Plum Joyful

Babyccino Shop up Los Angeles!

PlumJoyful — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 04:43:13 +0000

It’s that time again! If you are looking for the best kids clothing, accessories and toys, then you have to come to the Babyccino Shop up event this Sunday April 23 and Monday April 24 at The Springs in downtown! Held once a year in Los Angeles, they feature some of the best children’s lines sourced from all around the world. I went last year and blogged about it HERE and HERE. It was an amazing event and I scored such amazing pieces that my little one is still wearing many of them a year later even though she is SO much bigger. For example, the GREATEST pair of drop crotch patterned pants from Over + Over, have become our new favorite pair of shorts! Or the awesome jumper from Mabo Kids, has become an equally awesome pair of elastic waist drop crotch pants. I know, it’s hard to picture, but here is the jumper from last year to help you visualize. See what I mean? Anyway, I really truly found some of my favorite pieces at this one of a kind shopping event. There will also be fun activities for the kiddo’s and delicious treats from The Springs kitchen. The […]

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Knowing your chronotype may be the key to your success

PlumJoyful — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 06:28:25 +0000

There is so much obsession these days with the “morning routine”. It’s become almost a badge of honor to have a very early and very elaborate morning ritual that you adhere to in the quest to be your best and most productive self. Every self-help “guru” extolls the virtue and power of the morning routine. They have dedicated blog posts, podcasts, webisodes and entire chapters to its power. We have been reminded that everyone from Anthony Robbins to Oprah to Steve Jobs has a morning routine that supposedly contributes to their incredible success. Our collective obsession with productivity and success has led to an almost obsessive compulsive ideation of the morning ritual as if it is the magical ingredient to a successful life. If you aren’t awake by five am to do exactly 12 minutes of high intensity interval training followed by 3 minutes of dry skin brushing while simultaneously chanting kundalini mantras and then jumping into an ice cold shower for just long enough to avoid hypothermia, well then, you may as well kiss your day goodbye. You suck. Go back to bed because your going nowhere fast, and not even your MCT oil infused vegan latte can save […]

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The woman’s march LA : A peaceful demonstration of hope

PlumJoyful — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 05:41:37 +0000

This weekend people all over the world came together to exercise their first amendment rights in the name of freedom, inclusion and solidarity. Here in Los Angeles mother nature brought her A game and set the tone. It was sunny, bright, calm, and beautiful. 750,000 people showed up, and not ONE arrest. The mood was one of love and hope and it was an incredible thing to witness. With the current political climate of fear and exclusion, the marches around the country remind us what a wonderful world we live in, and that there are more of us on the side of right than the media would have us believe. We are all connected and that is the simple unabashed truth. We stand for ourselves when we stand for others. It may be a challenging four years ahead, but if people continue to show up the way they did this weekend, it may well be one of the most transformative and therapeutic periods in history. So many people are coming together right now and standing for each other that it is unprecedented. Women, minorities, LGBT community, and those in the name of religious freedom. The force that is gathering is […]

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Ketogenic diet : the new miracle cure?

PlumJoyful — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 06:24:44 +0000

There has been a lot of talk about the ketogenic diet lately and I have been very intrigued by what I’ve learned. Every year there is a new “miracle” diet promising a better body, perfect health and glowing skin. From Paleo to raw vegan, we have heard it all. However the current hoopla around the ketogenic diet suggests that it is more than a diet that will increase your wellness and decrease your waistline. Unlike all the other diets, the ketogenic diet has been proven to have real therapeutic effects and has become an area of research in regards to everything from epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and ALS to type 2 diabetes. There is a lot of evidence that suggests that not only does it do wonders for your physique, but it could possibly have very real neuro-protective effects. What’s interesting is that the diet flies in the face of our conventional ideas of a healthy diet. Less grains and more butter and cream? Say what? So let’s take a look at what this diet is, and all of the potential benefits we may be able to reap from it. What is the Ketogenic diet? The ketogenic diet is a diet that […]

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3 simple ways to cleanse your energy and start the new year right

PlumJoyful — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 23:46:58 +0000

2016 has left a lot of people reeling and feeling like up is down and down is up. This has been an intense year for almost everyone that I know. Not necessarily bad, but certainly challenging. A new year brings with it the chance to start fresh and release the things that have been holding you back, whether they be health challenges, relationship issues or just false beliefs. I like to do a bit of a purge and cleanse at the new year. Cleaning out our house and making a donation to Goodwill or Out of the Closet is the place I like to start. Donating things you no longer need is a great way to contribute to others and it helps to lighten the energy of your space. You can also write it off as a year-end tax deduction which is a nice bonus. Then I like to clear the energy of our home and my body to symbolically rid myself of the past years energies, and to create a clean slate upon which to build this new year. Here are a few ways that I like to do this. You can do one or all, or create your […]

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Wellness Gift Guide : Online ideas you can still receive before Christmas

PlumJoyful — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 05:32:31 +0000

Anyone else a last minute shopper when it comes to the holidays? Even when I try to plan ahead there are always a handful of gifts that I inevitably forget and I find myself running around the city scrambling for some last minute presents. Well now that there are such incredible online options, and many with free shipping, I no longer have to race around like a crazy person. I can chill out and order from my couch with a glass of wine in hand. Thank you Amazon Prime. For those of you that need a few last minute ideas and are wellness minded, here is a short list of awesome gifts that you can order now and still receive by Christmas. Now Foods Ultrasonic Real Bamboo Diffuser THIS diffuser is a perfect gift for anyone in your life that needs a little relaxation and me time. I just recently bought an ultrasonic diffuser and it makes my home smell like a Spa. It is a very simple way to change the energy in your home, freshen the air and space as well as utilize the medicinal and healing properties of essential oils. It uses ultrasound to create a fine […]

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Gift guide: Healthy fun gifts for your toddler

PlumJoyful — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 06:36:13 +0000

The Holidays are in full swing and the media is inundating us with gift ideas. But most of the gifts for children are plastic and made in China with known toxic materials. Not to mention they will most likely end up in a landfill at some point in the near future where they will add to the environmental burden of our planet. There are so many awesome gifts out there that are not only healthier choices for your little ones, but are also things you will keep and pass on when your child grows out of it. As the mom of a toddler, I wanted to share the gifts that I found. Most are suitable for kids five and under. So instead of getting yet another Barbie or plastic toy with a million flashing lights and batteries, think about one of these chic and timeless options. Manufaktur Wiener Kids’ Musical Instrument Gift Set Manufaktur Wiener Kids’ Musical Instrument Gift Set is a little on the pricey side, but this is a gift that your little one will absolutely love, and will also stand the test of time. My Little Plum is obsessed with music and instruments and these are ones she can use […]

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Gluten free dairy free Pumpkin Pie with gingersnap crust

PlumJoyful — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 08:00:08 +0000

Ahh the Holidays! It’s time for snuggling up and twinkling lights, and most importantly, it’s time for baking! The Holidays are my excuse to bake delish treats and not feel too guilty about it. I made this pie last year, and of course never wrote down the recipe, or at least couldn’t find it, so I had to start from scratch this time, but it came out even better I think. This pie is really easy to make, has very simple ingredients and if the experience of the holiday season could be distilled into a flavor, it would be the flavor of this pie. It’s warming, and sweet and spicy all at once. Like a really good hug. You can make this with the recommended gingersnap crust, or if you are hardcore Paleo, you could make it with an almond flour pie crust. Elana’s Pantry has a great one. Or you could even go crustless…scandalous! Gingersnap crust 2 cups of Gingersnap crumbs For this you will need 2 boxes Pamela’s Simple Bites Gluten free Gingersnapz (These are the best and only ones I’ve used, but you could try this with any gingersnaps). 6-8 Tablespoons of Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery spread Empty […]

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An apology and a pledge to my daughter after the election

PlumJoyful — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:45:46 +0000

I have spent the last week in a daze. My emotions spinning like a lazy Susan at a diner overloaded with mismatched condiments. Fear, anger, sadness, revulsion, confusion, hope, then back full circle to fear. I am not sure how this happened, and it most certainly doesn’t feel real, but every time I turn on my laptop or the TV I am reminded that it most certainly is. I woke up on Tuesday morning smiling and energized, which for a mom who hasn’t slept through the night in over two years is really saying something. It was election day and your Dad and I were taking you to the polls with us because I wanted you to see your mama vote for the first female president in history. But truth be told, it was so much more than that. This election felt like a true battle between good and evil, right and wrong. The delineation between the two candidates was so stark, so black and white that is was almost impossible to see it any other way. I’m not religious but it felt almost biblical. I wanted you to bear witness to your mother and many other Americans standing up […]

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Last minute easy Halloween costume and decor ideas

PlumJoyful — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 06:19:11 +0000

If you are anything like me than you know what it’s like to be going about your day only to realize that Halloween is four days away and you haven’t figured out your kids costume, let alone your own. And while I did have the foresight to get pumpkins two weeks ago, they sit on our kitchen table uncarved and threatening to go soft like a preteen girl at a One Direction concert. So like the true procrastinator that I am, I have only today begun to kick into real holiday gear and cheer so I can finish out Halloween strong. What I need are easy and affordable ideas that can help me make some spooky magic so the Little Plum can enjoy what I hope will become one of her favorite holidays. I know it was mine growing up. Here is a little accessible inspo for all my fellow procrastinating peeps. For the kids Most parents have some grocery bags and construction or tissue paper hanging around. Check out this awesome ands easy DIY hula girl costume from The Gold Jellybean. I love how simple and fun this costume is, and totally recyclable! Woot woot!!! I love this Shark […]

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