Faithful to Nature – Natural & Organic Blog

New Year’s resolutions are so 1990′s. That’s why we are asking you to consider what your intentions and not your resolutions are, in February, rather than in January. This way you cannot be led down a road of guilt when you do not achieve all 10 unrealistic promises made on a heavy head on the first day of the year; nor feel that since you have broken every one of them by mid-Jan that you can give up and hope you’ll do better in 2013.

Take a moment to feel the difference between a resolution and an intention: Resolutions usually stem from fear and ways in which we disapprove of ourselves, when we try to motivate ourselves from these spaces there is no joy in trying to change, no wonder so many resolutions fail. Intensions are inspired by a positive vision, with attachment to the outcome set aside. They are sign posts to inspire you to achieve consistent changes for the better through the daily decisions you make.

We asked our Facebook fans to share their intentions for the year ahead, and the answers just made our hearts swell. We attract some really lovely people as our fans and customers, and we feel so blessed for it. Have a read and pick those that resonate. Add your own intensions (from a loving space) and put them on your mirror and just do your best, consistently.

Joy-Anne Goodenough: “One of my intensions is to Be Here Now. I know the concept of living in the present moment isn’t unique but I really want to make this my mantra every day when I find myself caught up in unhealthy or unhelpful thinking and missing the beauty in even the simplest things right here, right now. Even experiencing pain in the present moment is healthier than postponing it. So yeah, Be Here Now is my motto for 2012.”

Kerrin Jane Moore: “I have 4 children, the oldest being 7 and youngest 10 months old, so my intension is to them… the make the time for a hug, a kiss, to not ignore that pull on my pants leg, to accept my shortcomings and empower myself so I may then empower them. To not get angry over the small stuff and to breathe!”

Lee-sa Harmse: “Speak my truth!”

Michelle Preen: “I will not let anyone steal my joy!”

Anusha Naidoo: “My intention for the 2012 is just one and I have every intention of fulfilling it. As a single mum it’s not easy to multitask and trying to spend quality and bonding time with my child is not the easiest. So I decided it’s going to change this year, despite the gazillion things to do daily, and being utterly exhausted at the end of the day I promise to spend quality time each evening and weekends with my child. Time will be limited but I will ensure that it’s going to be fun filled moments and memorable. I salute all single parents out there, we have a tough job to keep it together. Hope my angel in heaven – my hubby/my child’s dad continues to give me the courage and strength to help her grow into a beautiful, educated and successful person in her journey through life!”

Rochelle Kay: “One of my new years intentions (and I am happy to say that I have done it so far!) is to exercise at least 5 times a week, and put more vegetables into our evening meals. I have made a collection of recipes on how to incorporate veggies into your dishes in an interesting way, so it stays exciting! As far as exercise goes, I have found that too many of us talk ourselves out of exercise by thinking ‘should I or shouldn’t I’. Instead of even thinking about it, I just put on my gym clothes and DO it! Works for me!”

Lindy Kaese: “live and love and share as openly and freely as possible.”

Cheryl Nell: “There are so many lies in this world and my intention is to bring the full truth off whatever I discover and share it with whomever I can!”

Sanet Bezuidenhout: “This and only this: When I see or hear about something that is so very wrong, be it crime, child abuse, abuse of natural resources or the abuse of nature, I will do my best to get the word out and do something about it. I refuse to just stand by and see everything go down the drain.”

Leisl Maloney: “I will be putting my four legged friends on an organic diet, because why should they not benefit from the goodness of nature as well? I am appalled at the fillers and additives that dog food manufacturers get away with in this country!”

Deshanta Naidoo: “I really loved the mantra you guys posted a week ago and I’ve decided to use it as my healthy resolution reminder: ‘Do something today that your future self will thank you for.’ So far I’ve kept to the exercise every weekday, eat for sustained energy and to add some fun to each day.”

And in parting, here are some ideas to help you be kinder to yourself that you may be a happier, more self-loving person this year:

• Learn to become more trusting by expecting the very best from people.
• Look in the mirror and just tell myself as often as you can that you approve of yourself.
• Put the things in your life that uplift you on the same “to do” list as you put work and household related things.
• Be impeccable with your word (that includes being truly honest with yourself) and keep your less positive thoughts about other people to yourself – and to keep on trying no matter how many times you slip on this intention.
• Ground yourself often (just feel yourself in your body and your connection to the Earth) so that you can be more present and focused as you go about your day and feel the support of the Earth. Try spending as much time as possible barefoot in the house and outside in the garden. Get up and take a walk outside even if it’s just for 30 seconds when you get stressed or go into fear about something.

Remember that everything is a choice – you create and are ultimately responsible for everything that happens to you. Even when something seems to happen ‘to you’ you still have a choice, how will you choose to react for the highest good of yourself and others? To support this intention, post notes around the house with just one word on them: Choice. Set daily reminders on your phone, again with just that one word: Choice.

Your choices, large and small, are the vehicle of creation in your life and no-one can take that from you. So take the time to set your intentions, observe where they come from, what motivates them, enjoy being consistent with them and don’t use them to beat yourself up with, if you have a wobble just choose to try again.

There is no doubt that you should be taking your multi-vitamins each day. Due to the decreasing quality of our soils and the increasing amount of pollutants, we are eating plenty but we are still starving and multivitamin supplements can be a great way to get the extra vitamins and minerals that are lacking in everyday foods.

The good news is that given proper natural nutrition, the human body has an amazing ability to heal itself.

However before you reach for your supplements, bear in mind that not all multivitamins are derived from natural nutritive sources like plants, fruits and vegetables. Many are synthetically-derived, laboratory simulations of real vitamins, including some common ones like vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (dl-tocopheryl acetate). These are the same types of “vitamins” used to enrich many processed foods, and they simply do not assimilate well into the body because they are not truly natural.

Real vitamins are the living ones derived from whole foods and that are maintained in their natural states. These contain the necessary cofactors and enzymes which help the body to process and use them, and they provide the most benefit to the body.

Although there are many opinions on the types of food we should be eating, and the ideal ratio of these foods, everyone from all corners of the diet and nutrition world seems to agree on one thing: No matter which foods we choose and in what ratios we eat them, whole foods are better for you than refined foods.

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New Chapter was the first company in the world to produce a full line of whole food complexed vitamins and supplements certified to be made with organic ingredients. The company was founded with the belief that the natural purity of organic ingredients is better for people and better for the environment.

And while the company always look to Nature, first, to guide them in the formulation of their products, they rely just as heavily on modern science to validate their effectiveness and to seek out even greater discoveries in natural nourishment and health.

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Babywearing has been practiced for centuries. In ancient civilizations, mom needed to have baby close while tending to everyday chores, such as tending crops. Babywearing was born out of necessity for baby’s survival and mom’s ability to work. Fabric weaving and rough terrain delayed the invention and use of baby carriers with wheels. “With little but herbal remedies and ancient rituals to protect newborns from high infant mortality rates, being next to mom was the best way for a child to survive and thrive” (Krauss).

From the time of the Industrial Revolution in Europe and America through to the 1950s, baby carriers became taboo. Mothers in the lower, laboring class had to take jobs where they weren’t able to bring their babies along with them. While mothers in the upper, leisure class avoided anything messy including their own babies. It was the children of the laboring class mothers and the nannies of the leisure class mothers that handled childcare.

But with the flurry of civil rights and social justice movements, the 1960s saw a baby carrying revival. “The swaths of fabric were still the choice, tied (and tie-dyed) in sling, back, and front positions. Breastfeeding was also back in and completing the pattern, babywearing was part of a more relaxed lifestyle that spread during this and the subsequent decade” (Krauss).

Promotes strong attachment

A study at Columbia University compared the levels of attachment of babies carried in a baby carrier vs. babies carried in a car seat. Results indicated that, at 13 months old, babies who were carried in wearable carriers were significantly more likely to demonstrate a strong and secure attachment to their mothers (Anisfeld, Casper, Nozyce, & Cunningham, 1990).
Lowers incidence of illness Studies have shown that babywearing is linked to lowering the incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), behavioral disorders and postpartum depression in mothers (Babywearing, 2010).

Reduces crying significantly

Just three hours a day of babywearing significantly reduces crying (Babywearing, 2010).

Increases learning

Babies in a content and safe environment are able to be more alert and aware of their surroundings, providing the perfect environment for learning. This also provides the parent with an opportunity for increased interaction and bonding time with their baby. Carried babies are able to learn language more quickly since they are positioned at voice and eye level. They become more involved in conversations and begin to learn how to listen (Sears).

Provides a sense of organization

The rhythms of the parent walking, heartbeat, etc. provide a balancing and soothing effect on babies (Babywearing, 2010). According to Dr. Sears, “regular parental rhythms have a balancing effect on the infant’s irregular rhythms. Babywearing ‘reminds’ the baby of and continues the motion and balance he enjoyed in the womb” (Sears).

Advances social development

Infants are physically closer to people and intimately involved in their caregiver’s environment. According to Dr. Sears, “baby becomes aware of, and learns from, all the subtle facial expressions, body language, voice inflections and tones, breathing patterns and emotions of the caregiver.” Babies are exposed to the all the aspects of being human through their caregiver, increasing social development (Sears).

Provides fathers with a soothing touch

A father who participates in babywearing can actually soothe a fussy baby. Fathers can hold babies close and talk, hum or sing which is calming to babies (Asaff, 2009).

Increases hormone levels

Prolactin and oxytocin levels in the mother are increased through contact with baby. Increased levels of mothering hormones leads to easier breastfeeding, more responsible mothering and a more secure maternal bond (Babywearing, 2010). Additionally these hormones inhibit the negative impact of stress on the mother
(O’Mara, 2010).

Establishes independence earlier

Normal environmental sounds have the potential to be both a learning and a disturbing experience. When alone and not held, babies can be frightened by sounds. When carried, babies use these sounds as a vehicle for learning. The caregiver provides soothing words to help the baby overcome fears, providing the baby with a positive association between the caregiver’s voice and the disturbing sounds. Now the baby is more comfortable with the environment and ready to explore with confidence (Sears).

Makes sibling care easier

Carrying baby enables the caregiver to have both hands free. Caregivers have the freedom to care for other children while carrying their baby close (Sears).

Provides a sense of calmness

Baby’s primal needs are being met by being carried, thus providing a calming effect on the baby (Babywearing, 2010).

Adheres to our biological nature

Babies are born with the natural grasping reflex to cling to their mothers. Babywearing fulfills this natural instinct (Stay At Home Mum, 2009).

Decreases the risk of flat head syndrome

This syndrome is caused by the babies spending too much time in car seats or sleeping on their backs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should spend minimal amount of time in car seats when not used in a motor vehicle. Babywearing does not require babies to lie flat, thus no pressure is placed on the baby’s head. Additionally, babies can be carried while they sleep, further reducing the amount of time they spend flat on their backs (Babywearing, 2010).

• Use bread tags to organize and tag your unmarked keys.
• Show off your ingenuity at your next dinner party by printing your guests’ names on bread tags as wine glass charms.
• Use bread tags to organise your cords and keep them tangle free.
• Keep your socks together in the wash with these nifty little tags.
• For the musicians out there, bread tags make for very retro guitar picks.
• Decorate your bread tags and use them as book marks.
• Use them to seal plastic bags of food that you are freezing.
• Bread tags are a wonderful and effective way at keeping rubber bands clipped together – much better than putting them in a ball where they lose their elasticity and become a mission to get loose!
• Dry pantyhose, stockings, hose, etc on a thin wire coat hanger. Simply attach them to the hanger with old bread bag clips.
• Spray paint these silver, gold, or green and use to hang Christmas tree lights.
• Bread tags are a great way to replace lost pieces on board games.
• Keep some bread tags on your desk and use it to mark the end of your tape rolls – you will never lose the end again!
• Crafters can use bread tags to wind spare threads and yarns on and knitters can use them to hold their place.

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