Bed Time Routines With Tubby Todd

Ahhhh what a dream partnership!!! Tubby Todd is a brand I have used since Zoe was tiny. I love how well the products work and how they as a small company thrive to keep them as clean as possible. We especially love their bubbles and use them as a part of their bedtime routine every night. And I thought what a better time to share our routine then in the beginning of the school year when everyone is thriving for smoother evenings.

1. After dinner treat! Depending on how well they ate or the timing that they ate, for our family this treat could be a piece of dark chocolate, or small (summer time) bowl of ice cream, freshly popped popcorn or fruit/apple/applesauce. Birdie's favorite buttered toast! I want the tummies full before bed so this is important but also something nice to look forward to because they think its so special. This is also a great time to get the wiggles out so I sometimes take this treat outside to walk the pup or let them scoot and others times they have it in the bath, hahaha.

2. Set the sleepy mood. While the girls are picking out pajamas. I dim bathroom lights, turn on the diffuser with essential oils going, currently it's gentle baby (I usually move the small bedroom diffuser I use in their bedroom into the bathroom while they bathe and back to the room while we read), I turn on bedtime music, pour in our favorite bubbles (the Tubby Todd ones are amazing, and gentle on the girls super sensitive skin) and 1/4 cup of epsom salt into the bath.

3. Bedtime Voices. This may sound silly but we also have "bedtime voices", they are simply whisper voices when we are talking. I tell the girls that we use these special voices so that our bodies know it's time for bed. I do have to remind them this a lot but I think it really helps for all of us, even tired mama.

4. I take them out of the bath one by one to brush/braid hair, give them a massages ( I love this for general points of massage to help promote sleep) and snuggles. In the winter I love using the unscented all over ointment for this, a dollop of cream and a drop of my gentle baby essential oil. This cream is incredible for eczema or rashes/dry skin patches. I even find it does wonder for me too, especially when my psoriasis flares up.

I always start by massaging in the cream into their feet, then calves and thighs, hands arms, shoulders and finally doing a nice lymphatic massage to the face ( I do a simpler version of this, I'll record next time!) and a quick one on their heads (this helps so much for sinuses and allergies. this video cracks me up!) When we do skip this for a quicker bedtime I find the girls need me to stay in the room longer or can't settle as quick, so we try and do this every night. I also love the chance to connect, one on one time with each babe.

5. Stories. Lately they each pick one and I pick one. Sometimes Zoe reads them all, sometimes Ami "reads" one and other times I read them all. Either way, we read every single night.

For the last couple years we have allowed that Zoe have a flash light to read her chapter books before falling asleep. She can stay up as long as she wants if she is quietly reading in bed. Recently Amani has started asking that we leave the light on so she can read too, so I dim them just enough for 10 minutes. Eventually she too will have a book light of some sort to read at night. This was something I LOVED as a kid, and still do. Only rules are no talking, and no getting out of bed. Ami usually falls asleep in just a few minutes, after arranging and rearranging all of her babies a few times, lol. Zoe usually reads for more or less an hour.

---

And that is our bedtime. Which guys is a LOT but I find that having a routine for them since they were tiny is such a respectful way to end the day with these little humans. It gives us time to connect, and time for them to unwind and always know what is going on. So whatever you choose to do make sure it works for your family but I can guarantee that adding a routine, some yummy products and oils, will be a really great way for you all to end the day, no matter how long or short it is.

Use this link to get 10% off!

Cheers to a great rest of the week and getting as much sleep as possible.

xoxo

Natalie

Quick Pickled Onions & Favorite Fall Meals

Hey there, happy Thursday, wow. The week sure did fly by. But also slow at the same time. Anyone else feel that way the last 7 months?

Today is suppose to be another beautiful one here and I am excited to get in a little extra beach time with the girls after we conquer Day 2 of virtual school orientation. Fall at the beach, is just wonderful. We pretty much have the beach to ourselves and something about the sun hitting your skin on a cooler day, smelling the ocean that makes me just so happy. I will not take for granted living just steps from my favorite place, since I know this may not be a long term thing.

Every time I make these quick pickled onions I get so many messages on how. And guys, they are so easy. It's a crime to call it a recipe but I am going for it. So delicious and not to mention onions themselves are so great for gut health and immune boosting. I am also sharing some of my favorite Fall dishes that I have made for the blog. Because I know we all need a little meal inspiration now that school is back in session. This meal planning/prepping post is one of my most popular food posts, I am going to do an updated post with a few more tips! Also, I making it a BIG goal to continue sharing my favorite recipes, I use to do it so much more.

OK, for your easiest, yummiest, quick pickled red onions.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large red onion, very thinly sliced

• ½ cup water

• ¼ cup distilled white vinegar

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or additional white vinegar

• drizzle of olive oil

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey or agave

• 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

RECIPE

1. Pack the onions into a 1-pint mason jar or similar heat-safe bowl.

2. Combine all ingredients (including onions) into the jar or bowl. Mixing well and making sure that the onions are completely covered in the mixture.

3. Microwave for 3 minutes, making sure to stop after every minute to gently and carefully mix. You want the onions to be translucent when finished.

4. Use a butter knife or spoon to press the onions down into the vinegar and pop any air bubbles in the jar. Let the pickled onions cool to room temperature (about 20 to 30 minutes), at which point they should be perfectly pickled for serving.

5. Cover and refrigerate leftover pickled onions for later. Quick-pickled onions are best consumed within three days, but they keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

** You can also bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then carefully pour the mixture into the jar over the onions, let it sit covered for 30 minutes and they should be completely pickled by then. And remember that you can easily double or quadruple this recipe for your family or your next gathering.

The onions are delicious on:

- green platanos, boiled or fried like tostonés (yum!!)

-boiled yucca or yuca fries

-tacos

-salads

-burgers

-steak

-burritos

-rice bowls

-your favorite version of avocado toast

---

And now for some delicious Fall recipe inspo from my blog, so many recipes I legit forgot about and adding to my meal planning for the rest of this month. First off these chocolate chip cookies are the perfect treat, I love to make a double batch to deliver to neighbors and also warm up for afternoon snacks. Best if eaten outside!

Let's not forget these Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, so good and can easily be made in the oven (at 425 for 30-40 minutes, just make sure you are flipping the potatoes every 10 minutes or so). These Habichuelas Rojas (red beans) are my version of my mom's delish beans. (I make a big batch of them to serve in tacos, on rice or even toss them into my salads! )

Sheet pan dinners are my saving grace, they are so easy and you can easily double for entertaining! This Instant Pot Lentil And Squash Soup is not the cutest but OMG it is delish, and on my list for next weeks soup ( I love making a weekly soup for lunches and dinner to not only save me time but something everyone loves, AND it always tastes better the next day!). Another really popular post was this one with tips on using your Instant Pot and a delicious Mongolian Beef recipe, SO GOOD,

This may be one of my favorites in the instant pot, Arroz Con Pollo! A crowd favorite, awesome for leftovers and entertaining this Fall. You can easily opt for mushrooms or even tofu to make this a hearty veg dish. I have not made this Spaghetti Squash Pomodoro in so long but need to rectify it and make this weekend. A great low carb option! Chicken Fried Quinoa, also known as a healthier version of chicken fried rice, can be made with any grain! My favorite is when I get my hands on the frozen Trader Joes brown rice bags and can whip this up so fast. Left over white rice (cold is best!) is also a great way to whip up a fast meal! Mmmmm thinking about this Roasted Potato Salad another great one for making ahead and adding as a side or for lunch!

This post I rounded up some meals that are easy to make now and freeze, another way I save time during the week. This one has a bunch of shredded chicken recipes too, buy on sale and make a big batch in the crock pot or Instant Pot for a couple meals!

Oh and this is squash two ways and gosh if this isn't Fall in a bowl then I don't know what is. I love squash because it is hearty, easy to cook and delicious. Quinoa Stuffed Squash is just so beautiful (perfect for entertaining!) and delicious. Imagine it served with yummy red wine out on the patio with candles and blankets. Ahhh I need to have our family over for a Fall dinner party, ASAP.

One packed up post for all of you as we enter the weekend.

Tomorrow I am going to share the LTK Fall sale and who is a part of it because I know a lot of you are looking to add some Fall pieces to your wardrobe.

Until then, I am sending love, light and strength. I know these times of balancing SO DAMN MUCH is not easy but we can lean on each other and do these hard things. If I can help with anything via my little blog, please let me know.

xoxo

Natalie

Mama Diaries: Oh My How Things Have Changed

Well hello there.

It's been a little bit. I have been finding it so hard to "balance it all" lately. And had found myself a little uneasy as I do around any time of change. A mix of the girls adjusting to a new house, wanting to be organized and completely unpacked and also really wanting to enjoy the last fleeting days of summer. And like always something has to give.

But, like always, I am back.

So much has changed. We have moved into our Plum Island rental for the winter (until Mid May) and slowly adjusting the home for us, organizing cabinets that are meant for weekly rentals, getting the girls unpacked and rooms turned into familiar spaces, with toys they hadn't seen for a while. We even ordered a few rugs (this home didn't have any) so that the furnished place looked a bit more "ours" and hopefully warmer during the cold months. But most of all we are falling into a new routine, so that once virtual school starts next week we can be ready. Does your routine change with the new seasons?

To be honest we are a little nervous, a 4th move (one of those moves being, moving our NYC apartment into storage without ever going back to it), Zoe entering a new grade completely virtual, hitting 6 months with little outside interaction (we have not seen anyone other than immediate family as a precaution we are sticking to what Amani's doctors have advised us), and so many other little moving parts. I will say this, that even with all of the nerves we are also BEYOND GRATEFUL.

Grateful to be spending the beginning of this chapter of life here, by the sea, with an incredible view and immediate family so close by. Knowing deep in my heart, that as challenging as change can be it can also be so incredible to witness the growth and clarity that comes from it. I am so grateful for this and so much more. WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. We have done them and we will keep doing them.

This week I am challenging myself to get back on here and share some Fall content! Some styling summer items into Fall, tips on bedtime routine (most asked for post!!), sharing my favorite quick pickled red onions & Fall meals that I am planning on, sharing some ideas I have been pinning to keep a toddler entertained during virtual schooling (this one is also great if your working/need a break!) and some home items I have ordered to make a summer rental cozier. I also plan on getting back to my weekly newsletter too, maybe this weekend??

For now I am just wishing you a whole lot of love, and hoping that you can fill your cup with all the things you are grateful for as we start a new week. And a reminder that you got this.

xoxo

Natalie