If you’re like me you’re panicking a bit, and don’t know what your going to get your loved ones for Mother’s Day, you’re going to find this bunch of  beautiful items handy because you can buy them all online for your mum, grandmother or you can hint for yourself if anyone happens asks : )

MY FAVOURITE GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

HOME

S’well Calacatta Gold 500 ml Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle

Gosh I’d feel special and blingy getting one of these water bottles! My current one is old and quite smashed up…hint, hint! (they have lots of gorgeous finishes to choose from).

Betty Bossi Veggie Twister

Gives you vegetable spaghetti in seconds!

Hemp Organic Cotton Sheet Sets

I would adore a set of these beautiful, natural hemp organic cotton blend sheets to sink into every night.  

Mandy Rose Beeswax Candles

I love these beautiful Australian made 100% natural candles which purify the air and invigorate the body.

SELF CARE

Wheatbags Love Eye Mask – Rainforest Clouds

When your brain senses pure darkness, it signals the production of the melatonin which is the sleep chemical, vastly improving your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.

I love these ones because they are locally and ethically made and the watercolour prints are so lovely.

Non-toxic Nail Polish

So many gorgeous colours to choose from! I’m thinking the Coral Blush, Impeachment, The Future is Female or Narcissist. Just.Can’t. Choose!

Salt by Hendrix Body Glow

A gorgeous bath oil to leave your skin bronzed, glowing and radiant. Extremely hydrating and offers an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Suitable for day and night. Divine!

Body Brush

A body brush is a must have to ensure we are draining the lymphatic system, detoxifying, exfoliating every day. The natural bristles in this beechwood bath brush are perfect for massaging the skin and stimulating  blood circulation. I do love an extra long handle to get to those hard-to-reach areas.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated liquids made of aromatic compounds from plants. The best essential oils are typically steam-distilled and 100 percent pure.

Sensation – This is going to be my gift to myself. I only had a sample of this scent and OMG, it’s just so me. It combines fragrant, feminine essential oils that are uplifting and refreshing. Diffusing it made me want to curl up on the lounge with a good romance novel and escape. It’s currently my fave. 

Stress Away Roll- On

This can be bought singularly but also comes in the Premium Starter Kit (below). Not only do I use it as a toxic free perfume, but while I’m swanning around smelling great, ‘stress away’ is also helping me feel relaxed, calming my nerves and gives me a deep, restful sleep when I apply it at bedtime.

Premium Starter Kit

In every way possible it’s important to create healing environments in our body, and essential oils are one way to help do this.The essential oils in this starter kit are just so beautiful and soothing. They
evoke relaxation and a positive feeling, which promotes healing in the body. Isn’t that what every mum wants?  Add a few drops of lavender for a relaxing bath, diffuse some peppermint to create a sense of calm or ‘purification’ to detoxify the air, ‘francincense’ is perfect for meditation or to promote a beautiful complexion. Note: the ‘Stress Away Roll On’ mentioned above comes with this kit.

You can email me directly to learn more about this or any Young Living products.

What are you hoping to receive this Mother’s Day?

Don’t forget to treat yourself too. I always like to do that because it reduces the expectation and potential disappointment of not getting exactly what you wanted (we’ve all been there!). 

Bren x

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a mother of three… Kelsea, Kade and Fletcher. I have been a mother for over 20 years now which sounds so long, though at the same time it just seems like yesterday that I had my daughter. We live in The Hunter Valley in NSW. My favourite colour is red, I’m made for Michael Buble and chai tea..oh and my husband too 🙂

 How was Additive-Free Pantry born?

My middle child Kade is asthmatic. One day I discovered food additives in what he was eating (which caused asthma). I went home, cleaned out my pantry and never looked back. My business evolved as friends asked “What do you eat”,”Why” and “Where do you shop at”? This started my venture in talking to mums within their homes while they enjoyed “additive free” morning tea as I explained what was really in their pantries. The more confident I got the bigger my audience became, really.

 How do you service and educate children and parents on the dangers of additives?

Additive Free Awareness Presentations are what I LOVE to do. I get to inform parents, help empower them with all of the hidden information about  harmful food additives and hopefully inspire them to make the changes that could make a significant difference to their children’s health and wellbeing.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy hearing success stories of parents who made changes and got to see the benefits first hand. I love knowing that someone heard my story and made changes in their family pantry. I love working along side other mums that believe our children are worth it. I really LOVE that I get to work for myself. This allows me to fit work in/and around my family…and most of all I like to think that I’m making a difference….no matter how small 🙂

What does healthy eating mean for you?

Eating clean, real, additive free foods. Local (when I can), fresh, organic (were possible), ethical, wholesome and nourishing.

What are 5 of your kitchen pantry essentials?

Chai tea ( you don’t want to know me when I have run out of chai), chia seeds,  miso paste (instead of vegemite), greens and fruit for my green smoothies and an organic chook for “Chicken n Chip Night”

 What do you indulge in?

Toasted sourdough and miso paste…I can’t stop!!

What are some of the things you value most in life?

A good sports bra (seriously, need I say more), my husband’s ability to love me for over 12 years now, laughter, my bed and of course my three beautiful offspring.

What is your favourite quote?

“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

What are your tips to staying happy and healthy?

Be you! Stop comparing, competing or trying to be like somebody else. Love what you have, be grateful for what you have and give to someone who may need something more than you…it feels so very good to see someone else smile because you did something nice, unexpected or thoughtful for them.

Do you find time to nurture yourself? What does this involve?

I am learning to SLOW down. Do what I can without rushing everywhere. Breathe. Chai tea, going to the movies and a good old trip to the shops never hurt anyone.

 What do you and your kids like to do on the weekend?

We love going out for Sunday breakfast. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, and if I don’t have to clean up it is even better. Or a weekend pyjama day is always a treat too.

Would you like to share one of your favourite healthy recipes?

Tanya invited me to choose a recipe from her website & this one caught my eye. A nice hearty one for winter methinks!

Massamam Potato Bake

What you need!

• 1 sweet potato
• 5 large potatoes
• onion, diced
• garlic clove, crushed
• sea salt & pepper
• 1 capsicum, diced
• 3 large mushroom
• 1 can coconut cream (I used Woolworth’s Select)
• sprinkle of herbamare (an organic herb seasoning found in health food section of most supermarkets)
• 1 tablespoon massaman curry paste (I used Valcom)
• dash of oil
• paprika
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Check out Tanya’s fabulous books which you can buy from her website:

Connect with Tanya here:

www.additivefreepantry.com

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