About me
Hi, I'm Carmen -
I dive deep into the things that enrich our lives — from learning to hike in Canadian Winter so that we spend more time in nature, to cooking healthy meals from scratch, sewing cloth diapers, making natural products, and creating peaceful rhythms at home.
I research, experiment, live it fully, and then share what I’ve learned. This space is where I document it all — intentional parenting, homemade projects, nourishing habits, learning to crochet and so many other new skills, and more.
I am happy to have you join me here.
My Story
I've always been intense. I dive deeply and passionately into everything I do — whether it was years of academic study, building my career, or starting my own consulting business. I don't skim the surface; I research, immerse, and live it out fully.
Life shifted in a big way when we decided to move to Canada and start a family. We arrived in Calgary from South Africa three years ago, and a few short months later, our daughter was born. Since then, we’ve been slowly and intentionally creating the life we want to live — adjusting, learning, and figuring things out one day at a time.
I stepped away from full-time work to prioritize being home with our daughter during these early years. That decision changed my role entirely — from someone who barely spent time in the kitchen to becoming the curator of our home. I’ve learned to cook all our meals from scratch, sew practical items like cloth diapers and homewares, crochet winter gear and handmade gifts, and even make biltong and droëwors to keep my South African roots alive.
We’ve embraced the outdoors too, learning how to hike and explore nature in a climate that’s often harsh and unfamiliar. Despite the snow, I’m raising a child who runs barefoot in nature whenever the ground allows it (and when we can't be barefoot we are running around in our barefoot shoes).
Much of this journey has been about living with intention — from the way we parent, to the healthy habits and rhythms that shape our days. I’ve become passionate about using natural products, practicing compassionate communication (inspired by Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication), and building a life that feels grounded and aligned with our values.
My health journey started in 2017 when I met my now-husband, and it led me deep into the world of women's wellness. I became an expert in fertility awareness and hormonal health, co-created a course for women (Coming Home to Yourself), and developed a Fertility Awareness Journal to support others walking a similar path.
This blog is where I share it all — from book recommendations and wholesome recipes, to parenting reflections, handmade projects, and honest accounts of how I’ve learned these skills from scratch. It’s a space for others who also seek a thoughtful, wholehearted life — and who want to learn alongside someone who's doing the same.
And while I might not be a typical stay-at-home mom, I still run my consulting business — Fourie Employment Relations — fitting in client work during early mornings or nap times. I hold an MCom (Cum Laude) in Industrial Psychology, with specializations in labour law and communication, and continue to consult. You will see me share how I figure out balancing everything without compromising what is most important to us.
I believe in living slowly, curiously, and compassionately — and I share what I learn in the form of blog posts, YouTube videos, and the Instagram stories (@sustainabilityC). You won’t find mindless scrolling here — just real, long-form content I hope will inform, uplift, and inspire.
Thanks for being here - feel free to reach out to me,
Carmen
