Do you have questions about whole foods, handmade beauty products, home remedies, natural health or how to spark your creativity?

Send them to me!

I’m starting a new regular blog post where I’ll answer reader questions.

So let me know your questions, and what you’d like to learn to make!  Leave your questions as a comment on this post, or send them to me via the  contact form.  Look forward to hearing from you soon!

xx

Amanda

Just a quick one to share something that is really important to me.

I want to share this film that I just watched online.  It’s called Hungry for Change, and is available to watch free until the end of March (that’s 4 days!)

Go now and watch it.

Or read a bit more about why I think it’s important, and then watch it tonight.

Here’s the trailer:

What is Hungry for Change about?

Hungry for Change is about why diets don’t work, and what we can really do to improve our health (and lose weight … but more importantly, feel better!).  It talks about the problems in our food & diet industries, common misconceptions about nutrition and how what you eat impacts your health.  Then, it gives you some suggestions for how you can eat better, lose weight, and feel better!

There are interviews with nutrition experts like Dr. Mercola, David Wolfe and Dr. Christiane Northrup.

But really, I recommend this movie because it recommends real, whole, traditional foods.  I truly believe that what we eat defines our health and impacts how we feel.  I think a whole foods diet is the answer.  Let’s eat food that great-grandma would recognize as food.  Eat real, and feel better.  This film is all about that philosophy.

Why should I watch it?

Do you want to feel better? Have more energy? Lose weight? Learn how to truly nourish yourself and your family?

Or just learn more about nutrition and our broken food system?

Then you’ll be interested in this film.

Why are you so into whole foods recently?

I’ve always been into whole foods and the importance of cooking more  for health.

But with my recent effort to reduce refined sugar and my Institute for Integrative Nutrition program, I’ve realized that this is more than a casual interest in food – this whole foods information can help lots of people improve their health!   And that’s what we need right now in the world.

(By the way, if you’re interested in learning more about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and what I think of the program, please send me a message!)

Here’s the link again: Hungry for Change

Go watch it today, and then come back here and let’s have a discussion about it:

What resonated with you?  What surprised you? What changes are you going to make for your own health and wellness?

You know when you have a really long to-do list, and it feels like there just isn’t enough time?

Or when you run across your art/craft/baking supplies and think “I used to enjoy doing that … but I just can’t get inspired to start it again.”

Or when you start to feel worn down and the world is just seeming gray and routine?

That’s when you need an Artist’s Date with yourself.  And that’s just what I did this weekend.

What’s an Artist’s Date?

The concept of an Artist’s Date was created by Julia Cameron, in her classic creativity-unblocking book The Artist’s Way.

Let’s get something clear right away – you do not have to be an artist to take an Artist’s Date.

The idea is to take yourself on a date once per week to “fill the well” of creativity.  Here are the rules:

• You must do the activity alone.  Having anyone else with you will change your behavior, and you want to get in touch with your inner creative!
• The activity should be fun!  Find something that appeals to you and do it.

Happy Friday!

What did you do to nourish yourself this week?

We’re well into the year, no holidays in sight … so how are you taking the time to take care of yourself?

I struggled with nourishment this week.  A hectic travel schedule and no time to go to the grocery store left me eating poorly and feeling frazzled.   I did manage to make a few homemade smoothies and a delicious carrot, coriander (cilantro) and sweet potato soup.  Yum!  I think the blender is my friend when I’m busy!

So this weekend I’m planning a photography-filled Artist’s Date at the seaside and meeting up with friends for lunch.  Time to regroup, refocus and nourish myself for Spring!

And now, some links for the weekend…

• Amazing but true, other people want to make kombucha too.  I have requests from 4 friends for Scobys to start their own batch.  My kitchen counter looks like a science lab.
• As Instagram-obsessed as I am, I still didn’t know all of these tips
• If you’re interested in the food system, diet industry and how that all impacts our health,  Check out this film.  I’m watching it tonight and we can discuss!
• Mmmmm Pho.  Deliciousness and comfort in a bowl.  Or make a version with your homemade chicken stock!
• Great explanation of why parabens in cosmetics are not safe, despite what the FDA says.  Thanks, Sprout!
• Here are 9 more mindful eating tips for you!  Have you tried this yet?

Have a great weekend!

xx

Amanda

Happy Friday!  What a week.  I’ve spent the week in Oslo, Norway – and while it’s always great discovering a new country, I’m looking forward to a weekend of projects at home!  Here are some of my favorite inspirations this week from around the internet…

Put some of your leftover almond pulp in this Green Monster Smoothie

I don’t have kids, but if I did, I would make these ribbon wands. Just like my beloved Get In Shape Girl rhythmic ribbon from the 80s!

I missed this for Valentine’s day, but make some moisturizing and melting bath candy.  Mmmmm luxurious!

Turn an old cashmere sweater into an aromatherapy pillow … I would add essential oils for even more relaxation.

{RANT} Just because diet soft drinks have no calories, it does not mean they are healthy!  Great grandma would not approve.  Thank you.  Need help kicking your soda habit? Contact me.

Since I’m on a nut milk kick, how about making homemade brazil nut milk and turning it into a chai latte? Yes. yes yes.

My very favorite discoveries to creatively inspire your weekend

What a week!  I’m feeling so inspired after my time at the Integrative Nutrition Mega Conference.  If you’re curious about holistic nutrition and want to learn more about the program, please contact me.   Now I’m home, recovering from jet lag, and gearing up for a big weekend in the kitchen!   Here are some of my favorite finds this week from around the internet…

Dye some yarn with Kool Aid.  I approve, a much better use for Kool Aid than drinking the sugary stuff!

7 Beauty Mistakes thanks to the Personal Care industry.  Ahhhh, marketing.

I’m kind of obsessed with sweet potato recently so these sound great.  And her photos are amazing.

If you’re getting into this eating whole foods thing, you might want to register to watch this new film?

Just because I don’t have quite enough going on, I might try joining photo a day this month?  A little daily creativity is always a good thing.

Do you use Instagram on your iPhone?  Follow me there, I’m @vintageamanda.  Or follow me on twitter too.  I love to connect with readers!

Have a great weekend!

xx

Amanda

The seasons are changing.  Can you feel it?

Ok, I admit that I moan a lot about the weather in London.  It is a bit gray and cold.  But, oh, how the grayness makes me appreciate the sunny days!

Sunday was one of those days.  Bright sunshine (sunshine!!).  Clear blue sky.  Pretty warm (‘ish… but UK standards, about 60 degrees.)  I was supposed to be writing blog posts but I just couldn’t stay inside.

I threw the windows open.

I grabbed my camera.  (And the lovely fingerless gloves my mom knitted me…)

I went for a wander.  No destination in mind – just had this irrepressible need to get out!  (Do you know what I mean?  It’s like spring fever, or those last few weeks of school when all you can think about is playing outside!!)

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My very favorite discoveries from around the web to creatively inspire your weekend!

Welcome to the first of my “weekend inspiration” posts.  I follow way too many blogs, so wanted to share my best finds of the week with you!  Hooray for saving time and just reading the good stuff.

PS. This weekend I’m at the Integrative Nutrition Mega Conference … for all the updates follow me on twitter and look for hashtag #MegaIIN.

Now onto the links…

Infographic on what’s really in our cosmetics.  You might want to start a beauty detox?

Herbal citrus cordial, with rosemary or lavender. Yum.  And if you’re in the cordial mood, don’t forget my elderberry cordial.

There are so many simple, delicious ways to eat your greens … try this classic Southern recipe with greens, beans and BACON. Yum.

I love this.  At a certain point you realize you just have to follow your truth.  Because “The things that make you happy, just might not look good to other people.”.

One food bloggers 7 tips for how to enjoy food and not weigh 500 pounds.

Hmmm… Mint Chocolate Chip Kale Smoothie?

Always love more uses for basic ingredients – 10 super uses for Aloe Vera.  Kitchen remedies to the rescue!

Have a lovely weekend!

xx

Amanda

Last summer, as I was walking to the local park, I noticed a huge rosemary bush growing through a crack in the sidewalk, leaning up against a building wall.

Oooh rosemary!

I ran my fingers through the branches and inhaled.  Ahhh. Gorgeous.  All this rosemary just sitting here in a public place!  While the little packet of fresh rosemary in the grocery store costs $5.

So I furtively glanced around to make sure no one was looking, broke off a piece, and took it home in my handbag.

Then I felt slightly guilty.  Was I allowed to take that rosemary? Was it stealing?  Does anyone even care?

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