Almost 5 years ago I was watching/listening to Live From Abbey Road on the Sundance channel and stumbled across the soulful UK artist James Morrison. I loved him so much that I recorded the show so I could keep listening (ok, watching because he’s kind of hot) and it was perfect to unwind to. E was a newborn around this time, so this was great background noise as we napped and snuggled on the couch. I still love to curl up on the couch watching the recording with a glass of wine. It’s that feel good kind of music. 🙂

James Morrison was diagnosed with whooping cough when he was a infant and was given a 30% chance of survival. After he stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated 4 times, he beat the odds but then faced countless battles throughout his life as his family were affected by poverty and other illnesses. James’ most recent struggle is the loss of his father who had battled alcoholism and depression. Though, there is light for James since he just became a new father and his latest album has been topping the UK charts at #1! You can feel what he’s gone through in his life in his music which makes it real and unforgettable.

James Morrison has a soulful, whispy voice that carries a passionate note. His latest album, The Awakening, has a jazzy, soul beat with some deep, emotionally raw lyrics. His past albums have been sort of romantic, but this is a nice change. If you’ve ever known anyone who has faced addiction, the song Up will really hit home.

The 13 song album is hard hitting, beautifully written, and totally meets my expectations. My favorite song is Beautiful Life. Got to love positive singing in times like these!

If you are in the mood to hear some great new music, check out James Morrison on iTunes! This would make a great last minute stocking stuffer or gift.

*Thanks to Stunt Co for sending me his latest album The Awakening to review!

In 2012 I will slow down. I will take everything in at a slow pace. I will breathe. I will live. I must learn patience! I can’t believe in 6 days it will be Christmas. In less than 2 weeks it will be a new year. And in exactly one month E will be 5. Another year has flown by and I’ve been too busy to take in all of the joy we’ve had.

Every year I make a “healthy” new year resolution like giving up something or cutting back. I was going to make my 2012 new years resolution to do yoga every day because I take my resolutions seriously and force myself to go through with them. I need to get back into shape and yoga is beneficial in so many ways. But tonight a friend shared one of my favorite stories that I want to share with you:
‎”In Washington DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about four minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule. About four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. At six minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. At ten minutes, a three-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly. At forty-five minutes: The musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. After one hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music. This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities. This experiment raised several questions: In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? If so, do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made… How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?”

This story gives me chills every time I read it. There are so many things we take for granted and miss out on because we are in a hurry. So in 2012 I will slow down. I will enjoy my last several months at home with my kiddo. I will enjoy good books and make time for them. I will spend more time with my friends and family. I will stop rushing to get things done in time and waiting last minute to complete tasks. I will do yoga every day because it teaches your body how to be calm and enjoy the moment. I’m going to savor every minute of life because lets face it- time passes by way too fast!

What are your new years resolutions? Be sure to sign up for the Healthy Child, Healthy World newsletter to read more inspiring new years resolution posts!

ManPans just released their baking and pizza line and I’m officially in love! Tis the season for baking and making special treats!! The Cookie Sheet came just in time for a holiday cookie swap over the weekend. I had to bake 4 dozen cookies (in a hour- I’m so last minute) and they were perfection!

This is a truly amazing Cookie Sheet. The cookies came out perfect on the bottoms (which I sometimes burn) and the pan held true to the recipe cook temp/time. I also made eggrolls on the Cookie Sheet and they were the best yet! The cookies slid off the Cookie Sheet easily and I didn’t have to grease the sheet for the egg rolls- which I normally do. I can’t wait to use it for our Christmas morning mini quiches!

The Cookie Sheet is 18″ X 13″ and I was able to fit 20 cookies on the sheet. The last pic was my last batch- so there are less cookies. 🙂 The pan is flat (no sides all around-other than the grip-lip) which is easy to use. You can get the Cookie Sheet for $29.99 and this would make the best gift for anyone who loves to bake!

ManPans uses .080 aluminum that is is coated with Gem-X2. Not only are the pans non-toxic they are manufactured in a eco-friendly way. You can read more about that here. The Gem-X2 release coating is water-based, and is 100% PTFE free and free from any fluoropolymer coatings. The coating will not scratch or flake off into your food.

You can get free shipping with any order over $200 and right now they have a great holiday special:
Free 8″ Fry Pan ($63 value!) with orders of $250 (until December 20) Add the 8″ Fry Pan to your order then enter the code: holidayfrypan2011 at checkout.

I’ll be back with a Pizza Pan review! Thank you ManPans for sending me the pans to review!

We went to Carolina Christmas Monday night and it was a blast! Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in Concord, NC, has set up over 600 LED light displays with over 3 million lights. The Speedway is open every night from 6-10 p.m. until December 31. Be sure to check their website for weekend events. Even though the traffic might be more congested, I recommend going Thursday-Sunday so you can see the Christmas Village that has a Bethlehem-themed village, a Festival of Trees, photos with Santa and areas with food and music.

As you drive through the dragway and on to the speedway, you can tune into 91.1 to hear holiday music, trivia, and NASCAR drivers talking about their Christmas memories and traditions.

The Christmas light display begins on the zMax Dragway. We went on a Monday night, so there was very little traffic. As soon as you get on the track, you turn your lights off and follow the other cars in your lane. There are festive and fun light displays along both sides of the road. The 3 adults in our car all agreed they weren’t the most extravagant light displays, but for the 4 year old, it was pretty amazing. E was in awe the whole ride getting even more excited with each new display. Her favorite was a unicorn family and some igloos.

Here are a few light displays you will see on the dragway:

The adults favorite part was getting to actually drive on the race track. It was really neat! Even though we were only going 5 miles an hour (so wish we could have gone faster!) it was fun- even for non-race fans. I especially like we got to drive on a slanted turn which made you feel like your car was about to tip over. There are several light displays set up on the track and a huge screen which was showing clips from holiday movies. The Christmas Village is also on the racetrack but was closed when we visited.

Here are some pics of the track:

Tickets are $20 per car/SUV which can be purchased online or at the gate. There are group rates as well as pricing for buses and group vans. “Elf,” will be shown this Friday through Sunday evening, Dec. 16-18 at 7 p.m., and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown Dec. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. The movies are included with regular admission to the Carolina Christmas holiday light show, which is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all that entered!! 
I love unique, funky jewelry. One of my favorite eco-jewelry companies is Palma Collection. You might remember an old review I’ve done here. All of their jewelry is designed sustainably with palm tree nuts from South America coast lines. Palma Collection creates gorgeously fun necklaces, earrings, and bracelets!

Palma Collection just added 2 new necklaces to their line- the Cadena and Kayiduro. You can find them in vivid colors like purple, green, black, white red, pink, and blue. I was able to review the Kayiduro in purple/green and I am in love!

The Kayiduro comes in either black/white, purple/green, purple, red/black, magenta/black. The necklace is mostly palm tree nut, but the cord is Vegan-friendly, adjustable faux-suede. Here is a more detailed view:

Each necklace will vary slightly due to the nuts and the fact that they are hand crafted. Each palm nut is about the size of a chicken egg when harvested. The Kayiduro has chunky pieces which are beautiful! It can be worn casually or with an elegant outfit.

I LOVE the texture of the necklace. I keep finding myself rubbing one of the solid nut pieces, which Palma Collection describes the palm nut as vegetable ivory. 🙂 I also love the circular half pieces which are different colors. You can get the Kayiduro for $65. (check out the discount below!)

This is from Palma Collection on how the palm nuts are harvested: “These palms are short in size and grow in the humid forest, under the canopy. When the flowers of the male palm open, they drop a sweet perfume, which fills all around. Before becoming ripe, the fruit of the female palm has a sweet milk that the Indians like to drink. Its fruit looks like a bunch of pineapples inside of which you find the nuts. When they ripen, the fruit drops to the ground, and the nuts can be collected for processing. Afterwards, they must be left to dry for 2 months, and they become extremely hard. The nut is non-toxic as are the dyes used; neither have any smell. Its cellular structure is similar to animal ivory, but it’s a little smoother, harder, and more manageable.”

These would make a fabulous holiday gift and awesome to wear to your New Years party!

Discount: Get 25% off by entering thanks25 until Dec. 31!

Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a  Kayiduro!

Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST December 26, 2011 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US and Canada

So I did it. 13 inches donated, 15-16 cut. We have donated almost 24 inches of hair this week between us!

{this moment}

A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

6 days ago I created my holiday cards on Tiny Prints and yesterday they arrived!! I am beyond impressed with the turnaround!

We went with the tri-fold style because I wanted something different than the usual folded card. I love that Tiny Prints has tons of options so you can narrow your search. There are over 500+ holiday cards to choose from, so it can be daunting seeing them all at once. Tiny Prints has the traditional folded card, flat, postcard, flip card, and circle card. So I began with that search option and went from there.

I loved all of the designs, so it was hard to choose which card we liked the best. We decided it would be easier to take our holiday pictures before picking the card. Then based on the pictures that turned out and their photo orientation, we narrowed our search down. The tri-fold Merry Medley card has 5 photo’s and allowed both landscape, portrait, and square.

The quality of the matte finish card is exceptional! I love how thick it is. The card doesn’t easily bend or tear. I hate when you (or your kiddo!!) holds a card and then it gets a thumb imprint. E gave one card a thorough test and it was unharmed. 🙂 The photos aren’t pixelated and are crystal clear. The colors are true to the original picture which I love! The card is made out of recycled paper.

This was an extremely pleasant holiday card making experience and I know I will use them again! Be sure to enter to win a $50 gift card to Tiny Prints below!! It ends tonight 🙂

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