Perception.

Live A Magical Life.

Rocky Quote

Shhh... The Mantis is Praying

These were the words uttered by my 4 year old after spotting this beautiful mantis inside the house.

Soapy Sunny Day

We neglect this blog. We admit it. Between the shopping and eating, the salvation of our real life gets lost. So after a few meetings of the minds, it has been decided that we will commit to daily bits of salvation. Coincidentally that's our Twitter handle: @bitsofsalvation so be sure to follow us there, too. Whether it's a photo, quote, current topic or rant, it'll be a daily thing that inspires us and we'll share it with you. Today it's the dawn of spring. The sun was out so the kids uncurled themselves from the winter couch and stepped outside. They chose to delve into soap concoctions and potions. Good old soap and water mixed with whatever nature has to offer was on the ingredient list. Half a dozen various reusable containers, spoons and a few tea towels made the creativity all happen. Fitting for a day that had seemingly been magically transformed from dark to light in a matter of hours. The children played and created with the sun above. Enough cannot be said for the powers of Vitamin D and these photos are proof positive that the sun rays energize the body, mind, and spirit.

A few tips...

Set a limit on soap. The fun can last for hours but there is not an endless supply.

Soap play can become a safety hazard with spilt bottles and containers. Have plenty of towels and always put soap lids back on.

This is definitely an outside activity. Enough said.

Is The BAT The Future of Wind Energy?

Is this the future of wind energy? Scientists have created a way to capture some of the most viable wind currents that the atmosphere has to offer. It is a helium-filled BAT (buoyant airborne turbine) and could be the eco-friendly solution to bringing energy to rural areas. It is said that wind energy could power the planet for the rest of existence so finding new ways to capture currents seems like a smart option in today's gas guzzling world. 

Click here for more details on the BAT and how it works.

Seeking more eco-friendly inspiration?

Click here. here and here.

Lifestyle Tips For The Busy Moms

Enough cannot be said about the life of a busy mom. She can maintain the balance of her family with work, play, pets and love. Most moms glide easily through the day with the routine coming like clockwork. Others, like myself, need a bit of inspiratiom to get the day going. Meditation,  journaling, a good run and quiet time are just some of the ways we can take care of ourselves. As a member of the Busy Moms Elite, a spontaneous group I just conjured up to boost the morale of all busy mothers, I look for advice and ways to make my days better and my life more enjoyable. Vogue Australia has provided us with some great luxury lifestyle tips that are usable for all of us. It's like maintaining balance in style. Click here for the full story!

The Power Of Flowers

It was over an absurd conversation that the positive benefits of flowers was questioned. This notion was quickly obliterated by an avid gardener with a degree in horticulture and another flower adorer. That would be me. I find the beauty of flowers to be powerful for the body, mind and spirit so the team at Real Life would like to offer you some very powerful visual healing. 

Enjoy.

Let's get social on Facebook and Twitter!

Craving more eye candy? Visit our food blog where you will find gorgeous photography and recipes for all your taste buds. Click here to check out the latest from Savory Salvations today!

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Germ Reform

I am a bit of a reformed germaphobe. When it came to germs I was a good old American girl, proud of my bleach stock and ready to combat imminent death with every wipe. I have relaxed a bit but still find useful articles like this by Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., a microbiologist and a codirector of the Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College, in Boston. Real Simple Magazine lists Dr. Scott's top bacterial offenders. Now we should all know by now that the best way to combat the spreading germs is by simple handwashing and in our busy lives people still forget to do this. I know it is gross and these places listed below are worth an extra look as well.




1. Doorknobs

What we do:
Wipe them down a couple of times a week especially if you have children. Ever touch that knob and your hand comes back sticky? "That's gross,"as my 6 year old says. Wipe the door handles before you need to wipe your own hands.

2. Kitchen Sponges


What we do:
We don't use them. Use cloths in your home instead. Paper towels are biodegradable but at the rate we use them it is overwhelming the earth.

3. Drain & Kitchen Faucet

What we do: 
As Dr. Scott suggested in her article, we put baking soda in the drain and let sit before pouring boiling water into and all around faucet and handle.

4. Dog Bowl

What we do:
Though we are currently sans fido, we could have benefited from Dr. Scott's advice here. She suggests washing every use. Seem a bit extreme? Well let's go in the middle with a good weekly wash in the dishwasher. Choose a  cleanser with less detergents if are worried about your pretty pooch's intake.

5. Computer Keyboard

What we do:
We live on our laptops so we use compressed air and alcohol to clean our keyboards and bits. You would be surprised at what lies underneath those keys so grab a can, insert the skinny stick and blow out the mess. (Please read can for best use directions). Alcohol on a cloth can work wonders and harsh cleansers will ruin your system so clean with caution.

Stressed Out? Then Work Out.

Well here is some real life for you. We have all been stressed. I am stressed. My husband's stressed. My kids, too. Poor wee things. I also think that the world is stressed. Elections, insurance fraud, financial collapses, natural disasters. It's all too much really and the world is suffering. Well, instead of feeling sorry for myself I have decided to take advice from an old doctor. This doctor is of a rare breed. Old school if you will. He was my doctor my whole entire life and actually still is. He is really very good and if you can have a pure and honest doctor for life, I suggest you stick with him or her because it's always good to have a doctor around. So this particular doctor always had this particular set of advice for me my whole entire life, "When you are feeling down or a little sick, go and workout. A good run is good for anything". I followed this advice and did what I was told but what I was seeing around me seemed unfair. My friends got to take bubble gum flavored syrups and chew orange flavored tablets. What did my siblings and I do? Suffer through stuffy noses and sore throats while going out for a walk or run. Truth be told, it always worked.  I am not suggesting that you hit the gym with the sweats and a fever. Please don't actually because you would infect the world and contagious germs should absolutely not be shared. We didn't run for hours or until fatigued while sick. But when we were feeling low, were under educational pressure, or feeling just a bit blah- working out was the natural remedy. Getting your blood moving, heart pumping, and lungs working to capacity somehow enlivens your body and gives you a serious altering affect which has healing affects on the body. This I know from experience alone but if you want to go look it up here for facts you are more than welcome. (Sleep has just as much or more healing capabilities than a workout so be sure to get plenty of this, too.) So, I am absolutely not a doctor but if you are looking for a good all natural way to feel better then get physical. This workout is great at beating stress and may even get you pumped to start your New Year's Resolutions early. Be sure to also drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Not into working out like Ms. Fit Lady below? Take a walk, do some yoga or go for a swim and then...have a big fat nap. It may just put a smile on your face. I'm smiling just thinking about the nap part.

Workout images courtesy of CNSS & Conde Nast

Hanmer Springs Offers All-Natural Family Relaxation

Steaming thermal pools with  chilly outside temps & sunshine

Today, we are just back from a quick family getaway with friends to The Thermal Pools & Spa in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand. This is a dream like destination and one of our first such expeditions since the big move. The family and I don’t get to ever really just relax together as our schedules during school terms are hectic and scheduled to the brim. But when our very adventurous and well-travelled friends presented us with the opportunity for fun & relaxation on Wednesday, bags were packed and ready Saturday afternoon. Sometimes the best times our family has had with friends are those events quickly planned. A spontaneous pizza night with family friends or quick afternoon coffee with the girls is the stuff real life is made of and I love it. Off we were to Hanmer Springswhere the thermal pools & spa at this amazingly scenic location offer up the most naturally luxurious experiences that the world has to offer.  Set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, it is a premiere destination for travelers and locals alike. You can choose one pool to soothe the day away or bounce around to the different pool experiences boasting various temps & plenty of water lounging seat options to create your own spa experience. Today alone I saw people reading, ladies chatting and eyes resting right from the thermal pools proving the choice is yours at this unique, luxury experience.

Relaxing pools & spas

There are thermal pools, spa pools and sulphur pools that the family, friends and I experienced for hours of fun this weekend. The geothermal water provides some of the most natural water play anywhere and we soaked it all up. I have written about the luxurious American spa experience at Red Door Spas (the first day spa in the country) & you can check out my Worlwide Spa Rules: 101 here but the Hanmer Springs experience is all its own as is the case with most international spas. But the universally key goal of fun & relaxation was achieved by all. There are soothing jetted spas and massive play areas with slides for children so everyone is happy and that unto itself is just a relaxing thought. We didn’t make it to the spa for any relaxation treatments as this trip this was one for the family and needed to be kid-centric. But know that plans are presently in the works for a couples weekend.

Family friendly
With clean changing facilities and plenty of lifeguards overseeing the children’s various play areas and lazy river it has the feel of a safe & secure environment that you want with your little ones. On a budget? You really get your bang for your buck here so making the easy & uber scenic  drive for an entire day of fun for under $60 is very nice on the wallet. There is also a garden café on the grounds which we’ve heard offers up premium wines & light lunches to la carte items. We didn’t get to the on-location café this visit but perhaps the next?  You can also enjoy the super convenient location the pools have in the center of the Hanmer Springs Alpine Village with quick walks to posh shops, organic coffee & multitudes of landscape photograph opportunities. We dined across the road and the food was lovely. There is fun for all in Hanmer Springs, NZ and oh yes…we will return.

Sheep seen from the ride up are worth the ride alone especially for the children.

Super convenient

Located just 90 minutes North of Christchurch, you can make it a day trip with your partner, family weekend (like we did), or that much needed getaway with your girlfriends, this truly is the idealistic location for anyone seeking a far away experience just kilometers from the city.

Mountains surrounding the Hurunui Region where the pools & spa are located.

Thank you to J & P for both being spontaneous, adventurous & fun. You are our real friends. This was not the first or last time we all had fun like this but It will probably rank pretty high up there for a long time. Best of luck on wherever the world takes you & whenever we meet up again.

All content expressed in this review and photos are our own and belong to Real Life Salvation & The Salvation Blogs Series. All rights reserved.