The Holistic Parent - Holiday 2018

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MIND ...

B O DY ...

SPIRIT

M A G A Z I N E

2018

y a d i l o H e d i u G G ift Holiday 2018 / theholisticparent.ca

MARKETPL ACE Etsy Holiday Market November 24, 10am-5pm RIM Park, Waterloo

All Natural Soy Wax Products PET TAGS - NECKLACES-KEYCHAINS-UTENSILS & BRACELETS

www.thescentedmarket.ca

www.rawkette.etsy.com

Skullz N Beadz Handcrafted Mala Jewellery

Natalie Shushack owner/designer

natalied@bell.net skullznbeadz.etsy.com skullznbeadz skullznbeadzmalajewellery

The Holistic Parent is thrilled to be working with Etsy Waterloo Region to help promote local makers and their products. If you are a member of EtsyWR or a vendor at an EtsyWR show and would like to be included on this page in a future issue, please contact Elaine Kapogines at elaine@wiltshiremedia.ca.

LOCAL LOVE 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

PAGE 15

REGUL ARS

CONTRIBUTORS Meet the people who made this issue awesome PAGE 4

UP FRONT A pomegranate pop for your holiday meals PAGE 6

COLUMNS

MIND Presence Over Presents PAGE 8

BODY A Grateful Gift PAGE 10

SPIRIT Birth Rehearsal PAGE 12

MOTHER OF INFLUENCE Colourful Creator: Meet Courtney Bond PAGE 30

FEATURES

SMART SPENDING

BY MARTHA ADAMS

Tips for skipping the January spending regrets PAGE 26

PSYCHOLOGY OF SLEEP

BY STEPHANIE ROBINSON

Where science meets expectations PAGE 28

2018

Holiday Gift Guide PAGE 15

ON THE COVER The cover image was shot by the team from Made by Emblem. The products on the cover are courtesy of Cuddle + Kind, Four Season Gift Bags Co., Old Reed Baskets, Bangs & Braids, and Near Earth Orbits.

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GIFTS FOR ALL THE COOKS AND ALL THE KIDS, FOR SELF CARE AND TRENDSETTERS, AND EDITOR’S PICKS FOR EVERYONE ELSE...

OH, AND DON’T FORGET THE MINIMALISTS.

Holiday 2018 THE HOLISTIC PARENT

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UP FRONT | OUR TEAM

CONTRIBUTORS

MARTHA ADAMS Certified Financial Planner | Educator Martha is a certified financial planning professional with over 12 years experience. The company she founded, TIER One Investments (tieroneinvestments.ca), specializes in tax, investment, estate, retirement and risk management planning. Combining her background in commerce and education fuels her greatest passion which is to provide financial empowerment through financial education. You can find her article Smart Spending on PAGE 26.

Volume 04, Issue 04 | Holiday 2018

PUBLISHER | EDITOR Elaine Kapogines elaine@wiltshiremedia.ca ART DIRECTION

www.madebyemblem.com Erik Mohr (Creative Director)

TANIA HEINEMANN Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Ian Sullivan Cant (Associate Art Director) Samantha Goh (Graphic Designer) Sally Tan Soriano (Production)

Tania is a registered holistic nutritionist and lactation consultant (IBCLC) specializing in digestion issues, breastfeeding support, fatigue, thyroid and adrenal imbalances, weight loss, infant and children’s health, and pre and postnatal concerns. She is the owner of Yellowood Nutrition and Wellness (yellowood.ca) and co-owner of Wellness Team on Queen (wellnessteamonqueen.com). Her holidayinspired recipes Christmas Jewels can be read on PAGE 6.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mantej Rakhra ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Elizabeth Wise CONTRIBUTORS

Martha Adams, Courtney Bond, Dr. Jen Forristal, Tania Heinemann, Jessika Marie, Stephanie Robinson, Nicole Schiener PROOFREADER

COLE NEMETH Web Editor | Digital Media Specialist

Lesley Wiltshire

Cole is a freelance writer and public relations consultant at SheMonster Media (shemonstermedia.ca). She uses her expert knowledge, education, skills and personal experience to create content that makes people take action. Cole is the web editor for The Holistic Parent Blog. She curates, edits and maintains all content related on the online space, and is currently working to expand The Holistic Parent’s social media presence. To follow her work with The Holistic Parent, check out THEHOLISTICPARENT.CA/BLOG.

Wiltshire Media

PUBLISHED BY

The Holistic Parent magazine is published three times per year. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher © 2018 Copies are available for free at one of our 90+ community partners in the Waterloo Region, Wellington County and surrounding areas. Visit theholisticparent.ca for a list of distributors.

ISSN 2368-6790 Publications Mail Agreement No. 42845523

STEPHANIE ROBINSON Sleep Educator | Entreprenuer Stephanie specializes in supporting parents with infant and toddler sleep and emotional intelligence. Her business, Dream Again Sleep (dreamagainsleep.com), offers an alternative to sleep training, focusing on the normalcy of infant and toddler sleep. As a mother to a young daughter and identical twin boys, she appreciates the feelings and frustrations that come with being a parent trying to meet the demands of a busy life. Stephanie’s article Psychology of Sleep appears on PAGE 28.

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happy recycling!

Love Child Organics pouches, snack wrappers and bags are now recyclable through our TerraCycleÂŽ program.

For more information, visit lovechildorganics.com/caring.

A Canadian Company

UP FRONT | RECIPES

CHRISTMAS JEWELS Adding a pop of pomegranate to your holidays Story by TANIA HEINEMANN

Not only are pomegranates one of the most beautiful fruits on the planet, but they are also one of the healthiest!

Considered a berry, they boast loads of antioxidants and pop of fibre. Try adding them to your holiday cooking this festive season and surprise your loved ones with their heavenly flavour.

Holiday Slaw with Apples and Pomegranate 1 small head shredded

1 1/2 teaspoon

Napa cabbage

chopped fresh tarragon

1 cup thinly shredded

1/2 cup sliced lightly toasted almonds

purple cabbage

1 sweet crisp apple 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes

3/4 cup salad dressing, such as apple cider vinegar with fresh lemon

1/2 cup pomegranate arils

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots OR 1/2 cup mandarin oranges 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Perfect Pomegranate Berry Smoothie

Place both cabbages, apple and radish in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the cabbage mixture and add tarragon, and toss to coat the vegetables evenly with the dressing. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add sea salt. Top with the toasted almonds, pomegranate arils and dried apricots/mandarin oranges just before serving. Prepare up to four hours in advance. Keep in the fridge.

Vegan Pomegranate Stuffing 400ml vegetable stock

200g couscous

Pinch of saffron

1/2 tsp salt

Handful of ready-toeat apricots sliced into strips

50g shelled pistachios,

2 tbsp raw almond butter

Handful of dried raisins or cranberries

Handful of pomegranate arils

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk

50g vegan butter

Blend together and enjoy!

alternative

Small bunch of chopped cilantro (optional)

for 2 servings

2 cups frozen mixed berries 1 cup pomegranate juice 1 medium banana

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toasted and roughly chopped

Bring the stock to a simmer in a pan.

Add saffron, apricots and cranberries and stir. Simmer very gently for 2-3 minutes. Put the couscous, butter or butter alternative and salt in a bowl. Tip in the boiling stock, stir, and then cover. Leave for 5 minutes, then fluff up with a fork and stir in pistachios, pomegranate and coriander. (Recipe adapted from olivemagazine.com)

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Life’s an Art… and a Science Creative Solutions and Effective Approaches to Encourage Personal Growth and Family Wellness

Limestone’s professional services focus on supporting positive and lasting change in the lives of individuals and families. We offer specialized services through a collaborative process.

Individual psychotherapy Couple therapy Family therapy (parenting, nuclear, blended, extended) Grief and loss (individual, couple, and family) For a full list of services, please visit www.limestonecounselling.ca Limestone supports healthy change through • practical skill building to aid in shifting unproductive patterns; • psychoeducation to encourage an understanding of the context of behaviour; • emotional processing of losses and past hurts that may be blocking healthy responses.

Limestone also provides consulting services and professional clinical supervision.

Phone inquiries welcome • 519-590-2220 lc@limestone counselling.ca • For secure email, please use the contact form on our website

610 Lancaster Street West Kitchener Professionally accredited Costs of services covered by employee benefit programs Healthy Home, School, and Work Environments

MIND | MINDFUL MAMA

PRESENCE OVER PRESENTS Cultivating compassion and generosity

by NICOLE SCHIENER

A

s I was preparing this piece, I came across Sheena Bounsanga’s article in The Holistic Parent’s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide entitled “Consuming Christmas” focusing on the topic of minimalism. Her words echo what I’ve always felt — it’s not stuff kids truly need, its connection. When we fall for that dangerous lie that bigger and more expensive stuff equals happiness, we set our children up to always go looking outside of themselves to find meaning and joy. When we buy into their need to fit in with their peers through their possessions, we rob them of the value of true belonging.

When we try to satisfy our feelings of not being or having enough, we end up with a house full of crap and family members that are not truly happier for it.

But completely depriving our children sets them up to feel unworthy and believe the lie of scarcity. So what do we do?

Conscious parenting teaches that raising healthy children to become conscious citizens requires us to do the work to grow up alongside them — transforming fears from our childhoods, including the fear of scarcity. When we can find pleasure in the simplest of moments, we teach our children to value presence over presents and experiences over appearances and accomplishments. Trusting in the abundance of the world leads to more generosity. By learning to be compassionate to ourselves we can model compassion for others.

The invitation our children offer us is to not just wake up to our own unconsciousness but to the collective unconscious; to not just heal individual wounds but to recognize and repair collective trauma; to

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take away ...

Let’s use the holidays to show our children the problems of the world are not too big for us to make a difference.

not just break unhealthy patterns of reacting and blaming our children for our pain but to break the unhealthy ways we’ve minimized, denied or contributed to collective pain.

As I peel back the layers of my white privilege, I’m beginning to see how I have opportunities and resources available to me and my children simply because of the colour of our skin and what part of the world we live in. Despite our best intentions, teaching our children to be colour blind ignores the systemic barriers certain groups face because of stigma and historical and continued oppression.

This creates further pain, rather than the healing and equality so many of us parents long for as we raise this next generation.

Let’s use the holidays to show our children the problems of the world are not too big for us to make a difference. Let’s help them to feel the incredible value of both receiving and giving. We can treat our children to a favourite toy or book or outing, without going overboard and give to those in need. We can buy local and support small businesses and give to our local food bank or non-profit organization.

We can call on our courage to break the status quo. Last year instead of buying cheap gifts for teachers, we gave them cards with a donation made on their behalf to the local women’s shelter.

My children were mortified, but the teachers loved it. This past year, we donated to Indigenous organizations supporting youth mental health. This time, my children and I will be buying socks for the homeless and donating books by Indigenous authors. Five or ten dollars to donate and five or ten to keep is another easy way to cultivate generosity without deprivation.

What can you do to spend your privilege in a way that narrows the gap? You matter. Your actions matter. You are more than enough. No act is too small. It really isn’t so much about generosity as it is about doing the right thing. Wouldn’t you agree?

NICOLE SCHIENER is a registered psychotherapist, writer,

guest speaker and mama. Follow her on Instagram at @ mindfulmama_nsm for insight into conscious parenting and information on an upcoming book club, “Braving Change: Stories that Unite.” She also contributes pieces on gender roles for The Community Edition.

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Direct billing available | wellnessteamonqueen.com 519.220.0888 | 39 Queen st. e., Cambridge

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BODY | GRATITUDE

A GRATEFUL GIFT Teaching gratitude over the holidays Story By DR. JEN FORRISTAL

G

ratitude is the skill that helps us recognize all the things we have.

Instead of focusing our energy on what is absent or uncontrollable in our lives, gratitude primes our brains for a happier outlook and helps us return the kindness shown to us. Gratitude is not something we are born with. It develops over time and takes practice. Teaching your children to be thankful for what they have, what others do for them and helping them express these feelings is a powerful, positive coping strategy. It can get your children through many of life’s difficult days, strengthen their relationships and protect against anxiety and depression.

The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to help our children practice and deepen this important skill. Here are a few tips and strategies to make gratitude the focus in your home this holiday season:

MAKE GRATITUDE VISIBLE

Start the holiday season by creating a gratitude basket filled with everything you need to recognize someone for their efforts. Our basket is on the kitchen table, and is loaded with blank thank-you cards, stickers, pens, pencils, envelopes and stamps. Take a few extra minutes to thank people for the little things. For example, the person at the coffee shop who always remembers your order, the teacher who stayed after school to help, or the friend who is always there to listen.

A parent recently shared with me that she created a gratitude card for each of her children. This is a wonderful way to boost their well-being and help them understand how nice gratitude feels.

CONNECTIVE GRATITUDE

As parents, we do a pretty good job of training our children to demonstrate so-called “expressive gratitude,” or saying thank you and verbally expressing our gratitude.

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Help them notice how they feel when they are giving and receiving and how other people are feeling too.

However, many children are so conditioned to say thank you that they rarely think twice about what “thank you” really means. This can become more obvious around the holidays. One way of building a deeper sense of gratitude is to foster “connective gratitude,” or offering something meaningful to another person as an expression of gratitude (i.e., giving them something they want to receive).

This is a level up in being grateful and considers more fully the feelings and wishes of the other person. Take the example of Christmas dinner. Instead of just saying thank you (expressive gratitude), you might notice that the person who cooked the meal is now cleaning and you get up to help them (connective gratitude).

This shows the person cleaning that you appreciate their work and demonstrates your feelings of gratitude. You can explicitly teach your children what connective gratitude is and help them find opportunities to use this advanced version of thank you.

START WITH FEELINGS

To nurture early gratitude in young children over the holidays, focus on feelings. Start by making Christmas wish lists a two-part activity in your house by including both the things your child would like to receive and the things they would like to give. Help them notice how they feel when they are giving and receiving and how other people are feeling too. This is a great way to start the foundations of a strong sense of gratitude later in life.

SHARE EXPERIENCES

There is so much more to the holidays than just giving and receiving gifts. When we shift the focus to experiences, instead of just material items, we can nurture a much deeper sense of gratitude.

Cozy up by a warm fire with hot chocolate, bake cookies as a family and deliver them to friends or start your own holiday traditions that create an appreciation for that warm, connected feeling.

Include others in these experiences and teach your children how good giving back can feel. Choose a project that you can do as a family and get involved in a meaningful way to give without needing to receive something in return.

DR. JEN FORRISTAL is a naturopathic doctor specializing in family medicine and pediatrics. She practices at True Wellness Integrative Health Centre by Fiddleheads in Kitchener. Visit her at www.mydrjen.com.

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What better gift can you give a child than a

bright future?

Sure, you’ll enjoy seeing the smile on their face when they unwrap a new toy. But it’s nothing like the joy you’ll feel knowing the gift of knowledge will help provide greater opportunities for a rewarding life. A registered education savings plan from Knowledge First Financial is a gift that keeps on giving.

CANADA'S LARGEST RESP PROVIDER Knowledge First Financial is a registered name of Knowledge First Financial Inc.

Growing RESPS Securely.

Contact me to learn more about giving a gift of education with an RESP to a child you love this Holiday Heather Heartfield, Sales Representative, Knowledge First Financial Phone. 519-841-3093 Email. heather.heartfield@kff.ca

CUSTOM HAND LETTERING logos wall murals chalkboards personal art live lettering at events @wiselettering | wiselettering.com

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SPIRIT | BIRTHING

BIRTH REHEARSAL An exercise in release and realization

I

had been following Kimberly Ann Johnson, aka “the vaginapractor” and author of The Fourth Trimester for several years and found her work to have a profound effect on the way I approached my boundaries, sexuality and spirituality. It not only addressed the lack of intimacy we as women can feel with our own vulvas, but created an exit from something she often refers to as “the shame matrix.” It was through this journey and becoming pregnant with my third child that I became more interested in the internal vaginal sessions she conducted.

She was an experienced somatic education practitioner, doula and sexological bodyworker, and I was intrigued by one of her offerings: a birth rehearsal.

It had been 11 years since I last gave birth, and I felt like I needed extra support with my decision for a homebirth this time around. I did some research, followed my gut, and made my way to NYC to meet with Johnson to have my session. When the time came to have my birth rehearsal I remember feeling a lot of trepidation and wondered how I would ever explain this to my friends, family and colleagues.

Plus, I had never experienced touch in my vagina that was neither clinical nor sexual.

However, Johnson skillfully navigated the time from when I entered the room to the time I got on the table. I never felt rushed or uncomfortable.

She began by cupping my vulva with her hand and asking me to breathe. She would not begin the internal work until I felt completely ready. She talked me through every move, checking in with each progression. (As a side note, I wonder how

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I realized this simple act of saying “No!” and taking agency over my body was something I had never learned.

different Pap smears and internal exams would be if this were common practice in the medical profession?) As she began to take me through, we happened upon an area of tension in my vaginal wall that would not release. When she asked me what came to mind I was immediately transported back to a traumatic internal pelvic ultrasound that later resulted in being taken by ambulance to the hospital with painful uterine contractions. I remember being extremely embarrassed at the hospital and downplayed my pain in order to go home. As she massaged the area, I realized this clearly still lived in the cell memory of my vaginal wall.

I’ll never forget the moment she asked me to look her in the eye, and command her to “get out” while bearing down on my pelvic floor. At first I hesitated, but then found my voice and followed her instruction. Immediately I began to cry as I realized this simple act of saying “No!” and taking agency over my body was something I had never learned, and the consequences of this had led me down many painful roads within sex, birth and medical exams. In fact, it could be argued this had extended out into my relationships, both personal and professional. Just think of all the times you’ve said yes, when you wanted to say no.

I’ve spoken in the past of how motherhood has become an expression of “feminism” in my life. I’m the mother of three children from three relationships. Motherhood has given me autonomy over my body and my choices. It has given me a new language around the sacredness of my sexuality, boundaries, capacity for pleasure, partnership choices and connection to my feminine as I alone experience it and not by the standards of the media, society or religion. Mothering has been the catalyst for crucial boundary repair and change in my life, giving me a voice to share my work with women and mothers in my community.

JESSIKA MARIE is the founder of Mavens for Mama, a local business specializing in MotherCare and Ceremonial Facilitation. She is a yoga teacher, holistic nutritionist, functional medicine coach, women’s work facilitator and mother. Follow her journey on Instagram @mavensformama and @jessika_b_marie.

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PHOTO: Courtesy of Jessika Marie

Story by JESSIKA MARIE

There’s something for everyone at

The Clay & Glass Play with Clay is designed for people of all ages and skill levels. $12 per participant includes one clay session on your first visit and one glazing session at a subsequent date. You’ll be amazed at what you can create!

Visit our website for upcoming dates and to register:

shop.theclayandglass.com/playwithclay

Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery

25 Caroline St. N. Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5 • 519.746.1882 • www.theclayandglass.ca

2019 Apply to be a vendor!

Details at www.theecomarket.org

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services to support your growing family!

Nested Birth & Essentials Doula * Theta Healing * Aromatherapy www.nestedbirth.com

OUT OF YOUR CURRENT HOME?

homes@marianmonne.com 519.574.1258 marianmonne.com

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I Ca n Help

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THE HOLISTIC PARENT Holiday 2018

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2018

Holiday Gift Guide t s e t n Co ct r od u s e p am e h t in gr In s t a t to w g Wa n e c k o u t r e n t m a a h p C c i t lis @ho

s?

NATURAL STYLE OLD REED BASKETS

Handwoven with strong, flexible rattan, these one-of-a-kind baskets will add style to any space in need of a declutter.

ECO WRAPPING FOUR SEASONS GIFTBAG CO.

Wrapping gifts has never been easier with these gorgeous fabric, reusable gift bags. No paper, no scissors, no tape, no stress, no mess.

oldreedbaskets.com fourseasonsgiftbagco.com

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SWEET IMMUNITY

GIFTS FOR

The

THE ELDERBERRY FAIRY

Elderberry is the hot product in natural health this season.

Pop a few of these gummies for a great immune system boost, or make your own syrup with a DIY Elderberry Kit.

Cook

theelderberryfairy.com

TRUE NORTH STRONG & YUMMY ACRE75.CA

The Lumber Flapjack Canadian Maple Pecan Pancake & Waffle Mix is available through Acre27.ca, an online market selling gifts and goods handmade in small Canadian towns. acre75.ca

COMFORT FOOD STOCK EXCHANGE MINDFUL NOURISHMENT INC.

Chicken bone broth, beef bone broth and beef tallow — the perfect stocking stuffer for any foodies on your shopping list. stockexchangebroth.com

BUGGIN’ OUT FIT CRICKET NUTRITION

Hop into the new year with a new protein source. Fit Cricket offers an array of products made from, you guessed it, crickets. Fun for the whole family, this sustainable protein is jammed packed with goodness. fitcricket.com

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The Kids

GIFTS FOR

QUIET TIME

MINDFUL LIVING BY SATORI CENTRE

Perfect for your child’s “quiet corner,” these Mindful Pillows are handmade, filled with hypoallergenic buckwheat hulls — and perfectly sized for little bodies. satoricentre.ca

GIFT OF GIVING CUDDLE + KIND

These heirloom-quality stuffies are not only adorable, but with each one purchased you’re providing 10 meals to children in Canada and around the world.

Featured here is Everest the Penguin (regular), and Stella the Polar Bear (little) can be seen on the cover.

NATURE PLAY A SHED IN THE FOREST

Wooden toys are on trend this year, and this little tic-tac-toe board is a great option for busy minds and fingers. shedintheforest.etsy.com

cuddleandkind.com

SUSTAINABLE BUMS MELISSA’S MAKES

Cloth diapering families love getting new cloth diapers!

Go ahead and gift a fun and functional handmade allin-one cloth diaper to your favourite fluffy bum. melissasmakes.etsy.com

HOT PAWS WOOLLY SMITTENS

Handmade from 100% wool, upcycled sweaters, these little cuties will keep tiny hands toasty all winter long. instagram.com/woollysmittens

FOREVER FRIENDS TINY KIND TOYS

This adorable peg doll play set was handmade for growing kindness and imagination — and is just so stinkin’ cute! tinykindtoys.ca

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GIFTS FOR

e r a C f l e S NATURE IN A JAR COCOS NUCIFERA

Mother Nature has provided everything we need, Cocos Nucifera just puts it in a jar. Their Dry Skin Cream will strengthen and protect even in low temperatures. cocosnucifera.ca

BEAUTIFUL SCIENCE ALTILIS BEAUTY

Formulated with tropical breadfruit, Altilis Beauty’s entire line is the new benchmark in sustainable beauty. And the Complete Skincare System is a perfect intro to a more mindful skincare routine. altilisbeauty.com

ENERGETIC INTENTIONS LUXE ZEN

Banish stagnant energy with this palo santo wood and crystal smoke bath bundle, born from the traditions of Incan cleansing rituals. luxezen.etsy.com

BLACK BEAUTY ESSENTIAL ACCESSORY

SHEA HAUS APOTHECARY

Imported from Ghana and handpacked locally, this African Black Soap is made from a variety of ashes and includes a crystal gemstone. No scents, no dyes, just nature — and crystals.

LAVENDER AND STONE

Trendy and functional, these stackable bracelets look great and will diffuse a favourite essential oil for hours. Mixing and matching is a must!

sheahaus.ca

lavenderandstoneshop.etsy.com

BABY SOFT KIN ORGANICS

This Healing Balm is a whole-family product.

Created for all skin types, it’s even gentle enough to use on fresh baby skin for soothing and healing with lovely organic ingredients. kinorganics.ca

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SHIMMER AND SHINE MOXIE BODY

Natural doesn’t mean boring.

Amp up the glow with these Argan Shimmering Body Oils created with natural mica and a dose of humour. moxiebody.online

BEARDED BROS COCOON APOTHECARY

Beards needs self care too!

Pair some Muskoka Beard Oil and Bay Rum Beard Oil with a wooden comb and Malechemy travel bag, and he’s all set for bearded glory. cocoonapothecary.com

WITCHY WELLNESS THE WOOSHOP

Created with solar eclipse water, essential oils, quartz and amethyst, just shake and spray this High Vibe Potion to help connect self and spirit. thewooshop.com

LIPPIE LOVE BOOSH

Stuff all the stockings with Boosh. A colour for everyone and every occasion, just buy them all and spread the #lippielove. boosh.ca

WEARABLE MEMORIES AMAR BHUEE

Truly wearable artwork, Amar Bhuee creates one-of-a-kind pieces using photo art, botanicals or other treasures. Snag a ready-made item in her shop or request a custom piece for something uber-special. amarbhuee.com theholisticparent.ca

CURATED CARE THE TRUTH BEAUTY COMPANY

Can’t decide which amazing product to buy? Buy them all!

Truth Beauty Boxes are curated subscription-boxes showcasing non-toxic, plant-based luxury clean beauty and wellness brands. thetruthbeautycompany.com

Holiday 2018 THE HOLISTIC PARENT

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WASTE REMOVER SWEET BABE REMEDIES

GODDESS ART THE FERAL KNOT

Speaking directly to the hippie souls amongst us, this handcrafted Crescent Moon Macrame Lunar Wall Hanging marries classic craftsmanship with a modern folksy vibe.

Ditch the disposable facial pads. These super cute reusable replacements are an easy switch to help reduce waste. sweetbaberemedies.etsy.com

theferalknot.com

A SHARP SWITCH ZERO WASTE BULK

SLOW FASHION UPCYCLE LIFESTYLE

Grow-With-Me Pants are basically the most functional piece of clothing you can put on a growing body. Forget fast fashion, these sustainably sourced, waste-free cuties will be literally grow as your little one moves from baby to toddler to preschooler.

Albatross Safety Razor Kit available through Zero Waste Bulk includes 10 blades and an easy replacement for any disposable razor. And it will save money from repeatedly buying expensive disposables destined for the landfill. zerowastebulk.com

upcyclelifestyle.ca

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WRAPPED WITH LOVE SWEET BABE REMEDIES

BREAKFAST RECLAIMED RAWKETTE

Toss the cling wrap and replace it with these fun beeswax wraps. Made with organic beeswax, wraps can be used to help keep all kinds of perishables fresh.

Salvaged antique spoon.

Check. Quirky sense of humour. Check. Great for granola (or Fruit Loops — no judgement). Check. It’s the spoon that has it all.

sweetbaberemedies.etsy.com

rawkette.etsy.com

FOOD SAVER LOOPEEEEE

These resuable bowl covers come in three sizes, reducing single-use plastic waste and food waste in one fell swoop.

SUPER STRAWS ZERO WASTE BULK

ZERO WASTE 101

Bent, straight, thick, thin, bamboo, glass or stainless steel. Reusable straws are a great way to ease anyone into the zero waste lifestyle.

ALL THINGS PRESERVED

zerowastebulk.com

Do you know someone new to zero waste? Containing an upcycled mesh produce bag, unsponge, unpaper towel and more, this Zero Waste Starter Kit will absolutely set them in the right direction.

s r e t t e s d n Tre

allthingspreserved.ca

BRUTAL HONESTY SERIOUS BUSINESS

How are you feeling? “Meh.” What are you thoughts on the current state of the world?

“Ugh.” How’s mom life? “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Say it loud. Say it proud.

On a T-shirt. psychedelicpsten.etsy.com

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instagram.com/loopeeeee

GIFTS FOR

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EDITOR’S PICK

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER

ALL OVER THE MAP STUDIOS

A conversation starter for any business who wants to feel the #locallove. alloverthemapstudios.etsy.com

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THE HOLISTIC PARENT Holiday 2018

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Holiday 2018 THE HOLISTIC PARENT

23

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | MINIMALISTS

Minimalist GIFTS FOR A

Thinking way outside the box — or bag or wrapping paper Story by ELAINE KAPOGINES

I’m totally in love with this gorgeous gift guide and all of the amazing local businesses who created these specially curated products — and you can bet I’ll be buying lots of local goodies for everyone on my shopping list — but I felt it was my duty as the publisher of this magazine to offer my readers a little balance. Minimalism has been trending hard for the last few years, and as consumers become more aware of their consumption and movements like zero waste, there are probably a few people on your list that could do without the stuff.

Therefore, here I offer to you a few “outside the box” options keeping my minimalist friends in mind.

FILL THEIR FREEZER VIBRANT FARMS | vibrantfarms.ca Even your most committed minimalist friend has to eat something — and as long as they’re not vegetarian or vegan, then a gift certificate from Vibrant Farms could be an excellent gift option (for the herbivore on your list, skip to the next delicious write-up). Vibrant Farms believes in nutrient-dense farming. Their beef is organically raised grass-fed, and every one of their farming practices focuses on sustainability, ethics and love for their products. Whether you’re looking to introduce your gift recipient to organic meat, or you know they already love it, a Variety Meat Package would be the way to go. Packages may include pastured pork, organic grassfed beef, pastured turkey and organically raised chicken (in the summer months), and Vibrant offers delivery or pick up options throughout the Waterloo Region.

Fill their freezer with meat and hope they invite you for a BBQ in the spring!

FEED THEIR SOUL MVP MEALS | mvpmeals.com

What busy family would not love the gift of a meal — or 20? MVP Meals offers meal packages of 5, 10, 15 or 20, with a la carte options as well. Since we’ve already established above that even minimalists need to eat, food seems to be a safe choice for all your gift-giving needs, especially since MVP Meals offers a variety of “friendly” meals — gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free and paleo options are indicated on their menu, and substitutions or special requests

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THE HOLISTIC PARENT Holiday 2018

are also available. Gift card can be purchased in $50 denominations, so a single gift card would (almost) get your vegetarian minimalist bestie a 5 Meal Package ($55 value) which may include deliciousness like mushroom pesto pasta, buffalo tofu with rice and corn salsa, or pulled jackfruit with baby potatoes, corn and coleslaw.

CLEAR THEIR MIND MINDFULOLOGY | mindfulology.com

There is nothing better than the gift of a peaceful mind. Sheena Bounsanga’s Mindulology is a zen-based business for the entire family. Her Mindful Kids series include group workshops, private oneon-one sessions, and online courses. The big kahuna is the unique and very popular Mindfulness for Kids Instructor and Mentorship Program. This online training is absolutely ideal for a teacher, ECE or other childcare provider, a current yoga/fitness instructor, a parent looking to create a more mindful home, or for someone who wants to launch their own Mindfulness for Kids business. If mindfulness sounds like the perfect way for you to add some zen to someone’s life, gift certificates are available for a specific service (example, a Mindful Kids series for $99), or you can purchase any denomination for the lucky recipient to put towards a Mindfulology service of their choice.

CLEAN THEIR CLUTTER JIGSAW ORGANIZATION SOLUTIONS |

jigsaworgsolutions.com So maybe the person you’re thinking “outside of the box” for is

minimalist-leaning, or a soon-to-be-minimalist, or even a newly minted minimalist. Any way you phrase it, there’s probably someone on your list who is craving a New Year’s purge. Adeilah Dahlke is here to help. This trained professional organizer will take the stress out of your budding minimalist’s life. Her services include assisting with a move or downsizing, reorganizing closets, pantries, cupboards or any other cranny you can find, paperwork (yes, you read that right, paperwork, including tax forms, bank information and receipts), and waste removal and donation assistance to make sure the no-longer-needed treasures end up in the right hands. Gift certificates can be purchase in $50 denominations which is Adeilah’s hourly rate.

ADD SOME SWAGGER WEAR OUT THERE | wearoutthere.ca

Can a minimalist be fashionable?

Absolutely! Minimalism is a lot about making mindful choices, and Christina Proctor, owner of Wear Out There, offers services in capsule wardrobes and sustainable fashion to help jump start a minimalist wardrobe. Ditch the fast fashion in favour of well-chosen pieces with the help of a certified style coach. Her offerings include a Wardrobe Edit, Personal Shopping and Wardrobe Organization, and gift certificates are available for any service she offers — which incidentally also makes a great gift for an entrepreneur looking to brand themselves through their style, as well as new moms feeling a little style-slumpish.

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Holiday 2018 THE HOLISTIC PARENT

25

FEATURE | BUDGET

SMART SPENDING

Tips for skipping the January spending regrets Story By MARTHA ADAMS

W

e’re coming up to the holiday season — how exciting! The malls are looking great, the stores are decorated to the nines, people are simply being more cheerful, and the hot chocolate is flowing. Extra marshmallows for me, please! You have your lists, you’re shopping, shopping, shopping and more shopping.

But now, let’s fast forward together for a moment to January. Are you there? How do you feel? Be honest with yourself. Are you stressed because you know that credit card bill is on its way? Maybe this has happened to you before, but you didn’t really talk about it. Here’s the thing, it’s happened to so many of us. So let’s work on some ideas so that you can enjoy this holiday season without the January “side effect.” Here are some tips and tricks that I use for myself and have found fabulously helpful:

BUDGETS ARE A BEAUTIFUL THING! Have your holiday spending as part of your monthly budget — set aside funds each month that are perhaps in a separate (preferably no fee) account. This way you know your parameters.

MAKE YOUR LIST, CHECK IT TWICE AND KEEP TO IT. This is a time of year when giving can sometimes have a snowball effect and while there are of course exceptions to every thought process but keeping to

BT E D

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your list will help you stay within your spending parameters.

JANUARY

1 2019

Now that you’ve created your budget and your list you can start to allocate funds to each person.

BREAK IT DOWN NOW.

It can be a good idea to set a spend amount with a person that you’ll be exchanging gifts with. This can also help to manage each other’s expectations and avoid any circumstances that perhaps aren’t the most positive.

SET IT AND DON’T FORGET IT.

HANDMADE WITH LOVE. I love the idea of making something for someone. For me, I love baking, it’s one of the ways I say, “I care for you, now let me feed you something delicious!” Whatever it is that you love to make, you can share that with those you care for this season.

GOTTA LOVE A GOOD SALE! While this can require some planning it can be well worth it! And now that we have Black Friday in Canada (woot woot!) you can actually sleep in on Boxing Day and have gotten your list all done early and potentially even under budget. That is seriously music to my ears!

A lot of pressure can mount during this time of year. Just remember to be yourself and not to let that in.

YOU DO YOU!

DEBT

Holiday 2018

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Holiday 2018 THE HOLISTIC PARENT

27

FEATURE | SLEEP

PSYC HO LOGY O F

S L E E P Where science meets expectations Story By STEPHANIE ROBINSON

W

hat does sleeping through the night actually mean? To some people, it means eight hours, 10 hours or even 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. I’ve even heard it vaguely defined as closing the door at night and not opening it again until morning. Medically speaking, it’s actually defined as five consecutive hours of sleep.

But then comes the question of when does a baby start sleeping through the night?

Many sleep consultants have programs that are offered for babies as young as 13 weeks to start teaching the skills babies need to sleep well. However, there is more to it then this conception that babies can sleep through the night and that they need to be taught how. As a sleep consultant myself, I can appreciate that sleep is a very controversial topic these days, and leaves parents feeling confused, frustrated and anxious which leads them to seek advice from other parents and sometimes even strangers.

There are scientific reasons that babies wake in the night. We all know the physical inabilities — can’t change their own diapers or feed themselves — but what about rational reasoning abilities that have yet to develop?

As outlined in the 2010 book The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain by American psychologist Louis Cozolino, babies are born with a fully developed amygdala (the fight or flight instinct), but an underdeveloped hippocampus (regulates emotions) and prefrontal cortex (personality development). When they partially wake at the end of a sleep cycle and they don’t see their parents, they believe that their parents no longer exist. They don’t have the cognitive ability to understand that their parents are there even though they don’t see them. And they have no idea that they are actually safe. Therefore, naturally, their fight instinct kicks in

28

THE HOLISTIC PARENT Holiday 2018

and they cry out for comfort, security and reassurance.

So why is this scientific milestone that is explained due to brain development and growth, not accepted by society? By setting the standard high that a baby can and should sleep through the night by a certain age, we are setting our children up for mass production of cortisol (stress hormone), with the potential risk that we are interfering with the development and maintenance of our attachment bond, a known indicator of anxiety and other mental health concerns. Not to mention the anxiety and pressure parents feel and experience when their baby is not meeting the unrealistic set norm.

Our society and culture have set pretty high standards for babies and their sleeping abilities. This is understandable since you regularly see both parents in the workforce and requiring a good night sleep to manage the demands of a busy life. The important and forgotten factor here is that even though our current expectations have changed with society, the science of our babies hasn’t. We are accepting that it takes time for them to develop the skills to walk, eat with a fork and dress themselves, but why not sleep through the night?

We have fast-paced and very busy schedules that leave parents wanting and needing the sleep they had before they had children. This makes it difficult to find balance in getting the rest they need for their day while experiencing broken sleep due to tending to their young children at night. As a sleep consultant, I help parents to understand the science behind their child’s sleep behaviours, and help to reset expectations that are realistic. With a whole-family approach, the goal is to support families during exhausting, demanding and life-changing moments as their children require time to grow and thrive.

My science-based beliefs fall under the umbrella of behaviour modification versus controlled or modified crying techniques.

There is a lot of overlap with sleep and emotional development, and the two areas are natural intersections. Understanding a child’s emotional intelligence will help you as a parent identify the underlying need behind unwanted behaviours like whining, difficulty with taking turns and sharing and tantrums. A deeper understanding of developmental norms will allow parents to adjust their expectations and better support their children to not only regulate their feelings but to communicate them in heated moments.

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BACK PAGE | MOTHER OF INFLUENCE

Colourful Creator Meet Courtney Bond

Courtney Bond is an award-winning hairstylist based in Waterloo. Specializing in pixie cuts and wild colour trends, Courtney’s aesthetic is tailor-made for the world of social media. From her first post on January 1, 2017, Courtney’s following has steadily grown to over 46K — and growing by the day. And as a devoted single mom, Courtney was an easy choice for this issue’s Mother of Influence!

Find her on Instagram at @courtneyxcentrichair.

1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

My name is Courtney Bond, and I’m a single mom of an eight-year-old boy. I’ve been in the hair industry for over 19 years, and have been working at Xcentric Hair Studio for 17 years.

2. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN HAIR STYLING? AND WHAT DREW YOU TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA SPACE?

Originally, I started in the industry as a part-time job, and it led to becoming a career.

It wasn’t until 2017 that I got into social media to promote my work. I started my page because I wanted to have full control of my content.

3. WITH OVER 46K FOLLOWERS (AND GROWING) ON INSTAGRAM, YOU’RE OBVIOUSLY MAKING WAVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA! CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS ONLINE?

I started my Instagram page with high hopes of making the

30

page big and I found that trying to achieve that has helped my work a lot. With the goal of creating pristine content, I have really improved my craft and that benefits my clients as well.

4. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GET A LOT OF ATTENTION ONLINE?

I think because my photos are usually of my clients and not me, I share the attention with them. I love that because I couldn’t do it without them!

5. ANY TIPS FOR SOMEONE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION IN TERMS OF BUILDING FOLLOWING ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Consistency in posting and visual esthetic is really important for Instagram. I like to keep my posts really clean, and leave the randomness to the Instagram Stories. The bottom line is that if you have really great content then you’ll do well — and this all begins with being passionate and continuing to grow and improve every day.

THE HOLISTIC PARENT Holiday 2018

6. WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR CAREER?

Having the best sidekick ever to do life with.

Balance is difficult because I would love to spend more time with my son, but I would also like to work more. Between parenting and working, I also have to take care of myself and that’s usually difficult to make time for.

11. HARDEST THING?

7. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? IN A YEAR FROM NOW? IN FIVE YEARS?

Having just come off a weekend at a U.S. hair convention, I feel like the possibilities are endless.

Somehow I’ve surpassed all of my goals that I’ve made for myself in the past year, so I’m just as curious!

8. COFFEE, TEA OR WINE?

Coffee all week; wine on the weekend.

9. NIGHT OWL OR EARLY BIRD?

Early bird 10. FAVOURITE THING ABOUT BEING A MOM?

I don’t think about those things.

12. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE REGION?

That we have access to so much here. We can go one way and hit the country in 30 minutes or go the other way and be in Toronto. Our region is like a mix of both, and it’s pretty sweet.

13. FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT IN KW?

Patent Social, Meltwich and Beertown.

14. FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH THE KIDS IN THE AREA?

Driving from one end of King St. to the other and stopping at anything that looks cool is really fun!

FOR MORE CONTENT, and to see “Mothers of Influence” from previous issues, visit www.theholisticparent.ca/blog

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