Jamie McFaden - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Kinderwood Farms is Where Fairy Tales Come to Life

Jamie McFaden — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 23:39:24 +0000

Remember when you were a kid and believed fairy tales were real? When enchanted forests, magical creatures, and happily-ever-afters felt within reach? Then you grew up, became a parent in the Bay Area, and realized life doesn’t quite look like that anymore… or does it? While growing up can feel like a harsh awakening, there are extraordinary people out there who create their own reality — living outside the box and proving that a precious, storybook-like life is possible. Welcome to Kinderwood Farms, a small, enchanting farm with over 70 animals, just minutes away from places like Mentone and New Leaf Market, yet feeling like you’ve stepped right into an old storybook. As you approach this magical mini farm-climbing a fairly steep hill—you’re instantly greeted by their signature black-and-white cat Katinka, who often pops out of the back of a truck or weaves through the greenery to welcome you with warmth. Near the front door, a turkey might strut by, a pig might wander near, and the man of the house, Mack (short for Macdonald—yes, he really does have a farm, E-I-E-I-O), will greet you with a kindness straight out of a fairy tale. Then there’s Lauren, Mack’s wife, nursing their sweet baby boy, Rex. With her luscious Ariel-red hair and a super cool vibe that’s equal parts mermaid and homestead queen, she draws you in with her genuine warmth and hospitality. Lauren will likely offer you her signature sparkling cranberry water cooler or her fresh made sourdough, maybe some FRESH goat cheese that they just made early in the day—regardless of what it may be – they sure know how to HOST and make you feel like family. Not to mention, Lauren loves to teach and is eager to share knowledge and experience with all ages. She taught my daughter how to make fettuccine from scratch and taught my mom tips on how to make the perfect sourdough. (You’ll have to ask her when you go too!) Two main castmates of the house: Georgie and Nicky (known as the protector of the farm) they are both super friendly dogs. In fact – all of the animals are quite friendly (love snuggles and pets) and similar to a storybook, dogs, cats, goats, pigs all can share the same space and are happy to hang with each other and humans! Pretty amazing and for many feels surreal. Once you arrive and realize this storybook is real, you won’t want to leave. In fact, Kinderwood Farms offers a cozy room with bathroom to rent, so you can stay for a few days and fully immerse yourself in the magic. I discovered Kinderwood Farms while searching for places where my kids and I could volunteer and connect with animals. Make sure you book in advance, the farm is a mini oasis that is by reservation only. Though I don’t have a farm (yet!), I believe that pursuing any dream starts by putting yourself in the right environment. This farm was exactly that—an outside-the-box experience filled with animals, nature, and heartfelt community. And both Lauren and Mack explained one of their goals is to inspire others to do the things that bring JOY. When I asked them both about what brings the most JOY in their life right now without hesitation – they both said, “Rex” and then Mack shared in fact watching Lauren as a mom and Mack are the best! Lauren and Mack are extraordinary hosts, blending culinary, artistic, and hospitality talents to make you feel like you’re not just visiting a farm—but stepping into a home and a story unfolding. You might even get to milk goats, make cheese, or sample bread fresh from the oven. They offer so many nourishing experiences! They’re doing things differently—breaking away from the typical bay area lifestyle. My daughter Sofia put it perfectly: “Lauren and Mack are like two angels God sent to earth to show us how to live.” Having lived in Greece at 17, milking goats in a village, I recognize that rare, beautiful feeling—something so unique many never get to experience. That’s why I wanted to share their story, to show that living against the grain might just be the best way to live in today’s fast-paced, hustle-driven world. In a culture that can feel cold and competitive, who doesn’t want to slow down, enjoy nature, connect with animals, savor home-cooked food, and be part of something bigger than ourselves? Kinderwood Farms is that “modern village” bringing community and sustainability to life. They also host fun events like Goat Yoga, teaming up with Beer 30 to bring baby goats along—imagine a tiny goat on your back as you flow through a child’s pose! Lauren and Mack are passionate about community-led participation and sustainability. Both highly educated, warm, and hardworking, they care deeply for every one of their animals, all of whom have brilliant names and big personalities. Which some of the guests have even had the opportunity of helping choose names..and all very creative! On my last visit, we arrived with a gift for their newborn baby—only to find a baby goat born that very morning! Holding and feeding that sweet little creature felt like the most magical, real-life fairy tale moment. Then to all of our surprise my son who is 1.5 bottle fed one of the baby goats. Of course, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns—these two work tirelessly, cleaning, caring, building, nursing, and feeding. Mack is usually crafting something new, while Lauren juggles motherhood, cooking, and even sailing (she’s a sailing expert!). I’ve encouraged them to consider adding a Kinderwood sailing experience—imagine that! If you want to experience magic, community, and the kind of life that feels like a storybook come to life, Kinderwood Farms is waiting for you. They have a goal of reaching more people. To inspire balance and share their JOY with others. I even asked them to share if they could have an extra hand right now in the business what would it be and they both said with marketing and sharing what they love with more people out there. If that sounds like you or you just want to help a boot strap business and love animals be sure to reach out. Some tips for those looking to start a homestead lifestyle from the pros: Get a mentor Google is great for many things but learning from someone is most important Be part of a community (having a village mindset and meeting local farmers helps! Chickens are a great place to start! You can still live your lifestyle and a perfect way to check out farm life (And have some delicious eggs) Check them out here: kinderwoodfarms.com

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Surf City Line Dance Brings People Together One Step at a Time

Jamie McFaden — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:40:20 +0000

Out of all the types of self-care there is ONE that has been linked to the greatest determining factor of someone’s overall health: SOCIAL self-care. In a world where so many of us are feeling isolated, on computers all day and overwhelmed – it’s time we bring some “old-school vibes” back! Looking for something fun to try with the whole family, that has made a HUGE comeback since the 80’s/90’s it will get your heart rate up, boost your social life and enhance your brain health? Look no further than local Line Dance Sensation, Niko Takaoka, founder of Surf City Line Dance. It is an experience you don’t want to miss – and her warm, welcoming energy is the greatest bonus. Niko has an inspirational story, I am thrilled to share as I hope it will inspire someone else to take the PLUNGE on a dream. I met Niko over a decade ago while training Fitness Instructors The Popular Jillian Michaels “Bodyshred” method. We hit it off instantly, her personality is bright and calm, passionate and enthusiastic – I reconnected with her years later while hosting a 30 day Self- Care challenge. She reached out to me expressing her life shifts and how she was feeling extra life stress, from her beloved mother passing, to not feeling motivated and stuck – she was wanting a shift and not sure how to move the needle. When asked what her DREAM self-care looked like, at that time she mentioned wanting to launch a line dancing brand but having NO idea how to make it reality. She has worked a steady job for many years and the idea of launching something was intimidating. Over the 30 days, she not only crafted her brand, website, assets, launch date – she was what we would consider a A+ student in every way. Showing up for herself and also others in her life knowing it was time. She LISTENED to her inner voice. And teamed up with other women in the group who supported each other every step of the way. She kicked off her first class at the Old Saloon on Portola and that morning I called her and said she wasn’t sure if anyone would show up.. Niko had over 50 people show up that night! Ever since last April, she has had weekly classes, led private events, pop ups all over the bay area! Her and her husband Johnny are pioneers in the bay area and I got to experience it with my whole family at the Woodhouse Brewing Co and Niko had over 100 people dancing together, laughter, joy and a great workout! May this story be one which inspires you to take time and listen to what your heart is telling you. Usually there is a whisper and often we try to pretend we don’t hear it. Niko said “the support has been life changing, I know I am not alone and we have create this big community and we love each other!” She continued sharing, “People are telling me each week how much fun they are having and the new friends they are making. They look forward to dancing each week. It is bringing joy to the community which feels so good. The best part is we have all ages from 8-90 years old dancing together and having a great time!” Niko is especially humble and when I asked her how the community can support her she said the best thing is to come out and try a class – no experience required, all ages and you can come with a partner or even on your own and make new friends! Be sure to follow surfcitylinedance.com/ and check out a class. Niko hosts weekly classes and does lots of private events – so you can even book her for yours. I asked Niko what she has learned from this experience, “if there is something you are passionate about and want to try it – GO FOR IT!”

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Embracing the Best of Summer

Jamie McFaden — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 06:07:36 +0000

The beautiful weather, gorgeous flowers in bloom, the camps, vacations and hopefully some R+R. Personally, This year is the first time I decided not to put my kid in any camps and zero planned vacations and use the summer to explore and be on the NON scheduled summer. So far, we are really enjoying it and as a working mom it forced me to take off some time that I too really needed. Living in a time where there seems to be much uncertainty, stress and added unnecessary pressures – I hope this will remind you whether you have a packed summer or a loose one like me – making time for family self-care is always a great idea! In fact, according to Elixr’s modern motherhood survey – 85% of mothers struggle to find person time, highlighting the major pressure of balancing career, motherhood and self care.” Every mom I’ve ever asked has admitted making time for themselves always seems like the hardest part of their long to-do list. Let’s work towards changing this and one way is through making plans WITH your family for self-care this summer. I’d like to share some of my favorite tips for Self-Care this summer for mom and dad + the whole family! It is easy to pack in lots of plans during “free” time in summer and I encourage you to create some sacred space for NOTHING. Here are my 10 tips for a super self-care refreshing summer for mind, body and soul! Make a list of all the things that bring you the most joy (have each person in your family help add theirs too) Look over that list and see what you can do throughout the summer – surprise for us, many of the things on the list are usually quality time, outdoor adventures and music/movemnet activities Start a family self-care routine together- maybe a morning walk for coffee or an evening cruise to see sunset- also a great time time clear and declutter! Taste the rainbow – so many fruits and veggies in season a fun and nourishing way to enhance wellness this summer is to see how many colors you can eat in a day! Check out one of the local farmers markets or farms. REST. Allow time to let go of the hustle to get up early and race out of the house or pack in the zillion plans many of us have every other season. Use this time to take a midday nap, read a book, snooze on the beach— nap with baby whatever it looks like for you – allow your family time for quality REST. Try something new together – maybe Goat Yoga, berry picking, family breathwork or Ukulele’s the weekend in SC or Capitola in the village. Save the date: July 12 for a special paddle out to honor a local surfer and mental health awareness. 9am PST in the village. Take the opportunity to help someone else – volunteer work or help out at a local animal shelter – there are so many in need and summer is a great time to lend a helping hand Put the electronics away – what screams vacation for many of us is time off technology – even if its just for a day, see if the whole house can do it and notice how everyone feels. Join a local group – mom walk co, Circle Family center and some other places have great groups you can join to be a part of something bigger and feel support! Challenge yourself! The summer many of us may feel “lazy” but this is a great time to read that book you’ve always wanted to, join a fitness challenge (I’m launching one for moms July 15th be sure you get my newsletterjaimemcfaden.com/) or find something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t made time for. You will thank yourself later! Support LOCAL – check out all the upcoming concerts, events and support the local community however you can. Cheers to a summer filled with self-care for the whole family. May we come together and disconnect to reconnect in the community – starting at home.

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Celebrating Our Fathers

Jamie McFaden — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:13:37 +0000

Let’s cheer this month for all the dads who take their job in fatherhood to heart! Our kids, families and communities are blessed to have you in our lives and the world is better because of YOU. One father in particular I am going to feature in this month’s article is someone who has been so generous and kind and a pillar in our community, yet expects nothing in return – he is a father and “like a father” to many, a leader in the Santa Cruz community – none other than the owner of Growing Up in Santa Cruz, Brad Kava. Brad and I met a few years back when I got a chance to be interviewed and featured for a Mother’s Day issue and what a great way to express gratitude and celebrate the man who has dedicated his life to being a great dad and sharing all the great Santa Cruz vibes with local parents. Psychology Today has stated in many articles, “Children who have an involved father are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident to explore their surroundings, better social connections” There are many reasons why we can celebrate the awesome dads of the world and specifically right here in our community. Tulsa magazine states the top 10 things that make a great dad and I agree: He shows up He sets a good example He treats the mother of his children with respect Takes joy in his kids Disciplines fairly He listens He verbally and emotionally expresses love and compassion Spends quality time He is protective He is supportive He is a leader of the family dynamic and community. I decided to ask some deep questions to Brad and I’ll be the first to say he was nervous to do this and didn’t want the attention – I am so grateful he decided to say yes especially knowing how hard he has worked to be a great dad and to support other moms and dads Here they are: How has becoming a father changed you? I never knew how self-centered I was until I became a father. All I had to do before was take care of myself. Then, suddenly everything changed, like changing diapers, setting a sleep schedule around an infant, making school lunches and trying to make healthy dinners, waking up to drive to school, learning about after school activities, from Little League to art and piano lessons. I was no longer the center of my world: my son is. I can’t make any decisions without keeping him in mind. And I realize I have to be careful about everything I say and do because he will pick up on it all and imitate me, even when I think he’s not paying attention. I once had a friend tell me that becoming a father will make me more conservative politically. Nope. It’s made me care about the environment and helping other people as much as possible to make the world better for him. What is the best part of parenthood? Being a parent makes me a kid again. I see the world through his innocent eyes and feel like I’m seeing things I’ve taken for granted for the first time. I also have someone to share my favorite things with and luckily he likes most of them as much as I do. Then, there’s singing songs together in the car and playing games we make up, like guess the tune I’m humming or guess what I’m thinking based on rhyming words. I used to hate driving; now I love it with his company. What is the most challenging part of parenthood? The most challenging part is giving up sleep; having to be on my best behavior at all times; making myself the second priority; cooking chicken nuggets; finding food that is healthy and kid -friendly; navigating schools and bullies and seriously bad kids; keeping him doing activities that don’t involve a screen, which means I have to be attentive to him more than myself; finding time to work. What is the greatest thing you hope your children will learn from you? Somehow he’s already learned to be kind and treat kids and adults with respect. I’m not sure how he learned those things, but I’ll take some credit. I can’t think of anything more important than that. What is the greatest thing you hope your children will learn from you? I NEVER wanted to be a dad. I loved kids but didn’t feel worthy to have one. Now that I have one it’s the greatest thing ever. It’s broadened my mind and activities more than I ever could have expected. I bought this magazine to learn to be a better father and community member and it’s paid off mentally, if not financially. I’ve learned so much from our writers and readers and love sharing experiences with the Growing Up community. Sometimes my son teaches me as much as I teach him. For example, I was never much into classical music. But he chose to play it on the piano and suddenly, I’m going to the symphony and learning about Mozart and Beethoven. I’ve visited playgrounds the way I used to visit clubs and bars. I now know every superhero’s secret identity. I’ve seen every Marvel movie multiple times, because that’s how kids watch movies. Being a dad has made me a better, more conscious person, aware of the world around me so I can explain it to him. I am so grateful for Brad Kava and these answers which brought tears to my eyes immediately I’m sure so many of us parents can relate to much if not all of this in our own way with our kids. I’ve seen him with his son and it is truly priceless to know this deeper story behind who he is as a father. I hope this will inspire you to ask a dad you love these questions and remember we are all doing the best we can on this journey.to the dads out there who despite how tough it can be make the effort and put their kids first and do their best to lead by example- THANK YOU. We honor you and the fathers in our community this Father’s Day Here’s to DADAS 🙂 we love you! And as a mama thank you

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Local Legend Honored in Wake of Mental Health Struggles

Jamie McFaden — Fri, 09 May 2025 07:38:15 +0000

Capitola homeowner and Greek Bay Area Legend, Sam Anagnostou — or as I knew him, Uncle Sammy, my uncle who felt more like a father and best friend, the one who taught me to surf — a true ray of sunshine. He loved the ocean. He believed in the healing power of the waves and the warmth of the sand beneath your feet. And his theory of seagulls + eagles will live on eternally- reach out and I will gladly share it with you. As it is a reminder that we are all connected even if we are different. If you ever met him, you’d remember his kindness, the jokes that made your cheeks hurt, and the way he made you feel seen, even if you were a stranger. His heart was always on his sleeve, and a bandana was around his hair to keep it smooth. Sam was more than a beloved surfer and adventurer. He was a real estate powerhouse, a dedicated father, a loyal friend, and a beacon of light anywhere he’d go. He made life feel like a celebration.But behind that bright smile, and what looked like a dream life to those looking in, Sam battled deeply with his mental health the past few years. On April 12, 2025, Sam lost that battle. His passing leaves a massive void — in our family, in our community, and in the lives of everyone lucky enough to know him. But more than anything, it left us with a clear and urgent message: Mental health matters. And it matters for everyone — mothers, fathers, children, neighbors, even the people who seem like they have it all together. To honor his life and raise awareness, we will gather for a special Paddle Out in Sam’s memory in July 2025, at the Getty. Details will be shared soon — and everyone is welcome.If you’re reading this and you’re struggling — or someone you love is — please hear me when I say: You are not alone. Sam was the kind of person who would become friends with EVERYONE he came in contact with, offer a genuine compliment in line at the grocery store, or drop a funny joke that would make your whole day. He gave so much light to others — but in his hardest moments, he truly struggled. And that’s why it’s so important that we talk about this. That we check in. That we show up. For ourselves and each other. As Jim Carrey once said:“Depression is your body saying, I don’t want to be this character anymore. It’s too much for me. You should think of the word depressed as DEEP rest — your body needs deep rest from the character you’ve been trying to play.” This May, while we celebrate mothers and spring blooms and sunshine-filled days, let’s also hold space for real conversations around emotional wellness. Let’s remind each other that it’s okay to not be okay — and it’s more than okay to ask for help. Here are three simple things I practice daily to support my mental health — I hope they help someone out there, too: Start with stillness. Whether it’s prayer, meditation, or simply sitting in gratitude — take a few minutes every morning to breathe, listen, and center yourself. Even noticing the waves, birds, or breeze can rewire your brain toward calm. Let go and let God. We are souls in human bodies, carrying heavy loads. It’s easy to keep piling on more — responsibilities, expectations, pressure. But there’s deep strength in surrender. Go to the ocean, close your eyes, and ask for guidance. Listen to the whispers. Lead with love. Depression often makes people feel like a burden. But love — for yourself, for others, for this wild and beautiful life — is one of the greatest tools for healing. Love more, judge less. Choose connection over isolation. Lastly, build your village. Support systems save lives. Reach out. Check in. Find your people. Be someone’s person. Mental health doesn’t fit neatly into a system. It’s layered, complex, and deeply human. But with awareness, compassion, and action, we can shift the stigma and create real change. In the U.S., at least 1 in 5 adults experiences mental illness each year. And many more go undiagnosed or silently suffer. May is our reminder to do better — together. Let’s talk about it. Let’s normalize it. Let’s care more. And let’s never forget Uncle Sammy — his light, his laughter, and the legacy he left behind.

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Why Neighbors Matter for Your Self-Care Routine

Jamie McFaden — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 04:22:39 +0000

In the wise words of Fred Rogers, “I’ve always wanted a neighbor like you,” something our entire world needs most right now. In this column, I am sharing one of the most vital elements of self-care and it relates to COMMUNITY. The people we are around. The social relationships we have, impact our lives in a massive way. With election around the corner, I couldn’t help but write about a personal encounter with one of the candidates in our very own community, that has shown me the VALUE of neighborhood and reminds me of Mr. Rogers himself. As a kid, I loved watching Mr. Rogers – his kindness, empathy, ability to address difficult conversations and educate myself and others on ways that we can show up in the world as a KIND human. Something I believe the world needs more of. The neighbors in Capitola have all been so sweet – and one in particular: Gerry Jensen. Gerry is someone who raises the bar of what it means to be a high quality neighbor. I met Gerry years ago and he is always the guy who goes out of his way to check in. To see if anyone needs a helping hand… and I am about to share some of the ways he has impacted my life. He is always the person in the neighborhood helping others, and supporting all of the local business’s. He is so hands on in the community and it has a ripple effect. A while back, I was home and heard a loud bang at around 3am, my daughter was sleeping and we were alone. I nearly jumped out of bed and was afraid of what it could be. Guess who came to make sure all was safe? Gerry did… when I forgot to close the gate and worried our dog would get out… thanks to Gerry… I could go on and on and I know he does this for the whole neighborhood He started a non profit all about random acts of kindness and this is how he shows up everyday. He helped to fix our fence when it started to pull from the ground, there have been a number of ways he has shown up and helped, he is the guy who is constantly lending a hand. He’s this way with EVERYONE I’ve ever seen him interact with. A real STAND UP human… like Mr. Rogers. He and his lovely wife, Heather, are a superstar couple who I recently learned met when they were both single parents. They worked super hard to get to where they are today and endured many challenges along the way. They have four daughters combined together and are the type of family who showcases the real American dream, and LOVE. Gerry is the dad who made every cheer, sporting event and also helps to raise his grandkids. They are kind, generous and one of his daughters Genny even became our neighborhood sitter/mom helper. Once again, part of this community self-care and support. Reminding us that It takes a village… This family is one that I believe our community, and our world can learn from. Even the simple things like eating a meal together is a lost family connection in our busy world today. I decided to write this article about Gerry because he is an exemplary parent in our community and I hope to see him on Capitola City council. Regardless of your personal political views, one thing I am certain we can all agree on is this world would benefit from more kindness and love. Like the ocean in our town, each of us have a ripple effect as we walk through this earth and change starts within our community. I am thankful for the parents in this community like Gerry Jensen. To learn more about him you can go gerry4capitola.com Most of all I encourage you to go and meet your neighbors, see how you can get involved in the community and remember that our kids learn by how we show up, not by what we tell them to do…How will you show up for your neighbors this month? Send me your favorite ways to support the community to jaimemcfaden.com

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