I’m going a bit out of my ordinary style of posts here, and sharing some kid related content – rest assured, these type of posts will be only occasional. Ash is now 20 months (18 months when this photo was taken) and my efforts at coming up with fun things to do are often directed by my desire to keep harsh chemicals to a minimum, mostly because he likes to put things in his mouth.

One of these adventures involved my making a batch of edible finger paint, which got smeared around a roll of butchers paper (as well as his face and the table), tada, Art. Thank goodness it was easy to wash off and it didn’t bother me that some of it was ingested. This recipe is made from items you can find in your pantry, and is quick  (and kind of fun!) to make. Even though it’s ‘edible’ it’s not actually a food, so I would try to discourage kiddo from eating it, but not being concerned if he gets it in his mouth or does actually swallow some.

I’ve shared my recipe below. Let me know how you go, or even better share your piccies!

Ingredients

4 tablespoons of corn flour

a splash of cold water

1 1/2 cup of boiling water

Liquid food colouring

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan, mix the cornflour with enough cold water to make a paste.
2. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and stir thoroughly so there are no lumps.
3. Turn the stove on to medium heat, and keep stirring. Soon you will see the colour start to change, and some sections may become thicker. Turn the heat off but keep stirring, and eventually it thicken.
4. You may want to add some more water if it is too thick, up to an extra 1/2 cup. Keep stirring well while you do this.
5. Spoon equal amounts into empty containers and add food colouring. I chose shades of blue and green (because the red was missing!) Aqua is 2 drops of green, 4 of blue. Lime Green is 3 yellow, 1 green. I did a straight blue, green and yellow (however the yellow wasn’t that visible on the paper). Mix until completely combined.
6. You can keep it in the fridge for about 2 weeks, covered with a lid or gladwrap. I suggest using it up sooner if your kiddie has a tendency to put it in their mouth.

Tips:

If the mixture has harden from being in the fridge, adding a little bit of boiling hot water or sitting in a warm spot will soften it again.

Use a few layers of paper on top of the table or put some plastic in between, as the paint will soften the paper and it may tear, particularly if bub is rough.

Have some wipes or a wet cloth handy so they don’t then take off and smear hands everywhere (speaking from experience here).

The post Edible Finger Paint Recipe appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Are you searching for ideas for Mother’s Day gifts? I’ve come up with some awesome suggestions that I’m sure most Mum’s will love. From a gift voucher for a relaxing massage, to some organic, chemical free skin products, to a DIY decorated mug, you won’t be short of ideas after reading this.

Design your Own Beautiful Mug

Don’t want to spend much? Make Mum a gift! This DIY decorated mug is a great idea and will be a fun activity to do.
Start with a solid coloured mug (or a few) from a cheap store and decorate it. This could be a great one for the kiddies to do (with parental supervision of course).

My favourite is the Nail Polish Marble Mug. You could also use this technique to decorate votive candle holders, vases, saucers or potplants.
Marble Mugs

Using a Porcelain Marker pen you can decorate a mug in all sorts of ways
This link gives you ideas about how to transfer a printable picture so it’s easier to draw, or some inspiration to draw some geometric patterns.
Marker Mugs

High tea

Take your Mummy on a date to High Tea, or give her a gift voucher for another time.

Here are some lovely places to consider:
The Sebel, Hawkesbury – $44 pp
The Fairmont Resort, Leura – $49-$65 pp
Lilianfels, Katoomba, $49-$69 pp

A tea subscription.

Does your Mum love herbal tea? For a gift that will last well past May 14th, consider a subscription of organic herbal tea.

Burton Health offers a monthly tea subscription which delivers a bag of organic tea to your door along with an information sheet about each tea blend, new members get a travel mug, and each month there are surprise goodies included. With each month Mum gets a present in the mail that will remind her of your kind gift.

Membership ranges from 3 months for $99 or a years worth for $299. Alternatively you can just purchase her a single pack of tea, which is all available to peruse on the club website.
Burton Health Tea Club

A relaxing massage.

Ease stress and sore muscles with a therapeutic, relaxing massage. Pregnancy massage is great gift idea for a Mum-to-be as well!
Massages are available with me at the Windsor clinic on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or Fridays at Dural.
60min for $95
30 min for $55

Email me for a voucher, or Book Online for Dural or Call for appointments at Windsor

Skin Juice Box of Goodness – Hand Cream and Green Balm

This pack contains the all-purpose Skin Juice Green Balm, and Perfect Paws hand cream.

I swear by the Skin Juice Green Balm, you can use it for rough skin, as a night cream, for rashes and a bit of eczema, as a lip balm, soothe cuts and bruises. It softens, soothes and conditions all areas of skin you want to apply it to. (It’s also safe to use on babies from 4 weeks and safe during pregnancy). The hand cream smells lovely and isn’t greasy.
This pack with the hand moisturiser and green balm together is on sale at the moment on Nourished Life – $36 down from $55; or just get the Green Balm for $29.50

Skin Juice Just Squeezed Box of Goodness

Green Juice All Over Skin Balm

Make her a cake.

Try my recipe for a gluten free Plum and Orange Cake.

Women Essence – Australian Bush Flower Essence

This blend of Bush Flowers is designed to assist in balancing emotional imbalances that are common during menstruation, menopause, pregnancy and more. This gentle formula works on an energetic level and may help with mood swings, hot flushes, and more. For more detail look at the individual essences on the website.

Women Essence Drops

The Divine Company Hand Series

What Mum doesn’t have hardworking hands. Give them some love with a beautiful, nasty-chemical free cleanser and moisturiser. This moisturiser smells just divine. (Get it?)
Last year I interviewed the founder of this company, Therese Kerr about natural beauty products. You can check that out here.
The cleanser and moisturiser combo is on sale for $79.95: The Divine Company Organic Hand Series

Or just get the moisturiser for $49.95
The Divine Company Organic Hand & Body Lotion

So that’s my suggestions. What do you think? Any other ideas?

This post contains some affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

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