As the leaves are turning orange and the temperature is dropping, fall has arrived. Every season has an energetic quality to it and Fall is Yin. This is a time when our energy levels are naturally lower and our need for rest and retreating inward is greater. 

Every season is magical in its own way and today I want to share with you my top tips for embracing fall:

1. Fall is a great time to release what is no longer serving you. This could be decluttering your home, letting go of any emotional baggage you may be holding on too, resolving any tension in your relationships and simply practicing letting go of trying to control everything and just being in the present moment. 

2. Your energy levels are naturally lower so balance out moving your body with enough rest and sleep. If you don't feel like being overly social, don't. If you need a full day or weekend to decompress and hibernate, it's ok. Make some arrangements, get a babysitter, ditch the guilt and do whatever you need to do to re-charge. 

3.Give yourself some time in the mornings to wake up slowly and connect with how you're feeling.  

4. Go through your closet and put away your summer clothes for next year. Donate or sell any clothes you don't absolutely love or use regularly so that your closet is only full of clothes that make you feel relaxed, happy and beautiful (and warm!).

5. Make your home a little sanctuary for the whole family by separating areas for play and areas for relaxing. (Perhaps filling the relaxing area with some dried flowers, candles and soft cushions and throws, perfect for snuggling and sipping cocoa together). 

6. Spend time in nature. Dress up warm and head outdoors to enjoy the crisp cool air. When you get back home, dim the lights, light some candles and embrace the yin energy of fall.  

Love 

So happy to be sharing this guided meditation with you. Perfect for relaxation and sleep. 

I hope you enjoy it, love,

Updated 12.nov

UNDERSTANDING & GOING WITH THE NATURAL FLOW OF YOUR CYCLE

In our society which is so dominated by yang - the masculine, we often push and go and do. Forgetting to also nourish the yin - the feminine, to rest and take a little break from all the hustle and bustle. We forget that we are cyclical beings where our hormones go up and down like a rollercoaster, and often treat our bodies the same regardless of which time of month we are in. Our periods are seen as annoying and inconvenient as we push on through the mind numbing cramps and desire to stay under the covers to be and do some more because that is what is expected and the norm in our society. 

Today I want to give you a fresh perspective on your natural cycle that I hope will give you some clarity on why and how we can go with the natural flow of our body, instead of against it. When we treat our bodies with kindness and understanding, I believe we can experience much less stress and frustration, and much more energy and calm. 

I want you to look at your cycle like the 4 seasons. Each phase is equally beautiful in its own way and has an energetic quality to it.

Day 1-7 of your cycle (when you bleed) is winter and Yin in quality.

This is a time of rest and we will naturally want to snuggle up to tune our attention inwards. Your bodies energy is at its lowest and so this is a time to respect that you need more rest and sleep. As mamas we cant just hibernate for a week as we have little ones who depend on us or ditch work, but we can choose to limit how much we do. This is a time to say no to harsh workouts (stick to walking and gentle yoga), limit social engagements unless you feel like it, and keep the to do list to a bare minimum. Knowing that your energy level is low and respecting that your body needs rest, I find really helps with ditching any feelings of being lazy or guilty for needing some down time. 

Day 7-14 (pre-ovulation) is spring and Yang in quality.

This is a time when you will often feel lighter, happier and more energised (especially is you have given yourself time to rest during "winter"). This is a time to get back into your exercise regime, start new projects, try something new or spring clean the house towards the end of this phase. You may feel yourself wanting to be more social so this is a great time to meet new people and catch up with friends.

Day 14-21 (Ovulation phase) is Summer and Yang in quality.

This is a time to go and do as your energy is at its highest! You may naturally feel more outgoing, confident, playful and attractive;) 

Day 21-28 (pre-menstrual phase) is Autumn and Yin in quality.

As the leaves start to fall, so do our hormones and energy levels. You may feel yourself become less extroverted and wanting to say no thank you to things. Its a great time to finish things as you "prepare for winter", reflect on the past month and let go of things that aren't serving you. As it is yin we often want to do gentler forms of exercise, but keep moving as movement can help with the free flow of energy necessary when we menstruate. 

Side note; If you don't resonate with any of the above because you're feeling tired all the time, it could be a sign your body is out of balance. When we push ourselves too hard for too long, we can get symptoms of burn out and if so its time to slow down. Our body is always speaking to us, we just need to tune in to listen, so if its telling you to slow down and rest (wherever you are in your cycle), please do. 

I hope this helps and that you have a wonderful week, wherever you are in your cycle. 

Love, 

This is me and my family, and what YinMama is all about :)

Love & Light,

I came across a beautiful poem by @tessguinery on instagram that I found to be so beautiful and inspiring. It reminded me that it's ok to be honest and real, to go slow and care for yourself also. I hope you like it as much as I do. 

If I choose to always grow,
maybe she will bloom like a wildflower.
If I make art from my everyday,
she too, will create her days full of colour.
If I let my tears fall and always when they need,
perhaps she’ll water the earth with an open heart.
If I’m clumsy-crazy and all about her Dad,
a beautiful-crazy-love is what her heart will search for.
If I let him forever romance me in the wake of day,
she will forever know no less.
If I say “I’m sorry”—even when it’s hard,
maybe she’ll be quick to forgive others.
If I choose to speak life in vibrant and rich colours,
let beige words never settle in her heart.
If I leave pretty love-notes, handwritten on every wall,
affirmations will line the depth of her soul.
If I choose the uncomfy and forever shake up my ways,
maybe she too, will stand to live life bold & brave.
If I take time to be alone & make dreaming paramount to my week,
she’ll learn solitude is important and a golden gift to seek.
If I look in the mirror and speak kind and gentle words,
she too, will forever know her worth.
If I fill our house with flowers, music & sweet loving scents,
maybe the silhouette of home will always be warmth.
If our front door is always open to those who are in need,
she’ll learn the golden purpose of life.
If I pray out loud and have real conversations with God,
maybe she’ll move mountains with her voice.
If I tell her I love her a million times a day,
maybe, just maybe, she’ll learn:
that even in my flaws,
my lack,
and my mistakes,
I gave her my entire heart

- My motherhood monologue, by Tess Guinery

Love,

Turn your phone off, ditch the tv and prioritise an evening of self-care. Here are 5 lovely ideas to help you relax and unwind.

1. Take a long bath or shower. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the bath water or on the floor of your shower. Let the water wash away all the stress of the day... 
2. Gently exfoliate your face and body with a coffee or salt scrub. Listen to some music and breathe. 
3. Moisturise your whole body and think of 3 things that you love about yourself.
4. Light some candles and curl up on the sofa with some tea and a great book.
5. Put new sheets on the bed and have an early night. Wake up refreshed and ready for a new day tomorrow. 

Lots of love

Choosing to focus on the positive in our life and showing appreciation for all that we are and have, is possibly the fastest, simplest and most powerful way of improving our own well-being and happiness.

Research suggests that feeling grateful can help reduce stress, improve our mental and physical health, increase empathy, ease depression, improve our relationships and foster long-term happiness. All pretty good reasons for making it a part of our daily lives!

"When you trade you're expectations for appreciation, you're whole world changes in an instant" - Tony Robbins

Here are my top 3 tips for making gratitude a daily habit: 

1. Decide to make it a priority to take a moment each day (or several throughout) to think or write down what you are grateful for. Personally, I like to start and end my day with thinking of 3 things I am grateful for before I get up in the morning and before I drift off to sleep... 

2. Write a gratitude list and put it on the fridge or start a gratitude journal. Write down what you are grateful for and read it often, especially if you're feeling down. 

3. Show appreciation for those you love daily, verbally and through gestures. Simple things like saying thank you and complementing your family members and friends for all that they are and do daily. It's easy to get wrapped up in busy schedules and take the people we love for granted...

Cultivating gratitude daily challenges you to think of new things that you appreciate. It can be things like your family, friends and home, but also the little things that matter like the sun hitting your face as you breathe in the fresh fall air, or a cup of hot coffee you get to enjoy in peace before the whole world wakes up. 

It's impossible to feel anger, fear or worry when we are truly grateful - Tony Robbins

 What are you grateful for in this moment? Close your eyes and really feel it. 

Have a lovely day! Lots of love

Today I wanna share with you one of my absolute favourite acupressure points -ShenMen (Heart7) which means "Spirit Gate".

According to Chinese Medicine, when we feel safe and protected, our Shen or Spirit is calm and resides in our heart. But anytime we experience large amounts of stress, or sudden emotional shock or trauma however, our spirit can scatter, leaving us feeling anxious, stressed and a little frantic. Luckily, this beautiful point can be used to calm our mind and spirit, easing symptoms of stress, anxiety and feeling scattered.

The point is located on the inner wrist in a little crease. Anytime you feel unsettled or anxious, try using this point by gently tapping on it using your forefinger and middle finger, or apply gentle pressure for 1-3 minutes. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. 

Sending you calm energy and lots of love,

I hope you've had or are still enjoying a wonderful summer. After 3 weeks of sun, fun and family time I'm feeling inspired and ready to dive back into the daily routines of mama life, work and all the exciting projects I have planned ahead (pssst exciting news to come in just a few weeks!)

As I do, I'm reminding myself to relax.. to breathe.. to take moments out of busy days to just be.. to listen to my body and rest when I'm tired.. to love myself, flaws and all because we are all perfectly imperfect.. to be grateful for all that I have and are and do.. to worry less about the mess and more about being present.. to let go of the "could have, should have, would have"... to have more fun, play and be silly..

Whether you're just starting your holidays or returning back to everyday life, I hope you'll do the same.

Love, 

Nutrition is an interesting topic because as there is no one size fits all and we are all different. What might be right for me may not be the same for you and i really believe it's best to listen to your own body and get help from an expert in the field of nutrition any time we want to make any lifestyle changes. But recently I have had some questions about what i eat and so today i want to share with you 5 of my favourite foods that I normally eat every day... 

1. Breakfast is a must for me and i love to have my avocado on toast with pomegranate and a hot cup of coffee... (i love coffee but limit myself to this one cup a day) 

2. I Love a good Smoothie. Its such a simple and quick way to fill my body with healthy fruits and vegetables to boost my energy levels throughout the day when life is busy. (recipe on my favourite smoothies to come...)

Tip: According to Chinese medicine we should never drink it ice cold in the winter as your body will prefer to eat foods that are warm or at least room temperature when the weather is cold. Especially if you're a mama who tends to get easily cold or fatigued...

3. Chicken stock or broth... Sorry to offend any vegans/vegetarians out there, i know this one is controversial. Having been a vegetarian for a few years i do now eat a little bit of meat and chicken stock is just so amazing for your gut and immune system. I freeze it in ice cube trays and heat it up in soups, rice or quinoa for lunch or dinner. 

4. Quinoa is a fantastic source of protein as it contains all the amino acids. I always have it for lunch with a salad and cook it with stock to give it tons of flavour.   

5. Dates. I love everything sweet and dates cover my sweet cravings! They are a great source of energy and contain fiber, antioxidants and nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.  

Tip: Mix 12 dates, 2 cups of nuts (cashew and walnuts are great) and 2 tbs of raw cocoa powder in a food processor. Roll into balls and enjoy as a yummy healthy treat!

To save time and energy thinking about "what should i eat today?" i eat a lot of the same foods everyday, varying a few things to keep it interesting and balanced. Dinner is a must for us that we enjoy making and enjoying as a family.

I don't count calories or weigh myself, i just try to focus on nourishing my body with the healthiest foods possible and focusing on how it makes my body feel after i eat it. I also make sure to eat enough throughout the day to maintain my energy levels. I know how easy it is to forget to eat when life is busy, but as the Norwegian saying goes; "Uten mat og drikke, duger mama ikke" - which is roughly translated into "without food and drink, you ain't gonna function mama!". And to be able to show up as our best selves, we need to make sure our bodies are getting its nutrients. 

I hope this inspires you in some way to either add more foods to your plate or at least make sure you're eating enough healthy foods to boost your energy levels throughout your day. But just remember, you do what feels good for you!

Have a great one, Love