Holiday Negroni Reinvented

I thought that this holiday season it would be fun to re invent my favourite drink, Negroni. I wanted something that was easy enough to pull together and that Didn’t require too much time!

This is your typical Negroni with a splash of Christmas in it! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Here is all that you need:

Brind ingredients:

1 Orange keep the peel

1 cup of sugar

1/2 cup water

2 cinnamon sticks

1 oz of tripple sec liquor

Bring all ingredients to a boil and let cool. You will be adding this to your drink to bring it to life.

Traditional Negroni:

1 oz Gin

1 oz Martini

1 oz Campari

Ice

Add one table spoon of your brind one cinnamon stick and a few orange peels.

Enjoy!

Xo Rosanna

7 healthy habits for working mammas

So we all know that being a mom is one of the most rewarding, stressful, fulfilling, emotional (and the list goes on and on) rolls you will ever play! 

Being a working mom has its challenges all on its own!  

I see all these posts about “habits that all entrepreneurs must do” “routines that make you succeed” but I rarely see them being moms and having to not only prep for yourself but your children and your family. At times it can be SO frustrating.  

I wanted to take my time to share my 7 habits that I will NEVER ever give up. These things are sacred to me and are somethings that allow me to be centred so that I can be present for my family!! 

To be completely transparent, there are times lady’s that our “life” gets in the way and we don’t practice the things we know will help us succeed in our day to day. The thing is, as long as we know how to pick ourselves up and put ourselves back on track that’s all that matters!

Here are my 7 healthy habits for working mammas:

1. MEDITATION/JOURNALING

I wake up at 5:45am and Journal & Meditate. My mind is racing a million miles per hour, between the business and the household it’s go go go. Having these 15-20 minuets of silence and soft music is huge! Plus the kids are still sleeping and it’s me time!  If I am so exhausted and can’t wake up then I practice this with the kids.

2. PREP TIME  

If I don’t prep nothing gets done! It’s that simple! I prep our lunches, as well as mine even though I don’t go to work I prep it as I am so that I don’t even have to think about what to eat the next day. It’s all done from the night before!  

3. BREAKFAST  

This one is HUGE! I was in a habit of feeding the kids getting them dressed and chugging down my coffee and the next time I checked the clock it was 11am and I was starving! Now what I do is I prep the kids breakfast as I’m doing that I drink my marine collagen powder with a hint of 🍋 While they eat I eat as well, hard boiled egg, egg whites with spinach, toast peanut butter or smoothies something that will keep you full!

4. DETOX

Not only do I do a monthly body detox but I do a house detox! Clutter is huge and it can get wild with 3 little babes so I go through things all the time and declutter anything that doesn’t serve us!  

5. WORK OUT  

Lets be honest I’m no work out queen nor do I wish to be one because it’s just not my focus, however feeling good in my skin and having my mind be in optimal shape is my goal! Working out or doing something active is definitely a must! There are times I have to do it with the kids and there are times I am blessed to have Fil watch them. Whatever keeps your mind health and gets you out for some you time for 30-45 minutes!  

6. SHOWER  

This sounds silly but showering is one of the most peaceful things for me. I shower at night when the kids go down so it’s quiet and relaxing. I light some candles and keep the light dim and use the shower as my night meditation. My good friend Claudia from Bloom energy taught me to thank my body in the shower, to use my hands and place them on every area and thank my body for all that it has given me. It’s a beautiful and peaceful practice that will leave you feeling Zen!  

7. PHONES OFF  

Social media! We are attached to our phones it’s insane! So taking time away every day is something that is a must in our house hold!!  

I hope you take away something that you can do to help clear your mind and make your day less stressful!!

xo

Rosanna  

Books that will shift your mindset

TOP 3 BOOKS THAT WILL SHIFT YOUR MINDSET DRASTICALLY

I’m sharing my top 3 books with you because I have been asked what books I read and what I do to stay so positive.

First and foremost, we all have shitty days! I am NOT perfect. There are days I can’t even shower because the kids are taking over.  There are days I can’t even get to do my hair. It’s all about balance, right? Hahaha

The difference is that I recognize those lows instantly. I have done so much work on myself that I know exactly when I’m Overwhelmed, Sad, or Anxious.

I also know exactly what makes me feel good.

Allowing yourself to feel all those emotions is very important. You need to feel,in order to grow and understand. The shift begins when you recognize your emotions!! Recognize the anxiety. Recognize the fearand allow it to be there.  Don’t allow it to take over.

So here are my Top 3 books that have changed my mindset drastically. I have taken quotes from each one.  These are some of the most powerful words that helped me.

 A RETURN TO LOVE by Marianne Williomson

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

LOVE WITHOUT CONDITIONS by Paul Ferrini

“Learn to love without condition. Talk without bad intention. Give without any reason. And most of all, care for people without any expectation.”

LIVE A THOUSAND YEARS by Giovanni Livera

“This captivating story teaches you how to live twelve times the life experience of the average person. Most of us measure our time by clocks and calendars. Live A Thousand Years reveals the power of measuring your time and your success by moments and experiences.”

I hope you enjoy these! 

Recognize.  Feel. Overcome.

Live and Love.

xo Rosanna  

Top Dairy Free spots

 

G is for GELATO Vegan gelato that is !

 I have been Dairy Free since I had Stella due to a slight allergy she may have, also due to my own intolerance. 

I have been trying to find some fun ways to enjoy some treats once and a while. You don’t realize how many things have dairy or derivatives from dairy till you read the ingredients!

I have listed a few of my favourite spots in the city that we love! 

For breakfast if your looking for either treat or bowl, Freshii is one of my favourite spots. Rite now I’m loving there green eggs and Kale scramble, it comes with cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and rostered red pepper sauce, I say no feta. If you’re looking for something sweet I’m obsessed with there Coconut Chia Pudding, it comes with mango and strawberry’s and it’s delicious!

Our next favourite spot is Heirloom. It was our first time going there so we tried the beyond meat bacon cheddar burger, all vegan and the Avocado Benedict with no hollandaise sauce, all though you have a vegan option. Firs of all the beyond meat burger tasted like meat Fil actually loved it too! My Benedict was amazing as well!  

As for dessert I LOVE gelato and now that I can only eat non dairy I feel like at times my choices are limited. Our favourite place to go is La Casa Gelato. We love it because that’s where we went on our first date, ya I know cheesy but it’s such a special place for us!

Not to mention the 238 gelato flavour choices, and over 40 of those are Vegan! Talk about choices, hands down if you crave a little something that is the place to go! I would recommend Peach Bellini as my top one!

Here you have it a few of our favourite current spots, I know Vancouver has a tone of other ones so please feel free to share!!!  

MY TOP 5 POST PARTUM PRODUCTS

Only now that I have had my 3rd, I feel like I know exactly what I prefer. These products may not work for everyone, and at the end of the day remember YOU have to do what’s best for YOU and YOUR BABY!

I have found these products have helped me recover and make me feel better Post Partum!

Thought I’d share with y’all!

No. 1 - Lactation Smoothie Recipe 

I can’t yet physically breastfeed baby Stella, and because I lost so much blood during the pregnancy, this time around I had a challenge with my milk supply. So, I decided to try it all!

This smoothie tastes good, you can find this recipe anywhere, and I thought I would share it here.

1 cup of Rolled Oats 

2 tbs Brewers Yeast or Nutritional Yeast

1 Banana 

Handful of spinach 

1 tsp Cinnamon 

1 tbs peanut butter or almond butter 

1 cup of coconut milk (you can use whatever milk you like)

You can add the marine collagen (see below) and any protein powder to this shake as well!

No. 2 - Vitamins

I am loving my Mega Food. The ones I am currently taking are the Baby and Me, Megaflora, and Blood builder.

The reason I chose this brand is because it’s well known for its absorption properties. I have been advised that different vitamin brands absorb better and are purer than others

Top 3 reasons:

1. Check to see that they have been reviewed by Health Canada and deemed safe.

2. Check for good labelling practices where they list active and non-active ingredients.

3. Look at the types of ingredients that are being used. Avoid artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours, wheat, lactose, stearic acid and hydrogenated oils.

These are only a few reasons why I chose this brand and some rules that I follow, but always check with your Doctor and do your own research.

No. 3 - Vida Glow Collagen Powder 

Collagen is the most abundant protein and the second largest substance (behind water) in the human body. Replenishing collagen levels will help benefit the building blocks that maintain our hair, skin and nails. Because I lost a lot of blood during this last pregnancy, I want to make sure I am rebuilding my skin from the inside out!

Collagen works from within to promote optimal collagen function within the body. Vida Glow's marine collagen is a low molecular weight collagen peptide powder, which is highly bioavailable, with a high absorption rate above 90%. Whereas pills and tablets average from 20 - 30% and can take up to 40 minutes for the body to break down.

Once Vida Glow's marine collagen is ingested, it passes through the lining of the stomach and is absorbed by the bloodstream and distributed by blood vessels, to the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. Here it stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen proliferation, thereby increasing the body's collagen levels and its natural production of collagen.

You can pop it in your water, oatmeal or coffee and enjoy! 

No. 4 - H2O

“8 waters please” and then some!

That is me every day.  I am super thirsty while I pump.  Who else can relate??  Keeping up with your water is key to lactation production and over all health.  I keep a few water bottles lying around - one in the car and a few around the house to remind me! 

No. 5 - Mother’s Milk Tea

I AM Obsessed with this tea to help produce breast milk!

The main milk-boosting ingredient in this tea is Fenugreek seed, along with fennel, anise, coriander and blessed thistle—herbs that have traditionally been used as galactagogues (aka milk-making aids).

One of its benefits is that it helps produce breast milk.  Some of the other benefits are:

Reduces menstrual discomfort

Relives constipation

Good for kidney trouble

Lowers cholesterol

Just steep for 5 minutes and enjoy 3-5 cups per day!

BONUS No. 6 - MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness may be different to each one of us. For me it’s important that my mind is in line with my heart which is then followed by my actions. I must admit, when I am overwhelmed and stressed out it takes more for me to settle my mind.  However, I have to practice each day to stay on track.

One thing I believe in is waking up with a grateful heart. I wake up and thank God every day for my blessings and I ask him to guide my day as needed.

I then pull my Angel cards or an affirmation card and ask my Angels to watch over us.

There are times I sit in silence and pray the Rosary.  This is the most soothing one for me. The beautiful rosary in the above photo was hand made by Anita Alberto, I am in love with it!

The healing stones are from my good friend Claudia Chirico of Bloom Energy Therapy, they set intentions for the day. This special stone is Selenite, it clears old energy and allows us to connect on a deeper level by clearing any negativity and opening ourselves up to receive. 

At the end of my day I thank God for putting all the right people on my path that day and I express gratitude for them.  As a family, we all take turns saying what we are grateful for each day.

It’s so cute -  Vincenzo doesn't really get it - but he always says he's grateful for Gianluca or Papa. Yes! I even get my 3 year old in on it too!

What are you grateful for today?  Comment below♥️