Mothering with Mindfulness Sponsor - Nayla Natural Care

Today I would like to introduce you to one of my April sponsors Gwen Leron of Nayla Natural Care.

Tell us a little about how Nayla Natural Care came to be.

At one point when my children were smaller than they are now, we found ourselves buying the natural and organic products we needed from multiple places. Online, neighborhood stores, stores across the city. It became tiresome, so I decided I wanted to start my own store carrying all of the wonderful things we use so they would be available in one spot and hopefully make things easier for parents in the same shoes as we were.

Being a mama, a business owner and a wife, among other titles I am sure, how do you find balance?

Balance for me comes in waves. It never lasts long, and truthfully, I don’t think that there will ever be balance. I just go with the flow and make sure that no matter what, my family comes first.

If you could share one bit of advice about starting up your own business what would it be?

Ask questions! If you know someone else who has done what you want to do, seek their advice. Do your research before you jump in and after you have started up, the rewards will come, be patient.

What product in the Nayla Natural Care line up is your favourite right now?

Wow, there are so many to choose from! Everything in the store was carefully chosen for a specific reason, so they are all favourites. What I am using the most right now though is my Crazy Rumors Lip Balms. My kids love them, I love them and my customers love them. I carry 16 yummy flavours such as orange creamsicle, black cherry and plum peppermint. With flavours like those, they are easy to love.

You have a free day, no plans, what do you do with it?

I’d say sleep in, but it has been so long, I don’t know if my body remembers how to do that J I’d definitely use it for family time.

Would you like to share an eco friendly tip with us?

Going green can be a daunting task for someone just starting out. I would say to start slow, read as much as you can and understand what is in the products you are buying. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask the store you are buying from. If they know their products, they will have the answers you need.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with us. It was wonderful getting to know you a little better Gwen.

You can connect with Nayla Natural Care a few ways:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

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Gwen is generously offering all Mothering with Mindfulness readers a 10% discount 

to Nayla Natural Care. Use the discount code: mwm412 until April 30, 2012 to order 

high quality, non toxic, organic and natural products.  

Please note: discount code is not valid for the purchase of gift certificates.

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

The Robins

They’re back.

The robins.

Singing us early morning tunes.

We listen to their friendly spring time hellos.

Then we watch...

They bathe in the cool morning water in the bird bath.

They get reacquainted with our yard.

And then the magic...

On the ground; picking up pieces of grass, leaves and mulch.

In the air; flying with their treasures into a tree.

In the tree; working with passion and joy creating the perfect nest.

We are taken in.

We carefully sneak in for a peek.

Mama robin watches from a distance.

We leave little bowls of yarn, fabric scraps and dryer lint.

 

She carefully and very trustingly sweeps down and grabs a piece of yarn.

Back to the tree.

Working meticulously.

We continue to watch.

We wait in anticipation for those lovely little blue eggs and then...

The sound of baby robins, chirping quietly at first and then a little louder with each passing day.

We will keep watching from afar.

We are mesmerized.

It's magical.

Yarn Along

Well, the vest is done!! And I love it. It is perfect for me and I am really happy with how well it turned out.  

Now that it is finished I have decided to get started on a little, I hate to say it...Christmas knitting. I casted on another hat, using the same pattern I used for Reece’s hat last month. It is a pattern from Easy Knits for Kids. The first time around I had a few issues with the pattern, this time, so far, it is clear sailing. Let’s hope it stays that way. The picture makes the colour of the yarn look similar to the yarn I used for Reece's hat, but it really isn't. It is a lovely shade of purple, which will look amazing with my niece Madison's cool blue eyes.

One the reading front, I am just finishing up Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves, which I am really enjoying, and I dove into my doula training manual this week. Reading the first few chapters and doing the first few assignments has reaffirmed my decision to journey on this path. It is going to be one exciting journey.

What are you reading and knitting this week.

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Linking up with Nicole over at Frontier Dreams for Keep Calm Craft On

Linking up with Ginny over at Small Things for Yarn Along.

Me Too

Me: “I love you Reece.”

Reece: “Me too.”

Lately, this is the response that meets me when I tell Reece that I love him. 

It melts my heart.  

 I am not sure how it came to be, but I truly love it 

and am grateful every time I hear it.

A Family Walk

We walk, pretty much, every day as a family. We leash up Shelby and head out to explore, to see what changes in nature have occurred and to just breath in fresh, country air.

Last week with a dog staying with us for the week, our walks included not just one, but two dogs. It always makes things a little more interesting when Pebbles is with us.  First all, Reece loves Pebbles, and loves to walk with her. And second, the country is so new to Pebbles, who lives in the city.  She loves being in the country and especially loves coming on our family walks.

Pebbles

Reece and Pebbles - He loves her so much!

Rocks mama, can you put them in your pocket?

Look mama, a snail!

Yay, finally some buds on the trees

Our quiet country road

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Linking up with Naturally Crafted Mama for {into nature}

Linking up with Happy Whimsical Hearts for Happy Family Times

Mothering with Mindfulness Sponsor - Good Earth Living

Today I would like to introduce you to one of my April sponsors Laura Emily of Good Earth Living.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I suppose I could say I’m 25, but I feel more like 75. A Baba Yaga of sorts. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, I’m quite literally surrounded by nature and volcanoes which have inched their way into my being. I preach holistic health and honesty, returning to simplicity and the basics. When I’m not tending the fire or flaming the prayers, I’m pretending to be a donkey kong professional with the love of my life, Mr. Husband, the strangest man I’ve ever met. 

When did you start blogging and why?

The current blog I’ve kept up or almost a year now. I write for myself. To reflect and question what is going on in my world. I love sharing those thoughts for the moment when someone says, “me too.” Opens the walls of isolation just a bit further each time; communion with women.

Tell us about your Etsy shop and the wonderful products you sell.

After being sick with what the doctors called an incurable disease for almost five years, I found healing in raw foods and herbs. The last test confirmed that I no longer have such said incurable disease. Thus a passion was lit! Now I grow and create my own herbal remedies that I sell in my Good Earth Living etsy shop. Nature provides us the best; I just repackage it, really. Guiding souls in making the best choices to address their physical and medical needs with nature’s remedies is my passion, and I aim for Good Earth Living to carry that intention in every order.

Of all the products you sell, which is your favourite and why?

Spirulina. Spirulina changed my life, and just about every soul I’ve ever given Spirulina to! Spirulina is the super-food of all super-foods. Just a few capsules in the morning (or sprinkling in your favorite green smoothie recipe) will lend energy and clarity with no crash or side effects. If you’re sick? Take Spirulina. If you’re exhausted? Take Spirulina. If you’re depressed? Yup, Spirulina! It’s a whole food staple- safe and effective. It can be taken with any medication or health related issues. It isn’t just another supplement- it’s a life changer.

You just finished leading a group of woman on a 10 day fast, how was that experience for you? Tell us a little bit about the next fast you are leading?

Fasting pulled me out of the depths of disease, depression, and being without direction- sharing and cultivating that experience with other women was amazing. Women circling together- be it a virtual circle- to support, hear, and work out their own personal soul work together is liberating. It is open to all religions, personal beliefs and intentions for fasting. The next group will be circling in August- when fresh produce is at its peak for juicing. Fasting from all solids is NOT required. You can fast from meat. Fast from television. Fast from all cooked foods. What your fast looks like is up to you- I just provide the group, support and guidance. Registration for the August fast will open up April 15^th and will close July 10^th. More info can be found at my personal blog. 

What is your favourite way to relax and take care of yourself?

I preach it so often, I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing it: a hot bath! I don’t care what the ailment/stress is- I can always afford a hot bath- and it will always help. A salt bath; especially with added herbs and oils to detox, to restore, or to center.

You have a free day, no plans, what do you do with it?

Pull out the fire pit- granted that it’s not raining here in the Pacific Northwest. Our backyard is about twenty acres- a giant meadow circles by evergreens. Sitting by the fire, tending my herbs, and watching the coyotes - this is heaven on earth for me….a quiet slice of solitude and simplicity.

Would you like to share your favourite inspirational quote with us?

"Outside ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field. I'll meet you there." ~ Rumi

Thanks so much for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with us. It was wonderful getting to know you a little better Laura Emily.

You can connect with Laura Emily a few ways:

Her Etsy shop Good Earth Living

Facebook

Her blog 

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Laura Emily has generously offered up one $25.00 gift card to one lucky

Mothering with Mindfulness reader. 

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment , one per person, below. Giveaway is open until Thursday April 19, 2012 at 7pm. I will draw a winner after this time and announce it in this post.

Thanks so much Laura Emily!

And, do stop by her Etsy shop and pick up a little something for yourself for Mother’s Day, you deserve it. Laura Emily is offering a 15% discount on all orders until May 13, 2012 with the code MINDFUL2012. I promise you will love her products.

And the winner is:

Alissa
"i was JUST talking about spirulina! i need some!"

Congratulations Alissa!