stoneFOXfeather – the NEW sincerely, whitney

sincerely, whitney has had a brand make over now that it has developed and evolved into something “bigger” if you will. with the support of the community and newly developed goals, i have created stoneFOXfeather. it is where all of my hand crafted pieces of jewelry and wellness products can be found.

my yoga instruction, mentorship and coaching along with prenatal and restorative instruction and reiki healing sessions will all be available under my personal name and site here. stoneFOXfeather can be found through my personal site also under the drop menu. take a peak. minor tweeks here and there are still in the works but overall the idea of my website is complete.

over the past three years ive been trying to develop a brand i love to umbrella everything i do under and it feels like it has been a forever journey. the flashing lights are just ahead. two more weekends and the final page will be turned as i round the corner to the next chapter and it feels so good!

www.tiffanyblackham.com

friday night delight // Mexican carnitas

The popular “little meats” of Mexican cooking are traditionally made by slowly simmering large chunks of well-seasoned, sometimes marinated pork shoulder in hot lard, then coarsely chopping the meat and eating it wrapped in warm tortillas. In the following version, the fat content of the finished dish is dramatically diminished by simmering the meat in flavorful citrus juices. The results taste marvelously authentic.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 165 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1 boneless pork shoulder roast, 3 to 4 lb.
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cups Mexican lager-style beer
• Grated zest and juice of 1 large orange
• Grated zest and juice of 1 lime
• 1 Tbs. dried oregano

For serving:

• Warm corn or flour tortillas
• Lime wedges
• Chopped yellow onion
• Avocado slices
• Chopped Tomatoes
• Chopped fresh cilantro

 

Combine the salt and pepper in a small bowl and season the pork roast generously.

In a large fry pan over medium-high heat, (i like to use cast iron for a more charred effect) warm the olive oil. Add the pork and cook, turning frequently until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Pour off all but a thin layer of fat in the pan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté just until they begin to turn golden in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the beer and deglaze the pan, stirring and scraping up the browned bits from the pan bottom with a wooden spoon.

Transfer the pork to a slow cooker and pour in the beer mixture. Add the orange and lime zests and juices and the oregano. Cover and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the pork is very tender, about 5 hours on high or 10 hours on low.

Transfer the pork to a carving board and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Using a large, shallow spoon or a ladle, skim as much fat as possible from the surface of the cooking liquid. Using a large, sharp knife and a fork, coarsely cut and shred the pork into small bite-size pieces.

Arrange the meat on a warmed platter or individual plates, moisten it lightly with the cooking juices, and serve immediately with the tortillas, lime wedges, chopped onion, avocado, tomato and cilantro. Serves 6 to 8.

up, up and away exfoliating soap bar // organic living

 exfoliating soap bar now for sale on my etsy shop.

its all natural, made with organic ingredients and pure essential oils. this invigorating blend was formulated to give an extra boost to your day and uplift your spirits. it smells divine and feels amazing as it softly cleans and exfoliates- leaving your skin feeling soft, hydrated and moisturized. no greasy film or residue left- just pure perfection! made to order at Sincerewhit.

worth a 1000 words // photography

i had the wonderful experience yet again of being captured by the talented Brittany Michelle Photographer. she has done numerous shoots for me over the years and each time, i become more in awe of her talents as they grow, develop and mold into a masterful art.

she is also just a grade A rad chick; a true joy to hang out with and always makes me feel comfortable and at ease. even during some settings that would normally feel a little odd, we somehow stride right through them laughing all the way. it was a great and joyous experience and i couldnt be happier with the images so far that she has captured of my final days of this pregnancy.

i am literally due in just a few short days here so i was excited to snag this opportunity at the Wetlands National Park and additionally not go into labor all the while. =)

  all images taken by Brittany Michelle Photographer

soft & supple lips // organic living

making lip balm is fun and easy. ive posted previously about lip balm but i wanted to revamp the recipe for additional moisture. for added softness, apply this amazing DIY lip scrub and follow with your homemade lip balm for soft and kissable lips.

WHATS IN IT?
2 teaspoons organic beeswax
1 1/2 teaspoons organic coconut oil
1 1/2 teaspoons organic coco butter *sub mango butter- see below
1 teaspoon unrefined shea butter
4 teaspoons organic olive oil
*for those with coco allergies or just a lack of interest in the coco smell, substitute with pure raw, unrefined mango butter
optional: natural color and/or pure essential oil like mint or orange for flavor

WHAT TO DO?
melt all ingredients in a double boiler. whisk as everything melts. be careful to not overheat and remove once the beeswax has become liquid. i always turn the heat off when i see only a few bits floating and allow to stay on heated stovetop for a few minutes as the bits will melt. i then pull my boiler off to the side.
pour into tubes, tins, or lidded containers using a funnel. allow to cool and cap when filled. add your custom labels if you so desire.

salt scrub & roller blend // organic living

vanity is always present in some form. of course feet are probably one of the least of our worries but when it comes to wanting to wear chic, show stopping shoes and sandals and feel absolutely worth a million bucks in them, feet become the end all be all for doing so. we go to great lengths to shave and have pedicures and pumice stones define and perfect our 10 little piggies. but pregnancy can be harsh on them. add to that summer heat of 100 plus degrees and you have yourself a sore recipe of swollen legs.

the first two pregnancies i was lucky enough to hit the jackpot of winter. i didnt over heat, feel too nauseas or light headed and i certainly didnt suffer from swelling. this pregnancy, however, is right in the heart of las vegas summer and boy do i feel its fury. my feet end up swollen by mid day from hustling around and feel like theyre on fire. i have to constantly remind myself to sit and prop my legs up for a breather with a cold pack, which is a near impossible feat for me because im all about go-go-go otherwise i end up looking like i traded my feet for sausages. a sight i still laugh about because its hard to believe im staring down at my own two feet. i was always told this is what pregnancy does to your feet but i luckily missed out on this pregnancy symptom the first two rounds.

now of course i am being ultra specific to my case of pregnancy swelling, however the two following recipe blends can be applied to just about anywhere to improve blood flow and circulation. i have used both to promote healthy inflammatory response.

SALT SCRUB

1 C epson salt
1 C baking soda
1/2 C coconut oil
1/4 C grapeseed oil
15 drops cypress EO
15 drops lemongrass EO
15 drops grapefruit EO
10 drops cedarwood EO (optional)
WHAT TO DO
mix all ingredients into a glass mixing bowl excluding the essential oils until thoroughly blended. stir with a wooden spoon for 1-2 minutes to ensure the oils have absorbed throughout the entire mixture. store in an air tight container.

rub onto your feet, legs, arms and hands- where ever the problem area is present. wet your hands with warm water and gently massage in a clockwise, circular motion until the salts melt away. pat dry and keep your limbs at heart level for at least 30 minutes to aid in recirculation and to help promote a healthy inflammatory response. applying a cold compress whenever possible during this 30 minutes is even more effective. do this morning and evening every day until you notice and feel a difference and repeat for 3 days following.

ROLLER BLEND
10 drops cypress EO
10 drops lemongrass EO
10 drops grapefruit EO
coconut oil (enough to fill roller)

place essential oils into a glass roller, fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil. insert roller top and shake until well blended. roll over inflamed areas every 2-3 hours and especially before bed.

to purchase this scrub, please email me sincerewhit@gmail.com or visit my Etsy shop SincereWhit

4oz $12
12oz $25

i think its important to share my success with using this special salt scrub and roller blend. i used the salt scrub to massage my feet and legs and patted them dry. i then applied the roller blend, elevated my feet with a cold compress for 30 minutes and went to bed. when i woke up this morning i immediately repeated the same process. id say i had a healthy inflammatory response to this particular scrub.

**not everyone has the same results. everyone’s body is different and reacts differently to oils. sometimes its about trial and error in an effort to the right blend of oils that your body reacts positively to. this is just my own success and if this blend doesnt work for you, i have a magnitude of various other blends that support healthy inflammatory response that i am more than happy to share with you. just send me a message at sincerewhit@gmail.com

natural nipple balm (+ healing salve) // organic living

new mothers often suffer from sore and cracked nipples in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. i know i did for both of my children. and it was a discomfort way up high on my list of “take your breath away” pains. while experiencing this initial trauma, it almost made me think twice about wanting to breastfeed. of course that is an extra exaggerated reference to explain my discomfort but it definitely was not a joyful bundle of bliss from the start.

i had no idea how long it would go on or what to even expect. it seemed like it would go on forever. i tried so many different healing methods, none of which seemed to really, truly ease any pain or prevent future happenings. i finally did the ‘grit and bare” it notion and eventually they kind of just got used to the pain. i know that is NOT what breastfeeding is supposed to be like. it eventually did get better but it seemed like an eternity that shouldnt have prevailed.

so i figured there had to be a better way! getting into making my own products years back, i found that not only do i enjoy creating them, but i love that they seem to work better and be safer and healthier for me and my children.

so onto pregnancy number three i can tell you one thing is for sure. i will not be suffering with cracked and dangerously painful nipple problems. i have perfected the art of keeping this particular motherhood right of passage at bay. to protect myself and my new tiny human, i have created a non-toxic, all natural nipple balm. everything in it is pure and organic and easy to pronounce. most are items you can ingest or use with the comfort of knowing its pure and raw. this balm’s all-natural ingredients help keep nipples feeling soft, supple, and healthy and it will help prevent or heal cracking and pain caused from breastfeeding.

WHATS IN IT?
(makes 1 oz)
2 tbs pure, raw shea butter
1 spoonful pure vitamin E oil
1 spoonful organic almond oil
1 spoonful organic coconut oil
1/2 tsp organic bees wax
5 drops Lavander EO
5 drops Helichrysm EO

WHAT TO DO?
heat all ingredients (minus the essential oils) in a glass container through a double boiler method over medium heat. continue heating until all ingredients are completely melted and then remove from heat. while still hot, add your essential oils and mix with a wooden utensil. pour into your jar or container and allow to cool uncovered before applying the lid.

you can eliminate additional clean up and pouring by using a glass jar for your container. simply place the jar inside of a measuring cup and allow for the ingredients to melt within the container itself. once melted, add the essential oils, stir and allow to cool. i placed mine in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.

at room temperature, the balm has a soft and smooth texture making it easy to apply.

YES!!! this balm actually works. it actually soothes. and it actually heals. and best of all it is actually safe and good for both baby and me. in fact, it is not only a balm for nipples, but can also be used on dry skin patches such as eczema or psoriasis and even tiny knee scrapes and scabs from too much floor scooting or the ever daunting attempt to walk on hard floors. its a healing salve that has many natural properties that promote cellular regeneration and natural healing due to anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. lavender and helichrysm are two of my must have mom items for all the owies that go down with boys.

pregnancy- packing for the hospital // life impressions

this has by far been the easiest pregnancy of my three. i have felt the least discomfort and adapted to my growing and changing body the best by far this time around. it also has flown by. like i mean up, up and away… i am at my 37 week mark (how? i have no idea) and found myself saying oh crap! i have to get things ready for the hospital. i mean, i didn’t even register at the hospital until about a week ago. it kept slipping my mind. life is just going a million miles a minute and here i am in full pregnancy brain mode AKA- complete stand still. so, what all am i going to bring? good question.

these are just some of my spotlights from my packing list. the ones i find essential and fabulous and well worth sharing.

to start off, im packing all of my conents into my fabulous Nena&Co Rocky Barnes weekender. my own must haves include a comfy button down shirt for easy access for labor massage and maneuvering as well as post labor breastfeeding. i also included some throw away hanes panties, comfy socks and my favorite red, no slip Birkenstock sandals for a pop of color.

my toiletry essentials are my sore muscle rub for discomfort, rose water facial spritz, immunity  spray and an entire ziplock bag full of essential oil viles and roller blends that i feel will
help with everything birth. included is my diffuser and favorite immune blend, wild orange and citrus happiness to help keep my room feeling like home. last is my homemade nipple balm. its an all-natural healing salve with multiple healing purposes. and its easy to make! these are all packed away in my waterproof Soulucean tote.

additional items i included are my favorite mexican blancket i bought in venice for back support and covering, my 80’s poloroid camera for vintage looking photos, my birth plan and oil guide and of course my ipad with movies and music. i also included a few take-along snacks for my husband and children to keep them snicker bar fussy-free. or maybe thats me im taking about?

moving onto the baby, i packed everything in my LilyJade bag. Included are a few take home outfit choices from the Mag Pie Co, big brothers newbie hats, California Baby calendula lotion, Honest Company diapers & wipes, family baby blankets and a calming roman chamomile spritz i made for baby and me.

of course this is just a quick look into some of the essentials of my hospital bag, but i feel these are the nuts and bolts for making my time at centennial hospital as great as i can. centennial has a fabulous birthing program that gives mothers a mani/pedi, massage, gourmet meal and mother tea time. im so looking forward to my visit there being pampered and taken care of and most of all, meeting my sweet little boy who is bound to captivate me in every way possible. im so ready!

beat the heat // sorbet fever

i know. i know. i told you. im obsessed. my little dudes are obsessed. we LOVE melon everything. so this week we delved into making sorbet and boy oh boy is it fantastic! each of the two recipes contain only 4 ingredients. and the BEST part for all you busy bees out there is that it literally takes less than 10 minutes of prep time and then you let your sorbet maker take over and do the rest of the work. cant beat that!

chill your cantaloupe cubes before pureeing with a cold DIY simple syrup and you can cut your churning time in half. the texture is light and smooth and the taste is PURE deliciousness for days. for a firmer scoop, allow your sorbet to freeze in an appropriate container like my Tovolo tub for an additional hour before serving.

INGREDIENTS
1 C. water
1/2 C. sugar or 1/4 C. agave (less or more depending on natural sweetness of cantaloupes)
4 C. cubed cantaloupe
juice of 1 1/2 lemons

INSTRUCTIONS

make a simple syrup by placing the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to completely dissolve the sugar. remove from heat, place in a airtight container, and refrigerate until cold. place the chilled cantaloupe cubes, cold simple syrup, and lemon juice in a blender. puree until very smooth. i use my blendtec juicer button to get a juice-like consistency.  churn in your ice cream maker according to manufacturers directions. when it reaches thick and frozen consistency, about 15 minutes, scoop into a container and freeze until firm. let sit out for 5 minutes before serving scoops of melony greatness!

***if you do not have an ice cream maker- no worries…you can still make sorbet! follow the same steps above however, when you reach the point of adding the liquid to an ice cream maker, instead, pour into an air tight container and place in your freezer. let freeze for about 35-40 minutes and stir. continuing freezing and stirring at 25 minute increments to ensure it doesnt freeze as a solid block and serve when the desired consistency is reached. of course this is entirely way more time consuming, however it can be done. i did it for years until i finally broke down and bought an ice cream maker last week..something i have wanted since i was about 9 years old. hooray!

Watermelon Sorbet

INGREDIENTS
1/2 C. water
1/4 C. agave (less or more depending on watermelons natural sweetness)
5 C. watermelon, chilled & cubed
juice of 1 1/2 limes

instructions for making watermelon sorbet are exactly the same as for the cantaloupe recipe above.

rockin’ blogs update // my blog inspirations

i recently updated my rockin’ blogs page with a whole new crew of creators that i think rock. i follow them on instagram and via their websites. i just love their material, style, ideas, projects, two-sense, and pictures. i think they are captivating and inspiring. i hope you enjoy them as much as i do.

take me to rockin’ blogs