Our Newest Himalayan Salt Lamp! + daily GREEN smoothie

Hi there! 

As you know, I was ecstatic when my mother bought me my very first Himalayan Salt Lamp for Christmas. I had been researching their health benefits for quite some time and couldn't stop talking about them. We use Himalayan salt as our "table salt" for cooking and so when I learned about the lamps, I was so excited to get one. 

The one my mom bought me is large and I love it! Since I've been using it, I've noticed a difference in the overall energy of our home. I keep it on all day long in the living room and move it to our bedroom in the evening for Mark and myself to enjoy. 

My mother bought mine at HomeGoods. It came as a free standing lamp without a box or any information so I had no idea where to purchase another when that time came. As we all know, HomeGoods is great and all but not consistent with their products as they are always getting new, different items in. I have yet to ever see one of these lamps in there and there all the time...

Well, good news! I found a great company and now have a perfect sized Himalayan Salt Lamp for our daughter's room! I am so happy because I needed a smaller lamp for her room to use as a night light as well as the additional, health benefits that a Himalayan Salt Lamp gives naturally and a traditional nightlight does not. 

Luckily, this great company I came across called YourSaltLamps.com sends their salt lamps with instructions on how to care for it, details on the benefits of salt lamps, and instructions for bulb replacement if needed down the line! That's good news if you're a first time Himalayan Salt Lamp owner! Like I said, I didn't have that information the first time around and had to search the internet for the first lamp I received. 

Here are some pictures so you can see the approximate size of the Mini Himalayan Salt Lamp that I received. Since Ava is napping, I took it out of her room to take these photos. It is great in her room for the amount of light it gives. 

(I had the overhead light on in this room and the iphone contrast makes it look very bright but it has a warmer glow than in these two next photos.)

I wish I would have known about Himalayan Salt Lamps earlier on so that I would have had one in the nursery from the start! 

If you are not familiar with them... here is why it was no brainer for me to own some when I did some research: 

 "Millions of years ago, the present day subcontinents of India and Eurasia collided, elevating the ocean beds high into the air, creating the Himalayan Mountains. Salt crystal from the ocean beds remained trapped deep in the cavernous depths of the Himalayan Mountains for centuries." 

"The effects of Himalayan salt lamps are reported to be similar to those of ionizers. Natural salt lamps permeate their surroundings  with negative ions. Negative ions are believed to kill bacteria, purify the air, reduce radiation, increase well-being and soothe the mind, body and soul. The ionization from salt lamps is reported to relieve fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, bronchial cold, ADHD, burns, allergies, sinus, eczema, and emphysema."

"No two salt lamps or natural salt products will ever be alike. They naturally contain veins, cracks, and striations." 

This is information was provided by YourSaltLamps.com


Not only do I love my new salt lamp that my 14month old daughter will benefit from in her own room, but I am happy to have also found a great company to purchase future lamps from for family and friends of ours. 

It gives such a warm, soothing glow that just makes our home feel tranquil and serene. See? 

Their customer service is also wonderful and quick to deliver their carefully, packaged products! 

As shown on their website, shipping is free in the continental US! (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

I highly recommend them and look forward to learning about other holistic health items that they offer. 

Don't worry, I'll keep you posted as I always do!  ;) 

And last but not least: Today's green smoothie!

I must say, it was quite tasty! One of my friends messaged me and said she uses lemon in her juices/smoothies. 

Yes! ALWAYS use lemon if you have it! It is alkalizing for the body! 

Of course, I forgot to buy my bag of organic lemons last time I was at Whole Foods so I'm doing without until I shop again. 

Don't forget your raw greens today! I also hope that you will look into getting yourself or someone you love a beautiful and beneficial Himalayan Salt Lamp. 

XO

Christina 

Our Family Pictures Are Here!!! + daily GREEN smoothie

I cannot stop looking at these pictures! I love them!

 Not only did they come out great but I am reminded over and over again just how blessed I am. 

Hope you like them as much as I do! 

(For family members that would like to print any of these, I can email you the website where you can save them to your computer for free. Just let me know! XO) 

Thank you, Erica from So You by Erica Sue

You did a great job!

And last but not least... Today's green smoothie! 

Get your raw greens in today, friends! 

Morning Cuteness + Green Smoothies

This morning has been full of cute moments:

My favorite so far was when Ava learned how the horse says "naaay!" 

She is repeating me when she sees her horse puzzle piece and says "naaay!"

I couldn't get enough and know her horse-loving "Nonna" (grandma) will love it.

She also took 2 whole steps last night!!!! 

About 5 min before Mark got home from work, I made her bedtime bottle. She was standing and holding onto her changing table when she saw me holding her bottle...

She let go and walked two steps toward her bottle in excitement and then fell to her speed crawling.

It's only a matter of time now, people! 

(I'm secretly fearing for her walking because I know it will be more like (running) away) 

She is also trying to put her own shoes on now which is pretty cute to watch. 

This was yesterday's smoothie. It was delish!!!! 

I used:

Half of one of the rainbow chard leaves (they're huge!)

2-3 celery stalks

half an apple

 those frozen mango pieces 

a thumb sized of the ginger root(peeled) a tbsp of chia seeds

I always add some water to help my hand blender out- and blend it up! Easy, peasy. 

Happy Tuesday! 

Healthy Habit: Daily Green Smoothies {+Resolution Update}

Happy Hump Day!

Today has been a fun morning. Ava and I played, danced, and sang at mommy&me class. We also made this...

Our little pot of gold :) She is so talented.

After mommy&me class this morning, we came home and I started preparing daily green smoothie. 

One of my friends requested that I do a green juice/smoothie post: here ya go! :)

Today I used: 

Big handful of Kale, 1/2 apple, juice from 1/2 a lemon, thumb sized of peeled ginger root, some water = blend. 

(By the way, I do not use a traditional blender or juicer. I use a simple, hand blender. Clean up is easier and faster for me this way. 

The one I have is similar to this one below in the link provided, but about mine is about 3 years older since I got it around our wedding.)

click > Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-75 Hand Blender

If you like info graphics, here is one to help guide you at the grocery store:

   

Credit: MindBodyGreen.com

And sometimes if I am running low on fresh fruits/veggies, I pull out my supply of organic, frozen fruits...

I buy them at Whole Foods and they are easy and inexpensive to always have on hand.

My publix (Palm Aire location) recently started carrying these bags of Kale. I love it because it is all Kale (not a kale mix) and it's huge! I think I only paid like $2.50 for it too! That is my green base for the whole week! 

I usually mix up my greens from kale to baby spinach to rainbow chard to celery... I don't distcriminate. Plus, it's great to switch it up for your body so that you get the different benefits of each kind. 

Also, remember to peel your ginger root (if you want to use a powerhouse, health ingredient!)

You can't really mess it up...have fun with it. 

 If it tastes a little too green for your liking, add a banana or some berries to sweeten it up. 

Either way, you will get a ton of nutrients that your body isn't getting in processed foods, fast food, etc. 

Eat your whole, nutrient dense foods- and/or drink them! 

{And I'll be honest...I have my moments where I eat something that I know is not good for me, but I also know that I have given my body really great nutrition with my daily smoothie.  

 Imagine those who eat processed junk all day and don't eat or drink anything raw and nutrient-dense. You wonder how their body is even functioning. Chances are those people are tired, sick, and grumpy more often. 

Keep those raw greens and other fruits and veggies in your daily diet - trust me, you'll notice a difference and your immune system, skin, hair, nails, digestion, mood, (and baby - if you're expecting!) will thank you. 

 (I say "raw" because raw = more health benefits. When you cook your veggies, for example, you are killing some of the nutrition with the high heat.)

Any veggie is better than none, but if you can get some raw ones in each day - the better! 

*Prevention is key. Kill disease and illness from your body before it starts forming or before it can progress. Let food be thy medicine.*

P.S.

If you love chips and you haven't tried these yet...

Do it. You'll love them. 

Mark and I keep these on hand at all times for something crunchy. 

The green bag is also great. I think it's a jalapeño flavor. Publix does a great job of keeping them on sale often. 

I am doing well with my new year's resolution of keeping clutter free of "heavy things and people" in my life. The cleaning out of our closets, junk drawers, night stand tables, storage, etc. have been ongoing. I did this all the time in college when I felt stressed or overwhelmed with something. I was always throwing something out.

Now, I call the Vietnam Veterans of America and they come and pick up our donated items on the day we choose. So easy!!! Pus, I feel better that it is going to them rather than Goodwill which I am not a fan of. 

I also find myself saving my free time for family and close friends rather than keeping in touch with acquaintances all the time. Plus, I notice I am happier when my circle is smaller. Becoming a mother has definitely taught me to use my time and energy wisely and on those who love and appreciate me the most. 

How are you doing on your resolutions ? 

XO

Christina 

Snapshots of Today {Thursday 1/16/14}

These are actually yesterday's events... {a late post}

On Thursdays, Ava and I usually drive down to Miami for the day to visit my grandparents. My grandma wasn't feeling too well because she was having tremendous back pain. 

Since our plans had been postponed, Ava and I decided to go to Barnes & Noble.  I wanted to find my grandfather a book in Spanish and I also needed to pick up a new calendar for myself to keep Ava's busy schedule in order ;) 

Before we did our shopping, I took Ava up to the kid's area. 

Ava had fun playing with the train set that was in there.

I'm starting to think I need to get something like this table...

Then she spotted the colorful, stuffed animals! 

My favorite moments are when Ava finds a toy (or anything really) that she likes. She SQUEALS in excitement! Thank goodness this wasn't a library. 

Pure joy 

Meeting a friend. I think Ava was more excited to meet him than he was of her. 

She loves books. At home, I'll find her on the floor flipping through pages as if she's reading. Her favorite books are the ones with the buttons on the side of the book that make sounds for the story. 

She makes the "wow face" when she hits the buttons and then flips the page.  

Found Minnie Mouse on her own.  Ava is a fan apparently.

I found exactly what I needed! A"Do It All Mom" magnetic calendar (and it comes with a ton of stickers for events! Eeeee!) Oh, the things that excite me as a mom...

:) Did I mention planners and calendars are 50% off at Barnes & Noble?! 

Well, that's what we did on our chilly Thursday.  

Today, we are visiting Ava's "Nana" (Mark's mom). Tomorrow is her birthday! :) 

And then if my grandma is feeling better, we will drive straight to Miami after that... 

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday and a great weekend. 

XO

Christina 

{Ava is wearing Janie&Jack }