? Every mom, and woman deserves that time and to feel beautiful so don’t feel bad ladies.

xoxo,

Kari

Mixed Hybrid Lashes done by MacKenzie at Delong Lashes

Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum

Full "Snow" Moon in Virgo

Full moon rising
It will be at it’s peak tomorrow morning around 8:47am

In less than 24 hours we will be experiencing a full Virgo supermoon. Often referred to as a Snow moon because February is often the coldest and snowiest month of the year. A supermoon is the rare phenomenon where the moon appears larger in the sky due to it’s closeness to the earth (the perigee). Due to the closeness of the perigee and the full moon being 6 hours apart this will be the biggest supermoon for the next several years. The next biggest supermoon will be in 2026 so you will definitely want to step out at some point and check her out in all her glory.

Virgos are some of the hardest working in the zodiac. They are incredibly analytical, organized and productive. You will feel an emphasis on work and possibly even your health and fitness regimen. You will be feeling the productive vibes for sure and if you have any virgo in your chart that ambitious energy is going to kick into overdrive even more than it already is. The energy could knock you over however if you are not prepared at all and not feeling it.

Have an idea for work that you were planning on pitching or working on? Now is the time to do it. Take down a project that you have been putting off. Haven’t been to the gym in a couple weeks because that “new year new me” has worn off? Use this energy to get back into your fitness routine.

As always with full moons cycles may be ending and it is a good time to let go of what no longer serves you. Light will be shed on things that have been kept in the dark, secrets may be revealed. And even though Virgo is more analytical than emotional, emotions will still be more heightened and intense. Stay grounded as always and be weary of emotional outbursts.

There are several other astrological events that are happening today and in the next few days and weeks that coincide with this full moon that are going to make significant changes and impacts. Get ready for a flood of whole new energies. I will talk about the different transits under my astrology page if you’re further interested in learning about what is going on in our skies.

I will be dedicating a daily blog to the full moon every month. So stay tuned for more insight into why you can be acting so wild and out of character. I guarantee the moon or some other astrological event is the culprit. Another useful tidbit of info is most women either ovulate or get their period on the full moon. This can add to the craziness or else help in any accidental pregnancies. Make sure to wrap it up during the full moon if you’re trying to avoid that lol. And as always happy full moon friends.

xox

Kari

Toddler and Baby Approved Meals - Week #2 of February

I take great pride in the fact that my 3 year old is not picky at all and will basically eat anything I put in front of him. He loves an assortment of raw and cooked vegetables and he will eat any kind of fruit. It is not hard for me to get him to eat more than his daily limit of fruits and veggies. He also loves breads, cheese, yogurt, pasta, rice, most forms of chicken, and many forms of meatless meats. He also has no problem eating vegan yogurts and cheeses and I try to give him a combination because I prefer to eat vegan a few times of the week but we always have both because I do still eat some meat and dairy and my husband is not interested in eating vegan at all. I feel like Jaxson would be more than happy to eat vegan or vegetarian at the very least if I was 100% committed, however that’s not always the situation. But I do believe that every little bit counts.

Ash has recently started eating anything and everything. It took him a fair amount of time to be interested in food. Jaxson started eating almost everything by the time he was 4.5 months. He wanted food at an early age so I assumed Asher would be the same. But not until about month 7 was he really interested, before then he would stick the food out of his mouth with his tongue, or else not even open his mouth for the spoon. But in the past few weeks especially he wants to eat everything!! It’s amazing. The kid is just like his brother, and I hope that introducing foods the way I have will help him to be as open minded about food as his brother is.

I do a combo of baby lead weaning and purées with both of the boys. Obviously Jaxson eats 3 meals a day and multiple snacks now, but Ash eats about 1 pouch of Love Child Organic purées along with multiple types of food that are soft and small enough to eat on his own. Bread, puffs, baby Cheetos, shredded cheese, mushy and cut up pieces of fruits and veggies. Anything small and soft enough I will give him to eat. I also just recently introduced vegan yogurt and will also introduce regular yogurt soon as well. Asher was mostly on bottles and now he is down 1 bottle since introducing more and more foods.

I do take pride in feeding my little guys and the fact that they always enjoy moms home cooking. I would like to show off some of my meals but not every day, as some days we eat leftovers or have take out. But once a week I would like to dedicate a blog to some of my favourite meals that I make for the boys.

Today Jaxson had toast and strawberries for breakfast. He had cereal with vanilla soy milk as a second breakfast (yes he normally eats two breakfasts lol). He then had a banana and some goldfish.

Ash drinks bottles still so he had a bottle, some cut up strawberries and some oat puffs for breakfast.

I decided I would make all of us vegan grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. I used Daiya Cheddar Style slices on City Rye Bread with vegan butter. I’ve tried Daiya’s stuff before and they must have changed the formula because it is SO good! I definitely could make a switch with these slices. They melt just like regular cheese and tastes very similarly to real cheddar. I definitely recommend these slices if you’re trying to make a little change or transition fully. Both of my kids loved the grilled cheese, yes the baby even ate 1/4 of a piece in bite sized pieces. I paired it with grape tomatoes and greek style vegan yogurt with chia seeds for added protein.

Look at that melty vegan cheese! Daiya Cheddar Style slices I bought from Safeway.

Jaxson usually will either snack on veggie straws or goldfish all through out the day. Asher had a bottle after his nap. For dinner I decided to make some vegan smoked sausage, curly fries, roasted broccoli and broccoli tots. I knew Jaxson would love everything as he’s eaten all of these things numerous times and I knew the French Fries and broccoli tots would be soft and easy enough for Asher to try out. So I made a plate full for Jaxson and he ate everything except some straggling French Fries. Asher had a few little bites of the tots and fries and absolutely loved it! he also finished his purée pouch and had a couple bites of avocado and mango. After eating he ate 3/4 of a bottle before bed. The kid likes to eat. None of his clothing fits him suddenly. He is definitely going through a growth spurt.

McCain’s Curly Fries, Green Giant Broccoli tots, roasted broccoli with garlic, smoked paprika and all purpose seasoning, Tofurky smoked “turkey” sausages

Small pieces of tots and fries, Love Child Organics apples, spinach, kiwi and broccoli purée, frozen avocado and mango pieces thawed from fridge

Asher went to sleep after finishing his last bottle for the day and Jaxson and I stayed up and watched Finding Nemo. He had grapes, a gingersnap cookie and the rest of his goldfish. He also drank several ounces of water. That kid loves and drinks water just as much as me. And that’s just a couple of ideas of what you would like to feed your baby or toddler. Especially if you are looking for ideas for a more plant based lifestyle because we ate 100% vegan today which is usually a weekly goal of mine to do a couple times a week. Hope you enjoy my suggestions!

xoxo,

Kari