7 Yoga Tips for Pregnancy

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There’s no doubt in my mind that yoga helps improve the overall pregnancy experience. I did it consistently throughout my first pregnancy with K-Bear and whole-heartedly attribute my natural (and quick!) labor and delivery to both the physical and mental benefits it provided me. I only wish I have been as dedicated this time around!

Creeping up on the third trimester, I’m determined to practice more regularly. Yoga allows the body to better cope with the inevitable changing hormones and creeping scale. Many yoga practicing, mothers-to-be report that it helps alleviate common discomforts and aches that come with pregnancy. It also helps you learn to let go, listen to your body, and breathe, attributes that come in extremely handy during labor and delivery!

As I embark on a more regular practice in the next three months, I thought I’d share some yoga tips to motivate myself, as well as other prego mammas out there. Continue reading →

A Birthday Letter to Baylor

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We love this new canvas print that hangs on the main floor and makes us smile every day!

We love this new canvas print that hangs on the main floor and makes us smile every day!

Dear Baylor,

Happy birthday, buddy! You would have been 13 today! That’s 91 in human years, and quite an accomplishment. It’s been exactly two weeks since you left this earth for your next adventure, and slowly but surely, we are learning to live life without you.

It’s tough you know. You were by my side since you were just 12 weeks old, a Border Collie/Aussie Shepard/Blue Heeler mix, young and spirited, straight off a ranch in Steamboat. Not so different from me, just 25 and full of the same crazy spirit! I’ll never forget the ride home, you sitting in my lap while I drove, me making a promise to take care of you until the day you died. I’m so happy I was able to keep that promise to you. After all you gave me, how could I not? Graduating first in your puppy class was just the start. Continue reading →

An Eco-Friendly Way to Prevent Moldy Berries

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FreshRaspberriesIt’s that beautiful time of year when our family starts to overdose on berries, yes berries! Those little blue, black and red pints of delight are everywhere in stores and will be popping up at your farmer’s markets before you know it.

Although berries don’t usually stick around in our fridge long enough to grow mold, occasionally it happens, and usually more quickly than I anticipated. But not anymore! Continue reading →

Virtual Vegan Potluck: Raw, Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies

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vvpLOGOWelcome to The Soulicious Life and the bi-annual Virtual Vegan Potluck. I’m thrilled to be participating once again! There are 169 awesome recipes full of inspiration here today. Simply use the forward and back buttons at the bottom of this post to navigate your way through the virtual buffet line and get ready for your mouth to water!

Chocoholics unite and yes, make a better brownie (in six easy steps)!  This recipe is inspired by one I found in Oprah Magazine of all places and it’s a definite keeper. All guilt is replaced by the healthy fats of avocados and the antioxidant power of raw cocao and raw honey! An OMG, are these tasty! Continue reading →

Join Team ENERGY STAR in an EPIC Fight to Protect the Climate

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Epic Team ENERGY STARWhen it comes to living a more eco-friendly existence, simple energy-saving practices were some of the first habits I adopted. To be honest, it goes way back to childhood when my mother - no doubt trying to control the cost of utility bills - was constantly on us to turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights.

Now, I instill those same simple practices in K-Bear. After all molding the next generation’s little brains around energy-saving techniques is never easier than it will be now! Continue reading →

Review: green+glam Shampoo and Conditioner

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GreenGlam2It’s no secret that in my mind – when it comes to health and safety - the bath and beauty products we use are just as important as the food we eat and cleaning products we use. Read: No chemicals. So I was excited for this opportunity to review green&glam shampoo and conditioner, made by a company that claims not to sacrifice performance for the sake of being 100% natural.

After trying many all-natural and organic bath products over the years, I can tell you they are not all created equal. Some are greenwashed, while some that aren’t just don’t make me run to buy them again. This shampoo and conditioner however, makes me want more! Continue reading →

EWG’s 2013 Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen: A Guide to Pesticides in Produce

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FruitBowlWe all know that pesticides on fruits and vegetables are harmful, but knowing which are worse than others can be a challenge. A budget is on nearly everyone’s mind, including my own, and knowing when to go organic and when to skip it can benefit your health as well as your purse.

That’s one of the many reasons I am thankful for the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) annual list of the most pesticide-contaminated produce. Alternatively, they also produce an annual list of the least contaminated produce! Together these guides provide the knowledge you need to determine when organic is a must … or not Continue reading →

Review: Ecocentric Mom April Baby Box

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April Baby_1Today is a big day. Why? Because we find out the sex of baby #2! I’m nearly keeling over with excitement. Everyone is telling me it’s a boy; we shall see! How some parents can withstand the temptation of knowing whether they are having a boy or a girl I’ll never know. Forget the old-fashioned surprise; we have technology these days and I’m a planner!

Which means as soon as we know boy or girl, I’ll start trading decorating, gathering and, if need be, trading in a whole lot of pink for blue! So I was very excited to receive not one but two Ecocentric Mom boxes in the mail this week. I reviewed the Mom-to-Be Box on Wednesday; today, let’s take a look at the Baby Box.  Continue reading →

Review: Ecocentric Mom April Mom-to-Be Box

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April MomToBe_1Remember I was telling you last week about how I joined the Ecocentric Mom blogger team? My first boxes came Monday and they were packed full of fun!

Let’s talk first about the Mom-to-be Box. The concept in itself of getting a box of fun new things to try related to mommies and babies is enough excitement for any pregnant lady. But pack it full of all-natural, organic, cruelty-free stuff and the “wow” factor skyrockets. I found it so neat to discover new brands and companies doing great things for moms, babies and the planet! Continue reading →