Happy (belated) Birthday to Me :)

I have just started reading Mallika Chopra’s book about Intent – and while she is at a whole other level of enlightened wisdom than I – I could really relate to her words… enough to finally act on my long-envisioned intent to start a blog about life with kids – cooking, gardening, crafting and saving money, while also teaching kids about minimizing waste and maximizing healthy lifestyle choices for themselves, and ultimately, for the planet.

Years ago when my sister and I ventured into the baking business (L’Oven – delicious cupcakes made with health-infused ingredients like beets and avocado), we enthusiastically prepared to write a L’Oven cook book (perhaps even an entire series of cook books…) – and then… our families grew and these exciting (and at times demanding) little people changed our priorities. For the past few years I have been focused on all things parenting… how to eat well in order to provide optimal breast milk to my babies, introducing nutritious foods while also exposing kids to various cuisines, tastes and food experiences, engaging my kids in understanding where our food comes from* (from planting seeds and visiting farms to reading ingredient labels and meal/menu preparation). And so, the L’Oven Cook Book has been put “on hold”. (*This is something I wholeheartedly believe should be mandatory/standard school curriculum – along with how to manage a budget/save money/use credit cards, but that is a whole other rant)

After celebrating a quiet and lovely birthday with my family on a beautiful lake near Ottawa, I am newly inspired to get this blog rolling in hopes that I can share some wisdom (or at the very least some frequently-requested recipes and maybe a funny story or two…) with anyone who is interested in making healthier choices for themselves, their families, their wallets and ultimately the planet. I strive to live a comfortable sustainable life, while reducing waste as much as possible.

Today I am committed to starting this blog and re-starting a daily meditation practice (however small at first). Today I am grateful for Ms. Chopra’s words and for this quiet time in nature to reflect on my passions, ideas and intentions.

Thank you. And Happy Birth-day, L’Oven Life!