Serenity Birth Studio & Baby Shop: 12 Commerce Park Drive. Unit 1

Serenity Birth Studio and Baby Shop is one of my favourite places in Barrie. I have known Kathy, the owner, now for just over 4 years. This is really the place to shop for new & expecting moms, as well, what I think is so amazing is all the classes that they offer as well. If you are expecting, or a new mom, you will absolutely fall in love with this store. What I love about it is all the unique items that are available.

If you are an environmentally conscious consumer, then you will also love the huge variety of eco-friendly products. From natural & organic baby clothing, cloth diapers, Haba wooden toys (no toxins/no plastics), Bye Bye Buggy & Bye Bye Sun Organic bug and sun lotion, many other lines of fabulous organic & chemical free skin care products, baby slings, nursing bras and so much more.

Kathy as well as her very friendly and knowledgeable staff are a great resource for new moms as well. Not only does the store offer amazing products, but you can also sign up for the many classes that they offer as well. Some of the classes are pre-natal yoga, lamaze childbirth series, mom & baby yoga, make your own baby food workshop and more. It has been great to be able to refer my maternity and baby portrait clients to Serenity Birth Studio over the past many years. There is nowhere else like it in the Barrie area….what a jewel!!

And if you thought that was alot, you can also take advantage of their massage services for pregnancy and beyond. Their therapists and specialists in pregnancy massage can offer many benefits during your pregnancy and after delivery as well.

If you do get a chance to check out the store, some classes or a massage, you can check out my 2 black & white framed portraits hanging in the studio.

It’s an amazing place that you will want to visit….you can also check out the website www.SerenityBirthStudio.ca

ExtraVeganZa – Original Recipes from Phoenix Organic Farm

When I was in photography school in Victoria, BC back in 2003, Casey & I met Laura Matthias, through a mutual friend. All of us lived in Fernwood, which is a fabulous community not far from the downtown core. Laura was working on a cookbook, to be later called “ExtraVeganZa – Original Recipes from Phoenix Organic Farm”, and so nearing the end of my school year we set up a day to photograph many of the recipes featured in her book. This was such a fun shoot, and the best part was that we were able to taste many of her fabulous creations! Anyway, her first printing of the book was in 2006. Why am I talking about this now? Well, we have been using this book over the past couple of years, and recently even more-so in an effort to eat a better diet! With recommendations from my naturopath to avoid cow dairy and move to a whole grain diet, I really  needed to make some serious changes to how I was preparing my meals. So now, instead of wheat flour, we are using spelt flour, and also learning about so many other ancient grains…

I have never even been a full vegetarian, and so I wasn’t really even aware of some of the amazing foods & tastes with a Vegan diet. Anyway, nowadays, I am so inspired by Laura & by this amazing cookbook, which I cook from all the time now. The recipes are easy to follow, very healthy and amazingly delicious!! I have never felt better! Thanks Laura!!!

ExtraVeganZa is available at http:/http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/3925 , if you want to check it out.