In the bustling world of modern family life, balancing health, sustainability, and simplicity can often seem like an insurmountable challenge. Enter Claire Cameron, the vibrant force behind Claire K Creations. Claire's journey into the realm of natural living began in 2013, following a life-altering diagnosis of PCOS. Faced with the daunting prognosis of infertility without medical intervention, Claire embarked on a transformative path, eliminating toxins from her home and embracing natural solutions. Her remarkable journey led to the natural conception of her three children – two energetic boys and a spirited little girl. Living in the picturesque Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, Claire's life is a testament to the harmony of natural living. With regular morning walks on the beach and a home filled with laughter, Claire embodies the vibrant, healthy lifestyle she advocates. In this exclusive Delivery Rank’s interview, Claire shares her insights on sustainable living, the joys of whole foods, and how small, intentional changes can lead to a healthier, happier planet.
I have wanted to be a mum for as long as I can remember. When I was told I had only a 5% chance of ever falling pregnant naturally, something in me just said ‘I don’t think so.’
There’s nothing in particular, no big wow moment, just something in me told me my body wasn’t falling pregnant for a reason & so I became a bit of a detective looking at other things that affect fertility.
It certainly wasn’t easy when the doctor was telling me nothing would make a difference but I backed myself & kept at it with the belief that my body knew what it was doing. That’s when I learned about toxins in and around our homes and in our food and water & started making changes to the way we ate and the products we used in our home and on our bodies.
10 years later, we have 3 healthy, naturally-conceived kids.
I think my biggest piece of advice here might be a bit controversial but I no longer believe you can have or do it all (nor do I think anyone is) - You have to go easy on yourself. Maybe that means outsourcing to an eco-cleaner, or maybe that’s buying ready made meals a few nights a week from a healthy meal delivery company. It could be cutting back on work and going without some things so you’ve got a little more time to do things at home.
For me, I didn’t learn this lesson until quite a few years into my parenting adventure. It comes down to priorities & also remembering that parenting has seasons. These days I really try to live into the season we’re in as much as I can (whether it’s breezy or challenging) and remember it won’t last forever. They really do grow up so very quickly so now, I do everything I can to make life easier so I can be with them and be there for them when they need me.
Practicality wise - batching is my number one tip. For food, that looks like never making a mess in the kitchen just for one thing. If I’m baking, I’m doubling the recipe & freezing half. Find healthy baked goods recipes that everyone loves and make sure you always have a stash in the freezer. Cooking dinner I try to make a double batch and freeze it for later. It means you get a night off cooking sometimes and reduce last minute trips to the supermarket or for takeout. Chopping veggies I’ll chop enough for a few nights. Around the house it’s really about squeezing the most out of little pockets of time so the rest of the time can be spent on your priorities.
It also means bulk buying as much as possible & using the ‘one plus a spare rule.’ So for example, I’ll always have an open jar of peanut butter and at least one in the spare pantry. As soon as that one gets opened it’s onto the shopping list. I used to do one big shop once-a-month and then only go to the shops in between for bare essentials like fresh produce and milk.
Having some flexibility and not going too hard on yourself comes in here too. I’m a lot more relaxed about the kids' food than I used to but my big rule is avoiding artificial colors as much as possible. Pick your rules but also remember ‘rules are made to be broken sometimes.’
That’s a tricky one! Banana muffins have been a staple in our house for years. They make a delicious quick breakfast on the run and are great for lunchboxes. https://www.clairekcreations.com/banana-blueberry-and-oat-muffins/
To be honest, my biggest takeaway is that you are your best guide. When I share a recipe or a bit of advice, I always share it as ‘this is what I do’ rather than ‘this is what you should do.’ No one knows you or your family better than you do.
To read more about Claire K Creations, please visit https://www.clairekcreations.com/