Full "Snow" Moon in Virgo

Full moon rising
It will be at it’s peak tomorrow morning around 8:47am

In less than 24 hours we will be experiencing a full Virgo supermoon. Often referred to as a Snow moon because February is often the coldest and snowiest month of the year. A supermoon is the rare phenomenon where the moon appears larger in the sky due to it’s closeness to the earth (the perigee). Due to the closeness of the perigee and the full moon being 6 hours apart this will be the biggest supermoon for the next several years. The next biggest supermoon will be in 2026 so you will definitely want to step out at some point and check her out in all her glory.

Virgos are some of the hardest working in the zodiac. They are incredibly analytical, organized and productive. You will feel an emphasis on work and possibly even your health and fitness regimen. You will be feeling the productive vibes for sure and if you have any virgo in your chart that ambitious energy is going to kick into overdrive even more than it already is. The energy could knock you over however if you are not prepared at all and not feeling it.

Have an idea for work that you were planning on pitching or working on? Now is the time to do it. Take down a project that you have been putting off. Haven’t been to the gym in a couple weeks because that “new year new me” has worn off? Use this energy to get back into your fitness routine.

As always with full moons cycles may be ending and it is a good time to let go of what no longer serves you. Light will be shed on things that have been kept in the dark, secrets may be revealed. And even though Virgo is more analytical than emotional, emotions will still be more heightened and intense. Stay grounded as always and be weary of emotional outbursts.

There are several other astrological events that are happening today and in the next few days and weeks that coincide with this full moon that are going to make significant changes and impacts. Get ready for a flood of whole new energies. I will talk about the different transits under my astrology page if you’re further interested in learning about what is going on in our skies.

I will be dedicating a daily blog to the full moon every month. So stay tuned for more insight into why you can be acting so wild and out of character. I guarantee the moon or some other astrological event is the culprit. Another useful tidbit of info is most women either ovulate or get their period on the full moon. This can add to the craziness or else help in any accidental pregnancies. Make sure to wrap it up during the full moon if you’re trying to avoid that lol. And as always happy full moon friends.

xox

Kari

Charcuterie Board Date Lunch

Today Jesse and I are celebrating Valentine’s Day. Or just another special day that we can spend alone together. We have decided to go for supper at Hermano’s up the street, maybe make a quick visit to Leo’s and perhaps eventually visit the cemetery. Sounds like my kind of night! Jesse earlier suggested that we go for lunch too, but I didn’t want to overdo it in the food department and have 2 heavy meals so instead he suggested we have charcuterie for lunch.

We chose charcuterie because of the sharing concept of it. We went to the store and picked out stuff together from La Grotta based on both of our preferences. He likes certain things and I like other things and we both came together to enjoy a beautiful charcuterie. We also picked charcuterie because it is really delicious and it can be a bit lighter (depending on what ingredients you have chosen and how much you eat). Afterwards when you are eating everything together you discuss all the ingredients and come together as one to agree and disagree on what you like. Sharing is caring. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon with, child-less, with my husband.

We then had a long afternoon nap. Again, child-less. And now we are polishing off some cheese with a glass of wine before we head out to Hermano’s. All in all it’s been a perfect, relaxing day so far and I can’t wait to enjoy the night.

These cheese rolls are to die for. The most buttery, flaky, cheesy delight. You need to try them.

Prociutto, Spicy Casalingo, Headcheese, Provolone, Fontina, Marzolino, French baguette, Carr’s garlic and herb water wafers, La Bamba salsa, Smak Dab Beer + Chipotle and Maple mustard, cucumbers and red grapes

Toddler and Baby Approved Meals - Week #2 of February

I take great pride in the fact that my 3 year old is not picky at all and will basically eat anything I put in front of him. He loves an assortment of raw and cooked vegetables and he will eat any kind of fruit. It is not hard for me to get him to eat more than his daily limit of fruits and veggies. He also loves breads, cheese, yogurt, pasta, rice, most forms of chicken, and many forms of meatless meats. He also has no problem eating vegan yogurts and cheeses and I try to give him a combination because I prefer to eat vegan a few times of the week but we always have both because I do still eat some meat and dairy and my husband is not interested in eating vegan at all. I feel like Jaxson would be more than happy to eat vegan or vegetarian at the very least if I was 100% committed, however that’s not always the situation. But I do believe that every little bit counts.

Ash has recently started eating anything and everything. It took him a fair amount of time to be interested in food. Jaxson started eating almost everything by the time he was 4.5 months. He wanted food at an early age so I assumed Asher would be the same. But not until about month 7 was he really interested, before then he would stick the food out of his mouth with his tongue, or else not even open his mouth for the spoon. But in the past few weeks especially he wants to eat everything!! It’s amazing. The kid is just like his brother, and I hope that introducing foods the way I have will help him to be as open minded about food as his brother is.

I do a combo of baby lead weaning and purées with both of the boys. Obviously Jaxson eats 3 meals a day and multiple snacks now, but Ash eats about 1 pouch of Love Child Organic purées along with multiple types of food that are soft and small enough to eat on his own. Bread, puffs, baby Cheetos, shredded cheese, mushy and cut up pieces of fruits and veggies. Anything small and soft enough I will give him to eat. I also just recently introduced vegan yogurt and will also introduce regular yogurt soon as well. Asher was mostly on bottles and now he is down 1 bottle since introducing more and more foods.

I do take pride in feeding my little guys and the fact that they always enjoy moms home cooking. I would like to show off some of my meals but not every day, as some days we eat leftovers or have take out. But once a week I would like to dedicate a blog to some of my favourite meals that I make for the boys.

Today Jaxson had toast and strawberries for breakfast. He had cereal with vanilla soy milk as a second breakfast (yes he normally eats two breakfasts lol). He then had a banana and some goldfish.

Ash drinks bottles still so he had a bottle, some cut up strawberries and some oat puffs for breakfast.

I decided I would make all of us vegan grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. I used Daiya Cheddar Style slices on City Rye Bread with vegan butter. I’ve tried Daiya’s stuff before and they must have changed the formula because it is SO good! I definitely could make a switch with these slices. They melt just like regular cheese and tastes very similarly to real cheddar. I definitely recommend these slices if you’re trying to make a little change or transition fully. Both of my kids loved the grilled cheese, yes the baby even ate 1/4 of a piece in bite sized pieces. I paired it with grape tomatoes and greek style vegan yogurt with chia seeds for added protein.

Look at that melty vegan cheese! Daiya Cheddar Style slices I bought from Safeway.

Jaxson usually will either snack on veggie straws or goldfish all through out the day. Asher had a bottle after his nap. For dinner I decided to make some vegan smoked sausage, curly fries, roasted broccoli and broccoli tots. I knew Jaxson would love everything as he’s eaten all of these things numerous times and I knew the French Fries and broccoli tots would be soft and easy enough for Asher to try out. So I made a plate full for Jaxson and he ate everything except some straggling French Fries. Asher had a few little bites of the tots and fries and absolutely loved it! he also finished his purée pouch and had a couple bites of avocado and mango. After eating he ate 3/4 of a bottle before bed. The kid likes to eat. None of his clothing fits him suddenly. He is definitely going through a growth spurt.

McCain’s Curly Fries, Green Giant Broccoli tots, roasted broccoli with garlic, smoked paprika and all purpose seasoning, Tofurky smoked “turkey” sausages

Small pieces of tots and fries, Love Child Organics apples, spinach, kiwi and broccoli purée, frozen avocado and mango pieces thawed from fridge

Asher went to sleep after finishing his last bottle for the day and Jaxson and I stayed up and watched Finding Nemo. He had grapes, a gingersnap cookie and the rest of his goldfish. He also drank several ounces of water. That kid loves and drinks water just as much as me. And that’s just a couple of ideas of what you would like to feed your baby or toddler. Especially if you are looking for ideas for a more plant based lifestyle because we ate 100% vegan today which is usually a weekly goal of mine to do a couple times a week. Hope you enjoy my suggestions!

xoxo,

Kari

Valentine's Day

What a day it’s been! Very eventful but also relaxing at the same time. I woke up and gave the boys their Valentine’s gifts. I have kept husband’s gifts hidden for him later. The boys got an assortment of little snacks and chocolates, some crafty items, stuff for colouring and each got a stuffed rainbow hedgehog and for some reason when I saw them in the store they just screamed VDAY to me. Afterwards we all hung out for a little while and daddy went to work. Ash went down for his morning nap and Jaxsy and I got baking! We made Hershey Hug cupcakes with chocolate frosting and heart sprinkles. No recipe, just everything I had lying around the house already. While we were baking I got a delivery from Academy Florist of the most beautiful pink, white and red roses. A dozen. Classic Jesse, he never gets an outlandish bouquet, always classic, simple and beautiful. Thoughtful as ever. After cupcakes Ashie woke up and we played for a bit, read some books and then I fed both boys lunch.
All I can think of is how much food I am going to be buying for the next several years. They already eat so much and they’re just babies! I still haven’t found the right grocery schedule yet it is something I am going to have to work on as a stay at home mom.
After lunch we cleaned up and then it was nap time again. Both boys went down amazingly. They are both such good sleepers and eaters. After about 2.5 hours of quiet time it was time to make our Valentine’s Day craft! Jaxson and I made pink and red pipe cleaner bracelets with beads that say “xoxo” and “love.” Nothing fancy for dinner tonight, leftovers for the boys, and again I am still astounded at the amount of food Asher has started to eat over the past couple weeks. He is a bottomless pit. After supper we all snuggled and watched How to Train Your Dragon. Asher went to sleep at his usual time 6:30 and Jaxson at 7:30. I thoroughly enjoy my time alone with Jaxson, I know he does too. We tickle, laugh and enjoy the time alone with each other. It makes me happy that I get that time to bond with him still. Now both boys are sleeping, I have set up my husband’s little surprise and am enjoying a glass of rosé while watching Friday the 13th III ( I wish it was my Bloody Valentine). I plan to order a heart shaped pizza for when he is supposed to be off, that’s our usual tradition and hopefully I can make it til then. We can’t have sex because I am still bleeding so the best part of Valentine’s Day I can’t even partake in and I’m trying to not let it leave a sour taste in my mouth. Nothing too crazy but definitely a special day nonetheless. I am happy to make new little traditions with my family and I hope to continue our laid back and easy Valentine’s Days. On Sunday we have plans together, what they are though yet I don’t know. I suggested walk in tattoos but we will see if that happens. At some point we will go for dinner and drinks and since Grandma is taking them over night for a sleepover, the world is our oyster. At least for a few hours anyway lol. And that about wraps up this “holiday”. It may be dumb and commercialized but I do enjoy spoiling my family any opportunity I can and also making memories. And any day celebrating love is a great day in my books! Happy Valentine’s Day y’all and I hope you get all the loving from your babies whether that be your partner, fur children or actual children.

Always,

Kari xox

Date Night on the Ice: RAW Almond with JC Poirier

Last night Jesse and I had the pleasure of being invited by SYSCO reps to enjoy a night on the ice for one of Winnipeg’s best winter events, RAW Almond. Jesse has cooked for this event for the past 6 years and I have been a couple times, in the first couple years and also for the brunch that they have on weekends. The event is pretty exclusive and the tickets usually sell out very quickly, so I was very excited to be invited to go this year as the last time I went was when Jaxson was a baby for the brunch.

RAW Almond is always situated at The Forks on the river where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. If anyone knows anything about Winnipeg they know that this is the ultimate winter location, being one of Winnipeg’s biggest tourism spots and their emphasis on winter fun. It was a gorgeous, clear night and we stopped at The Common for a glass of wine beforehand. Our seating was at 5:30 so it was perfect for us parents to enjoy a night out without being out too late.

Another thing to know about RAW Almond is that there are different chefs for different seatings. Some are local Winnipeg chefs who have been doing the event for years and in recent years there have been more chefs from around North America. Canadian and American. Our chef for the night was JC Poirier. He is Montreal born but now resides in Vancouver where he owns his own restaurant.

The menu was simple but decadent. Duck, duck. duck. duck was all that was on the menu. I did try every course but because i’m not much of a meat eater I struggled a bit. My favourite dish was the tourtière and the simple cake with maple syrup. But it was nice to just get out for the night and do something a little different, especially since Jesse always works this event and we’ve never been able to go together. Because Jesse has worked with/friends with the creator of this event, Mandel Hitzer, we got to get a tour of the kitchen which was pretty cool. I guess him and Mandel had also talked about my situation during Kelowna and he gave me the biggest, most comforting bear hug which was very much appreciated. At the end of the dinner we enjoyed a beautiful clear view of the waxing gibbous moon in Taurus. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed our evening and we were able to meet some great, new people and try some delicious food and wine. Date night was a success.

Green Smoothie to heal the Heart Chakra

Leafy greens and chia seeds are the ultimate superfoods but did you know they can also heal a literal broken heart. I’ve been trying to focus on being more mindful and putting healing foods into my body considering everything i’ve been through in the last several months and more recently few weeks.

The heart chakra is at the centre of the body where the heart is located. It is the energy centre that radiates love, joy and happiness. it also allows us to feel sorrow, mourning , sadness and anger. It connects to all our other chakras and usually the one we notice most easily when it is out of whack. Having an out of whack heart chakra allows for the more negative emotions we feel to manifest, sadness and anger.

If you can feel your heart is broken there are several things you can do, step outside for some fresh air (depending on where you’re located this might not be ideal), spend time amongst green foliage, or take care of plant. Enjoy lots of green foods, like leafy greens, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. A green smoothie is the perfect way to treat your heart.

My green smoothie is relatively simple, I sometimes switch it up but it’s usually very similar. You will need.

1 cup of green Kale

1 cup of spinach

3 tablespoons chia seeds

1 cup of frozen blueberries

1 banana

1 cup of water or dairy free milk

I sometimes will add peanut butter and hemp hearts depending how I'm feeling. I usually like to use water just because I find that the milk doesn’t necessarily go with a green smoothie the best. I don’t have the greatest blender and even it does the job for this simple smoothie. I will usually have a smoothie at least 3 times a week but until I feel I have healed I am going to make it more of a daily thing. So cheers to happy healthy hearts.

Heart Chakra Healing Green Smoothie
It may not look that good but it is actually so refreshing and delicious. Sweet enough that you don’t get all that bitter, green, leafy taste.

My name is Kari

Hi y’all

My name is Kari. I am 29 years old and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I am currently a stay at home mom to my two boys Jaxson who is 3 years old and Asher who is 8 months old. I am married to their father, Jesse who is a successful chef to multiple restaurants. We’ve been married for going on 4 years and have been together for 13! He is my high school sweetheart. I have worked in the customer service industry basically since I was 14 years old. I have always worked and full time, before I was a stay at home mom I worked for the a company called VIA Rail. It is the passenger train service in Canada, the only one, and it was one of the coolest jobs I ever had.

My interests include anything creepy. I have loved horror movies and books since I was a young girl and my love for anything horror has grown over the years. I am a self proclaimed horror movie buff and take pride in seeing almost every scary movie that is out there. I do love multiple horror authors but my favourite is the messiah, Stephen King. I’ve read over half of his written stories. I love plants and in recent years my collection has grown and I take pride in keeping several plants alive for several years. I have in recent years taken a liking to anything occult. I love astrology and keep learning more and more and every day. I’ve been practicing tarot for the about 5 years now, my crystal collection keeps growing, and I keep working on manifesting, meditation and other types of spell work. I would not call myself Wiccan because this is not something I have grown up on and I don’t want to appropriate that culture, but I would call myself more of a modern day spiritualist who practices old ways with my own twist. I love everything to be as natural as can be, and the environment is important to me. I recently adopted a more plant based diet and although I am not vegan I try to eat vegan as much as possible because the idea of our planet not being a habitable place for my children and grandchildren is absolutely heartbreaking. I love nature and animals like a true earth sign (Taurus girl through and through, sorry if that also gets me some hate, I realize Taurus’ are not always the most popular). I also love water and am an avid swimmer. I have been swimming since I was really young but my interest really took off when I was around 7 years old. You have not been able to get me out of the water since. Any time that I have available to me, you can find me in the pool, or at the lake/beach. I have my diving licence and although there is no ocean in the prairies, I dive every chance I get. I have been dubbed “the mermaid” from many different friends, and yes I have long hair down past my boobs and back but I can actually say that my love for swimming and anything water related is my reason for being called Mermaid and not just because I have long flowing hair.

I am also a fiercely loyal mother and wife. My family is everything to me. Being a mom is everything to me. The best job I ever had, and the most rewarding. Also the hardest job I ever had. I definitely plan to have more children in the future. At the moment there’s lots that we are waiting on before we can expand our family. Most important we need to move to a bigger house with more space.

The reason I call myself “momma bat” is because of this picture that I took of myself and now every time Jaxson sees this mirror in the hall he calls it Momma Bat. It’s a sorta cute nickname that he gave me and it’s definitely fitting.

Welcome to my world, I plan to talk about anything and everything. From my pregnancy/birth journeys, to my interests in the occult, to recipes, to deeper and more dark topics. I have always written and even blogged in different forms over the years and have been wanting to start this for a very long time but I always made excuses as to why I couldn’t. So here is the start to what I am hoping is something real, genuine, raw and beautiful.

Always,

Kari xox

Momma Bat with her boys on one of our many fall walks