Vitamin D sufficiency, along with diet and exercise, has emerged as one of the most important preventive factors in human health. Hundreds of studies now link vitamin D deficiency with significantly higher rates of many forms of cancer‚ as well as heart disease‚ osteoporosis‚ multiple sclerosis and many other conditions and diseases. You’ll get natural vitamin D production through regular, non-burning sun exposure. Between 10 an d 20 minutes with exposing legs and arms in the sun, depending on your skin, the darker skin the longer time you need in the sun.

© Monika Elena Photography -our favourite fashion photographer and one that understands the importance of the sun

Sunlight is the best and only natural source of vitamin D. Unlike dietary or supplementary vitamin D, when you get your ‘D’ from sunshine your body takes what it needs, and de-metabolizes any extra. With glorious days like we are experiencing currently it’s simply enough to be outside in the sun approx 15 minutes every day. But for those days with clouds, rain and snow we should be aware of that there are certain foods that also provides a natural source of vitamin D. Fish liver oil and fatty fish species, such as salmon (wild and organic), mackerel, catfish, eel and tuna.

Lack of sunlight, is also thought to be one reason for depression. For some people lack of sunlight can bring on depression. Many people tend to feel a little down on cloudy days and usually during late autumn and winter. Experts believe that sunlight causes changes in a tiny structure in the brain called the hypothalamus, upsetting the brain chemistry and cause depression.
One easy remedy during the dark winter months is to increase the amount of full-spectrum light exposure that you have, with a full spectrum lamp. After only 30 minutes a day in front of the lamp and you’ll find yourself feeling a lot more happy and with more energy.

But meanwhile… The sun is shining outside! So for now you can forget about eel and full spectrum lamps and just pop out in the sun; 15 minutes a day keeps the doctor away.

Source: sunshinevitamin.org

Little A really wanted a Ice Skating party for her 7th Birthday and we invited 13 little friends to join her. The girls were greeted by a party host, a steward, that immediately took charge of the party. The girls were given skates and went straight on the ice rink for a safety session. Then after clinging to the side for a bit our party host managed to get all the girls to gain enough confidence and not only let go of the sides but also having lots of fun, fooling around, dancing and doing laps on their own!
They all achieved so well and it was truly amazing to see how quickly they learned and it was a tired but happy group of little girls that sat down in the enclosed dining area for some party food, ice cream and birthday cake.




Price £14 per child, minimum 10 children from 6-12 years, including skate hire, skating and party food. Another £8 for having the party host helping out on the ice -highly recommended. Parents skate for free. Find out more at alexandrapalace.com

Little A’s wearing a gorgeous Elf dress by Jumina. This fairytale dress is made from a lovely quality wool and it is lined with a 100% organic fairtrade cotton. Currently on sale with a 50% discount at Jumina Shop.

So what do we do in the Scandinavian home when we need some time for us?

Well first of all I have to say that we are way beyond the baby and sleepless night stage with our two girls already being 6 and 10 years old. Or maybe we are in a in-between sleepless nights stage as I’m sure it’s not long before they start hanging over at friends into the early hours… But for now they brush their teeth and say good night around 8ish leaving us with several hours of adult time every night. But even so it’s nice to do get a babysitter so that we can leave the house and just be us once in while.
One time friends came to stay and we went for a couple of nights to Paris. That was just amazing. 2 hours with the train and then you walk hand in hand down the cobbled streets of Saint German.
But we don’t have to go to Paris to feel that we have time for each other and time for nourishing the relationship. Having a babysitter to come over for the evening is fine too. The girls loves their babysitter and can’t wait for her to arrive (and us leave!?) So what do we do out? Dinner at friends, dinner at restaurants, parties and clubbing. It’s exhibitions and talks, fairs and events. Sometimes I wonder if the absolutely best time for us is when we on a rainy autumn day asks our neighbour to watch the girls for an hour, leaving the house hand in hand, walking through the misty woodlands whilst talking and ending up at our local pub with a crackling fireplace. Finishing a half pint of favourite beer before giggling deciding to have another before we disappear back into the night -happy and on our way home. Because sometimes less is more, with the simple things in life making us happy.

© Little Scandinavian. The Scandinavian Dad and Mum on a ski trip to Trysil in 2008, photo by Little B age 6.

Because big things happens on a daily basis in little people life’s.

© Girls Daily Couture AW11 by Pale Cloud – Note to the tooth fairy belongs to Little A

First out, our favourite knitted quirky toys from the Copenhagen based design team LuckyBoySunday. This is the perfect gift to the newborn little baby; so soft to cuddle and with such high quality it will last like forever -and as a bonus it will be a stylish accessories to any family home.

© LuckyBoySunday by Little Scandinavian

Next up is Holly’s, born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2002 when Britt Bonnesen and Camilla Anderson decided to give the 70s four-leaf clover new life. It’s retro in the utterly most sweet way. This is essentials for your baby and child -growing up feeling comfortable and happy. A bodysuit is a must have for babies, choose your favourite clover print from a range of colours.

© Holly’s

We know that Heidi is a wiz with her hands and that she probably would make a pair of our next item up, over a cup of tea. But for us that are not so brilliant with our knitting pins there are still a way to provide our darling babies with these immensely sweet knitted baby booties in 100% alpaca. Esencia, again a Danish brand, and one of our favourite not only for their comfortable and lovely design but also for their innovative thinking on how to make itch free wool garments for children.

© Esencia

Denmark is known for being trend setters -also within kids fashion and design. There are some truly great stylists and illustrators around too. We love retrovilla.dk and rieeliselarsen.dk for inspiration and pure happiness.
And shopping! We must admit being slightly jealous. As a new mum Heidi gets to stroll the streets of Copenhagen with her newborn son and daily if she wants visit a range of lovely shops. But as many would know, time with little ones can be stressful. For those days where you just want to cuddle up in the sofa with a cup of tea whilst the baby sleeps, why not visit one of our favourite online stores, lillefigaro.dk which is well worth a visit for anyone with an interest into gorgeous children’s clothes and accessories.

We wish Heidi and Mr C all the best and we’ll be very excited to follow you in your upcoming journey into family life with your very own newborn Little Scandinavian.

Lots of love
theScandinavianMum at Little Scandinavian