>>> 5 Eco Documentaries to Help You Fall in LOVE with Saving the Planet

Hi,  everyone!

I hope you all had a happy heart dayyyyy!!!

Besides loving ourselves, our partners, our children, thy neighbor and so on… today; and always — love is in the air, this week. I don’t know about you – but  Valentine’s day mostly intensifies our gratitude for the things we already have and for the love we spread.

This year it was also a reminder (for us, anyway) to re- fall in love with the passions that flame inside which  influence our green & natural living path.  Watching films of environmental awareness is a great way to  instantly become more aware of the impact we have on this planet. Not only that but you will gain tons of inspiration, ideas, solutions, creativity, motivation and real life perspectives.

There are many, many different independent eco documentaries available for our viewing & knowledge gaining pleasure. From my  experiences, most of them have been fascinating and hopeful.

Eco documentaries usually leave you believing you can do something   – even if it’s ONE offering towards nature… giving back is the important part and so is,  helping to sustaining ourselves…  + teaching by example will hopefully lead to more and more eco friendly changes & a much healthier planet.

Relating with those who share the same beliefs, goals & intentions — even if it’s through a television/computer screen; provides soul strengthening, soul rebelling (all in good) and connection with people from all over the place. Sharing certain commonalities with like minded folks; smooths out the concrete and sets a foundation for community … & belief, there’s room for more of us — in fact, tons and tons more to join in and contribute towards healing our planet and lives. It takes a village right?

Homemade popcorn, anyone?

Watching an eco friendly ‘movie’ is worth every minute of all the fascinating details.

If you’re looking for some eco inspiration… a little something to get you thinking and wanting to start greening up your ways – then I highly recommend watching an earth friendly production with your favorite greenie …

Not sure where to start?

If you have a Netflix account – the following ‘ eco doc’s ‘are available on ‘instant’ play, except one (*) – be sure to check your local library or look into viewing dates/schedule at an independent theater near you!

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Queen of the Sun

Queen of the Sun is filled with wonderful inspiration for future beekeepers & those thinking about beekeeping as a hobby. I loved learning  from all the different beekeepers abroad – there was so much compassion and willingness for the bees!! I especially loved the family in New Zealand + French beekeeper.

180 Degrees South

adventurous, outdoorsy,  tale following old hippies, and new generation hikers — will leave you feeling like you can climb any mountain, sail the seven seas & travel to magical places …Patagonia & Easter Island to name a few !!!!

Fixing Our Future

A short eco film that leaves you wanting to link up with your community & reap all the benefits … I love, love, love the idea of co-op’s and such!  It definitely explores great community ideas for the future — while discussing many ways to survive and prosper in this economy.

I LOVE the Yo Mama’s, plan!

Tapped

Plastic water bottles are way out… find out why drinking tapped water might be just as good as bottled water – and which one gets tested more.

Hint – Hint!

Invest in a reusable water bottle and awesome filtration system.

*The Cove

Save the dolphins… ‘nuf said! This was fabulous – eye opening – documentary!!

& to think I was part of this mess… YES- before my green ways – I swam with the dolphins while in Jamaica, for our honeymoon…believe the feeling was insane & incredible- it was all questionable and I felt it right down to the core while we were swimming in ‘the cove’ with them. Such eco guilt after I watched this one – I still want to burn the evidence ( a DVD came with package ). *dodging tomatoes* haha!

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If you’re anything like me, once you watch one … you’ll want to watch ‘em all – and do what you can to help !!!

Would you like to help spread awareness ??

Consider hosting a film screening for your neighbors, group, locals … etc!

Have you viewed any eco documentaries, recently?

How about any of the five mentioned –which ones?

What was your take?

Tell us in the comments below!

EnJOY & much love!

xo

Reuse Valentines Day Craft: Toilet Paper Roll = Heart Stamp <3

Hello lovelies …

Happy Valentines Day!

The boys and I made a fun color themed craft to celebrate the all the sweetness in the air — I happened to come across the idea while searching for TP roll/tube craft ideas through google …  I knew right away T & C would LOVE ‘heart stamping’ !!!!

the rest is history.

The supplies:

toilet paper roll/tube, old pie dish, paints, & paper  …

* tape is optional is you want to keep the heart print set in place.

I had the boys gently squeeze the TP roll together a bit while <3 stamping !

 

<<<— bear hug, squishes —->>>

<<<—- I know, I’ve said this before … but, old pie tins make a great paint palette —>>>

<<<—- <3 prints everywhere … even I had to get in on the stamping action —>>>

<<<— we made these “heart grams” the other day — >>>

<<<– Were planning to make more grams using the heart stamped paper we made today. We plan to pass them out to our friends tomorrow during a play date at the park!—>>>

Yay! for crafts that make my boys and I happy — go for it – get your {pretttyyy} HEART prints, on.

You know you have a few handy TP rolls in your recycling bin just for the job. LOL!

// I hope you all had a wonderful <3 day filled with lot’s of hugs & kisses …

+

peace & love

<<<– xoxo–>>>

{Meatless Monday} random eats + VDay links <3 <3 <3 <3 >>> !!!!

{almond butter, bananas, honey, sprinkled with cinni on lightly toasted ezekiel bread}

i swear-  i’m so forgetful at times when it comes to taking pics for this blog … go figure!

tyler made some yummy crepes yesterday for the first time – they were fabulous & we filled ‘em up

with the same as the above pic! they were super yummy!!  he says he wants to do savory ones next, <3 that boy!!

{ last week’s tea choice: chai tulsi tea}

{ black bean, quinoa bowl served on a bed of red leaf lettuce (ate almost nightly last wk) }

{ baked home fries … mmmm! }

{rainy day, smoothie: nutritious !!! }

{ homemade raw vegan, ‘ cheeze- it’ crackers – say whaaaaa? yup! }

hoping to share my take on the recipe soon!

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VALENTINE’S DAY — YUMALICIOUS, LINK UP!

Go Meatless …

Need to make more granola & this recipe looks like a great Vday treat!

Might make these raspberry chocolates this evening,… *drool*

Jalapeno Popper, Grilled Cheese Sandwich … peppers are an aphrodisiac, remember?!

Spicy Thai Noodles … mmmmm!

Lentil Meatballs in Lemon Pesto

Red Lentil Coconut Soup

What are your V Day menu plans??

Do share.

peace & love

EnJOY <3

 

Add a Little Green “umph” In Your VDay Plans: Natural Aphrodisiacs

Photo credit: Flickr creative commons

(Add a little “umph” or hump… whichever applies!)

Valentine’s day is tomorrow and you know what that means… lot’s of lovin’ will be happenin’ !!!

Is it possible to green that area of your life, you ask? Why, yes it is.

Valentines day is all about LOVE so why not put a little eco green …’el naturale’  in it…?!

If you find yourself one of those who just can’t resist all the candy hearts, goo-goo, gah-gah — red, pink and white decor …

perhaps, consider a few eco-friendly & natural options for your loved one …

The Checklist

Flowers: Organic Bouquet or VeriFlora

Picking your own flower bouquet is a lovely thought, no flowers around? Look for the Rainforest alliance seal at the florist and shop local.

Gifts: Shop local or visit Etsy if you’re looking for handmade items…

OR make your own special something :  felted mittens, jewelry, turn something old into something new, etc.

Treats/Food/Drinks: think Organic & Fair Trade, if at all possible – we love Coco Zen chocolates!

Green Condoms: Skip the latex and go for Natural Lamb

Lube: 3 words… Good Clean Love!

OR, you could just use straight up coconut oil /evoo – just as safe.

Skip the card: Or MAKE one — personalize it and put all those words you’ve been thinking about on paper. You know you want to.

Or … say it all with your actions. *wink*

Now, that things are heated, here are a few natural aphrodisiacs to help set the mood or rather get ya in the mood (insert happy face).

What the heck, is an aphrodisiac??

An aphrodisiac is a substance such as food, drink, drug, scent or device that can arouse or induce feelings of sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty. Aphrodisiacs can be powerful as they trigger the release of chemicals in the brains which then stimulate certain organs.

I heart Better Nutrition magazine…

A past February’s issue has an interview with author Chris Kilham on how to boost libido and improve sexual health- naturally, or in non toxic fashion, if you will.

His new book,

Hot Plants; Nature’s Proven Sex Booster for Men and Woman

sounds very interesting…  I’ve already requested it at my local library. LOL!

I’m all about doing things the natural way; even in the bedroom.

Natural Aphrodisiacs

- Chocolate: It’s the LOVE drug! Contains compounds that mimic the brains natural chemistry when we fall in love.

- Oysters: High in zinc which is considered the “sexy” mineral; important for healthy sexual function.

- Maca: Considered the King Kong of herbs in the aphrodisiac catagory!! A natural sex booster.

-  More Sexually Stimulating Foods: Mushrooms, Asparagus, Onions, Garlic, and Chili Peppers/ Banana, Fig, Pomegranate, Avocado

- Panax Ginseng: For men, nuff’ said!!

- Scents: Vanilla, Patchouli and Musk

- Touch: Skin is the largest organ and made up of many nerves… give your special someone a massage with coconut oil then to soak up the oil sprinkle on some cornstarch (for silky effect). It’s very relaxing and tingling at the same time. ooooh la, la!

So; skip the trip to Mexico for the Spanish fly because these items for your sweetie could very well be in your own home.

More links that relate to this post!

Celebrate Love by Staying Home

Evergreen at the Happy Raw Kitchen has a wonderful brekky treat you can put together in minutes for your loved one on VDay;

Send an e card through the David Suzuki Foundation and a “generous donor” will match your donation;

More ways to green up the holiday of hearts …

Make this year’s Valentine’s day sustainable and eco sweet.

Feel free to share YOUR eco Valentine’s Day, tips below!

Have a great one!

peace & LOVE

<3 <3 <3 <3

xo

 

 

 

 

 

{Meatless Monday} Green Smoothie Recipe

 Hiya groovy greenies!!!

Happy Meatless Monday, to ya!

I’m gonna make this one short and sweet. Hoping y’all don’t mind …

it’s my ‘day off’ and I’d like to get a few other things completed before it’s all over. hahaha!

I started reading Bram Stoker’s, Dracula, on Tristan’s kindle yesterday and I’m lovin’ it, so far.  BTW- the book is part of their FREE collection… gotta love it, even more — right?! I saw the movie Dracula yearrrsss ago when it came to the theater’s in the early 90′s; got the jist but I’m anxious to watch it again.

Oh! & just for the record, I finished up Green For Life. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a quick, short & healthy read.  I’m interested in reading the second edition, sometime.

As far as eats go… we had a pretty juicy weekend! We enjoyed green smoothies and juices + I used our new dehydrator… my sweet hubba-hubba gifted me for my birthday. It was a total surprise and I wasn’t expecting it.  I’ve only used it once since it came by UPS… but let me tell you – I’m fired up & ready to start using it on the daily. I’m now the proud owner of a Tribest Life’s Sedona Dehydrator… a certainly a freakin’ awesome appliance (review to come).

All this extra chlorphyll, lately is helpin’ out – let me tell you!  The winter blues were definitely brought on by dear Aunt Flow… feelin’ like myself again —   smoothies & juices helped with puttin’ back in the sunshine.

true story!

gettin’ our plant blood on:  kale, spinach, brocolli, pink lady apples, pears, cukes, carrots + greens, & oranges

:: KIWI CHIPS ::

California grown – from our farm share box … woop, woop!!

here, have some …. !!!!

no sugar added, just pure sweetness – melt in your mouth goodness ,  oh yea!!!!

the smoothie that was made into a recipe because it was just so damned GOOD!!!

The hubby get’s all the credit on this … he’s the smoothie master in our home.

Recently, I’ve been buggin’  the smoothie master to add in the avocados we get from our farm share box –

I’ve seen tons of recipes with ‘em, so, I figured we had to give it a go at some point… & we did!!!

I couldn’t believe we didn’t do this sooner, is all I’ve got to say about it. I forgot about taking pics until it was too late – they were that tasty (these crappy cell pics don’t do it justice… make it for YOUrself & your loved ones)!!

Everyone will dig it … my boys drank it right up. Loaded with fruits, veggies, vitamins, minerals, and super foods all in one glass ~

RECIPE:  all organic!

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{AVOCADO GREEN SILKY & SMOOOOTH -Y}

2 carrots

2 celery sticks

1 cup of frozen strawberries

1 cup of frozen blueberries

1 banana

1 avocado

2 tbsp goji berries

1 tbsp mesquite

1 tbsp of honey

1 tbsp of hemp oil

3 cups of homemade almond milk

2 BIG handfuls of spinach

Directions:

Add ingredients into your Vita-Mix or other blending appliance and whirl away until silky smooth!!

Drink & EnJOY!!!

soooo. deelish.

We’ve had one daily since.  Including this evening for dinner

What meatless meals have you been preparing?!

Feel free to link up to your favorite meatless recipes

or send ‘em to lamamanaturale @ gmail {dot} com

peace & love

xo