Avatar... more than what you think

Every so often there comes along a cinematic experience, a story told that touches us on a deeper level. Beyond the graphics or the characters it reaches in and grabs a hold of human nature and shoves it in our face so we can glimpse parts of humankind's true nature. If you have had the opportunity to see the movie Avatar, from the amazing mind of James Cameron you will understand what I mean - I hope.

Although I sat awestruck by the cimemagraphics as one is wont to do in films such as these, before we were even half way through I was deeply touched by the message of the film. I think the lead female character summed it up when she said something along the lines of "You think you know it all, but you are like babies... children"

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of engaging with this film I strongly encourage you to take some time to do so and with a pg rating - I know - finally someone manages to make an engaging film without filling it with swearing, nudity, sex scenes and exposed entrails - it is even possible to take some of the older kiddies to experience it as well. I won't ruin any of the finer details but the movie in essence captures the stark reality of humankind's war against nature but it also touches on the connection creatures of the world have as an ecosystem in a much more vivid way.

Another strong message of the film that spoke to me is that moment of choice. That time in our lives where we need to choose our own path, either that of the crowd or to be the one who chooses a different path to fight against injustice. Although at the time it seems of little consequence, as we see one warrior turn against the fight and help the other side, we can also see the far reaching ripples of one persons actions and how they can change the entire course of history.

All in all it was a deeply thought provoking, inspirational film that I am desperate to see again. It provides all us hard working parents with the opportunity for a little escapism while stretching our minds onto that great philosophical plain and reminding us that we can all be the eco warrior we want to be cause it might just be our little action to turn and fight the injustice that sways the balance of history.

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could experience this film and walk out with their eyes opened a little more the the stark reality of the war we are engaged in on our own planet and the raping of our own forests; the native peoples and the ancient knowledge we are losing.

The taboo topic

Here is a sample of the gorgeous product available at TwinkleLily

Well I just had a great time shopping over at Twinkle Lily's store at The Cloth Pad Shop, now that my Miss A is out of nappies it is the only fluffy mail I get to indulge in. Thought I would share the link with my Facebook world and found myself pausing. I remembered how close minded I was to the thought of reusable menstrual products before I used them and I was seriously debating whether or not I was brave enough to post out there to the whole world that, "Yes I use cloth menstrual products and no it's not gross!"

I remember when I first heard about them and I think I cyberly blushed listening to the other women in the chat room talk about menstrual products so openly. It took me a good couple of months before the guilt of using disposables on myself while sprouting how awesome cloth was for my daughter and how bad disposable products were for the environment had me investigating this whole "cloth pad" thing.

I started reading up on all the benefits of cloth or reusable menstrual products and found myself getting very curious. If we think about how many pad and tampons we use each month and the number of cycles we have in our lifetime we end up with a mountain of waste that is sitting in landfills for our childrens', children's grandchildren to deal with. On top of that I was reading about the chemicals used in these products, just like in disposables that I was allowing to absorb into my skin. How could I realistically tell my friends how bad disposable nappies were for my bub when I was happy to absorb those chemicals myself and transmit them through my breastmilk!

Then there were the other benefits like shorter cycle lengths, lighter flow, less pain and symptoms associated with our periods. I figured... I would give it a go. At least so I could say that I gave it a go and it wasn't for me. So I went shopping and it was so much fun! Different fabrics, styles and sizes, had me looking forward to my period for the first time in my life.

Well as you can tell from the beginning of this story my trial of reusable menstrual products was a flying success. I love them! And I can honestly say that the reported benefits are true! Save money, save the earth and save yourself from the monthly agony we put ourselves through despising this time of our life when we should embrace it!

By using reusable menstrual products such as the cup and cloth pads my mindset has completely changed and my monthly cycle comes and goes without the dread and discomfort I was used to but with almost ... celebration?

So in the end, I did end up sharing with my facebook friends this great choice I have made as I think it is so important for more women to know about the choice they have out there and that we don't need to hide ourselves away with discrete packaging each month but embrace our womanhood and celebrate but most of all, share with our daughters and friends the options available to them.

You can check out more info on cloth pads and reusable menstraul products here

Simplicity in the bag

I have a secret to confess. I am in love with a delicate white powder... It gives me quite a zing, cheaply bought at any corner store and makes me feel like I can do anything. LOL yes the natural mama's drug of choice - bicarb. Also known as bicarbonate of soda, baking soda (US) bread soda (US), sodium bicarbonate, saleratus or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Like many of you I stumbled across the benfits of cleaning with bicarb a few month ago and have been enjoying the simplicity of cleaning not to mention the finacial savings over the bottles and boxes of chemicals I used to spend money on. But yesterday I was overjoyed to find this beautiful book in a regular bookstore - yep not a hippy, tree hugging store but boring old QBD.



The book is aptly named "Bicarbonate of Soda - Expert Advice" written by Diane Sutherland, Jon Sutherland, Liz Keevil and Kevin Eyres and is filled with 189 pages of practical uses for this inexpensive powerful powder. The Introduction to the book says

"If you could find a naturally occuring product that you could use as a deodorant, a toothpaste, an exfoliant and an antiseptic, you'd be impressed. If you found out that you could use the same substance in the kitchen to make a big improvement to many of your favourite dishes and then use it to clean out your pots and pans, leaving them greese free and shining you'd be amazed. And if you were told that exactly the same product could be used to shampoo your pets, clean out your swimming pool, kill cockroaches and relieve insect bites and stings, you'd probably just laugh. Well there us just such a product, it's been around for thousands of years in one form or another and you can buy it today for pennies."

It's such a great little reference guide that is stretching my already high regard for bicarb to unheard of levels - even my mother agrees, which is saying something; the tell tale roll of the eyes when I suggested that I only wash my nappies in bicarb has been replaced with a suggestion she might just get herself some bicarb when she gets home.

The thing I love most about using bicarb, apart from the significant money saving is how comfortable I am with using it in the house. Probably one of the scariest things I realised when I started learning about chemicals in the home is the residues and fumes that we expose ourselves to daily in our domestic goddess duties. If you have a child like my Miss A who loves to help mum then you will understand my concern! Now I feel much more at peace with letting her help with the washing and cleaning knowing that the only thing touching her skin and going in her mouth (as she inevitably will put her fingers in her mouth or eyes) is water and bicarb: nothing worse then what she would get if we were baking a cake.

If you would like to read more about chemicals in the home - you can have a quick look here
And I would love to hear about your bicarb stories and recipes here or on our forum

Welcome to Natural Parents Blog - Natural Intentions

Hi, and welcome to the blog of Natural Parent www.naturalparent.com.au written by me, Sarah, the creator and idealist behind the website.

Natural Parent is the fruition of a dream of mine to share information with families and give them access to an online directory and community which is tailored to natural, gentle and eco-friendly parenting and living choices.

I am by no means an eco-mother-godess, I am struggling and learning just like everyone else and I pick and choose elements of attachment, gentle and natural parenting that suit me and my family and we do the best we can. So this blog I guess is a glimpse into the ever changing often chaotic life of me and my family as we attempt to live naturally in a modern day society and juggle the usual family pressures, a child with special needs and the dream to share natural parenting info with the global community.

I look forward to journeying with you and hope to see you joining in here and at the online community at www.naturalparent.com.au