This category covers various aspects of well-being, including personal health experiences, self-care practices, and healing journeys. It explores both conventional treatments and natural approaches to maintaining a balanced and healthy life.
Sometimes, a quiet walk turns into a small adventure. The other day, I grabbed my little basket, filled up a water bottle, tucked a small knife into my basket, and headed out (with my friend Džeina). There was something I had noticed a few days earlier on our walking trail—something that looked very much like … More A Basket Full of Surprise – Wild Majoram (Oregano) on My Trail
This morning I woke up at 11am and couldn’t open my eyes. It was so dark outside — and just as dark inside — that for a second, I thought it was already evening. You know that strange twilight feeling, when the sky doesn’t care what time it is? I tried to shake it off … More When the Forest Calls Through the Rain
One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is where our food really comes from. For us, chicken meat has a special story — not just a package from the store. Jānis’s parents bought 30 chickens, broilers raised specifically for meat. It feels like such a luxury to have a few of those chickens … More Where Our Chicken Meat Comes From
Yesterday was one of those rare days that felt like a gift. The sun finally made an appearance after a month of grey skies and drizzle. I didn’t even realize how much I had missed it until I stepped outside and felt its warmth on my face. And yes—believe it or not—I even got a … More A Sunny Day and Nature’s Goodies
I couldn’t sleep. You know those restless nights when your mind simply won’t quiet down, and even your usual rituals—tea, journaling, a bit of stretching—don’t help? That was me, tossing and turning. Eventually, I gave up trying. I slipped out of bed, wrapped myself in a hoodie, and stepped outside for some fresh air, it … More Strawberry Moon Magic – A Sleepless Night
I keep skipping my walks. I know I should walk more—I want to walk more! But getting to 10K steps a day feels completely out of reach right now. Honestly, I wish I could be one of those people who just naturally hit their step goals without even thinking about it. You know the ones. … More I Skip Walking More Than I’d Like To
When I came to Anna’s Manor for our work event, I noticed a stork feather lying in the grass. It felt like a small gift — quiet, light, and meaningful. I picked it up and brought it home with me. It’s now resting on my oak desk, reminding me of the stillness of that place … More Feathers, Stones, and Memory
A few days ago we went to the hairdresser’s! With the weather still teasing us between spring and summer, it felt like the perfect time for a little refresh. So off we went: Nelle, Linna, and me, each with our own little mission. I went first. Nothing dramatic here, I needed a bit of cleanup. … More A Trip to the Hairdresser: Trimmed Ends, Fresh Looks, and a Bold Surprise
I’ve been struggling lately, feeling like everything around me is too much. Work, home, life—it’s all felt overwhelming. So, I made the decision to take 4 days off from work and do nothing at home. I ignored the chores, let the laundry pile up, and let the dust settle. Instead, I spent the time watching … More Taking a Breather
Today’s post will be a bit longer. I love being back to nature and enjoying its wild bounty, like nettles, which offer both nourishment and healing, reminding me of the incredible gifts the earth provides. While most people rush to get rid of nettles, I welcome them—especially this time of year. Today, I went into … More Nettles – My Springtime Secret Weapon
Yesterday was my final dentist appointment—yes, really this time! If you’ve been following along, you might remember the post I shared after my fifth visit back in February, when the main problem tooth was taken care of. This last visit wasn’t about that one—it was for two other teeth that had small holes. They were … More Final Dentist Appointment – And a Surprise Winter Return
Before spring fully awakens, a small yet powerful flower emerges. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) resembles a dandelion but holds its own magic. Blooming before its leaves appear, it has long symbolized resilience and healing. A Plant of Many Names Known as son-before-father, horsehoof, and coughwort, coltsfoot’s Latin name Tussilago comes from tussis, meaning “cough.” Its flowers … More Coltsfoot: The Hidden Guardian of Spring
It had been three years since my last visit to the hair salon, and my hair showed it—long, lifeless, and in desperate need of a change. So, on Friday, all of us girls went for a haircut. I’m pretty low-maintenance when it comes to hair (actually everything!) —no products, no styling, just a simple cut … More Chop, Chop – Short Hair Again!
The long journey to save my tooth is finally over! Yesterday, I had my fifth and final visit to the dentist. The last filling is in, and I can close this chapter—at least for now. What started with unexpected pain in January turned into a whole saga of cleaning, treating, and restoring the tooth. It’s … More Fifth Dentist Visit – Finally Done!
After a few days of battling the flu, there’s finally some good news — Nelle’s temperature is down, and she’s feeling much better. It’s such a relief to see her more energetic and slowly returning to her usual self. To protect the rest of the family from getting sick, we’ve all started using Tamiflu, and … More Flu Recovery Update
Just when I hoped we could contain it, the flu has claimed its second victim—Helmī is now sick too. Fever, chills, the same exhaustion… it’s all too familiar. Now, I have two little patients at home, and I can only hope it stops here. We’re doing everything we can—ventilating the house, keeping the air fresh, … More Flu: Two Patients at Home…
After a day of fever, chills, and exhaustion, we decided to take a test—just to be sure. And there it was, clear as day: Nelle has the flu. No more guessing, no more wondering if it’s just a bad cold. It’s official. Honestly, I’m still wrapping my head around it. In 12 years, we’ve managed … More Confirmed: It’s the Flu
Yesterday, we did another 6 hour trip to Riga for my dentist appointment. These visits feel routine, but I can’t say I’ve gotten used to them. The early drive, my anxiety, the stress, and the uncertainty—it all adds up. This time, they filled the canals and sealed them with a temporary filling. Next time—the last … More Fourth Dentist Visit: Another Trip to Riga
Another trip to Riga, and we’re another step closer to finishing this dental saga! This was my third visit. The dentist widened the canals yesterday—something that sounded much worse than it actually was. I didn’t feel a thing. This time, the kids’ vaccination appointment was also scheduled for yesterday, so we all drove to Riga … More Third Dentist Visit… and more to go!
On December 20, 2024, I wrote about walking the middle path when it comes to vaccinations—about balancing research, personal beliefs, and practical needs. Today, that path continues as Jānis and the kids are in Riga for their next round of shots. Jānis is the one handling the logistics. It’s a relief because I don’t have … More Continuing the Middle Path: Our Next Steps in Vaccination
Yesterday, I got back from my second trip to the dentist in Riga. Two visits down, two more to go! This time, she removed the nerve, and next time, she’ll widen the canals before finally filling and sealing everything for good. Surprisingly, it wasn’t painful, which is a huge relief. But the real challenge? The … More Another Trip to Riga – Second Dentist Visit Done!
A recent dentist visit is still on my mind—mostly because it still doesn’t feel good. Maybe because I don’t have experience with this and I simply don’t know what to expect. Is this normal? Should I worry? My temporary filling doesn’t sit right; it feels like my entire left side is hurting. It’s not just … More Temporary Filling: The Struggle Continues
Yesterday, I went to Riga to figure out what was wrong with my tooth. The dentist found that my old filling wasn’t sealing well, and decay had spread underneath. The damage was worse than I thought—the nerve is affected, and saving the tooth will take four more visits and a lot of money… I guess. … More A Trip to Riga: Saving My Tooth
I love to pick my own herbal tea and by that, I mean from fields and gardens. Every year I promise myself to collect even more (in amount and also in variety). I have several herbal tea books that are a good guide if there is an illness in our house. Like now! My herbal … More Herbal Tea
Our plan for today was town festival, but we had to cancel it. Nelle is ill and we won’t go without her! We like to be together when going out. Instead of the town festival, I went to woods to collect birch leaves. Why in woods, not in bushes?! It’s so summery, dry and dusty! … More Herbal Tea
Nelle is better, so she was in kindergarten for half day and then in art school. She was home at 2:30pm. Nelle: “What about coltsfoot?!” Me: “Hmmm, last time we checked they were starting to open, so today (a week later) they should be in full bloom. Let’s go and see?!” Nelle wanted my cardigan and … More Coltsfoot – Finally!
I remember my first time drinking green tea with jasmine. It was terrible and I needed some time to try it again but after that, I was completely in love with jasmine. I don’t know if jasmine that grows here in Latvia has all those benefits that Chines jasmine does but this is the only tea … More Jasmine tea
“Cordial means a concentrated non-alcoholic fruit syrup that is diluted to taste and consumed as a non-carbonated soft drink.” I love the sweet sweet smell of meadowsweet. In our family, the Meadowsweet was collected for tea only. I made cordial few days ago and it’s all gone! So I have to make more for the winter. Cordial … More Meadowsweet Cordial / Syrup
Filipendula Ulmaria or Meadowsweet is an aromatic plant high in essential oils. This gives it a strong and pleasant scent. I’m collecting this plant only for few years to use it in an everyday herbal tea blend. Uses of Meadowsweet For Colds and Fevers Meadowsweet tea, when taken hot, is a relaxing diaphoretic. It promotes circulation and … More Sweet sweet meadow / Meadowsweet
We were on the bike ride and found a field full of Yarrow. The good old Yarrow! It’s been used in our family as a cold treat for ages. I remember how my grandmother collected it in the nearest fields and picked every single flower cause there wasn’t plenty!Since we moved from city to countryside … More Yarrow tea
Rosebay willowherb (FireWeed) or Ivan Chai. Ivan Chai is a delicious & caffeine free tea that is made from fermented rosebay willowherb. This year for the first time I made this tea by myself. The first package of Ivan Chai I got from the family friends 2 years ago. Since that, I don’t have green tea … More Ivan Chai (Fermented Rosebay WillowHerb) recipe
A weed, that isn’t just a weed! Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) is a healthy tea that is known for a century – Ivan Chai. Ivan Chai – a fermented herbal tea made from wild willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium). Fermented willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium) tea was a traditional Russian hot beverage for hundreds of years before it was nearly universally replaced by … More Rosebay willowherb (FireWeed) or Ivan Chai
Primula veris I love to forage for tea! When I was little we did it together with my grandmother – Agafija. I thought it was hard work. The basket was too big and flowers were too small or not enough. Yesterday I did it with my girls and their grandma (my mom) and suddenly I … More Foraging for Tea: Cowslip
A few weeks ago we went for a longer walk with all our girls (Nelle, Linna, and Helmī Saule). It’s not easy for us to went for a longer walk. Nelle doesn’t like walking, she likes to go with a balance bike. Also, if Nelle has a balance bike, Linna wants it too. But she … More Coltsfoot is blooming
This weekend wasn’t as planned! Definitely wasn’t! So… as you might know, we wanted to start our first small travel trailer trip to visit my mom. We didn’t! Why? Girls were ill but getting better (on Friday morning). So we thought that we will go… We tried our caravans Truma gas heating system for the first … More Our Natural Remedies
a day in the life of a latvian mom 