Meet local mom –  Elana Smith

Name: Elana Smith

Where did you grow up: 

 I grew up right here in jupiter! I was Born in palm beach gardens, and moved to the farms when I was 8. When my husband and I got married, we moved back into the neighborhood I was in as a baby in Gardens, and now we’re back in Jupiter farms. 

Town you live in now: Jupiter Farms

Why you love living there: Whenever I travel I always thing…”could i move here” and its always a no! I absolutely love florida. I love the heat; like a warm wet hug! I love the landscapes, but unlike most, my heart is all for the Florida swamp lands. I love hiking west of Jupiter, seeing those tall grasses turn hot pink in fall, naming the gators we frequently see, and watching the ponds go crisp in the dry season. And boy do I love watching my plants grow in the rainy season. We can grow such special things here. I have over 20 different tropical fruit trees that couldn’t grow in many other places. 

Tell me about your kids: 

I could talk about her ALL DAY! Seraphina is just under 4 and so so precious! She’s super smart, funny, girly, creative, and sensitive; a total mini me. She has a huge vocabulary and remembers everything, she is cautious and calculated, hates when people clap and say good job (but she is aloud). While she might be shy, she says to everyone “HI WHATS YOUR NAME?’ even if they are zooming by us on a bike! She loves listening to books, and has a real love for classics like peter rabbit and old school fairy tales.  She is a total beach baby and loves playing in the waves. 

Favorite things to do with the kids locally:

These are her favorite places: #1 Dubois, hiking at Cypress Creek Natural Area and Pine Glades for sunsets, Kiwanis Playground and trolly ride around downtown stuart, I Need Coffee, Poppet Project, Science Museum and Lion Country Safari. When its too hot she loves going to the mall, especially to “sample” the beds at pottery barn. 

What’s your ‘day job’?  How did you get started with it? 

My day job is One World Zero Waste, a local organic market/eco friendly shop. It started out of personal need. We wanted to live FOR the earth, not against it. I’ve always been very passionate about the environment, so creating as little waste as possible in our home, and making it easier for the community so more people would be on board too! We sell everything from organic bulk food, local produce, raw dairy, reusable home goods, body care, even make up.

Its been incredibly rewarding and has made me love this town even more. Our customers are just the best and i’ve met so many wonderful friends since opening up shop. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve the town and the earth these last 7 years. 

Ideal family vacation? I love going to upstate new york for our family vacations. Its not exactly out of the box, but ive been going my entire life and it is my happy place, and now bringing my daughter is incredibly special. She asks to go all the time! The hiking is wonderful, foraging for flowers and mushrooms, we play in the river, cook together, and just chill! Plenty of time for knitting (my favorite hobby), pottery, family card games and shopping at the local boutiques and thrift stores (definitely more my style for clothes). I look forward to it all year. 

What is your best parenting advice.  Lay it on us. 

Question societal norms! I’m very passionate about food and health, and the “kids” foods these days breaks my heart. READ every label BEFORE you buy something! 9 out of 10 times I put it back on the shelf. I try to make most foods at home, but I have a toddler, so I get it, we need some convenience foods, and there are some good options, but we need to be diligent. You really have to search hard for good snacks. Just because the label says 100% natural, does not make it so. And our kids deserve the best, they’re all so precious! We are their protectors, and that includes feeding them REAL SAFE foods. Don’t let mega corporations dictate that for you, because I promise you they are not thinking for one second about the safety and health of your child. My guideline is looking for real food ingredients only, simple right?

 Even baby medicines have artificial flavoring, high fructose corn syrup and red dye 40. What the heck?? We’re living in a backwards world, so try your best to make it right side up for your child.

 No food dye, high fructose corn syrup, unpronounceable items, or flavoring. And yes I tell my daughter all about it, as gently as I can. 

What do you do for self care? Not enough! haha but really…I love doing hot yoga, baking, knitting, face masks and bubble baths with my daughter, and hiking. My mental health is very obvious, if i’m creating, i’m in a good place. 

Favorite local spots- restaurants, parks, shops? Mood, Cypress Creek Natural area, One World Zero Waste (a little bias but ya know, Its got the goods I like to buy), Hani Honey, castronovo chocolate, Juice Stop, Palm Beach Ice Cream, Lala Hot Yoga, Hot yoga Jupiter, Golden Juicery. 

Karaoke – what are you singing? Simply the Best (Schitts Creek version), Anti-Hero(Josiah and the bonnevilles version), Chronically Cautions (Josiah and the bonnevilles), Simple Song (the Shins), Its Only Life (the Shins), Love Vigilantes (Iron and Wine), Child Approved options: Defying Gravity and Popular (wicked) Lost in the Woods (frozen) the few songs my daughter will “let” me sing! 

Anything else you want to share? I have 4 ducks, all named Jemima- from Jemima Puddle Duck and Im obsessed with them.